Arizona driver's license
Get your first license in Arizona after moving to the US.
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.
- Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.
What it costs
A first license
$10 to $25 for a standard driver license.
For an operator (Class D) or motorcycle (Class M) license, the fee is set by your age when you apply: $25 at ages 16-39, $20 at 40-44, $15 at 45-49, and $10 at 50 and over.
The Class D, G or M fee is set by your age: $10 at 50 or older, $15 at 45-49, $20 at 40-44, and $25 at 39 or younger. The same amount applies to an original, a renewal or a reinstatement, and there is no separate fee for the knowledge test or a retest.
You pay this when you apply.
Your Social Security Number
Giving your number, and who may see it
You must give your Social Security number. MVD uses it to verify your identity and to comply with federal and state child-support enforcement laws; it will not be used as your license number.
Whether you must give a Social Security number depends on your immigration class type.
You must give your Social Security number, and for a name change you can be asked for the Social Security card itself.
MVD verifies that the number you give is a valid number assigned to you, and keeps it in its records. It does not appear on your license unless you ask for it to be used as your license number, and MVD does not release it to anyone except where sections 28-455 and 41-1954 allow it.
The number goes on the DL/ID application and is used for verification.
Tests you take
Eye test
You need 20/40 vision in at least one eye, and a visual field of at least 70 degrees temporally and 35 degrees nasally in at least one eye. If you do not pass MVD's screening, you must submit results from a physician or optometrist, from an examination no more than three months before you submit them.
Corrective lenses that you need to meet the 20/40 standard must be worn whenever you drive. If a physician or optometrist finds your eye disease is progressive, a driving test is required.
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.
Drive test
You must give an actual demonstration of ordinary and reasonable control of a vehicle of the type covered by the license class or endorsement you apply for.
Tries you get on the written test
If you fail the written test you cannot retake it the same day; you can return to an MVD office or an MVD Authorized Third Party office the next business day. You get three attempts on one application fee, and a fourth attempt means paying the application fee again.
Practice questions for the written test
The Arizona Driver License Manual is MVD's own study material for the driver license and the instruction permit; the laws themselves are in Arizona Revised Statutes Title 28 at azleg.gov.
MVD publishes an online practice written test at azdot.gov/mvd.
The current edition of the Arizona Driver License Manual is the March 2026 revision.
MVD offers them online at azdot.gov/motor-vehicles/driver-services/tests-manuals-and-driving-schools/practice-tests.
Practising with your permit
Who can sit with you while you practise
A driver with a Class A, B, C or D license who is at least 21 years old, in the seat beside you. You must have your permit with you whenever you drive.
A Class A, B, C or D licensed driver aged 21 or over must occupy the seat beside you whenever you drive on a permit; the rule is the same for the under-18 graduated permit.
What to bring to the drive test
Who comes with you
While you drive on an Arizona instruction permit, a driver with a Class A, B, C or D license who is at least 21 years old must occupy the seat beside you. The permit is valid for 12 months.
An examiner rides with you in the vehicle you provide and gives you directions to follow.
During the road test itself the examiner is the person in the car with you; the manual does not require an extra licensed driver to ride along for the test.
The car and its insurance
Auto-drive, parking assistance and other driver-assistance systems are prohibited on the test, and every maneuver must be performed manually. A vehicle without air conditioning cannot be used for skills testing from June 1 through September 22 after 12 o'clock.
The test vehicle must be of the type covered by the license class or endorsement you apply for.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, including auto-drive and parking assistance, are prohibited during the road test; every maneuver must be performed manually. If your car has these features, you must turn them off for the test.
You provide the vehicle, and it must be in good operating condition: working brakes, brake lights, turn signals and horn, a windshield with no cracks, inside and outside rearview mirrors, good tires, and driver and passenger windows and doors that work properly. You must show proof of current registration and current automobile liability insurance.
Where to go
Who gives the tests
The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division.
An examiner rides with you over a route with a variety of traffic situations, in the vehicle you bring. Road tests at MVD offices are booked through azmvdnow.gov.
MVD can examine you itself or accept an examination conducted by an authorized third party.
Booking an appointment
You can book an MVD appointment at azmvdnow.gov/appointments.
azmvdnow.gov is MVD's authorized service website.
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.
Other states
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Every source, quoted31 sources
Every fact on this page is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.
“Standard Driver License: $10.00 - $25.00”
azdot.gov/mvd/services/driver-license-ID/driver-license-foreign-applicantsChecked August 4, 2026
“Operator or Motorcycle License Ages 16-39 $25 40-44 $20 45-49 $15 50 & over and 5-year $10”
apps.azdot.gov/files/mvd/mvd-forms-lib/99-0117.pdfChecked July 28, 2026
“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
“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.”
