Driver License

ADOT enhances security of driver license application process

ADOT enhances security of driver license application process

ADOT enhances security of driver license application process

July 16, 2015

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation is taking an active role in curbing identity theft and fraud by implementing facial recognition technology in the application process for state-issued credentials.

An applicant for a new or duplicate driver license or state ID card at an ADOT Motor Vehicle Division or Authorized Third Party office will have their photo taken at the beginning of the process. Facial recognition during the “Photo First” review process occurs seamlessly and without delay as the customer continues through the application process.

In 2012, ADOT Motor Vehicle Division implemented a Photo First approach to aid in the detection of and prevention of fraud, forgery and identity theft. In 2014, ADOT Motor Vehicle Division implemented Central Credential Issuance, eliminating credentials being issued at the MVD or Authorized Third Party offices. Both processes have contributed to a more comprehensive review of applications along with providing more time to identify possible fraudulent submissions.

One of the best screening formats in the detection of identity theft, attempted fraud or forgery in the application process has always been the ADOT Motor Vehicle Division customer service representatives who initially review all documents submitted in the application packet. During this initial screening process of the application packet by ADOT employees, possible file errors or fraudulent submissions are detected.

“Facial recognition technology supports the commitment by ADOT to protect the privacy of its customers, and to maintain the integrity and accuracy of the credential issuance process,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski. “This technology enables us to fight against fraud and identity theft.”

The technology provides an effective screening method to identify errors in customer records in the state driver license database and to prevent fraudulent attempts to obtain an Arizona driver license or identification card. It also allows ADOT to develop the new federally compliant Voluntary Travel ID according to the requirements outlined in the federal REAL ID Act of 2005.

When a credential application record generates an alert resulting from the facial recognition technology, the system will automatically perform an additional review of the record to identify and correct any possible file errors. If the system verifies it is not a file error, the record will then undergo a comprehensive review by personnel in the ADOT Office of the Inspector General.

“This technology allows us to take a proactive approach to protecting people’s identities and stopping fraud,” said ADOT Assistant Director Terry Conner, who leads the Enforcement and Compliance Division. “Our detectives are already working investigations after reviewing reliable information provided by the system.”

For more information about applying for an Arizona driver license or ID card, please visit: azdot.gov/driverlicenseinfo.

Your MVD-related questions (and answers)

Your MVD-related questions (and answers)

Your MVD-related questions (and answers)

July 10, 2015

Many good, interesting MVD-related questions are submitted to us through social media.

A lot of interesting questions get sent our way…

Between Facebook, Twitter, the commenting feature here on the blog and this “Contact ADOT” form, there are many ways for you to submit your inquiries online.

But we’re guessing that most of our readers don’t scroll through all of our feeds, which means you’re not seeing those great questions (or our answers). That’s why we thought we’d share a few of the Q&As right here, right now.

Today, we’re just focusing on some MVD-related questions that we’ve received recently. Hopefully, you’ll find these questions and answers to be useful!

I am turning 65 and need to renew my license. I wear glasses that are a few years old, so I'm not 20/20. How good does my vision need to be for the license renewal?
If you have doubts about passing the vision test, please arrange for a professional vision examination. An applicant for a renewal driver license who fails the vision test is not eligible to renew and their current driver license privilege will be suspended. The applicant then will have to reapply for a new driver license – including passing the vision test.

The reapplication process may include bringing in a signed document from a vision specialist stating the applicant’s vision is within mandatory standards for an Arizona driver license.

How long can you have a permit when you’re 18?
An Instruction Permit for an applicant of any age is valid for 12 months. It is mandatory for driver license applicants under age 18 to hold an Instruction Permit for a minimum of six months. At age 18, you will not be required to comply with the mandatory six-month holding period, but to learn to drive lawfully, you will need to take the written test and obtain an Instruction Permit.

Once you have obtained an Instruction Permit and have practiced driving and believe you are ready for the road/skills test, you can visit an MVD office (remember: if you are under age 18, you must have an Instruction Permit for at least six-months before you can take the road/skills test).

Here are the requirements for a road/skills test:

A currently registered and insured vehicle – must show proof-of-insurance
A licensed driver must accompany the permitee to the test

If you fail either the written or road/skills test, you are required to wait seven days before you may take the test again. Hope this helps answer your question! Additional details can be found on our MVD website.

I am considering buying a motorcycle. I have an Arizona Operator's License now and need to take the written test for the M endorsement and pass the driving test. How do I buy the motorcycle and legally drive it to the testing site?
If anyone wants to be on the road lawfully while learning to ride a motorcycle, they will need a motorcycle instruction permit.

