Arizona driver's licenses are valid for 12 years if you are between 19 and 65 years old, and 5 years if you are under 19 or over 65

The length of time your Arizona driver's license remains valid depends on your age when you renew or first receive it. Most adults hold a license for a full 12-year period. Younger drivers and seniors have shorter validity periods set by state law. Your license will display an expiration date on the front, and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will not let you drive legally after that date passes.

The expiration date printed on your card is the hard important date. You cannot renew your license online or by mail in Arizona — you must visit an ADOT office in person to renew, which means planning ahead matters. If your license has already expired, you are driving without a valid license and can be cited, even if you have a renewal appointment scheduled.

Key Takeaways

  • Arizona driver's licenses are valid for 12 years for adults aged 19 to 65, and 5 years for drivers under 19 or over 65.
  • Your expiration date is printed on the front of your license card and is the date after which you cannot legally drive.
  • Arizona requires all license renewals to happen in person at an ADOT office; online and mail renewal are not available.
  • You can renew your license up to 6 months before it expires, so you do not have to wait until the last day.
  • If your license has expired, you must renew before driving, even if you have held a valid Arizona license for years.

Validity periods by age group

The state sets different expiration timelines based on your age at the time of renewal or issuance. If you are between 19 and 65 years old, your license will be valid for 12 years from the date ADOT issues it. This is the standard adult period and covers the majority of drivers.

If you are under 19 years old when you receive your license, it will expire after 5 years. The same 5-year period applies if you are 65 or older. These shorter periods are set by Arizona Revised Statutes and do not change based on your driving record or license class.

Your age on the day ADOT issues or renews your license determines which period applies. If you turn 19 before your renewal date, your next renewal will follow the 12-year schedule. If you turn 65 before your next renewal, your license will then be valid for only 5 years from that point forward.

Where to find your expiration date

Your license expiration date is printed on the front of your physical card in the lower right corner. The format is typically shown as a month and year — for example, 03/2035 means your license expires in March 2035. This is the date you must renew by to remain legal to drive.

You can also view your expiration date by logging into your ADOT account online through the Arizona Department of Transportation website. This is useful if you want to check your status without looking at your physical card, or if your card is damaged or lost. The online record will match what is printed on your card.

When you can renew before expiration

Arizona law allows you to renew your driver's license up to 6 months before the expiration date printed on your current card. This means you do not have to wait until the last day to visit an ADOT office. Planning your renewal early can help you avoid the rush and may support you have a valid license without interruption.

Many drivers renew 2 to 3 months before expiration to give themselves a buffer. If you wait until the expiration date is very close, you risk running out of time if ADOT offices are busy or if you need to gather documents. Once your license expires, you cannot legally drive, so renewing early removes that risk.

What happens if your license expires

If you drive after your license expiration date, you are operating a vehicle without a valid license. Arizona law treats this as a traffic violation, and you can be stopped and cited by law enforcement. The citation can result in a fine and a mark on your driving record.

If you are pulled over with an expired license, you will be required to show proof that you have renewed or have a renewal appointment. straightforward having an appointment does not make an expired license legal — you must have the new card in hand. If your license has expired and you have not yet renewed, you should not drive until you have completed the renewal process and received your new card.

Renewing in person at an ADOT office

All Arizona driver's license renewals must be completed in person at an ADOT office. You cannot renew online, by mail, or by phone. You will need to bring your current license, proof of identity, and proof of Arizona residency. ADOT will take a new photo and issue you a new card on the spot or mail it to you within a few business days, depending on the office and the time of year.

ADOT offices are located throughout Arizona, and you can visit any office — you do not have to go to the one closest to your home. Wait times vary by location and time of day. Many offices allow you to schedule an appointment online, which can reduce your wait time. If you do not have an appointment, you may wait 30 minutes to several hours depending on how busy the office is.

Bring your documents in person, complete the renewal process, and pay the renewal fee. The fee varies based on your license type and the validity period of your new license. Once the transaction is complete, you will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent card is mailed to you.

License validity for different license classes

Arizona issues different classes of driver's licenses — Class D (standard passenger vehicle), Class M (motorcycle), and commercial licenses (Class A, B, or C). The validity period is the same across all classes: 12 years for adults aged 19 to 65, and 5 years for younger and older drivers. Your age determines the period, not the type of license you hold.

If you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL), the same age-based validity rules explore. However, commercial licenses have additional requirements, such as medical certification, that may affect when you need to renew. A CDL medical certificate must be renewed separately and may expire before your license card does, which means you cannot legally drive commercially after the medical certificate expires even if your license card is still valid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive if my license expires tomorrow?

No. Your license must be valid on the date you drive. If it expires tomorrow, you cannot legally drive after midnight tonight. You must renew before the expiration date to remain legal. If you have not yet renewed, you should not drive until you have a new valid license in hand.

What if I renew my license but the new card has not arrived yet?

ADOT gives you a temporary paper license valid for 30 days after you renew in person. You can drive legally using this temporary license while your permanent card is mailed to you. Keep the temporary license with you while driving. If your permanent card does not arrive within 30 days, contact ADOT to request a replacement.

Do I have to renew in person every time, or can I renew by mail after the first time?

You must renew in person every time in Arizona. There is no mail-in or online renewal option, regardless of how many times you have renewed before. You will need to visit an ADOT office each time your license is about to expire.

If I turn 65 before my license expires, does my license become invalid?

No. Your current license remains valid until the expiration date printed on it. When you renew after turning 65, your new license will be valid for 5 years instead of 12. The change takes effect only at your next renewal, not on your birthday.

Can I renew my Arizona license if I have moved out of state?

No. Arizona requires you to be a resident to hold an Arizona driver's license. If you move out of state, you must obtain a license from your new state. You cannot renew an Arizona license remotely or while living elsewhere. Contact your new state's DMV to begin the process of obtaining a license there.