Pinal County ALR Hearing Guide

How to request your Administrative License Revocation hearing and protect your driving privileges.

Last verified: March 31, 2026

15-Day Deadline

You have exactly 15 days from your arrest to request an ALR hearing. Miss this deadline and your license is automatically suspended. No exceptions.

Enter your arrest date to see your deadline:

Your deadline will appear here

If You Request in Time

  • • Temporary permit until hearing
  • • Chance to keep your license
  • • Gather evidence for defense

If You Miss the Deadline

  • • Automatic 90-180 day suspension
  • • No hearing, no appeal
  • • Starts 40 days after arrest

How to Request Your Hearing

Fastest Method

Online Request

Fee: $125 (credit card)

Available: 24/7

Instant confirmation

Go to Arizona MVD Portal
Alternative

Phone Request

Phone: (512) 424-2600

Fee: $125 (credit card)

Hours: Mon-Fri 8AM - 5PM

Expect long hold times

Information You'll Need

From Your DIC-25 Notice:

  • • Driver License Number
  • • Date of Arrest
  • • Arresting Agency
  • • Arresting Officer Name

Personal Information:

  • • Full Legal Name
  • • Current Address
  • • Date of Birth
  • • Phone Number & Email

After You Request

1

Temporary Permit

Immediate

Drive legally until your hearing

2

Hearing Notice

20-40 days

Date, time, and format mailed to you

3

Prepare Defense

Before hearing

Gather evidence, hire attorney

4

Attend Hearing

Scheduled date

Usually phone or video

5

Decision

Same day

Win: keep license. Lose: suspension starts

What to Expect at the Hearing

Most hearings are by phone or video

You usually don't need to travel to Austin. When you receive your hearing notice, it will specify whether it's phone, video, or in-person.

Duration

30-60 minutes typically

Who's There

You, your attorney (optional), MVD attorney, administrative law judge

What They Review

Probable cause for stop, proper arrest procedure, chemical test validity

Evidence That Can Help

  • Dashcam or bodycam footage showing procedural errors
  • Breathalyzer calibration records (if not current)
  • Witness statements about your sobriety
  • Medical conditions affecting field sobriety tests

For the rare in-person hearings:

State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), 300 W. 15th Street, Austin, TX 78701 • (512) 475-4993

Should You Hire an Attorney?

With an Attorney

  • Can subpoena arresting officer
  • Knows how to challenge evidence
  • Uses hearing to strengthen criminal defense
  • Higher success rate at hearings

Without an Attorney

  • MVD has experienced attorney present
  • May not know proper objections
  • Can't effectively cross-examine officers
  • Lower win rate statistically
Find DUI Attorneys in Pinal County

If You Lose Your Hearing

Losing the ALR hearing isn't the end. You still have options to maintain limited driving privileges:

Ignition Interlock

Drive with device installed

Occupational License

Limited driving for work/essentials

Arizona MVD Office

For license reinstatement after suspension ends, or to get an occupational license:

Address
1801 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ 85007
Get Directions
Phone
(281) 219-4500
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

FAQ

Related Guides

Court Process
Criminal case timeline
Bail & Bond
Getting released

Pinal County DUI License Suspension & ALR Hearing

A DUI arrest in Pinal County triggers two separate legal processes: a criminal case in court, and an administrative action against your driver's license. This guide focuses on the administrative side, specifically the license suspension and your right to an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing. It is crucial to understand that the outcome of the ALR hearing has no direct bearing on the criminal case, and vice versa. However, successfully challenging your license suspension can provide significant benefits.

CRITICAL DEADLINE: Request Hearing Within 15 Days

Following a DUI arrest in Arizona, you have only 15 days from the date of the arrest to request a hearing with the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) to contest the suspension of your driver's license. This is known as an "Admin Per Se" suspension, outlined in A.R.S. § 28-1385.

Where to Request: You must request the hearing from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT).

How to Request: The most efficient method is to submit your hearing request via email to hearingoffice@azdot.gov. This is particularly important for residents of rural Pinal County, where mail delays can jeopardize meeting the strict deadline.

Consequences of Missing the Deadline: If you fail to request a hearing within 15 days, your driving privileges will be automatically suspended, typically 90 days, starting on the 30th day after the notice of suspension. Requesting the hearing stays (pauses) the suspension, allowing you to continue driving until a decision is made. Consider Day 15 as the "Action Deadline" and Day 30 as a "Driving Dead End" unless a stay is secured.

Automatic License Suspension

The Arizona MVD will automatically initiate a license suspension based on the circumstances of your DUI arrest. The grounds for suspension depend on whether you submitted to chemical testing (breath or blood) and the results, or if you refused testing altogether.

If You Took the Breath/Blood Test and Failed

If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was 0.08 or higher, the MVD will attempt to suspend your license. The suspension period depends on the BAC level and any prior DUI convictions.

  • BAC over 0.08: The suspension is typically 90 days for a first offense.

