Renew Your Arizona License Online, by Mail, or In Person
Arizona lets you renew your driver's license through three routes: online at servicearizona.com, by mail, or in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. Which route you take depends on whether your license is still valid, how much time you have, and whether you need to update your photo or address. Most people renew online because it takes 10 minutes and costs less than the other methods.
Your renewal notice arrives in the mail about 45 days before your license expires. That notice contains a barcode and renewal code you will need if you renew online. If you do not receive one, you can still renew, but you will need your driver's license number and date of birth instead.
Arizona licenses expire on your birthday. If you are under 65, your license is valid for five years. If you are 65 or older, it is valid for three years. You can renew up to one year before your expiration date.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through servicearizona.com is the fastest and cheapest option and takes about 10 minutes if your address and name have not changed.
- You must renew before your license expires; Arizona does not issue a grace period for expired licenses.
- If you need a new photo, change your address, or correct your name, you must renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office.
- Mail renewal takes 7 to 10 business days after the Motor Vehicle Division receives your process, plus postal delivery time both ways.
- Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days of approval, whether you renew online, by mail, or in person.
Online Renewal: What You Need and How to Do It
Go to servicearizona.com, select "Driver License Services," then choose "Renew Driver License." You will need either your renewal notice (which has a barcode and renewal code) or your driver's license number and date of birth. You will also need a valid payment method: debit card, credit card, or eCheck.
Online renewal costs $25 for a five-year license (if you are under 65) or $20 for a three-year license (if you are 65 or older). The fee includes mailing your new license to you. You cannot renew online if your name, address, or other information on your license has changed, or if you need a new photo. In those cases, you must renew in person.
After you submit your process online, the Motor Vehicle Division processes it within one business day. Your new license is mailed to the address on file and arrives within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your expired license until your new one arrives, as long as you have proof of your online renewal (a confirmation number or email receipt).
In-Person Renewal at a Motor Vehicle Division Office
Renew in person if you need a new photo, are changing your address, are correcting your name, or want your license when ready. You will need to bring your current driver's license, proof of your current Arizona address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and payment. In-person renewal costs $25 for a five-year license or $20 for a three-year license.
Motor Vehicle Division offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and some locations are open Saturday mornings. You do not need an appointment, but wait times vary by location and time of day. You can check current wait times on the Motor Vehicle Division website before you go. Your new license is printed on site and you receive it when ready, though you may be asked to sign and verify the photo before you leave.
If you are renewing in person and your address has changed, bring proof of your new address. If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or court order, bring the legal document that shows the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). If you are changing your name for any other reason, you will need a court order.
Mail Renewal: Timeline and Documents
You can renew by mail if your address and name have not changed and you do not need a new photo. read the DL 44 form from the Motor Vehicle Division website or request one by calling 602-255-0072. Fill out the form, sign it, and mail it with your current driver's license and payment to the address listed on the form.
Mail renewal costs $25 for a five-year license or $20 for a three-year license. You can pay by check or money order made out to "Arizona Department of Transportation." Do not send cash. The Motor Vehicle Division processes mail applications within 7 to 10 business days of receiving them, then mails your new license. Total time is usually 2 to 3 weeks from the time you mail your process.
Keep a copy of your completed DL 44 form and your payment receipt. If your process is lost in the mail, you will have proof you sent it. You can continue to drive on your expired license while you wait for your new one to arrive.
What Happens If Your License Has Already Expired
Arizona does not issue a grace period. If your license has expired, you cannot renew it online or by mail. You must go in person to a Motor Vehicle Division office and explore for a new license, not a renewal. You will need your expired driver's license, proof of your current address, and payment of $25 (five-year) or $20 (three-year).
explore for a new license after expiration takes the same amount of time as renewal and costs the same, but the process is technically different in the Motor Vehicle Division system. You will receive your new license on site if you explore in person. If you have an expired license and need to drive before you can get to an office, you cannot legally drive — Arizona does not issue temporary permits or extensions for expired licenses.
Changing Your Address or Name During Renewal
If you are moving or changing your name, you must renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. Bring your current driver's license, proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and a legal document showing your name change if applicable (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).
You cannot change your address online or by mail. If you try to renew online and your address has changed, the system will reject your process and direct you to renew in person. Updating your address during renewal is free — you pay only the standard renewal fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Arizona license if I live out of state?
Yes. You can renew online or by mail as long as your name and address on file have not changed. If you need to update your address to an out-of-state address, you must renew in person at an Arizona Motor Vehicle Division office or contact the office by phone to request a form that allows you to update your address by mail.
What if I lost my renewal notice?
You can still renew online. Instead of using the barcode and renewal code from the notice, enter your driver's license number and date of birth. The Motor Vehicle Division will pull up your record and let you proceed.
Do I need a new photo when I renew?
No. Arizona reuses your existing photo unless you request a new one or your license has been expired for more than five years. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office.
How long can I drive on an expired license while I wait for my new one?
You can drive on your expired license only if you have proof that you renewed before it expired — either a confirmation email from online renewal or a receipt from mailing your process. Once your license expires and you have not renewed, you cannot legally drive.
What if the Motor Vehicle Division rejects my online renewal?
The system will tell you why — usually because your address or name has changed, or because your license has been expired for too long. Follow the instructions on screen to renew in person or by mail instead. If you are unsure why your process was rejected, call the Motor Vehicle Division at 602-255-0072.