PHOENIX — Governor Doug Ducey and the Arizona Department of Transportation are safely easing the process for obtaining a Commercial Driver License in an effort to alleviate stress on the transportation system and help address the nationwide supply chain crisis.

The Governor’s Office and Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) also are reopening two long-closed rest stops so commercial drivers have additional opportunities to rest.

"We are working to make sure commercial drivers and Arizona families have the support they need this holiday season," said Governor Ducey. "Prices are rising and commercial drivers are under an incredible amount of stress as they transport goods. Today's action will help alleviate this stress. My thanks to the Arizona Department of Transportation for streamlining requirements for commercial drivers and strengthening Arizona’s supply chain.”

“Arizona’s highways are critical for our economy, and the trucking industry is one of the key transportation modes for moving goods through our state and around the country,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski. “We are pleased to take these steps to make processes easier, while enhancing safety for commercial drivers at this important time of the year.”

Removing Regulatory Burdens

To facilitate more commercial drivers being able to obtain credentials, through Executive Order, the Governor will extend the validity of the commercial learners’ permit (CLP) from six months to one year, in alignment with federal law. This gives a student more time to fulfill training requirements without having to reapply for a new permit. The purpose of the CLP is to allow a student to operate a commercial motor vehicle for training purposes with a licensed driver present.

The Executive Order, in alignment with the current federal waiver, will temporarily allow a commercial driver to keep their CDL past the date that the person’s medical certification is required, until Feb. 28, 2022. CDLs are regulated by the federal government. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) previously initiated a series of waivers, including one that allows a driver to keep their CDL active temporarily after the expiration of a medical certificate. Arizona will adopt this practice temporarily, until Feb. 28, 2022, to keep current CDL holders on the road and alleviate supply chain challenges. CDL holders can upload documents online, as well as verify the status of their Arizona medical certificate, at azmvdnow.gov.

Using recent guidance provided by FMCSA, ADOT will move forward with rulemaking to open commercial driver license services to Authorized Third Party providers. During the 2021 legislative session, HB 2134 was signed into law, allowing ADOT to expand commercial driver license services to its Authorized Third Party providers. As CDLs are regulated primarily by the federal government, ADOT requested and received guidance from FMCSA to determine which actions would be permitted under federal law. Once fully implemented, individuals will have expanded options to receive CDL services from Authorized Third Party providers, providing an increase in convenience and accessibility to obtain a license.

Accessibility To Rest Stops

Last week, the Governor directed ADOT to reopen two previously closed rest areas at Parks (I-40) and Christiansen (I-17). Both are now open to serve the public, providing additional opportunities for drivers to park and rest, and further alleviating stress on the supply chain. This is a temporary measure; these rest areas will be open through Jan. 18, 2022 to provide relief for critical deliveries during the holiday season. 

Going Forward Together

Arizona will launch the Arizona Transportation Consultancy Project, which will strengthen and further enable ADOT to collaborate with other states and adopt similar improvements that Arizona has implemented. Jumpstarting the supply chain is a cross-jurisdictional issue that requires the improvement of processes across multiple states. 

Arizona has undertaken many successful initiatives to make obtaining a CDL and the necessary permits simpler and more accessible to drivers, including the expansion of online services. Currently, ADOT is upgrading the Medical Examiner Certificate (MEC) submission process to allow handwritten MECs to be processed digitally, using advanced technology; expanding CDL services to Authorized Third Party providers; and preparing to modernize its commercial vehicle permitting system.

While these efforts have produced excellent results for Arizona, improvements can’t be confined to Arizona to solve our nation’s supply chain issues. The Arizona Consultancy Project will help other states achieve similar improvements. By sharing best practices and ideas found in the Arizona Management System, providing technical assistance on implementation of programs and sharing state-created intellectual property, processes can be improved across the country.

View the Governor's Executive Order HERE. 

PHOENIX –  In the past two years since the Arizona Department of Transportation started the Incident Response Unit sponsored by State Farm, pickup of litter and dangerous roadway debris has been far faster and more efficient than before. 

The Incident Response Unit, whose job is to patrol Valley freeways to provide vital services including removing litter and debris blocking the road, is working even more efficiently with its own tracking system for calls and time management . The system has provided a clearer picture for the unit to see where improvements can be made in responding to roadway incidents in the Valley.

