How to Renew Your Driver's License in Arizona
You can renew your license either online or in person in Arizona. Renewal generally costs $10 and processing takes about 15 days.
Written by Shannon Fitzgerald
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
In
Arizona
, you can renew your driver’s license
either online or in person. Renewal fees are generally $10 for both Travel IDs and standard licenses. You’ll typically receive your new license in the mail within 15 to 30 days of renewal. While renewing your license can be a tedious task, it’s important to complete the process before your expiration date to prevent losing your privilege to drive altogether.
Luckily, Arizona has one of the longest initial renewal periods in the country. Aside from Travel IDs, which must be renewed every eight years, most standard licenses won’t need to be renewed until a driver turns 65 years of age, then every five years thereafter.
If it’s coming up on this Arizona milestone for you, or you’ve got a Travel ID that’s close to expiring, you’re in the right spot! Here
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comparison and broker app Jerry
guides you through everything you’ll need to do to renew your license in the Grand Canyon State and how to save on Arizona insurance costs.
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When to renew your driver’s license in Arizona
For an Arizona Travel ID license—or
REAL ID
—your expiration date is located to the right of your photo underneath your name and address. On a standard license, this date is in the top right corner, but it will simply be the date you turn 65. The
Arizona Department of Transportation
(ADOT) typically will not send you a reminder before this expiration date comes up—so keep an eye on that deadline to prevent missing your renewal. Failing to do so and consequently driving with an expired license can result in some hefty fines, and even possible jail time. How to renew your driver’s license in Arizona
In Arizona, you can only renew your license online or in person. However, you may request an extension of your license through the mail under specific circumstances.
Renew your license online
As of 2021, Arizona has implemented the means for most drivers to renew their licenses online.
In order to do so, just follow these steps:
- Sign in or activate your Arizona driver’s license account atAZMVDNow.gov—every license automatically has an account, just follow the activation steps as prompted
- Click “Renew Now” in the “My Credential” section in your account
- Follow the instructions to renew your license—you will need to pay the appropriate fee with a valid credit card
The cost to renew both the Travel ID and a standard license is $10.
While you can apply for a Travel ID through this website, you will need to visit an office in person to have your photo taken and submit identification documents.
It generally takes about 15 days to receive your new license in the mail.
Request a renewal extension by mail
Though you can’t renew your license in the mail in Arizona, you can request an extension via mail under certain circumstances.
They are as follows:
- You are an active military member or dependent and are stationed out of state
- You are going to be out of state for 30 days or more when your license is set to expire
If you are a military member or dependent, you will need to send copies of the front and back of your military ID and your most recent military earnings or leave documents to:
Motor Vehicle Division
4005 N. 51st Avenue
MD 510
Phoenix, AZ 85301
Once ADOT has your military status on file, you will no longer be required to update your license photo every 12 years.
If you are going to be out of state when your license expires, you will need to fill out an
Out-of-state Driver License Extension Application
and have the form notarized. You will then pay a $5 application fee via check or money order and send both application and payment to the address on the form.Renew your license in person
If you need to visit an office in person, you can schedule an appointment through
AZMVDNow.gov
or an Authorized Third Party driver’s license location. You will need to bring:
- A completedDriver License/Identification Card Application
- Your current driver’s license plus another identification document, such as:
- A U.S. passportA Social Security Card
- Residency documents—if you are upgrading to a Travel ID
- A $10 renewal payment via cash, check, or money order
- Note: a Travel ID will cost $25 initially
At the office, you can expect to take a vision test and a new photo for your license. You will receive a temporary printed license to use until your new license arrives in the mail within 30 days.
Keep in mind that if you are under 65 and have a standard license, you will need to renew your photo every 12 years. If you do not renew your photo within this time, your license will still be valid. However, you will be barred from certain services, like lost ID replacement, until you do.
How long does it take to renew an Arizona driver’s license?
If you renew your license online, you can generally expect to receive a new license in the mail within 15 days.
When you apply in person, your new license may take up to 30 days to arrive in the mail.
Temporary licenses only last 30 days—so if you’re nearing the deadline and your new license still hasn’t come in, you can contact ADOT’s driver’s license division at 800-251-5866.
How to save money on car insurance in Arizona
It’s just as important to stay on top of your license renewal deadlines as it is to maintain the right insurance coverage for your vehicle. While searching for the
best options
that meet state coverage requirements and your budget limits can seem daunting, Jerry
can make the process quick and straightforward. The app is free to use and instantly cross-analyzes custom quotes from over 50 top insurance companies to track down the lowest rates available for your coverage needs. As a
licensed broker
, Jerry can then help cancel your old policy for you and handle all the transition paperwork to get your savings started seamlessly. Even after switching to a cheaper plan, Jerry will continue to analyze quotes to ensure you are never overpaying your premium. The average user ends up saving $800 a year on car insurance so it’s definitely worth a look!
“It never occurred to me to look for more insurance quotes, but I’m so happy I sawJerry. After using the app, I am saving $2000+ a year through my new Progressive plan. It blew my mind!” —Jarod M.
"I’m earning
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Patricia W.
Reviewed on 5/28/2023
FAQs
Is there a grace period for Arizona driver’s license renewal?
Unfortunately, Arizona does NOT have a grace period for license renewal. Once your expiration date has passed, you will lose your driving privileges, so it’s crucial that you keep track of your renewal deadline.
Should you accidentally—or on purpose—attempt to drive with an expired license, you could be punished with some serious fines and even jail time!
Can I renew my Arizona driver’s license online?
As of 2021, most drivers can renew their license online in Arizona by using
AZMVDNow.gov
. If you’re upgrading to a Travel ID—or REAL ID—you will need to complete the process in person at your local DMV.
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