To get an AZ driver’s license, you must meet identification requirements, pay a fee, and pass a written and/or road test at your local ADOT MVD office.

Written by Andrea Barrett

Edited by R.E. Fulton

Updated on Sep 12, 2023

Table of Contents

How to get an Arizona driver’s license
Arizona driver’s license documentation and fees
Requirements for teen drivers in Arizona
Requirements for out-of-state drivers
How to replace or renew your Arizona driver’s license

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To get an

Arizona

driver’s license, you must submit proof of identity, pay $10 to $25 in fees, and pass written and/or road exams at your local MVD office.

Arizona license applicants must submit an application form along with proof of identity, age, residency, and $10 to $25 in driver’s fees (depending on age) to the Arizona MVD.
Young drivers below the age of 18 can apply for an Arizona learner’s permit at the age of 15 ½, then a restricted Class G license.
Out-of-state drivers must pay an additional $5 out-of-state screening fee to transfer their out-of-state license to Arizona.

How to get an Arizona driver’s license

Before we get into the process to get an AZ driver’s license, here’s a breakdown of the types of driver’s licenses offered in The Grand Canyon State:

Instruction Permit: Teens 15 ½ years to 18 can apply for a first-time instruction permit. You are required to drive with a licensed driver over 21 years old. This permit must be held for at least six months.

Graduated Driver License: A Class G license is for drivers 16 to 18. It is similar to a full driver’s license but has some restrictions.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

: You can get a Class A, B, or C license to operate heavy commercial vehicles. Which class of commercial license you need depends on the weight of the vehicle.

Operator License: A class D driver’s license lets you drive any non-motorcycle and non-commercial vehicle. You must be at least 18 years old to apply for this license.

Motorcycle License

: A Class M license lets you operate motorcycles. All applicants must be at least 18.

Arizona REAL ID

: If you don’t have a valid US passport, you can use your REAL ID-compliant Arizona driver’s license (also called an Arizona travel ID) for domestic travel or any Transportation Security Agency (TSA) checkpoint.

Starting at the age of 15½

, teens can start the journey to getting their full Arizona driver’s license. If you’re a new driver between the ages of 15 ½ and 18, you’ll need to apply for an

Arizona learner’s permit

(or instruction permit) before you can get behind the wheel solo. If you’re between the ages of 16 and 18 and meet the state requirements, you can apply for a graduated license. Anyone over 18 can get a full Arizona driver’s license upfront.

After you fill out your application form online with

Arizona’s MVD

and take the required documents and fees to your local MVD office, you’ll take the following steps:

Get your driver’s license photo taken

Complete your written test (if over 18)

Complete your road test (if under 18 with a class G license)

The written test (for applicants over 18 years old)

Review the

Arizona Driving Manual

to prepare for the written knowledge test. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT also provides

practice tests

online.

The driving test (applicants with a Class G license 18 years or younger):

A state examiner will accompany you on your test, grading you on your:

Driving ability

Knowledge of road and traffic rules, and

Your ability to demonstrate

safe driving habits

Before you head for your road test, make sure your vehicle is in good working order, including the following:

Your vehicle has a working horn, functional front and rear lights, turn signals, steering wheel, and rear-view mirror

Functional headlights, windshield wipers, and seatbelts

Adequate level of fuel in the car

Clear windshield and back window

You’ll be expected to perform some or all of the following maneuvers:

Parallel parking

A three-point turn

Observe the right of way

Approach and intersection

Park on a hill

A quick stop from driving 20 miles per hour

Reversing 50 feet

Signaling, turning, passing

Remaining in your lane

Once you pass your test, you will be given a temporary driver’s license. Your official Class D license will be mailed to you within 15 days.

