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Arizona driving lesson · Impaired Driving, Points & Penalties

Extreme & aggravated DUI, ignition interlock

A 3-minute lesson from the Arizona course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Impaired Driving, Points & Penalties
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
66, 67

Arizona adds tougher DUI categories for very high BAC levels and for the most dangerous situations. Many DUI offenders must drive with an ignition interlock — a breath test wired into the car.

Extreme DUI

DUI with an alcohol concentration of 0.15 or higher.

Handbook p. 66 ↗

First extreme DUI: minimum jail

First extreme DUI: minimum jail
BACMinimum jail
0.15 or higher30 consecutive days
0.20 or higher45 days, no suspended sentence
Handbook p. 66 ↗
$2,500

Minimum fine for a first extreme DUI

Handbook p. 66 ↗

Know the rule

Subsequent extreme DUI: a fine of at least $3,250 and a 12-month revocation. At 0.20 or higher, at least 180 days in jail with no suspended sentence.

Handbook p. 66 ↗

Know the rule

Extreme DUI also requires alcohol screening, education or treatment, community service, and a Certified Ignition Interlock Device on any vehicle you operate.

Handbook p. 66 ↗

Aggravated DUI applies when you commit a DUI:

  • While your driving privilege is suspended or revoked
  • As your third DUI in 7 years
  • While a person under 15 is in the vehicle
  • (DUI or extreme DUI) while subject to a Certified Ignition Interlock Device requirement
Handbook p. 66 ↗

Know the rule

Aggravated DUI: prison for not more than 2 years, license revoked for 1 year, plus alcohol screening/education/treatment and an ignition interlock.

Handbook p. 66 ↗

Certified Ignition Interlock Device

A breath alcohol tester connected to the ignition. You blow into it before starting; above a set alcohol level the vehicle won't start. You must also blow at random intervals while driving.

Handbook p. 67 ↗

You may apply for a Special Ignition Interlock Restricted Driver License on day one for:

  • A first-offense Implied Consent violation after 12/31/2022
  • An Admin Per Se violation after 12/31/2022
Handbook p. 67 ↗

After at least 90 days of suspension/revocation, for:

  • First-offense Implied Consent violation before 1/1/2023
  • First-offense Implied Consent after 12/31/2023 involving serious physical injury or fatality
  • Aggravated DUI, or extreme DUI with a minor in the vehicle
  • DUI, extreme DUI or liquor in your body while driving under 18
  • Driving at 18 to 20 years old with spirituous liquor in your body
Handbook p. 67 ↗

Know the rule

During a revocation for two DUIs within 84 months, you may apply after serving at least 45 days if one violation was on or after January 1, 2012. You must follow interlock rules, complete required treatment and carry proof of future financial responsibility.

Handbook p. 67 ↗

Put it into practice

A driver is arrested for DUI with a 9-year-old in the back seat. Because a person under 15 was in the vehicle, it's aggravated DUI — up to 2 years in prison and a 1-year revocation.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

'Extreme DUI' applies to a person with an alcohol concentration at or above what level?
  1. 0.20
  2. 0.10
  3. 0.15
  4. 0.08

Answer: 0.15

Extreme DUI applies to a BAC of 0.15 or higher.

Handbook p. 66 ↗
For a first Extreme DUI offense with an alcohol concentration of 0.20 or higher, what is the minimum jail time?
  1. Not less than 30 days
  2. Not less than 45 days
  3. Not less than 10 days
  4. Not less than 90 days

Answer: Not less than 45 days

At 0.20 or higher, a first extreme DUI means at least 45 days in jail with no eligibility for a suspended sentence (30 days at 0.15–0.19).

Handbook p. 66 ↗
Which of these is a trigger for 'Aggravated DUI' under Arizona law?
  1. A DUI while your license is suspended
  2. A second DUI within 7 years
  3. A first DUI with a BAC of 0.15
  4. A DUI with a 16-year-old passenger

Answer: A DUI while your license is suspended

Aggravated DUI includes committing a DUI while suspended/revoked, a third DUI within 7 years, or a DUI with a person under 15 in the vehicle.

Handbook p. 66 ↗
What does a Certified Ignition Interlock Device require the driver to do before starting the vehicle?
  1. Enter a PIN code only
  2. Show a valid license to a sensor
  3. Submit a urine sample
  4. Take a breath alcohol test

Answer: Take a breath alcohol test

An ignition interlock device requires the driver to blow into it; the vehicle won't start if alcohol is detected above a set level.

Handbook p. 67 ↗
While a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device is being driven, what is the driver required to do?
  1. Nothing further is required after starting the car
  2. Pull over every hour to retest
  3. Blow into the device at random intervals
  4. Blow into the device only once, before driving

Answer: Blow into the device at random intervals

The driver must blow into the ignition interlock device at random intervals while the vehicle is in operation.

Handbook p. 67 ↗
Aggravated DUI in Arizona carries a jail sentence of not more than 6 months.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

False. For aggravated DUI you will be sent to prison for not more than 2 years, and your license will be revoked for 1 year.

Handbook p. 66 ↗
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