Arizona Defensive Driving — Frequently Asked Questions

Arizona’s defensive driving program is a court-authorized diversion option that lets eligible drivers take an approved course instead of paying a traffic fine. When you complete the course, your citation is dismissed and no points are added to your driving record. The program is supervised by the Arizona Supreme Court, which certifies all approved schools and maintains a statewide database of completions.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3394 (successful course completion); A.R.S. § 28-3395 (Supreme Court authority and duties); ACJA § 7-205(A) (“Diversion” definition)

Here’s the step-by-step process after you receive a traffic ticket in Arizona:

1. Confirm eligibility — Check that your violation qualifies and that you haven’t taken a defensive driving course for ticket dismissal in the past 12 months.
2. Choose an approved school — Select any school certified by the Arizona Supreme Court. You are free to attend any certified school; courts are prohibited by law from favoring one school over another. We recommend Defensive Drivers Institute — Arizona Supreme Court certified (School ID 583), 100% online, instant court reporting, and no hidden fees.
3. Submit your documents — Provide a copy of your driver’s license, your traffic citation, and a signed Affirmation of Eligibility.
4. Pay the required fees — This includes the school’s course fee, the court diversion fee, the $45 state surcharge, and the state fee (up to $15).
5. Complete the course — Finish the entire course at least 7 days before your court date.
6. Automatic reporting — The school electronically reports your completion directly to the court and the statewide database.
7. Citation dismissed — The court dismisses your ticket, and the violation never appears on your driving record.

Source: A.R.S. §§ 28-3392 through 28-3396; ACJA § 7-205(A) (definitions for “Affirmation of eligibility,” “Completion certificate,” “Court automation requirements”)

Yes. In Arizona, “defensive driving school,” “traffic school,” and “defensive driving course” all refer to the same program — the court-authorized diversion program governed by A.R.S. §§ 28-3391 through 28-3399 and administered by the Arizona Supreme Court. Regardless of what a school calls it, every certified program follows the same state-mandated curriculum requirements and rules.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3395(B)(4) (Supreme Court certifies schools and instructors); ACJA § 7-205(A) (“Defensive driving course” definition)

You are eligible if all of the following are true:

• You received a civil traffic moving violation (such as speeding, running a red light, or failure to yield).
• You have not attended a defensive driving course for ticket dismissal in the past 12 months (measured from violation date to violation date).
• Your violation did not involve serious physical injury or death.
• If you hold a commercial driver license (CDL), you were driving a vehicle that only required a Class D or Class M license and the vehicle was not being used for commercial purposes.

Arizona law uses the word “shall” — meaning courts are required to allow eligible drivers to attend defensive driving school. It’s your right, not a favor.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3392(A)(1) (“A court shall allow an individual who is issued a citation for a civil traffic moving violation…”); A.R.S. § 28-3392(B) (12-month eligibility period); A.R.S. § 28-3392(C)(1) (serious injury/death exclusion)

Most civil traffic moving violations qualify, including:

• Speeding (civil, not criminal)
• Running a red light or stop sign
• Failure to yield
• Improper lane change
• Following too closely
• Failure to obey traffic signals or signs

Violations that do NOT qualify include DUI/DWI, criminal speeding (certain extreme cases), reckless driving, violations involving serious injury or death, and non-moving violations like expired registration, no insurance, or parking tickets. Some courts may allow defensive driving for criminal speeding (A.R.S. § 28-701.02) at the judge’s discretion.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3392(A)(1) (civil traffic moving violations under ARS Title 28, Ch. 3, Articles 2-4 and 6-15); A.R.S. § 28-3392(A)(2)(a) (judge discretion for § 28-701.02 violations); A.R.S. § 28-3392(C)(1) (serious injury/death exclusion)

You can take a defensive driving course for ticket dismissal once every 12 months. The 12-month window is measured from the date of your last eligible violation (not the course completion date) to the date of the new violation. There is no lifetime cap — you can use the program as many times as you need, as long as 12 months have passed between violations.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3392(B) (“A person who attends a defensive driving school pursuant to this article is not eligible to attend a defensive driving school again within twelve months from the day of the last violation…”)

Yes, with conditions. Since September 1, 2019, CDL holders are eligible for Arizona’s defensive driving program if:

• They were driving a vehicle that required only a Class D or Class M license (not a commercial vehicle).
• The vehicle was not being used for commercial purposes.
• They meet all other standard eligibility requirements.

