What is the Defensive Driving Program?
It is a court administered program which presents traffic safety classes through court certified commercial schools. It provides Court, Defensive Driving Board and Certification information.
Defensive Driving is:
- Not Traffic Survival School
- Not a student Driver Program
- Not an adult driving course for practical hands on training
What are the benefits?
- No points are assessed to your motor vehicle record
- Your insurance rate does not go up
- You will learn valuable traffic information, driving techniques and laws
How do I sign up for a class?
Registration and eligibility questions are best directed to the defensive driving school you have selected.
What information is required to register for a Defensive Driving Class?
Schools are required to verify your identity with a driver license prior to attendance. Schools are required to collect and retain a copy of your citation and a copy of a court order if one has been issued. Some schools process registration by phone and require prepayment, while others register by phone but collect payment at class. Most schools require payment by money order or cashier's check only. You should check with the school to make sure you have all the necessary documents to attend.
What is required for a student to have with them at the time they start their class?
Students must provide the required paperwork (traffic citation) and pay the course fee prior to beginning the class. All participants must provide government issued drivers license or identification and affirm they are eligible to attend.
Is there anything I need to do after I attend school?
In some cases you would need to submit your completion certificate to the court of jurisdiction.
How do I know a school has been approved by the state?
Approved schools appear on ourwebsite and are listed on our phone line.
2. Phone line: (888) 334-5565
How long are the defensive driving classes?
Classes are required to be a minimum of 4 hours and not longer than 4 and ½ hours. The time for class registration and breaks do not count towards the minimum or maximum time.
Can I change my mind after I elect to attend the defensive driving course?
Yes, only before starting the course. Once the course begins you give up your option to go to Court.
Can I get a refund if I am unable to attend?
Yes. Contact the school for a refund.
Do I qualify for a discount on my insurance premium?
Some insurance companies will provide their customers a discount for voluntarily attending a defensive driving class.
What if I lose my certificate of completion?
Contact the school for a replacement.
May I take a defensive driving course for point reduction on my motor vehicle record?
No.
May I take a defensive driving course for more than one violation?
No. You are allowed to attend for one eligible violation once every 24 months.
If I experience problems with a Defensive Driving School instructor or course, what can I do?
On the homepage of this website there is a link that will take you to a complaint form.
I’m not responsible for the violation I received. Can I have a hearing in court and then go to defensive driving class later if I lose?
No, you may go to court or you may attend a defensive driving school, not both.One of the purposes of the defensive driving program is to reduce court caseloads. You must decide to attend a defensive driving school at least 7 days before a hearing is scheduled.
What if I can’t attend during the time allowed by the court?
You may ask the court for an extension or continuance in order to allow you the extra time you need to attend. It is not required for the court to grant this extra time, but it is permissible at the judge’s discretion. Under court rules, ONE continuance may be granted.
You must complete the class including testing time 7 days prior to your court date.
I received an Arizona ticket, but I live in a different state. What should I do?
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Immediately contact an Arizona Certified Defensive Driving School
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You may take an internet class
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You may return to Arizona for the class
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You can attend a class in your home state, ONLY if coordinated through an Arizona Certified School
- You must complete your course 7 days prior to your court date
What if I got a ticket in another state, but I live here in Arizona?
You should contact the court of jurisdiction in that state to see what they allow or require.
I hold a Commercial Driver License or drive a commercial motor vehicle that requires a commercial driver license, am I eligible for the Defensive Driving Diversion Program?
No, per A.R.S. 28-3392(C) (2), a commercial driver license holder or a driver of a commercial motor vehicle that requires a commercial driver license is not eligible for the defensive driving diversion program.
I’ve been ordered by the Motor Vehicle Division to attend a "Traffic Survival School" or they will suspend my license. Is this the same as a defensive driving class?
No, Traffic Survival School is for individuals who have received more serious violations or have an excessive amount of points on their driving record.
Can I be ordered by the court to attend a Defensive Driving School?
Yes, courts do have the right to order a person attend defensive driving school, but in these cases the class is not for dismissal of the violation.
I went to class, but the citation is still on my record. What should I do?
If the citation is the one for which you attended a defensive driving school, call the court of jurisdiction and ask them to correct the problem.
I require an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Are there provisions for me to attend a defensive driving class?
Yes. Individuals are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act
Can I attend a class via the Internet?
Yes.
I hold a Commercial Driver License, am I eligible for the Defensive Driving Diversion Program?
No, per
A.R.S. 28-3392(C) (2), commercial drivers’ license holders are not eligible for the Defensive Driving Diversion Program, regardless of whether they are driving commercially at the time of the violation.
The Arizona Supreme Court, Administrative Office of the Courts has a TDD telephone line. You may contact us on this line by calling (602) 452-3545. If you call, ask to speak with a representative of the Defensive Driving Program in the Certification and Licensing Division. The TDD line is in a separate department in the State Courts Building. It will take a few minutes for them to contact us and for us to get to that location, so please be patient. Instead, you might wish to have them forward a message to us to return your call using the TDD line.
