The fastest way to renew in Arizona
You can renew your Arizona driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. Most people renew online through the Arizona Department of Transportation website — it takes about 10 minutes, costs $25, and you get your new license in the mail within two weeks. You are may be able to access to renew online if your license is not expired more than five years, you have no medical restrictions, and your address has not changed.
If you cannot renew online, you will need to visit a Motor Vehicle Division office in person. Bring your current license, proof of residency (a utility bill or lease dated within 60 days), and your Social Security number. If your address has changed, bring two documents showing your new address.
Key Takeaways
- Arizona lets you renew online if your license expired less than five years ago and you have no medical restrictions or address changes.
- Online renewal costs $25, takes about 10 minutes, and your new license arrives by mail in roughly two weeks.
- If you cannot renew online, you must visit a Motor Vehicle Division office with your current license and proof of residency.
- Your Arizona license is valid for 12 years, so you will not need to renew again until your expiration date passes.
- If your license is expired more than five years, you will need to take the written test and vision test again, not just renew.
Renewing online through Arizona's website
Go to the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division website and select the online renewal option. You will need your current driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will verify your information and show you whether you are may be able to access to renew online.
If the system approves you, you will pay $25 by credit card or debit card. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. If your address has changed since you got your current license, you cannot use online renewal — you must go to a Motor Vehicle Division office instead.
Online renewal is available 24 hours a day. You do not need an appointment, and you can complete the entire process from home.
Renewing by mail
You can renew by mail if you meet the same requirements as online renewal: your license expired less than five years ago, you have no medical restrictions, and your address has not changed. Mail your current license, a completed process for Duplicate or Renewal Driver License (Form 40-1002), and a check or money order for $25 to the Motor Vehicle Division office.
You can read Form 40-1002 from the Arizona Department of Transportation website or pick one up at any Motor Vehicle Division office. Mail your packet to the address listed on the form. Processing takes about two to three weeks after the Motor Vehicle Division receives your materials.
Keep a copy of everything you mail, and consider using certified mail so you have proof of delivery. If your materials get lost in the mail, you will need to start over.
Renewing in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office
Visit any Motor Vehicle Division office with your current license, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. Bring two documents showing your new address if you have moved since your last license was issued. You do not need an appointment at most offices, but some locations accept appointments through the Arizona Department of Transportation website.
The office will take your photo, verify your information, and process your renewal on the spot. You will pay $25 and receive a temporary paper license that is valid for 30 days while your permanent license is mailed to you. Your new license typically arrives within two weeks.
Motor Vehicle Division offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and some locations have extended hours. Wait times vary by location and time of day. You can check current wait times on the Arizona Department of Transportation website before you go.
What happens if your license expired more than five years ago
If your Arizona license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot use the renewal process. Instead, you will need to reapply for a new license, which means taking the written test and vision test again. You will also need to provide proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number.
Visit a Motor Vehicle Division office to reapply. Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number, a document proving your identity (passport, birth certificate, or tribal ID), and proof of residency. You will pay $25 for the license and take both tests at the office.
Understanding Arizona's 12-year license validity
Arizona driver's licenses are valid for 12 years from the date they are issued. Your expiration date is printed on the front of your license. You can renew your license up to one year before it expires, so you do not have to wait until the last minute.
If you renew before your current license expires, your new license will be valid for 12 years from the date you renew it, not from the date your old license would have expired. This means renewing early does not extend your total time — it just gives you a new 12-year period starting from the renewal date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Arizona license if I just moved to Arizona from another state?
No. If you moved from out of state, you need to get an Arizona license, not renew your old one. Visit a Motor Vehicle Division office with your out-of-state license, proof of residency in Arizona, and your Social Security number. You will take the written and vision tests and pay $25 for your new Arizona license.
What if my address changed since I got my current license?
You cannot renew online or by mail if your address has changed. You must visit a Motor Vehicle Division office in person. Bring your current license, two documents showing your new address (dated within 60 days), and your Social Security number. The office will update your address and issue your new license.
How long does it take to get my renewed license in the mail?
Your new license typically arrives within two weeks of renewal, whether you renewed online, by mail, or in person. If you renewed in person, you receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while you wait for the permanent one. If your license does not arrive within three weeks, contact the Motor Vehicle Division.
Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?
If you renew online or by mail, the Motor Vehicle Division uses your photo from your current license. If you renew in person at an office, they will take a new photo. You cannot request a new photo if you renew by mail or online.
What if I lost my license before it expired?
If your license is lost or stolen, you need a duplicate, not a renewal. Visit a Motor Vehicle Division office with proof of identity and residency, and pay $25. You will get a temporary paper license and your replacement will arrive by mail in about two weeks.