What Arizona requires for a standard driver license

Arizona issues a standard driver license to anyone who passes a written test, vision screening, and driving test, and who meets the state's residency and identity requirements. You must be at least 16 years old to hold a learner's permit, and at least 16 years and 6 months old to take the driving test for a full license. If you are under 18, you will also need to complete a driver education course and hold your permit for at least six months before testing.

Arizona requires proof of identity, proof of Arizona residency, and a Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Acceptable identity documents include a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a foreign passport with a visa, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Native American tribal document. For residency, you can use a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or government mail dated within 60 days of your process.

The standard Arizona driver license is valid for 12 years if you are 65 or older, and for 12 years if you are under 65. You can renew by mail, online, or in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office, depending on your situation and how much time remains on your current license.

Key Takeaways

  • Arizona requires proof of identity, Arizona residency, and a Social Security number or ITIN before you can take a driving test.
  • You must pass a written test, vision screening, and driving test; if you are under 18, you also need a driver education course and six months with a learner's permit.
  • A standard Arizona driver license is valid for 12 years and can be renewed online, by mail, or in person depending on your age and how much time is left on your current license.
  • Arizona charges different fees for different license types and renewal methods; in-person renewal at a Motor Vehicle Division office costs less than mail or online renewal.
  • If your license is expired by more than five years, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written and driving tests.

Documents you need to bring to the Motor Vehicle Division

Bring your proof of identity document in its original form—a photocopy will not work. Bring proof of Arizona residency, also in original form. If your name has changed since your identity document was issued, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Bring your Social Security card or an ITIN letter from the IRS.

If you are renewing a license that is still valid or expired less than five years ago, you may be able to renew by mail or online without bringing documents in person. If your license has been expired for more than five years, you must appear in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office and bring all documents with you.

Bring your current Arizona driver license if you have one. If you do not have a current license, bring a document showing your date of birth. Bring payment for the license fee—Arizona accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card at in-person locations.

Steps to get your first Arizona driver license

First, obtain your learner's permit. Go to a Motor Vehicle Division office with your proof of identity, proof of residency, and Social Security number or ITIN. Pass a vision screening and a written test on Arizona traffic laws. You will receive your learner's permit on the same day if you pass. The permit is valid for one year and allows you to drive only with a licensed adult 21 or older in the front seat.

If you are under 18, you must complete a driver education course before you can take the driving test. The course can be taken online or in person through a private driving school or your high school. Once you have held your permit for at least six months and completed the course, you can schedule a driving test at a Motor Vehicle Division office.

Take your driving test at a Motor Vehicle Division office. Bring your learner's permit, proof of insurance, and the vehicle you will be driving for the test. The test includes a vehicle inspection, a written test on road signs and safe driving, and a practical driving test on public roads. If you pass all three parts, you will receive your Arizona driver license on the same day.

How to renew your Arizona driver license by mail or online

You can renew by mail if your license is still valid or expired less than five years ago, and if you have not changed your name, address, or other information since your last renewal. To renew by mail, complete the process for Renewal of Driver License form (DL 44R), include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail both to the Motor Vehicle Division. Processing takes about two to three weeks.

You can renew online through the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division website if you meet the same conditions as mail renewal: your license is not expired more than five years, and you have not changed your name or address. Online renewal is faster than mail renewal and costs less. You will need your current license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number to start the process. You can pay the fee by debit card or credit card, and your new license will be mailed to you within one to two weeks.

If your license has been expired for more than five years, or if you have changed your name or address, you must renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. You may also need to retake the written test and the driving test if your license has been expired for a very long time.

Fees for Arizona driver licenses and renewals

The fee for a new driver license depends on how long the license will be valid. A license valid for 12 years costs more than a license valid for a shorter period. Arizona also charges different fees for in-person renewal, mail renewal, and online renewal. In-person renewal at a Motor Vehicle Division office is the least expensive option. Mail renewal costs more because of processing fees. Online renewal costs the same as in-person renewal or slightly less.

Fees change from year to year and may vary depending on the type of license and the reason for renewal. The Motor Vehicle Division website lists the current fees for all license types and renewal methods. If you are renewing by mail or online, include the correct fee with your process, or your renewal will be delayed.

Arizona offers a reduced fee for seniors 65 and older who renew their license. The reduced fee applies to in-person, mail, and online renewal. You must show proof of age at the time of renewal.

What to do if your Arizona license is lost, stolen, or damaged

If your license is lost or stolen, go to a Motor Vehicle Division office and report it. Bring your proof of identity and proof of residency. You will receive a replacement license on the same day. The fee for a replacement is less than the fee for a new license.

If your license is damaged but still readable, you can renew it early by mail or online without paying a full renewal fee. If your license is so damaged that it cannot be read, go to a Motor Vehicle Division office and request a replacement. You will need to bring your proof of identity and proof of residency.

If your license was lost or stolen and you later find it, do not use it. Destroy it or return it to a Motor Vehicle Division office. Using a lost or stolen license that has been replaced is illegal.

Arizona driver license types and what each one allows

A standard Class D driver license allows you to drive a passenger vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less. This is the most common license type and is what most people receive when they pass their driving test.

A commercial driver license (CDL) is required if you drive a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds, or if you carry hazardous materials, or if you carry more than 15 passengers. A CDL requires additional testing and background checks beyond the standard license test. You must be at least 18 years old to hold a CDL, and at least 21 years old to drive a CDL vehicle across state lines.

A motorcycle endorsement allows you to ride a motorcycle. You must pass a separate written test and a riding test on a motorcycle. The endorsement is added to your standard driver license.

An Arizona ID card is not a driver license but serves as proof of identity and age. You can obtain an ID card if you do not drive or if you want a second form of identification. An ID card costs less than a driver license and is valid for the same length of time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Arizona driver license if I am out of state?

Yes, you can renew by mail or online if your license is still valid or expired less than five years ago. You do not need to be in Arizona to renew by mail or online. If your license has been expired for more than five years, you must renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office in Arizona.

What happens if I let my Arizona driver license expire?

You cannot legally drive with an expired license. If you are stopped by police, you may be cited. If your license has been expired for less than five years, you can renew by mail or online. If it has been expired for more than five years, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written and driving tests.

Do I need to take a new driving test if I renew my Arizona license?

No, you do not need to retake the driving test if you renew a license that is still valid or expired less than five years ago. If your license has been expired for more than five years, the Motor Vehicle Division may require you to retake the written test and the driving test.

Can I change my address on my Arizona driver license without renewing it?

Yes, you can change your address at any Motor Vehicle Division office without renewing your license. Bring your current license and proof of your new Arizona address. There is no fee for an address change. Your license will remain valid until its expiration date.

How long does it take to get an Arizona driver license after I pass the driving test?

You will receive your license on the same day you pass the driving test at a Motor Vehicle Division office. If you renew by mail, processing takes about two to three weeks. If you renew online, your new license will be mailed to you within one to two weeks.