What you need to do to replace your Arizona driver's license
To get a replacement Arizona driver's license, you visit an Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) office in person, bring proof of identity and residency, pay the replacement fee, and have your photo taken. The process takes about 15 minutes if you have all your documents ready. Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
You need a replacement if your license is lost, stolen, damaged, or if your name has changed. Arizona does not issue replacements by mail or online — you must appear at an ADOT office yourself. If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot get a replacement until that status is cleared.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit an ADOT office in person with valid proof of identity and Arizona residency to get a replacement license.
- The replacement fee is $25 for a standard license and $35 for an Enhanced Driver License, and you pay at the time of your visit.
- Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days; you cannot drive legally on a receipt while you wait.
- If your license is suspended, revoked, or you have unpaid traffic fines, you must resolve those issues before ADOT will issue a replacement.
- You can find your nearest ADOT office and check wait times on the ADOT website before you go.
Documents you must bring to the ADOT office
Bring one document that proves your identity and one that proves you live in Arizona. For identity, ADOT accepts a U.S. passport, passport card, military ID, tribal ID, or a certified birth certificate plus a Social Security card. A photo is required, so bring documents with your photo if you have them.
For Arizona residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or property tax bill with your name and current address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. If you have changed your name, bring a certified copy of the court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree that shows the change.
If you are replacing a license because it was stolen, bring a police report number or case number if you have one. ADOT does not require the full report, but having the number speeds up the process. If your license was damaged, bring what remains of it.
The replacement fee and payment methods
A standard Arizona driver's license replacement costs $25. An Enhanced Driver License (which allows entry to federal buildings and some border crossings without a passport) costs $35. You pay in cash, debit card, or credit card at the ADOT office — no checks.
The fee covers the replacement license only. If you also need to renew your license because it has expired or is about to expire, you pay the renewal fee ($25 for a standard license, $35 for Enhanced) in addition to the replacement fee. Check your license expiration date before you go so you know whether you need both.
How long it takes and what you get
The visit itself takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on how busy the office is. ADOT offices have wait times posted on their website, and you can check before you go. Your photo is taken at the office, and you receive a receipt that shows your process was submitted.
Your new license is mailed to the address you provide at the office. Standard mail delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. You cannot legally drive on the receipt — it is not a valid license. If you need to drive before your replacement arrives, you must have a licensed driver with you, or you risk a traffic citation.
If your replacement does not arrive within 10 business days, contact the ADOT office where you applied. Delays are rare but can happen if mail is lost or if there was an error in your process.
When ADOT will not issue a replacement
ADOT will refuse to issue a replacement if your license is suspended or revoked. This can happen because of unpaid traffic fines, DUI convictions, accumulation of points, or failure to pay child support. You must clear the suspension or revocation before you can get a replacement.
To learn about your license is suspended, visit the ADOT website and use the license status check tool, or call the ADOT Customer Service line. If your license is suspended, the notice will tell you what caused it and what you must do to clear it — usually paying fines, completing a course, or waiting out a suspension period.
If you have unpaid traffic citations or fines, the court or ADOT may also place a hold on your replacement. Contact the court that issued the citation to find out what you owe and how to pay it.
Finding an ADOT office near you
ADOT has offices in every Arizona county. You can find the nearest one on the ADOT website by entering your zip code. The website also shows current wait times, hours of operation, and which services each office offers. Some smaller offices do not handle all services, so check before you drive there.
Many offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, but some have extended hours or Saturday appointments. You do not need an appointment for a replacement license — it is first-come, first-served. Arriving early in the morning or mid-week usually means shorter waits.
Replacing a license with a name change
If you have changed your name through marriage, divorce, or court order, bring the certified document that proves the change along with your identity and residency documents. ADOT will issue a new license with your new name at no extra cost beyond the replacement fee.
If your name change was recent and you do not yet have a certified copy of the court order or marriage certificate, you can get one from the county clerk's office or the vital records office in the county where the change was recorded. This usually takes a few days and costs $10 to $25.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a replacement license if I have an out-of-state license?
No. You must have an Arizona license to get an Arizona replacement. If you have moved to Arizona and have an out-of-state license, you must surrender it and get a new Arizona license instead. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of Arizona residency, and proof of identity to an ADOT office.
What if I lost my license and do not have a police report?
You do not need a police report to get a replacement. ADOT will issue a replacement for a lost license with just your identity and residency documents. A police report number speeds things up, but it is not required.
Can someone else pick up my replacement license for me?
No. You must pick it up yourself when it arrives, or you can have it mailed to your address. ADOT does not allow third parties to collect licenses on behalf of someone else. If your address changes after you explore, contact the ADOT office where you applied to update it before your license is mailed.
What if my replacement license arrives with an error on it?
Contact the ADOT office where you applied right away. If the error is ADOT's mistake — a misspelled name, wrong address, or wrong date of birth — they will issue a corrected replacement at no charge. If the error was caused by incorrect information you provided, you may have to pay another replacement fee.
Do I need an Enhanced Driver License or a standard license?
A standard Arizona driver's license works for driving and state ID purposes. An Enhanced Driver License costs $10 more and allows you to enter federal buildings and cross the U.S.-Mexico border by land without a passport. Choose Enhanced only if you regularly cross the border or need federal building access.