Driving Tests

Moving to Arizona? When and How to Transfer Your Driver's License

informational·how to guide·Published July 2, 2026

When do you have to switch to an Arizona driver license after you move?

Arizona law requires residents who drive or own a vehicle to get an Arizona driver license and registration. The Arizona Driver License Manual says to do it immediately once any one resident item applies, such as a job in Arizona or seven months or more in a calendar year. Your out-of-state license may waive the written or road test. The out-of-state skill test is $15, and vision screening is $5.

Where the Arizona transfer rules come from

The resident rules come from the ADOT proof of identification page and from A.R.S. 28-2001. The Arizona Driver License Manual (revised March 2026) gives the "immediately" rule, the test waiver, the office tips and the teen exemption. The fees, Travel ID and teen details come from the ADOT driver license fee page, Arizona Travel ID page and teen permit and license page. A.R.S. 28-3151 and 28-3152 set the license requirement and the nonresident exemption. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the ADOT Motor Vehicle Division (azdot.gov/mvd) before you drive.

When must you switch to an Arizona license?

Under Arizona law, a resident who drives or owns a vehicle must get an Arizona driver license and, where it applies, Arizona vehicle registration. You may not drive a motor vehicle on a highway without a valid license unless an exemption applies. The Arizona Driver License Manual says to get the license and registration "immediately" once any one of the resident items below applies to you.

Arizona resident items: any one counts

You work in Arizona. Seasonal agricultural work does not count.
You are registered to vote in Arizona.
Your children go to school in Arizona, and you do not pay nonresident tuition.
You get an Arizona state license, or you pay school tuition at the Arizona resident rate.
Your business has an office in Arizona and bases and operates vehicles in Arizona.
Your business operates vehicles that carry goods or passengers within Arizona.
You stay in Arizona a total of seven months or more in a calendar year, wherever your permanent home is.

Who does not count as an Arizona resident?

Out-of-state students enrolled with seven or more semester hours are not Arizona residents, even if they have a job in Arizona. Active-duty military personnel based in Arizona who qualify for the exemption under the Service Members Civil Relief Act of 2003 are not residents either. Under A.R.S. 28-3152, a nonresident who is 16 or older may drive a vehicle that needs a Class D license when the nonresident carries a valid license from the home state or country.

How to transfer your license at an Arizona MVD office

1
Check the resident items
Once any one item applies to you, get your Arizona license and registration immediately.
2
Choose a Travel ID or a standard license
Choose the Travel ID if you want to use your license to fly within the United States. The Travel ID section below explains the choice.
3
Start on AZMVDNow.gov
You can complete a driver license application on AZMVDNow.gov. You can also make an appointment there for any MVD service.
4
Go to an MVD office with your documents
Bring your out-of-state license and the documents in the list below. For a Travel ID, an Authorized Third Party driver license location is also an option.
5
Take any test that ADOT asks for and pay the fees
The test and fee sections below give the details.

Do you have to take tests to transfer?

The Arizona Driver License Manual says your out-of-state license serves as a secondary form of identification and may waive the written or road test. Confirm with ADOT MVD which tests you need.

Arizona transfer and license fees, 2026

Arizona transfer and license fees, 2026
Item	Fee
Out-of-state driver license skill test	$15
Out-of-state vision screening	$5
Non-travel driver license, ages 16 to 39	$25
Non-travel driver license, ages 40 to 44	$20
Non-travel driver license, ages 45 to 49	$15
Non-travel driver license, age 50 and older or five-year	$10
Arizona Travel ID driver license or ID, original and renewal	$25

Travel ID or standard license?

You will fly within the United States or enter a restricted federal building

Get an Arizona Travel ID, or carry a U.S. passport or other federally approved ID. Since May 7, 2025, TSA airport checkpoints accept only a REAL ID compliant credential for domestic travel. Apply at least two weeks before your trip, because the card comes by mail. The Arizona Travel ID documents guide has more detail.

You only need a license to drive

A Travel ID is not required. A non-travel license costs $10 to $25, by age.

You are 58 or older and choose a Travel ID

A Travel ID is valid for up to eight years in most cases. At 60 or older, it is valid for five years from the issue date. At 58 or 59, it expires in the year you turn 65, on the day and month of issue.

Documents to bring to the MVD office

Your out-of-state driver license.
Proof that your presence in the United States is authorized under federal law.
Your complete Social Security number. For a Travel ID, no document is needed for it.
For a Travel ID, one proof of identity: an original or certified birth certificate, an unexpired U.S. passport or passport card, a Permanent Resident Card or a U.S. Certificate of Citizenship.
For a Travel ID, two proofs of Arizona residency from different sources, with your name and current Arizona residential address. Examples are a utility bill, a bank or credit card statement, an insurance policy or a government document. An Arizona Residency Affidavit can count as one of the two.
For a Travel ID, if your legal name is different on a document: legal proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order.

Moving to Arizona with a teen driver

Your teen has an out-of-state instruction permit

Arizona gives credit for the months the teen held it. The teen takes the Arizona permit test and holds a permit for 6 months in total, or until 18. Example: after 3 months on a California permit, the teen holds the Arizona permit for 3 more months. Try the practice question on the permit holding period.

Your teen has an out-of-state driver license

The teen may transfer it to an Arizona license of the same class. The manual says a holder of a current, valid out-of-state license may be exempt from the driver education, driving practice and instruction permit rules. A graduated license holder follows the Arizona graduated license restrictions for the first six months or until 18. The Arizona Class G teen license guide lists them.

Your teen has no permit or license yet

The Arizona permit process starts at 15 years and 6 months.

Key takeaways

Get an Arizona license and registration immediately once any one resident item applies, such as a job in Arizona or seven months or more in a calendar year.
Out-of-state students with seven or more semester hours and qualifying active-duty military are not Arizona residents.
Your out-of-state license may waive the written or road test. The out-of-state skill test is $15 and vision screening is $5.
Teens get Arizona credit for the months on an out-of-state permit, and they may transfer an out-of-state license of the same class.
Next step: practice on the free Arizona Instruction Permit practice test. It is in English only.

Moving to Arizona: common questions

I spend the winter in Arizona. Do I need an Arizona driver license?

It depends on how long you stay and what you do here. A total stay of seven months or more in a calendar year makes you a resident, wherever your permanent home is. A job in Arizona or voter registration here also makes you a resident. If no resident item applies and you are 16 or older, you may drive a Class D vehicle with your valid home-state license.

I am a college student or in the military in Arizona. Do I need an Arizona license?

An out-of-state student enrolled with seven or more semester hours is not an Arizona resident, even with a job here. Active-duty military based in Arizona who qualify under the Service Members Civil Relief Act of 2003 are not residents either. As a nonresident, you may drive with your valid home-state license. ADOT also lists a $10 limited license for qualifying military or students.

Do I have to register my car in Arizona too?

Yes, if you are a resident who owns a vehicle. Arizona law requires residents who drive or own a vehicle to get Arizona vehicle registration as applicable, and the manual says to do it immediately once a resident item applies. Bring your out-of-state title, registration and license plates to the MVD office.

When is the best time to go to an Arizona MVD office?

Make an appointment on AZMVDNow.gov: appointments are available for all MVD services. The Arizona Driver License Manual says to avoid the first two days and the last two days of the month and the day after a holiday. Bring your out-of-state license, because it also serves as a secondary form of identification.