One of the most common calls I get from people is from drivers who are facing a license suspension for too many moving violations, usually speeding tickets. Most of them are shocked to find out that not only will Arizona Motor Vehicle Department suspend a driver’s license for too many speeding tickets, but if they do so, that driver also will not be eligible for a restricted license.
What that means is if a driver is charged with a DUI and MVD suspends that driver’s license for 90 days as a result, that driver has a restricted permit for the final 60 days of the suspension. A restricted permit means the driver can drive to and from work, at work, to and from school, and for medical and legal reasons. A driver, however, who gets a 90-day point suspension has a flat suspension with no driving privileges whatsoever.
If someone accumulates 8 to 12 points in 12 months, MVD will order that driver to attend traffic survival school. If that driver fails to attend TSS, their license will be suspended for 6 months with no restricted license. If that driver attends TSS but then accumulates 8-12 points in 12 months and had attended TSS in the previous 24 months, that driver will have a flat suspension for 3 months. 13-17 points in 12 months will lead to a 3-flat suspension, 18 to 23 points in 12 months will lead to a six-month flat suspension, and 24 or more points in 30 months will lead to a one-year flat suspension. A DUI, reckless driving, and racing citations are all 8 points. Traffic signal violation resulting in serious injury is 4 points, speeding is 3 points, and all other moving violations are 2 points.
One thing drivers should keep in mind is that even though they are not eligible to have the right to drive to and from work if their license is suspended because of too many points, they can request a hearing with MVD. In my experience, MVD judges will listen carefully and consider giving a driver a “warning”, especially if it means losing a job. In worst cases, your work permit Canada can some under duress. In a nutshell, do seek Independant Legal Advice (ILA) at the earliest.
If you have received a letter from MVD, read the letter carefully and all the paragraphs that apply to the MVD action. At the bottom of the letter, you will see a sentence that tells you which numbered paragraphs on the back side of the letter apply to your case. One of those numbers will indicate your right to request a hearing. Be sure to request as hearing and speak to me as well. I can help you with the MVD action and possibly avoid a suspension.