However, the rules for CDL holders differ from regular drivers in one important way: the violation will still appear on your driving record, but the court cannot impose a civil penalty, and private auto insurers must treat the citation as equivalent to a dismissed ticket. CDL holders driving a commercial vehicle at the time of the violation remain ineligible for the diversion program (though a court may still order them to attend as part of sentencing).

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3392(A)(2)(b) (CDL eligibility, effective 9/1/2019); A.R.S. § 28-3394.01 (CDL completion effects — record stays, no civil penalty, insurance treatment)

Yes. If you received an eligible traffic citation in Arizona, you may take the course regardless of which state issued your driver’s license. Arizona law doesn’t restrict eligibility based on residency — only on the type of violation and your defensive driving history within Arizona. Online courses make this especially convenient since you can complete the course from anywhere. Defensive Drivers Institute’s online course is available to anyone with an Arizona citation, regardless of where you live.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3392 (eligibility requirements — no residency restriction); A.R.S. § 28-3393(A)(2) (reasonable justification for alternative school access, including residing in another area)

No. Paying the fine is treated as an admission of responsibility and resolves the citation. Once paid, you’ve waived your option for the diversion program. This is why it’s important to choose defensive driving before paying any fine. If you’re unsure about your eligibility, contact your court before making a payment.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3396(B) (“Payment of the court diversion fee and surcharge is in lieu of payment of a civil penalty or criminal fine…”)

Arizona only counts defensive driving courses taken for Arizona tickets. If your most recent course was for a citation in another state, it does not affect your Arizona eligibility. The 12-month restriction applies only to the Arizona defensive driving diversion program.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3392(B) (12-month restriction applies to attendance “pursuant to this article” — i.e., Arizona’s program); A.R.S. § 28-3395(B)(3) (statewide database tracks Arizona completions only)

Yes. Eligibility depends entirely on the type of violation and your personal defensive driving history — not on who owned the vehicle. As long as the citation was issued to you and the violation qualifies, you can attend the course.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3392 (eligibility tied to the individual cited, not vehicle ownership)

Arizona law sets a maximum of four and one-half hours (4.5 hours) for the entire course, including all testing, reviewing, and grading. Most students complete it in about 4 to 4.5 hours. Online courses allow you to log in and out and work at your own pace, but the state requires a minimum amount of instructional time to ensure the material is covered.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3395(B)(7) (“Require that a defensive driving school class not exceed a total of four and one-half hours, including any testing, reviewing and grading…”); ACJA § 7-205(A) (“Instructional time” definition)

Yes. Arizona allows approved schools to offer the course through “Alternative Delivery Methods” (ADM), which includes online and other non-classroom formats. Online courses must meet the same curriculum and time requirements as classroom courses. The Arizona Supreme Court certifies both classroom and online delivery formats.

Source: ACJA § 7-205(A) (“Alternative delivery method (ADM)” definition — “a defensive driving course other than a live classroom presentation by an instructor”); A.R.S. § 28-3395(B)(4) and (6) (Supreme Court certifies schools and monitors delivery)

The defensive driving course is designed to teach safe driving practices and attitudes. It covers Arizona traffic laws, defensive driving techniques, the consequences of traffic violations, and strategies to avoid future incidents. All course curricula must be reviewed and approved by the Arizona Supreme Court’s administrative staff before a school can offer them.

Source: ACJA § 7-205(A) (“Defensive driving course” definition — “an educational and behavior modification presentation designed to teach safe driving practices and attitudes”); ACJA § 7-205(D)(4)(c) (curriculum review process)

Most Arizona defensive driving schools — including Defensive Drivers Institute — use brief quizzes after each module rather than a single high-stakes final exam. Arizona regulations actually require this approach for online courses: the course must be divided into segments of no more than 15 minutes, and you must correctly answer three substantive questions about each segment before moving on. This means you’re tested on the material as you go, in small, manageable pieces. You need to score at least 70% on module quizzes to pass. If you don’t pass on the first try, you can retake the quiz.

