I'm a new resident in Arizona: what do I do with my license?

Compare with the state you moved from

Choose the state you came from to see the main differences from Arizona. Every value comes from that state's official manual (with the page number) or from its license guide. Where a manual does not state a rule, we say so instead of guessing.

Key rules in Arizona

Each rule comes from the Arizona driver manual or from the license guide, with its source.

Licensing and paperwork

• Liability insurance

  Minimum liability coverage, private passenger vehicle: $25,000 injury one person, $50,000 two or more, $15,000 property.

  What the manual says

  • The manual lists $25,000 bodily injury liability for one person as the minimum.
  • The minimum is $50,000 bodily injury liability for two or more persons.
  • The manual states the minimum property damage liability is $15,000.

  Source: Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide (Revised March 2026), page 9

• Change of address

  Notify MVD within 10 days of any change of name or address.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says you are required by law to notify MVD within 10 days of any change to your name or address.

  Source: Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide (Revised March 2026), page 6

• How long the license lasts

  Generally valid until age 65; a license first issued at 60 or older lasts up to five years.

  What the manual says

  • How long a license lasts

    State law says a driver license is generally valid until the holder’s 65th birthday, unless medical restrictions require a shorter period, and after age 60 it is renewable for successive five-year periods. A license first issued to an applicant aged 60 or older is valid for up to five years. A Travel ID has its own validity (see the Travel ID section).

  • How long a license lasts

    State law says a driver license is generally valid until the holder’s 65th birthday, unless medical restrictions require a shorter period, and after age 60 it is renewable for successive five-year periods. A license first issued to an applicant aged 60 or older is valid for up to five years. A Travel ID has its own validity (see the Travel ID section).

  Source: [1]

Road rules

• Teen driving hours

  Class G, first 6 months: no driving midnight-5 a.m. except with parent/guardian, or for school, work, religious activity, family emergency.

  What the manual says

  • Night driving

    During the first 6 months, a Class G holder may not drive between midnight and 5:00 a.m. The exceptions are driving with a parent or legal guardian who holds a valid Class A, B, C or D license in the front passenger seat, or driving directly to or from a sanctioned school activity, work, a sanctioned religious activity, or a family emergency.

  • Night driving

    During the first 6 months, a Class G holder may not drive between midnight and 5:00 a.m. The exceptions are driving with a parent or legal guardian who holds a valid Class A, B, C or D license in the front passenger seat, or driving directly to or from a sanctioned school activity, work, a sanctioned religious activity, or a family emergency.

  Source: [2]

• Passengers for teen drivers

  Class G, first 6 months: at most one passenger under 18, except siblings or with a parent/guardian in front.

  What the manual says

  • Passengers

    During the first 6 months, a Class G holder may not carry more than one passenger under 18. The exceptions are the driver’s own siblings, or when a parent or legal guardian with a valid license sits in the front passenger seat.

  • Passengers

    During the first 6 months, a Class G holder may not carry more than one passenger under 18. The exceptions are the driver’s own siblings, or when a parent or legal guardian with a valid license sits in the front passenger seat.

  Source: [2]

• Alcohol limit under 21

  Under 21: any alcohol concentration is grounds for license suspension.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says a driver under 21 may have the license suspended for any alcohol concentration.

  Source: Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide (Revised March 2026), page 65

• Refusing a chemical test

  Driving implies consent to testing; refusal costs driving privilege 12 months, 24 for a second within 84 months.

  What the manual says

  • By applying for and accepting the privilege to drive in Arizona you give consent to testing, known as the Implied Consent Law.
  • The manual says refusal or unsuccessful completion costs you your driving privilege for 12 months.
  • The manual gives 24 months for a second refusal within 84 months.

  Source: Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide (Revised March 2026), page 65

• Seat belts

  Drivers must make all passengers under 16 buckle up; a front-seat lap-only belt must be fastened while moving.

  What the manual says

  • The operator must require all passengers under the age of 16 to buckle up.
  • The manual requires the lap belt to be properly adjusted and fastened while the vehicle is in motion.

  Source: Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide (Revised March 2026), page 19

• Child safety seats

  More than one child under 8: as many as reasonable in DOT-standard restraints, used per instructions.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says as many children as reasonable given the size of the passenger area and number of passengers.
  • The manual says child restraint systems must meet U.S. Department of Transportation safety standards.
  • The manual says they must be used by following the manufacturer's and the automobile manufacturer's instructions.

  Source: Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide (Revised March 2026), page 20

• Phone use while driving

  No holding or supporting a wireless device, reading or writing texts, or watching video; hands-free and voice-to-text allowed.

  What the manual says

  • Arizona law prohibits holding or supporting a wireless device while driving.
  • Drivers may not write or read text-based communication or watch, record or broadcast video while driving.
  • The manual says wireless devices may be used for hands-free or voice-to-text operations.

  Source: Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide (Revised March 2026), page 24

• School buses

  Stop before a loading school bus; no stop needed on a divided roadway when traveling opposite.

  What the manual says

  • You must come to a complete stop before reaching the bus, except on a divided roadway when you are traveling in the opposite direction.
  • A divided roadway is one separated by physical barriers such as a fence, curbing or separation of the pavement; roadway striping by itself does not count.
  • On a divided roadway you may proceed with caution if the school bus is in the approaching lanes, but not if it is stopped in your direction of traffic.

  Source: Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide (Revised March 2026), page 39

• Move Over law

  Move over one lane for a roadside vehicle with flashing lights; if unsafe, slow down and use caution.

  What the manual says

  • The move-over law requires motorists to move over one lane to create a safe margin of space when driving by a vehicle with flashing lights at the roadside.
  • If it is not safe or possible to move over, motorists must slow down and use caution.

