If you’ve recently been charged with a DUI, you’re probably trying to understand what happens next and what requirements you’ll need to complete.
Arizona has some of the toughest DUI laws in the country. And the penalties you’re facing depend almost entirely on two things:
- Your BAC at the time of the stop and
- How many prior offenses are on your record
These two variables determine your penalty tier, your jail exposure, what happens to your license, and what education or treatment the court and MVD will require before you can drive again.
This Arizona DUI penalty chart covers every offense tier for 2026. Find your row, understand what you’re facing, and know what comes next.
Arizona DUI Penalty Chart (2026)
All penalties below reflect current Arizona statutes as of 2026. Fines shown are base amounts. Total costs increase significantly after surcharges and mandatory fee assessments.
| DUI Type | BAC Range | Offense # | Jail Time | Fines & Fees | License | IID Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular DUI ARS 28-1381 | 0.08% to 0.149% | 1st | 10 days minimum (9 days suspended with screening and program requirements) | ~$1,250+ | 90-day suspension, up to 1 year | Yes (6–12 months) |
| Regular DUI ARS 28-1381 | 0.08% to 0.149% | 2nd (within 84 months) | 30–90 days (60 suspended with screening and program requirements) | ~$3,000+ | Suspension/revocation up to 1 year | Yes (up to 12 months) |
| Extreme DUI ARS 28-1382(A)(1) | 0.15% to 0.199% | 1st | 30 days mandatory (21 suspended with IID, screening and program requirements) | ~$2,500+ | 90-day suspension, up to 1 year | Yes (up to 12 months) |
| Extreme DUI ARS 28-1382(A)(1) | 0.15% to 0.199% | 2nd (within 84 months) | 120 days mandatory (none suspended) | ~$3,250+ | Suspension/revocation up to 1 year | Yes (up to 12 months) |
| Super Extreme DUI ARS 28-1382(A)(2) | 0.20% and above | 1st | 45 days mandatory (31 suspended with IID, screening and program requirements) | ~$2,750+ | 90-day suspension, up to 1 year | Yes (up to 18 months) |
| Super Extreme DUI ARS 28-1382(A)(2) | 0.20% and above | 2nd (within 84 months) | 180 days mandatory | ~$3,750+ | Suspension/revocation up to 1 year | Yes (up to 18 months) |
| Aggravated DUI (Felony) ARS 28-1383 | Any BAC | 3rd+ / Qualifying | Minimum 4 months in Arizona Department of Corrections | $750 + surcharges | 1-year revocation | Yes (up to 12 months) |
Disclaimer: These are general guidelines. Your assigned program level is determined by your screening result, not BAC alone.
Note: Ignition interlock devices (IIDs) are now required for all DUI convictions in Arizona, including first-time regular DUI offenses. Fines shown are estimates. Actual totals rise after surcharges, state prison construction fees, and general fund assessments.
You know your tier. Now get ahead of it.
2026 UPDATE: ARS 28-1381(I)(6)
Effective September 26, 2025, Arizona courts may now accept evidence-based psychotherapy as an alternative pathway to license reinstatement. Previously, only alcohol or drug education and treatment programs qualified. If you were charged after September 26, 2025, this pathway may apply to your case alongside traditional DUI education and treatment programs.
Also updated in 2025: rideshare drivers operating for Transportation Network Companies (Uber, Lyft, and similar platforms) are now subject to a stricter 0.04% BAC limit while their app is active.
Regular DUI in Arizona: First and Second Offense
A regular DUI under ARS 28-1381 applies when your BAC falls between 0.08% and 0.149%. For first-time offenders, this is the entry-level tier, but it still carries real consequences. You’re looking at a 10-day jail minimum, though 9 of those days can be suspended when you complete your screening and required DUI education or treatment. Total fines may exceed $1,250 after the base fine, plus state fees and jail costs.
Your license is subject to a 90-day suspension, and you’ll need to have an ignition interlock device installed for 6 to 12 months. IIDs are now required for first-time regular DUI convictions, not just repeat offenders.
A second offense within 84 months carries significantly higher stakes. Minimum jail jumps to 30 days, costs climb past $3,000, and courts also require 30 hours of community service. The education or treatment program required at this tier is typically longer and more involved than what first-time offenders complete.
