AZ Chapter 2: Licensing Controls and

Actions
Section 2.1
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the written material below.

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content is the property of the authors and is not owned or sponsored by any court, judge,
Department of Motor Vehicles or any other public entity.

Driver Education and Driving Records

During this segment of the course, you will be reading about your driving privileges and certain
responsibilities associated with driving a motor vehicle on public roads. You will also read about
the rules and regulations you'll need to follow in order to keep your driving privileges.

Did you know there are over 222,000,000 licensed drivers in the United States?

TRAFFIC TRIVIA
Drivers who get more tickets are involved in (more or fewer) crashes?
The correct answer is "more." Drivers who get more tickets also have more collisions.
The minimum age for issuance of an instruction
permit is at least 15 years and 6 months.
The Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) may issue an
instruction permit to any physically and mentally
qualified person who applies to the Department
for an instruction permit, is age 15 years and 6
months or older, and has successfully completed
an approved course in automobile driver
education.
Driver License with Restrictions: The MVD may
place special conditions or restrictions on your
license. A driving test is normally required to
remove special conditions or restrictions from
your license. The MVD may suspend or revoke
your license if you violate a condition or
restriction.
Moped Driving Requirements: Instruction
permits are not allowed. The rider must have at
least a class D driver's license.

Your Driving Record

Most of Your Driving Record Is Available to the Public
Law enforcement agencies, employers and insurance companies can check your driving
record.
The MVD is responsible for keeping your driving record on file, and it has the power to cancel,
suspend, or revoke your license. It is against the law to drive with a canceled, suspended, or
revoked license. If you ignore that law, you could be fined, jailed, or both.
The driving privilege is exactly that – a privilege – and if you don't treat it right, you may lose
it.

Point System

Arizona's MVD assesses points against your permanent driving record each time you are
convicted of, or forfeit bail for, a moving violation. These moving violations include such acts as
reckless driving, speeding, failing to obey stop signs, or driving under the influence of alcohol or
other drugs (DUI).

Every time you are convicted of a traffic violation, or are involved in a collision, it's recorded
on your driving record.

Convictions stay on your record for five years. Generally, points can be accrued until you reach
8 points in a 12-month time period, at which time you will be required to attend traffic school
or have your license suspended.

Revocation
Revocation means that the
person's privilege to drive a motor
vehicle is terminated and a new
driver's license may be obtained
after the period of revocation.
To have your
license revoked means you did
something very foolish and
dangerous, and the state will take
away your license for a long time.
What if a person (hopefully not you!) was driving after consuming alcohol, and injured
someone? Wouldn't you want this person to be removed from our streets? The MVD or the
court might take away or revoke the driver's license for a period of time ranging from 6 months
all the way up to a lifetime. A new license may be obtained after the period of revocation and
upon meeting certain conditions.

Some examples of reasons the MVD would revoke your

driver's license:
 • Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other controlled substances.
• Any homicide or aggravated assault involving use of the vehicle.
• Perjury relating to ownership or operation of the vehicle.
• Perjury or making false statements to MVD under oath.
• Failure to stop and render aid at the site if you are involved in a crash.
• Committing a drive-by shooting.
• Aggravated DUI.
• Two or more convictions for DUI, reckless driving or racing on the highways.
• A felony in which a motor vehicle is used (so remember – if you are planning to hit a
bank, do not use your car for a getaway vehicle! That would get you 15 to 20 years in
jail, and you would lose your license!)
The most common action the MVD may take is to SUSPEND your license. If you are notified that
your driving privilege has been suspended, you must surrender your license.