“Litter is an ugly problem anywhere and objects in the roadway can cause serious and even fatal incidents,” said David Blue, ADOT’s Incident Response Unit manager. “Our job is to respond as rapidly as possible to get the driving surface clear and make sure conditions are safe for everyone.”  

One improvement that has paid dividends was a shift in schedules to have a rotating member of the unit on patrol duty on the weekend to address the dozens of litter calls coming in. The Incident Response Unit sponsored by State Farm normally operates from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday with on-call services nights and weekends. This change keeps drivers safer by removing blocking litter more quickly and freeing up State Troopers to address other incidents on the freeways.

In fact, one-third of the 1600 calls that have come in since mid-August have been for litter blocking the road. The types of litter the IRU responds to range from ladders and load spills to couches and even air conditioning units.

“Having someone on weekend duty helps us achieve our mission of keeping traffic flowing and reducing the chance for crashes,” Blue added. “We’re always looking to improve our processes to better serve motorists in the Valley.”

In addition to litter removal, the IRU provides traffic control at crash scenes and aids stranded motorists. Having a dedicated mobile team has cut response times for incidents to a matter of minutes. Before the IRU, maintenance crews would have to stop their work, return to a yard to pick up vehicles and equipment and then respond to the crash scene.

Learn more about ADOT’s Incident Response Unit sponsored by State Farm at azdot.gov/IRU. 

FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Department of Transportation’s Fourth Street Bridge replacement project in Flagstaff is receiving national recognition. The project is among a list of 12 in line for national awards from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). 

The innovative bridge project has already won western regional recognition. For the national award, the three highest-scoring projects from each regional competition earn a place on a “Top 12” list of projects competing for the national Grand Prize – selected by an independent panel of industry judges – and the People’s Choice Award, chosen by the public through online voting. In addition, those top national winners each receive $10,000 in cash awards to be donated to a charity or scholarship of the state DOT’s choosing.

"This project has provided improved access to our campus for our students and families. It also has created safe and healthy alternatives for students who want to walk to school or ride their bikes," said David Lykins, superintendent at Northland Preparatory Academy, a charter school located near the southern end of the Fourth Street Bridge.

The new, wider bridge not only benefits the academy helping students get safely to and from school, but also boosts economic development in the area with better traffic flow and more mobility options.

ADOT State Engineer Dallas Hammit explains the innovative bridge-slide method utilized for the project, “We used a slide technique where the new bridge was built just east of the old one. That allowed us to move the new structure into place in about two weeks. This greatly decreased the inconvenience to the traveling public.” 

After the old bridge was demolished, crews used hydraulic jacks to “slide” the new bridge into place. The method cut an estimated two months off of construction time and saved nearly $7 million over traditional bridge construction methods. This reduced the impact to the local community during construction as well as creating a wider bridge that allows vehicles and pedestrians to safely cross. View a time-lapse video of crews moving the new bridge into place at vimeo.com/442491601. 

Online voting for the People’s Choice Award begins Sept. 24. AASHTO will then announce the winners of both the Grand Prize and People’s Choice awards in October at the AASHTO Annual Meeting in San Diego. Members of the public can visit this link to vote for ADOT’s Fourth Street Bridge project and learn more about all the nominees at americastransportationawards.org.

This is the second year in a row ADOT was honored with the Top 12 recognition. Last year, ADOT’s Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway was named to the list.

FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Department of Transportation completed the installation of the new Rio de Flag bridge along Historic Route 66 in front of Flagstaff City Hall allowing the road to reopen to traffic Thursday afternoon ahead of schedule.

During the week-long closure, crews demolished the old bridge and installed the new bridge using precast bridge elements. Fabricating the bridge components ahead of time as opposed to building them in place allows the work to go more quickly, reducing the time needed to replace the bridge and impacts to traffic.

With the completion of the new bridge, there is still more work to be done. Crews will remain onsite for the next several weeks to install the bridge barrier and sidewalks and replace the raised median and a portion of concrete pavement on Historic Route 66. 

Since ADOT is partnering with the city of Flagstaff on this effort, crews will also over-excavate the Rio de Flag wash to accommodate drainage infrastructure for the future city of Flagstaff Rio de Flag flood control project. Intermittent lane closures will be required to complete the remaining work.  

