There are essentially two official steps to get a teen driver’s license in Arizona. With parental permission, a teen driver can get their learner’s permit (Graduated Instruction Permit) at 15 ½.
Assuming they meet driving requirements and pass the driving test, they can get their Graduated Driver License at 16. However, there is other relevant information that teens may need to know.
Age 15 — 17
Age 18
Age 21
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With parental permission and support, teens can apply for a Graduated Instruction Permit at 15½ years old in Arizona. You must pass both a vision screening and a written test (with a score over 80 percent). The application cost is $7 (2025).
The written test is based on material found here: Arizona Driver Manual. Once you’ve studied, you can try these practice tests. Driving laws are uniform throughout the state, so it doesn’t matter if you live in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Goodyear, or any other Arizona town.
With the Graduated Instruction Permit (learner’s permit), teen drivers must always have a licensed driver at least 21 years old sitting in the front passenger seat. Driving alone can result in serious legal penalties.
You can apply for your Arizona driver’s license (Class G) at 16 years old, but you must have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months first. The basic cost is $25 (2025).
Graduated Driving License restrictions (curfew and passenger limits) expire after 6 months of safe driving. However, Arizona teen drivers continue to hold the graduated (Class G) license until age 18. Penalties for traffic violations may be more severe with a Class G license.
You must be 18 years old to legally register a car in your own name in Arizona. Minors cannot sign legally binding contracts like car loans or insurance policies without parental consent. Parents can find a list of the best cars for teens here.
A one-teen passenger limit is in effect for the first six months after receiving a graduated driver license. If pulled over, a teen driver who violates this limit could face penalties or an extension of the six-month graduated license period.
When a teen gets their license at age 16 or 17, they are subject to an Arizona curfew for the first six months of driving. They are ineligible to drive from midnight to 5:00 a.m. If a teen driver is caught during this curfew, they may be subject to penalties. They will probably have their six-month restricted driving period extended for another six months.
There are numerous Motor Vehicle Department — MVD — locations throughout the Phoenix metro area run by the Arizona Department of Transportation. (In other states, this is often called the DMV or Division of Motor Vehicles). Click here to find the nearest official MVD office. Be sure that your location choice has the services you need.
Like many other states, Arizona uses vertical licenses for drivers age 21 or younger. This makes it quicker for police to recognize younger drivers who may be under restrictions. It also makes it easier to enforce legal restrictions on alcohol sales to those over 21.
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Yes. Arizona offers “Permit Test @ Home” at Arizona DOT. Parents or legal guardians can administer the written permit test online through their AZ MVD Now account. The test has 30 questions and requires 80% to pass.
A graduated license (Class G) is in place until the age of 18. For the first six months after getting an Arizona license, teens must abide by a midnight-to-5 a.m. driving curfew and a limit of one teenage passenger. Restrictions are lifted after a successful six month driving period.
Teens under 18 are legally considered minors under the law. Therefore, they must have adult permission to get the license. In addition, they need parental supervision to drive with a learner’s permit. Finally, insurance is required for all Arizona drivers; however, drivers under 18 are not eligible for separate insurance from their parents.
Arizona requires 30 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 10 hours at night. Alternately, completion of an approved driver education program comes with a 20-hour requirement with 6 hours at night. Most experts agree that this is the minimum requirement, and they encourage parents to give teens as much driving practice as possible.
The Arizona Class D driver license is granted to anyone over 18 who passes the requisite driving tests. The format is vertical, indicating under age 21. At 21 or older, the format is horizontal. Class C drivers upgrade to Class D when they turn 18. They can return to the MVD for an official license upgrade, but it isn’t necessary. Likewise, when they turn 21, they may wish to go to the MVD for a horizontal Class D license, but it isn’t required.
To get a driver’s license, the applicant must fill out the Arizona official application and submit certain documents as listed here. Examples of required documents include birth certificates, social security card, and proof of residency.
It is recommended for faster service You can schedule an appointment online here: AZ MVD Now. Third-party companies are listed here.
You can check here for official Arizona government information: Arizona Teen Driver Guide. Always look for the suffix “dot gov” to be sure it is a legitimate site. Make sure to use an Arizona site, since other states may have different requirements.
Studies have found that curfews for new drivers help them become better drivers before they become eligible to drive late at night. It is standard practice in the United States to limit teen driving at night due to increased dangers.
Studies have shown that teen drivers make more mistakes in proportion to the number of teen passengers in their car. For this reason, the Arizona graduated license only allows one teen passenger per teen driver for the first six months. There may be exceptions for siblings.
If you’re under 18, your parent or legal guardian must co-sign any financing agreements and insurance policies, making them the legal owner until you reach the age of majority. This is to ensure that a young driver is mature enough to accept responsibility for ownership.
No, Arizona teens do not need to return to the Arizona MVD when their restrictions end. The curfew and passenger restrictions automatically expire after 6 months of safe driving (or at age 18). The physical license card remains the same until the normal renewal cycle. At 18, teens can optionally upgrade to a full Class D license, but it’s not required.
Arizona issues vertical (portrait-oriented) driver’s licenses to all drivers under age 21, while horizontal (landscape) licenses are for those 21 and older. This makes it easy for businesses to quickly identify age status for alcohol purchases and other age-restricted activities.
At age 21, your teen can choose to keep their vertical license or pay a $12 replacement fee to get a horizontal license through AZMVDNow.gov. The vertical license remains valid, so switching is optional.
Your vertical license remains valid after you turn 21. However, you may prefer to have the horizontal license.
Note: This article is for informational purposes only. Please consult official Arizona sources to verify all requirements.
