Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need to file a police report if my license was lost or stolen?
- No, filing a police report is not required for lost drivers licenses or stolen drivers licenses by the AZ MVD. Even so, notifying local law enforcement is strongly encouraged to prevent identity fraud. In addition, the drivers license replacement fee will be waived if you can provide a police report to the MVD representative.
For more information: Replace a Lost, Stolen, or Mutilated Arizona Driver s License or ID Card
- How can I obtain a copy of the driver manual?
- The most popular way of getting a copy of the Arizona driver s manual is online. Visit the Arizona Department of Transportation website to download a PDF version, or view it as a weblink. To receive a physical copy of the book, visit a DOT office.
For more information: Arizona DMV Office Contact Information
- How can I renew my drivers license?
- To renew drivers licenses in Arizona, drivers must go in person. Arizona actually does not have an expiration date on any driver s license unless you are older than 65 therefore, drivers license renewal is a bit different than in other states. Every 12 years, a driver must visit an MVD office to take a new picture, and a new driver s license will be issued at that point in time. There is no option to renew drivers licenses online.
For more information: How to Renew a Driver s License in Arizona
- How do I apply for a drivers license?
- To get drivers licenses for the first time in Arizona, all applicants must first have a learners permit. New drivers less than 18 years of age are required to undergo a specific process, whereas drivers older than 18 have more freedom. After passing the vision and written test, new AZ drivers 18 and older are given a learner s permit. After completing 30 hours of driving time, 10 at night, then he or she may schedule a driving test and receive a fully privileged driving license.
For more information: How to Apply for a New Driver s License in Arizona
- How do I get a hardship license?
- In Arizona, the MVD will mail you information about how to get a hardship license only if you are eligible. If more than six months have passed without receiving hardship drivers license information, you are most likely not a candidate to get one. You must be convicted for a first-time DUI offense or refused to take a Breathalyzer.
To get a restricted license in Arizona, you must first pass a 90-day waiting period and have an ignition interlock device added to your vehicle. In addition, you will be asked to provide proof of SR-22 insurance. Visit an MVD office in person for more details.
For more information: Suspended License Information for Arizona
- How do I get a replacement license if I am in the military and stationed elsewhere?
- To order a military license replacement from Arizona MVD, you can use the replace driving license online option. Select the express delivery option which costs an additional $16.95 and you are given the option to send a duplicate driving license to an out-of-state address. Fortunately, this address is not printed on the AZ drivers license, and it does not change the permanent address on file with the MVD.
For more information: How to Handle a Change of Address in Arizona
- How do I obtain a duplicate license?
- The most popular way of ordering a duplicate drivers license is online. To take advantage of the online option, you have to have an AZ drivers license or ID card with a current digital photo on file. The second option is to go in person to an MVD office.
For more information: Replace a Lost, Stolen or Mutilated Arizona Driver s License or ID Card
- How do I reinstate after a revocation as a Habitual Traffic Offender?
- Arizona driving laws do not include any statutes against habitual traffic offenders. However, if you accumulate too many points on your driving record, you may receive excessive fines and a drivers license suspension.
For more information: Suspended License Information for Arizona
- How do I reinstate my suspended license?
- Suspended drivers license reinstatement has two pathways, depending on the reason for suspension. If you were convicted of drinking and driving, you must request an investigation packet. Once the investigation is completed, you may proceed with applying for reinstating suspended drivers license.
If your driving privileges were suspended or revoked for other reasons, then simply wait for the suspension period to complete before applying to reinstate revoked drivers license. All court fees and penalty fines must be paid, and a court clearance receipt or Court Abstract Form will be requested as proof. You can do so in person at an MVD office, or if you have a recent photo on file, you can submit your reinstatement request by mail or online.
For more information: Suspended License Information for Arizona
- How do I renew my license if I am in the military and stationed elsewhere?
