Arizona driver's license fees depend on the license type, whether you're renewing or getting a new license, and how long you want it to last
Arizona charges different amounts for a standard driver's license, a commercial driver's license (CDL), an instruction permit, and an ID card. A standard five-year driver's license costs $25 if you renew by mail or online, or $30 if you renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. A new standard license (for a first-time driver or someone moving to Arizona) costs $25. These prices do not include any additional fees for road tests, duplicate licenses, or corrections to your record.
If you want a ten-year license instead of five years, Arizona charges an extra $10 on top of the standard renewal fee. A ten-year license costs $35 in person or $35 by mail. Instruction permits (also called learner's permits) cost $25 and are valid for one year. An Arizona ID card, which is not a driver's license but serves as state identification, costs $10 for a five-year card or $15 for a ten-year card.
Commercial driver's licenses have their own fee structure. A new CDL costs $50, and renewal costs $50 as well. If you need to add endorsements (such as hazmat or passenger endorsements), those cost $5 each. These fees cover the license itself but do not include the cost of the knowledge test or skills test, which are administered separately by third-party testing sites.
Key Takeaways
- A standard five-year Arizona driver's license renewal costs $25 by mail or online, or $30 in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office.
- A ten-year license costs $10 more than the five-year option, making it $35 total whether you renew in person or by mail.
- New driver's licenses (first-time issuance) cost $25 for five years, the same as a renewal, but require a road test and proof of residency.
- Commercial driver's licenses cost $50 for both new issuance and renewal, with an additional $5 per endorsement.
- Instruction permits cost $25 and are valid for one year; Arizona ID cards cost $10 for five years or $15 for ten years.
Fees for renewing your Arizona driver's license by mail, online, or in person
The renewal fee depends on how you renew. If you renew online through the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division website or by mail, you pay $25 for a five-year license. If you renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office, the fee is $30. The $5 difference covers the in-person transaction; you do not get anything extra for paying more, but some people prefer to renew in person if they need to update their address, change their name, or correct information on their license.
You can renew online if your license is not expired and you have not had any address changes, name changes, or corrections to make. You will need your driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Online renewal takes about two weeks for your new license to arrive by mail. Mail renewal follows the same timeline and requires you to send in your current license along with a renewal form and payment.
In-person renewal at a Motor Vehicle Division office is faster if you need your license quickly, though you still receive the physical card by mail within two weeks. In-person renewal is required if your license has been expired for more than five years, if you need to correct information, or if you are renewing a commercial driver's license.
What you pay for a new Arizona driver's license as a first-time driver
A new standard driver's license costs $25 for a five-year license or $35 for a ten-year license. This fee covers the license itself. You will also need to pay for a road test if you are taking one at a Motor Vehicle Division office, though the road test fee is separate from the license fee and varies depending on the testing location.
To get a new license, you must first obtain an instruction permit (learner's permit), which costs $25 and is valid for one year. You take a knowledge test to get the permit, and that test is included in the $25 permit fee. After you have held the permit for at least six months and practiced driving, you schedule a road test. The road test itself is administered by a third-party testing vendor, and the cost ranges from $15 to $25 depending on which vendor you use.
Once you pass the road test, you pay the $25 license fee (or $35 for ten years) and receive your new license by mail within two weeks. Some first-time drivers choose to take a driver education course, which is not required but may lower your insurance rates; those courses cost between $100 and $300 and are not part of the Motor Vehicle Division fees.
Duplicate license, name change, and correction fees in Arizona
If you lose your license or need a replacement copy, a duplicate license costs $10. You can order a duplicate online, by mail, or in person. Online and mail duplicates take about two weeks to arrive; in-person duplicates are issued when ready if you go to a Motor Vehicle Division office.
If you change your name (through marriage, divorce, or legal petition), you must update your driver's license. The fee to change your name on your license is $25 for a five-year license or $35 for a ten-year license — the same as a renewal. You will need to bring proof of your name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order, along with your current license.
Corrections to information on your license (such as fixing a misspelled name or correcting your address) are free if you do them in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. If you need to correct information and renew at the same time, you pay only the renewal fee, not an additional correction fee.
Commercial driver's license fees and endorsement costs
A new commercial driver's license costs $50, and renewal also costs $50. A CDL is valid for five years. If you need to add endorsements (such as hazmat, passenger, or tanker endorsements), each endorsement costs an additional $5. Some endorsements require a separate knowledge test or skills test, which are administered by third-party testing vendors and cost extra.
To get a CDL, you must first hold a standard instruction permit for commercial driving, which costs $25. You then take a CDL knowledge test (included in the permit fee) and a CDL skills test (administered by a third-party vendor, typically $100 to $200). Once you pass both tests, you pay the $50 CDL fee and receive your license by mail.
If you already have a CDL and want to add an endorsement, you take the endorsement knowledge test and skills test (if required), then pay the $5 endorsement fee. Some endorsements, such as hazmat, also require a background check and fingerprinting, which have separate fees set by the federal government.
Instruction permits and Arizona ID card fees
An instruction permit (learner's permit) costs $25 and is valid for one year. The permit allows you to drive under supervision while you practice for your road test. The $25 fee includes the knowledge test; you do not pay separately for the test. If your permit expires before you pass your road test, you can renew it for another $25.
An Arizona ID card is a state identification document that is not a driver's license. It is useful if you do not drive but need a government-issued ID for banking, travel, or other purposes. A five-year ID card costs $10, and a ten-year ID card costs $15. ID cards are renewed the same way as driver's licenses — online, by mail, or in person — and the renewal fees are the same as the initial issuance fees.
Payment methods and where to pay your Arizona driver's license fees
The Arizona Motor Vehicle Division accepts payment by credit card, debit card, and check. If you renew online, you pay by credit or debit card. If you renew by mail, you send a check or money order along with your renewal form and current license. If you renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office, you can pay by credit card, debit card, or cash.
Motor Vehicle Division offices are located in most Arizona counties. You can find the office nearest you on the Arizona Department of Transportation website. Some offices accept walk-ins, but many require you to schedule an appointment in advance, especially for road tests and in-person renewals. Appointment availability varies by location and season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Arizona charge extra for a REAL ID compliant driver's license?
No. Arizona driver's licenses are REAL ID compliant by default, and there is no extra fee. All Arizona licenses issued since 2020 meet federal REAL ID standards and can be used for domestic air travel and federal building access.
What if I renew my license but it arrives damaged or with an error?
Contact the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division and request a replacement. If the error was made by the Motor Vehicle Division, the replacement is free. If you damaged the license yourself, a duplicate costs $10.
Can I pay my driver's license fee in installments?
No. Arizona requires full payment at the time of renewal or new issuance. Payment plans are not available for driver's license fees.
Do I have to pay the in-person renewal fee if I go to a Motor Vehicle Division office just to ask a question?
No. You only pay the renewal fee if you actually renew your license. Asking questions or getting information is free.
What happens if I renew my license but do not receive it within two weeks?
Contact the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division with your confirmation number or receipt. They can track your license and reissue it if it was lost in the mail. Reissuance is typically free if the Motor Vehicle Division lost the original.