Arizona driver's license renewal timeline and methods

Arizona lets you renew your driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. Which method you can use depends on how much time is left before your license expires and whether you need to change your address or photo.

If your license expires more than 150 days away, you can renew online through the Arizona Department of Transportation website without visiting an office. If it expires within 150 days, you must renew in person or by mail. Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and your new license arrives in 7 to 10 business days. In-person renewal at a Motor Vehicle Division office typically takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how busy the location is.

Your Arizona license is valid for 12 years if you are between 18 and 65, and for 5 years if you are 65 or older. The state will send you a renewal notice about 60 days before your license expires, but you do not have to wait for it to start the process.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal is available if your license expires more than 150 days away, and your new license arrives in 7 to 10 business days.
  • In-person renewal at a Motor Vehicle Division office is required if your license expires within 150 days, or if you need to update your photo or address.
  • You will need your current Arizona driver's license number, a valid email address, and a payment method for online renewal.
  • Arizona charges $25 for a standard 12-year license renewal for drivers under 65, and $15 for a 5-year renewal for drivers 65 and older.
  • If your license is already expired, you must renew in person and may face additional requirements depending on how long it has been expired.

What documents and information you need for online renewal

To renew online, have your current Arizona driver's license number ready, along with your date of birth and the last four digits of your Social Security number. You will also need a valid email address where Arizona can send your confirmation and a debit or credit card to pay the renewal fee.

Online renewal does not let you change your address, photo, or name. If any of that information is wrong on your current license, you must renew in person instead. The same applies if you need to update your signature or if your medical information has changed since your last renewal.

Arizona will ask you to confirm that your address, name, and other personal information are still correct. If they are not, stop the online process and visit a Motor Vehicle Division office instead.

In-person renewal at a Motor Vehicle Division office

Bring your current Arizona driver's license, proof of your current address, and your payment method. Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days. If you have moved recently and do not have a document yet, bring a signed affidavit of residence, which you can get from the Motor Vehicle Division office.

You will also have your photo taken at the office, so wear something you are comfortable being photographed in. Arizona does not allow sunglasses, hats, or head coverings in your license photo unless you have a religious or medical reason — if you do, bring documentation.

Motor Vehicle Division offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and some locations have extended hours on certain days. You can find your nearest office and check current wait times on the Arizona Department of Transportation website. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can also schedule an appointment online to skip the line.

Renewing by mail

Mail renewal is slower than online or in-person renewal, but it works if you cannot visit an office and your license does not expire within 150 days. Fill out the renewal form (available on the Arizona Department of Transportation website), include a copy of your current license and proof of your address, and mail everything to the address listed on the form along with your payment.

Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks after Arizona receives your process, plus the time it takes the mail to arrive both ways. Your new license will be mailed to the address you provide. If you are moving soon, use your new address on the form so your license arrives at the right place.

Do not send cash through the mail. Pay by check or money order made out to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Renewal fees and payment methods

Arizona charges $25 for a standard 12-year license renewal if you are under 65. If you are 65 or older, the renewal fee is $15 for a 5-year license. These fees cover the license itself; there are no additional processing or process fees.

For online renewal, you can pay with a debit card or credit card. For in-person renewal, Motor Vehicle Division offices accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card. For mail renewal, send a check or money order.

If you are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL), the fee is higher — $50 for a 12-year renewal. CDL renewals must be done in person or by mail; online renewal is not available for commercial licenses.

What to do if your license is already expired

If your Arizona license has been expired for less than 5 years, you can renew it using the same process as a current license — online, by mail, or in person. You do not need to take a new written test or driving test.

If your license has been expired for more than 5 years, Arizona treats it as a new license process rather than a renewal. You will need to take the written knowledge test and the driving test, and you must explore in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. Bring proof of identity (such as a passport or birth certificate), proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address.

Driving with an expired license is illegal in Arizona, even if you are in the process of renewing. If you are stopped by police, you can show proof that you have submitted a renewal process, but this does not may provide you will avoid a citation.

Changing your address or photo during renewal

If you need to change your address, you must renew in person or by mail — online renewal does not allow address changes. Bring proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or government mail dated within the last 60 days) to your Motor Vehicle Division office, or include a copy with your mail renewal process.

Your photo is automatically updated when you renew in person, since you will have a new photo taken at the office. If you are renewing online or by mail, your current photo stays on your license. To get a new photo without renewing your license, you can visit a Motor Vehicle Division office and pay a separate fee for a photo update.

If your name has changed since your last license (due to marriage, divorce, or legal name change), bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. This applies whether you are renewing in person, by mail, or online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Arizona license if I do not have proof of my current address?

Yes. If you do not have a utility bill or other dated document, you can bring a signed affidavit of residence to a Motor Vehicle Division office. You fill it out at the office, and it counts as proof of address. This option is not available for mail renewal, so you would need to visit an office in person.

How long does it take to get my new license after I renew online?

Your new license is mailed to you and typically arrives in 7 to 10 business days after you complete the online renewal. This does not include weekends or holidays. If you do not receive it within two weeks, contact the Motor Vehicle Division to check the status.

What happens if I renew my license but move before it arrives?

If you renewed online or by mail and then moved, contact the Motor Vehicle Division right away with your new address. They can redirect your license to the correct address if it has not been mailed yet. If it has already been mailed, you may need to pick it up at the old address or request a replacement at your new address.

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

No, as long as your license has not been expired for more than 5 years. If it has been expired for more than 5 years, Arizona requires you to take the written knowledge test and the driving test, and you must explore in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office.

Can I renew my commercial driver's license online?

No. Commercial driver's license (CDL) renewals must be done in person or by mail. You cannot renew a CDL online, even if your license is not expiring within 150 days. Visit a Motor Vehicle Division office or mail in your renewal process with the required documents and payment.