Arizona driver's licenses are valid for 12 years for most adults, but the exact length depends on your age and when you renew

An Arizona driver's license issued to someone age 19 or older remains valid for 12 years from the date of issue. If you're under 19, your license expires on your 19th birthday. The expiration date is printed on the front of your card, so you can check exactly when yours runs out by looking at the "Expires" field.

The 12-year window applies whether you renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office or through the mail. Arizona does not offer shorter renewal periods for most drivers, though commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) follow different rules and expire every five years.

Your license remains valid up to and including the expiration date shown on the card. You can still drive legally on that date, but you cannot drive the day after without renewing.

Key Takeaways

  • Arizona driver's licenses for adults age 19 and older are valid for 12 years from the date of issue.
  • Licenses issued to people under 19 expire on their 19th birthday, not 12 years later.
  • The expiration date is printed on the front of your license card in the "Expires" field.
  • You can renew by mail, online, or in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office before your license expires.
  • Commercial driver's licenses expire every five years, not 12.

What happens if your license expires while you're out of state

If you're traveling or living outside Arizona when your license expires, you can still renew it by mail or online without returning to the state. Arizona allows mail renewal and online renewal for many drivers, which means you don't have to be physically present in Arizona to complete the process.

However, if you've moved out of Arizona permanently and changed your address, you'll need to follow your new state's rules for getting a driver's license there. An expired Arizona license is not valid for driving in any state once the expiration date passes, even if you're still an Arizona resident.

Renewing before your license expires

Arizona allows you to renew your license up to one year before it expires. This means if your license expires in June 2026, you can renew it starting in June 2025. Renewing early gives you a full 12 years from the new renewal date, so your next expiration will be June 2037.

You can renew online through the Arizona Department of Transportation website if you meet certain conditions: your license must not be suspended or revoked, you must not have any medical or vision restrictions that have changed, and you must not have changed your name. If any of those explore to you, you'll need to renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office.

Mail renewal is also available for some drivers. You'll receive a renewal notice in the mail about 90 days before your license expires, and that notice includes instructions for renewing by mail if you're may be able to access.

Renewing after your license has already expired

If your license has expired, you can still renew it, but the process depends on how long it's been expired. If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew it by mail or online using the same process as a regular renewal. You cannot drive legally with an expired license, so you should renew before the expiration date if possible.

If your license expired more than five years ago, you'll need to renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. You may also need to pass a written test and vision test, depending on how long the license has been expired and your age. The Motor Vehicle Division can tell you what's required when you call or visit.

Medical conditions and license validity

Some Arizona drivers have medical or vision restrictions on their licenses that require more frequent renewal. If your license includes a restriction code — such as corrective lenses required or daylight driving only — your license still expires after 12 years, but you may need to renew sooner if your doctor or the Motor Vehicle Division requires it.

If you develop a medical condition or your vision changes significantly, you should report it to the Motor Vehicle Division. They may require you to renew your license before the 12-year expiration date, or they may restrict your driving privileges. You can contact the Motor Vehicle Division to ask whether a specific condition requires early renewal.

Commercial driver's licenses and other special licenses

Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) in Arizona expire every five years, not 12. If you hold a CDL, your renewal date will be sooner than a standard driver's license. The expiration date is still printed on the front of your card.

Instruction permits (also called learner's permits) expire after six months and cannot be renewed; you must take the written and driving tests again to get a new one. Temporary licenses issued at Motor Vehicle Division offices are valid for 30 days and are meant only as proof of identity while you wait for your permanent card to arrive in the mail.

What you need to renew your Arizona license

For mail or online renewal, you'll need your current Arizona driver's license number and your Social Security number. You'll also need to pay the renewal fee, which varies depending on the type of license and how many years you're renewing for. The Motor Vehicle Division website shows the current fee amounts.

For in-person renewal, bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or tax return), and proof of your current address (such as a utility bill or lease). If you've changed your name since your last license was issued, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive with an expired Arizona license if I'm waiting for my renewal to arrive?

No. You cannot drive legally with an expired license, even if you've submitted a renewal process and are waiting for the new card to arrive. If you renewed online or by mail, you should renew before your current license expires. If you need to drive before your new card arrives, contact the Motor Vehicle Division about getting a temporary license.

Does my Arizona license expire if I move to another state?

Your Arizona license remains valid for 12 years from the date of issue, regardless of where you live. However, once you establish residency in another state, that state's law typically requires you to get a driver's license from that state within a certain time frame (usually 30 to 60 days). Driving with an out-of-state license after you've become a resident of a new state can result in a traffic citation.

What if I lost my license and need to know the expiration date?

You can contact the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division by phone or visit their website to look up your license information. You'll need to provide your name, date of birth, and driver's license number if you have it. If you don't have your license number, they can help you find it using your name and date of birth.

Do I have to renew my license in person if I'm over 65?

No. Arizona does not require in-person renewal for drivers over 65. You can renew by mail or online if you meet the may be able to access requirements (no suspensions, no changes to medical restrictions, no name changes). If any of those explore to you, you'll need to renew in person regardless of your age.