You know the old saying: “Why put off until tomorrow what you can do today?”

Well, here's something you should do now – as in AZ MVD Now – and that’s to sign up! We will even show you how.

Here’s why: This new, cutting-edge system is the latest way the Motor Vehicle Division is better serving you and saving you time. That's because you can now complete more than 30 MVD transactions online. That means doing more from the comfort of your own home! 

But first you have to activate your free account. Here’s how:

1. From your computer or smart device, go to azmvdnow.gov and click the red bar on the upper left that says “Activate Your Account.”
2. On the next page, go toward the bottom and click on “Sign up now.”
3. The next page asks you to provide a personal email address. A verification code will be sent to that address, which you can then plug in, and you can create a password.
4. On the next page, enter your phone number. Enter the texted code you receive.
5. You will be asked to provide your driver license number, date of birth and last four digits of your Social Security number.
6. Once that's done, you will confirm your identity.
7. Your registration is now complete and you can hit "Continue."
8. There will be a few more steps to verify your information.
9. Next, you will be asked to complete your profile, and then you will reach your dashboard!

From your dashboard you can perform services such as registration renewals and motor vehicle records reviews, basic title transfers, ordering a duplicate license, requesting a refund, managing insurance documents and a whole lot more.

If you haven't activated your account yet, there's no time like the present. It's time to get set up, get your MVD transactions finished and get back on the road!

Recent weeks have seen a lot of changes for the ADOT Motor Vehicle Division. The biggest change was a welcome upgrade of the computer operating system. The obsolete platform that had served for more than three decades has been replaced by one that is state-of-the-art.

The new system is far more flexible, adds many more service options online and makes sure those services that have to be done in an office are done more efficiently.

But as we’re all aware, the public health situation has had a major impact on MVD office operations. To comply with the guidelines established by public health agencies, we require appointments for any office visit. 

Because we have to limit the number of customers in an office, the only transactions we’re offering there right now are first time driver license or ID cards, first time vehicle registration, and some forms of complex title work. All other services are available online at www.azmvdnow.gov or through www.servicearizona.com That includes basic title transfers, registration renewals, requesting a refund, and almost all other services.  

We realize the frustration that many people feel when they drop by an MVD office without an appointment and have to find an alternative way to do business with us. We share that frustration and welcome the day when we can begin to fully restore our office operations. 

If there is a silver lining, it might be that more Arizonans are being introduced to the online options available through their secure, personal AZ MVD Now account. You can activate yours either at www.azmvdnow.gov or through www.servicearizona.com. If you use ServiceArizona, many services will automatically direct you to AZ MVD Now. 

Once there, you’ll be asked for an email so AZ MVD Now can send you a verification code. From now on, each time you go to your account, you’ll be sent a code for security purposes. 

When you set up the account for the first time, you’ll choose and then confirm your own password and then a user name. 

Nearly 400,000 Arizonans have activated their AZ MVD Now account and the number gets bigger every day. Online commerce has proven its worth during the public health situation and MVD will continue to make innovations that help you do business with us when it’s most convenient for you. 

For those services that must be done at an office, expanding the online world for MVD will make those visits that much easier.

The dedicated men and women of MVD are working hard to serve Arizonans today and we look forward to finding more innovative ways to get Arizona out of line and safely on the road. 

The old saying for athletes is, “No pain, no gain.” 

At the Motor Vehicle Division we are all about reducing the pain of an office visit or using our services online. In fact, over the past few years we’ve made a lot of changes that have increased online service options and significantly reduced wait times in our offices. 

That’s the good news. There’s even better news to come, but, there’s a little bit of pain before we get to the better news.

That pain is upon us. Through Tuesday, April 21, MVD will not be able to offer any kind of services throughout Arizona. None at all. Online, offices, through Authorized Third Party providers; nothing. That’s unprecedented and it’s clearly an inconvenience for you. We don’t like that, but the reason is a good one. 

Our computer system is old. Really old. So old that Moses might recognize it. OK, not that old, but some parts are more than 35 years old and they’re just not going to be useful anymore. It’s time for a change, and that brings us to this complete interruption of MVD services.

In order to replace the creaky old system, we need to unplug it and put a state-of-the-art computer system in its place. That takes some time and it has to be done all at once. As soon as it’s installed, MVD employees will work long hours to test it again and again to make sure it’s ready to serve you. 

When everything’s ready to go, office transactions will be more efficient and the real noticeable changes will be online. 

ServiceArizona.com will still be there, but many online services will be directed to your secure, personal AZ MVD Now account. If you’re a current MVD customer, you already have an AZ MVD Now account, you simply need to activate it. You can get there at azmvdnow.gov or through ServiceArizona.com. Setting up the account is easy and free, and it features multi-factor, password protection for your security. 

You will be able to get more than 30 MVD services at AZ MVD Now. Do basic title transfers, apply for a license or ID, manage your mandatory auto insurance status, look up your vehicle title and registration status, figure out when you need to pay certain fees or other costs, put money in your account for future needs, request a refund, and a whole lot more.

We live in a world where people buy groceries, pay bills, do banking and so many other things online. MVD is in the digital world, too, and our presence there will continue to grow. That also means for people who need to visit an office, we’ll be able to serve you more rapidly. It’s a win-win.

But for the next few days, there will be some hassle. Short term pain, for long term gain. We appreciate your patience and look forward to serving all our customers very soon.

ADOT gets a lot of attention for the creative highway messages we put up from time to time. Occasionally, we get to have some fun with them, and that’s usually when we get a little love that proves that people really do read these things. 

Their impact is huge. And that’s why we’re happy to see some very timely information being added to some of these signs. 

For much of April, you may see a message urging you to use ServiceArizona.com for your MVD needs. While that’s always a good idea since more than two-thirds of MVD services are found there anyway, it’s especially important now. The current public health situation means that while MVD offices are open, we’re limiting the available services to just those that absolutely need to be done in person, and we require an appointment, too. It’s all about social distancing and keeping everyone as safe as possible. 

We’re helped by a couple of factors. The state has granted an automatic six month extension for driver licenses that were set to expire between March 1 and Sept. 1. Those office visits can be delayed. Also, the REAL ID deadline, which was Oct. 1, 2020, has been pushed back a full year. Getting your AZ Travel ID is still important, but it can wait.

That means very few things really need to be done in person. If you’re unsure, you can call our statewide customer service number at 602.712.2700 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and a customer service representative will help you. Chances are, you can get things done online.

And if you’re rolling down the highway, look for a message board with a friendly “SOCIAL DISTANCE USE MVD ONLINE AT SERVICE ARIZONA” reminder. And tell a friend.