Arizona
Driver Information By State
Every state regulates driver's license eligibility of persons with certain medical conditions. The most common requirement for people with epilepsy is that they be seizure free for a specific period of time and submit a physician's evaluation of their ability to drive safely. Another common requirement is the periodic submission of medical reports, in some states for a specified period of time and in others for as long as the person remains licensed.
Select the state you want to find information about, or if you are moving and would like to compare two states' driving laws side by side? Choose the two states below to compare.
| Law | Arizona |
|---|---|
| DMV Appeal of License Denial | Yes |
| Doctors to Report Epilepsy | No |
| Periodic Medical Updates Required After Licensing | At discretion of Motor Vehicle Division |
| Seizure-Free Period | 3 months, with exceptions |
Arizona Driver Licensing Laws
Applicants who experienced a seizure within the 3 months prior to applying must undergo a medical examination, and the physician must submit the medical report to the Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Division. If the medical report reveals that the individual is unable to safely operate a motor vehicle, Arizona will not issue a driver’s license. ARIZ. ADMIN. CODE § 17-4-506(A) (2020). An individual with a driver’s license who experiences a seizure must cease driving and undergo a medical examination, submit the report to the Division, and undergo a follow-up medical examination within one year after the seizure (as recommended by a physician). ARIZ. ADMIN. CODE § 17-4-506(B) (2020).
Under Arizona regulations, an individual is able to safely operate a motor vehicle if the examining physician reports: (1) Any seizure that occurred within the last three months was due to a change in prescribed anticonvulsant medication and that seizures are under control after the change in medication; (2) Any seizure that occurred within the last three months was a single event that will not recur in the future; (3) Any seizure is likely to occur but has an established pattern of occurring only during sleep; or (4) There is an established pattern of an aura of sufficient duration to allow the person to cease operating a motor vehicle immediately. ARIZ. ADMIN. CODE § 17-4-506(D) (2020).
A person whose license was suspended or revoked for medical reasons may request a hearing with the Division’s Executive Hearing Office within fifteen days after the notice was delivered to the licensee or within 20 days after the notice was mailed to the licensee. ARIZ. ADMIN. CODE § 17-4-502(F) (2020).
Commercial Driving
Arizona has adopted the federal Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Relations, 49 C.F.R. § 391.43, to determine medical qualifications for licensing commercial truck drivers. ARIZ. ADMIN. CODE § 17-4-508 (2020).
Arizona Identification Card
Identification cards are available to non-drivers through the Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division. ARIZ. REV. STAT. ANN. § 28-3165 (2020). The fee for an identification card is $12.00. ARIZ. ADMIN. CODE § 17-4-409(B) (2020).
Arizona Reporting
Arizona has no statutory provision requiring doctors to report persons with epilepsy to a central state agency.
© 2020 Epilepsy Foundation. All rights reserved. This summary was developed for informational purposes by the Epilepsy Foundation and reflects a review of data available as of August 2020. Information is subject to change. This summary is not a substitute for legal advice. For further information, please consult your state Department of Motor Vehicles.