Getting pulled over for speeding in Arizona can be more than a minor inconvenience. Depending on how fast you were going, you could face steep fines, points on your driving record, increased insurance premiums, or even criminal charges. Arizona treats speeding violations differently based on severity, and the consequences escalate quickly once you cross certain thresholds.
This guide covers everything you need to know about Arizona speeding tickets, from fine amounts and point penalties to your options for minimizing the impact on your record and wallet.
Key Takeaways
- Fines range from $165 to $500+ — with surcharges that can double or triple the base amount
- Criminal speed — driving 20+ mph over the limit is a class 3 misdemeanor with up to 30 days in jail
- Defensive driving school — eligible drivers can attend to dismiss the ticket and avoid points entirely
- Insurance impact — a single ticket can raise your premiums by $1,000 to $3,000+ over three to five years
- CDL holders — face 60- to 120-day license disqualifications and cannot use traffic school
Arizona Speeding Ticket Fines and Points
Arizona speeding penalties vary based on how far over the posted speed limit you were traveling. The state draws a critical line at 20 mph over the limit, where a civil infraction becomes a criminal offense.
| Speed Over Limit | Classification | Approximate Fine | Points | Traffic School Eligible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 -- 10 mph | Civil violation | $165 -- $250 | 2 | Yes |
| 11 -- 15 mph | Civil violation | $250+ | 3 | Yes |
| 16 -- 19 mph | Civil violation | $300+ | 3 | Yes |
| 20+ mph | Criminal speed (class 3 misdemeanor) | $500+ plus surcharges | 3 | No |
| 35+ mph or 85+ mph | Excessive speed / reckless endangerment possible | Varies (up to $2,500+) | 3+ | No |
Note: Fine amounts listed above are approximations. Actual amounts vary by court jurisdiction and may include state surcharges, processing fees, and assessments that can significantly increase the total. For a broader look at Arizona ticket costs, see our Arizona traffic ticket costs guide.
Criminal Speed vs. Civil Speed in Arizona
The single most important threshold to understand is 20 mph over the posted limit. Under ARS 28-701.02, exceeding the speed limit by 20 mph or more is classified as criminal speed, a class 3 misdemeanor. This is not a simple traffic infraction -- it is a criminal offense that can appear on background checks.
Criminal speed also applies if you drive faster than 85 mph regardless of the posted limit, or exceed 35 mph approaching a school crossing.
Driving 20+ mph over the posted limit triggers ARS 28-701.02 -- a class 3 misdemeanor. This means up to 30 days in jail, fines up to $500 plus surcharges, a criminal record visible on background checks, and ineligibility for defensive driving school. If you are facing a criminal speed charge, having an attorney handle your case is strongly recommended.
Criminal speed penalties include:
- Up to 30 days in jail
- Fines up to $500, plus surcharges that can double or triple the base amount
- 3 points on your driving record
- A class 3 misdemeanor on your criminal record
- Potential probation
Because criminal speed carries the possibility of jail time and a permanent criminal record, having an experienced traffic attorney handle your case is particularly important. Traffic Ticket Buddy connects subscribers with attorneys who regularly handle criminal speed cases in Arizona courts.
Excessive Speed and Reckless Endangerment
Driving 35 mph or more over the posted limit or exceeding 85 mph can result in additional charges beyond criminal speed. Prosecutors may add reckless driving (ARS 28-693) or reckless endangerment charges, both of which carry harsher penalties including longer jail sentences and higher fines. Reckless driving is a class 2 misdemeanor with up to 4 months in jail for a first offense.
School Zones and Construction Zones
Arizona imposes enhanced penalties for speeding in school zones and construction zones. Fines in these areas are typically doubled, and judges have less discretion to reduce them.
Exceeding 35 mph in an active school zone qualifies as criminal speed under ARS 28-701.02 -- even if you are not 20 mph over the posted limit. School zone fines are doubled, and courts take these violations especially seriously. Always slow down in school zones, where posted limits are typically 15 to 25 mph.
- School zones: Active school zone speed limits usually range from 15 to 25 mph. Exceeding 35 mph in a school zone qualifies as criminal speed under ARS 28-701.02, even if you are not 20 mph over the limit.
- Construction zones: Fines are doubled when workers are present. Repeat offenses in construction zones carry even steeper penalties.
How Arizona Detects Speeding
Arizona law enforcement uses several methods to detect and document speeding violations. Understanding how your speed was measured can be relevant if you decide to contest the ticket.
- Radar: The most common method. Officers use handheld or vehicle-mounted radar guns that measure speed using radio waves. Radar devices require regular calibration to produce accurate readings.
- Lidar (laser): More precise than radar, lidar targets a specific vehicle with a narrow laser beam. It is harder to contest but can still produce errors if the officer did not hold the device steady or targeted the wrong vehicle.
- Aircraft enforcement: Some Arizona highways use aircraft speed enforcement. Officers in planes or helicopters time your vehicle between two marked points on the road to calculate speed. A ground unit then pulls you over.
- Photo enforcement (speed cameras): Several Arizona cities use automated speed cameras, particularly in school zones and on freeways. Photo enforcement tickets are mailed to the registered owner and must be properly served to be enforceable. See our guide on photo enforcement tickets for more details.
Your Options After an Arizona Speeding Ticket
After receiving a speeding ticket in Arizona, you generally have three paths forward. The right choice depends on the severity of the violation, your driving history, and how much is at stake.
Option 1: Pay the Fine
Paying the fine is the simplest option, but it is also an admission of guilt. Points will be added to your record, and the violation will likely increase your insurance premiums for three to five years. For minor infractions, this may be acceptable. For anything approaching criminal speed territory, it is worth exploring other options.
