Renewing Your Arizona License: The Basic Path

You can renew your Arizona driver's license in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office, by mail, or online through the Arizona Department of Transportation website — but not all three options work for everyone. Online renewal is the fastest and most common route if you meet the requirements. If you cannot renew online, the mail option takes longer but costs less than an in-person visit. An in-person renewal is required if your license has been suspended, revoked, or if you need to update your photo or address.

Your renewal window opens 120 days before your license expires and closes on the expiration date itself. Arizona does not extend expired licenses, so you cannot drive legally once your license expires, even if you have started the renewal process.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the Arizona Department of Transportation website is available if your license is not suspended, you have not changed your address, and you do not need a new photo.
  • Mail renewal takes four to six weeks and costs less than in-person renewal, but you cannot update your photo or address by mail.
  • In-person renewal at a Motor Vehicle Division office takes about 30 minutes and is required if your license is suspended, revoked, or if you need a photo update.
  • You must renew within 120 days before your expiration date; Arizona does not allow you to drive on an expired license.
  • Your new license will be mailed to you within 10 business days of approval, whether you renew online, by mail, or in person.

Online Renewal Through the Arizona Department of Transportation

Online renewal is the fastest option and takes about 10 minutes. You go to the Arizona Department of Transportation website, enter your driver's license number and date of birth, and pay the renewal fee with a debit or credit card. Your new license is mailed to the address on file within 10 business days.

You can only renew online if all of these are true: your license is not suspended or revoked, you have not moved since your last license was issued, you do not need to change your name, and you do not want a new photo. If any of these do not explore to you, you must renew by mail or in person instead.

The online renewal fee varies depending on how many years you are renewing for — typically five or eight years. You will see the exact cost before you complete the transaction.

Mail Renewal for Arizona Drivers

Mail renewal is an option if your license is not suspended or revoked and you do not need a new photo. You request a renewal form from the Arizona Department of Transportation, fill it out, include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail it to the address provided. The entire process takes four to six weeks from the time the Motor Vehicle Division receives your form.

Mail renewal costs less than in-person renewal because you do not pay for an office visit. However, you cannot update your photo, change your address, or correct your name by mail — if you need any of those changes, you must go in person.

To start a mail renewal, visit the Arizona Department of Transportation website or call the Motor Vehicle Division to request a renewal form. Include a copy of your current license with your mailed form so the office can match it to your record.

In-Person Renewal at a Motor Vehicle Division Office

In-person renewal is required if your license is suspended or revoked, if you need a new photo, if you are changing your address, or if you are correcting your name. You can also choose in-person renewal even if you are not required to — it is faster than mail renewal and you walk out with a temporary license valid for 30 days while your permanent license is mailed.

Bring your current Arizona driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or W-2), and proof of your current address (such as a utility bill or lease). If you are changing your address, bring a document showing your new address. If you are changing your name, bring a certified copy of the document that changed your name — a 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 extended hours. Wait times vary by location and time of day. You can check wait times and make an appointment on the Arizona Department of Transportation website. An appointment is not required but can save you time.

What Your Renewal Costs

The renewal fee depends on how long you are renewing your license for and which renewal method you choose. A five-year renewal costs less than an eight-year renewal. Online and mail renewals cost less than in-person renewals because there is no office visit fee.

You will see the exact fee before you complete an online renewal. For mail or in-person renewal, the Arizona Department of Transportation website lists current fees by license type and renewal length. If you are renewing in person, you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card.

After Your Renewal Is Approved

Once your renewal is approved — whether you renewed online, by mail, or in person — your new license is mailed to the address on file within 10 business days. If you renewed in person, you receive a temporary license valid for 30 days that you can use while you wait for your permanent license to arrive.

If you renewed online or by mail and need to drive before your new license arrives, you can print a temporary license from the Arizona Department of Transportation website using your driver's license number. This temporary license is valid for 30 days and can be used while your permanent license is in the mail.

Your new license is valid for five or eight years from the date it is issued, depending on which renewal term you chose. The expiration date is printed on the front of your license.

What To Do If Your Renewal Is Delayed

If your new license does not arrive within 15 business days of approval, contact the Motor Vehicle Division by phone or through the Arizona Department of Transportation website. Have your driver's license number and the date you submitted your renewal ready when you call.

If your current license expires before your new one arrives, you can use the temporary license you printed or received in person to drive legally. The temporary license is valid for 30 days past your original expiration date in most cases, but confirm this with the Motor Vehicle Division if you are cutting it close.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Arizona license if it has been expired for more than a few months?

Yes, but you cannot renew online or by mail. You must go to a Motor Vehicle Division office in person. Bring your expired license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. The office will treat your renewal as a standard in-person renewal.

What if I moved to a different address since my last license was issued?

You must renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. Bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number, and a document showing your new address, such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.

Do I need a new photo for my renewal?

Not unless you want one or unless your license has been expired for more than a certain period. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person. If you do not want a new photo and your license is not expired, you can renew online or by mail.

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

Your new license is mailed within 10 business days of your in-person visit. You receive a temporary license on the spot that is valid for 30 days while you wait for your permanent license to arrive in the mail.

What if I lost my Social Security card and cannot find it before I renew?

You can bring other documents that prove your Social Security number, such as a W-2, tax return, or Social Security statement. If you are renewing in person, ask the Motor Vehicle Division office which documents they accept as proof of your Social Security number.