Source: ACJA § 7-205(F)(24)(d)(5)(n) (“Divide the ADM course into segments of various lengths not to exceed 15 minutes and require the student to answer three substantive questions concerning the segment just completed correctly before the student can proceed to the next segment.”)

Yes. Some Arizona-certified schools, including Defensive Drivers Institute, offer the defensive driving course in Spanish. If you need the course in Spanish, Defensive Drivers Institute offers the course in both English and Spanish.

Arizona requires all defensive driving schools to verify your identity before you begin and throughout the course. For online courses, you’ll need to provide a copy of your government-issued driver’s license and your traffic citation. During the course, schools use “identity verification questions” — personal questions asked at intervals throughout the presentation to confirm you are the person actually taking the course.

Source: ACJA § 7-205(A) (“Identity verification questions” definition — “queries asked of a student throughout an ADM course presentation for personal information”); ACJA § 7-205(A) (“Affirmation of eligibility” definition)

Yes. Online courses allow you to log in and out and resume where you left off. There’s no requirement to complete the course in a single sitting — just make sure you finish the entire course at least 7 days before your court date.

No. Online courses save your progress, so you can work through the material over multiple sessions at your own pace. The only hard deadline is finishing at least 7 days before your court appearance date.

You must complete the course at least 7 calendar days before the court appearance date listed on your traffic citation. This allows time for the school to report your completion and for the court to process the dismissal.

Source: ACJA § 7-205(A) (“Continuance” definition and administrative requirements for timely completion reporting)

If you don’t complete the course before the deadline, you will likely be required to pay the original fine, the violation will go on your driving record, and points will be assessed. Contact the court immediately if you think you might miss the deadline — many courts will grant an extension (called a “continuance”) if you request one in advance.

Source: ACJA § 7-205(A) (“Continuance” — extension of scheduled court arraignment date, pursuant to court order or administrative order by the presiding judge)

In many cases, yes. Courts can grant a continuance (extension) of your court appearance date. Contact the court listed on your citation as soon as possible to request one. Each court has its own policy, but extensions are commonly granted, especially for first-time requests.

Source: ACJA § 7-205(A) (“Continuance” definition)

As soon as possible. Signing up early gives you maximum flexibility — you can work through the course at your own pace without pressure, and it ensures you complete it well before the 7-day deadline. Waiting until the last minute risks running out of time for eligibility verification and course completion. You can get started with Defensive Drivers Institute right now — registration takes just a few minutes.

The total cost includes several mandatory fees set by law, plus the school’s own course fee. Here’s the breakdown:

Important: Every certified school in Arizona is required to collect the same state-mandated fees. The only fee that varies between schools is the school’s own course fee. The court diversion fee varies by court, not by school. When comparing prices, the school fee is the only number that differs. Defensive Drivers Institute’s course fee is $29.99 with no hidden processing or certificate fees.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3396(A)(2) ($45 surcharge); A.R.S. § 28-3397(A) (state fee up to $15); A.R.S. § 12-114(A) ($9 surcharge); A.R.S. § 28-3396(A)(1) (court diversion fee set by presiding judge)

In most cases, yes — often significantly so. The total cost of defensive driving (court fees + school fee) is typically less than the fine for the underlying violation. More importantly, you also avoid the hidden costs: points on your record that can raise your insurance premiums for years. Arizona law states that payment of the diversion fees “is in lieu of payment of a civil penalty or criminal fine.” Defensive Drivers Institute’s course is just $29.99 — often saving you hundreds compared to paying the fine and dealing with insurance increases.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3396(B) (“Payment of the court diversion fee and surcharge is in lieu of payment of a civil penalty or criminal fine and any surcharge that are imposed for a traffic violation.”)

