License Suspension & Ignition Interlock
Administrative Suspension
When you are arrested for DUI in Arizona, the MVD starts a separate process to suspend your driving privileges. This Admin Per Se action operates independently of the criminal case. You do not need to be convicted for your license to be suspended.
If your chemical test showed BAC 0.08 or above, the officer will serve you with a notice of suspension and confiscate your physical license. You receive a temporary 15-day driving permit. Within those 15 days, you or your attorney must request a hearing in writing. The standard suspension is 90 days (30 days hard, then restricted driving).
One detail people often miss: the 15-day clock starts running from the date of the arrest paperwork, not from the date you first talk to a lawyer. We have seen people come in on day 14 thinking they had plenty of time. Do not be that person.
Implied Consent Suspension
If you refused chemical testing, a first refusal results in a 12-month suspension. A second within 7 years results in 24 months. This applies even if you are acquitted or charges are dropped.
The Admin Per Se Hearing
Conducted by an administrative law judge from the MVD Executive Hearing Office. The officer must establish reasonable grounds, lawful arrest, proper implied consent advisement, and that test results support the suspension. If the officer fails to appear or fails to prove these elements, the suspension is set aside. Even when upheld, the transcript becomes useful evidence for the criminal defense.
Ignition Interlock Devices
An IID is a breathalyzer connected to your vehicle’s ignition system. For most DUI convictions, installation is mandatory. Duration varies: standard first-offense DUI requires up to 12 months (some qualify for 6 months with compliance), extreme and super extreme require longer, and felony aggravated DUI requires 12–24 months upon reinstatement. Monthly costs typically run $70–$100. Violations are reported to the court and MVD.