If you live in Arizona, you are required to have an Arizona driver’s license. Whether you are a lifelong resident or a new resident, if you plan on operating a motor vehicle you will need to visit your local DMV office and apply for a license. Arizona states any person becomes a resident if they work in Arizona, registered to vote in Arizona, or live in Arizona for more than 7 months during a calendar year regardless if you’re paying rent or not. Below you will find all of the information you’ll need to apply for a Arizona driver’s license.
Arizona Learner’s (Instruction) Permit – Who Needs One:
Any resident of Arizona who is 15 years and 6 months old is able to apply for an Arizona learner’s permit. This learners permit requires parental consent if the applicant is under the age of 18, and requires a written and vision test in order to obtain the license. Once obtained, the holder of an learner’s permit is able to operate a motor vehicle as long as he/she is accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age.
After the learner’s permit holder has held the license for at least 6 months and has driven for a total of 30 hours, he/she is able to apply for a Graduated Driver License. This license is applicable for all driver’s who are under the age of 18. To obtain this license, the driver must undergo a road test to determine he/she is able to safely operate a motor vehicle on his/her own.
There are some restrictions associated with the Graduated Driver License. The license holder may not operate a motor vehicle between midnight and 5:00am for the first six months unless the he/she is accompanied by an adult or is driving to sanctioned religious activities, his/her job or for emergency reasons. The holder of a Graduated Driver License may also only carry one passenger under the age of 18 unless the other passenger is a family relative or if the driver is accompanied by a parent/legal guardian with a valid driver license.
Once the driver is 18 years old or older, he/she is able to apply for an Operator Driver License, which does not carry any restrictions as the Instruction or Graduated licenses. To apply for this license, the applicant may be required to take a road test or a written test.
Transferring an Out-of-State Driver’s License (New Resident):
You are required to obtain an Arizona driver’s license when you become an official resident of Arizona. To do so, you will need to visit a local Arizona DMV office and provide the following documentation: Photo identification (previous driver’s license), or three forms of identification if you do not have a photo ID, your social security card and if you are under the age of 18 you will need to have parental consent.
If you hold a valid driver’s license from another state in the United States, you will be required to undergo a vision exam, which is performed at the DMV office. You will not be required to undergo additional testing such as a road test or a written test as long as the out-of-state license is valid.
REFERENCES:
http://www.azdot.gov/mvd/driver/gdl/gdl.asp
Arizona Department of Transportation: Teen Driving
http://www.azdot.gov/mvd/azwelcome.asp
Arizona Department of Transportation: New to Arizona?
http://www.azdot.gov/mvd/faqs/scripts/FAQsResponse.asp?Category=1&Keyword;=
Arizona Department of Transportation: Driver License Frequently Asked Questions