The court diversion fee is set by the presiding judge of each court and is paid instead of (not in addition to) your traffic fine. It goes directly to the court to cover the administrative costs of the diversion program. The amount varies by court — you can look up your specific court’s fee on the Arizona Supreme Court’s website at azcourts.gov.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3396(A)(1) (presiding judge sets court diversion fee); A.R.S. § 28-3395(B)(2) (Supreme Court must publicize each court’s fees)

Arizona law directs these funds to specific purposes:

• The $45 state surcharge goes primarily to the Department of Public Safety Forensics Fund (first $10.4 million annually), with any remainder going to the state general fund.
• The state fee (up to $15) goes to the Defensive Driving School Fund, which pays for the Supreme Court’s supervision of the defensive driving program statewide.
• The $9 court surcharge is split: $5 to the Judicial Collection Enhancement Fund and $4 to the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3396(C) ($45 surcharge allocation); A.R.S. § 28-3397 and § 28-3398 (state fee and DD school fund); A.R.S. § 12-114(B) ($9 surcharge split)

Every certified school must collect the same state-mandated fees. Some schools add extra charges for things like “processing,” “certificate delivery,” or “expedited” services. Before enrolling, make sure you understand the total price and what’s included. The Arizona Supreme Court requires that the total cost to attend each school be publicly available.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3395(B)(2) (“Make public the amount of the court diversion fee assessed by each court in this state pursuant to this article and the total cost to attend a defensive driving school in each court.”)

After you successfully complete the course, three things happen:

1. Your citation is dismissed — the court is required by law to dismiss the traffic citation.
2. No record on your driving history — the Arizona Department of Transportation will not include the citation on your driving record.
3. No points — since the citation is dismissed and doesn’t appear on your record, no points are assessed.

The school electronically reports your completion to both the court and the statewide defensive driving database. You’ll receive a completion certificate for your personal records.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3394(A) (“the court shall dismiss the civil or criminal traffic citation” and “the department shall not include a record of the civil or criminal traffic citation…on the individual’s driving record”)

No — for most drivers. When you successfully complete the course, Arizona law specifically prohibits MVD from putting the citation on your driving record. The one exception is CDL holders: the violation stays on the CDL holder’s record, but the court cannot impose a civil penalty, and private auto insurers must treat it as equivalent to a dismissed citation.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3394(A)(2) (department shall not include record on driving record); A.R.S. § 28-3394.01(A) (CDL exception — record stays but no penalty)

Not if you complete the course. Since the citation is dismissed and doesn’t appear on your driving record, insurance companies have no violation to rate against. For CDL holders, private passenger auto insurers are required by law to treat the completed defensive driving citation as equivalent to a dismissed ticket.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3394(A)(2) (no record on driving record); A.R.S. § 28-3394.01(B)(2) (CDL holders — insurer must treat as dismissed for private auto insurance)

Yes. You don’t need a traffic ticket to take a defensive driving course. Many major insurance companies offer a 5–10% discount on your auto insurance premium if you proactively complete a state-approved defensive driving course. Contact your insurance agent to ask about their defensive driving discount — most major providers offer one. You’ll receive a completion certificate you can show your insurer as proof. Take the DDI course today and start saving on your premiums.

According to the data, yes — significantly. A 2024 impact study conducted by the Arizona Supreme Court’s Administrative Office of the Courts analyzed 110,720 defensive driving participants against a matched comparison group and found:

• 31.9% fewer repeat violations — Drivers who skipped the program had nearly a third more traffic violations within 12 months.
• 112% more DUIs in the non-participant group — Comparison group drivers were more than twice as likely to get a subsequent DUI.
• 1,025% more license suspensions — Non-participants were over 10× more likely to have their license suspended or revoked for criminal traffic violations.
• Works for everyone — The program reduced violations across all age groups, genders, and counties (urban and rural).
• Online is just as effective — No difference in outcomes between online (15.4% re-offense rate) and in-person (15.5%) courses.
• Works in any language — English (15.6%) and Spanish (15.2%) courses produced virtually identical results.

The study’s most striking finding: 84.6% of defensive driving graduates had zero subsequent violations within a year — compared to only 79.7% of non-participants.

