Most states penalize drivers who violate traffic and criminal laws while operating a motor vehicle by restricting, suspending, or revoking the driver’s license. For example, a state may suspend a driver’s license upon refusal to submit to a blood or breath test when suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or when a driver is convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

And most states have a traffic ticket points system that assigns points to traffic offenses—with more serious offenses receiving more points. The points a driver accumulates become a part of the driver’s record with the state and a specified number of points will lead to greater driver’s license penalties—including suspension of the driver’s license—as well as higher insurance premiums charged by insurance companies.

The use and structure of traffic ticket point systems vary from state to state and are usually located in a state’s statutes.

In Arizona, the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) of the Arizona Department of Transportation operates a point system for traffic violations. Under this system, points are assigned for various traffic offenses, with more serious violations incurring more points. For instance, DUI offenses result in 8 points, while speeding tickets typically add 3 points to a driver's record. Accumulating 8 or more points within a 12-month period can lead to mandatory traffic survival school training, or in some cases, suspension of the driver's license. Additionally, Arizona law mandates a 12-month suspension of driving privileges if a driver refuses to submit to a blood or breath test when suspected of DUI, as per Arizona's implied consent laws. A DUI conviction also leads to a suspension of the driver's license, with the duration depending on the severity of the offense and whether it is a first or subsequent violation. Insurance premiums are likely to increase with the accumulation of points on a driver's record.