Eligibility Overview
Before registering for a defensive driving course, you must meet certain Arizona eligibility requirements. Use the information below to determine whether you may qualify.
You have not attended a defensive driving course for an eligible citation in the last 12 months — measured from violation date to violation date.
Your violation must be on the court’s official list of eligible violations.
See the official Arizona Supreme Court List of Eligible Traffic Violations
Civil traffic moving violations only, serious injury/fatal accidents are not eligible.
For photo radar citations, you are the person in the photo and the citation is in your name.
⚠️You must complete your defensive driving course at least 7 days before your court date.
Note:
You may take the course in-person or online unless you were specifically ordered by a judge to attend in-person.
If you have a signed court order to attend a defensive driving course, please give us a call to register.
Eligibility for Commercial Driver's Licensees (CDL)
CDL holders may be eligible only under specific conditions (Class D/M and non-commercial use). Effective 9/1/2019, commercial driver license holders are eligible for defensive driving school provided that:
You meet the defensive driving eligibility requirement for non-commercial driver license holders (listed above).
You were driving a vehicle requiring a Class D or a Class M license.
The vehicle was not being used for commercial purposes.
The court is required to forward the record of judgement to Arizona Motor Vehicle Division, however no points are assessed to the driver’s record.
With red light violations, the MVD may direct the individual to attend Traffic Survival School (TSS).
Red Light Violations
If you received a red-light ticket, you generally have two possible paths, depending on your eligibility:
1. Defensive Driving School (DDS) — BEFORE conviction
If the red-light violation is eligible and you meet the Arizona Defensive Driving requirements, you may be able to take an approved defensive-driving course and have the citation dismissed. Arizona law specifically allows eligible red-light violations to be handled through defensive driving.
2. Traffic Survival School (TSS) — AFTER conviction
If you are pay your fine, or are responsible/convicted for the red-light violation, Arizona MVD requires you to attend Traffic Survival School (TSS). This is separate from defensive driving.
Deadline for Completion
The defensive driving course must be completed at least 7 days before the court date listed on your ticket. If you are past the 7 day deadline, you must request an extension from your court.
In certain situations, a Defensive Driving School may request a court date extension on your behalf. If you are unsure whether you qualify for an extension, contact us before your court date so we can help guide you.
You may qualify for a school-requested extension if:
Your current court date is more than 7 days away, and
This is your first extension request for the citation.
If your court date is within 7 days, you must contact the court directly. Schools are not permitted to request last-minute extensions.
How to Request an Extension
Check if your court allows school-requested extensions by visiting the Arizona court’s approved list of courts that accept continuances through Defensive Driving Schools. You can view the list at https://drive.azcourts.gov/Court-Approved-Continuances
Call our office to request the extension.
You must select a future class date at the time of the request.
Note:
If you do not select a class date when requesting the extension, we will not be able to submit the request, and you will need to contact the court directly.
If your court does not appear on the approved list, you must contact the court yourself to request an extension. The court’s contact information is listed on your citation.
Online Extension Requests
The following courts offer online extension request options:
Paradise Valley Municipal Court