When applying for your first Arizona motorcycle instruction permit, you must pass a written motorcycle test based on the information contained in the motorcycle operator manual. You will not need to bring a motorcycle to the testing site to apply for the written motorcycle instruction permit exam.

You can find more details in the Arizona motorcycle operator manual.

Where do I go to take the online practice test?
You can find the online practice tests on our MVD website. Good luck!

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Need a driver license? Save time at the MVD office by going online first

Need a driver license? Save time at the MVD office by going online first

Need a driver license? Save time at the MVD office by going online first

May 27, 2015

PHOENIX – If you’re applying for a driver license, instructional permit or identification card, you can save time by submitting your application online before heading to a Motor Vehicle Division office.

The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division wants to remind people of the “Be Prepared” online service that began three years ago.

To begin, go to the ADOT MVD website at azdot.gov/mvd and click on “Driver License Information” under the Driver Services heading. From there, click on the link to complete the driver license/identification card application online and submit it. There is also a link to a list of acceptable proof of identification for applying for a credential.

Once the application has been submitted, print out the confirmation page containing a barcode and bring that along with appropriate identification documents to the MVD office or one of the 14 Authorized Third Party offices that offer driver license services. The printed barcode will allow staff to retrieve your online application from the computer system.

Online applications can be completed for an operator, commercial driver and motorcycle license, as well as an instructional permit and identification card. The applicant must pay the appropriate fee at the office and may be required to take the written or road skills test if necessary.

“This online service is one of several ways the Motor Vehicle Division is saving customers time when they visit an office,” said MVD Director Eric Jorgensen. “We encourage everyone to take advantage of this service and make their visit easier.”

Other tips for faster service in addition to utilizing the online application include:

The best days to visit an office are usually Wednesday and Thursday
The busiest days tend to be around the 15th and the last day of the month, which are vehicle registration renewal deadlines, as well as the day after a holiday or other office closure
If you have an out-of-state driver license or identification card, bring it with you to the office

For more information or questions about the driver license application process, please visit: azdot.gov/driverlicenseinfo.

Approved driving schools to issue certificates to skip license exams at MVD offices

Approved driving schools to issue certificates to skip license exams at MVD offices

Approved driving schools to issue certificates to skip license exams at MVD offices

January 13, 2015

PHOENIX – Students who undergo training at state-approved driving schools will now be able to receive training completion certificates that may waive written and road tests at Motor Vehicle Division offices.

However, there are requirements that driving-school students must meet, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

In order to qualify, students must be Arizona residents and attend classes at an ADOT-contracted driving school. A minimum of 30 hours of classroom training is required to waive the written exam and at least 10 hours of behind-the-wheel training is required to skip the road exam.

“Our top priority is safety,” said Motor Vehicle Division Director Stacey Stanton. “Through this program, we’re partnering with the private sector to encourage new drivers to get as much professional instruction as necessary until they can safely drive on their own. We hope more drivers will utilize these training opportunities.”

While most students who present training completion certificates at Motor Vehicle Division offices will get their instructional permit or driver license at that time, some certificate holders will be randomly selected to take the written or road exam at the Motor Vehicle Division office.

This random testing will be used to gauge the quality of instruction being given at the driving schools. Certificate holders should come to the Motor Vehicle Division office prepared to take the written or road exam in case they are selected.

A list of approved driver training schools is available at azdot.gov/drivingschools. There are more than 50 ADOT-approved schools across the state.

This initiative is one way, in addition to Authorized Third Party offices that provide a variety of motor-vehicle services, that ADOT is working to decentralize services, making them more accessible to community members around the state by engaging the private sector.

Enhancing driver training, and providing opportunities for ADOT-approved driving schools to issue certificates of completion to potentially bypass Motor Vehicle Division office testing, is an action step in ADOT’s new Strategic Highway Safety Plan.

ADOT to issue licenses to DACA recipients Monday

ADOT to issue licenses to DACA recipients Monday

ADOT to issue licenses to DACA recipients Monday

December 19, 2014

PHOENIX – Based on an order from U.S. District Court, the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division will begin processing driver license and identification card applications for recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals on Monday, Dec. 22. Consequently, people visiting Motor Vehicle Division offices for service may experience increased time to complete their business.