Source: “Defensive Driving Impact Study,” Research and Statistics Team, Administrative Office of the Courts, Arizona Supreme Court, August 15, 2024. Study authors: Humberto Cisneros, Richard Rivera, Heather Chee, Oscar Sosa.

Yes — the data proves it. The 2024 Arizona Supreme Court impact study found virtually no difference between online and in-person courses. Online students had a 15.4% re-offense rate vs. 15.5% for in-person students — statistically identical. This means you get the same safety benefit and the same legal outcome whether you complete the course from your couch or in a classroom.

Source: “Defensive Driving Impact Study,” Arizona Supreme Court AOC, August 2024 (Table 10: Re-Offense Rates for Two Kinds of Instructional Methods)

Younger drivers have higher re-offense rates overall, but the defensive driving program shows the biggest impact for middle-aged drivers. The 2024 Arizona Supreme Court study found:

• Ages 35–44: Non-participants re-offended 43.5% to 46.0% more than course graduates — the largest gap of any age group.
• Ages 25–34: Non-participants re-offended 37–38% more than graduates.
• Ages 19–24: Non-participants re-offended 28.7% more than graduates.
• Ages 60+: Even senior drivers benefited, with non-participants re-offending 25.1% more.

The takeaway: the course helps drivers of every age, but the data shows it’s especially impactful for drivers in their 30s and 40s.

Source: “Defensive Driving Impact Study,” Arizona Supreme Court AOC, August 2024 (Table 6: Re-offense Rates by Age and Two Cohorts)

No. When you complete the course, the school reports your completion electronically to the court. There’s no court appearance required. The court processes the dismissal based on the school’s electronic report.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3393(C) (courts may adopt electronic reporting requirements); ACJA § 7-205(A) (“Court automation requirements” — electronic transmission of completion records)

No. All certified schools are required to transmit your completion electronically to the court and the statewide database. The school also collects and remits all court fees on your behalf. You don’t need to mail, fax, or deliver anything.

Source: ACJA § 7-205(A) (“Court automation requirements” and “Batch processing”/”Online processing” definitions); A.R.S. § 28-3396(C) (school transmits fees to court)

Yes, technically. Arizona law states that dismissal of a citation through defensive driving “does not preclude the introduction of evidence pertaining to the issuance of the citation in a civil or criminal proceeding.” This means while the ticket is dismissed and off your record, evidence about the underlying incident could still come up in a related lawsuit (for example, if there was also a car accident).

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3394(B) (“The dismissal of a civil or criminal traffic citation pursuant to this section does not preclude the introduction of evidence pertaining to the issuance of the citation in a civil or criminal proceeding.”)

Every school offering defensive driving in Arizona must be certified by the Arizona Supreme Court. You can view the full list of certified schools at azcourts.gov. By law, you may attend any certified school — courts are prohibited from promoting or favoring one school over another. When comparing schools, focus on the school’s own course fee (the state fees are the same everywhere), the course format, and the quality of customer support. Defensive Drivers Institute is a top-rated option — $29.99, 100% online, instant court reporting, and 7-day customer support.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3393(B) (eligible individuals may attend any Supreme Court certified school); A.R.S. § 28-3393(E) (“A court shall not promote or favor any supreme court certified defensive driving school over another…”)

All certified schools must meet the same state standards — same maximum course length, same approved curriculum objectives, same fee collection requirements, and same electronic reporting to courts. However, schools differ in how they deliver the material: some use video, some use text-based content, some incorporate humor, and some offer audio formats. Customer support quality and course pricing also vary.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3395(B)(4) and (7) (uniform certification criteria and time limits); ACJA § 7-205(D)(4)(c) (curriculum review by Supreme Court staff)

Key factors to consider:

• Arizona Supreme Court certification — non-negotiable; verify on azcourts.gov
• Transparent pricing — all fees clearly disclosed upfront
• Device flexibility — works on phone, tablet, and computer
• Progress saving — lets you stop and resume without losing your place
• Customer support — available by phone, email, or chat
• Court integration — electronic reporting directly to your court
• No hidden fees — watch for extra charges for certificates, processing, etc.

