Arizona driver's license
Get your first license in Arizona after moving to the US.
The short answer
You get a first Arizona driver's license by passing a written test and a road skills test at an MVD or authorized third-party office.1, 2 An original standard license costs $25.00 at age 39 or younger, $20.00 from 40 to 44, $15.00 from 45 to 49, and $10.00 at 50 or older.3 If you fail the written test, you can retake it the following business day, and you can take it up to three times under one application fee.4 While you hold an instruction permit, a licensed driver aged 21 or older must occupy the seat beside you.5 For a skills test after noon between June 1 and September 22, the vehicle you bring must have air conditioning.6
How it goes
- 1You arriveYou have moved to Arizona and you want to drive here.
- 2Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
- 3The written testYou take the written test.
- 4Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
- 5Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.
What it costs
| What you pay | Amount |
|---|---|
| A first standard license, age 39 or younger3 | $25.00 |
| A first standard license, age 40 to 443 | $20.00 |
| A first standard license, age 45 to 493 | $15.00 |
| A first standard license, age 50 or older3 | $10.00 |
| A Travel Driver License or ID instead of the standard one7 | $25 |
If you just arrived in the US
If your license from another state has expired
Arizona waives testing when you present an out-of-state driver license or motor vehicle record (MVR) that is expired less than one year.8
If you have no license to transfer
If you have a current out-of-state driver license in your possession, you will normally not have to take a written or road test, but in some cases it may be required.9
Your Social Security Number
Giving your number, and who may see it
Arizona collects your Social Security number to verify your identity and to comply with federal and state child-support enforcement laws. The department keeps and verifies the number, and it is not used as your driver license or identification card number.10
Tests you take
Eye test
Vision screening happens at the MVD visit, along with the written test and road skills test (unless reciprocity exempts you), photo and signature capture, and fee payment.1
To pass, you need 20/40 vision in at least one eye, and a visual field of at least 70 degrees temporally (toward the side) and 35 degrees nasally (toward the nose) in at least one eye. If you fail the department's screening, you must submit the results of an outside evaluation dated within three months.11
Drive test
If you hold a driver license issued by another country and apply for an initial license, the department examines you, but it may waive the driving demonstration if you apply for a Class D or G license, appear to meet the department's medical qualifications, and your out-of-state license is not revoked and not expired for more than one year.12
A current out-of-state driver license in your possession normally means no written or road test, though in some cases one may be required.9
The examination includes an actual demonstration of your ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control of a vehicle, or vehicle combination, of the type covered by the license classification or endorsement you apply for.13
Tries you get on the written test
If you fail the written test, you can retake it at an MVD or authorized third-party office on the following business day. You can take the written test up to three times without paying another application fee.4
Practice questions for the written test
Practice tests are available online at azdot.gov/motor-vehicles/driver-services/tests-manuals-and-driving-schools/practice-tests.14
Practising with your permit
Who can sit with you while you practise
With a graduated or operator permit, you must be accompanied by a licensed Class A, B, C, or D driver at least 21 years of age who occupies the seat beside you. These permits are valid for 12 months.5
The person accompanying you must hold a Class A, B, C, or D license, be at least 21 years old, and occupy a seat beside you.15
What to bring to the drive test
The car and its insurance
The driving demonstration takes place in a vehicle, or vehicle combination, of the type covered by the license classification or endorsement you apply for.16
A vehicle without air conditioning cannot be used for skills testing from June 1st through September 22nd after 12 o'clock.6
Where to go
Who gives the tests
The department gives the examination for an original driver license, or accepts an examination conducted by an authorized third party.2
Booking an appointment
Arizona takes MVD appointments online at https://azmvdnow.gov/appointments.17
Office locations
MVD offices, CDL test tracks, third parties, training schools and ports of entry are listed at azdot.gov/mvd/mvd-hours-and-locations.18
Other states
U
Sources
Every numbered fact above is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.
- 1
“Vision screening Written test (unless exempt due to reciprocity) Road skills test (unless exempt due to reciprocity) Photo and signature capture Fee payment”
azdot.gov/…/driver-license-foreign-applicantsChecked August 4, 2026
- 2
“The department may do any of the following: 1. Examine an applicant for an original driver license. 2. Accept the examination conducted by an authorized third party pursuant to chapter 13 of this title.”
azleg.gov/ars/28/03164.htmChecked August 4, 2026
- 3
“2. Except as provided in paragraph 1, for each original, renewal or reinstatement application for a class D, G or M license: Age Fee 50 or older $10.00 45-49 $15.00 40-44 $20.00 39 or younger $25.00”
azleg.gov/arsDetailChecked July 28, 2026
- 4
“When an applicant fails the written test (for the first time), that applicant can return to MVD or an MVD Authorized Third Party office to retake the written test on the following business day. An applicant can take the written test up to three times without paying another application fee.”