- The Arizona Motor Vehicle Division understands the pressing importance of your out-of-state military service. For that reason, a military drivers license renewal is not required until you have returned to Arizona. Even when the expiration date has passed, your AZ driving license remains valid up to six months after your return to the state. Take note that you must also carry your military ID card to prove active duty service.
For more information: How to Renew a Driver s License in Arizona
- How do I replace my license if I am a non-U.S. citizen?
- So long as you have a valid AZ driver s license and an up-to-date photograph on file, you can use the MVD online system. If not, then you must go in person to a drivers license office. Bring two proofs of identification with you. The primary must be one of the two:
- Foreign passport with US Visa or Visa Waiver I-94W
- I-94 Form without passport (must have a photo)
The secondary form can be any official document that doesn t include date of birth, such as:
- W-2
- Social Security card
- Credit card
- Health insurance card
- School ID
For more information: Replace a Lost, Stolen, or Mutilated Arizona Driver s License or ID Card
- How do I replace my license if I lost it out of state?
- To order a duplicate drivers license when out of state, the Arizona MVD will send a temporary drivers license replacement card to an out-of-state address. Call 877-301-8093 and have ready the last four digits of your Social Security Number, date of birth and provide your full name. Once your identity if verified, a drivers license copy is mailed out the same day.
For more information: Replace a Lost, Stolen or Mutilated Arizona Driver s License or ID Card
- How does the DMV check my vision?
- The vision screening exam is a simple procedure at the Arizona DMV. If you wear corrective lenses or contact lenses for distance vision, be sure to wear them. A score of 20/40 in one eye must is required to get an unrestricted license, otherwise you will receive an “A†restriction which requires you to wear glasses or contact lenses at all times while driving.
For more information: How to Apply for a New Driver s License in Arizona
- How long will I have a suspended license for not taking a chemical test?
- Arizona is an Implied Consent state, which means that if you get behind the wheel of a vehicle, you give automatic consent for being asked to take a Breathalyzer test, or other type of substance-detecting test. If you refuse to take a chemical test, you must surrender your driver s license to the officer. In addition, he or she could request a drivers license suspension for up to 12 months.
For more information: Suspended License Information for Arizona
- How soon can I renew my driver’s license?
- The Arizona Department of Transportation allows drivers to renew drivers licenses any time before the expiration date. To do so, you must go in person to an MVD office. For drivers younger than 60, you are going to take a new photo every 12 years. For drivers 60 and older, then you are issued a drivers license valid for five years.
- If I file a police report, will my replacement fee be waived?
- Yes, by showing proof of a police report copy, the replace drivers license fee is waived. You will not be able to take advantage of the online method. Instead, make an appointment at your local MVD office to replace DMV drivers license documentation. Show the police report alongside the necessary documentation.
For more information: Replace a Lost, Stolen, or Mutilated Arizona Driver s License or ID Card
- Is there an age limit to renew your license?
- No, there is not an age limit for drivers license renewal in Arizona. Instead, drivers must get a new photo taken every 12 years. If your photo lands between your 60th and 65th birthdays, then you will receive a drivers license that is valid for five years. To renew expired drivers licenses, you will have to undergo a vision and writing test again, and possibly a roads test.
- What address will my replacement license be mailed to?
- The MVD will send a duplicate drivers license to the address on file. The one exception is if you choose the express mail delivery option, which asks you to provide an alternate address. This would be the option to choose if you lost drivers license while out of state or need it to go to another part of the state. Take note that you can change address on drivers license documentation before requesting a drivers license replacement.
For more information: How to Handle a Change of Address in Arizona
- What are requirements for seniors to renew a driving license?
- Once you reach the age of 60, your driver s license is valid for five years. Generally, an Arizona driver s license does not expire until age 65, and vision requirements and photos are updated every 12 years. Once your driving license is reverted to a five-year one, then you may renew drivers license in person at a motor vehicle office.
For more information: Senior Drivers in Arizona
- What are some violations that may constitute in a suspended license?
