Suspended vs Revoked Licenses in Arizona click for a free consultation

Posted on November 29, 2025 in assault & violent crimes

It can be tempting to think of driver’s license suspensions and revocations in Arizona as two ways of saying the same thing. However, these are distinct concepts with different consequences and different procedures to restore your driving privileges.

In this post, we examine the differences between a suspended and revoked license in Arizona.

What is a License Suspension in Arizona?

A license suspension is a temporary removal of your driving privilege in Arizona. The Motor Vehicles Division (MVD) of the Arizona Department of Transportation is the agency that handles license suspensions.

Reasons for Driver’s License Suspensions

Your license can be suspended for any of several reasons. These include but are not limited to:

• Not giving your consent to a blood, breath, or urine test to detect the presence of alcohol or drugs in your body
  
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  
• Building up eight or more points on your driving record and not completing the Traffic Survival School
  
• Reckless or aggressive driving
  
• Committing a felony while using a motor vehicle
  
• Using a fake form of identification
  
• Failing to appear for a court date
  
• Violations of Arizona insurance laws
  
• Not paying fines for traffic offenses, moving violations, or speeding tickets

Reinstatement of Your Driver’s License After a Suspension

You cannot legally drive if your license is suspended until your license is reinstated. Your driver’s license will remain suspended until the period of the suspension is served, comply with any/all requirements placed on your license by the Motor Vehicle Division of ADOT (Arizona Department of Transportation), and pay any applicable reinstatement fee(s).

The Arizona MVD will then reinstate your driving privileges in Arizona, which may depend on your successful attendance of traffic school if ordered by the court or required by the MVD:

• If you accumulate eight or more points in a rolling 12-month period, you will be required to attend Traffic Survival School.
  
• All convictions for red-light or stop-sign running, aggressive driving, traffic violations resulting in death or serious injury, and the first moving violation for drivers under 18 years of age also require successful completion of Traffic Survival School.

What is a License Revocation in Arizona?

In contrast to a license suspension, a driver’s license revocation in Arizona results in the complete removal of your license and privilege to drive. To regain your driving privileges and license, you have to complete and submit the ADOT MVD “Revocation Packet”, upon which the MVD will then make its determination as to whether or not to issue you a license..

Reasons for License Revocation

Examples of how driver’s license revocation can occur include:

• You have two or more convictions for DUI, extreme DUI, or super extreme DUI within 84 months
  
• You are convicted of felony aggravated DUI
  
• You are convicted of a homicide or aggravated assault resulting from your operation of a motor vehicle
  
• You are convicted of a felony in which a motor vehicle is used
  
• You are convicted of theft of a motor vehicle
  
• You are convicted of unlawful use of a means of transportation
  
• You are convicted of theft of a means of transportation
  
• You are convicted of discharging a firearm while driving a vehicle, such as a drive-by shooting
  
• You are convicted for failure to stop at the scene and render aid after an accident causing death or injury
  
• You are convicted for perjury or making a false statement under oath to the Department of Transportation
  
• A determination is made that you are medically, psychologically, or physically incapable of operating a motor vehicle

The revocation period for these offenses can range from one to five years depending on the specific offense that resulted in the revocation of your Arizona driving privileges.

Reinstating Your Driving Privilege After a License Revocation

Restoring your ability to drive after a revocation is more difficult than after a license suspension.

• You must have served the full revocation period
  
• You must complete and submit a “Revocation Packet” to have your driving record reviewed by the MVD to determine and decide your eligibility, and pay an application fee
  
• All any outstanding obligations must be satisfied
  
• For revocation involving DUI, you must obtain proof of future financial responsibility, also known as an SR-22 certificate

Are You Facing License Suspension or Revocation in Arizona?

We are a full-service law firm that will handle every detail of your legal defense. The attorneys and staff at the Rosenstein Law Group serve all our clients facing a wide range of criminal cases, including DUI and traffic offense charges. 

We have over 200 years of combined legal experience, representing thousands of clients and handling hundreds of jury trials. We can represent your interests before the MVD as well as in court.

If you are facing a possible driver’s license suspension, revocation, or any criminal or traffic-related charge, you should consult a qualified Arizona attorney, such as those at Rosenstein Law Group, to obtain advice tailored to your particular situation.

For personalized legal assistance, please contact Rosenstein Law Group directly at (480) 248-7666 or through our online contact form to schedule a confidential consultation.