Arizona driver's license fees depend on the type of license and how long you want it to last
An Arizona driver's license costs between $25 and $75, depending on whether you choose a standard license or an enhanced one, and whether you want it valid for 5 or 12 years. A standard driver's license costs $25 for 5 years or $40 for 12 years. An enhanced driver's license — which works as both a driver's license and a travel document for Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean — costs $75 for 5 years or $120 for 12 years. These are the fees you pay to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) when you get your license.
First-time applicants also need to pay for a knowledge test and a driving test if they haven't passed them already. The knowledge test costs $10, and the driving test costs $10. If you fail either test, you pay the fee again to retake it. So your total cost as a brand-new driver could be $45 to $95 just for the tests and license combined, depending on which license type you choose.
You pay these fees at an ADOT office when you explore in person. ADOT accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card. If you're renewing an existing license by mail, you can pay by check or money order.
Key Takeaways
- A standard Arizona driver's license costs $25 for 5 years or $40 for 12 years.
- An enhanced driver's license costs $75 for 5 years or $120 for 12 years and can be used for travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
- First-time drivers also pay $10 for the knowledge test and $10 for the driving test, which you must pass before getting your license.
- You pay all fees in person at an ADOT office using cash, check, debit card, or credit card.
- If you renew by mail, you can pay by check or money order instead.
What the standard license covers and who should choose it
The standard Arizona driver's license is the most common choice and the least expensive. It proves you can legally drive in Arizona and all 50 states. It does not work as a travel document — you still need a passport or passport card to cross the border into Mexico or Canada by air or sea.
Most people choose the standard license because the cost is lower and the renewal process is simpler. If you drive only within Arizona or the United States and you already have a passport for international travel, the standard license is all you need. You renew it every 5 or 12 years depending on which term you picked when you first got it.
What the enhanced license covers and who should choose it
An enhanced driver's license is a standard driver's license plus a travel document. It lets you drive in all 50 states and also cross the land border into Canada and Mexico by car, truck, or boat without carrying a separate passport. You still need a passport for air travel or sea travel to other countries.
The enhanced license costs more upfront — $75 for 5 years or $120 for 12 years — but it saves you from carrying a passport every time you drive to Mexico or Canada. If you live near the border or travel to Mexico or Canada regularly by car, the enhanced license pays for itself. If you rarely cross the border, the standard license is the better choice.
How to pay when you explore for the first time
When you explore for your first Arizona driver's license, you go to an ADOT office in person. Bring your documents — proof of identity, proof of Arizona residency, and your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. You also need to pass the knowledge test and the driving test on the same day or at a scheduled appointment.
At the office, you pay all your fees together: the license fee ($25 or $40 for standard, $75 or $120 for enhanced), the knowledge test fee ($10), and the driving test fee ($10). The office accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card. You cannot pay online or by mail for a first-time process — payment happens in person at the office.
After you pass both tests and pay your fees, ADOT takes your photo and prints your license on the spot. You get your physical license the same day.
How to pay when you renew your license
Renewing an Arizona driver's license is cheaper because you do not pay for tests again — only the license fee. If your license is not expired and you have not had any major changes (like a new address or name), you can renew by mail.
To renew by mail, you send your renewal notice, a check or money order for the license fee, and your old license to the address on the notice. You do not need to go to an ADOT office. The renewal fee is the same as the original license fee: $25 for 5 years or $40 for 12 years for standard, $75 for 5 years or $120 for 12 years for enhanced.
If you renew in person at an ADOT office instead of by mail, you can pay with cash, check, debit card, or credit card. In-person renewal takes longer than mail renewal, but you get your new license the same day.
What happens if you cannot pay the full fee at once
Arizona does not offer a payment plan for driver's license fees. You must pay the full amount — tests and license together — when you explore. If you cannot afford the fee on the day you go to the ADOT office, you can leave and come back another day when you have the money. The office will not hold your test results or let you pay part of the fee now and part later.
Some community organizations or nonprofits in Arizona may help with transportation costs or other expenses related to getting a license, but they do not pay ADOT fees directly. Contact your local community action agency or 211 Arizona to ask what resources are available in your area.
Fees for duplicate licenses, name changes, and address changes
If you lose your license or it gets damaged, you can get a duplicate. A duplicate Arizona driver's license costs $10 and you can get it at any ADOT office. You do not need to take the tests again.
If you change your name — through marriage, divorce, or legal name change — you need to update your license. The fee depends on whether you renew at the same time. If you are just updating your name and your license is not expiring soon, the name change costs $10. If you renew your license at the same time you change your name, you pay only the renewal fee ($25, $40, $75, or $120 depending on license type and term), not an extra $10.
If you move to a new address in Arizona, you can update your address for free at any ADOT office or online through the ADOT website. You do not need to pay a fee to change your address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for the knowledge test and driving test if I already passed them in another state?
No. If you have a valid driver's license from another state, you do not take the Arizona tests. You pay only the Arizona license fee ($25, $40, $75, or $120) when you transfer your license. Bring your out-of-state license and proof of Arizona residency to an ADOT office.
Can I pay my ADOT fees online before I go to the office?
No. ADOT does not accept online payment for first-time applications or in-person renewals. You pay at the office when you explore. For mail-in renewals, you send a check or money order with your process.
What if I fail the driving test — do I pay the $10 fee again?
Yes. Each time you take the driving test, you pay $10. If you fail and want to retake it, you pay another $10. The same applies to the knowledge test. There is no limit on how many times you can retake either test, but you pay the fee each time.
Is the enhanced license worth the extra cost?
It depends on how often you cross the border. The enhanced license costs $50 to $80 more than a standard license over the same term. If you drive to Mexico or Canada more than once or twice a year, the enhanced license saves you from carrying a passport. If you rarely cross the border, the standard license is the better choice.
Do I have to renew my license in person, or can I always renew by mail?
You can renew by mail if your license is not expired and you have not had major changes like a new address or name. If your license is expired or you need to update your information, you must renew in person at an ADOT office. Check your renewal notice to see which option applies to you.