How to Get a Driver’s License

Arizona has a Graduated Driver License program, or GDL, that will give you time to learn how to drive in a controlled way. There are three stages to this program, from no license to full license.

Completing the Arizona GDL takes about a year. First, you’ll complete an Arizona DMV approved driver training course for your learner’s permit. Then, 30 hours of supervised driving for a restricted license. Drive with it for 12 months, or until you turn 16, to receive your unrestricted license.

The steps below have the details you’ll need to know to get your full, unrestricted Arizona driver’s license.

Get your Arizona graduated instruction permit

You can start the process to get your license at 15½ years old. To get ready for driving, you can download the Arizona Driver License Manual and start reading through it. Arizona now allows teens to take the permit test at home, under the supervision of a parent or guardian (you can also take this test in person if you wish).

For an at home permit test, parents or guardians should create an AZ MVD account (the test must be administered through a parent or guardian account, not your account), pay the $7 license fee, and supervise you taking the test.

The test has 30 multiple-choice questions taken from the Arizona Driver License Manual and you must have an 80% or higher to pass the exam. Be sure to take some practice tests before you take the official exam.

Don’t worry if you don’t pass the test right away. You can retake the test online, at an Arizona DMV location, or AZ MVD authorized third-party office. You’ll have to wait to the next day to take it, but you can take it up to 3 times without having to pay for additional testing.

Once you complete and pass the test, you can make an appointment online to go to an MVD location to take your vision test and get your license. You can also go to an Arizona MVD authorized third-party driver license provider to do this as well.

You’ll need to bring your completed AZ Travel License application with you as well as your supporting documents, including one primary form of identification (for example, your birth certificate, passport, etc.) and two secondary forms of identification that show your address (for example, mail from a business, organization, or government agency that has your name and address on them).

Once you pass your written exam and your vision test, you’ll be issued an Arizona MVD approved graduated instruction permit and can begin practicing driving.

You’ll need to have your AZ driver’s permit with you every time you’re behind the wheel.

You must hold your permit in good standing for at least 6 months before you can apply for a regular license. During that time, you’ll need to have 30 hours driving practice with 10 of those being at night. Driver education hours do not count toward those practice hours. While driving with your permit, you must have a licensed driver, who is at least 21 years of age, in the front seat next to you at all times.

This is the point also where you’ll need to get driving instruction. You can take and complete an Arizona MVD-approved driver education program or have your parent or guardian certify that you have completed the 30 required hours of driving practice.

If you’re ready to enroll in driver education, find a driving school to get started.

Once you’ve completed the required amount of instruction, you can apply for your driver’s license.

Getting your Arizona graduated driver license

Receiving your license requires that you’ve completed certain requirements. Those are reaching the age of 16.

Driving Skills Test: You will be required to pass a driving test with an AZ MVD evaluator who will make sure you can perform basic driving tasks safely. Road tests are by appointment only and can be taken at an AZ MVD location or at an authorized third-party driver license location. You may be able to walk into a third-party location, but you must have an appointment at an AZ MVD location.

Before you take it, you should check out the Top 10 Automatic Fails on Driver Tests, so you’ll know what not to do on test day.

The application fee for your license is $25.00.

Your license will be mailed to you and will have your photograph on it. They take your picture the day you pass your driving skills test. This license will come with the following restrictions:

With this license, you can have no more than 1 passenger younger than 18. As you continue to learn how to operate a motor vehicle in different conditions, there are certain hours when you won’t be able to drive. Those are midnight to 5:00 am.

Getting your AZ unrestricted license

At a certain point, the state feels that you’ve been able to receive enough supervised driving experience that you can go out on your own. Therefore, once you reach 18 or have had your provisional license for six months you can get your full license.

This means that previous restrictions are lifted. However, you will not receive an updated license until that one expires. After you renew your license, you will receive your full, unrestricted license in the mail.

Whether you’ve just finished your Arizona graduated licensing process, or are just starting out, you might also want to consider a telematic companion application to better understand your driving habits, and how to improve them.

The best option is the DriverZ Virtual Coach. Download it today to sharpen your S.P.I.D.E.R.Senses™ to build the driving skills that will keep you safe for a lifetime, track your supervised driving hours, and access bespoke driver training based on your specific needs.

Frequently asked questions

Here are answers to some common questions you might have as you start out on your AZ graduated licensing journey.

I’m older than 18, do I still need to complete the GDL program to receive my Arizona driver's license?

All drivers are required to obtain their instructional permit, regardless of age. You are not subject to the 6-month instructional period, but you will need to pass the written test to obtain the Arizona graduated instructional permit, and then pass to road test for a full, unrestricted license when you feel you’re ready.

Can I drive with an out of state learner’s permit in Arizona?

You may not drive with an out of state learner’s permit in Arizona. New residents will have to file an application to the Arizona MVD GDL program.

Arizona Motor Vehicle Division information

For comprehensive information on everything related to the Arizona graduated licensing program, visit Arizona DOT Motor Vehicle Services, You can also call 1-602-255-0072, or 1-602-712-3222 for the hearing or speech impaired, between 8 a.m. to 5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, or 9am to 5 pm on Wednesdays.

Prepare for your license journey by reviewing the Arizona Driver License Manual, and taking a few practice tests.