Arizona MVD: An Argument to Cut the DMV Some Slack

The Arizona Department Of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division, otherwise known as the MVD is Arizona's DMV. It is responsible for issuing and monitoring the driving privileges of every registered driver in Arizona. It is also charged with the task of keeping track of violations of Arizona laws on Arizona soil by out of state drivers. The Executive Hearing Office of the Arizona MVD has a role in almost every Arizona Drunk Driving Case.

When a person is arrested for DUI in Arizona, there are several chances for the person's driving privilege to be suspended or revoked by the Arizona MVD. The many reasons are beyond the scope of this article. Suffice it to say that the MVD has a Herculean task when it comes to keeping track of DUI suspensions. Because of the vast numbers of DUI arrests in Tucson and Phoenix, the MVD has to maintain streamlined procedures to keep track of cases. For this reason, if a person is even a day late in requesting an Arizona DUI Administrative License Hearing, all chances of saving his or her driving privilege are usually forfeited.

In addition to monitoring license suspensions and revocations, the Arizona MVD also must monitor the use of ignition interlock devices. Since every DUI conviction in Arizona requires at least a year of ignition interlock device use after license reinstatement, there are tens of thousands of these devices to monitor. Each driver with an interlock device must be monitored, and if there are problems with the device, the MVD hearing office steps in to determine the cause of the problem. If it is determined that the driver committed certain violations or tried to tamper with the device, then the MVD is charged with extending the requirement for an additional year for each violation.

People always complain about the DMV. No matter what state you are in, you've heard the common refrain "well, it's the DMV, what do you expect?" Well, in my Arizona DUI practice I deal with the MVD daily, and for everything that they have to manage, I'd say that overall they do an excellent job. So the next time you are at the DMV, and frustrated to the point you want to scream, think of the millions of pieces of information that the agency must manage, and, as long as it looks like they are trying, cut them some slack. I can say that I certainly appreciate the efficiency with which they conduct business with my office.