Drunk and drugged driving laws in Arizona
Arizona has some of the toughest DUI laws in the country. Even a first offense brings mandatory jail time, and young drivers face a zero tolerance rule for alcohol.
The safe choice is simple: if you have had any alcohol or drugs that could affect you, do not drive.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can state Arizona's legal alcohol limits for adults, commercial drivers and under-21s.
- You can explain why you can be charged with DUI below 0.08.
- You can describe the levels of extreme DUI and their minimum jail time.
- You can explain what happens if you refuse a test.
- You can explain how drug laws apply, including prescription medicines.
What you need to know and understand
- It is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or more, or while impaired to the slightest degree by alcohol or drugs.
- Commercial drivers and drivers for hire or rideshare are limited to 0.04.
- Drivers under 21 may not drive with any alcohol in their body.
- Extreme DUI starts at 0.15; a BAC of 0.20 or more is a higher tier.
- A first standard DUI carries at least 10 consecutive days in jail (all but one day can be suspended after a court-ordered program), a fine of at least $250 plus assessments, traffic survival school and, where alcohol was involved, an ignition interlock.
- A first extreme DUI means at least 30 consecutive days in jail at 0.15, or 45 days at 0.20 or more; a judge may suspend part of it (all but 9 or 14 days) if an ignition interlock is fitted for 12 months.
- Refusing a test brings a 12-month suspension, or 2 years for a repeat refusal within 84 months.
- A driver under 18 convicted of a DUI or underage-alcohol driving offense faces a 2-year suspension.
Impaired to the slightest degree
Arizona does not wait for you to reach 0.08. If alcohol or drugs affect your driving at all, you can be charged. That is why there is no safe number of drinks before driving.
For under-21s the rule is stricter still: any alcohol in your body while driving or in control of a vehicle is an offense.
Drugs, cannabis and medicines
It is illegal to drive with certain drugs or their metabolites in your body. A person using a drug exactly as prescribed by a licensed practitioner has a defense to that charge, but being allowed to use a substance under state law is not a defense if it impairs your driving. Read medicine labels and ask a pharmacist if a drug can make you drowsy.
Implied consent and refusing a test
By driving in Arizona you agree to breath, blood or other tests if an officer has grounds to believe you are impaired, or under 21 with alcohol in your body. Refusing leads to a 12-month suspension, rising to 2 years for a second refusal within 84 months.
How to stay safe
- Plan a sober ride before you go out.
- Never get in a car with a driver who has been drinking or using drugs.
- Call a parent, guardian or rideshare rather than risk it.
- Remember that only time removes alcohol; coffee and cold showers do not.
Common mistakes
- Thinking you are fine to drive because you feel under 0.08.
- Believing one drink is allowed if you are under 21. Any alcohol is illegal for you while driving.
- Driving after taking a medicine that warns of drowsiness.
- Assuming a legal cannabis product cannot lead to a DUI charge.
Test yourself: Drunk and drugged driving laws in Arizona
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Sources: Arizona Revised Statutes 28-1381 Driving under the influence (azleg.gov); Arizona Revised Statutes 28-1382 Extreme DUI (azleg.gov); Arizona Revised Statutes 4-244 paragraph 34 (azleg.gov); Arizona Revised Statutes 28-1321 Implied consent (azleg.gov); Arizona Revised Statutes 28-3320 Suspension for persons under eighteen (azleg.gov); Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, ADOT MVD. Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with the Arizona licensing agency.