Reader’s Question:

Do I need a car insurance first before I can get a license? I live in Glendale, Arizona.

Miranda

Glendale, AZ

According to the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division, to apply for a driver’s license if you are currently licensed in another state, you should bring in your out-of-state driver license and one other form of identification, take the vision test, and pay the appropriate fee. There is no written test required.

The Arizona MVD does not say that proof of auto insurance is required to get a driver’s license. Normally, if you are taking a road test as part of your licensing process though you will need to show proof of insurance for the car before the driving on the roadways with the tester.

I is required in Arizona that every motor vehicle operated on roadways be covered by one of the statutory forms of financial responsibility, more commonly called liability insurance, through a insurer that is authorized to do business in Arizona.

Reader’s Question:

I registered my car in Arizona but they told me that I had to have an sr22 because of my lapse in car insurance. I thought sr22 in only used for dui or traffic violations. Do I really need an sr22 for insurance lapse?

Andrea

Chandler, AZ

It is possible to require an sr22 for insurance lapse in Arizona. Sometimes, an sr22 is required as a result of a DUI or multiple moving violations. in Arizona, however, the state is notified by your old insurance provider if your insurance policy is no longer active. The state will then send you a notice for you to give them proof of your car insurance policy. If you fail to show this proof your driver’s license and/or your registration will be suspended in Arizona. To reinstate your license, Arizona will require you to carry a sr22 form for three years from your suspension date. To more information about the rules of the Arizona Department of Insurance, you may contact them.

Reader’s Question:

I received a ticket for not stopping in the red light in AZ? How will this affect my insurance rate?

Kim

Thank you for asking Kim.

You can receive 6, 4 or 2 points for failure to stop for a traffic signal depending on if you caused death, serious injury or only ran the light in the state of AZ. The AZ DOT Motor Vehicle Division states that there is a new state law that requires any individual who violates the red light statues to attend Traffic Survival School.

If you fail to attend the school, their driving privileges will be suspended or revoked until the class is completed. As for the moving violation conviction, it will be recorded on your drivers history and remain on the record for 5 years.

Each insurance companies use different rating system so to find out how your moving violation will affect your rates, you may contact your insurance carrier. Also to find out your insurance company’s rate you may contact the Arizona Department of Insurance. This is a state agency with which insurance providers must file their rates.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

I received a speeding ticket in LA, will this be added points in my Arizona license?

Henry

Thank you for asking Henry.

Louisiana and Arizona are both members of the Drivers License Compact. This requires all member state to report back to the state in which a motorist is licensed any conviction of traffic tickets. So the Arizona Department of Transportation should be informed by the LA DMV about this speeding ticket you received in LA.

The Transportation section of Arizona statues gives details on the DLC and Arizona’s participation. It does not say if points for out of state offenses will be assigned points or if the offense will be recorded onto your driving record.

According to the Arizona DOT Motor Vehicle Division they indeed would be informed of this out of state ticket and it would then go on your Arizona driving record and that points would be assessed. You may contact the AZ DOT to get more information on this.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

I have a CDL and I received a speeding ticket and it has been in my license for almost 3 years. I just want to know when it will come off my record? I live in AZ.

Carl

Thank you for asking Carl.

The Arizona Driver’s Manual states that each time you are convicted or forfeit bail for a moving violation, points are assessed against your permanent driving record.

According to the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) a violation is taken off your driving record five years from the date of conviction. There is no information that state that when will the points come off . They do say that any convictions received and showing on your driving record within the past 39 months will be provided to an insurance company.

Since neither the AZ driver’s manual nor the MVD site state how long points stay on your driving record you may contact the AZ DOT directly to to get more information and to find out how long points for your previous speeding offense will remain on your record and if it will differ for you since you have a CDL.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

I have two DUI in AZ but I am now living in California. Is it possible to get a license and insurance in CA if my license is suspended in AZ?

Mark

Thank you for asking Mark.

If your Arizona license is suspended or revoked due to the DUI convictions, than it is unlikely that you can get a California license. The Department of Motor Vehicles in California would require you to turn in your out of state license, which should be valid at the time.

A database of problem drivers which is the National Driver Register (NDR) linked to all states.. A problem driver is one whose license has been suspended, revoked, canceled, denied due to serious traffic violation. If you do not inform California of your licensing issues in AZ they will be able find out by check out the NDR.

If your DUI issues in Arizona have been taken care of and your driving privileges have been reinstated already, then you should be able to contact the CA DMV to apply for a driver’s license. You should also be able to get car insurance if you have full driving privileges, though it is possible that your AZ DUIs are likely to affect your rates.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

Hi Im 20 years old and I receive a speeding ticket in Arizona, will this affect my record in my home state California?

Victor

Thank you for asking Victor.

California and Arizona are members of the Drivers License Compact. This means that if you get convicted and pay the fine of the ticket that you received in AZ, AZ Department of Transportation will forward this information on to the CA DMV.

The California Department of Motor Vehicle’s listings states that the violation point assessment listing, an out of state speeding ticket is a 1 point offense on your CA driving record. Normally, this would get recorded onto your driving record once you are convicted of the Arizona speeding conviction.

If Arizona offers you defensive driving school in lieu of a conviction for the charge, you may want to consider this option. You may ask the AZ DOT to get more information if you can take the traffic course, if the speeding ticket still be reported to your home state of California or not once the class is completed.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

My daughter wants to purchase a car in AZ, can we insure it in our policy in a New Jersey? Or should we remove her from our existing policy as an authorized driver?

Carol

Thank you for asking Carol.

If your daughter bought a car in Arizona, I do not think your New Jersey policy will cover her. Arizona requires that every motor vehicle operating on their public roads be covered by one of the statutory forms of financial responsibility through a carrier that is authorized to do business in the state of Arizona. Arizona law requires minimum liability coverage of $15,000/$30,000 for bodily injury liability and $10,000 for property damage liability. As for removing her name from your current Illinois policy, you will need to contact your insurance company to discuss this option.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

What is the coverage of the uninsured motorist insurance? I live in Arizona.

Freeman

Thank you for asking.

The Arizona Department of Insurance states that Uninsured Motorist coverage protects you or passengers in your vehicle for bodily injury you or your passengers sustain in an accident involving a driver who has no liability coverage.

This may also protects you or passengers in your vehicle for bodily injury you or your passengers sustain in an accident involving a driver who has insufficient insurance to cover your injuries or your passengers.

Uninsured motorist coverage (or UM) provides coverage for your medical bills, loss of earnings and pain and suffering if you suffer injuries as a result of a negligent drivers who does not have liability insurance, including a hit-and-run motorist. Underinsured motorist coverage (or UIM) provides coverage situation that your damages exceed the other driver’s liability coverage.

Goodluck!

MariCAR

Reader’s Question:

Is it true that insurance companies are required to replaced damaged windshields of their customers in Arizona?

Ryan

Thank you for asking Ryan.

You need comprehensive coverage or full glass coverage, both optional coverages, on your car in so for your windshield to be covered by your auto insurance in Arizona.

Usually comprehensive insurance is sold with a $250 to $1,000 deductible in Arizona. All insurance companies are required to offer full glass coverage which comes without a deductible.

Comprehensive insurance will reimburse you if your windshield is cracked or shattered and glass coverage is available without a deductible. However, you need to have one of these types of insurance on your car in able to get your windshield repaired or replaced by putting a claim through your insurance provider. If you only have the liability it will not allow you to place a claim for glass damages on you own vehicle.

Goodluck!

MariCAR