- Arizona drivers can receive drivers license suspensions for a number of reasons. Drivers can receive a suspended drivers licenses due to the following:
- DUI convictions
- Reckless driving
- Driving felonies
- Too many points on your driving record
- Driving without the minimum car insurance
Contact your local DMV office for more information on reinstating suspended drivers licenses.
For more information: Suspended License Information for Arizona
- What are the consequences of driving with a suspended license?
- If caught driving with a suspended drivers license in Arizona, your vehicle will be impounded up to 30 days. To get your vehicle out, you will need to wait for the number of days to pass. Take note that subsequent citations for driving on a suspended or revoked drivers license could incur a longer suspension time and penalty fees.
For more information: Suspended License Information for Arizona
- What are the fees for a duplicate drivers license?
- The cost to replace DMV drivers licenses in Arizona is $12. The AZ MVD accepts cash, checks, traveler s checks and money orders at all locations. Call your specific MVD office in advance to find out if credit or debit cards are accepted. When ordering a driving license duplicate online, major credit and debit cards are accepted.
For more information: Replace a Lost, Stolen, or Mutilated Arizona Driver s License or ID Card
- What are the reinstatement fees I will have to pay for a suspended license?
- There is a $10 reinstatement fee, and then an application fee which varies depending on age:
- Age 50 and older: $10
- Ages 45-49: $15
- Ages 40-44: $20
- Age 39 and younger: $25
For more information: Suspended License Information for Arizona
- What are the suspensions eligible for a hardship license?
- If you have a suspended driving license, you may be eligible for a hardship license. In Arizona, you fit the necessary requirements for a hardship license only if caught driving under the influence. It must be your first DUI within five years, the incident must not have caused physical injury, and you were protected by valid auto insurance at the time.
For more information: Suspended License Information for Arizona
- What do I need to do to get my driver’s license if I fail the driving test?
- The drivers exam is the last step to getting an Arizona driver s license. Even when driving the required 30 hours and practicing for months, failing the exam is a possibility. Fortunately, the Arizona DMV allows new drivers to retake the driving test as many times as it takes. The one stipulation is that you must wait seven days to retake the test from the day you failed the last one.
For more information: How to Apply for a New Driver s License in Arizona
- What documents do I need to get my drivers license?
- When completing a drivers license application, bring the following documents:
- Instructional learning permit
- Parental consent form (if younger than 18)
If you are a new resident to Arizona and getting drivers license for the first time, so long as you have a valid license, you simply have to bring in the following items:
- Proof of identity
- Proof of residency
- Proof of presence
For more information: How to Apply for a New Driver s License in Arizona
- What documents do I need to present to renew my drivers license?
- To renew licenses in Arizona, drivers will actually be updating their photos on their drivers licenses. The only document needed is the current driver s license. Once a photo is taken, a renewed driving license is issued the same day.
For more information: How to Renew a Driver s License in Arizona
- What documents will I need to present to replace my drivers license?
- When requesting a drivers license replacement online, you need to provide the following information:
- Name
- Date of birth
- License number
- Last four digits of your Social Security Number
If you go in person to replace lost drivers license, bring in two proofs of identification a primary form of ID and a secondary form of ID (without a photo).
For more information: Replace a Lost, Stolen or Mutilated Arizona Driver s License or ID Card
- What languages is the written test available in?
- Unfortunately, the Arizona written test is available in English only. To accommodate non-English Arizona residents, the written test can be taken verbally. If reading English is difficult, then a moderator will read the questions and possible answers to you in English.
For more information: How to Apply for a New Driver s License in Arizona
- What penalties will I face if I do not renew my expired drivers license?
- Fortunately, Arizona drivers have a unique possibility of never having the risk of driving on an invalid drivers license. An AZ drivers license remains valid until the holder turn 65 years of age. Nonetheless, a photo must be updated every 12 years. If you are pulled over and the law enforcement officer deems your picture too outdated, you may be issued a warning or a citation.
For more information: How to Renew a Driver s License in Arizona
- What should I do if I have not received my renewed license?
