What an Arizona driver license looks like and what information it holds

An Arizona driver license is a wallet-sized card with your photo on the front and a magnetic stripe on the back. The front side displays your name, date of birth, address, and a color-coded category showing what vehicles you're allowed to drive. The back side contains a barcode and magnetic stripe that stores the same information in machine-readable form.

The card itself is either vertical or horizontal depending on when it was issued. Vertical licenses are standard for most drivers, while horizontal licenses are issued to people under 21 and have a distinctive red or blue stripe to make the age restriction when ready visible to law enforcement and businesses checking ID.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Arizona driver license number is an eight-digit code printed in the upper right corner that uniquely identifies you in the state's motor vehicle system.
  • The class letter (A, B, C, D, or M) printed on the front tells you what type of vehicle you are legally allowed to operate.
  • Restrictions and endorsements appear as letter codes on the front and back of the card and limit or expand what you can drive.
  • The expiration date printed on the front determines when you must renew your license to keep it valid.
  • Vertical licenses are standard for drivers 21 and older, while horizontal licenses with a red or blue stripe are issued to drivers under 21.

The eight-digit driver license number and how it's assigned

Your Arizona driver license number appears in the upper right corner of the front of the card and is an eight-digit code. This number is unique to you and is how the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) tracks your driving record, violations, and license status in their system.

The number is not based on your Social Security number or any other personal identifier — it is generated randomly by ADOT's database when your license is first issued. If you renew your license, your number stays the same. If your license is suspended or revoked and you later get a new one, you receive a new number.

Vehicle class codes and what you're allowed to drive

The class letter on your Arizona license determines which vehicles you can legally operate. Class C is the standard passenger vehicle license and allows you to drive cars, pickup trucks, and vans. Class A allows you to drive any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) over 26,001 pounds, plus any combination of vehicles. Class B allows you to drive a single vehicle over 26,001 pounds GVWR but not combinations. Class D is for drivers who are medically unable to operate a standard vehicle and have been issued a restricted license. Class M is for motorcycles only.

Your class is printed on the front of the card in large letters. If you want to drive a vehicle outside your class — for example, a commercial truck if you only have a Class C license — you must take the written and skills tests for that class and pay the associated fee to ADOT.

Restrictions and endorsements that modify what you can drive

Restrictions are letter codes printed on the front and back of your license that limit what you can do with your license. A restriction code of "B" means you must wear corrective lenses while driving. A code of "D" means you cannot drive at night. A code of "E" means you cannot drive on freeways. These restrictions are set based on your medical history, age, or the results of your driving test.

Endorsements are different from restrictions — they expand what you're allowed to drive. An endorsement code of "H" means you are licensed to drive a vehicle with air brakes. An endorsement of "N" means you can tow a trailer. An endorsement of "T" means you can drive a school bus. Endorsements require additional testing and training beyond the standard license exam.

The expiration date and renewal timeline

Your Arizona driver license expiration date is printed on the front of the card. Standard licenses expire on your birthday in the year listed. For most drivers, this is every 12 years from the date of issue. Drivers over 70 years old must renew every five years. Drivers between 65 and 70 must renew every 10 years.

You can renew your license up to six months before it expires. ADOT sends renewal notices by mail about 45 days before your expiration date, but you do not have to wait for the notice to start the renewal process. If your license expires, you cannot legally drive until you renew it, even if you are only one day past the expiration date.

The difference between vertical and horizontal licenses

Vertical licenses are the standard format and are issued to drivers 21 and older. Horizontal licenses are issued to drivers under 21 and have a red or blue stripe running across the card to make the age restriction when ready obvious. The horizontal format and colored stripe serve as a visual alert to law enforcement and businesses that the cardholder is underage.

When you turn 21, you do not automatically receive a new vertical license. Your horizontal license remains valid until its expiration date. You can request a replacement vertical license from ADOT if you want one before your renewal date, though there is a fee for the replacement card.

The barcode and magnetic stripe on the back

The back of your Arizona driver license contains a barcode and a magnetic stripe that store the same information printed on the front — your name, license number, date of birth, address, class, restrictions, and endorsements. When a police officer or business scans your license with a reader, they are reading this encoded information from the back of the card.

The barcode is a two-dimensional code that can be read by a smartphone camera or a dedicated barcode scanner. The magnetic stripe requires a card reader device. Both formats contain identical data, so either one can be used to verify your identity and driving status. The information on the back is encrypted and cannot be read by the human eye.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean if my license has a red or blue stripe?

A red or blue stripe means you are under 21 years old. The stripe makes your age restriction visible at a glance. Once you turn 21, the stripe is no longer required, but your license remains valid until its expiration date. You can request a new vertical license without the stripe if you want one.

Can I drive a commercial truck with a Class C license?

No. A Class C license only allows you to drive passenger vehicles. To drive a commercial truck, you need a Class A or Class B license, which requires passing additional written and skills tests. You must contact ADOT to schedule these tests and pay the associated fees.

What happens if I drive with a restriction code I don't follow?

Driving in violation of a restriction — for example, driving at night when your restriction code says you cannot — is a separate traffic violation. You can be cited and fined even if your license itself is valid. The violation will be added to your driving record.

How do I know if my license is about to expire?

The expiration date is printed on the front of your license. ADOT also mails a renewal notice about 45 days before your license expires. You can check your license status online through the ADOT website by entering your license number and date of birth.

What is the difference between an endorsement and a restriction?

A restriction limits what you can do with your license, such as requiring corrective lenses or prohibiting night driving. An endorsement expands what you can do, such as allowing you to tow a trailer or drive a school bus. Endorsements require additional testing beyond the standard license exam.