Customers to ADOT Motor Vehicle Division offices should anticipate heavier-than-normal customer traffic in the weeks ahead. ADOT will work to serve all customers as efficiently as possible and encourages customers to check office wait times online, and plan accordingly.

Most ADOT Motor Vehicle Division offices are open Monday through Friday (excluding legal holidays) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last customers admitted to the office at 4:30 p.m. Check the website for details on office hours outside the metro areas (www.azdot.gov/mvd).

Driver license applicants who have not previously held an Arizona license must follow all requirements for proving identification, as well as pass both written and on-the-road tests to qualify for a license. For customers age 16-39, a driver license costs $25; instructional permits are $7. Identification cards cost $12. On-the-road tests can take up to 30 minutes, and customers need to arrive before 3 p.m. for road tests. However, offices may reach their road-test capacity earlier in the day, depending on customer demand. Customers may need more than one office visit to complete the licensing process.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival recipients will receive a credential formatted like any other Arizona driver license or identification card. The credential expiration date will correspond to the expiration of the customer’s Employment Authorization Card, as is the standard practice.

Office locations, including wait times, can be found online at www.azdot.gov/mvd. On the Web, information is also available on driver license or identification card application requirements, the driver handbook and online practice tests (www.azdot.gov/practice). Customers are encouraged to complete an application online before visiting an office.

Eight Authorized Third Party offices around the state also offer driver license services (information at www.azdot.gov/thirdpartyDLservices). At Authorized Third Party offices, customers may be charged an additional convenience fee for service. Customers seeking vehicle title or registration transactions may also use Authorized Third Party offices statewide, which are private businesses authorized to provide certain Motor Vehicle Division services. Locations and hours of operation for Authorized Third Party offices are available online at www.azdot.gov/mvd.

More than 20 Motor Vehicle Division transactions can be completed online at www.ServiceArizona.com.

For general questions, contact the ADOT Motor Vehicle Division during normal business hours at 602.255.0072 or send an inquiry via the Web at www.azdot.gov/contact_adot.

Be prepared: steps for obtaining a driver license or identification card

Be prepared: steps for obtaining a driver license or identification card

Be prepared: steps for obtaining a driver license or identification card

November 13, 2014

Driver licenses are a big topic here on the ADOT Blog.

We’ve blogged about practice exams, told you about a license/identification option for veterans and explained how you can register to become an organ and tissue donor when you apply for your credential. Back in June, we detailed a new look and process and even asked for help in naming the Ringtail who sits in the bottom right corner of the new Arizona driver license/identification card.

Today, we have even more driver license info to share with you by way of the infographic below…

You’ll see that it shows you the steps involved in getting a new Arizona driver license or identification card. You can also find plenty of details on our MVD webpage and from this helpful FAQ.

Infographic by Arizona Department of Transportation, on Flickr

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Driver License FAQ

Driver License FAQ

Driver License FAQ

September 11, 2014

Got a driver license question? Let us know and we'll find you an answer.

We love hearing from readers of the ADOT Blog! Your questions and comments have helped to inspire many blog topics, including the one we're writing about today…

Over the past several months, many questions related to driver licenses and instruction permits have come our way. With help from our experts in MVD, we have attempted to answer all of them. However, the helpful Q&A is hidden from most readers – unless you’re digging through the comments section of an old post, you’re probably not seeing the information.

That’s why we’re sharing some of the most frequently asked questions (and answers) right here in one place...

Q) I am 19 years old and I have never had a license. When I visit the MVD will I be eligible for an instruction permit or do I have to go for a driver license test?

A) It is necessary to have a valid instruction permit or a valid driver license to drive lawfully in the state of Arizona. An applicant would take the written test to qualify for the instruction permit and then practice driving to become proficient to take the road test. The instruction permit is valid for 12 months.

Q) Are the questions from the online practice test actually on the driver license exam?

A) No, the questions on the online practice test are not actual test questions from the driver license or permit exams. The online practice test is an educational tool that gives people an idea of what to expect when taking the real written exam. Taking the online practice tests is in no way a substitute for studying the manual!

Q) My Uncle is turning 70 and his driver license is expiring soon. He has no tickets or accidents. What is required of him to renew his license?

A) Beginning at age 65, an Arizona driver is required to renew his or her Arizona driver license every 5 years. Your Uncle will visit an MVD or MVD Authorized Third Party office, complete a driver license application, have a new photo and vision screening, then pay a $10 driver license renewal fee. A written or road test may be required for any driver – at any age – during an office visit.

Q) How long do you have to wait to take the written exam if you failed the first time?