Arizona driver’s license documentation and fees

Before you head to an

Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD)

branch (it’s Arizona’s version of the DMV), you’ll need to gather the following documentation:

A completed

Driver License Application Form 40-5122

Your Arizona identification card

Proof of identity, age, and

Arizona residency

(Check out Arizona's DMV page for a full list of permitted documents)

Proof of Social Security Number

The license plate number of the vehicle you will use to take your road test

The

vehicle’s registration

and

proof of insurance

Instruction permit (if applicable)

Out-of-state license (if applicable)

You can also expect to pay the following Arizona driver’s license fees:

Ages 16-39: $25

Ages 40-44: $20

Ages 45-49: $15

Ages 50 and older: $10

Instruction permit: $7

Out-of-state driver’s license skill test: $15

Out-of-state vision test: $5

Requirements for teen drivers in Arizona

Young drivers

must go through Arizona’s graduated driver’s license program before applying for their full unrestricted Class D license at age 18. The GDL system in Arizona has two stages before getting your full license:

Stage 1: Arizona learner’s permit

You must be at least 15 years and six months old to get a

learner’s permit in Arizona

You’ll need to take a written test, vision test, and complete an

application

before submitting all required documents.

The permit test can be done at home under parental or guardian supervision.

Teens should study the Arizona Driving Manual before taking the test. Online practice tests are also available.

Learners permit restrictions: The state of Arizona requires a licensed driver of at least 21 years of age in the passenger seat at all times while a minor learns to drive with a learner’s permit.

Stage 2: Arizona restricted license

Learner permit drivers can get their restricted Class G license in Arizona once they turn 16 years old.

You’ll need to hold your Class G license for at least six months before applying for your full, unrestricted license.

A road test will be required if:

The applicant has completed at least 30 hours of supervised driving practice, with at least 10 hours at night.

The applicant has completed at least 20 hours of supervised practice with at least six hours of night practice if taking a driver’s education course offered by a certified driving school and approved by the Arizona Supreme Court.

A road test will not be required if:

The applicant has completed a high school driver’s education course or authorized third-party driver’s education course, with proof of completion within 12 months.

For the first six months of holding a Class G license, you cannot drive between the hours of 12 am and 5 am unless:

You are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian with a valid driver’s license in the front passenger seat.

You are driving to or from a school-sponsored activity, religious activity, employment, or a family emergency.

You can drive unsupervised with a Class G license until you are eligible to apply for your Class D license when you turn 18 so long as:

You have no outstanding extensions of your restricted driving period

You have no

suspension of your Arizona driving privileges

within the first six months, and

It is between the hours of 5 am and 12 am.

MORE:

Can I get car insurance with a restricted driver's license?

Requirements for out-of-state drivers

Out-of-state drivers (or a driver licensed in Canada, Germany, or Taiwan) must follow these steps to get an Arizona driver’s license:

Apply in person at your local

Arizona MVD branch office

Complete an Arizona driver’s license/ID card application

Form 40-5122

online or in person

Provide required documents (at least two, and one from the primary list) that verify your identity (birth certificate, US passport, etc.), date of birth, and Arizona residency

If you are a non-U.S. citizen: You must prove you are in the U.S. legally with a document such as a Permanent Resident Card or I-94 Form

Pass a vision test

Pay a $5 out-of-state screening fee

Pay a license fee depending on your age (between $10 and $25), either by cash, credit card, check, or money order

Receive your temporary license

Your permanent license will be mailed to you within 15 days

MORE:

Will my car insurance cover me out of state?

How to replace or renew your Arizona driver’s license

Once you have a full Arizona driver’s license, it will be valid for five years. Once it expires, you’ll need to renew it—and you can do so up to six months before its expiration date online or in person at any Arizona MVD location.

Renew your Arizona driver’s license

in person:

Visit your local MVD office or authorized third-party driver's license provider

Complete and submit

Form 40-5122

Pass a vision and driving test

Submit your current driver’s license as your primary documentation and one more secondary document (Social Security Card or a valid US passport)

Have a new photo taken

Pay the $10 licensing fee

Renew your driver’s license online:

AZMVDNow.gov

Click “Renew Now” in the My Credential box