Suspension
Suspending your driver's license means the MVD temporarily takes away your driving privilege.
How can your license be suspended? One of the measurements the MVD uses to track your
driving performance is the amount of points you accumulate on your driving record.
The driving privileges of a minor might also be delayed or restricted if they are convicted of
vandalism or of being habitually truant from school.
The following are some reasons to have your license suspended in Arizona:
• Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Failure to pay civil penalties for traffic violations, moving violations, or speeding tickets.
• Being at fault in a collision that causes serious injury or death to another person.
• Reckless driving.
• Violating traffic laws so often that the
state considers you to have disrespect for
traffic laws and a disregard for the safety
of other persons.
• Using a driver's license illegally.
Suspensions can last from months to years, and
you are entitled to a hearing.
If your license has been suspended, you must do the following to reinstate your license:
• Serve the period of suspension.
• Attend any required driver improvement school.
• Pay any service fee in addition to any fines ordered by court.
• Show proof of insurance.

How many points do you get on your record for specific

offenses?
Some violations have such high point values that they
invalidate your license immediately:
• Operating a vehicle under the influence of a drug.
• Committing homicide or aggravated assault with a vehicle.
• Committing a felony in which a vehicle is used.
• Lying to the MVD under oath.
• Failing to stop if you are involved in a traffic accident.
 • Participation in a drive-by shooting.
Regardless of the point count, many serious offenses in which a vehicle is used are punishable
by heavy penalties, such as fines and/or imprisonment.

Section Collision Reports and

Financial Responsibility
Failure to stop at the scene of a collision where
your vehicle caused property damage, injury or
death, makes you a hit-and-run driver, subject to
severe penalties.
Law enforcement will report a collision where
there is injury or fatality, property damage
exceeding $1,000 or a citation was issued.
If you are involved in a collision where anyone is injured, you are required to immediately file a
report with the police.
Arizona's Financial Responsibility Law requires every driver and every owner of a motor vehicle
to maintain financial responsibility (liability insurance coverage) at all times.
You must carry written proof of financial responsibility whenever you drive and show it to a
police officer upon request (i.e., a citation stop, accident, etc.). Failure to comply may result in a
fine or your vehicle being impounded. In addition, if you are involved in a collision and don't
have acceptable financial responsibility, you may lose your driver's license. Further, the MVD is
mandated by law to cancel your registration if you don't have proof of financial responsibility.

Section 2.2
Environmental Hazards and Vehicle Emergencies
To watch the introductory section video, press the play button.
The introductory videos are optional. Any information presented in the video is also covered in
the written material below.
[Link]
Disclaimer: This program is protected by the copyright laws of the United States of America. All
content is the property of the authors and is not owned or sponsored by any court, judge,
Department of Motor Vehicles or any other public entity.

Environmental Hazards
As a driver you will occasionally encounter adverse or difficult conditions... and we're not
talking about the mundane conversation in your morning car pool. You must be prepared to
cope with a threatening emergency situation. In this chapter, you will learn how to compensate
and deal with these hazards and other emergencies.

TRAFFIC TRIVIA
What is the trickiest time of the day to drive?
• Early in the morning?
 • Late at night?
• Twilight?
The most dangerous time to drive; the trickiest and most difficult lighting, exists at twilight just
after the sun has set.
During twilight, the sky is still bright; but at ground level, it becomes progressively darker. The
bright sky deceives the eyes and they don't know how to adjust.

Use Your Headlights

• When it is cloudy, raining, snowing, or
foggy.
• Any time you have trouble seeing other
cars. Other drivers will be having trouble seeing
you, too.
• On small country or mountain roads, even
on sunny days.
The law requires that you turn your headlights on at sunset and leave them on until
sunrise. (Of course, you'll want to be driving at the time; otherwise your battery will run out.) It
is also illegal to drive with only your parking lights on.

A Few Night Driving Tips

• Be aware of drowsiness.
• Don't overdrive your headlights.
• Look away from oncoming headlights.
• Don’t drive with only your parking lights on.
• Switch to a low beam when following or approaching another vehicle.
• If you are using high beams, dim them when you are within 300 feet of the vehicle
ahead or within 500 feet of the oncoming vehicle.