Upon arrest, you should have received a temporary driving permit. This permit is valid until the date of your scheduled ALR hearing or until the suspension officially begins (30 days after the notice), whichever comes first.

If You Refused Testing

Under Arizona's Implied Consent Law, by driving on Arizona roads, you have implicitly agreed to submit to chemical testing if lawfully arrested for DUI. Refusal to submit to breath or blood testing carries significant penalties.

  • Refusal Penalty: If you refused to submit to testing, your license will be suspended for one year for a first offense.

The ALR/Administrative Hearing

The Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing is a crucial opportunity to challenge the suspension of your driver's license.

What It Is

The ALR hearing is an administrative proceeding, entirely separate from your criminal court case. It is conducted by an administrative law judge (ALJ) employed by the Arizona MVD. The purpose of the hearing is to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to warrant the suspension of your license. The burden of proof is lower than in a criminal trial. The MVD only needs to show "preponderance of the evidence" (more likely than not) that the suspension is justified.

How to Prepare

Proper preparation is essential for a successful ALR hearing.

  • Gather Evidence: Collect any evidence that supports your case, such as witness statements, dashcam footage, or photographs.
  • Consider Hiring a DUI Attorney: A DUI attorney experienced in Arizona ALR hearings can help you gather evidence, prepare your arguments, and represent you at the hearing.
  • Understand What You Can Challenge: Common challenges in an ALR hearing include:
  • Lack of reasonable suspicion for the initial traffic stop.
  • Lack of probable cause for the DUI arrest.
  • Improper administration of the breath or blood test.
  • Failure to properly advise you of your rights under the Implied Consent Law.

Possible Outcomes

The ALJ will issue a written decision after the hearing. Possible outcomes include:

  • Suspension Upheld: The ALJ finds sufficient evidence to support the suspension. Your license will be suspended as originally noticed.
  • Suspension Overturned: The ALJ finds that the MVD has failed to prove its case. Your license will be reinstated.
  • Restricted/Hardship License Granted: While rare in the initial ALR hearing, you may be eligible for a Special Ignition Interlock Restricted Driver License (SIIRDL) after a period of hard suspension (see below).

Hardship/Restricted License in Arizona has largely transitioned away from traditional "hardship permits" and now primarily uses the Special Ignition Interlock Restricted Driver License (SIIRDL). Recent legislative changes (Senate Bill 1334) have made the SIIRDL more accessible.

  • Eligibility Requirements: You may be eligible for a SIIRDL immediately after the initial 30-day "hard suspension" period (or even sooner in some refusal cases).
  • What You Can Drive For: With a SIIRDL, you can drive for:
  • Employment
  • School
  • Medical appointments
  • Probation meetings
  • Ignition Interlock Device (IID) service appointments
  • Costs and Application Process: Applying for a SIIRDL involves fees and providing proof of eligibility.
  • IID Requirement: A condition of the SIIRDL is the installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) on your vehicle.

Time spent driving with the SIIRDL and IID now counts toward the mandatory IID period required after a DUI conviction.

Getting Your License Back

Reinstating your license after a DUI suspension involves several steps.

After Criminal Case Concludes

  • Reinstatement Requirements: You must fulfill all court-ordered requirements, including fines, alcohol education classes, and community service.
  • Fees: Pay the required reinstatement fee to the MVD.
  • SR-22 Insurance Requirement: Obtain SR-22 insurance (proof of financial responsibility) if required.
  • Classes/Programs: Complete any required DUI education or treatment programs.

Pinal County MVD Offices

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) provides MVD services at various locations. Note that some locations are MVD Full Service locations, while others are Authorized Third Party providers. For complex reinstatement issues, visiting a full-service MVD is recommended.

You can also locate Authorized Third Party Driver License locations via the ADOT website. azdot.gov/mvd/services/driver-services/authorized-third-party-driver-license-locations

Special Programs

  • Ignition Interlock Device Program: Required for SIIRDLs and often mandated after a DUI conviction.
  • Medical Review Program: The Arizona DMV's Medical Review Program might be involved depending on the circumstances of your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where in Pinal County can I request a copy of the police report from my DUI arrest? A: You can obtain a copy of the police report by mailing a money order (the amount varies by agency, but start with $7.50) to either the Pinal County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) or the Casa Grande Police Department (CGPD) Records Unit, depending on which agency made the arrest. Contact the Pinal County Sheriff's Office Records Unit at https://www.pinal.gov/1107/Records-Unit for more information.

Q: I was arrested for DUI in Apache Junction, but I live in Casa Grande. Where should I apply for the SIIRDL if my suspension is upheld? A: Apply for the SIIRDL at the Casa Grande MVD location. Casa Grande - Arizona Department of Transportation

Q: What happens if I am caught driving in Pinal County while my license is suspended for DUI? A: Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense in Arizona. If the suspension is DUI-related, the penalties are significantly harsher, potentially including jail time, extended suspension periods, and vehicle impoundment.

Sources

Sources

Last updated: March 31, 2026

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