The $4.9 million project is expected to be completed by this fall.

More information on the project can be found at azdot.gov/riodeflagbridge.

PHOENIX – A year after it became the primary way for customers to complete Arizona MVD services online, AZMVDNow.gov has reached a major milestone: 2 million AZ MVD Now accounts have been activated.

Millions of Arizonans have discovered the ease and convenience of having access to complete two-thirds of all MVD services on their own schedule. This contactless way of doing business with MVD has been embraced by millions.

“During a public health crisis that reduced the number of people MVD could help in its offices because of social distancing, dramatically increasing the number of online services that Arizonans could complete at AZMVDNow.gov has been a tremendous benefit,” MVD Director Eric Jorgensen said. “We’re pleased to see that Arizonans have taken to AZ MVD Now so quickly.”

Here’s a sampling of the more than 30 services available at AZMVDNow.gov:

• Renew vehicle registration
• Renew driver license
• Order a replacement driver license or ID card
• Change your address
• Order specialty and custom license plates
• Submit a sold notice
• Schedule an in-office MVD appointment

Anyone who already does business with MVD, like those with an Arizona driver license, state-issued ID card or vehicle registered in the state, already has a free AZ MVD Now account. The account just has to be activated. To activate, go to AZMVDNow.gov and follow the prompts.

There are also a series of “how to” videos at AZMVDNow.gov, including ones that explain how to activate an account, apply for a driver license and how to apply for a registration refund.

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division continues to adapt to changing customer service demands. MVD recently expanded contact center help, added temporary help to assist in the demand for appointments and has steadily increased the number of online self-serve options, including driver license renewals, available to customers at AZMVDNow.gov.

Expanding call center help to the Yuma prison will provide some relief to the high volume of calls MVD receives.

“MVD is pleased to expand operation of the contact center and customers are the biggest beneficiaries,” MVD Director Eric Jorgensen said. “We’re grateful that our partnership with the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR) continues to help us get customers out of line and safely on the road.”

The contact center in Yuma is categorized as a Level 1 call center, which means that the inmate workers can answer general questions about MVD services, but do not have access to customers’ personal records. Before being connected, callers are advised not to divulge any personal or identifying information. If a caller requests a service or asks a question that can only be fulfilled by providing such information, they will be transferred to a Level 2 customer service representative employed by MVD.

MVD has operated a call center at the Perryville prison in Goodyear since 1996. ADOT also partners with ADCRR on landscape maintenance at some ADOT facilities and on some highways.

“ADCRR is excited to expand its partnership with MVD in providing broader access to ADOT customers across the state. This is another example of how ADCRR continues to help in meeting the needs of the state," said ADCRR Director David Shinn. “This opportunity also allows inmates to gain valuable skills and experience through on the job training in preparing them for post incarceration transition back into our communities."

MVD has also added services at AZMVDNow.gov, allowing customers to complete two-thirds of all MVD services online, including renewing a driver license or commercial driver license (CDL), which previously required an office visit. Most Arizonans will be eligible to renew their license online and drivers can log-in to their account at AZMVDNow.gov to see their eligibility for online renewal.

To renew a CDL online at AZMVDNow.gov, an individual’s address must remain the same, a valid primary document is on file with MVD and their current credential must be in good standing. CDL holders with a hazmat endorsement will not be able to renew their license online.

After renewing online, customers should allow about 15 days for processing and mail delivery of the new license.

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation is pleased to announce that many commercial truck drivers are now eligible to renew their Commercial Driver License (CDL) online. The ability to renew online offers time savings and convenience and ADOT Motor Vehicle Division encourages commercial truck drivers to explore this option when their CDL needs to be renewed.

Previously, renewing a CDL required a visit to an ADOT Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) office. 

To renew a CDL online at AZMVDNow.gov, an individual’s address must remain the same, a valid primary document is on file with MVD and their current credential must not have any suspensions or holds on their license. CDL holders with a hazmat endorsement will not be able to renew their license online.

Prior to renewing online, an individual must activate their account at AZMVDNow.gov. Anyone with an Arizona CDL already has an account, but it must be activated. If an MVD office visit is required, an appointment can be scheduled at AZMVDNow.gov.

Please visit azdot.gov/RenewCDL for more information about renewing a CDL.