azdot.gov/adot-blog/driver-license-faqChecked August 19, 2026
- 5
“Graduated or operator permit: you must be accompanied by a Class A, B, C or D licensed driver at least 21 years of age, who occupies the seat beside you. These permits are valid for 12 months.”
apps.azdot.gov/files/mvd/mvd-forms-lib/99-0117.pdfChecked July 28, 2026
- 6
“A vehicle without air conditioning can not be used for skills testing from June 1st thru September 22nd after 12 o'clock.”
azdot.gov/…/road-testsChecked August 14, 2026
- 7
“Travel Driver License / ID Original and renewal: $25”
azdot.gov/…/fees-driver-licenseChecked August 4, 2026
- 8
“Out of state Driver License or Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) expired less than one year, required to waive testing.”
apps.azdot.gov/files/mvd/mvd-forms-lib/40-5144.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
- 9
“If you have a current out-of-state driver license in your possession, you will normally not have to take a written or road test. However, in some cases it may be required.”
azdot.gov/faq/do-i-have-take-driver-license-testChecked August 3, 2026
- 10
“You are required by A.R.S. §§ 28-3158(D)(4) and 28-3165(F), under the authority of Title 42 of the United States Code, to provide your Social Security number. It will be used to verify your identity and to comply with federal and state child-support enforcement laws. It will not be used as your driver license or identification card number.”
azdot.gov/…/proof-identification-age-and-authorizedChecked August 4, 2026
- 11
“The following applies only to class D, G, or M applicants or licensees. 1. Visual acuity. A person shall have binocular or monocular vision and visual acuity of 20/40 in at least one eye. ... 2. Visual field. Visual field shall be 70 degrees or greater temporally, and 35 degrees or greater nasally, in at least one eye.”
apps.azsos.gov/public_services/Title_17/17-04.pdfChecked August 3, 2026
- 12
“D. The department shall examine a person who holds a driver license issued by another country and who applies for an initial license in this state as an original applicant, except that the department may waive an actual demonstration of the ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle if the person applies for a class D or G license and appears to meet the department's medical qualifications and if the out-of-state license is not revoked or is not expired for more than one year.”
azleg.gov/arsDetailChecked July 28, 2026
- 13
“nderstand official traffic control devices. (c) knowledge of safe driving practices and the traffic laws of this state, including those practices and laws relating to bicycles. (d) knowledge of the effect of using a portable wireless communication device as defined in section 28-914 or engaging in other actions that could distract a driver on the safe or effective operation of a motor vehicle. 2. an actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a vehicle or vehicle combination of the type covered by the license classification or endorsement for which the applicant applies. 3. other physical and mental examinations if the department finds them necessary to determine the applicant's fitness to safely operate a motor vehicle on the highways. c. the department may examine an original applicant for a class m license or a motorcycle endorsement or the department may accept the examination conducted by an authorized third party pursuant to chapter 13, article 1 of this ti”
azleg.gov/ars/28/03164.htmChecked August 4, 2026
- 14
“Driver License Practice Tests -> https://azdot.gov/motor-vehicles/driver-services/tests-manuals-and-driving-schools/practice-tests”
azdot.gov/mvd/drivers-faqChecked July 28, 2026
- 15
“The permittee is accompanied by a person who has a class A, B, C or D license, who is at least twenty-one years of age and who occupies a seat beside the permittee.”
azleg.gov/ars/28/03154.htmChecked August 1, 2026
- 16
“d understand official traffic control devices. (c) knowledge of safe driving practices and the traffic laws of this state, including those practices and laws relating to bicycles. (d) knowledge of the effect of using a portable wireless communication device as defined in section 28-914 or engaging in other actions that could distract a driver on the safe or effective operation of a motor vehicle. 2. an actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a vehicle or vehicle combination of the type covered by the license classification or endorsement for which the applicant applies. 3. other physical and mental examinations if the department finds them necessary to determine the applicant's fitness to safely operate a motor vehicle on the highways. c. the department may examine an original applicant for a class m license or a motorcycle endorsement or the department may accept the examination conducted by an authorized third party pursuant to chapter 13, article 1 of this ti”
azleg.gov/arsDetailChecked July 28, 2026
- 17
“LINK TARGET resolved in the browser from the "Appointment" links on the sibling MVD Hours and Locations page: https://azmvdnow.gov/appointments”
azdot.gov/mvdChecked August 4, 2026
- 18
“Office location information for MVD Offices, CDL Test Tracks, Third Parties, Training Schools, and Ports of Entry.”
azdot.gov/mvd/mvd-hours-and-locationsChecked July 26, 2026
Applying for a driver's license in Arizona?
Answer a few questions and see the steps that apply to you.