Moving to Arizona: How to Get Your Driver License and Register Your Car

When you move to Arizona, you handle your new driver license and your car registration at an Arizona MVD office in person. For your car, ADOT says to register as soon as you become a resident, and if you live in metro Phoenix or Tucson, your vehicle may need to pass an emissions test first.

I help a lot of people relocate to the Valley, and after the moving truck is unloaded, this is one of the first "now what?" questions I get. The good news is that it is not complicated once you know the order of steps. Here is how I explain it to my clients, based on what the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) MVD and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) publish for new residents.

When Arizona considers you a resident

ADOT lists several things that make you an Arizona resident for MVD purposes. Any one of them counts. A few of the common ones:

• You stay in Arizona seven months or more in a calendar year.
• You work in Arizona (seasonal farm work is an exception).
• You register to vote here.
• Your kids attend school here without paying nonresident tuition.

That last group matters for buyers. If you closed on a home and started a job here, you are almost certainly a resident in the MVD's eyes, so it is time to switch your license and plates over.

Step 1: Get your Arizona driver license

ADOT's "New to AZ" page says new residents get a license or ID card by visiting an MVD office, and that no appointment is needed. Bring:

• Proof that you are authorized to be in the U.S.
• Your current license or ID card from your previous state.
• Your Social Security number. Your card may be needed if your name has changed.

According to the MVD FAQ, if you have a current out-of-state license with you, you normally will not have to take a written or road test, although a test can be required in some cases.

Should you get the Travel ID? Arizona's Travel ID is the state's REAL ID version. It is optional, but it lets you use your license to board domestic flights and enter federal buildings. To get it, you also need two documents showing your Arizona address, such as a utility bill, a bank or credit card statement, or an insurance policy. If you just moved, that can take a few weeks to collect, so set up your utilities and change your address with your bank early.

Step 2: Check whether your car needs an emissions test

This is the step that surprises people. ADEQ runs Arizona's vehicle emissions program, and testing is required in the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas, including for people who regularly commute into those areas for work or school. Per ADEQ's FAQ, a vehicle moving into the area has to pass emissions before it can be registered, unless it is exempt.

ADOT says you probably do not need a test if your vehicle is five years old or newer, a 1966 or older model, or fully electric. Hybrids are not exempt. Motorcycles have not been tested since 2013. A few other tips from ADOT and ADEQ:

• Get the test done before your MVD visit. Results go to MVD electronically.
• A car with the "Check Engine" light on will not pass.
• Stations take walk-ins, Monday through Saturday, first come, first served.
• Where you live is what counts. If you buy on the edge of the Valley, ADEQ has an online address locator to check whether your home is inside the testing area.

This last point comes up when my clients look at homes in outlying areas, so it is worth a quick check on the map once you have an address.

Step 3: Title and register your vehicle

Your first Arizona registration has to be done in person at an office. ADOT's out-of-state vehicle checklist includes:

• A signed Title and Registration Application (ADOT form 96-0236).
• Your emissions compliance, if you live in the Phoenix or Tucson area.
• Your out-of-state title, or your registration if a lender holds the title.
• A lien release, if it applies, and a power of attorney from the leasing company for a leased car.

You will also need Arizona liability insurance from a company authorized here. ADOT says every vehicle driven on Arizona roads needs it, including golf carts, which is handy to know if you buy in a golf cart friendly community. Most vehicles can be registered for one, two or five years. ADOT also offers temporary permits if there is a gap in the title process.

After that first visit, you can set up an AZ MVD Now account to handle renewals and replacements online. Note that MVD does not mail license renewal notices, so put your renewal date on your calendar.

Questions people ask

Do I need an appointment at the Arizona MVD?
No, ADOT's new resident page says no appointment is needed for a license, ID or registration. You can visit any MVD office statewide.

Do I have to retake the driving test when I move to Arizona?
Usually not. The MVD FAQ says drivers with a current out-of-state license normally skip the written and road tests, though MVD can require one in some cases.

Does my new car need an emissions test in Phoenix?
Probably not if it is five years old or newer, or fully electric. Older gas, diesel and hybrid vehicles kept in the Phoenix metro testing area generally need to pass before registration.

Can I keep driving on my foreign license?
The MVD FAQ says a valid license from another country can be used to drive in Arizona, and an international driving permit is recommended but not required.

More help for your move

Still deciding where to land? Start with my Moving to Phoenix guide, compare areas on the Arizona cities page, and see how budgets stack up on the cost of living in Phoenix page. When you are ready to look at homes, read your first steps to buying a home in the Valley.

Rules and requirements can change. Check azdot.gov/mvd and myazcar.com for the current details before your visit.