Renew online, by mail, or in person depending on how long it has been expired
Arizona lets you renew an expired driver's license through three routes: online at servicearizona.com, by mail using the renewal notice the state sends you, or in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. Which route you can use depends on how long your license has been expired. If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew online or by mail without visiting an office. If it expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person.
The online route is fastest — you can complete it in minutes from home, pay the renewal fee with a credit or debit card, and receive your new license by mail within two to three weeks. The mail route takes longer but requires no computer access. In-person renewal at an MVD office takes about an hour once you arrive, though wait times vary by location and time of day.
Key Takeaways
- Arizona driver's licenses expired fewer than five years ago can be renewed online at servicearizona.com or by mail without visiting an office.
- Licenses expired more than five years ago must be renewed in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office with a current ID and proof of Arizona residency.
- Online renewal costs the same as mail or in-person renewal and takes two to three weeks for delivery; you cannot use an expired license to drive while waiting.
- The state mails renewal notices 90 days before expiration, and you can renew up to one year before your license expires.
- If you have changed your name, address, or organ donor status since your last license, you may need to visit an office even if your license expired recently.
Online renewal through Service Arizona
To renew online, go to servicearizona.com, select "Driver License Services," and choose "Renew Driver License." You will need your current Arizona driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your identity and show you the renewal fee, which varies based on how long your license is valid for — typically $25 to $45 for a standard license.
Pay with a credit card, debit card, or electronic check. Once you complete the transaction, the state mails your new license to the address on file. You cannot use an expired license to drive while you wait for the new one to arrive. If you need to drive before it arrives, you can request a temporary paper license at an MVD office, though this requires an in-person visit.
Online renewal is available only if your license expired fewer than five years ago and you have not changed your name, address, or other key information since your last renewal. If any of those circumstances explore to you, you must renew by mail or in person.
Mail renewal using your renewal notice
Arizona mails renewal notices to your address on file about 90 days before your license expires. The notice includes a prepaid envelope, a renewal form, and instructions. Fill out the form, include the fee (shown on the notice), and mail everything back to the address listed. Processing takes four to six weeks from the time the state receives your envelope.
Mail renewal works for licenses expired fewer than five years ago. You do not need to include a new photo — the state uses your existing photo from your last license. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person.
If you lost your renewal notice or it arrived damaged, you can request a new one by calling the Motor Vehicle Division at 602-255-0072 or visiting an office in person. You can also renew online instead if you prefer not to wait for a replacement notice.
In-person renewal at an MVD office
Visit any Motor Vehicle Division office with your expired driver's license, proof of Arizona residency, and payment for the renewal fee. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement showing your current Arizona address and dated within the last 60 days. Bring the original document or a certified copy.
You will take a new photo and answer questions about your vision and medical history. The office will issue you a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent license is mailed to you. Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number if you have changed your name since your last license.
In-person renewal is required if your license expired more than five years ago, if you have changed your name, if you want to update your address or organ donor status, or if you want a new photo. Wait times vary; offices are typically less busy on weekday mornings and more crowded on Saturdays and late afternoons. You can check current wait times at specific offices on the Motor Vehicle Division website.
What happens if your license has been expired for more than five years
If your Arizona driver's license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew it — you must explore for a new license. This requires an in-person visit to an MVD office with your expired license, proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Arizona residency. The process is the same as a standard in-person renewal, but the state treats it as a new process rather than a renewal.
Bring documents showing your legal name, date of birth, and current address. Acceptable identity documents include a passport, birth certificate, or military ID. You will pay the same fee as a renewal and receive a temporary paper license on the spot, with your permanent license mailed within two to three weeks.
Renewing before your license expires
Arizona allows you to renew your driver's license up to one year before it expires. This is useful if you know you will be traveling or if you want to avoid the rush near your expiration date. You can renew online, by mail, or in person using the same process as a standard renewal. The new license will have a new expiration date one year from the renewal date, not from your original expiration date.
If you renew early and then your circumstances change — for example, you move to a different address or change your name — you can visit an MVD office to update your license without paying another renewal fee. Bring your new license and proof of your change of address or name.
Fees and payment methods
Arizona driver's license renewal fees depend on the type of license and how long it is valid for. A standard five-year renewal typically costs $25 to $30, while an eight-year renewal costs $40 to $45. The exact amount appears on your renewal notice or on the Service Arizona website before you pay.
Online and mail renewals accept credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks. In-person renewals at MVD offices accept cash, checks, credit cards, and debit cards. If you renew by mail and your check is returned for insufficient funds, the state will contact you to request payment before processing your renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with an expired Arizona license while I wait for my renewal to arrive?
No. An expired license is not valid for driving. If you need to drive before your new license arrives, visit an MVD office to request a temporary paper license, which is valid for 30 days. You will need to show your expired license and proof of residency.
What if I moved to a different address since my last license?
If you moved within Arizona, you can renew online or by mail and update your address at the same time. If you moved out of Arizona and then moved back, or if you are unsure whether your address is current in the system, renew in person at an MVD office to may support your new license has the correct address.
Do I need a new photo for my renewal?
Online and mail renewals use your existing photo from your last license. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at an MVD office. The office will take a new photo as part of the renewal process.
How long does it take to get my renewed license in the mail?
Online and in-person renewals typically take two to three weeks for delivery. Mail renewals take four to six weeks from the time the state receives your envelope. Times may vary during busy periods or holidays.
What if my renewal notice never arrived?
Call the Motor Vehicle Division at 602-255-0072 to request a replacement notice, or renew online at servicearizona.com instead. You do not need the physical notice to renew online or in person.