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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
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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
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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 our
website and are listed on our phone line.
1.
http://www.supreme.state.az.us/driveschoolinfo/
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.
Click on the link
http://www.supreme.state.az.us/drive/formspage.htm
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 do 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
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’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.
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