What you need to bring and where to go
To get an Arizona driver's license, you visit an Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) office in person, bring proof of identity and residency, pass a written test and a driving test, and pay a fee. The whole process takes several visits spread over weeks — you cannot walk in and leave with a license the same day. Most people start at an ADOT office, though some steps can happen at a third-party testing site.
Arizona has about 20 ADOT offices across the state. You can find the one nearest you and check its hours on the ADOT website. Some offices are busier than others; calling ahead or arriving early can shorten your wait. Third-party testing sites (private driving schools and some DMV-style offices) can administer the driving test, but you still need to visit an ADOT office for the written test and to receive your license.
Key Takeaways
- You must bring an original or certified birth certificate, a Social Security card or tax document, and proof you live in Arizona — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement all work.
- The written test covers road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices; you can study using the official Arizona Driver License Manual available free online.
- You must pass the written test before you can schedule a driving test, and you must pass the driving test before ADOT issues your license.
- The license fee is $25 for a five-year license or $45 for a ten-year license; you pay at the ADOT office when you pass all tests.
Documents you must bring to your first ADOT visit
Bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate. A photocopy is not enough. If you were born outside the United States, bring your passport or permanent resident card instead. You also need a Social Security card, or if you do not have one, a W-2 form, 1099 form, or tax return showing your Social Security number.
Bring proof that you live in Arizona. A current utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and Arizona address all work. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. If you live with someone else and the bill is in their name, bring a signed letter from them saying you live there, plus the utility bill.
Bring your current out-of-state driver's license if you have one. If you do not have one, bring a second form of ID — a passport, military ID, or tribal ID. ADOT will keep your out-of-state license if you surrender it; ask whether you want it back before you hand it over.
The written test: what it covers and how to study
The written test has 40 multiple-choice questions. You must answer at least 32 correctly to pass. The test covers road signs and what they mean, right-of-way rules, speed limits, parking rules, safe driving practices, and what to do if you are pulled over. You have one hour to finish.
Study using the official Arizona Driver License Manual, which ADOT publishes free online. Read it cover to cover; it is about 50 pages and covers everything the test asks. Some people also use practice tests online, though ADOT does not publish an official practice version. The manual is the most reliable source.
You can take the written test in English or Spanish. If English is not your first language, you can request an interpreter at no extra cost when you schedule your test, though availability varies by location. You cannot bring notes, a phone, or anyone to help you during the test.
Scheduling and taking the driving test
After you pass the written test, ADOT staff will give you a temporary permit that lets you practice driving. You can take the driving test at an ADOT office or at a third-party testing site. Third-party sites often have shorter wait times, but you pay them directly — usually $15 to $25 on top of the license fee you pay ADOT.
You must bring a vehicle that is registered, insured, and in safe working condition. The vehicle must have working brakes, lights, windshield wipers, and mirrors. You can borrow someone else's car as long as it meets these requirements. Bring proof of insurance and registration.
The driving test lasts about 15 to 20 minutes. You will drive on local streets and demonstrate that you can start, stop, turn, park, and follow traffic laws. The examiner will ask you to do specific things — "turn left at the next light" or "parallel park" — and will watch how you handle the vehicle and whether you follow road signs and signals. You pass or fail on the spot.
Timeline and costs
The whole process usually takes four to eight weeks from your first visit to receiving your license in the mail. Here is the typical order: you visit ADOT, pass the written test (same day or after studying and returning), schedule a driving test (usually one to three weeks later), take the driving test, and then ADOT mails your license to you within one to two weeks.
The license fee is $25 for a five-year license or $45 for a ten-year license. You pay this at the ADOT office after you pass the driving test. If you use a third-party testing site for the driving test, you pay that site separately. There is no fee to take the written or driving tests themselves.
If you fail the written test, you can retake it the same day or come back another day at no extra cost. If you fail the driving test, you must wait at least one day before retaking it, and you pay the third-party site again if you use one (though ADOT does not charge you again).
If you already have a valid out-of-state license
If you hold a current driver's license from another state, you do not have to take the written test. You still must take the driving test and pass it. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of Arizona residency, and a vehicle that meets the safety requirements. The process is faster — usually two to four weeks from your first visit to receiving your Arizona license.
Your out-of-state license remains valid in Arizona until it expires, so you do not need to rush. However, once you become an Arizona resident, Arizona law requires you to get an Arizona license within 30 days. If you are stopped by police and cannot show an Arizona license after 30 days of residency, you may be cited.
What happens after you pass the driving test
ADOT will mail your physical license to the address you provided at your first visit. The mailing usually takes one to two weeks. You will receive a temporary paper license at the ADOT office that you can use to drive while you wait for the physical license to arrive.
Your Arizona license is valid for five or ten years depending on which you chose. You can renew it by mail, online, or in person before it expires. ADOT will send you a renewal notice about 45 days before your license expires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the written test online or by mail?
No. You must take the written test in person at an ADOT office or approved testing location. You cannot do it remotely. However, you can study the Arizona Driver License Manual online for free before you go.
What if I fail the driving test twice?
You can retake it as many times as you need. Wait at least one day between attempts. If you use a third-party testing site, you pay their fee each time. Many people find a driving instructor helpful after a failure; instructors know what examiners look for and can point out specific mistakes.
Do I need a Social Security number to get an Arizona license?
You need to provide one, but if you do not have a Social Security card, you can show a W-2, 1099, or tax return instead. If you have no Social Security number at all, contact ADOT directly to ask about alternatives.
Can someone else pick up my license for me?
No. You must pick it up in person at an ADOT office. Bring your temporary paper license and ID. If you moved after you applied, contact ADOT to update your mailing address before your license is sent.
What if I move before my license arrives?
Contact ADOT as soon as possible with your new address. If your license was already mailed to your old address, ADOT may be able to intercept it or reissue it to your new address. Call the ADOT office where you took your test or visit the ADOT website to update your address online.