Option 2: Attend Defensive Driving School
Arizona allows eligible drivers to attend a state-approved defensive driving school to have certain tickets dismissed. If you qualify, completing the course keeps the violation off your record and prevents points from being assessed.
You are eligible for traffic school if:
- You were cited for a civil (non-criminal) traffic violation
- You were going less than 20 mph over the posted limit
- You have not completed defensive driving school for another violation in the past 12 months
- You do not hold a commercial driver's license (CDL)
- The violation did not involve an accident causing injury or death
The course costs approximately $150 to $250 and can be completed online or in person. Considering the long-term insurance savings, traffic school is often the most cost-effective option for eligible drivers.
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View Plans or see how it works →Option 3: Fight the Ticket with an Attorney
Contesting a speeding ticket -- especially a criminal speed charge -- often produces the best outcome when handled by an attorney who knows Arizona traffic courts. Common defense strategies include challenging the calibration records of radar or lidar equipment, questioning the officer's training and procedures, negotiating the charge down to a lesser violation, and identifying procedural errors in how the ticket was issued.
For a deeper look at the process, read our guide on how to fight a traffic ticket in Arizona.
Traffic Ticket Buddy connects you with experienced Arizona traffic attorneys who handle the entire process -- from court filings to representing you at hearings -- so you do not have to navigate the system alone.
Insurance Impact of Arizona Speeding Tickets
Beyond the immediate fine, a speeding ticket's biggest financial impact is often the increase in your auto insurance premiums. Arizona insurers review your driving record at renewal and adjust rates accordingly.
- Minor speeding (1-15 mph over): Expect a 20% to 25% premium increase, adding $300 to $600 per year for the average Arizona driver.
- Moderate speeding (16-19 mph over): Premium increases of 25% to 30% are common.
- Criminal speed (20+ mph over): Increases of 30% or more, and some insurers may non-renew your policy entirely.
- Excessive speed / reckless: The most severe rate impacts. Some drivers are forced into high-risk insurance pools.
These rate increases typically last three to five years, meaning a single ticket can cost you $1,000 to $3,000 or more in additional insurance premiums over time -- far more than the fine itself. Keeping a violation off your record through traffic school or a successful legal challenge can save you significantly.
CDL Holders and Arizona Speeding Tickets
If you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL), the stakes are higher for every speeding ticket. Under federal FMCSA regulations, speeding 15 mph or more over the posted limit is classified as a "serious traffic violation" for CDL holders -- regardless of whether you were driving a commercial vehicle at the time.
CDL holders cannot attend defensive driving school in Arizona, and speeding 15+ mph over the limit counts as a "serious traffic violation" under federal FMCSA rules -- even if you were driving your personal vehicle. Two serious violations within three years triggers a 60-day CDL disqualification. Three means 120 days off the road. Fighting the ticket or negotiating a reduction is often the only way to protect your career.
- Two serious violations within 3 years: 60-day CDL disqualification
- Three serious violations within 3 years: 120-day CDL disqualification
CDL holders are also not eligible for defensive driving school in Arizona, which means you cannot use traffic school to keep the violation off your record. For commercial drivers, fighting the ticket or negotiating a reduction is often the only way to protect your livelihood.
Traffic Ticket Buddy offers plans built specifically for CDL holders that cover all 50 states, so your license is protected no matter where you are driving.
The Arizona Points System and Speeding
Every speeding ticket in Arizona adds points to your driving record through the Arizona MVD points system. Here is how those points affect you:
- 2 points: Speeding 1-10 mph over the limit
- 3 points: Speeding 11+ mph over the limit, including criminal speed
- 8 points in 12 months: Triggers a Traffic Survival School requirement
- Continued accumulation: Can lead to license suspension
Points stay on your Arizona driving record for 12 months from the date of the violation. Unlike some states, Arizona does not offer a way to remove points through a separate course -- though completing defensive driving school for an eligible ticket prevents the points from being added in the first place.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a speeding ticket in Arizona?
Arizona speeding ticket fines range from approximately $165 to $250 for minor violations (1-10 mph over) and increase from there. Fines for criminal speed (20+ mph over) start at $500 plus surcharges. School zone and construction zone violations carry doubled fines. The total amount depends on your court jurisdiction and any applicable surcharges.
What is criminal speed in Arizona?
Under ARS 28-701.02, criminal speed applies when you exceed the posted limit by 20 mph or more, drive faster than 85 mph regardless of the posted limit, or exceed 35 mph in a school zone. It is a class 3 misdemeanor that carries up to 30 days in jail, fines up to $500 plus surcharges, and 3 points on your driving record.
Can I go to traffic school for a speeding ticket in Arizona?
You may be eligible for defensive driving school if you were going less than 20 mph over the posted speed limit, have not attended traffic school for another violation within the past 12 months, and do not hold a CDL. Completing the course typically dismisses the ticket and prevents points from appearing on your record.
How many points is a speeding ticket in Arizona?
Speeding tickets carry 2 to 3 points depending on severity. Going 1 to 10 mph over the limit adds 2 points, while 11 mph or more over the limit adds 3 points. Accumulating 8 or more points within a 12-month period triggers a mandatory Traffic Survival School requirement.
How does a speeding ticket affect my insurance in Arizona?
A single speeding ticket can increase your auto insurance premiums by 20% to 30% or more, depending on severity and your insurer. Criminal speed or excessive speed violations often result in even larger increases. These rate hikes typically last three to five years, costing hundreds or thousands of dollars over time. Keeping the violation off your record -- through traffic school or a legal challenge -- is the most effective way to avoid insurance increases.