Renewing Your Arizona License: The Main Routes
Arizona gives you three ways to renew your driver's license: online, by mail, or in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. Which route you can use depends on your license type, how long it's been expired, and whether you need to update your photo. Most people renew online or by mail without visiting an office at all.
Your renewal notice arrives in the mail about 45 days before your license expires. That notice tells you which renewal method works for you and includes a barcode you'll need if you renew online. If you don't receive a notice, you can still renew, but you'll need to know your driver's license number and date of birth to start.
Arizona licenses are valid for 12 years for people age 70 and under, and 5 years for people over 70. The state also offers a 5-year option for anyone who wants a shorter renewal cycle. Your expiration date is printed on the front of your license.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division website takes about 10 minutes and costs $25 for a 12-year license, but you must have a valid email address and your renewal notice barcode.
- Mail renewal requires mailing your renewal notice and payment to the Motor Vehicle Division; processing takes 7 to 10 business days after they receive it.
- In-person renewal at a Motor Vehicle Division office is necessary if your license has been expired for more than 5 years, if you need a new photo, or if you're changing your name or address.
- You can renew up to 6 months before your license expires, so you don't have to wait until the last minute.
- Arizona does not require a vision test or written exam for license renewal unless you're over 70 or renewing after a long lapse.
Online Renewal: The Fastest Option
Online renewal through the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division website is the quickest method if your license is current or expired by fewer than 5 years. You'll need your renewal notice (which includes a barcode), your driver's license number, your date of birth, and a valid email address. The whole process takes about 10 minutes.
Go to the Motor Vehicle Division website, select "Renew a Driver License," and enter the barcode from your renewal notice. You'll answer questions about your address, medical conditions, and organ donor status. The fee is $25 for a standard 12-year renewal, or $20 for a 5-year renewal. Payment is by credit or debit card only.
After you submit, you'll receive a confirmation email. Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Your current license remains valid until the new one arrives, so you can keep driving without interruption.
Mail Renewal: No Office Visit Required
Mail renewal works if your license expired fewer than 5 years ago and you don't need to change your photo. You'll mail your renewal notice, a check or money order for $25 (or $20 for a 5-year renewal), and a copy of your current address proof to the Motor Vehicle Division. Address proof can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government document showing your name and current address.
The Motor Vehicle Division's mailing address is on your renewal notice. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days after they receive your envelope, so mail it at least two weeks before your expiration date to be safe. You'll receive your new license by mail.
Keep a copy of everything you mail, or take a photo of it before sending. If your renewal gets lost in the mail, you'll have proof of what you sent.
In-Person Renewal at a Motor Vehicle Division Office
You must renew in person if your license has been expired for more than 5 years, if you need a new photo, if you're changing your name, or if you're renewing after a suspension or revocation. You'll also renew in person if you're over 70, because Arizona requires a vision test for that age group.
Bring your current driver's license (or expired license if you have it), proof of your current address, and payment of $25 for a 12-year renewal or $20 for a 5-year renewal. Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government document. If you're changing your name, bring a certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
Motor Vehicle Division offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and some locations have Saturday hours. You can find your nearest office and check wait times on the Motor Vehicle Division website. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can also schedule an appointment online to skip the line.
What Happens If Your License Expired More Than 5 Years Ago
If your license has been expired for more than 5 years, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must visit a Motor Vehicle Division office in person. You'll need to pass a vision test and may be asked to retake the written knowledge test, depending on how long your license has been expired.
Bring your expired license, proof of your current address, and payment. If you don't have your expired license, bring your Social Security card or a certified birth certificate to prove your identity. The office will take a new photo and issue your renewed license on the spot or mail it to you within a few days.
If you're concerned about passing the vision test or knowledge test, the Motor Vehicle Division website has a sample written test you can study. Vision requirements are standard: you must see 20/40 or better in each eye, with or without corrective lenses.
Fees, Payment Methods, and Timing
Arizona charges $25 for a standard 12-year driver's license renewal and $20 for a 5-year renewal. These are the only two options available. Payment methods depend on how you renew: online renewal accepts credit or debit card only; mail renewal accepts check or money order; in-person renewal accepts cash, check, debit card, or credit card.
You can renew up to 6 months before your license expires. Many people renew early to avoid the rush near the expiration date. If you renew early, your new expiration date will be 12 years (or 5 years) from the date you renew, not from your old expiration date.
Processing times vary by method: online renewal takes 7 to 10 business days for delivery; mail renewal takes 7 to 10 business days after receipt; in-person renewal issues your license when ready or mails it within a few days. Your current license remains valid while you wait for your new one to arrive.
Changing Your Address, Name, or Other Information
If you're moving to a new address in Arizona, you can update it during renewal through any method. Online and mail renewal both have fields to enter your new address. If you're renewing in person, bring proof of your new address and the office will update it for you.
If you're changing your name due to marriage, divorce, or court order, you must renew in person. Bring a certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order along with your current license and proof of your new address. The office will take a new photo and issue your renewed license with your new name.
You cannot change your gender marker, date of birth, or other core information through renewal. Those changes require a separate process and supporting documents. Contact the Motor Vehicle Division directly for instructions on those changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it's already expired?
Yes, but it depends on how long it's been expired. If it expired fewer than 5 years ago, you can renew online or by mail. If it expired more than 5 years ago, you must renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office and may need to retake the written test and vision test.
What if I lost my renewal notice?
You can still renew online without the notice if you have your driver's license number and date of birth. Go to the Motor Vehicle Division website and select "Renew a Driver License," then choose the option for renewing without a barcode. You'll answer security questions to verify your identity.
How long does my new license take to arrive in the mail?
Most new licenses arrive within 7 to 10 business days after the Motor Vehicle Division processes your renewal. Your current license stays valid until the new one arrives, so you can keep driving. If your new license doesn't arrive within two weeks, contact the Motor Vehicle Division.
Do I need a new photo when I renew?
No, not unless you want one or your license has been expired for more than 5 years. If you renew online or by mail, your old photo is used. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office.
What if I'm over 70?
Arizona requires a vision test for drivers over 70 at renewal. You must renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office; you cannot renew online or by mail. Bring your current license, proof of your address, and payment. The vision test is quick and checks whether you meet Arizona's vision standards.