(Photo illustration by Alexis Macklin)After Democratic Arizona gubernatorial candidate Fred DuVal learned recently that he had been driving on a suspended license, students should be aware that a simple traffic violation, if left unpaid or not paid correctly, can lead to a suspended license.
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, licenses can be suspended for a variety of reasons, including driving under the influence, fleeing the scene of a serious injury or fatal crash or failing to appear in court hearing after receiving a moving traffic citation.
For some moving violations, an additional fee is required in order to reinstate a license, which is separate from the cost of the traffic citation, according to ADOT.
ADOT spokesman Ryan Harding said in an email after a person’s Arizona driver’s license has been suspended, he or she will receive a letter from the Motor Vehicle Division after the courts have notified the department that the person was convicted of a violation meriting the suspension.
Harding said the letter will be mailed to the address on file with the MVD.
“That’s why it is critical for drivers to be sure to update any change of address with MVD,” Harding said. “Arizona laws require the driver to update a new address with MVD within 10 days.”
Ignorance of a suspended license is not a defense if a person is pulled over while driving while the license is suspended. This means if an address on file is not current, the person may never receive the letter and might not know that his or her license is suspended.
Harding pointed out the rules in Arizona only apply to people with Arizona licenses. While another state’s suspension and reinstatement rules might be similar, out-of-state students may have to follow additional rules.
“The students who have out-of-state driver licenses will have to work with their home state’s MVD office to see what their procedures are regarding notification of suspended licenses,” Harding said. “I will say that because of cooperation among the states, if a student’s California driver license, for example, is suspended there, it’s suspended here as well.”
Harding said students need to be aware that if a license is suspended, they are not allowed to drive for any reason until it has been reinstated.
Reinstatement procedures vary depending on the type of violation. For most traffic citations, excluding DUI, a person needs to pay a $10 reinstatement fee, in addition to an application fee. For a person aged 16-39, the application fee is $25.
Computer systems engineering sophomore Brooke Overturf said she has never gotten a ticket, but did not know that a person’s license could be suspended for not paying a reinstatement fee.
Secondary education junior Brandon Welch said he received a speeding ticket once in his hometown of Seattle.
“I had to pay for the ticket, it was about $150, but I didn’t get any points against my license," he said.
Arizona residents who may be unsure of their license status can check it anytime at servicearizona.com. License reinstatement fees can also be paid there.
Reach the reporter at cvanek@asu.edu or follow her on Twitter @CorinaVanek
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