Arizona Reckless Driving Laws: Penalties, Points and Speed (2026)

Arizona makes reckless driving a class 2 misdemeanor under A.R.S. 28-693: a person who "drives a vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property" faces up to four months in jail and a fine of up to $750, and the judge may suspend the person's driving privileges for up to 90 days. A conviction within 24 months of a listed prior conviction (such as reckless driving, racing, DUI, or certain homicides committed while driving) is a class 1 misdemeanor with at least 20 days in jail and a one-year license suspension. The reckless driving section names no speed; driving more than 20 mph over the posted limit is the separate crime of excessive speed under A.R.S. 28-701.02, a class 3 misdemeanor.

Information last verified on 2026-10-25. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This article covers Arizona state statutes on reckless driving (A.R.S. 28-693), aggressive driving, criminal and civil speeding, racing, the related license consequences in Title 28, and driving without a valid license. It does not cover DUI penalties (see Arizona DUI laws), homicide offenses (see Arizona manslaughter laws), leaving the scene of a crash (see Arizona hit-and-run laws), city or county ordinances, or federal and commercial-driver rules beyond a short note. For other states, see reckless driving laws by state.

What is reckless driving in Arizona?

Arizona defines reckless driving in one sentence. A.R.S. 28-693(A) provides:

"A person who drives a vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving." A.R.S. 28-693(A)

The offense has two parts: driving a vehicle, and doing it in reckless disregard for the safety of people or property. The section does not list specific acts, with one exception for motorcycles added in 2026 (below).

Section 28-693 uses its own phrase, "reckless disregard," rather than the criminal code's defined term. For offenses in the criminal code, A.R.S. 13-105(10)(c) defines "recklessly" this way:

"'Recklessly' means, with respect to a result or to a circumstance described by a statute defining an offense, that a person is aware of and consciously disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the result will occur or that the circumstance exists. The risk must be of such nature and degree that disregard of such risk constitutes a gross deviation from the standard of conduct that a reasonable person would observe in the situation." A.R.S. 13-105(10)(c)

Reckless driving and the right to a jury trial

In Urs v. Maricopa County Attorney's Office, 201 Ariz. 71 (App. 2001), the Arizona Court of Appeals held: "We hold that reckless driving was a jury-eligible offense at common law, and Urs' right to a jury trial is thus guaranteed by Article 2, Sections 23 and 24 of the Arizona Constitution." The court reasoned that driving "in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property" is in the character of the common-law offense of operating a motor vehicle so as to endanger property or individuals. The case decided the jury-trial question; it did not define the mental state.

Where the reckless driving law applies

Section 28-693(A) says only "drives a vehicle," and A.R.S. 28-621(2) provides that section 28-693 applies "on highways and elsewhere throughout this state," while the other driving rules in chapter 3 apply only on highways unless a statute names a different place. Other driving offenses are limited by their own words: racing under 28-708 is limited to "a street or highway," and driving on a suspended license under 28-3473 to "a public highway." Title 28 defines "street" or "highway" in 28-101(80) as "the entire width between the boundary lines of every way if a part of the way is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel."

Is reckless driving a misdemeanor in Arizona?

Yes. Under 28-693(C), "A person who is convicted of reckless driving is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor." Arizona's general sentencing statutes set the maximums for that class:

• Jail: up to four months for a class 2 misdemeanor (A.R.S. 13-707(A)(2)).
• Fine: up to $750 for a class 2 misdemeanor (A.R.S. 13-802(B)).
• License: the judge "may order the driving privileges of the person to be suspended for a period of not more than ninety days," and MVD then suspends the privilege for the period the judge ordered (28-693(D)).

These are maximums. Section 13-802 says the fine is an amount "fixed by the court, not more than" the cap, and the court may add surcharges under separate statutes.

Second reckless driving conviction within 24 months

Section 28-693(E) creates the repeat tier. It applies if the person "has been previously convicted of a violation of this section, section 13-1102 or section 13-1103, subsection A, paragraph 1, in the driving of a vehicle, or section 28-694, 28-708, 28-1381, 28-1382 or 28-1383 within a period of twenty-four months." Those prior offenses include reckless driving, negligent homicide and reckless manslaughter committed while driving, wrong-way driving on a controlled access highway (28-694, a civil violation with a $500 civil penalty and required traffic survival school), racing (28-708) and the DUI offenses in 28-1381 to 28-1383. For that person:

1. The offense is a class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail (13-707(A)(1)) and a fine of up to $2,500 (13-802(A)).
2. The person "is not eligible for probation, pardon, suspension of sentence or release on any basis until the person has served not less than twenty days in jail."
3. On receipt of the abstract of conviction, MVD "shall suspend the driving privilege of the person for one year" (28-693(E)(4)).

