What Arizona charges for a driver's license

An Arizona driver's license costs $25 for a five-year license if you are 18 or older. If you are under 18, the fee is also $25 for a five-year license. These are the standard fees charged by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Motor Vehicle Division.

The $25 fee covers the license itself — the card, the background check, and the processing. You pay this amount whether you are getting your first license, renewing an expired one, or replacing a lost card. Some transactions cost more or less depending on what you are doing, so it helps to know the specific fee for your situation before you go to the office.

Arizona also offers an optional Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) for $50. This license works as both a driver's license and a travel document for entering Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean countries by land or sea — but not by air. You do not need an EDL for regular driving in Arizona; it is only useful if you cross borders frequently and want to avoid carrying a passport.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard Arizona driver's license costs $25 and is valid for five years for all ages.
  • An Enhanced Driver's License costs $50 and allows land and sea travel to Canada and Mexico without a passport.
  • Replacement cards for a lost or damaged license cost $10 and take about two weeks to arrive by mail.
  • Duplicate licenses (a second copy of your current license) cost $5 and are ready the same day.
  • Commercial Driver's License (CDL) fees are higher and depend on the endorsements you need.

Replacement and duplicate license fees

If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can order a replacement card for $10. The replacement is mailed to your address and usually arrives within two weeks. You do not need to take a new photo or pass a test — ADOT uses your existing information on file.

A duplicate license is different from a replacement. A duplicate is a second copy of your current, valid license. It costs $5 and you can pick it up the same day at most ADOT offices, or have it mailed to you. Many people order a duplicate to keep at home while carrying the original, so they have a backup if one is lost.

Both the replacement and duplicate are ordered online through the ADOT website or in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. You will need your driver's license number or date of birth to start the process online.

Commercial Driver's License costs

A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) costs more than a standard license because it requires additional testing and background checks. The base CDL fee is $50 for a five-year license. However, if you need endorsements — special qualifications for hazardous materials, passenger transport, or tank vehicles — each endorsement adds $5 to the total fee.

For example, a CDL with a hazmat endorsement costs $55 total. A CDL with both hazmat and passenger endorsements costs $60. You must pass both a written test and a skills test (the driving test) to get a CDL, and those tests are included in the fee.

CDL renewals follow the same fee structure as the initial license. If your CDL expires and you renew it, you pay the same amount based on which endorsements you hold.

Identification card fees (non-driver)

If you do not drive but need a state ID card for identification purposes, Arizona charges $10 for a five-year ID card. This card has the same photo and information as a driver's license but does not grant driving privileges. It works for age verification, boarding domestic flights, and entering federal buildings.

An Enhanced Identification Card (non-driver version) costs $25 and serves the same border-crossing purpose as an Enhanced Driver's License. Like the EDL, it allows land and sea travel to Canada and Mexico without a passport.

Fees for address changes and corrections

Changing your address on your Arizona driver's license is free. You can update your address online through the ADOT website, by mail, or in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. No fee is charged for this change, and you do not receive a new card — the address change is recorded in the system.

If you need to correct an error on your license — such as a misspelled name or wrong date of birth — the correction is also free. You will need to bring documents that prove the correct information, such as a birth certificate or Social Security card. Depending on the type of error, ADOT may issue a replacement card at no charge or may charge the standard $10 replacement fee.

Payment methods and where to pay

Arizona Motor Vehicle Division offices accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card. You can pay in person at any of the 40+ ADOT offices across the state. If you are ordering a replacement or duplicate license online, you can pay by debit or credit card through the ADOT website.

Some services — like address changes — can be completed entirely online at no cost. Others, like getting your first license or renewing after expiration, require an in-person visit to an ADOT office. Check the ADOT website to see which services are available online and which require a trip to the office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay the full $25 fee if my license expires while I am deployed or out of state?

Arizona offers a grace period for active military members. If you are deployed, you can renew your license by mail without visiting an office, and the fee remains $25. You will need to provide proof of deployment. Contact ADOT directly or check their website for the current military renewal process.

What if I turn 18 and need to upgrade from my under-18 license?

You do not need to upgrade. Your under-18 license is valid until its expiration date, and you can drive with it once you turn 18. When it expires, you renew it like any other license for $25. There is no separate fee or process for turning 18.

Can I pay online for my license renewal, or do I have to go to an office?

It depends on your situation. If your license is not expired yet, you can renew online and pay by card — no office visit needed. If your license is already expired, you must visit an ADOT office in person to renew. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number.

Is there a fee to take the written test or driving test?

No. The written test and driving test are included in the $25 license fee. You do not pay separately for testing. If you fail a test and need to retake it, there is no additional fee for the retest.

What happens if I lose my license and order a replacement, but then find the original?

You can use either card — they are both valid. If you want to avoid confusion, you can destroy the original or keep it as a backup. There is no penalty for having both, and you do not need to return one to ADOT.