Who is eligible to dismiss a ticket with defensive driving?
You qualify if all the following are true:
- This course is typically available for civil moving violations, such as speeding or failure to stop. If you received a criminal violation, you must obtain court approval before enrolling. Your violation must also be on the court-approved list of eligible violations.
- You haven’t taken an Arizona defensive-driving course for ticket dismissal in the last 12 months (violation date to violation date).
- The violation did not involve serious injury or death.
- If you hold a commercial driver license (CDL), you may still be eligible for the defensive driving program. To qualify, you must have been driving a vehicle that only required a Class D or Class M license, the vehicle was not being used for commercial purposes, and you meet all other eligibility requirements for non-commercial drivers.
- You’ll finish the course at least seven days before your court date or approved extension.
How do I know if my ticket qualifies?
Start your registration and enter your citation details. The system will check the state database and typically provides your eligibility status within up to 48 hours. Expedited processing is available. If the court later determines you’re ineligible, IMPROV will refund you in full.
What violations are automatically ineligible?
DUI or other criminal charges, citations tied to an injury-or-fatal crash, and non-moving violations (expired registration, no insurance, parking) cannot be diverted with defensive driving.
Can commercial drivers take the course?
Effective September 1, 2019, commercial driver license holders may complete a defensive driving course under the following conditions:
- The individual was driving a vehicle requiring a Class D or a Class M license.
- The vehicle was not being used for commercial purposes.
- Meets the other defensive driving eligibility requirement for non-commercial driver license holders.
Can out-of-state drivers take the course?
Yes – if the ticket was issued in Arizona and you meet the same rules, you may complete the online course from anywhere in the United States.
How often may I do this?
Once every 12 months – again, measured violation-to-violation.
Can I take the course if I already paid my ticket?
No. Paying the fine is treated as an admission of guilt and ends your eligibility for dismissal.
How soon should I complete the course after getting a ticket?
Finish no later than seven calendar days before your court date or extension due date. Waiting longer risks losing eligibility.
What if I miss my court deadline?
Contact the court immediately to request an extension. Without one, you’ll likely have to pay the fine and accept the points.
Can I take defensive driving for a speeding ticket in Arizona?
Yes. Most civil speeding tickets qualify for dismissal through the Arizona Supreme Court’s Defensive Driving Program. Simply register, and we’ll confirm your eligibility before you start.
Can I take the course if I already went to traffic school in another state?
Arizona law counts only courses taken for Arizona tickets. If your last defensive driving class was for an out-of-state violation, it doesn’t affect your Arizona eligibility.
Can I take defensive driving if I was in another person’s car?
Yes. Eligibility depends on the type of violation – not who owned the vehicle – as long as the citation was issued to you.
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