Your questions, answered.

Yes. Under Arizona law (A.R.S. § 28-1387), when you are convicted of a DUI the judge must order you to complete alcohol or drug screening at a facility approved by the Arizona Department of Health Services. It is a standard, mandatory part of DUI sentencing — not optional.

It is a confidential interview with a licensed counselor, usually using a standardized questionnaire about your alcohol and drug use and history. There is no “pass” or “fail.” Its purpose is to determine what level of education or treatment, if any, the court will require.

It depends on your screening result. Arizona’s DUI-services rules (administered by the Department of Health Services) set the hours: most people complete at least 16 hours of DUI education, and higher-risk results add roughly 20 hours of treatment on top — which is why you often hear “36 hours” (16 + 20). Your exact requirement comes from the screening and your offense, not a fixed statutory tier.

In many cases, yes. Arizona allows state-approved DUI education to be completed online, which is common for out-of-state drivers. The completion certificate is the same and is reported to the court either way. Confirm eligibility for your specific case with the provider.

Costs vary by provider and by how many hours you are required to complete — typically a screening fee plus per-hour class fees. Because pricing changes, get current figures directly from the provider; AES lists its screening and class pricing on its site.

Yes, and it is short. After a DUI arrest with an administrative (“admin per se”) suspension, you generally have 30 days to request a hearing before the suspension takes effect (A.R.S. § 28-1385). Requesting a hearing in time can delay the suspension. Many out-of-date sites say “15 days” — in Arizona it is 30.

The 30-day window to request a hearing is the same, but the consequence is different: refusing the test triggers a one-year revocation of your driving privileges under Arizona's implied-consent law (A.R.S. § 28-1321). You may qualify for a Special Ignition Interlock Restricted Driver License (SIIRDL) that lets you keep driving during that period.

Your screening and education provider reports your completion to the court in writing (Arizona’s DUI-services rules require the provider to notify the referring court). You typically also submit completion documentation to MVD as part of getting your license reinstated.

Not by itself. Completing screening and classes is one required piece. Reinstatement usually also involves serving the suspension, a one-year ignition interlock requirement (every alcohol-based DUI conviction carries it — you may qualify for a 6-month deferral if it is a first offense with no extreme BAC, injury, or accident), SR-22 proof of insurance, and MVD fees.

Skipping court-ordered screening or classes can violate your probation and stall your license reinstatement, which can lead to further court consequences. If you feel overwhelmed, the fastest path is to enroll and get it done — AES handles the screening and classes and reports your completion to the court and MVD.