Who can renew online in Arizona
Arizona lets you renew your driver's license online if you meet a few basic conditions. You must be renewing a license that is still valid or expired no more than one year ago. You cannot renew online if your license has been suspended, revoked, or cancelled, or if you need to change your name, address, or other personal information on the license itself.
You also need to have a valid email address and be able to pay the renewal fee with a credit or debit card. If your current license was issued when you were under 18, or if you're now over 65, you'll need to renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office instead.
The online renewal process takes about 10 minutes and you can do it from home at any time of day. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days after you complete the transaction.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online only if your Arizona license is still valid or expired less than one year ago, and you have no suspensions or name changes pending.
- The online renewal fee is the same as renewing in person, and you pay by credit or debit card during the transaction.
- Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days; you do not receive it when ready.
- If you need to change your address, name, or other information on the license, you must renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office.
Steps to renew your license online
Start by going to the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division website and finding the online renewal portal. You will need your current driver's license number and the date of birth printed on it. Have your email address ready and decide which credit or debit card you want to use for payment.
Enter your license number and date of birth into the portal. The system will pull up your current license information and show you what will appear on your new license. Review this carefully — if anything is wrong, stop and renew in person instead, because you cannot make changes through the online system.
Once you confirm your information is correct, you'll enter your email address and payment details. Arizona will send a confirmation email to the address you provide. Keep this email for your records. After payment goes through, you're done — the Motor Vehicle Division will process your renewal and mail your new license.
What happens after you submit your renewal
Your renewal enters the Motor Vehicle Division's processing queue when ready after payment clears. Most renewals are processed within 24 hours, though during busy periods it can take up to 3 business days. You do not need to do anything else while you wait.
Your new license will be mailed to the address currently on file with the Motor Vehicle Division. If you've moved recently and updated your address through the online portal, your new license goes to the new address. If you haven't updated your address yet, the license goes to your old address — which is why checking your information before submitting is so important.
You can continue to drive on your old license while you wait for the new one to arrive. There is no gap in your driving privileges. Once your new license arrives, destroy your old one or turn it in at a Motor Vehicle Division office.
When you cannot renew online
If your license has been suspended or revoked, the online system will reject your renewal request. You must visit a Motor Vehicle Division office in person and resolve the suspension or revocation before you can renew. The office staff can tell you what caused the suspension and what steps you need to take.
If you need to change your name, you cannot do it online. Bring a certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order to a Motor Vehicle Division office along with your current license and payment. The same applies if you want to change your address on the license itself — though note that you can update your address in the Motor Vehicle Division's system online without renewing your license, and your new license will reflect that address when it arrives.
If your current license was issued when you were under 18, Arizona requires you to renew in person so the office can verify your identity and take a new photo. The same rule applies if you are now 65 or older.
The renewal fee and payment
Arizona's driver's license renewal fee is the same whether you renew online or in person. The fee covers a license valid for five years. You pay the full amount at the time you submit your renewal — there are no partial payments or payment plans available.
The Motor Vehicle Division accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. They do not accept checks, money orders, or cash through the online system. If you don't have a credit or debit card, you must renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office.
The Motor Vehicle Division charges a small processing fee on top of the license renewal fee when you pay online. This fee covers the cost of the payment system and is not refundable, even if you cancel your renewal before it's processed.
Tracking your new license in the mail
The Motor Vehicle Division does not send tracking numbers or status updates for renewed licenses in the mail. Once you submit your renewal and receive the confirmation email, there is no way to check on the status of your new license online.
If your new license does not arrive within 10 business days, contact the Motor Vehicle Division by phone or visit a local office. Bring your confirmation email with you. The office can look up your renewal in their system and tell you whether it was processed and mailed, or if there was a problem.
If your new license arrives damaged or with errors, you can exchange it at a Motor Vehicle Division office at no additional cost. Bring the damaged license and your confirmation email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew online if my license expired more than a year ago?
No. If your license has been expired for more than one year, you must renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. The office will treat it as a new license rather than a renewal, which means you may need to take a written test and eye exam.
What if I move before my new license arrives?
If you've already updated your address in the Motor Vehicle Division's system, your new license will go to your new address. If you haven't updated it yet and your license is on the way to your old address, contact the Motor Vehicle Division to see if they can intercept it. You may need to renew again or pick it up in person.
Do I need to print anything or bring anything to complete the online renewal?
No. The entire renewal happens online. You don't need to print forms, sign anything, or visit an office. Just have your license number, date of birth, email address, and a credit or debit card ready.
Can I renew online if I have a commercial driver's license?
No. Commercial driver's licenses must be renewed in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. The same applies if you have any endorsements or restrictions on your license.
What if the online system says I cannot renew?
The system will reject your renewal if your license is suspended, revoked, or expired more than one year ago. Visit a Motor Vehicle Division office to find out why you cannot renew online and what you need to do next.