Fog
Fog is especially treacherous. Driving in heavy fog is like driving with a blindfold on. Statistically
it's the most dangerous driving hazard in existence.
Do not use your high beams. Always use your low beam headlights when you're driving in fog.
High beam rays reflect off the fog, the rain, or the snow particles at about the same level as
your eyes, making each particle act like a tiny mirror.
If you can't postpone your trip until dense fog
lifts, follow these tips:
• Make sure that you can be seen. Drive
with lights on low beam; turn on your fog
lights if you have them. Don't use your
emergency flasher. Studies have shown
that drivers are attracted to flashing lights
and tend to drive into them inadvertently.
• Reduce your speed and watch your
speedometer. Fog creates a visual illusion
of slow motion when you may actually be
speeding.
• Listen for traffic you cannot see. Open
your window a little, to hear better.
• Use wipers and defrosters as necessary
for maximum visibility.
• Use the right edge of the road or painted
road markings as a guide (to avoid
running into oncoming traffic or becoming distracted by their headlights).
• Be patient. Do not pass lines of traffic.
• Do not stop on a freeway or heavily traveled road. If your car stalls or becomes disabled,
turn your vehicle's lights off, and take your foot off of the brake pedal. People tend to
follow tail lights when driving in fog. Move away from the vehicle to avoid injury.

Slow Down During Rain Storms

When the road is wet, the film of the water on
the asphalt causes tires to lose traction. So, our
first piece of advice is always slow down during
rain storms.
In rainy weather, the hazard of reduced visibility
is compounded by reduced traction. The danger
of reduced traction is greatest within the first half
hour of rainfall.
At that time, the water mixes with the oil and
the dust on the surface of the road, making the pavement more slippery than a baseball
player testifying before congress.
• Allow for more travel time. You should plan to drive at a slower pace than normal when
the roads are wet. Keep in mind that traffic is likely to be moving slower as well. There's
also the possibility that your preplanned route may be flooded or jammed. Whatever
the case, rushing equals higher risk.
• Increase your following distance.
• Brake earlier and with less force than you would normally. Not only does this increase
the stopping distance between you and the car in front of you, it also lets the driver
behind you know that you're slowing down. Also, be more meticulous about using turn
signals, so that other drivers know your intentions, and take turns and curves with less
speed than you would in dry conditions.
• Avoid sharp turns and over-steering.
• In heavy rain or still water, your tires can actually lose contact with the road and glide
over the water. It's called hydroplaning. If you start to hydroplane, don't brake
suddenly but apply gentle pressure on your brakes. Plan ahead so that you don't come
to a full stop until you are out of the water.
 • Test your brakes lightly any time you've
driven through deep water.
• Turn on your headlights, even when
there's a light sprinkle. It helps you see
the road, and more importantly, it helps
other motorists see you.

Skidding
Remember, your chances of going into a skid
increase drastically when driving on slick or wet
roads.
A few basic skid control techniques:
• Never lock your brakes.
• Ease your foot off the accelerator.
• Turn in the direction you want to go.
• Stop when you have regained control of
your car.

Anti-Lock Brakes – A valuable feature to have

If you must stop quickly, your next action will depend on whether your vehicle is equipped with
anti-lock brakes (ABS). If you have anti-lock brakes, just press firmly and the computer will take
over.
Do not pump your brakes. You may hear noise coming from your wheels or a vibration in the
brake pedal. Don't panic; this is all part of the braking system adjusting the pressure applied to
each wheel to prevent the car from skidding out of control (time for your free, relaxing foot
massage).

Non Anti-Locking Brakes

If you do not have anti-lock brakes, you must do the complete opposite. Apply a quick pumping
motion onto your brake. It's very, very important that you steer smoothly, not sharply, into the
skid.

