arizona driving information

Arizona is known for severe dust storms, also known as haboobs, and snow birds, also known as tourists. But these aren't the only things that make driving in Arizona unique. Read on to find out more about driving in Arizona.

Arizona driving stats, facts, and laws

Number of licensed drivers: 4,403,000

Registered vehicles: 4,358,000

Licensing and registration authority: Arizona Department of Transportation

Total crashes: 106,177

Average cost of property damage after a car accident: $8,364

Most common driver violation: speeding too fast for conditions

Most common type of collision: rear-end

Arizona driving record points

Convictions for moving violations can add penalty points to a driving record. Points range from 2 to 8, depending on the severity of the violation.

Most minor violations result in 2 points, while driving over a gore area (the space between a roadway and an entrance or exit ramp) will tack on 3 points. A reckless driving conviction is considered more severe and adds 8 points to a driving record.

If you rack up 8 or more points on your driving record within a 12-month span, you may be required to attend driving school or your license could be suspended.

Distracted driving

Arizona's school bus drivers are banned from all cell phone use while driving.

DUI penalties

Any driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher is considered over the limit. Even with a BAC below 0.08 percent, a driver could still be convicted of a DUI.

Penalties for a conviction may include:

8 driving record points
10 days in jail
$1,250 minimum fine
Mandatory community service
Mandatory ignition interlock device

Penalties for extreme DUIs, which typically involve a BAC of 0.15 percent, are more severe.

Reporting accidents in Arizona

Any accident resulting in injury must be reported to the police.

If the other driver doesn't provide insurance info, you can get the police report and submit an Insurance Information Request form (PDF) to obtain the driver's insurance info.

Out-of-state accidents and your car insurance

If you have Arizona's minimum coverage limits and get into an accident in another state that requires higher minimum limits, your policy may stretch to cover the higher amount required.

Moving to Arizona

If you're moving to Arizona and have an out-of-state drivers license, you'll have to pass a vision test and pay a fee to obtain an Arizona drivers license. No written or road test is needed.

You'll also have to get insurance and register your car as soon as you become an Arizona resident.

If you're an enrolled student from outside of Arizona with 7 or more semester hours, you aren't required to have an Arizona drivers license or registration.

And if you're visiting from another country, you won't need an international driving license or permit to legally drive in Arizona (although it is recommended). Your country-issued drivers license will do just fine.

Drivers in the military

If you're an Arizona resident stationed elsewhere on active duty, you can renew your registration online, by phone, or through the mail. If your car is in a state that requires emissions testing, you can apply for an out-of-state emissions exemption.

You might also qualify for the Special Military Exemption, meaning you can renew your vehicle registration without paying any fees.

Car theft

When it comes to car thefts in Arizona, Phoenix is a hotspot. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), the capital city saw 13,132 car thefts in a single year. Tucson was a distant second with 3,586.

10 most stolen cars of 2011 in Arizona

1994 Honda Accord
2005 Chevrolet Pickup (full size)
1995 Honda Civic
2004 Ford Pickup (full size)
2005 Dodge Pickup (full size)
1994 Nissan Sentra
1991 Toyota Camry
1997 Nissan Altmia
1996 Nissan Maxima
2000 Chevrolet Pickup (small size)

Young driver requirements

Graduated permit requirements

Minimum permit age: 15 years, 6 months
Tests: written and vision
A licensed driver (21 years old or older) must be seated in the front seat next to the permitted young driver at all times

Graduated drivers license requirements

Minimum age: 16 years old
Time with permit: 6 months
Training: completion of an approved Arizona driver education program or 30 practice hours with parent/guardian (20 day hours; 10 night hours)
Nighttime driving restrictions: midnight to 5 a.m. (except in special cases)
Passenger restrictions: only one passenger under the age of 18 during first 6 months unless it's a sibling
Nighttime and passenger restrictions lifted: 6 months after obtaining graduated license

Getting a drivers license

Once you turn 18, you can convert your graduated license into a full-fledged Class D license. This lets you drive without any restrictions.

Minors and underage drinking

Minors (under the age of 21) with any BAC level above zero may lose driving privileges.