Defensive Drivers Institute checks all these boxes — Supreme Court certified, transparent $29.99 pricing, works on any device, progress saves automatically, and live support 7 days a week.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3395(B)(2) (total cost must be publicly available); ACJA § 7-205(D)(4)(d) (secure website requirement)

Arizona requires the following before you can begin a course:

1. Government-issued photo ID (typically your driver’s license)
2. A copy of your traffic citation
3. Signed Affirmation of Eligibility — a form where you affirm that you meet the eligibility requirements

If you don’t have a copy of your ticket, contact the court on your citation — they can provide one.

Source: ACJA § 7-205(A) (“Affirmation of eligibility” definition — “a form, approved by division staff, an offender signs affirming the offender’s eligibility to attend a defensive driving course”)

Contact the court listed on your citation. They can provide a copy of the ticket to you or directly to the school. A school cannot legally verify your eligibility without a copy of the actual citation.

Arizona law requires that the school collect the court diversion fee and surcharge “before or at the time an individual attends the school.” In practice, most online schools collect all fees at registration before you begin the course.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3396(C) (“The driving school shall collect the court diversion fee and surcharge before or at the time an individual attends the school.”)

Arizona assigns points to traffic violations on a scale that reflects the severity of the offense. Common point values include:

• 2 points — Minor violations (improper backing, failure to dim headlights)
• 3 points — Most common violations (speeding, running a red light, improper lane change)
• 4 points — Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle
• 6 points — Aggressive driving, reckless driving
• 8 points — DUI

Accumulating 8 or more points within 12 months can result in a license suspension or required attendance at Traffic Survival School (a separate program from defensive driving). Completing a defensive driving course prevents points from being added for the dismissed violation.

Points from traffic violations remain on your Arizona driving record for 12 months from the date of the violation. After 12 months, they drop off for purposes of the state’s point accumulation threshold. However, the underlying violation record remains visible to insurance companies for longer (typically 3 years, 3 months / 39 months).

No. Defensive driving prevents new points from a specific citation from being added to your record. It does not erase points from past violations that are already on your record. The only program that can address existing points is Traffic Survival School, which is a separate court-ordered program.

Very likely. Once points are added to your driving record, insurance companies may increase your premiums. Even a single violation can affect your rates for 3+ years. Taking the defensive driving course avoids this by keeping the violation off your record entirely.

The stakes are real: the 2024 Arizona Supreme Court impact study found that drivers who skipped defensive driving had 31.9% more repeat violations within a year — and were 112% more likely to get a subsequent DUI. Each additional violation compounds your insurance costs. Don’t let one ticket snowball — dismiss it with Defensive Drivers Institute and keep your record clean.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3394(A)(2) (no record on driving record after course completion); “Defensive Driving Impact Study,” Arizona Supreme Court AOC, August 2024 (Table 9: Re-offense Rates by Violation Types)

This depends on the specific court and circumstances. Photo enforcement citations issued by a city or municipality generally qualify for defensive driving if they’re civil traffic moving violations. However, some photo enforcement citations issued directly by Arizona DPS may have different rules. Check with the court listed on your citation.

No. Each course can only dismiss one eligible violation. If you have multiple violations on a single citation, the course applies to only one of them. The remaining violations must be resolved separately (by paying the fine or contesting them in court).

A court can order you to attend a defensive driving course as part of a sentence, separate from the diversion program. In this case, you’re still required to complete the course, but it may not result in dismissal of the citation — the court may impose it alongside other penalties. This typically happens with more serious violations.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3392(C)(1) (“the court may order the individual to attend a defensive driving school in addition to another sentence imposed by the court”)

A court may allow defensive driving for a criminal speeding violation (A.R.S. § 28-701.02), but it is not guaranteed — it’s at the judge’s discretion, unlike civil moving violations where courts are required to allow it. If you’ve been cited for criminal speeding, contact your court to ask whether they’ll permit diversion.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3392(A)(2)(a) (“May allow an individual who is issued a citation for a violation of section 28-701.02 to attend a defensive driving school.”)

