Arizona driver's licenses expire every 12 years for most adults

An Arizona driver's license issued to someone age 18 or older lasts 12 years from the date it is issued. Your expiration date appears on the front of your card in the bottom right corner. If you received your license on March 15, 2023, for example, it expires on March 15, 2035.

The 12-year term applies whether you have a standard license, a commercial driver's license (CDL), or a motorcycle endorsement. The only exception is if you are a commercial driver — those licenses expire every eight years instead, though the renewal process is the same.

Arizona does not send renewal reminders by mail or email, so you need to track your own expiration date. The easiest way is to look at the card itself or check the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) website by entering your driver's license number.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard Arizona driver's licenses expire 12 years after issue for adults age 18 and older.
  • Your expiration date is printed on the front of your license card in the bottom right corner.
  • You can renew your license up to one year before it expires, either online, by mail, or in person at an ADOT office.
  • Driving on an expired license is illegal in Arizona, even if you are only one day past the expiration date.
  • If your license has been expired for more than one year, you must retake the written test and vision test to renew it.

When to renew your Arizona license

You can renew your license anytime during the 12-month window before it expires. Many people renew in the month their license expires to avoid the rush, but there is no penalty for renewing earlier. If you renew one year before expiration, your new license will be valid for 12 years from that renewal date, not from your original expiration date.

You must renew before the expiration date on your card. Driving on an expired license is a traffic violation in Arizona, even if you expired yesterday. If you are caught driving with an expired license, you can be cited and fined.

If your license has already expired by more than one year, the renewal process changes. You will need to retake the written knowledge test and the vision test, in addition to paying the renewal fee. This is why it is important to renew before your license expires rather than waiting.

Three ways to renew your Arizona license

Online renewal is the fastest option if you are renewing a standard license (not a CDL or motorcycle license). You can renew online through the ADOT website if your license is not expired yet and you have not had any address changes since your last license was issued. The process takes about 10 minutes, and your new license will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days. You pay the renewal fee with a credit or debit card.

Mail renewal is available if you meet the same conditions as online renewal. You request a renewal form from ADOT, fill it out, and mail it back with a check or money order. This takes longer than online — expect 2 to 3 weeks for processing plus mail time in both directions.

In-person renewal at an ADOT office is required if your license is already expired, if you need to change your address, if you are renewing a CDL or motorcycle license, or if you prefer to do it face-to-face. You will need to bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your Arizona residency (such as a utility bill or lease). Processing usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, and you receive a temporary license to use while your permanent card is mailed to you.

What documents you need to bring

For any in-person renewal, bring your current Arizona driver's license. You will also need to prove your Social Security number — an original Social Security card, a W-2 form, or a 1099 form all work. If you do not have any of those, you can bring a document issued by a federal or state agency that shows your Social Security number.

You must also prove your Arizona residency with a document dated within the last 60 days. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement all count. A government-issued ID from another state does not count as proof of residency, even if it shows an Arizona address.

If you are renewing online or by mail and your address has not changed, you do not need to bring anything — you just need your license number and the information on your current card.

Renewal fees and payment

A standard driver's license renewal costs $25 in Arizona. A commercial driver's license renewal costs $50. These fees are set by state law and do not vary by location or renewal method.

If you renew online, you pay by credit card or debit card at the time you submit your process. If you renew by mail, you send a check or money order with your form. If you renew in person, you can pay with cash, check, debit card, or credit card at the ADOT office.

If your license has been expired for more than one year and you need to retake the tests, you will also pay a test fee in addition to the renewal fee. The test fee is $10 for the written test and $5 for the vision test.

What happens if your license expires while you are out of state

If you are traveling or living outside Arizona when your license expires, you can still renew by mail or online as long as your license has not been expired for more than one year. You do not need to be in Arizona to renew, and your new license will be mailed to any address you provide.

If your license has already expired by more than one year, you will need to return to Arizona to renew in person, because you must retake the written and vision tests. You cannot take these tests remotely or in another state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive with an expired license if I have already sent in my renewal?

No. You can only drive legally on an unexpired license. Once your license expires, you cannot drive even if your renewal is in process. If you are renewing in person, you receive a temporary license that day to use while your permanent card is mailed. If you are renewing by mail or online, you should not let your license expire before your new one arrives.

What if I lost my license and need to renew it at the same time?

You will need to replace your lost license and renew it in one transaction. Go to an ADOT office in person with your proof of Social Security number and proof of residency. You will pay both the replacement fee ($10) and the renewal fee ($25), and you will receive a temporary license to use when ready.

Do I need a new photo when I renew?

No. When you renew by mail or online, ADOT uses your photo from your current license. If you renew in person, you can request a new photo, but it is not required. If you want a new photo without renewing, you can pay a separate fee to update your photo at any ADOT office.

What if my name changed since I got my current license?

You must renew in person at an ADOT office and bring a document that shows your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You cannot renew by mail or online if your name has changed. You will pay the standard renewal fee plus a $5 fee for the name change.

How do I check when my Arizona license expires?

Look at the front of your license card — the expiration date is in the bottom right corner. You can also visit the ADOT website and enter your driver's license number to see your expiration date and other license information online.