What Arizona requires for a driver license
Arizona issues driver licenses through the Department of Transportation (ADOT), Motor Vehicle Division. You will need to visit an ADOT office in person to get a license — there is no mail-in option for new licenses. The state offers three main license types: a standard Class D license for regular driving, a Commercial Driver License (CDL) for trucks and buses, and an Instruction Permit if you are learning to drive.
The standard Class D license is valid for 12 years if you are under 65, and 5 years if you are 65 or older. You can renew by mail or online if your license is not suspended or revoked and you have not had a name change. If either of those explore, you must renew in person at an ADOT office.
Arizona recognizes both Real ID and non-Real ID licenses. A Real ID license has a gold star in the upper right corner and meets federal requirements for air travel and federal building access. A standard license without the star does not meet these federal standards. You can choose which type you want when you get or renew your license.
Key Takeaways
- New Arizona driver licenses require an in-person visit to an ADOT Motor Vehicle office with proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number.
- Standard Class D licenses are valid for 12 years (or 5 years if you are 65 or older), and renewal by mail or online is available if your license is not suspended and your name has not changed.
- Real ID licenses with a gold star cost the same as standard licenses but are required for domestic air travel and federal building entry starting May 2025.
- ADOT charges different fees for new licenses, renewals, and replacements; fees vary slightly depending on whether you choose Real ID or standard.
- You must pass a vision test and written knowledge test for a new license, but renewals do not require retesting unless ADOT requests it.
Documents you need for a new Arizona license
Bring original documents or certified copies — photocopies are not accepted. You will need one document from each of these three categories: proof of identity, proof of Arizona residency, and proof of Social Security number.
For proof of identity, ADOT accepts a U.S. passport, passport card, birth certificate (certified copy), tribal ID, military ID, or an out-of-state driver license. If you use a birth certificate, it must be a certified copy issued by the vital records office in the state where you were born, not a hospital copy.
For proof of residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease or rental agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or bank statement with your current Arizona address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. A piece of mail from a government agency (federal, state, or local) also works if it shows your address.
For proof of Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, W-2 form, 1099 form, or a document from the Social Security Administration. A tax return is not accepted on its own.
Steps to get a new Arizona driver license
Start by visiting the ADOT website to find the Motor Vehicle office nearest you and check current wait times. Many offices allow you to make an appointment online, which can reduce your wait time significantly. Walk-ins are accepted but may have longer waits, especially during lunch hours and late afternoon.
At the office, you will complete the process for Arizona Driver License or Instruction Permit (Form 40-0001). ADOT staff can provide this form, or you can read and fill it out before you arrive. Bring all documents listed above, your Social Security number, and your current address.
You will take a vision test at the office. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you. You will also take a written knowledge test covering Arizona traffic laws and road signs. The test has 30 questions, and you must answer at least 24 correctly to pass. Study materials are available on the ADOT website.
You will also have your photograph taken at the office. Wear something you are comfortable being photographed in — the photo will be on your license for 12 years (or 5 years if you are 65 or older). Once you pass the vision and knowledge tests, ADOT will issue your license on the spot or mail it to you within 7 to 10 business days, depending on the office.
Renewing your Arizona driver license by mail or online
You can renew by mail or online if your current license is not suspended or revoked, your name has not changed, and you are not over 65 (drivers 65 and older must renew in person). Online renewal is faster and costs less than mail renewal.
To renew online, visit the ADOT website and use your driver license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to log in. You will answer questions about your address, vision, and any medical conditions. You will also upload a new photograph or use the one from your current license. Online renewal takes about 10 minutes, and your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
To renew by mail, read the process for Arizona Driver License or Instruction Permit (Form 40-0001) from the ADOT website, fill it out, and mail it with a check or money order for the renewal fee. Include a new photograph (2 inches by 2 inches, color or black and white, taken within the last 6 months) or a signed statement that you want to keep your current photo. Mail the packet to the address listed on the form. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks after ADOT receives it.
If you are renewing a Real ID license, you can renew online or by mail as long as you meet the conditions above. Your new Real ID will have the same gold star as your current one.
Arizona driver license fees
| Transaction | Standard License | Real ID License |
|---|---|---|
| New license (Class D) | $25 | $35 |
| Renewal (12 years) | $25 | $35 |
| Renewal (5 years, age 65+) | $15 | $25 |
| Replacement (lost or damaged) | $10 | $20 |
| Instruction Permit | $10 | $20 |
Fees are paid at the ADOT office when you explore in person. If you renew by mail, pay by check or money order. If you renew online, you can pay by credit card or debit card. ADOT does not accept cash by mail.
If you are getting a Real ID license for the first time, you must visit an ADOT office in person and bring the same documents required for a new license. You cannot upgrade from a standard license to a Real ID by mail or online.
What to do if your Arizona license is lost, stolen, or damaged
If your license is lost or stolen, visit an ADOT Motor Vehicle office and request a replacement. Bring your Social Security number and proof of identity. You do not need to bring proof of residency or Social Security documentation again — ADOT has that on file. The replacement fee is $10 for a standard license or $20 for a Real ID.
If your license is damaged but still readable, you can request a replacement at an ADOT office. Bring your current license and pay the replacement fee. If your license is damaged and unreadable, bring what remains of it and your Social Security number.
You can also request a replacement by mail if you prefer not to visit an office. read Form 40-0001, check the "Replacement" box, and mail it with a check or money order for the replacement fee. Include your current license or a statement explaining why you cannot include it. Mail the packet to the address on the form. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks.
Arizona Instruction Permit requirements
An Instruction Permit allows you to practice driving with a licensed adult in the vehicle. You must be at least 15 years and 6 months old to get an Instruction Permit in Arizona. The permit is valid for one year and costs $10 for a standard permit or $20 for a Real ID permit.
To get an Instruction Permit, visit an ADOT Motor Vehicle office with proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number — the same documents required for a new driver license. You will take the written knowledge test (30 questions, 24 correct to pass) but not the vision test. You will also have your photograph taken.
Once you have your Instruction Permit, you can practice driving with a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and sitting in the front passenger seat. You cannot drive alone. When you are ready to take the driving test, you can schedule it at an ADOT office. The driving test costs $10 and covers basic vehicle control, traffic law knowledge, and safe driving practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Arizona license if I have a suspended or revoked license?
No. You must resolve the suspension or revocation before you can renew. Contact ADOT to find out why your license is suspended or revoked and what steps are required to clear it. Once it is cleared, you can renew in person at an ADOT office.
What happens if I fail the written knowledge test?
You can retake the test the same day or schedule another appointment. There is no fee to retake the test. You have three attempts to pass within one year. If you do not pass after three attempts, you must wait one year before you can try again.
Do I need a Real ID license to fly within the United States?
Starting May 7, 2025, yes. A standard Arizona driver license without the gold star will not be accepted as identification for domestic air travel. You will need a Real ID license, passport, passport card, or military ID. If you have a standard license now, you can upgrade to a Real ID at any ADOT office.
How long does it take to get an Arizona driver license after I pass the test?
If ADOT issues your license at the office, you receive it when ready. If they mail it, it arrives within 7 to 10 business days. Some offices issue licenses on the spot; others mail all licenses. Ask the ADOT staff which applies at your office when you finish your test.
Can I change my name on my Arizona driver license without renewing?
No. You must renew your license to change your name. Visit an ADOT Motor Vehicle office in person with your current license, a certified copy of your name change document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), and proof of identity. The renewal fee applies.