What you need before you start
Arizona lets you renew your driver license online through the Department of Transportation website if your license is still valid or expired no more than five years ago. You will need your current Arizona driver license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method — Arizona accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
The online renewal process does not require you to visit an office or take a new photo. Your existing photo stays on file unless you choose to update it, which requires an in-person visit to a Motor Vehicle Division office.
Before you begin, check that your name, address, and other information on your license are correct. If anything has changed — including your legal name or address — you will need to renew in person instead of online.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online only if your license is currently valid or expired within the last five years, and your personal information has not changed.
- The online renewal fee is the same as an in-person renewal and varies depending on your license type and how many years you are renewing for.
- After you complete the online renewal, your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days.
- If you need to update your photo, change your name, or correct your address, you must renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office.
- You can check the status of your renewal order on the Arizona Department of Transportation website using your order number.
Step-by-step process on the Arizona Department of Transportation website
Go to the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division website and select the online renewal option. You will be asked to enter your driver license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number to verify your identity. The system will pull up your current license information and show you what will appear on your renewed license.
Review all the information displayed — name, address, date of birth, and any restrictions or endorsements. If everything is correct, proceed to the payment screen. Enter your payment method and billing address. Arizona charges a renewal fee based on your license class and the number of years you are renewing for; standard passenger licenses typically renew for five or eight years.
After payment is processed, you will receive an order confirmation number. Write this down or save the confirmation email — you will need it to track your renewal. Your new license will be mailed to the address shown on your current license.
Who cannot renew online and must visit an office
If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot use the online renewal process. You will need to visit a Motor Vehicle Division office in person and may need to retake the written test and vision screening.
You also must renew in person if you want to update your photo, change your legal name, correct your address, add or remove endorsements (such as a commercial driver license endorsement), or change your gender marker. Any change to your personal information requires verification documents and a new photo taken at an office.
If your license was suspended, revoked, or cancelled, you cannot renew online. Contact the Motor Vehicle Division directly to understand what steps are required to restore your driving privileges.
How long it takes and when you can drive
After you complete the online renewal, your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. During this time, you can still drive using your current license as long as it has not expired. If your current license has already expired, you should not drive until your new license arrives.
If you need to drive before your new license arrives and your current license is expired, you can visit a Motor Vehicle Division office and request a temporary paper license valid for 30 days. This gives you legal permission to drive while you wait for your renewed license in the mail.
You can track the status of your renewal order on the Arizona Department of Transportation website by entering your order confirmation number. The tracking system will show you whether your license has been printed, shipped, or delivered.
Renewal fees and what affects the cost
The fee for online renewal depends on your license class and how many years you choose to renew for. Standard passenger licenses can be renewed for five or eight years. Commercial driver licenses and other specialty licenses have different fee structures. The Motor Vehicle Division website displays the exact fee before you complete payment, so you will know the total cost before you submit your order.
Arizona does not charge extra for online renewal compared to in-person renewal — the fee is the same either way. If you pay by credit or debit card, your card issuer may charge a processing fee, but the Motor Vehicle Division itself does not add a surcharge for using the online system.
What to do if your renewal is delayed or does not arrive
If your new license does not arrive within 10 business days, check the status using your order confirmation number on the Arizona Department of Transportation website. The tracking system will tell you whether there is a problem with your order or if it is still in transit.
If the tracking system shows your license was delivered but you did not receive it, contact the Motor Vehicle Division by phone or visit an office in person. Bring your order confirmation number and a form of identification. The division can issue a replacement or investigate whether the license was misdelivered.
If you discover an error on your renewed license after it arrives — such as a misspelled name or wrong address — you will need to visit a Motor Vehicle Division office to correct it. Bring your new license and documentation of the correct information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license online if it expired more than five years ago?
No. The online renewal system only works for licenses that are currently valid or expired within the last five years. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office and may need to retake the written test and vision screening.
What if my address has changed since I got my current license?
You cannot renew online if your address has changed. You must visit a Motor Vehicle Division office in person and bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease agreement dated within the last 60 days. The office will update your address and issue your new license.
Do I need to take a new photo for an online renewal?
No. Your existing photo from your current license will be used on your renewed license. If you want to update your photo, you must renew in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office.
Can I renew online if my license was suspended or revoked?
No. You cannot renew online if your license has been suspended, revoked, or cancelled. Contact the Motor Vehicle Division directly to find out what steps you need to take to restore your driving privileges before you can renew.
What should I do if I need to drive before my new license arrives?
If your current license has expired and you need to drive when ready, visit a Motor Vehicle Division office and request a temporary paper license. It is valid for 30 days and gives you legal permission to drive while you wait for your renewed license to arrive by mail.