Arizona Teen Driver Penalties: Tickets, Suspensions and Zero Tolerance
What happens if an Arizona Class G teen driver breaks the curfew, passenger or phone rule?
In the first six months of an Arizona Class G license, a first violation brings a maximum civil penalty of $75 and 30 more days of restrictions. A second brings a maximum of $100 and 60 more days. A third or later brings a maximum of $100 and a 30-day suspension. Other moving tickets under 18 lead to Traffic Survival School, then suspensions.
Where the Arizona teen penalty rules come from
The Class G penalties are in A.R.S. 28-3174. Penalties for other moving violations under 18 are in A.R.S. 28-3321. Alcohol suspensions are in A.R.S. 28-3320, A.R.S. 28-3322 and A.R.S. 4-244. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) teen driver pages, its Traffic Survival School page and the Arizona Driver License Manual explain these rules for teen drivers. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the ADOT Motor Vehicle Division (azdot.gov/mvd) before you drive.
Class G restriction penalties by violation
| Violation | Maximum civil penalty | What else happens |
|---|---|---|
| First | $75 | The restriction is extended by 30 days. |
| Second | $100 | The restriction is extended by 60 days. |
| Third or later | $100 | The department suspends the driving privilege for 30 days. |
Class G curfew, passenger and phone rules
- Curfew: no driving from 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. The exceptions are a licensed parent or legal guardian in the seat beside you, or driving directly to or from a sanctioned school sponsored activity, your place of employment, a sanctioned religious activity or a family emergency.
- Passengers: no more than one passenger under 18. Siblings do not count, and the limit does not apply when a licensed parent or legal guardian sits beside you. Try the practice question on the Class G passenger limit.
- Phone: no wireless communication device while you drive. The exceptions are an emergency in which stopping is impossible or unsafe, and audible turn-by-turn navigation that you set before you drive and do not touch while you drive.
- When they apply: for the first six months that you hold the Class G license, until your 18th birthday. The Arizona Class G license rules explain how to get the license.
How Class G extensions and suspensions add up
An extension adds 30 or 60 days to the restrictions you already have. If the six months are already over when the department receives the report of the violation, the new restriction period starts on that date. If you already have a 30-day extension when a second violation happens, the extensions run one after the other. A 30-day suspension for a third violation and a suspension under A.R.S. 28-3321 also run one after the other. On satisfactory evidence of a violation of a license restriction, the department may also suspend or revoke the license.
How to get a curfew or passenger citation dismissed
A curfew citation is dismissed if you give the court officer proof on or before the court date and time on the citation. The proof can be a notarized letter from your parent or legal guardian that you were going to or from one of the allowed places. It can also be a notarized letter from your employer that you were returning from work.
A passenger citation is dismissed in the same way with a notarized letter from your parent or legal guardian that states the passengers were your siblings.
Other moving violations under 18: the A.R.S. 28-3321 steps
Which tickets the under-18 steps do not cover
These steps cover a moving civil traffic violation or a moving criminal traffic offense that you commit under 18. They exclude violations of sections 28-693, 28-695, 28-708, 28-1381, 28-1382, 28-1383 and 28-3174. A curfew, passenger or phone violation falls under 28-3174, so it follows the Class G table instead. For an offense under 18, a conviction under 28-1381 or 28-1382 brings a two-year suspension, and a conviction under 28-1383 brings a three-year suspension (A.R.S. 28-3320).
Zero tolerance: any alcohol under 21
In Arizona it is unlawful for a person under 21 to drive or be in physical control of a motor vehicle while there is any spirituous liquor in the body. The Arizona Driver License Manual calls this zero tolerance. The rule covers every driver under 21, with any license class. A conviction includes an order of the juvenile court that finds a violation. If you do not have a license yet, the department refuses to issue one.
Under-21 alcohol suspensions by age
| Age at the offense | Suspension after a conviction | If the court restricts your driving |
|---|---|---|
| Under 18 (A.R.S. 28-3320) | 2 years, starts immediately | Driving only between home, school and work at set times, with a special ignition interlock restricted driver license |
| 18, 19 or 20 (A.R.S. 28-3322) | 2 years, starts immediately | Driving only between home, school and work at set times, with a special ignition interlock restricted driver license |
How points lead to Traffic Survival School
ADOT assesses points each time you are convicted or forfeit bail for a moving traffic violation. With 8 or more points in any 12-month period, you may be required to attend Traffic Survival School (TSS), or your driving privilege may be suspended up to 12 months. The Arizona points and Traffic Survival School guide explains how points add up.
Key takeaways
- In the first six months of a Class G license, curfew, passenger and phone violations carry maximum civil penalties of $75, $100 and $100, 30- and 60-day extensions, then a 30-day suspension.
- Other moving violations under 18 bring Traffic Survival School, then a three-month suspension, then a six-month suspension.
- Any alcohol in the body is unlawful under 21. A conviction brings a two-year suspension.
- A notarized letter can get a curfew or passenger citation dismissed when an exception applied.
- Next step: practice on the free Arizona Instruction Permit practice test. It is in English only.
Arizona teen driver penalties: common questions
Can police pull over a teen just for driving after midnight in Arizona?
No. A peace officer may not stop or cite a Class G driver for a curfew, passenger or phone violation alone. The officer must have reasonable cause to believe there is another alleged violation of an Arizona motor vehicle law before the stop or the citation.
Do Class G penalties go away when I turn 18?
No. The curfew, passenger and phone restrictions stop on your 18th birthday, but you must fully satisfy any penalty or extension already imposed under A.R.S. 28-3174, even at 18 or older. A 30-day suspension or a 60-day extension does not end early because of your birthday.
Is a Class G curfew ticket always $75?
No. $75 is the maximum civil penalty for a first violation, and $100 is the maximum for a second or later one. ADOT's teen page calls these amounts maximum fines. The 30-day and 60-day extensions and the 30-day suspension are required by law and come in addition to the penalty.
Can a suspension stop me from getting a Class D license at 18?
Yes. You may apply for a Class D license on or after your 18th birthday. But if your Class G license is suspended under A.R.S. 28-3321 for other moving violations, you cannot get the Class D license until the suspension period ends. At 18 you may also keep using your Class G license.
What if I am 19 and drink before I drive in Arizona?
The zero-tolerance rule still applies. Any spirituous liquor in the body is unlawful for a driver under 21. A conviction for an offense at 18, 19 or 20 brings a two-year suspension under A.R.S. 28-3322, and the suspension starts immediately. If you do not have a license, the department refuses to issue one.
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