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Suspension And Traffic School

In the state of Arizona, suspension is the temporary removal of your privileges to operate a motor vehicle. Suspension is an action that may be taken by the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) after a review of your record as a driver in Arizona. A driver’s license suspension will remain in effect until an application for reinstatement is submitted to MVD. In addition to paying the reinstatement fee, you are required to pay the license application fee that is appropriate for your age group.

In Surprise, Glendale and Phoenix, it is important that if you are charged with driving under the influence (DUI) and associated problems involving your driver’s license you should consult experienced Arizona DUI lawyers like those associated with the Law Offices of Craig W. Penrod, P.C.

Traffic survival schools (TSS) are designed to reach individuals who have exhibited a disregard for traffic laws and the safety of others. MVD has a mandate to make certain that violators should attend TSS as a way to improve their attitudes towards safe driving. TSS must be attended within 60 days of the “Date Action Begins” found contained within an MVD corrective action letter that you have received. Failure to successfully complete TSS when ordered by MVD will result in the suspension of a person’s privilege to drive. A certificate of completion will be issued upon the completion of the eight-hour class.

It is important for you to understand that each time you are convicted or forfeit your posted bail for moving traffic violations, points are assessed by MVD against your permanent driving record. Should you accumulate eight or more points during any 12-month period, you may be required to attend TSS. The alternative could be that your privilege to drive may be suspended for a period up to 12 months. It is important for you to realize that all convictions for failure to stop at red-lights or stop signs, aggressive driving, moving violations that result in death or serious injuries and the first moving violation committed by drivers under the age of 18 will require the successful completion of TSS.

Since its creation TSS has been confused with defensive driving schools (DDS) that are administered through the Arizona Supreme Court. DDS are designed to reach individuals who have exhibited a disregard for traffic laws and the safety of others. The TSS program makes an attempt to modify driver behavior by teaching them how to avoid adverse traffic situations through an increase in their knowledge of Arizona traffic laws. TSS also tries to define the responsibilities drivers and improving the attitude of drivers towards safe driving. Also, DDS is for individuals who received a traffic citation and would like to avoid the the assessment of MVD points associated with the violation. TSS is for persons who have already been assessed points and have received a letter from MVD mandating their attendance at a TSS class.

Circumstances that will result in the issuance of an order from MVD, include:

  • DUI-extreme DUI.
  • A red light violation: If you have a red light violation and you pay the fine instead of attending a defensive driving class, you will be ordered by the MVD to attend TSS. Keep in mind that attendance at TSS will not remove the points from your driving record.
  • Aggressive driving: For a first offense you will be required to attend a TSS course and it is possible that your driver’s license will be suspended for a period of 30 days.
  • The assessment of 8-12 points on your driver’s license within a period of one year after the date of your first offense.
  • Involvement in a traffic accident that involves a death or serious injuries.
  • The first conviction for a driver who holds a graduated driver’s (Class G) license.
  • If you received an out of state ticket or citation in a state that requires participation in TSS.

Due to poor driving behavior, courts increasingly ordered juvenile drivers to attend TSS in an attempt to help them establish safe driving habits that may last a lifetime. Additionally, courts may refer traffic violators to TSS as a condition of the sentence imposed for the charges they faced.

It is important that your DUI legal situation should be handled by expert professionals with the experience possessed by the attorneys at the Law Offices of Craig W. Penrod, P.C.