Yes — most civil speeding tickets are among the most common violations handled through the defensive driving program. As long as the speeding citation is a civil (not criminal) traffic moving violation and you meet the other eligibility requirements, you can take the course to have it dismissed. Get started with Defensive Drivers Institute — most students finish in about 4 hours and have their ticket dismissed.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3392(A)(1) (civil traffic moving violations qualify)

The Arizona Supreme Court certifies and monitors all defensive driving schools and instructors in the state. The Supreme Court’s Administrative Office maintains the program through a dedicated Defensive Driving Board, which includes judges, court administrators, school owners, instructors, and public members. Schools must undergo a rigorous certification process including curriculum review, course demonstration, technology testing, and ongoing compliance audits.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3395(B)(4) and (6) (“Certify and monitor defensive driving schools and instructors that serve as a court authorized diversion program.”); ACJA § 7-205(D)(5)(a) (Defensive Driving Board composition)

Yes. The Arizona Supreme Court has the authority to require compliance audits of any defensive driving school at any time. Schools must maintain detailed records and follow strict accounting procedures, including keeping separate trust accounts for court fees (no co-mingling with operating funds).

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3399 (“The supreme court may require a defensive driving school to be audited for compliance with the requirements of this article.”); ACJA § 7-205(A) (“Co-mingling” prohibition)

The program operates through three types of courts: municipal courts, justice of the peace courts (in justice precincts), and the juvenile division of the superior court. Each court’s presiding judge sets the court diversion fee amount for their jurisdiction.

Source: A.R.S. § 28-3391 (“‘court’ means a juvenile division of the superior court, a justice of the peace court or a municipal court”); A.R.S. § 28-3396(A)(1) (presiding judge sets diversion fee)

Yes. Defensive Drivers Institute is certified by the Arizona Supreme Court as an approved defensive driving school (School ID 583). Our certification means we meet all state requirements for curriculum, course delivery, identity verification, electronic court reporting, and fee handling. You can verify our certification on the official list at azcourts.gov.

Our course fee is $29.99. In addition to our course fee, you’ll pay the state-mandated fees (state surcharge, state fee, court surcharge) and your court’s diversion fee. These mandatory fees are the same at every certified school in Arizona — our course fee is the only part that differs. There are no hidden processing fees or extra certificate charges.

We use fully automated reporting to the courts. The moment you complete the course, your completion is electronically transmitted to both your court and the statewide defensive driving database — no manual processing delays, no waiting. You don’t need to mail, fax, or deliver anything. Your completion certificate is also generated and available to you immediately upon finishing.

If you don’t complete the course, we’ll refund you. It’s that simple. If you’re ruled ineligible by the court, you receive a full refund. Note that once a course has begun, state-mandated fees (state fee, state surcharge, and court diversion fee) are non-refundable per Arizona regulations — but we refund our course fee.

Source: ACJA § 7-205(F)(28) (state fee, court diversion fee, and state surcharge are non-refundable once the course begins, per Supreme Court regulation; schools may refund other fees per their own policy)

With over 1 million drivers trained since our founding in 2022, DDI has the experience and systems to get your ticket dismissed fast. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Instant automated court reporting — Your completion is reported to the court the moment you finish. No manual processing, no delays, no waiting days for someone to file your paperwork.
• Immediate certificate — Your completion certificate is generated and available instantly — not 30 minutes, not next business day.
• Transparent pricing — $29.99 course fee, no hidden processing fees, no certificate delivery charges. The only other costs are the state-mandated fees that every school must collect.
• No final exam — Brief module quizzes keep things simple and stress-free. Focus on learning, not cramming.
• Available in Spanish — Our course is offered in both English and Spanish.
• 100% online — Complete on phone, tablet, or computer from anywhere. Your progress saves automatically.
• 7-day support — Phone, email, and live chat available Monday–Friday 8 AM – 8 PM, Saturday–Sunday 12 PM – 2 PM.
• Full refund if you don’t finish — We stand behind our course with a straightforward refund policy.

We offer support by phone, email, and live chat. Our hours are:

Weekend hours are specifically available to help Arizona students get activated after submitting their documents, so you’re not stuck waiting until Monday. Visit lms.defensivedriversinstitute.com/support for all contact options.