The Arizona Legislature and Gov. Doug Ducey pushed through a historically lean $9.1 billion budget and 324 new laws, 7 were new traffic laws. Most of the new laws went into effect July 3.
Arizona lawmakers this year proposed a lot of changes to the state’s driving laws, though only a few of them actually made the cut.
Check out seven changes to Arizona’s driving laws that could affect you:
1.) Motorcyclists can only carry a passenger if the bike is “designed” to do so
However, lawmakers repealed a law that required handrails for bike passengers. No need for that
2.) Pedestrians are banned from hitting crosswalk buttons just to stop traffic
This was done in an effort to curb panhandling.
3.) Ape hangers are legal on motorcycles
It was previously illegal to have handlebars above the rider’s shoulders. But you saw it all the time
4.) Classic car plates can be customized
Custom license plates are still foolish, but that choice is up to you, if you want to keep the classic car plate.
5.) Three-wheeled cars don’t require a motorcycle license
It turns out that we’ve all been driving our Reliant Robins illegally for years, because any vehicle with three wheels in Arizona has required a motorcycle license to operate. Elio Motors, which plans to sell a three-wheeled vehicle in Arizona, was behind this law, which defines three-wheeled cars with roll cages and pedals as “autocycles,” rather than motorcycles.
6.) Defensive driving school can now be done once a year
Previously, you could only attend defensive driving school to wipe a ticket from your record once every two years.
7.) REAL ID
Arizona is now giving people the option to get federally compliant licenses, which allow people to board airplanes and such. This affects drivers because the licenses are only valid for eight years, unlike the previous licenses, which are good for most of your life.