Water on the Road

After a storm, be aware of standing water. When you see a large pool of water covering the
road, you should do whatever you can to avoid it. Even if the water doesn't look that deep,
don't drive through it...
Many hazards can be hiding in standing water. One of the most treacherous is sinkholes. After a
heavy rain or tropical storm, the ground can sometimes do unpredictable things.
You don't want to be the street version of the Titanic.

Dust Storms
A dust storm, common in the summer time, can be blinding to a driver. In fact, your visibility
can be reduced to zero which will certainly create hazardous conditions for you and all other
drivers on the road.
Each year, many people are seriously injured or even lose their lives as a result of sudden,
violent dust storms.
How you react in a dust storm can save your life and the life of others, prevent injuries, and
reduce property damage.
Here are some important safety tips:
• Pull off the roadway.
• Stop.
• Turn off all vehicle lights.
• Set your emergency brake and take foot
off the brake.
• Buckle up.
If you can't pull off the road, turn your lights on
and use the painted lane striping to guide you.

Mechanical Breakdowns
Gas Pedal Sticks
• You should shift into neutral (that's the "N" gear), then apply the brakes.
• Make sure you find a way out of traffic and warn others by flashing your lights.
• Pull off the highway (if possible)
• Turn off your ignition
Brake Failure
• Pump the brake pedal hard and fast
• Shift to a lower gear
• Apply the parking brake slowly, so you don't skid
• Rub your tires against the curb to slow your vehicle, or pull off the road into an open
space

Wet Brakes
• Test your brakes lightly any time you've driven through deep water
• Brakes may pull to one side or may not hold at all
• Dry your brakes by driving slowly in low gear and applying your brakes

Tire Blow-Out
• Grip the steering wheel firmly
• Ease off the gas pedal to slow down
• Do not use your brakes
• Look for a safe place to pull over
• When you feel your car is under control
again, gently start braking

Hood Flies Up While Driving

• Slow down
• Find a way to keep your eyes on the road.
• Look through the crack between the hood and the body of the car.
• Look out the side window
• Pull over as soon as possible

Power Steering Failure

• Slow down
• Grip the steering wheel firmly, applying more pressure than usual
• Find a safe path through traffic, change lanes and move as far off the roadway as
possible
 • Power steering failure can be caused by a stalling engine, a low level of power steering
fluid, a broken steering drive belt, or a defective pump

Right Wheels Go Off the Shoulder of the Road

• Take your foot off the gas pedal
• Hold the wheel firmly and maintain a straight line
• Brake lightly
• Turn back onto the pavement sharply at low speed

Car or Motorcycle Approaching in

Your Lane
• Sound your horn and flash your lights
• Brake sharply
• Steer for the side of the road, a ditch or
the next lane
• And it never hurts to pray

Fire
• If the fire is small and you have a portable
extinguisher, you should attempt to
extinguish the fire.
• If you cannot extinguish the fire and it
continues to get larger, get away from the
vehicle. There may be toxic fumes and the
possibility of an explosion.
• Never apply water to a gasoline or diesel
fire.
Remember, you never know what potential environmental hazard or vehicle emergency you
will encounter when driving. Be prepared!

Let's Review!
• The most difficult time to drive is at twilight.
• Increase your following distance in any adverse conditions.
• Don't use your high beams in fog or snow.
• The danger of reduced traction is greatest within the first half hour of rainfall.
• Avoid hydroplaning by slowing down when the roads are wet.
• Avoid large pools of water – you never know what lies beneath!
• You never know what potential environmental hazard or vehicle emergency you will
encounter when driving, so always be prepared for emergencies.
• There are over 222 million licensed drivers in the U.S.
• Your driving record is available to the public. Your record of health or mental condition
is not.
• You may lose your license if you accumulate too many points on your record.
• Your license can be canceled if you give incorrect information or move to another state.
• To reinstate the suspended license, you will need to serve the period of suspension, pay
any applicable service fees and any fines ordered by the court.
• You cannot drive on a revoked, canceled or suspended license.
• You are required to carry some form of proof of financial responsibility.