What you need to do to get an Arizona driver's license

To get a driver's license in Arizona, you will visit an Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) office in person, pass a written test and a driving test, and pay a fee. The process takes at least two visits — one for the written test and one for the driving test — and you cannot take the driving test on the same day as the written test. Most people complete both tests within a few weeks if they schedule appointments ahead of time.

Arizona issues licenses to people 16 and older. If you are under 18, the rules are stricter: you must hold a learner's permit for at least six months, have a supervising driver in the car during practice, and complete a driver education course. If you are 18 or older, you can skip the learner's permit stage and go straight to the written and driving tests.

Key Takeaways

  • You must visit an ADOT office twice — once to pass the written test and once to pass the driving test — and you cannot do both on the same day.
  • Bring your Social Security number, proof of Arizona residency (like a utility bill or lease), and proof of identity (like a passport or birth certificate) to your first appointment.
  • If you are under 18, you must hold a learner's permit for at least six months and complete a driver education course before you can take the driving test.
  • The written test covers Arizona traffic laws and safe driving practices; the driving test is conducted by an ADOT examiner in your own vehicle or a rental.
  • Fees vary based on your age and license type, but a standard five-year license costs between $25 and $40.

Documents you need to bring to ADOT

Bring three categories of documents to your first ADOT appointment: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Arizona residency. You do not need all of these in original form — copies are usually accepted — but ADOT staff will tell you on the phone which documents they prefer.

For proof of identity, bring a passport, birth certificate, tribal ID, or military ID. For proof of Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, or a tax return. For proof of residency, bring a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days and showing your current Arizona address. If you do not have a utility bill or lease in your name, bring two documents that together show your address — for example, a bank statement and a piece of mail from your employer.

If you are under 18, bring one additional document: a signed consent form from a parent or guardian. ADOT has this form on its website, or you can ask for one when you call to schedule your appointment.

Scheduling your written test appointment

Call ADOT's licensing office at 602-255-0072 or visit the ADOT website to schedule your written test appointment. You can also walk in to any ADOT office without an appointment, but wait times are often two to four hours. Scheduling ahead is faster and more reliable.

When you call or book online, you will choose a date, time, and ADOT office location. Arizona has ADOT offices in Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Chandler, Tempe, Glendale, Peoria, Flagstaff, and several other cities. The website shows which offices have same-week or next-week appointments available. Bring all your documents to this appointment.

At your appointment, you will take the written test on a computer. The test has 40 questions about Arizona traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving. You must answer at least 32 questions correctly to pass. If you fail, you can retake the test the same day or schedule another appointment. Most people pass on their first or second attempt.

Preparing for and taking the written test

ADOT publishes a free study guide called the Arizona Driver License Manual on its website. The manual covers everything on the written test: speed limits, right-of-way rules, parking laws, what different road signs mean, and how to handle emergencies. Read through the manual at least once before your appointment. Many people also study the manual on their phone using the ADOT app, which has practice questions.

The written test is given in English, Spanish, or several other languages. When you schedule your appointment, tell ADOT which language you need. The test is multiple-choice and you take it on a computer at the ADOT office. You have no time limit, though most people finish in 20 to 30 minutes.

If you pass the written test, ADOT will give you a temporary paper license that is valid for 30 days. You will use this to practice driving before your road test. If you fail, you can retake it when ready or come back another day.

Scheduling and passing the driving test

After you pass the written test, schedule your driving test appointment by calling ADOT or using the website. You must wait at least one day after passing the written test before you can take the driving test. Most ADOT offices have driving test appointments available within one to three weeks.

For your driving test, bring your temporary paper license, proof of insurance for the vehicle you will drive, and the vehicle itself. You can use your own car, a family member's car, or a rental car. The vehicle must be registered, insured, and in safe working condition — the examiner will check the brakes, lights, windshield wipers, and mirrors before the test begins. If anything is broken or missing, the test will be rescheduled.

The driving test lasts about 20 to 30 minutes. The examiner sits in the passenger seat and directs you through a route that includes city streets, turns, parking, and sometimes highway driving. You will be tested on your ability to follow traffic laws, control the vehicle, and respond to other drivers and pedestrians. Common reasons people fail include rolling through stop signs, not checking mirrors, improper lane changes, and hitting the curb while parking.

If you pass, ADOT will issue your driver's license on the spot or mail it to you within one to two weeks, depending on the office. If you fail, you can retake the test after waiting at least one day. Most people pass within two attempts.

License fees and how long your license lasts

Arizona driver's license fees depend on your age and the type of license you want. A standard five-year license for someone 18 or older costs between $25 and $40. A ten-year license costs more. If you are under 18, your license is valid until your 18th birthday and costs less. ADOT accepts cash, debit cards, and credit cards.

Your physical license card arrives in the mail within one to two weeks of passing your driving test. The temporary paper license ADOT gives you after the written test is valid for 30 days, so you can drive legally during that time if you have a supervising driver (if you are under 18) or on your own (if you are 18 or older).

Special rules if you are under 18

If you are under 18, you must follow additional steps before you can get a full driver's license. First, you must obtain a learner's permit by passing the written test at ADOT. Second, you must hold that permit for at least six months. Third, during those six months, you must complete a driver education course — either in-person at a high school or driving school, or online through an approved provider. Fourth, you must practice driving with a supervising driver who is at least 18 years old and holds a valid license.

After six months with your learner's permit and after completing driver education, you can schedule your driving test. When you take the driving test, a parent or guardian must be present in the vehicle, though they sit in the back seat and do not participate in the test.

What to do if you already have a license from another state

If you have a valid driver's license from another state and you move to Arizona, you do not need to take the written or driving tests. Instead, you can exchange your out-of-state license for an Arizona license by visiting an ADOT office with your out-of-state license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. The exchange takes about 15 minutes and costs the same as a new license. Your new Arizona license will arrive in the mail within one to two weeks.

If your out-of-state license has expired, you will need to take the written test and driving test as if you were a new driver. Bring the same documents you would bring for a new license process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the written test and driving test on the same day?

No. Arizona requires at least one day between the written test and the driving test. You must pass the written test first, then schedule the driving test for a later date. This gives you time to practice driving with your temporary permit.

What happens if I fail the driving test?

You can retake the driving test after waiting at least one day. There is no limit to how many times you can retake it, and each attempt costs the same fee. Most people pass within two or three attempts. You keep your temporary paper license while you practice and retake the test.

Do I need to take a driver education course if I am 18 or older?

No. Driver education is required only for people under 18. If you are 18 or older, you can take the written and driving tests without completing a course, though studying the Arizona Driver License Manual is strongly recommended.

Can I use a rental car for the driving test?

Yes. The vehicle must be registered, insured, and in safe working condition, but it does not have to be your own car. Make sure the rental company allows you to use the car for a driving test, and bring proof of insurance.

How long does the whole process take from start to finish?

If you are 18 or older and schedule appointments ahead of time, you can complete the written test and driving test within two to four weeks. If you are under 18, you must hold a learner's permit for at least six months before taking the driving test, so the total time is at least six months plus a few weeks.