, teens can apply for a graduated instruction permit—or a learner’s permit—at the age of 15 years and six months as the first step toward getting an

Arizona driver’s license

. But you’ll need to take your permit test, complete your application, and provide all the necessary documents before you hit the road.

There’s nothing more exciting for teens than getting their first driver’s license. But before you take your road test, you’ll have to get through the first step of earning a learner’s permit.

Not sure where to begin? In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about getting your Arizona graduated instruction permit, along with the regulations that young drivers will need to abide by first before embarking on your full driver’s license.

How to get an Arizona learner’s permit

You’re eligible to apply for a learner's permit or graduated instruction permit (as referred to in Arizona) at the

Arizona driving age

of 15 and six months old. But before you head down to your local Arizona Motor Vehicle Division office (MVD), you’ll need to prepare for the written test—which can be taken from the comfort of your own home!

That’s right,

Permit Test @ Home

allows parents or legal guardians to administer this free permit test at home. But parents or legal guardians must create a personalized account on

AZ MVD NOW

. All you need to do is verify your identity, complete your teen’s information, pay the $7 application fee, and supervise the test at home for your teen driver.

Please note that participating

Arizona Professional Driving School

trainers are also available to administer the permit test on behalf of parents or legal guardians. Your teen driver should study the

Arizona Driver Manual

and take full advantage of

online practice tests

before taking the Permit Test @ Home.

After your teen driver passes the permit test, schedule an MVD office appointment through your AZ MVD NOW account. Or you can even schedule an appointment with an

Authorized Third Party Driver License Provider

in Arizona if that is more convenient for you. Once you’ve scheduled your teen driver’s appointment, they will be ready to apply for an instruction permit!

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What to bring to Arizona MVD

Now that you’ve scheduled an appointment with your local Arizona MVD office, you’re ready to apply for a learner’s permit. Before you leave, make sure to download and complete the

Travel License/Identification Application

with a parent or guardian's signature.

Along with your completed application, you’ll need to gather all your

supporting documents

to verify your identity and residency to apply for a graduated instruction permit:

Proof of identity (e.g. birth certificate or unexpired U.S. passport)

Proof of Social Security number (e.g. a Social Security card)

Two proofs of residency

For your two proofs of residency, you’ll need to bring two documents mailed from a business, organization, or government agency with the applicant’s name and physical residential address. You’ll also need to take a vision test and pass with 20/40 vision or better to ensure that you meet Arizona’s vision requirements for safe driving.

If you haven’t already taken the Permit Test @ Home, you’ll need to do so to complete your application. The permit test in Arizona consists of 30 questions and you’ll need to get at least 24 questions correct or 80% to pass and receive your learner’s permit. You’ll also need to pay your $7 application fee at this time—the Arizona MVD accepts credit cards, debit cards, cash, checks, and money orders.

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Arizona learner’s permit regulations

Congratulations—you’ve finally got your learner’s permit in hand! Of course, there are certain restrictions you’ll need to follow for the first six months.

In Arizona, teens with a learner’s permit must have a licensed adult 21 years or older in the front passenger seat at all times. You’re also forbidden from using

any wireless communications device

, except for emergencies in which stopping the vehicle is impossible.

When you’re ready to move on from your instruction permit to your graduated driver’s license, you must be at least 16 years old and have held your Arizona class G permit for at least six months. You’ll also need to complete the following before your road test:

At least 30 hours of supervised driving practice, including 10 hours at night

Or, at least 20 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least six hours at night if the applicant completed an Arizona MVD-approved driver education program

You can skip the road test if you’ve completed a High School Driver Education or Authorized Third Party Driver License Driver Education Program. Just make sure you provide proof of completion within twelve months of the issuance.

After you’ve completed your supervised driving practice, schedule your road test and soon enough you’ll receive your graduated driver’s license! But you’ll still need to follow certain restrictions for the first six months, including:

No driving between the hours of 12 am and 5 am unless you’re accompanied by a licensed adult 21 years old or older, or if you’re driving to and from work, school (or school-sponsored event), religious event, or family emergency

No driving on public highways with more than one passenger under the age of 18—unless they are your siblings

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