Under 28-693(I), after at least 45 consecutive days of that one-year suspension, the person may apply to MVD for a restricted license subject to the restrictions in A.R.S. 28-144.

Arizona's general rule that bumps a repeat misdemeanor to the next higher class, 13-707(B), expressly excludes traffic offenses. For reckless driving, the repeat ladder is the one in 28-693(E).

Section 28-693(H) lets the court, on confirming that the person is employed or a student, allow the person to continue work or school for up to 12 hours a day and five days a week during a jail sentence.

Aiding or abetting reckless driving

Under 28-693(F), "A person who knowingly aids or abets another person in the commission of a violation of this section is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor, except that a second or subsequent violation within a period of twenty-four months is a class 1 misdemeanor." Laws 2021, ch. 433 (SB 1533) added this offense.

No injury or felony tier in the reckless driving section

Section 28-693 has no tier for injury, serious injury or death, and no felony form. Other statutes cover those situations:

• Causing serious physical injury or death by a moving violation (28-672). This class 1 misdemeanor applies when a violation of one of the listed sections, such as 28-710 or 28-729 (unsafe lane change), results in a crash causing serious physical injury or death. Reckless driving under 28-693 is not on that list. On a first violation the court directs MVD to suspend or restrict the driving privilege for 90 to 180 days if the crash caused serious physical injury, and 180 days to one year if it caused a death. For the civil side of a crash, see Arizona car accident laws.
• Endangerment (13-1201). "A person commits endangerment by recklessly endangering another person with a substantial risk of imminent death or physical injury." It is a class 6 felony when the risk is of imminent death and a class 1 misdemeanor otherwise. The statute does not mention vehicles.

A death caused by driving falls under negligent homicide (A.R.S. 13-1102) or manslaughter, which includes "recklessly causing the death of another person" (A.R.S. 13-1103(A)(1)); see Arizona manslaughter laws.

Vehicle impoundment

A.R.S. 28-3511(A)(2) provides that a peace officer "shall cause the removal and either immobilization or impoundment of a vehicle" if the officer determines that "a person is driving a vehicle in violation of section 28-693 and the peace officer reasonably believes that allowing the person to continue driving the vehicle would expose other persons to the risk of serious bodily injury or death." Section 28-3511(A)(3) applies the same rule to racing under 28-708. Laws 2021, ch. 433 added both grounds. Section 28-3511(E) provides that, except as otherwise provided in that article, such a vehicle "shall be immobilized or impounded for twenty days."

Motorcycles: the 2026 lane-splitting change

Laws 2026, ch. 261 (HB 2941), approved by the Governor on June 22, 2026, added a new subsection to the reckless driving section:

"B. A person who operates a motorcycle in violation of section 28-903, subsection B or C is guilty of reckless driving." A.R.S. 28-693(B)

Section 28-903(C) provides: "Except as provided in subsection F of this section, a person shall not operate a motorcycle between the lanes of traffic or between adjacent rows of vehicles." Subsection (B) of 28-903 covers passing in the same lane. The act has no emergency clause, so it took effect on the general effective date for the 2026 regular session, September 12, 2026. From that date, a motorcycle violation of 28-903(B) or (C) carries the reckless driving penalties above. The act did not change the lane-filtering exception in 28-903(F); for those conditions, see Arizona lane splitting laws.

How fast is reckless driving in Arizona?

Section 28-693 sets no speed at which driving becomes reckless driving. Arizona instead grades speed in its own statutes:

• Basic speed rule (28-701(A)). A person "shall not drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances, conditions and actual and potential hazards then existing." Under 28-701(B), except as subsections C and D provide or if a special hazard requires a lesser speed, speed over 15 mph approaching a school crossing, 25 mph in a business or residential district, or 65 mph in other locations is prima facie evidence that the speed is too great and unreasonable. Ordinary speeding is a civil traffic violation under the default rule in 28-121(B), with a civil penalty of up to $250 plus surcharges unless a statute provides otherwise (28-1598).
• Excessive speed (28-701.02). A person shall not exceed 35 mph approaching a school crossing; exceed the posted limit in a business or residential district by more than 20 mph, or exceed 45 mph there if no limit is posted; or exceed the posted limit by more than 20 mph in other locations. A violation is a class 3 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail (13-707(A)(3)) and a fine of up to $500 (13-802(C)). A person charged under this section may not also be issued a civil 28-701 complaint for the same circumstances.
• Waste of a finite resource (28-702.01). Section 28-702.01 allows certain speeding violations of not more than 10 mph over the posted limit to be designated "the waste of a finite resource." That civil violation carries a civil penalty that "shall not exceed $15 plus the surcharges," and the court does not send the judgment to MVD.
• Work zones (28-710(B)). In a state highway work zone where workers are present, a driver found responsible for a civil speeding violation pays the regular civil penalty plus an additional assessment equal to that penalty.

