What Arizona Charges for a Driver's License

An Arizona driver's license costs $25 for a five-year license if you are 18 or older. If you are under 18, a five-year license costs $10. These are the base fees charged by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Motor Vehicle Division.

The actual amount you pay at the Motor Vehicle Division office may be higher because ADOT adds a $1 transaction fee to all in-person transactions. Some offices also charge a small additional fee if you pay by credit or debit card instead of cash or check. The total you should expect to pay is $26 for an adult or $11 for a minor, plus any payment method surcharge.

These fees cover the cost of producing the physical card, processing your process, and maintaining the state's driver licensing system. The price has not changed since 2014, though the state legislature periodically considers increases.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard five-year Arizona driver's license costs $25 for adults and $10 for people under 18, plus a $1 transaction fee.
  • Renewal of an expiring license costs the same as a new license and can be done online, by mail, or in person.
  • Replacement of a lost or stolen license costs $10 and is faster if you do it in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office.
  • Certain changes to your license—such as adding a Real ID designation or upgrading to a commercial license—carry additional fees.

Renewal Fees and How to Renew

Renewing an expiring Arizona driver's license costs the same as getting a new one: $25 for a five-year renewal if you are 18 or older. You can renew online through the ADOT website if your license is not expired and you have not had a change of address, name, or medical condition that requires a new photo. Online renewal takes about 10 business days and costs $25 with no transaction fee.

If you renew by mail, the fee is also $25, but processing takes 15 to 20 business days. You will need to submit your current license, a completed process form (DL 44), and proof of your current address. Mail renewal is useful if you want to avoid a trip to a Motor Vehicle Division office.

In-person renewal at a Motor Vehicle Division office costs $26 ($25 plus the $1 transaction fee) and is the fastest option if you need the license quickly. You will need to bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. In-person renewal usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

Replacement License Fees for Lost or Stolen Cards

If your Arizona driver's license is lost or stolen, a replacement costs $10 plus the $1 transaction fee, for a total of $11 at a Motor Vehicle Division office. This is cheaper than a full renewal because you are not paying for a new five-year term—you are straightforward getting a duplicate of your existing license with a new card number.

You must report a stolen license in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. Bring your proof of identity (such as a passport or birth certificate), proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. The office will issue a replacement card on the spot or within a few days, depending on the office's workload.

If your license is lost rather than stolen, you can explore for a replacement in person or by mail. By mail, the process takes 15 to 20 business days. In person, you will have your replacement within the same visit or within a few days.

Real ID and Commercial License Upgrades

Arizona offers a Real ID-compliant driver's license, which meets federal standards for boarding domestic flights and entering federal buildings. A Real ID license costs $30 for a five-year term if you are 18 or older, which is $5 more than a standard license. Minors pay $15 for a five-year Real ID license, which is $5 more than a standard minor license.

To get a Real ID license, you must provide additional documents beyond the standard requirements: proof of your legal presence in the United States (such as a birth certificate or passport), proof of your Social Security number, and two proofs of your current address. The process process is the same as a standard license, but the document verification takes longer—usually 15 to 30 minutes in person.

A commercial driver's license (CDL) costs $50 for a five-year term and requires a written knowledge test and a driving skills test. The CDL fee is separate from the standard license fee. If you already have a standard Arizona driver's license and want to add a CDL, you pay the $50 CDL fee in addition to any renewal or replacement fees.

Payment Methods and Where to Pay

Arizona Motor Vehicle Division offices accept cash, checks, and debit or credit cards. If you pay by card, most offices add a 2.5% processing fee on top of the license fee. This means a $25 license becomes $25.63 if you use a card. Paying by cash or check avoids this surcharge.

You can pay in person at any of Arizona's 40 Motor Vehicle Division offices, which are located in most counties. You can also renew online through the ADOT website using a credit or debit card, though the online system does not add the 2.5% surcharge. Mail-in renewals require a check or money order.

Some counties also operate satellite offices or contract with third-party vendors to handle certain transactions. These locations may have different hours or accept different payment methods, so check the ADOT website for the office nearest you before you go.

Age-Based License Types and Costs

Arizona issues different types of licenses based on your age, and the cost depends on which type you receive. A standard five-year license for someone 18 or older costs $25. A minor's license for someone under 18 costs $10 and expires on the holder's 18th birthday, not five years later.

When you turn 18, you must renew your minor's license to get a standard adult license. The renewal costs $25 and requires a new photo and process. You cannot straightforward extend a minor's license—you must go through the full renewal process.

Arizona also issues instruction permits for people learning to drive. An instruction permit costs $10 and is valid for one year. If you later convert your instruction permit to a full license, you pay the standard license fee ($25 for adults, $10 for minors) and do not get a credit for the permit fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Arizona driver's license online if it has already expired?

No. Online renewal is only available if your license is still valid. If your license has expired, you must renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office or by mail. In-person renewal is faster—usually 15 to 30 minutes—and you will have your new license when ready or within a few days.

What is the difference between a Real ID and a standard Arizona driver's license?

A Real ID license meets federal standards set by the Department of Homeland Security and allows you to board domestic flights and enter federal buildings without a passport. A standard license does not. Real ID costs $5 more and requires additional documents to prove your legal presence in the United States. Both are valid for driving in Arizona.

Do I have to pay the transaction fee if I renew online?

No. Online renewal costs $25 with no additional transaction fee. In-person renewal costs $26 ($25 plus $1 transaction fee). Mail renewal costs $25 with no transaction fee. If you pay by credit or debit card in person, you also pay a 2.5% processing fee on top of the transaction fee.

How much does it cost to replace a lost Arizona driver's license?

A replacement costs $10 plus the $1 transaction fee, for a total of $11 at a Motor Vehicle Division office. This is cheaper than a full renewal because you are replacing an existing license, not renewing an expiring one. You must report a stolen license in person.

What happens if I turn 18 while my minor's license is still valid?

Your minor's license expires on your 18th birthday, even if it was issued recently. You must renew it to get a standard adult license. The renewal costs $25 and requires a new photo and process. You cannot extend a minor's license or transfer it to an adult license without renewing.