To get a horizontal driver’s license in Arizona, you need to be at least 21, gather your identity, Social Security, and residency documents, decide between a Travel ID and a standard non-travel license, and visit an MVD office or authorized third-party provider to pass a knowledge test, vision screening, and road test. The horizontal format is simply what Arizona issues once you turn 21; drivers under 21 get a vertical card.
The switch matters for more than looks. Arizona liquor law treats a vertical license held by someone over 21 as unacceptable ID for alcohol purchases once 30 days have passed since the holder’s 21st birthday.1Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control. Using a Vertical Driver License to Enter Bar or Purchase Alcohol If you turned 21 with a vertical card still in your wallet, replacing it avoids getting turned away at bars, restaurants, and stores.
You also have to be an Arizona resident with driving privileges that are not currently suspended or revoked in any state. Arizona law prohibits the MVD from issuing a license to anyone who cannot prove authorized presence in the United States under federal law.2Arizona Legislature. Arizona Revised Statutes 28-3153 – Driver License Issuance Prohibitions Any outstanding suspension in another state needs to be cleared first.
Choose Travel ID or Non-Travel License First
Arizona issues the horizontal license in two versions, and picking the right one before you show up saves a return trip. The Travel ID is Arizona’s REAL ID-compliant credential. Since May 2025, federal law requires REAL ID-compliant identification to board domestic flights and enter certain federal facilities.3Transportation Security Administration. TSA Reminds Public of REAL ID Enforcement Deadline If you plan to fly domestically using your license as ID, get the Travel ID.
The Travel ID has stricter document requirements. You’ll need primary identity documents that confirm both your legal name and date of birth, such as a certified birth certificate or unexpired U.S. passport. The non-travel license accepts a broader range of identity documents, including tribal ID cards and military IDs.4Arizona Department of Transportation. Arizona DL/ID Requirements The Travel ID costs $25 for anyone; the non-travel license uses an age-based fee scale.
One thing to plan around: the temporary paper license the MVD hands you at the counter is not accepted by TSA at airport checkpoints, so don’t schedule a flight for the week you apply.5Transportation Security Administration. Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint
Documents to Bring
Whichever version you choose, you need documents in three categories. Missing any one means starting over.
Proof of Identity
For a Travel ID, acceptable identity documents include an original or certified birth certificate issued by a U.S. state or territory, an unexpired U.S. passport or passport card, a Permanent Resident Card, or a Certificate of Naturalization. Hospital-issued birth records are not accepted.4Arizona Department of Transportation. Arizona DL/ID Requirements For a non-travel license, the list expands to include active-duty or retired military ID cards, enhanced driver’s licenses from other states, and qualifying tribal identification.
Social Security Number
You must provide your Social Security number on the application. Your Social Security card is the cleanest proof, but a W-2, an SSA-1099, or a pay stub showing your full name and SSN will also work.6Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions
Two Proofs of Arizona Residency
You need two separate documents showing your Arizona address. Each must be mailed from a business, organization, or government agency and must show your name and physical residential address. Utility bills, rental agreements, and anything the MVD has previously mailed you all qualify.4Arizona Department of Transportation. Arizona DL/ID Requirements A P.O. box does not count as a physical address. If you just moved and don’t yet have two pieces of mail at the new place, a bank statement with the updated address and a rental agreement are usually the fastest to pull together.
Knowledge Test, Vision Screening, and Road Test
The written knowledge test covers Arizona traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving rules from the Arizona Driver License Manual. It’s 30 multiple-choice questions and you need at least 24 correct to pass. Arizona lets you take the permit knowledge test from home through the AZ MVD Now portal, which saves an office visit for this step.7Arizona Department of Transportation. Online Services At MVD offices, only one attempt per day is allowed.
The vision screening happens at the office. Arizona requires corrected or uncorrected visual acuity of at least 20/40 in one eye.8Cornell Law Institute. Arizona Administrative Code R17-4-503 – Vision Standards If you need glasses or contacts to hit that mark, the MVD adds a corrective-lens restriction to your license and you have to wear them whenever you drive. If you can’t reach 20/40 even with correction, the MVD may refer you for a more detailed eye exam before deciding.
The road test comes last. Schedule the appointment through AZ MVD Now, and bring a vehicle that is properly registered, insured, and safe to drive. The examiner will evaluate lane changes, turns, intersections, parking, and speed control. Only one road test per day is allowed, and tests can be suspended for extreme weather, which is worth keeping in mind during monsoon season.9Arizona Department of Transportation. Road Tests If you fail, you’ll rebook for another day.
Fees
Arizona’s non-travel license fee drops as you get older; the Travel ID is a flat $25:
- Non-travel license, ages 16–39: $25
- Non-travel license, ages 40–44: $20
- Non-travel license, ages 45–49: $15
- Non-travel license, age 50 and older: $10
- Travel ID (any age): $25
- Instruction permit: $7
These are state fees only.10Arizona Department of Transportation. Fees – Driver License Authorized third-party providers charge a convenience fee on top of the state amount.11Arizona Department of Transportation. Authorized Third Party Providers If your license was previously revoked or suspended, a reinstatement fee applies in addition to the application fee.
Where to Apply
You can apply at an MVD office run by the state or at an authorized third-party driver’s license location. Both process new applications. Third-party offices sometimes have shorter waits but charge that convenience fee. Either way, book an appointment through AZ MVD Now; walk-in waits can be long, especially around Phoenix and Tucson.7Arizona Department of Transportation. Online Services Start the application and knock out the knowledge test online before your visit to shorten your time at the counter.
What You Leave With
Once you pass everything and pay, the MVD issues a temporary paper license on the spot so you can drive legally right away. The permanent plastic card is mailed to the Arizona address on your application, usually within 10 to 15 business days. If nothing has arrived after three weeks, contact the MVD to check on it.
If You’re Moving from Another State
The process above assumes you’re getting an Arizona license as an Arizona resident. If you’re transferring a valid out-of-state license, you’re expected to switch to an Arizona license promptly after establishing residency. You’ll still need the identity, SSN, and residency documents described above, plus a $15 skill test fee and a $5 vision screening fee charged as separate line items.10Arizona Department of Transportation. Fees – Driver License Whether the knowledge or road test is waived depends on your driving record and the state your license comes from, so bring your current out-of-state license in good standing to give yourself the best shot at a shorter process.