Extreme DUI in Arizona: BAC 0.15% to 0.199%
An extreme DUI charge begins at a BAC of 0.15%, governed by ARS 28-1382. The “extreme” label has a specific legal meaning. It reflects a meaningfully higher level of impairment, and the penalties follow.
On a first offense, you face a mandatory 30 days in jail. Twenty-one of those days can be suspended if you install an IID and complete your screening and treatment requirements. Total fines and fees run approximately $2,500 or more. A second extreme DUI within 84 months removes that flexibility entirely. All 120 days are mandatory. Fines push past $3,250.
When it comes to DUI in Arizona, penalties at this level, the education and treatment requirements also escalate. An extreme DUI screening outcome typically results in a 36-Hour DUI Treatment program rather than the 16-hour education track used for standard first-time offenses.
Super Extreme DUI in Arizona: BAC 0.20% and Above
Super extreme DUI is Arizona’s highest alcohol-related tier before a charge becomes a felony. A BAC at or above 0.20% triggers its own mandatory minimums, and on a second offense, none of that time is negotiable.
A first offense carries 45 mandatory days in jail, with 31 suspended if you complete your IID installation and program requirements. Fines and fees reach approximately $2,750 or more. The ignition interlock period also extends to 18 months, three to six months longer than for regular or extreme offenses.
A second-offense super extreme DUI means 180 mandatory days. That’s six months, none suspended. Fines exceed $3,750. Many drivers at this tier are assigned to a 56-Hour DUI Treatment program or higher, depending on their screening outcome and prior history.
Aggravated DUI in Arizona: When It Becomes a Felony
People often ask, “Is a DUI a felony in Arizona?” Under ARS 28-1383, the answer is yes, under specific circumstances. An aggravated DUI, classified as a Class 4 felony, applies when any of the following are true:
- It’s your third DUI within 84 months
- You were driving on a suspended, canceled, or revoked license
- A passenger under age 15 was in the vehicle
- You were driving the wrong way on a highway or median
- You were required to have an IID installed, and you were not using one
Aggravated DUI carries a minimum of four months in the Arizona Department of Corrections, not county jail. That distinction matters. The base fine starts at $750 and climbs sharply with surcharges and assessments. Your license faces at least a one-year revocation. After release, you’ll still need an MVD-approved alcohol screening and any required treatment before reinstatement.
Because aggravated DUI is a felony offense, many people choose to consult a qualified DUI attorney regarding their legal options. But the education and treatment requirements don’t go away, and they don’t start until your screening is complete.
Special BAC Thresholds Worth Knowing
Arizona’s 0.08% threshold applies to most drivers, but several groups face stricter limits. Drivers under 21 are subject to a zero-tolerance rule. Any detectable alcohol, even below 0.08%, can result in a DUI charge. CDL holders are held to a 0.04% limit regardless of whether they’re driving a commercial or personal vehicle.
And as noted above, rideshare drivers now face the same 0.04% standard while actively working. Phoenix DUI laws apply consistently across all of these driver categories.
What Your Penalty Tier Means for Education and Treatment
Every DUI case in Arizona starts with a mandatory DUI alcohol screening. The screener evaluates your history and relationship with alcohol, and the outcome, combined with your BAC and offense record, determines which program you’ll need to complete before the Arizona MVD will reinstate your license.
Many Arizona drivers are surprised to learn that required DUI screening and many education or treatment programs can now be completed online through approved providers. Approved providers report completion directly to Arizona’s MVD system, helping ensure your requirements are documented correctly.
Here’s how the tiers generally map to program requirements:
- First-time regular DUI (BAC under 0.15%) typically leads to a 16-Hour DUI Class
- Extreme DUI (BAC 0.15%+) or an elevated screening result typically leads to a 36-Hour DUI Treatment program
- Super extreme DUI (BAC 0.20%+) or repeat offense typically leads to a 56-Hour DUI Treatment program or higher
Your screening result can move you into a higher program tier regardless of the offense classification. Your BAC sets the floor. Your screening determines where you actually land. That’s why completing your screening promptly matters. Completing your screening early can help you understand exactly which requirements you’ll need to complete and avoid unnecessary delays.
