Have you or somebody you love recently been issued a citation for driving under the influence in the state of Arizona? Driving under the influence in Arizona is a serious offense that will come with some penalties, including the suspension of the driver’s license. In this article you will find an overview of the facts about DUI laws in Arizona and how to get your license back if it has been suspended.

Can You Refuse a DUI Test in Arizona?

When you apply for a driver’s license in Arizona you give your implied consent to being tested for blood alcohol levels if you get pulled over. It is against the law to refuse a DUI test. Blood alcohol content is not the only thing that they may screen you for.

If they suspect that you are under the influence of drugs other than alcohol they may also screen you for drugs. Driving under the influence of marijuana, opiates, or amphetamines can all land you with a DUI conviction that leads to the suspension of your driver's license until you earn it back.

Refusing a drug or alcohol test will immediately cause you to lose your driving privileges. Your license will be suspended for a minimum of one year and up to two years. It makes it harder to get your driver’s license back if you refuse the tests as well. You will need to go through drug screenings or alcohol screenings before you can get your driving privileges back.

How Do They Test You For DUI’s in Arizona?

There are several ways that law enforcement can test your blood alcohol concentration or drug content. The most common way is with a breathalyzer test. They can also test your blood or urine at the scene. They may ask you to do other tests to judge your ability to drive such as walking in a straight line and checking the dilation of your pupils.

Do not try to get out of doing a DUI test if you get caught driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. They do have the legal right to test you, and refusing the test can imply guilt and make the process all the more difficult for both you and law enforcement.

What is the Legal Blood Alcohol Limit in Arizona?

In Arizona and most other states in the US, the legal blood alcohol maximum limit is 0.08%. The limit is different if you are driving a commercial vehicle that requires a commercial driver’s license. For commercial drivers the maximum alcohol content in your system is 0.04%.

For young adults who are under the legal drinking age of 21, you can not drive with any alcohol in your system. If you get caught driving under the influence when you are underage you will automatically lose your driver’s license in most cases. If you are under 21 and the alcohol percentage is low enough, you may get a citation for underage drinking instead of or along with a DUI charge.

Summary of Arizona DUI Laws

• You give your consent to be tested for alcohol and drugs when you apply for a driver’s license.
• It is illegal to refuse a DUI test.
• You can lose your driving privileges for a year if you refuse to be tested.
• You may need to go through drug/alcohol screenings to get your license back
• Law enforcement can check breath, blood, or urine for alcohol and drugs.
• Being charged with a DUI will suspend your driving privileges.
• It is illegal to have alcohol in your system if you are under 21.
• Any amount of alcohol blood content can cause you to lose your license if you are under 21 years old.
• The legal limit is 0.08% for regular drivers and 0.04% for commercial vehicles.

DUI Penalties in Arizona

The kind of penalties enforced for DUI charges in Arizona will depend on the severity of the incident, the alcohol or drug blood content level, whether or not a crash was involved, and whether the DUI is a first time charge or a pattern. If your license is already suspended for a DUI and you get caught driving under the influence with a suspended license, the penalties will be more severe.

• First DUI Offense in Arizona
  The first time you get charged with a DUI in Arizona you will be facing a jail term of at least 10 days. There are also substantial fines that must be paid in the amount of at least $1,250. It could also be more. Your driver's license may be suspended or you may be required to install a certified ignition interlock device in your vehicle. To get your driver’s license reinstated you will have to go through alcohol/drug classes and do a certain number of community service hours.
  
  *A certified ignition interlock device is a device that is attached to the driver’s side of a vehicle and analyzes the breath of the driver. The vehicle will not start if you do not check your breath with the device first. It also has a GPS and camera within the device. This device monitors the driver to ensure they are not driving under the influence. It can not stop the car once it has already been started, but it can prevent it from starting.*
• Second DUI Offense in Arizona
  For repeat offenders, the penalties become more severe. You can be jailed for a minimum of 90 days, or three months. Driver’s licenses will automatically be revoked for a minimum of one year after the offense. The fines will be at least double that of a first offense with a minimum of $3,000. Drug and alcohol screenings/classes as well as community service will be required to get driving privileges back.
• Extreme DUI’s
  An extreme DUI is when the person driving has a blood alcohol concentration of over 0.15%. The first offense comes with a jail sentence of 30 days minimum. The fines will be a minimum of $2,500.
  
  For a repeat extreme DUI offense you will go to jail for 120 days and be fined $3,250 at least. Your license will be revoked for 12 months and you will have to do community service, go to alcohol and drug classes, and install a certified ignition interlock device in your vehicle.

What is a Suspended License DUI?

Driving with a suspended or revoked license is a criminal offense. If you are charged with driving under the influence while your license is suspended or revoked it is considered an aggravated DUI.

What is an Aggravated DUI?

Driving with a suspended or revoked license is a criminal offense. If you are charged with driving under the influence while your license is suspended or revoked it is considered an aggravated DUI.

• DUI with a suspended or revoked license
• Three DUI’s in less than 84 months
• DUI with a minor under the age of 15 in the car
• Refusing a DUI test while required to use an ignition interlock device

What Are the Penalties For an Aggravated DUI?

The penalties for an aggravated DUI are serious. You can go to prison for up to 24 months. Your license will be revoked for at least one year and you will have to pay fines, do community service, and go to drug/alcohol screenings to get it back. You may also be required to use an ignition interlock device when your driving privileges are returned.