Arizona is the only state in the country that allows drivers to keep their licenses until they turn 65 years old, without having to renew them every few years. But why is that, and what are the pros and cons of this unusual law?
This means you don’t have to renew your license until you’re 65, even if the rules of the road change.
Valley drivers say something must be done before more people die on the road.
Holly Thompson expressed her concerns about this law.
She says, as a Lyft driver, she sees drivers of all ages who seem confused about the rules of the road.
“No one seems to know the rules of the road. I feel very unsafe. They don’t pay attention. They don’t see you signaling. They will rush to a red light,” she told ABC15.
This is why she says something needs to be done.
“I believe that every so often, people should be retested,” added Thompson.
However, this does not mean that drivers can keep the same license photo for 50 years. They still need to update their photos every 12 years, and take a vision test every five years after 65. They also need to comply with any changes in the rules of the road, or face penalties.
“We simply have to follow the law,” said Doug Nick with ADOT.
Nick states that Arizona driver’s license holders must renew at the age of 65, and then every five years.
“They’ll have to come in and they’ll generally have to take an eye test and they may or may not have to take a written test, but that’s generally not the case. State law also does require that you come in every 12 years for a new photo. “I don’t know of any other states that have this requirement,” Nick told ABC15.
Here’s the exception:
“The [Arizona] Travel ID, the one that has the star, federal law requires it be renewed every eight years. That supersedes state law,” he added.
In comparison, nearby states such as California, Utah, and Colorado mandate that their drivers renew their licenses every five years.
Nick suggests that in order to change the law, people need to bring it to the attention of the legislature.
In the meantime, Nick says you can always brush up on your skills.
“There’s no reason why people can’t review laws,” he said.
Though Wojtczak says that’s not likely to happen if it’s not required by law.
“I can tell you…most people won’t voluntarily do it. It would need to be legislated,” said Wojtczak.
“They need to do something and if they don’t it’s not going to get better. It’s going to get worse,” added Thompson.
The Travel ID must be renewed every eight years, and involves visiting an MVD office or an Authorized Third Party provider for a photo and identification document verification.
Some drivers may find the Arizona law convenient and cost-effective, while others may prefer to have a more frequent renewal process. Either way, it is important for drivers to keep their licenses updated and valid, and to drive safely and responsibly on the road.
Relevant articles:
– Why AZ driver licenses don’t expire for decades, ABC15 Arizona, July 26, 2018
– Renew Your License | Department of Transportation, ADOT
– Drivers concerned Arizona licenses don’t expire for decades, ABC15 Arizona, March 23, 2022