Excessive speed is not labeled reckless driving, but speeding is one element of aggressive driving (below).

Points and license consequences for reckless driving

Arizona's point values appear in the MVD points assessment schedule rather than in the license suspension and revocation sections of Title 28 (28-3304 to 28-3308). That schedule lists:

When one traffic stop produces several violations, MVD assesses the highest single point value. The MVD page explains the consequence: "If you accumulate 8 or more points in any 12-month period, you may be required to attend Traffic Survival School (TSS), or your driving privilege may be suspended up to 12 months."

License consequences tied to reckless driving:

• First conviction: a suspension of up to 90 days if the judge orders one (28-693(D)).
• Repeat within 24 months: a one-year suspension that MVD must impose (28-693(E)(4)), with a restricted license available after 45 consecutive days (28-693(I)).
• MVD's discretionary power: under 28-3306(A), MVD "may suspend or revoke the license of a driver or require a licensee to attend and successfully complete approved traffic survival school educational sessions" on a showing that the licensee "has been convicted of reckless driving as provided in section 28-693 or is a habitually reckless or negligent driver of a motor vehicle" (paragraph 4), or has traffic convictions "with such a frequency that it indicates a disrespect for traffic laws and a disregard for the safety of other persons on the highways" (paragraph 3).
• Mandatory revocation: the mandatory revocation list in 28-3304 does not name reckless driving. It does require revocation on a final conviction of "a homicide or aggravated assault resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle" and of "a felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used" (28-3304(A)(1)-(2)).

Commercial drivers. Under A.R.S. 28-3312(J), reckless driving, aggressive driving, racing and excessive speeding of 15 mph or more over the posted limit are "serious traffic violations." Two serious traffic violations committed in a motor vehicle from separate incidents within three years disqualify a commercial driver for at least 60 consecutive days, and a third or later for at least 120 additional days (28-3312(A)(5)-(6)). A violation committed in a noncommercial vehicle counts only if the conviction results in the revocation, cancellation or suspension of the person's commercial or noncommercial driver license (28-3312(G)).

Aggressive driving in Arizona

Arizona has a separate aggressive-driving offense in A.R.S. 28-695. A person commits aggressive driving if both of the following occur:

1. During a course of conduct the person commits a speeding violation under 28-701(A) or 28-701.02 and at least two of these: failure to obey traffic control devices (28-644); passing on the right by driving off the pavement or main traveled portion of the roadway (28-724); an unsafe lane change (28-729); following too closely (28-730); or failure to yield the right-of-way.
2. The person's driving "is an immediate hazard to another person or vehicle."

Aggressive driving is a class 1 misdemeanor (28-695(B)), punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. In addition, the person must complete approved traffic survival school sessions, and the court "may order the department to suspend the person's driving privilege for thirty days" (28-695(C)). If the person has a prior aggressive-driving conviction within 24 months, MVD "shall suspend the driving privilege of the person for one year" (28-695(D)). MVD's schedule assigns 8 points.

Laws 2026, ch. 200 (HB 2417) adds a new section, 28-711, that will let a court order a speed inhibiting device, on the person's request, in place of a license suspension in listed cases, including a first aggressive-driving conviction that requires a suspension and a minor's first excessive-speeding offense. The act is effective only "from and after June 30, 2027," so the option is not available before July 1, 2027.

Careless driving in Arizona

Arizona's Title 28 has no careless-driving, negligent-driving or inattentive-driving offense. Article 5 of Title 28, "Reckless and Aggressive Driving," holds 28-693 to 28-695, and Article 6 holds the speed restrictions. Section 28-121(B) makes violations of chapters 3, 5, 7 and 8 and chapter 9, article 4 of Title 28 civil traffic violations unless the statute defining the violation provides a different classification, and the injury-based offense is causing serious physical injury or death by a moving violation (28-672), described above.

Street racing and exhibitions of speed

A.R.S. 28-708(A) provides: "A person shall not drive a vehicle or participate in any manner in a race, speed competition or contest, drag race or acceleration contest, test of physical endurance or exhibition of speed or acceleration or for the purpose of making a speed record on a street or highway."

