What you need to do to replace your Arizona license

To replace a lost, stolen, or damaged Arizona driver's license, you'll visit an Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) office in person, bring proof of identity and residency, pay a replacement fee, and have your photo taken. The process takes about 30 minutes, and you'll receive a temporary paper license on the spot that's valid for 30 days while your permanent card is mailed to you. Your new license will have the same number and expiration date as your old one — you're not starting over.

You cannot replace your license by mail, phone, or online. ADOT requires you to appear in person so they can verify your identity and take a new photo. If you're unable to visit an office yourself, someone with power of attorney can go on your behalf, but they'll need to bring the power of attorney document along with your documents.

Key Takeaways

  • You must visit an ADOT office in person with proof of identity and Arizona residency to replace your license.
  • The replacement fee is $12 for a standard license, and you'll receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent card is mailed.
  • Your new license keeps the same number and expiration date as your old one, so you don't lose any remaining validity.
  • ADOT offices are open Monday through Friday, and wait times vary by location — visiting early in the day or mid-week typically means shorter lines.
  • If your license was stolen, you may want to report it to local police and check your credit, though this is separate from the replacement process.

Documents you need to bring

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 an out-of-state driver's license or ID card. For residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, property tax bill, or a letter from a government agency with your name and current address. The residency document must be dated within the last 60 days.

If you don't have these documents, ADOT has a list of alternatives on their website. If you're having trouble locating proof of residency, a notarized affidavit of residency signed by someone else who lives at your address can work in some cases — ask the ADOT office staff when you call ahead.

The replacement fee and what you receive

The fee to replace your Arizona driver's license is $12. ADOT accepts cash, debit cards, and credit cards at all offices. You'll pay this fee at the time of your visit, and there are no additional charges.

When you leave the office, you'll have a temporary paper license printed on the spot. This temporary license is valid for 30 days and can be used for driving, identification, and age verification just like your permanent card. Your actual plastic license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days in most cases, though it can take longer during busy periods. The temporary license expires whether or not your permanent card has arrived, so if there's a delay, you can request a second temporary license at an ADOT office.

Finding an ADOT office and scheduling your visit

ADOT has offices in most Arizona cities and towns. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours on the ADOT website. Most offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., though some have extended hours or Saturday appointments. You do not need an appointment for a license replacement — you can walk in during business hours.

Wait times vary widely depending on the office and time of day. Visiting early in the morning or mid-week (Tuesday through Thursday) typically means shorter waits than Friday afternoons or the first few days of the month. If you're concerned about wait times, you can call the office ahead of time and ask how busy they are.

If your license was stolen

If your license was stolen rather than lost or damaged, you may want to report the theft to local police and keep a copy of the report. This creates a record in case someone tries to use your stolen license fraudulently. You should also consider placing a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and monitoring your credit report for unauthorized accounts.

These steps are separate from the replacement process itself — they don't affect how you replace your license with ADOT, but they do protect you from identity theft. The license replacement process is the same whether your license was lost, stolen, or damaged.

What happens to your old license number

Your replacement license will have the same number as your old one. ADOT doesn't issue a new number when you replace a lost, stolen, or damaged card. This matters if you've given your license number to banks, employers, or other organizations — you don't need to update them because the number stays the same.

The expiration date also stays the same. If your old license was set to expire in 2027, your replacement license will expire in 2027. You're not getting a fresh renewal period; you're straightforward getting a new card with the same validity.

If you need your license before the mail arrives

Your temporary paper license is valid for driving and identification for 30 days, so in most cases you won't need anything else. If your permanent license hasn't arrived after 10 business days, contact ADOT to check the status. If there's been a delay, you can visit an ADOT office and request a second temporary license, which will extend your coverage another 30 days.

If you need to travel by air or cross an international border before your permanent license arrives, bring your temporary license along with your passport or other federal ID. The temporary license alone is not sufficient for air travel, but it can serve as a secondary form of ID to support your passport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else pick up my replacement license for me?

No. You must appear in person at an ADOT office to have your photo taken and identity verified. The only exception is if you have a power of attorney document — in that case, the person with power of attorney can go on your behalf and will need to bring that document along with your identity and residency proof.

What if my address has changed since my old license was issued?

Bring proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or similar document dated within the last 60 days). Your new license will show your current address. You don't need to update your address separately — it happens as part of the replacement.

Do I need to take a new photo for my replacement license?

Yes. ADOT will take a new photo of you when you visit the office. You cannot use your old photo. Wear something you're comfortable being photographed in, and avoid wearing hats or sunglasses unless required for religious or medical reasons.

What if I lost my license out of state?

You still need to visit an Arizona ADOT office in person to replace it. If you're currently out of state, you can wait until you return to Arizona, or you can make a trip to an ADOT office if you need your license urgently. Your temporary paper license will be valid for driving in other states during the 30-day period.

Can I renew my license at the same time I replace it?

No. Replacement and renewal are separate transactions. If your license is expiring soon, you can renew it after you receive your replacement card, or you can do both at your next scheduled renewal. The replacement process does not extend your expiration date.