  Source: Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide (Revised March 2026), page 39

• Headlights

  Headlights on sunset to sunrise; low beam when glare, rain or dust make you hard to see.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says you must use headlights from sunset to sunrise.
  • You turn on your headlights on low beam so other drivers can see you.

  Source: Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide (Revised March 2026), page 57

• Right turn on red

  Allowed after a full stop if clear and no sign forbids it; yield to pedestrians, bicyclists, oncoming traffic.

  What the manual says

  • Where signs do not prohibit it, a right turn may be made after coming to a complete stop when motor and pedestrian traffic are clear.
  • The manual says to always yield to pedestrians, bicyclists and oncoming traffic.

  Source: Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide (Revised March 2026), page 34, 47

• Speed limits

  No limit posted: 25 mph business or residential, 75 mph rural freeways.

  What the manual says

  • The manual lists 25 mph in any business or residential district when no limit is posted.
  • The manual lists 75 mph on rural freeways when no limit is posted.

  Source: Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide (Revised March 2026), page 40

• Left lane and keeping right

  Stay right, left lane only for passing; on three lanes the far right is the slower lane.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says to stay to the right and only use the left lane for passing.
  • On a three-lane highway you treat the far right lane as a slower-speed through lane and the far left lane as the passing lane.

  Source: Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide (Revised March 2026), page 33

• Points and suspension

  Points per moving-violation conviction; 8 or more in 12 months means Traffic Survival School or possible suspension.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says points are assessed each time you are convicted or forfeit bail for a moving traffic violation.
  • The manual says 8 or more points within any 12-month period require Traffic Survival School, or the privilege may be suspended.

  Source: Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide (Revised March 2026), page 62

Official steps for moving to Arizona

• When you count as a resident

  State law requires an Arizona license and registration if any one of the conditions listed in the manual applies. The conditions include working in Arizona (other than seasonal agricultural work), staying in Arizona seven months or more in a calendar year, and being registered to vote in Arizona. An out-of-state student enrolled with seven or more semester hours is not considered a resident, even if employed.

  Source: [2] [3] [4]

• Visitors and military personnel

  State law exempts a nonresident who is at least 16 and has a valid license from the home state or country from Arizona licensing while driving a vehicle that needs a Class D license. A visitor can legally drive with a valid license from the home country. An international driver permit is not required, but it is recommended because it is printed in English. Military personnel based in Arizona who qualify under the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act are not Arizona residents. Military personnel and their dependents stationed in Arizona may apply for or renew a five-year license at any MVD office.

  Source: [5] [6] [2] [7]

• Your first visit

  New residents visit MVD in person to get an Arizona license, ID and registration. Offices are statewide, and no appointment is needed. After the first visit, you can activate an AZMVDNow.gov account for online services.

  • Bring proof of authorized presence in the U.S., the current license or ID from your previous state, and your Social Security number.
  • A Social Security card may be required for name changes.
  • A Travel ID (REAL ID) is an optional upgrade for domestic flights and federal facilities.
  • A vehicle brought from another state must be registered as soon as you become an Arizona resident. MVD advises bringing the out-of-state title, registration and license plates.

  Source: [8] [2]

• Your out-of-state license

  MVD advises bringing your out-of-state license, because it serves as a secondary form of identification, and MVD says it may mean you do not have to take the written test. An out-of-state driver license can be transferred to an Arizona license of the same class. Check with MVD which tests apply to you before you go.

  Source: [2] [9] [10]

• If you are under 18 and moving from another state

  Arizona gives credit for the time you held an instruction permit in another state. For example, MVD says a 3-month out-of-state permit means taking the Arizona permit test and holding the Arizona permit 3 more months instead of 6. A graduated license applicant who holds a current valid out-of-state license may be exempt from the driver education or driving practice requirements and from the instruction permit requirement. A graduated license holder who transfers an out-of-state license follows the graduated restrictions for the first six months or until 18.

  Source: [2] [9]

• A license from another country

  MVD lists Canada, Germany, South Korea and Taiwan on its reciprocity page. Holders of a current valid license from these countries may not be required to take a road skills or written test, and for Taiwan and South Korea this applies to applicants aged 18 or older. For other countries, MVD says foreign applicants take a written test and a road skills test unless they are exempt because of reciprocity. A license issued to a foreign applicant expires on the same date as the authorized presence document.

  Source: [11] [6] [10]

Sources

1. A.R.S. 28-3171 Driver license expiration and renewal (azleg.gov) — Arizona Legislature (Arizona Revised Statutes)
2. Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide (99-0117, revised March 2026), English (azdot.gov) — Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (ADOT MVD)
3. A.R.S. 28-2001 Definitions ("Resident") (azleg.gov) — Arizona Legislature (Arizona Revised Statutes)
4. Proof of Identification, Age and Authorized Presence (azdot.gov) — Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (ADOT MVD)
5. A.R.S. 28-3152 Driver license; exemptions; limitation (azleg.gov) — Arizona Legislature (Arizona Revised Statutes)
6. Driver Licenses for Foreign Applicants (azdot.gov) — Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (ADOT MVD)
7. Military Personnel Driver License Services (azdot.gov) — Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (ADOT MVD)
8. New To AZ - Welcome! (azdot.gov) — Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (ADOT MVD)
9. Teen Driver Guide to Class G Permit and License (azdot.gov) — Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (ADOT MVD)
10. Permit Test (at Home or in an Office) (azdot.gov) — Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (ADOT MVD)
11. Foreign Reciprocity (azdot.gov) — Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (ADOT MVD)