Arizona driver's licenses are valid for different lengths of time depending on your age and license type

An Arizona driver's license issued to someone 18 or older is good for 12 years from the date it was issued. If you were under 18 when you got your license, it expires on your 18th birthday — not 12 years later. After that first expiration, any renewal you get as an adult lasts the full 12 years.

The expiration date is printed on the front of your license in the bottom right corner. You can renew your license up to 6 months before it expires, which means you can start the process early if you want to avoid a gap in validity.

Arizona also issues commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) on a different schedule. A CDL is valid for 8 years if you are 21 or older, or until your 21st birthday if you received it before then. After that, renewals are good for 8 years each.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard Arizona driver's license issued to an adult is valid for 12 years from the issue date.
  • If you received your license before turning 18, it expires on your 18th birthday, and your next renewal will be good for 12 years.
  • You can renew your license up to 6 months before the expiration date printed on the front.
  • Commercial driver's licenses are valid for 8 years, not 12, and follow their own renewal timeline.

What happens when your license expires

Once your license expires, you cannot legally drive in Arizona. Driving with an expired license can result in a traffic citation, even if your license expired only a day ago. The state does not have a grace period.

If your license has been expired for less than one year, you can renew it by mail, online, or in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. The process is faster than a first-time license because you do not need to retake the written or road test.

If your license has been expired for more than one year, you will need to pass the written test again before you can renew. You may also need to pass the road test depending on how long it has been expired. Contact the Motor Vehicle Division to find out what tests you will need to take.

Renewing before your license expires

Arizona lets you renew your license up to 6 months early. This means if your license expires on December 15, you can renew it starting June 15. The new expiration date will be 12 years from the date you renew, not from your old expiration date.

You can renew online through the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division website if you meet certain requirements: your license must not be expired, suspended, or revoked, and you must not have any medical conditions that need to be reviewed. Online renewal takes a few minutes and costs less than renewing in person.

If you cannot renew online, you can renew by mail or in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. By mail, you will need to send in your current license, a completed process form, and the renewal fee. In person, you will need to bring your current license, proof of residency, and payment.

Renewing after your license expires

If your license expired less than one year ago, you can still renew without retaking tests. You will need to visit a Motor Vehicle Division office in person or renew by mail. Online renewal is not available for expired licenses.

Bring your expired license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and payment. If your address has changed since your license was issued, bring a document that shows your new address. The renewal process takes about 15 minutes in person.

If your license has been expired for more than one year, the Motor Vehicle Division will require you to pass the written test again. Depending on how long it has been expired, you may also need to pass the road test. You will need to schedule an appointment at a Motor Vehicle Division office to take these tests before you can renew.

Different rules for commercial driver's licenses

If you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL), your renewal timeline is shorter. A CDL is valid for 8 years instead of 12. This applies whether you received your CDL as a teenager or as an adult.

CDL renewals follow the same rules as standard licenses: you can renew up to 6 months early, and if your CDL expires, you have one year to renew without retaking the written test. After one year expired, you will need to pass the written test again.

Some CDL holders are required to renew in person because of medical certification requirements. Check with the Motor Vehicle Division to see whether your CDL can be renewed by mail or online, or if you must come in person.

What to bring when you renew

The documents you need depend on whether you are renewing in person, by mail, or online. For any renewal, you will need to pay a fee — the amount varies depending on how many years you are renewing for.

For in-person renewal, bring your current or expired license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement with your name and address), and payment. If your name has changed since your license was issued, bring a document that proves the change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.

For mail renewal, send your current license, a completed process form (DL 44), proof of residency, and a check or money order. You can read the process from the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division website. Mail renewals take about two to three weeks to process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive if my license expires tomorrow?

No. Arizona does not have a grace period for expired licenses. Once your license expires, you cannot legally drive, even for one day. Driving with an expired license is a traffic violation that can result in a citation.

What if I renew my license early — does my new expiration date change?

Yes. If you renew early, your new license will expire 12 years from the renewal date, not from your old expiration date. For example, if your license expires December 15, 2025, and you renew it in June 2025, your new license will expire in June 2037.

Do I have to take the written test again if my license has been expired for two years?

Yes. If your license has been expired for more than one year, you must pass the written test before you can renew. You may also need to pass the road test. Contact the Motor Vehicle Division to find out which tests explore to your situation.

Is there a difference in how long a CDL lasts compared to a regular license?

Yes. A commercial driver's license is valid for 8 years, while a standard Arizona driver's license is valid for 12 years. Both can be renewed up to 6 months early, and both follow the same rules about retesting if expired for more than one year.

Can I renew my license online if it has already expired?

No. Online renewal is only available for licenses that have not yet expired. If your license is expired, you must renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office or by mail. In-person renewal is faster if you need to drive soon.