Arizona driver licenses expire on your birthday, five years after you turn 16

Your Arizona driver license has an expiration date printed on the front. For most people, that date is your birthday, five years after the license was issued. If you were 16 when you got your license, it expires on your 21st birthday. If you were 18, it expires on your 23rd birthday. The expiration date is always printed clearly on the card itself.

You can renew your license up to one year before it expires, or up to six months after it expires. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) handles all driver license renewals. You do not have to wait until your birthday to renew — you can do it whenever is convenient within that window.

If your license has already expired, you can still renew it. Arizona does not charge a penalty for renewing after the expiration date, but you should not drive with an expired license. Once it expires, it is no longer valid for identification or driving purposes.

Key Takeaways

  • Arizona driver licenses expire on your birthday, five years after the license was issued to you.
  • You can renew your license starting one year before the expiration date or up to six months after it expires.
  • ADOT processes renewals in person at any driver license office, by mail, or online through the ADOT website.
  • A standard renewal costs $25 and takes about 10 business days by mail or one to two weeks online.
  • If you need to drive before your renewal arrives, you can request a temporary paper permit at the time of renewal.

Renewing in person at an ADOT office

The fastest way to renew is to visit an ADOT driver license office in person. You will walk out with a temporary paper permit that day, valid for 30 days while your permanent card is mailed to you. The permanent card usually arrives within one to two weeks.

Bring your current license, proof of Arizona residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and payment of $25. If your address has changed, bring proof of your new address. You do not need an appointment at most offices, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Check the ADOT website for your nearest office and current wait times before you go.

If you are renewing before your current license expires, the process is straightforward. If your license has already expired, you may be asked additional questions, but you can still renew the same day. Bring the same documents either way.

Renewing by mail

You can renew by mail if your license is not expired and you have not had any violations or address changes since your last renewal. ADOT mails renewal forms to your address on file about 60 days before your expiration date. If you receive one, you can fill it out and mail it back with a check or money order for $25.

Processing takes about 10 business days after ADOT receives your form. Your new license will be mailed to the address on your process. If you do not receive a renewal form in the mail, you can request one by calling ADOT at 602-255-0072 or visiting the ADOT website.

Mail renewal is the slowest option and only works if your license is not yet expired. If you need to drive before the new license arrives, you cannot get a temporary permit through the mail process — you must renew in person or online.

Renewing online through the ADOT website

Arizona allows online renewal for most people. You can renew on the ADOT website if your license is not expired, you have no violations, and your address has not changed. The process takes about 15 minutes and costs $25.

After you complete the online renewal, ADOT mails your new license to your address on file. It usually arrives within one to two weeks. You will receive a confirmation number by email when ready after you submit. You can use that confirmation number to track your renewal status on the ADOT website.

Online renewal does not give you a temporary permit on the spot like in-person renewal does. If you need to drive before your new license arrives, you will need to go to an ADOT office in person to get a temporary paper permit.

What to do if your license is already expired

If your license expired more than six months ago, you cannot renew it — you must explore for a new license instead. This requires taking the written test and vision test again, and it costs more than a renewal. You can avoid this by renewing within six months after your expiration date.

If your license expired less than six months ago, you can still renew it using any of the three methods above. Bring the same documents you would for a regular renewal. There is no penalty fee for renewing after the expiration date, but do not drive with an expired license in the meantime.

If you have lost your license or it was damaged, you can request a replacement at an ADOT office. A replacement costs $10 and is processed the same day if you go in person.

Temporary permits and driving while you wait

If you renew in person at an ADOT office, you will receive a temporary paper permit valid for 30 days. This permit allows you to drive legally while your permanent license is being mailed. Write your name and the date on the permit and carry it with your old license when you drive.

If you renew by mail or online, you do not receive a temporary permit. Your old license remains valid until the expiration date printed on it, even if you have already submitted a renewal. Once your old license expires, you cannot drive until your new license arrives — unless you go to an ADOT office in person to get a temporary permit.

If you need to drive when ready and your license is expired or about to expire, go to an ADOT office and renew in person. That is the only way to get a temporary permit that day.

ADOT office locations and contact information

ADOT operates driver license offices throughout Arizona. The main office is in Phoenix at 1801 West Jefferson Street, but there are branches in most cities and towns. You can find the office nearest you and check current wait times on the ADOT website at azdot.gov.

You can also call ADOT at 602-255-0072 with questions about your renewal. The phone line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Arizona time. If you are calling from outside Arizona, the number is 1-602-255-0072.

If you need to renew before an office opens or after it closes, the online renewal option is available 24 hours a day on the ADOT website. Mail renewal is also available anytime — you can mail your form whenever you are ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive if my license expired yesterday?

No. Once your license expires, it is no longer valid for driving. You should renew it before the expiration date. If it has already expired, go to an ADOT office in person to renew and get a temporary permit, or renew online and wait for your new license to arrive by mail.

What if I moved and my address changed since my last renewal?

You can still renew, but you must do it in person at an ADOT office or online. Bring proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). Mail renewal is not available if your address has changed.

How much does it cost to renew an Arizona driver license?

A standard renewal costs $25. If you need a replacement because your license was lost or damaged, it costs $10. If your license expired more than six months ago and you need to explore for a new one instead of renewing, the cost is higher — check the ADOT website for current pricing.

Can I renew my license before it expires?

Yes. You can renew starting one year before your expiration date. Many people renew early to avoid the rush near their birthday. Renewing early does not change your expiration date — your new license will still expire five years from when it was issued.

What if I lost my renewal form that came in the mail?

You can request a new form by calling ADOT at 602-255-0072, or you can renew online at the ADOT website instead. You do not need the original form — you can renew using any of the three methods without it.