Asked 8/9/2016 – Dallas, TX

I got a speeding ticket in Arizona and will be taking defensive driving to keep it off my record. Does the requirement of not being eligible to take defensive driving within 12 months apply if I get a ticket in another state or is each state separate in eligibility for various ways of taking care of the ticket? Are there any federal laws associated with speeding tickets? Do driving schools or state law enforcement have access to/look at your prior record in another state if you have one? When would a federal court (and associated federal laws) come into play in a speeding ticket situation?

Answer

Federal courts do not have jurisdiction over speeding citations. The eligibility for a defensive driving class varies from state to state; for example, in Texas you must have a valid Texas driver’s license to be eligible to take the class to avoid a conviction for a moving violation. You must consult an attorney in Arizona to determine if there is a 12 month separation between classes or valid state driver’s license requirement.