Arizona driver's licenses expire on your birthday, five or eight years after you receive them

Your Arizona driver's license has an expiration date printed on the front. Most people get five years before renewal is due, but if you're over 65, your license lasts only until your next birthday. Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) expire after five years regardless of age. The expiration date is always your birthday in the year the license expires — so if you turn 45 on March 15, 2027, your license expires on March 15, 2027.

You can renew your license up to six months before it expires. Many people wait until the last minute, but starting early means you avoid the rush and have time if something goes wrong with your process. If your license has already expired, you can still renew it — Arizona does not have a grace period, but an expired license is not treated as a violation if you renew promptly.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard Arizona driver's licenses expire on your birthday, five years after issue; licenses for people 65 and older expire on the next birthday after issue.
  • You can renew starting six months before your expiration date, either online through the Arizona Department of Transportation website, by mail, or in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office.
  • Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs $25 for a five-year license; in-person renewal requires a visit to an MVD office and may take longer depending on wait times.
  • If you renew online, your new license arrives by mail in about two weeks; if you renew in person, you receive a temporary paper license when ready and the plastic card within two weeks.
  • You cannot renew online if your address has changed, your name has changed, or if more than one year has passed since your license expired.

How to check your expiration date

Look at the front of your physical license card. The expiration date appears in the lower right corner and is labeled "EXP" or "Expires". The date is written in month/day/year format — for example, 03/15/2027 means March 15, 2027. If you have lost your license and need to know the expiration date, you can log into your account on the Arizona Department of Transportation website using your driver's license number and date of birth.

You can also call the Motor Vehicle Division at 602-255-0072 (Phoenix area) or 888-DOC-ARIZ (888-362-2749) from anywhere in Arizona. Have your driver's license number ready when you call. The wait time varies by time of day and day of week, but calling early in the morning usually means a shorter hold.

Renewing online through the Arizona Department of Transportation

Online renewal is the fastest option if you meet the requirements. You can renew online only if your address and name have not changed since your last license was issued, your license has not been expired for more than one year, and you do not have a CDL. Go to the Arizona Department of Transportation website, select "Renew Your License Online," and log in with your driver's license number and date of birth.

The process takes about 10 minutes. You will answer questions about your current address and whether your information is still correct, review the photo on file from your last license, and pay the renewal fee of $25 for a five-year license. You will receive a confirmation email when ready. Your new license arrives by mail in approximately two weeks. During that time, your old license remains valid even after the expiration date passes, as long as you have proof of your online renewal process.

Renewing in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office

If you cannot renew online — because your address or name changed, your license expired more than a year ago, or you have a CDL — you must visit a Motor Vehicle Division office in person. Bring your current Arizona driver's license, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and payment of $25 for a five-year license or $10 for a one-year license.

You do not need to make an appointment at most MVD offices, but wait times vary widely. Some offices have a walk-in queue; others use a ticket system. Check the Arizona Department of Transportation website to find the office nearest you and see current wait times before you go. When you complete your renewal, you receive a temporary paper license when ready that is valid for 45 days. Your plastic license card arrives by mail in about two weeks.

Renewing by mail

You can renew by mail if your address and name have not changed and your license has not been expired for more than one year. Request a renewal form from the Motor Vehicle Division by calling 602-255-0072 or 888-DOC-ARIZ, or read the form from the Arizona Department of Transportation website. Fill out the form, include a check or money order for $25, and mail it to the address on the form.

Mail renewal takes longer than online or in-person renewal — typically three to four weeks from the time the MVD receives your form. You will not receive a temporary license, so your old license remains your only valid ID during that time. If your old license has already expired, you may want to renew in person instead so you have a temporary license while you wait for the new one.

What happens if your license expires

Driving with an expired license is illegal in Arizona. If you are pulled over, you can be cited and fined. However, if you renew your license within a reasonable time after it expires, the citation is usually dismissed. The key is not to delay — renew as soon as you notice your license has expired.

An expired license also cannot be used as proof of identity for other purposes, such as opening a bank account or boarding a plane. If you need to use your license as ID before you can renew it, you can request a temporary ID from the Motor Vehicle Division, though this requires an in-person visit.

Renewal fees and payment methods

A standard five-year driver's license renewal costs $25. If you are 65 or older and your license expires on your next birthday, a one-year renewal costs $10. Payment methods depend on how you renew. Online renewal accepts credit cards and debit cards. In-person renewal accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card. Mail renewal requires a check or money order — the MVD does not accept credit cards by mail.

If you renew in person and need a replacement license because yours was lost or damaged, there is an additional $5 fee on top of the renewal fee. This fee does not explore if you are straightforward renewing an existing license that is still in your possession.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive if my license expired yesterday?

No. Driving with an expired license is illegal in Arizona, even by one day. If you are pulled over, you can receive a citation. However, if you renew your license promptly, many officers and courts will dismiss the citation as a courtesy. Do not wait — renew as soon as you realize your license has expired.

What if I moved to a different state after my Arizona license was issued?

You cannot renew online or by mail if your address has changed. You must visit a Motor Vehicle Division office in person and bring proof of your new address. If you have moved out of Arizona, you should get a license from your new state instead. Arizona will not renew a license for someone who no longer lives in the state.

Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?

Not usually. When you renew online or by mail, your photo from your last license is used again. If you renew in person, you can request a new photo, but it is not required. If your photo is more than 12 years old, the MVD may require a new one, but this is rare.

How long does a temporary paper license last?

A temporary paper license is valid for 45 days from the date it is issued. Your plastic license card should arrive by mail within two weeks, but if it does not, the temporary license covers you until it arrives. If you need to travel by plane or use your license as ID before the plastic card arrives, you can use the temporary license.

What if my renewal process is rejected?

If you renew online or by mail and your process is rejected, you will receive a notice by mail explaining why. Common reasons include a name or address mismatch, an expired license that is more than one year old, or a problem with your payment. The notice will tell you what to do next, usually requiring an in-person visit to an MVD office to resolve the issue.