What Arizona charges for a driver's license, by type
Arizona charges different fees depending on whether you are getting your first license, renewing an existing one, or upgrading to a different class. A standard Class D driver's license (for regular passenger vehicles) costs $25 for a five-year license or $40 for a ten-year license when you first obtain it. Renewal of that same license costs $25 for five years or $40 for ten years. If you need a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), the fee is $50 for five years or $75 for ten years.
Arizona also charges additional fees for certain services and endorsements. A duplicate license (if yours is lost or stolen) costs $10. Adding a motorcycle endorsement to an existing license runs $15. If you need to change your name or address on your license without renewing it, that correction costs $5. These fees do not include the cost of the written test, driving test, or any required vision screening — those are separate charges handled at the time of your visit to the Motor Vehicle Division office.
The fees listed above are current as of 2024, but Arizona updates them periodically. Before you visit an office or pay online, check the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division website to confirm the exact amount for your specific transaction, since fee changes can happen without advance notice.
Key Takeaways
- A standard five-year Arizona driver's license costs $25 for a new license or renewal; a ten-year license costs $40.
- Commercial Driver's Licenses cost $50 for five years or $75 for ten years.
- Duplicate licenses, name changes, and endorsements (such as motorcycle) carry separate fees ranging from $5 to $15.
- Vision screening, written tests, and driving tests are charged separately and vary depending on whether you are a first-time applicant or renewing.
- Always verify current fees on the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division website before your visit, since fees can change.
First-time license applicants: additional costs beyond the license fee
When you obtain your first Arizona driver's license, the $25 or $40 license fee is only part of the total cost. You will also pay for a vision screening (usually $5 to $10, depending on the office), a written knowledge test (no separate fee in most cases, but some third-party testing locations may charge), and a driving test (typically $10 to $15). If you need to take the written test more than once, you may be charged a retest fee of $5 to $10 per attempt.
You will also need to provide documents to prove your identity, residency, and Social Security number. While obtaining these documents (birth certificate, proof of residency, Social Security card) is not a DMV fee, replacing a lost or damaged document through another agency can add to your total cost. Plan to budget $50 to $75 total for your first license when you include all testing and screening fees on top of the base license fee.
Renewal costs and whether you can renew online
Renewing your Arizona driver's license costs the same as obtaining a new one: $25 for five years or $40 for ten years. However, not all renewals require an in-person visit. If your license is not expired and you meet certain conditions — such as having no medical restrictions and no recent violations — you may be able to renew online through the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division website. Online renewal costs the same as in-person renewal but saves you a trip to an office.
If you renew in person, you will pay the license fee plus a vision screening fee. If your license has been expired for more than five years, or if you have certain medical conditions or violations on your record, you must renew in person and may be required to retake the written and driving tests, which adds $15 to $30 to your total cost.
Commercial Driver's License (CDL) fees and testing costs
A Commercial Driver's License in Arizona costs $50 for five years or $75 for ten years. This fee covers the license itself, but you will also pay for a knowledge test, a skills test (which includes a pre-trip inspection, basic control, and on-road driving), and a vision screening. The total cost for CDL testing and screening typically ranges from $50 to $100 depending on whether you test at an Arizona Motor Vehicle Division office or a third-party testing facility.
If you already hold a standard driver's license and are adding a CDL, you pay only the CDL fee plus testing costs — you do not pay for a second license. If you need to add endorsements to your CDL (such as Hazmat or Passenger), each endorsement costs $15 and requires an additional knowledge test.
Motorcycle endorsement and other add-ons
Adding a motorcycle endorsement to your existing Arizona driver's license costs $15. You will also need to pass a motorcycle knowledge test and a motorcycle skills test (riding test). The skills test is typically administered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) or the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division, and the cost ranges from $20 to $50 depending on whether you take an MSF course (which often waives the riding test) or test directly at the DMV.
If you complete an MSF Motorcycle Safety Course, the course fee (typically $150 to $250) may waive the riding test requirement, so you would pay only the $15 endorsement fee and the knowledge test fee. This can be more cost-effective than testing separately if you are new to riding.
Payment methods and where to pay
Arizona Motor Vehicle Division offices accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card for in-person payments. Online renewals and some services can be paid through the Arizona MVD website using a debit or credit card. Some third-party testing locations and service centers may accept different payment methods, so confirm before your visit.
You cannot pay Arizona DMV fees by mail unless you are renewing by mail, which is not available for most transactions. If you are renewing online, you will pay the fee at the time you submit your renewal process. If you are visiting an office in person, bring a valid payment method with you.
Duplicate and replacement license fees
If your Arizona driver's license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can obtain a duplicate for $10. A duplicate is an exact copy of your current license with the same expiration date. You do not need to retake any tests to get a duplicate — you straightforward pay the fee and provide identification at an Arizona Motor Vehicle Division office or through an authorized third-party service center.
If your license has expired and you need a replacement, you must renew it rather than obtain a duplicate. A renewal costs $25 or $40 depending on whether you choose a five-year or ten-year license, plus any required testing or vision screening fees if you are renewing in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay Arizona DMV fees online?
Yes, if you are renewing your license online and meet the requirements, you can pay the renewal fee through the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division website using a debit or credit card. For other services like duplicate licenses or endorsements, you must visit an office or authorized service center in person and pay there.
What happens if I fail the written or driving test?
You will be charged a retest fee of $5 to $10 each time you retake a test. You do not pay the full license fee again — only the retest fee. You can typically retake a test within a few days or weeks, depending on office availability.
Is there a fee to change my name or address on my license?
Yes. A name or address change without renewing your license costs $5. If you are renewing your license at the same time, the change is included in the renewal fee and no additional charge applies.
Do I have to pay for a vision screening every time I renew?
If you renew in person, yes — a vision screening fee of $5 to $10 applies. If you renew online and meet the requirements, you do not need a vision screening and do not pay that fee.
What is the total cost to get my first Arizona driver's license?
Budget $50 to $75 total. This includes the $25 license fee, a $5 to $10 vision screening, a $10 to $15 driving test, and any retest fees if needed. The exact amount depends on whether you pass all tests on your first attempt and which office you visit.