- Fortunately, when updating your photo image with the AZ MVD in person, a new driver s license will be issued at that point in time. The same applies for seniors renewing drivers licenses in Arizona. The process for how to renew drivers licenses is simple: Visit the MVD in person, take a new photo, and receive an updated license to drive.
For more information: How to Renew a Driver s License in Arizona
- What tests will I need to take for my drivers license?
- There are three tests to take when applying for drivers licenses in Arizona:
- Vision test
- Written test
- DMV drivers test
For more information: Beginner Drivers in Arizona
- What type of noncommercial license will I need?
- Which CDL license you need depends on the type of vehicle you will be driving.
Class A CDL: Required to operate a vehicle with a gross combined weight rating (GWCR) of 26,001 or more pounds, and if a trailer weighing more than 10,001 pounds is attached.
Class B CDL: Used to operate any vehicles with a GWCR 26,001 or higher, and if a trailer is towed that weighs less than 10,000 pounds.
Class C CDL: A commercial vehicle with a GWCR fewer than 26,001, is used to transport hazardous materials or is a passenger vehicle holding 16 or more persons.
For more information: Arizona Commercial Driver s License (CDL) Application
- When can I reinstate my license after it has been suspended?
- To reinstate a suspended driving license in Arizona, the suspension period must first pass. At this point in time, you may request an investigation packet if your driving privileges were taken away for driving under the influence. This will determine if you met all the necessary requirements, such as a drug and alcohol course. Otherwise, reinstating suspended drivers licenses becomes dependent on paying all court- and penalty-related fees. You will need to show a court clearance receipt or Court Abstract Form in person at an MVD office. If you have a recent photo on file, you can submit your reinstatement request by mail or online.
For more information: Suspended License Information for Arizona
- When will I need to renew my license?
- In Arizona, the process of renewing drivers licenses is unusual. Once issued, a driver license does not expire until the holders 65th birthday, which means there is not an issue of driving with an expired drivers license. Instead, you are responsible for going to an MVD office every 12 years to update your photo. You will not receive a notice in the mail, yet you are responsible for updating your image.
If you get a new photo taken between 60 and 65 years of age, then your driving license is valid every five years.
- When will I receive a replacement license after applying?
- When ordering a replacement license online, expect to receive it within the next four weeks. The MVD takes pains to mail it out as soon as possible. Yet, if you need a duplicate drivers license immediately, visiting a drivers license office in person is your best choice. Upon providing the necessary proofs of identity, a drivers license copy is issued the same day.
For more information: Replace a Lost, Stolen, or Mutilated Arizona Driver s License or ID Card
- Where can I check to see if my license is suspended?
- To check the status of your driving privileges, order a copy of your driving record. An uncertified copy can be purchased online, and will show your driving history for the past 39 months. Included in the driving history report will be your name, drivers license number, past tickets and convictions, and the status of your drivers license.
For more information: Suspended License Information for Arizona
- Where can I get a new drivers license?
- The sole destination to receive a new license to drive in AZ is a Department of Motor Vehicles office. At no point in time can drivers get a drivers permit online or a drivers license online. Once an Arizona driving license is issued in your name, then you may renew, replace or change information online or by mail.
For more information: Arizona DMV Office Contact Information
- Will I be required to take a vision test for a drivers license renewal?
- Yes, when you are 60 years of age and older, you are required to take a vision test. For that reason, the option to renew drivers licenses online is not available in Arizona. In addition, you might be asked to take the written drivers test.
- Will I get a drivers license renewal notice in the mail?
- Yes, you will receive a renewal notice in the mail when it comes time to renew drivers licenses or update your photo picture. If you are younger than 65, you are responsible for going to the MVD in person to take a new photo image. A citation could be issued if you are pulled over and your photo is older than 12 years. For seniors renewing drivers licenses in Arizona, you are also responsible for visiting the MVD in person every five years.
For more information: How to Renew a Driver s License in Arizona