• First conviction: a class 1 misdemeanor (28-708(B)), with a fine of "not less than $250" and possible community restitution (28-708(D)). The judge may suspend driving privileges for up to 90 days (28-708(G)).
• Second or later conviction within 24 months of a first: a class 6 felony, and the person "is not eligible for probation, pardon, suspension of sentence or release on any other basis until the person has served not less than ten days in jail or prison" (28-708(B)). The fine is "not less than $500" (28-708(E)), and MVD suspends the driving privilege for one year (28-708(G)).
• Aiding or abetting: a class 2 misdemeanor, or a class 1 misdemeanor for a second or later violation within 24 months (28-708(C)).
• Racing assessment: A.R.S. 12-116.11(A) levies "a penalty assessment ... in an amount of $1,000 on every fine, penalty and forfeiture imposed and collected by the courts for a violation of section 28-708." Laws 2021, ch. 433 created it.

Section 28-708 contains no separate street-takeover or spectator offense. It reaches anyone who drives or "participate[s] in any manner" in the listed events. Racing is also a ground for vehicle impoundment under 28-3511(A)(3) (above).

Separately, A.R.S. 13-2906 makes it obstructing a highway, a class 2 misdemeanor (class 1 for a second violation within 24 months), for a person "alone or with other persons," having no legal privilege to do so, to recklessly interfere "with the passage of any highway or public thoroughfare by creating an unreasonable inconvenience or hazard." Under 28-3511(A)(4) and (H), a vehicle is removed and immobilized or impounded for seven days when the driver is obstructing a highway in violation of 13-2906 and the officer reasonably believes that continued driving would expose others to the risk of serious bodily injury or death.

Does Arizona have a wet reckless?

No statute creates one. The DUI article, A.R.S. 28-1381 to 28-1390, contains no provision naming reckless driving as a plea, a lesser offense or a prior. The DUI prior-offense rules in 28-1383 and 28-3304(A)(9)-(11) count only convictions under 28-1381, 28-1382 and 28-1383 and equivalent out-of-state acts, so a reckless driving conviction is not a DUI prior.

The link runs the other way: a DUI conviction under 28-1381, 28-1382 or 28-1383 within 24 months is one of the priors that makes a new reckless driving conviction a class 1 misdemeanor under 28-693(E). For DUI penalties, see Arizona DUI laws.

Driving without a valid license in Arizona

Arizona separates four situations:

• Driving without a license. Under A.R.S. 28-3151(A), "a person shall not drive a motor vehicle or vehicle combination on a highway without a valid driver license and proper endorsement." Section 28-3151 states no penalty class of its own. Chapter 8's default rule, A.R.S. 28-3471, provides that a violation of the chapter "is subject to a civil penalty unless a different classification is provided by law," and 28-121(B) likewise makes chapter 8 violations civil traffic violations unless the defining statute provides otherwise. Separately, 28-3511(A)(1)(b) requires removal and immobilization or impoundment of the vehicle when the driver "has not ever been issued a valid driver license or permit by this state" and produces no evidence of a valid license or permit from another jurisdiction.
• License not in possession. A licensee must carry a legible license and display it on demand (28-3169(A)). Under 28-3169(B), a person cited "is not responsible if the person produces in court or the office of the police officer or field deputy or inspector of the department a legible driver license or an authorized duplicate of the license issued to the person that was valid at the time of the alleged violation."
• Suspended, revoked, canceled or refused license. Driving on a public highway while the privilege is suspended, revoked, canceled or refused, or while disqualified, is a class 1 misdemeanor (28-3473), punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. When the privilege is revoked, the vehicle is subject to removal and immobilization or impoundment under 28-3511(A)(1)(a). Committing a DUI while the license is suspended, canceled, revoked or refused is aggravated DUI, a class 4 felony (28-1383(A)(1)).
• Suspended for failure to appear. Driving while the privilege is suspended under 28-3308 is a civil traffic violation, not subject to vehicle removal or impoundment under 28-3511 (28-3482(A)-(B)). Section 28-3482(C) provides that if the person "presents evidence to the court that the person's unrestricted privilege to drive has been reinstated, the court may dismiss the charge."

Arizona reckless driving and related offenses at a glance

Misdemeanor jail maximums come from A.R.S. 13-707(A) (class 1, six months; class 2, four months; class 3, 30 days) and fine maximums from 13-802 (class 1, $2,500; class 2, $750; class 3, $500). Felony ranges for a first-time felony offender are in A.R.S. 13-702(D): a class 6 felony runs from 0.33 years (mitigated) to 2 years (aggravated), presumptive 1 year; a class 5 felony from 0.5 to 2.5 years, presumptive 1.5 years. Section 13-801(A) caps a felony fine at $150,000. Those are the ranges in the section headed for first-time felony offenders. For the full class table, see Arizona felony and misdemeanor classes.

