Arizona like many states has a graduated licensing process with the first step being a learner's permit. With an Arizona instruction permit the requirements include:

• Teen must be at least 15 years and 6 months old.
• Teen and parent must provide necessary application documents.
• Teen must pass written and vision tests.
• Teen must have a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age seated in the front seat next to him or her at all times

In AZ a motorist may be required to attend a Traffic Survival School for several reasons including the two following which affect your son due to his age and the offense:

• For the first moving violation of a driver under 18 years of age
• For a conviction for Red Light Running

Anytime you run a red light (or flashing red light) in Arizona you must attend traffic survival school.The AZ MVD administers the Traffic Survival School program to attempt to modify the behavior of drivers by teaching them how to avoid adverse traffic situations by increasing their knowledge of Arizona traffic laws, defining their responsibilities while driving and improving their attitude toward safe driving. TSS is different then the Defensive Driving School which is administered by the Arizona Supreme Court and allows for the dismissal of a citation based on attendance.If you fail to attend the TSS program your driving privilege will be suspended until the class is completed.

The Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) of the Department of Transportation states that for those under 18 the penalties for moving violations include the following:

• 1st Violation - If you attend Defensive Driving School your record will remain clean.
• 2nd Violation (first conviction) - You must attend Traffic Survival School.
• 3rd Violation (second conviction) - 3 month suspension.
• 4th Violation (third conviction) - 6 month suspension.

Since this was a red light offense you and your son should seek clarification if he needs to attend a defensive driving school or the Traffic Survival School (TSS), it would appear that it would be TSS but again verify this with the MVD or court listed on his citation.

You can also check with the MVD if this violation will affect his ability to get his license. Nothing is mentioned in the AZ driver's manual about a permit holder having to wait to move up to the next step of the licensing process due to a ticket, however he likely will need to take care of the citation and attend the Defensive Driving School or TSS, whichever he is required to go to, though before moving up. The AZ MVD can give your son the best information on his situation.

Here is some information on the graduated driver licensing (GDL) process the state of Arizona has in place for young drivers.

In Arizona after holding a permit the next step in the graduated driver’s licensing system is a Class G license. This is also referred to as the restricted or probationary stage. A class G driver is not required to have an adult driver in the vehicle. There are no passenger restrictions on class G drivers. It is not necessary to graduate from high school before obtaining a class G license.

A graduated driver license is issued to an applicant who is at least 16, but less than 18 years of age and is valid to operate any vehicle that does not require a motorcycle or commercial license. The following restrictions do apply to a class G license for the first six months the license is held:

Teen cannot drive between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless – 1) A parent or legal guardian who has a valid driver license is sitting in the front passenger seat, OR 2) The teen is driving to or from a sanctioned school sponsored activity, sanctioned religious activity, place of employment or family emergency.

Teen shall not drive a motor vehicle containing more than one passenger under the age of 18 on a public highway unless – 1) The passengers are the teen driver’s siblings, OR 2) The teen driver is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian with a valid driver license and occupies the front passenger seat.

An applicant for a class G license must have held an Arizona instruction permit for at least 6 months. An applicant must also have satisfactorily completed a driver education program that is approved by MVD or the parent or guardian must certify in writing that the applicant has completed at least 30 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 10 hours at night.The holder of a class G license is not required to obtain an operator (class D) license at age 18, but may choose to obtain one.

To receive affordable car insurance for Arizona, click here for a low cost quote.