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

Your Arizona driver's license is valid for exactly five years from the date it was issued. The expiration date appears on the front of your card. If your license was issued on March 15, 2020, it expires on March 15, 2025. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) does not extend licenses automatically, and driving on an expired license is illegal in Arizona, even if you are only one day past the expiration date.

The five-year cycle applies to standard driver's licenses for people aged 18 and older. Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) follow different rules depending on whether you hold a hazmat endorsement, and licenses for drivers under 18 expire at age 18 or on their fifth anniversary, whichever comes first. Military members stationed outside Arizona may be may be able to access for a five-year extension while on active duty, but you must request this before your license expires.

Key Takeaways

  • Arizona driver's licenses expire exactly five years after the issue date shown on your card, which is always on your birthday.
  • You can renew your license up to 180 days before it expires, either online, by mail, or in person at an ADOT office.
  • Renewing online through the ADOT website takes about 10 minutes and costs $25 if you have no address changes and your current photo is acceptable.
  • If your license is already expired, you must renew in person at an ADOT office and cannot use the online or mail options.
  • Arizona accepts Real ID-compliant licenses, which have a gold star in the upper right corner and are required for domestic air travel starting May 7, 2025.

How to renew before your license expires

You have three options to renew: online, by mail, or in person. The online option is fastest and cheapest if you meet the requirements. Visit servicearizona.com, log in or create an account, and select "Driver License Renewal." You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your information against ADOT records and show you a preview of your new license photo (taken from your current license). If you approve it, you pay $25 and your new license ships within 7 to 10 business days.

Online renewal is not available if you have changed your address since your last license was issued, if you want a different photo, if your current license is suspended or revoked, or if you are renewing a commercial driver's license. In those cases, you must renew by mail or in person.

Mail renewal requires you to complete form DL 44 (process for Arizona Driver License) or form DL 43 (Renewal process), include a check or money order for $25, and mail everything to the address listed on the form. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks after ADOT receives your packet. In-person renewal at an ADOT office takes about 30 minutes and requires your current license, proof of Arizona residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and proof of Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or 1099). The fee is $25, and you receive your new license on the spot.

When to start the renewal process

ADOT allows you to renew up to 180 days before your license expires. This means if your license expires on March 15, you can renew starting September 15 of the previous year. Starting the process early protects you if there are delays in the mail or if ADOT needs additional documents from you. If you wait until the last week, a mail delay or a problem with your process could leave you driving on an expired license.

If your license expires while your renewal is in progress, you are still legal to drive as long as you have proof that you submitted your renewal process. Keep your receipt or confirmation email if you renewed online, or keep a copy of your mailed process with tracking information. However, law enforcement may ask to see this proof, so it is safer to renew well in advance.

What happens if your license expires

Driving on an expired Arizona license is a traffic violation. A police officer can stop you and issue a citation. The penalty is typically a fine, though the amount varies depending on how long your license has been expired and whether you have prior violations. If you are pulled over, you must show a valid form of identification; an expired license does not count.

If your license has been expired for more than a few days, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must go to an ADOT office in person. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. The renewal fee remains $25. ADOT will not charge an additional penalty for the expired status, but you cannot legally drive until your new license arrives or is issued.

Real ID requirements and the May 2025 important date

Arizona offers two types of driver's licenses: standard licenses and Real ID-compliant licenses. A Real ID license has a gold star in the upper right corner and meets federal security standards set by the Department of Homeland Security. Starting May 7, 2025, you will need a Real ID license or another federally accepted form of identification (such as a passport) to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building.

When you renew your license, you can choose to get a Real ID license instead of a standard license. The cost is the same ($25). To get a Real ID license, you must provide proof of citizenship or legal residency (passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers), proof of Social Security number, and proof of Arizona residency. If you already have a Real ID license, your new license will also be Real ID-compliant when you renew. You do not need to do anything special unless you want to switch from a standard license to a Real ID license.

Renewing a commercial driver's license

Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) expire every five years, but the renewal process is different from a standard license. You cannot renew a CDL online or by mail. You must renew in person at an ADOT office and pass a written test on commercial driving rules. If your CDL includes a hazmat endorsement, you must also pass a hazmat knowledge test and a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background check. The TSA background check takes 2 to 4 weeks, so plan ahead if your hazmat endorsement is expiring.

The fee for renewing a CDL is $50. You will need your current CDL, proof of residency, proof of Social Security number, and a medical certificate (form MCSA-5875) if your CDL is for a vehicle that requires one. If your medical certificate has expired, you cannot renew your CDL until you obtain a new one from a certified medical examiner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if I have moved out of Arizona?

No. Arizona driver's licenses are only for Arizona residents. If you have moved to another state, you must obtain a driver's license from that state. You cannot renew an Arizona license by mail or online if your address is no longer in Arizona. If you still live in Arizona but have changed addresses, you can renew online only if you do so before your address changes; after you move, you must renew in person or by mail with your new address.

What if I lost my license and need to renew it?

If your license is lost or stolen, you must explore for a replacement, not a renewal. Go to an ADOT office with proof of residency and proof of Social Security number. The replacement fee is $25. You will receive a new license with the same expiration date as your original license, not five years from the replacement date.

Do I need an appointment to renew my license in person at ADOT?

ADOT offices operate on a first-come, first-served basis, but you can check wait times online before you go. Some offices are busier than others, and wait times vary by time of day and day of week. You can also schedule an appointment through the ADOT website at some locations, which may reduce your wait time.

Will my new license have a different number?

No. Your driver's license number stays the same when you renew. Your new license will have the same number as your current license, a new expiration date five years in the future, and a new photo (unless you renewed online and approved your existing photo).

What if I am a military member stationed outside Arizona?

You may be may be able to access for a five-year extension of your Arizona driver's license while you are on active duty outside Arizona. Contact ADOT or visit an ADOT office before your license expires to request the extension. You will need proof of active military status. The extension is free, and your new expiration date will be five years from your current expiration date, not five years from the date you request the extension.