“Social Security Number may be required depending on your Class Type.”
azdot.gov/mvd/services/driver-license-ID/driver-license-foreign-applicantsChecked August 4, 2026
“Your Social Security number (Social Security card may be required for name changes)”
azdot.gov/mvd/services/driver-license-ID/new-to-arizonaChecked August 4, 2026
“E. The department shall: 1. Verify that a social security number provided by an applicant is a valid number assigned to that applicant. 2. Retain the social security number in its records. F. The social security number provided to the department pursuant to subsection D of this section for an applicant's driver license or instruction permit shall not appear on an applicant's driver license or instruction permit unless the applicant requests that the social security number appear on the applicant's driver license or instruction permit as the driver license or instruction permit number. Except as provided in sections 28-455 and 41-1954, the department shall not release the social security number to any person unless the applicant requests that the social security number appear on the applicant's driver license or instruction permit as the driver license or instruction permit number. The provisions of this subsection shall be included in each application.”
azleg.gov/arsDetailChecked July 28, 2026
“You must provide your Social Security Number on the DL/ID Application for verification.”
apps.azdot.gov/files/mvd/mvd-forms-lib/40-5144.pdfChecked August 4, 2026
“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
“B. Standard. The following applies only to class D, G, or M applicants or licensees. ... A person shall have binocular or monocular vision and visual acuity of 20/40 in at least one eye. ... Visual field shall be 70 degrees or greater temporally, and 35 degrees or greater nasally, in at least one eye. ... A person with corrected vision shall wear corrective lenses at all times when driving if the corrective lens is required to achieve the vision standards in subsection (B). ... If the Department does initial visual acuity and visual field screening and the person does not meet vision standards of subsection (B), the Department shall require the person to submit the results of the person’s visual acuity and visual field screening by a physician or an optometrist. ... The Department shall require a driving test if a person’s eye disease is determined by a physician or optometrist to be progressive.”
apps.azsos.gov/public_services/Title_17/17-04.pdfChecked August 11, 2026
“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/mvd/services/driver-license-ID/driver-license-foreign-applicantsChecked August 4, 2026
“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.”
azleg.gov/ars/28/03164.htmChecked August 4, 2026
“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
“This manual is designed to help you obtain a driver license or an instruction permit by explaining the Arizona motor vehicle laws without using technical language. Details of the motor vehicle laws can be found in Arizona Revised Statutes at azleg.gov under Title 28 “Transportation” which offers the most up to date and accurate information.”
apps.azdot.gov/files/mvd/mvd-forms-lib/99-0117.pdfChecked July 28, 2026
“To practice taking the written test, please visit our website at azdot.gov/mvd.”
apps.azdot.gov/files/mvd/mvd-forms-lib/99-0117.pdfChecked July 28, 2026
“All Contents ©2026 Arizona Department of Transportation Revised March 2026”
apps.azdot.gov/files/mvd/mvd-forms-lib/99-0117.pdfChecked July 28, 2026
“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
“The permittee has the permit in the permittee's immediate possession. ... 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
“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.”
apps.azdot.gov/files/mvd/mvd-forms-lib/99-0117.pdfChecked July 28, 2026
“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
“An examiner will ride with you in your vehicle and give you directions to follow. You will be observed and graded on specific actions and on your general ability to safely operate the vehicle. ... You must provide the vehicle to be used for the test.”
apps.azdot.gov/files/mvd/mvd-forms-lib/99-0117.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
“An examiner will ride with you in your vehicle and give you directions to follow.”
apps.azdot.gov/files/mvd/mvd-forms-lib/99-0117.pdfChecked July 28, 2026
“If you wish to take the road test, you must schedule an appointment. Follow the steps below to successfully schedule your appointment. Only one road test per customer, per day is permitted. Road tests may be suspended due to weather or safety conditions. A vehicle without air conditioning can not be used for skills testing from June 1st thru September 22nd after 12 o'clock.”
azdot.gov/mvd/services/driver-services/tests-manuals-and-driving-schools/road-testsChecked August 14, 2026
“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.”
azleg.gov/arsDetailChecked July 28, 2026
“Be advised that vehicle Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including but not limited to auto-drive and parking assistance, are prohibited during the road test. All maneuvers must be performed manually without these features.”
apps.azdot.gov/files/mvd/mvd-forms-lib/99-0117.pdfChecked July 28, 2026
“You must provide the vehicle to be used for the test. The vehicle must be in good operating condition: functioning brakes, brake lights, turn signals and horn, a windshield with no cracks, both inside and outside rearview mirrors, and tires that are in good condition. ... Passenger and driver side windows must also be operational. The passenger and driver door must open and close properly. You must show proof of current registration and current automobile liability insurance.”
apps.azdot.gov/files/mvd/mvd-forms-lib/99-0117.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
“If a road test is required, you may drive a test route that has a variety of traffic situations. An examiner will ride with you in your vehicle and give you directions to follow. You will be observed and graded on specific actions and on your general ability to safely operate the vehicle.”
apps.azdot.gov/files/mvd/mvd-forms-lib/99-0117.pdfChecked July 28, 2026
“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
“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
“https://www.azmvdnow.gov/home”
apps.azdot.gov/files/mvd/mvd-forms-lib/99-0117.pdfChecked July 28, 2026
“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
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