Defensive driving courses in Arizona

How a defensive driving course dismisses an Arizona ticket

Arizona’s Defensive Driving Program is run by the Arizona Supreme Court. If your ticket qualifies, you finish a class at a court-certified school and the court dismisses the citation. A dismissed ticket puts no points on your MVD record, which is the reason most people take the class.

Who qualifies

• Civil moving violations. Everyday tickets such as speeding or an unsafe lane change are the ones the program is built for.
• Once every 12 months. The limit is counted from violation date to violation date, not from the date of your last class.
• Not after a serious crash. If the violation involved a collision causing serious injury or death, you can’t use the program.
• Criminal speeding only with the judge’s permission. Citations under A.R.S. 28-701.02 are eligible only if the presiding judge allows it.
• CDL holders, with a condition. Since September 1, 2019, commercial license holders can take the class only if they were driving a vehicle that needs a Class D or M license and it wasn’t being used commercially.

The fastest way to know for sure is the court’s own eligibility check; you’ll need your citation.

Deadline, length and format

• Finish at least 7 days before your court date. Leave room for the school to report your completion.
• Four hours. Certified classes run at least 4 hours and no more than 4½.
• Online or in a classroom. Both count, as long as the school is certified for the program.

What it costs

You pay the school’s class fee plus fees set by the court that issued your ticket, so the total differs from one city court to the next. Ask the school for the all-in price for your specific court before you book. The court’s program FAQ says the same: fees vary by jurisdiction.

Defensive driving or Traffic Survival School?

They’re different programs. Defensive driving is something you choose to get one ticket dismissed. Traffic Survival School is ordered by MVD after certain violations or a build-up of points, and skipping it can cost you your license. If you have an MVD letter, you need TSS, not a defensive driving class.

How to pick a school

• Confirm it’s certified for the Arizona Supreme Court program; a generic online “defensive driving” course won’t dismiss your ticket.
• Ask for the total price including court fees, and when they report completion to the court.
• Check the language and schedule: some schools offer Spanish-language, evening or weekend classes.
• Use the list above: it’s ordered by review-adjusted Google rating, so a school with thousands of consistent reviews ranks above one with three perfect ones.

Rules checked against the Arizona Supreme Court’s defensive driving FAQ, program overview in September 2026. Courts and MVD can change fees and procedures; confirm with them before you pay for anything.

Common questions

Does a defensive driving course remove points in Arizona?

It keeps them from being added. When you complete a certified class in time, the court dismisses the citation, so no points go on your MVD record for that ticket.

How often can I take defensive driving in Arizona?

Once every 12 months, counted from the date of the earlier violation to the date of the new one.

Can I take an Arizona defensive driving class online?

Yes. Online classes count as long as the school is certified for the Arizona Supreme Court’s Defensive Driving Program.

When do I have to finish the class?

At least 7 days before your court date.

Can I use defensive driving if I have a CDL?

Only if you were driving a vehicle that needs a Class D or M license and it wasn’t being used commercially.