Arizona driver's licenses do expire, and the expiration date depends on your age and license type

Arizona driver's licenses are not permanent. Every license issued in Arizona carries an expiration date printed on the front, and you must renew before that date to keep driving legally. The expiration timeline varies: standard licenses for drivers under 65 expire after five years, while licenses for drivers 65 and older expire after three years. Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) follow federal rules and expire after five years regardless of age.

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Motor Vehicle Division handles all renewals. You can renew in person at an ADOT office, by mail, or online through the ADOT website — but not all renewal types are available through every method. Knowing which option applies to you and when to renew prevents the common mistake of waiting until the expiration date itself, when you may face longer wait times or ineligibility for certain renewal methods.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard Arizona driver's licenses expire five years from the issue date for drivers under 65, and three years from the issue date for drivers 65 and older.
  • You can renew online through the ADOT website if your license is not expired and you have not had a name change or address change that requires verification.
  • Mail renewal is available for standard licenses but takes two to three weeks, so submit your renewal at least three weeks before your expiration date.
  • In-person renewal at an ADOT office is required if your license is already expired, if you need a new photo, or if you have had a name or address change.
  • Arizona does not issue temporary paper licenses during the renewal process, so you must have your renewed license in hand before your current one expires if you need to drive.

Expiration dates by license type and age

Your Arizona driver's license expiration date is determined by two factors: your age at the time of issue and the type of license you hold. A standard driver's license issued to someone under 65 expires exactly five years from the issue date. If you were 65 or older when you received the license, it expires after three years. This shorter timeline for older drivers is set by Arizona state law and applies regardless of how long you have held a license.

A commercial driver's license (CDL) expires after five years from the issue date, regardless of your age. CDLs are governed by federal regulations, which override Arizona's three-year rule for older drivers. If you hold both a standard license and a CDL, they have separate expiration dates and must be renewed separately.

Instruction permits (the permit you hold while learning to drive) expire after one year. If you do not pass your driving test within that year, you must reapply and pay the permit fee again. Identification cards (non-driving state IDs) follow the same expiration schedule as standard driver's licenses: five years for those under 65, three years for those 65 and older.

How to find your expiration date

Your expiration date is printed on the front of your Arizona driver's license in the bottom right corner, next to the label "Expires." The date is formatted as MM/DD/YYYY. Check your license now if you are unsure when you need to renew — this is the single most reliable source, because it accounts for the exact date your license was issued.

You can also look up your license information through the ADOT website using your driver's license number and date of birth. This online lookup shows your expiration date and whether your license is currently valid. If you have lost your license or cannot read the expiration date clearly, this online tool is faster than calling ADOT.

Renewing online through ADOT

Online renewal through the ADOT website is the fastest option if you are may be able to access. You can renew online if all of the following are true: your license is not yet expired, you have not changed your name since your last license was issued, you have not changed your address since your last license was issued, and you do not need a new photo. The entire process takes about 10 minutes, and your renewed license is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.

To renew online, visit the ADOT Motor Vehicle Division website, select "Renew Your License," and follow the prompts. You will need your current driver's license number, date of birth, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). The renewal fee for a standard five-year license is $40 for drivers under 65 and $25 for drivers 65 and older. Once you complete the transaction, ADOT mails your new license automatically — you do not need to visit an office.

Online renewal is not available if your license has already expired. If your expiration date has passed, you must renew in person at an ADOT office.

Renewing by mail

Mail renewal is available for standard driver's licenses if your license is not yet expired and you meet the same conditions as online renewal: no name change, no address change, and no new photo needed. To renew by mail, read the process for Renewal of Driver License (Form 40-3) from the ADOT website, complete it, and mail it to the address listed on the form along with your payment and a copy of your current license.

Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the date ADOT receives your process. Because of this delay, submit your renewal at least three weeks before your expiration date. If you mail your renewal too close to the expiration date and your license expires before the new one arrives, you will be driving with an expired license, which is illegal. ADOT does not issue temporary paper licenses or extensions, so timing matters.

The renewal fee is the same as online renewal: $40 for drivers under 65, $25 for drivers 65 and older. Mail your process to the ADOT Motor Vehicle Division at the address shown on the form. Keep a copy of your completed process and payment receipt for your records.

In-person renewal at ADOT offices

In-person renewal is required if your license has already expired, if you need a new photo, if you have changed your name, or if you have changed your address. You must visit an ADOT Motor Vehicle Division office in person. Bring your current driver's license (even if expired), proof of Arizona residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and payment. If you have changed your name, bring a certified copy of the document that reflects the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).

ADOT offices are located throughout Arizona. You can find the office nearest you and check current wait times on the ADOT website. Many offices operate on a first-come, first-served basis, though some allow online appointment scheduling. Arriving early in the day typically means shorter waits. The in-person renewal process takes 15 to 30 minutes once you are called, and you receive your new license on the spot if you pass the vision test.

The renewal fee is the same as other methods. If you need a new photo because your current license photo is damaged or you have significantly changed appearance, ADOT will take a new photo at no additional charge during your in-person visit.

What happens if your license expires

Driving with an expired Arizona driver's license is illegal. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you can be cited for driving with an expired license, which is a traffic violation. The citation carries a fine and may result in points on your driving record. Additionally, if you are involved in an accident while your license is expired, your insurance may deny a claim, leaving you personally liable for damages.

If your license has expired and you need to drive, you must renew in person at an ADOT office before you get behind the wheel. Online and mail renewal are not available once your license is expired. Plan your in-person visit as soon as you realize your license has expired, because you cannot legally drive to the ADOT office itself — you must arrange another form of transportation or have someone else drive.

If your license expired more than five years ago (or three years ago if you are 65 or older), ADOT may require you to retake the written driving test and vision test, not just renew. Contact ADOT directly to confirm what you will need to bring and what tests you must complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Arizona license before the expiration date?

Yes. Arizona allows you to renew your license up to 180 days before the expiration date. Renewing early does not shorten the validity of your new license — your new license will still be valid for five years (or three years if you are 65 or older) from the date it is issued. Early renewal is useful if you are traveling and want to may support your license is current.

What if I am out of state when my license expires?

You can renew online or by mail while out of state, as long as your license has not yet expired. If your license has already expired, you must renew in person at an ADOT office in Arizona — you cannot renew by mail or online once it is expired. Plan ahead if you know you will be out of state near your expiration date.

Do I need to take a new driving test to renew my license?

No. Standard license renewal does not require a written test or driving test. You only need to pass a vision screening if you renew in person. If your license has been expired for a very long time (more than five years), ADOT may require you to retake the written test — contact ADOT to confirm your specific situation.

What if my name or address has changed since my last license?

You must renew in person at an ADOT office. Bring a certified copy of the document showing your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order) and current proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement). You cannot renew online or by mail if either of these has changed.

How long does it take to get my renewed license after I explore?

Online renewal takes 7 to 10 business days for mailing. Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date ADOT receives your process. In-person renewal is when ready — you receive your new license the same day if you pass the vision test. Plan accordingly so your new license arrives before your current one expires.