Arizona driver's licenses expire every 12 years for most adults, but the exact date depends on your age and when you got your current license

Your Arizona driver's license has an expiration date printed on the front. For most people, that date is 12 years from the day you received the license. If you were under 19 when you got your license, it expires after 5 years instead. Once you turn 65, Arizona issues licenses that expire after 8 years. The state does not send renewal reminders, so you need to track the date yourself or check your physical license.

You can renew your license up to 6 months before it expires. Many people renew early to avoid the rush or because they need a new photo. Arizona allows you to renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office, by mail, or online — but not all renewal types work through every method.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard Arizona licenses expire 12 years from issue date; licenses issued before age 19 expire after 5 years; licenses issued at age 65 or older expire after 8 years.
  • You can renew up to 6 months early, and the state does not send reminders, so check your license card for the expiration date.
  • Online renewal through the Arizona Department of Transportation website works only if you have no address changes, no name changes, and no medical conditions to report.
  • In-person renewal at a Motor Vehicle Division office takes about 30 minutes and requires your current license, proof of residency, and payment.
  • Mail renewal is available but slower and requires you to send your physical license to the state, leaving you without it for several weeks.

How to find your expiration date

Look at the front of your Arizona driver's license. The expiration date is printed in the bottom right corner, usually formatted as MM/DD/YYYY. If you cannot find your physical license, you can also check the expiration date by logging into your Arizona Department of Transportation account online, though you will need your license number and date of birth to set up an account.

If your license is already expired, you can still renew it, but you will need to renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office rather than online or by mail. Expired licenses cannot be renewed through the faster methods.

Renewing online through the Arizona Department of Transportation website

Online renewal is the fastest option if you are may be able to access. You can renew online if your license is not yet expired, you have not changed your address, you have not changed your legal name, and you do not have any medical conditions or restrictions to update. You will need your current license number, date of birth, and a valid payment method.

The process takes about 10 minutes. You upload a new photo (or use the photo from your current license), confirm your information, and pay the renewal fee. Arizona charges $25 for a standard 12-year renewal as of 2024, though fees can change. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue using your old license until the new one arrives.

Renewing in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office

In-person renewal is required if you have changed your address, changed your legal name, or have medical conditions to report. You will also need to renew in person if your license is already expired. Bring your current Arizona driver's license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease dated within 60 days), and payment. If you have changed your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — 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; early morning visits are usually faster. The renewal itself takes about 30 minutes. You will receive your new license on the spot, though the photo quality depends on the camera at that office.

The renewal fee is the same as online renewal — $25 for a standard 12-year license as of 2024. Some offices accept cash, debit, and credit cards; a few accept checks. Call ahead to confirm payment methods at your nearest office.

Renewing by mail

Mail renewal is available but is the slowest option. You will need to send your current physical license to the Arizona Department of Transportation, along with a completed process form (DL 44) and payment. You can read the form from the Arizona Department of Transportation website or request one by phone.

Mail the materials to the address listed on the form. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks after the state receives your envelope. During that time, you will not have your physical license. You can request a temporary paper license to carry while you wait, though not all offices issue them. Once your new license arrives, your old one is no longer valid.

What happens if your license expires

Driving with an expired license is illegal in Arizona. If you are stopped by police, you can be cited, and the ticket carries a fine. An expired license also means you cannot legally use it for identification — you will not be able to board a plane, enter a federal building, or use it to prove your age at a bar or store.

If your license has been expired for more than a year, you may need to take the written test and vision test again when you renew, depending on how long it has been expired. The state considers licenses expired for more than one year to be the same as a new process in some cases. If you are unsure, call the Motor Vehicle Division before you go in to renew.

Renewing if you have a suspended or revoked license

If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it through the standard process. You must first resolve the suspension or revocation with the Arizona Department of Transportation or the court that issued it. Suspensions are usually temporary and tied to unpaid traffic fines, unpaid child support, or medical conditions. Revocations are more serious and typically result from DUI convictions or accumulating too many points.

Contact the Motor Vehicle Division to find out why your license is suspended or revoked and what steps you need to take to clear it. Once the suspension or revocation is lifted, you can renew your license through the normal process. If your license expired while it was suspended, you will need to renew in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Arizona license before it expires?

Yes. You can renew up to 6 months before your expiration date. Renewing early is useful if you need a new photo, are about to travel, or want to avoid a last-minute rush. Your new license will have a new expiration date 12 years (or 5 or 8 years, depending on your age) from the renewal date, not from your old expiration date.

What if I moved out of Arizona but still have an Arizona license?

You should get a license from your new state. Driving with an out-of-state license in another state is legal, but you will eventually need to get a license from the state where you live. If you move back to Arizona later, you can renew your Arizona license or explore for a new one depending on how long you have been gone and whether your old license is still valid.

Do I need a Real ID compliant license to renew?

No. A standard Arizona driver's license is not Real ID compliant, but you can renew a standard license without upgrading. If you want a Real ID compliant license, you can request one during renewal by bringing additional documents — a birth certificate or passport, proof of Social Security number, and two proofs of residency. Real ID licenses cost more and take longer to process.

What if I lost my license before it expired?

You will need to replace it rather than renew it. Go to a Motor Vehicle Division office with proof of identity and residency, and pay a replacement fee (usually around $10). You will receive a new license with the same expiration date as your old one. Once you get the replacement, you can renew it normally when that date approaches.

Can I renew my license if I owe a traffic fine?

It depends on the fine. If you owe a fine to Arizona, the Motor Vehicle Division may suspend your license, which blocks renewal. If you owe a fine to another state, Arizona may not block renewal, but that state could suspend your driving privileges. Pay any outstanding fines before you try to renew, or contact the Motor Vehicle Division to find out whether a specific fine is blocking your renewal.