Recent changes to Arizona's reckless driving laws

• Laws 2026, ch. 261 (HB 2941), effective September 12, 2026. Added 28-693(B): a motorcycle violation of 28-903(B) or (C) is reckless driving. The later subsections of 28-693 were relettered.
• Laws 2026, ch. 200 (HB 2417), effective from and after June 30, 2027. Adds 28-711 (a court-ordered speed inhibiting device in place of certain suspensions) and amends 28-3511 and other sections. Not in effect before July 1, 2027.
• Laws 2021, ch. 433 (SB 1533), approved July 9, 2021. Added the aiding-and-abetting offenses in 28-693(F) and 28-708(C), the $1,000 racing assessment in 12-116.11, the reckless-driving, racing and highway-obstruction impoundment grounds in 28-3511(A)(2)-(4) with the seven-day period in 28-3511(H), and set the 13-2906 obstruction grades.

Commercial drivers and federal land

Under the federal rule, 49 C.F.R. 383.51, a commercial driver with a second serious traffic violation, such as reckless driving, within three years is disqualified for 60 days, but a conviction in a personal vehicle counts only if it results in a revocation, cancellation or suspension of the license or non-commercial driving privileges. In national park areas, 36 C.F.R. 4.2 provides that traffic and the use of vehicles are governed by state law, which it adopts as part of the federal regulations; the reckless driving laws by state hub covers the federal rules.

Related Arizona laws

• Reckless driving laws by state
• Arizona DUI laws
• Arizona lane splitting laws
• Arizona manslaughter laws
• Arizona felony and misdemeanor classes
• Arizona expungement laws

This article is general legal information about Arizona law, not legal advice. For a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in Arizona, or the Arizona MVD for driver license questions.

Last updated: 2026-10-25.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is reckless driving a misdemeanor in Arizona?

Yes. A first conviction under A.R.S. 28-693 is a class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 4 months in jail and a fine of up to $750. With a listed prior conviction within 24 months it is a class 1 misdemeanor with at least 20 days in jail.

What counts as reckless driving in Arizona?

Driving a vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property (A.R.S. 28-693(A)). Since September 12, 2026, operating a motorcycle in violation of 28-903(B) or (C) is also reckless driving.

How fast is reckless driving in Arizona?

The reckless driving section names no speed. Driving more than 20 mph over the posted limit is excessive speed under A.R.S. 28-701.02, a separate class 3 misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine.

How many points is reckless driving in Arizona?

Arizona MVD's points schedule assigns 8 points for reckless driving. Eight or more points in any 12-month period can lead to Traffic Survival School or a suspension of up to 12 months.

Will a reckless driving conviction suspend my license in Arizona?

On a first conviction, the judge may order a suspension of up to 90 days (28-693(D)). A conviction with a listed prior within 24 months requires a one-year suspension, with a restricted license available after 45 consecutive days (28-693(E), (I)).

Can reckless driving be a felony in Arizona?

Section 28-693 has no felony tier. A second racing conviction within 24 months is a class 6 felony (28-708(B)), endangerment with a substantial risk of imminent death is a class 6 felony (13-1201), and fleeing police is a class 5 felony (28-622.01).

Does Arizona have a wet reckless?

No. The DUI article, A.R.S. 28-1381 to 28-1390, contains no provision naming reckless driving as a plea or lesser offense. A prior DUI conviction within 24 months does make a new reckless driving conviction a class 1 misdemeanor (28-693(E)).

Is careless driving a crime in Arizona?

Arizona's Title 28 has no careless-driving offense. Section 28-121(B) makes violations of several Title 28 chapters civil traffic violations unless a statute says otherwise, and causing serious physical injury or death by a listed moving violation is a class 1 misdemeanor (28-672).

Is street racing a felony in Arizona?

A first racing or exhibition-of-speed conviction under A.R.S. 28-708 is a class 1 misdemeanor with a $250 minimum fine. A second conviction within 24 months of the first is a class 6 felony with at least 10 days in jail or prison.

What is the penalty for driving without a license in Arizona?

Section 28-3151 bars driving without a valid license but states no penalty class of its own; under the chapter's default rule (28-3471) a violation is subject to a civil penalty unless another law classifies it differently. Driving on a suspended or revoked license is a class 1 misdemeanor (28-3473), and a never-licensed driver's vehicle is subject to impoundment (28-3511).