Arizona DUI Laws & Penalties
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AZ has a four-tier ladder: standard DUI (0.08+, or impaired to the slightest degree), Extreme (0.15+), Super Extreme (0.20+), and Aggravated (felony circumstances). Famous for the toughest first-offense mandatory jail in the country.
Overview
- Legal BAC limit: 0.08% (commercial 0.04%, under-21 0%, enhanced at 0.15%).
- Lookback period: 7 years. 84-month (7-year) window measured offense-date to offense-date; third violation within 84 months = Aggravated (felony).
- Primary statute: A.R.S. §§ 28-1381 (DUI), 28-1382 (Extreme/Super Extreme), 28-1383 (Aggravated)
0.15+ = Extreme DUI; 0.20+ = Super Extreme. AZ also convicts on 'impaired to the slightest degree' below 0.08. Under-21: any alcohol (zero tolerance).
Penalties by offense
| Offense | Classification | Jail | Fine | License suspension | Interlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First offense | Class 1 misdemeanor (all non-aggravated tiers) | 10 days (standard) / 30 days (Extreme) / 45 days (Super Extreme) – 6 months; mandatory min standard: 10 days, 9 suspendable with treatment (net 1 day); Extreme: 30 days, suspendable to 9 with 12-month interlock; Super Extreme: 45 days, suspendable to 14 with interlock | $1,250–$3,700 (combined fines/assessments ≈ $1,250 (standard), ≈$3,000+ (Extreme), ≈$3,700+ (Super Extreme)) | 90 days (30 hard + 60 restricted) – 1 year; hardship: restricted permit after 30 days with interlock | Required |
| Second offense | Class 1 misdemeanor (within 84 months) | 90 days (standard, 30 consecutive) / 120 days (Extreme, 60 consecutive) / 180 days (Super Extreme) – 6 months; mandatory min as listed; partial suspension available with interlock at some tiers | $3,000–$4,650 (combined fines/assessments ≈$3,000–4,650 by tier) | 1-year revocation – 1 year; hardship: special ignition interlock restricted license possible after 45 days | Required |
| Third offense | Aggravated DUI — Class 4 felony (3rd within 84 months) | 4 months prison mandatory (8 months if 3+ priors) – 3.75 years (presumptive 2.5); mandatory min 4 months Department of Corrections | $4,000–$150,000 (≈$4,000+ minimum assessments; felony fine cap far higher) | 3-year revocation – 3 years; hardship: narrow, post-revocation with interlock | Required |
First offense
- Classification: Class 1 misdemeanor (all non-aggravated tiers)
- Jail: 10 days (standard) / 30 days (Extreme) / 45 days (Super Extreme) – 6 months; mandatory min standard: 10 days, 9 suspendable with treatment (net 1 day); Extreme: 30 days, suspendable to 9 with 12-month interlock; Super Extreme: 45 days, suspendable to 14 with interlock
- Fine: $1,250–$3,700 (combined fines/assessments ≈ $1,250 (standard), ≈$3,000+ (Extreme), ≈$3,700+ (Super Extreme))
- License suspension: 90 days (30 hard + 60 restricted) – 1 year; hardship: restricted permit after 30 days with interlock
- Alternative disposition: No diversion for DUI; treatment classes reduce standard-tier jail to 1 day net.
- Interlock: AZ requires interlock for EVERY alcohol DUI conviction — 12 months standard/Extreme, 18 months Super Extreme.
- Also: 8 points, traffic survival school, SR-22 insurance 3 years.
Second offense
- Classification: Class 1 misdemeanor (within 84 months)
- Jail: 90 days (standard, 30 consecutive) / 120 days (Extreme, 60 consecutive) / 180 days (Super Extreme) – 6 months; mandatory min as listed; partial suspension available with interlock at some tiers
- Fine: $3,000–$4,650 (combined fines/assessments ≈$3,000–4,650 by tier)
- License suspension: 1-year revocation – 1 year; hardship: special ignition interlock restricted license possible after 45 days
- Interlock: 24 months interlock on second offense.
- 30 hours community service mandatory.
Third offense
- Classification: Aggravated DUI — Class 4 felony (3rd within 84 months)
- Jail: 4 months prison mandatory (8 months if 3+ priors) – 3.75 years (presumptive 2.5); mandatory min 4 months Department of Corrections
- Fine: $4,000–$150,000 (≈$4,000+ minimum assessments; felony fine cap far higher)
- License suspension: 3-year revocation – 3 years; hardship: narrow, post-revocation with interlock
- Aggravated also triggered by DUI on a suspended license or with a child under 15 (Class 6). Vehicle forfeiture possible.
Refusing a chemical test (implied consent)
1-year license suspension for first refusal (2 years for second within 84 months); officer obtains a warrant for blood in practice, so refusal rarely prevents evidence.
Statute: A.R.S. § 28-1321
Ignition interlock
Universal interlock state: every alcohol-DUI conviction requires a certified IID (12 months standard/Extreme first offense, 18 Super Extreme, 24 repeat); interlock compliance can shorten Extreme-tier jail dramatically.
Statute: A.R.S. §§ 28-3319, 28-1382(I)
Frequently asked questions
What is the penalty for a first DUI in Arizona?
A first DUI in Arizona is a Class 1 misdemeanor (all non-aggravated tiers). Jail: 10 days (standard) / 30 days (Extreme) / 45 days (Super Extreme) – 6 months; mandatory min standard: 10 days, 9 suspendable with treatment (net 1 day); Extreme: 30 days, suspendable to 9 with 12-month interlock; Super Extreme: 45 days, suspendable to 14 with interlock. Fine: $1,250–$3,700 (combined fines/assessments ≈ $1,250 (standard), ≈$3,000+ (Extreme), ≈$3,700+ (Super Extreme)). License suspension: 90 days (30 hard + 60 restricted) – 1 year; hardship: restricted permit after 30 days with interlock.
What is the legal BAC limit in Arizona?
0.08% for most drivers, 0.04% for commercial drivers, and 0% for drivers under 21.
How long does Arizona look back at prior DUI offenses?
7 years. 84-month (7-year) window measured offense-date to offense-date; third violation within 84 months = Aggravated (felony).