A Class D license is Arizona's standard driver's license for most adults
A Class D license in Arizona is the regular driver's license issued to people 18 and older who pass the written test, vision test, and driving test. It lets you drive a passenger vehicle — a car, pickup truck, or van — on public roads. You do not need a Class D to drive; Arizona also issues a Nonoperational ID card if you want state identification without driving privileges, but the Class D is what most people get when they want to operate a vehicle legally.
The Class D is different from a commercial license (Class A or B), which you need to drive a truck over a certain weight or carry passengers for money. It is also different from a motorcycle endorsement, which you add to a Class D if you want to ride a motorcycle. Most people in Arizona hold a Class D.
Key Takeaways
- A Class D license lets you drive a passenger car, pickup truck, or van once you pass the written, vision, and driving tests.
- You must be at least 18 years old to get a Class D without restrictions; drivers 16 and 17 can get a Graduated Driving License (GDL) with limits on when and where they can drive.
- The written test covers Arizona traffic laws and road signs; the driving test shows you can handle a vehicle safely in real conditions.
- A Class D costs a renewal fee every 12 years and requires you to pass a vision test at renewal, though you do not have to retake the written or driving test.
- You can add endorsements to a Class D — such as a motorcycle endorsement or hazmat endorsement — without getting a different class of license.
Who can get a Class D license in Arizona
You must be at least 18 years old to get a standard Class D license with no restrictions. If you are 16 or 17, Arizona issues a Graduated Driving License (GDL) instead, which is still a Class D but comes with rules: you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m., you cannot carry passengers under 20 unless a parent or guardian is in the car, and you must hold a learner's permit for six months before you can take the driving test.
You also need to prove your identity and Arizona residency. Bring a birth certificate or passport, proof of your Social Security number, and two documents showing your current address — such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you can still get a Class D if you have a valid visa or work permit.
What you need to pass to get a Class D
You must pass three tests: a written test, a vision test, and a driving test. The written test has 40 questions about Arizona traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving. You need to answer at least 32 correctly. You can study using the Arizona Driver License Manual, which the Motor Vehicle Division publishes free online.
The vision test checks that you can see well enough to drive safely. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them. You must see at least 20/40 in each eye; if you cannot, you may still pass if you can see 20/40 in one eye and 20/60 in the other, but your license will have a restriction requiring you to wear corrective lenses while driving.
The driving test lasts about 10 to 15 minutes. An examiner sits in the car with you and watches you start the engine, drive on city streets and possibly a highway, park, and handle turns and stops. You must follow traffic laws and show you can control the vehicle. If you fail, you can retake it the same day or schedule another appointment.
How long a Class D license lasts and when you renew
A Class D license is valid for 12 years from the date it is issued. When it expires, you must renew it. Renewal requires a vision test but not a written or driving test — the Motor Vehicle Division assumes your knowledge and skills have not changed.
You can renew in person at any Motor Vehicle Division office, by mail if your license is not suspended or revoked, or online if you meet certain conditions (your license must not be expiring more than six months away, and you must have renewed online before). The renewal fee varies but is typically around $25 to $35 for a 12-year renewal.
If your license expires and you continue to drive, you are driving without a valid license, which is a traffic violation. Renew before the expiration date on your card.
Endorsements you can add to a Class D
You do not have to get a different class of license to drive a motorcycle or carry hazardous materials. Instead, you add an endorsement to your Class D. The most common is the motorcycle endorsement, which requires passing a written test and a riding skills test on an actual motorcycle. Some people take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course, which can waive the riding test in Arizona.
A hazmat endorsement lets you transport hazardous materials in a vehicle under a certain weight. It requires a written test and a background check. Other endorsements exist for specific situations, such as transporting passengers for money or towing a trailer over a certain weight, but these usually require a higher class of license instead.
Restrictions that may appear on your Class D
Your license may have restrictions printed on it based on your vision, medical history, or driving record. Common restrictions include corrective lenses (you must wear glasses or contacts), automatic transmission only (you cannot drive a manual transmission vehicle), or daylight driving only (you cannot drive at night). These restrictions are set when you pass your tests or renew your license.
If a restriction is on your license and you violate it — for example, driving at night when your license says daylight only — you can be cited for a traffic violation. If your medical condition or vision changes, you can request that a restriction be removed by visiting a Motor Vehicle Division office and passing the relevant test again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Class D license if I have never driven before?
Yes. You start by getting a learner's permit, which requires passing the written and vision tests. With a permit, you can drive only with a licensed driver 18 or older in the front seat. After holding the permit for a set time (six months if you are under 18, no waiting period if you are 18 or older), you can take the driving test to get your Class D.
What happens if I fail the driving test?
You can retake it when ready or schedule another appointment. There is no limit to how many times you can retake it, but you must pay the test fee each time. Many people pass on the second or third attempt after practicing more.
Do I have to renew my Class D in person?
No. If your license is not suspended or revoked and is not expiring more than six months away, you can renew by mail or online. In-person renewal is required only if your license is suspended, revoked, or if you need to update your photo or address.
Can I drive in other states with an Arizona Class D?
Yes. Your Arizona Class D is recognized in all 50 states and most countries. However, some states have different rules about what vehicles you can drive or what endorsements you need, so check the rules of the state you are visiting if you plan to drive a commercial vehicle or motorcycle.
What is the difference between a Class D and a Nonoperational ID?
A Class D lets you drive; a Nonoperational ID does not. Both are state-issued identification and can be used to board a plane or enter a federal building. Choose a Nonoperational ID if you do not plan to drive or do not want to take the driving test.