Crashes, insurance and registration in Arizona

By the end of this topic you can

• You can list your duties at the scene of a crash.
• You can say when you must call the police.
• You can explain what to do after hitting an unattended vehicle.
• You can state Arizona's minimum insurance limits and how to show proof.
• You can outline how and when to register a car in Arizona.

What you need to know and understand

• Drivers involved in a crash must stop, give their name, address and vehicle registration number, and show their license if asked.
• You must give reasonable help to anyone injured, including arranging medical transport if needed.
• If anyone is hurt or killed, notify police immediately by the quickest means.
• Failing to render aid after an injury crash is a felony.
• Minimum liability insurance is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash for injury, and $15,000 for property damage.
• Proof of insurance may be shown on your phone.
• New residents must register their vehicle as soon as they become Arizona residents.

At the scene: what to do

1. Stop as close to the crash as safely possible. Never drive away.
2. Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Give reasonable help.
3. On a divided highway, if nobody is seriously hurt and the cars can be driven, move them off the main lanes to the shoulder or a safe spot.
4. Exchange names, addresses, registration and insurance details, and show your license if asked.
5. Note the location, time and what happened, and take photos if it is safe.

Parked cars and property

If you hit an unattended vehicle, stop at once. Either find the owner, or leave a note in a clearly visible place in that vehicle with your name and address. Leaving without doing so is a criminal offense.

Insurance rules

Arizona's minimum liability cover, often written as 25/50/15, pays for harm you cause to others. It does not pay to repair your own car, so many families buy more cover. Driving uninsured brings a minimum fine of $500 and a three-month suspension or restriction for a first offense, rising to six months and one year with registration and plates suspended for repeat offenses within 36 months.

Registering a vehicle

Register your car with ADOT MVD once you become a resident, bringing the title, a completed title and registration application and proof of insurance. In the Phoenix and Tucson areas many vehicles also need an emissions test first; newer vehicles, very old ones and electric cars are among the exceptions. Check MVD's emissions rules for your vehicle.

Common mistakes

• Leaving the scene because damage looks minor.
• Leaving cars blocking freeway lanes after a minor, drivable crash.
• Admitting or arguing fault at the scene. Stick to exchanging facts.
• Letting insurance lapse when a car is rarely used.
• Forgetting that an emissions test may be needed before registering in Phoenix or Tucson.

Test yourself: Crashes, insurance and registration in Arizona

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Arizona 30-Hour Supervised Driving Log and Driver Ed Options
• Arizona Class G License Restrictions
• Arizona DUI and Extreme DUI Rules for New Drivers