A) When an applicant fails the written test (for the first time), that applicant can return to MVD or an MVD Authorized Third Party office to retake the written test on the following business day. An applicant can take the written test up to three times without paying another application fee.

Q) Where can I find the Driver License Manual?

A) You can find a PDF version of the Arizona Driver License manual (in English and Spanish) on our website.

Q) I'm 23 and I never took the written test or got my permit when I was a teen. It's about time I got my license. So to start, I have to take the written test and get a permit right?

A) If a person of ANY AGE wants to be on the road lawfully while learning to drive, they will need an Instruction Permit. It is mandatory for driver license applicants under age 18 to hold an Instruction Permit for a minimum of six months. At age 23, you will not be required to comply with the mandatory 6-month holding period, but, in order to learn to drive lawfully, you will need to take the written test and obtain an Instruction Permit. Once you have obtained an Instruction Permit and have practiced driving and believe you are ready for the road/skills test, you can visit an MVD office.

Requirements for a road/skills test:
* A currently registered and insured vehicle – must show proof-of-insurance
* A licensed driver must accompany the permitee to the test

Q) I'm 21. I never had a driver license just a permit from high school, which is now expired. I heard that you can go to a driving school and take driving lessons to get a license without having to take a road test. Is this true?

A) Driving Schools do not issue waivers. You will need to pass the written test and obtain an Arizona Instruction Permit so you may practice driving lawfully and prepare to take the MVD road test. When you successfully complete the road test, you will be eligible to apply for an Arizona Driver License.

Looking for even more FAQs? Visit our MVD website for additional information.

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Rocky the Ringtail

Rocky the Ringtail

Rocky the Ringtail

June 27, 2014

Allow us to introduce Rocky the Ringtail!

He’s the cute, little creature who can be spotted on the newly designed Arizona driver license and until today, he was in need of a name.

That’s where all of you came in – we received hundreds of submissions in response to our “Name the Ringtail” contest. Ringo, Kai, Copper and even Lord Voldemort were among the suggestions, but after all the votes were counted, “Rocky” came out on top.

Rory, a seven-year-old girl from Peoria, suggested the winning name that earned an amazing 1,052 votes! We’re told that when Rory first heard about the ringtail contest, she added it to her “bucket list,” which she revises each year to mark things to achieve.

Today, Rory and her family visited MVD headquarters in Phoenix to receive her awards – a stuffed animal (a ringtail, of course!), a special license plate and a pink ADOT hard hat.

Way to go, Rory!

For more information on the new license, visit our MVD Web page or check out our previous blog post.

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Ringtail on the new Arizona driver licenses needs a name

Ringtail on the new Arizona driver licenses needs a name

Ringtail on the new Arizona driver licenses needs a name

June 3, 2014

This ringtail needs a name! Give your suggestions at azdot.gov/ringtail.

Look very closely at the newly designed Arizona driver license and you’ll spot a ringtail lounging in the bottom right corner…

He (or she?) isn’t there just for decoration. The ringtail was actually incorporated into the license background image as one of many new security features.

Besides having that important job, the ringtail also serves as Arizona’s official state mammal.

Pretty impressive resume for such a little creature! We think the ringtail deserves a nickname, which is why we’re kicking off the “name the ringtail” contest to solicit ideas on what to call the critter.

The ringtail was incorporated into the new license background image as a safety feature.

You can submit your naming ideas by visiting azdot.gov/ringtail. On that page, you’ll also be able to vote on the suggestions submitted by others.

The contest runs through June 6. There are no prizes – just bragging rights!

Ringtails are primarily a night-time animal that “can be extremely bold and unconcerned about the presence of humans. Calls consist of a repertoire of barks, chirps, growls, howls and yips.”

The new license and a new process for getting your license will be implemented on June 16. You can learn more about both by visiting our MVD website or by checking out our previous blog post.

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ADOT to launch new driver license process and design

ADOT to launch new driver license process and design

ADOT to launch new driver license process and design

May 1, 2014

Samples of the new license. Class D is on the left and Under 21 is on the right.

Did you know that Arizona’s first law requiring drivers to be licensed was put into place back in 1927?

Imagine how those first licenses looked. Probably nothing like the one you have in your wallet right now. As much as Arizona driver licenses have changed over the past 87 years, they’re continuing to evolve.

Drum roll, please…

Today, we’re unveiling a newly designed license, complete with enhanced security features to safeguard personal information and help prevent identity theft (see photo above). There’s also going to be a new process involved with getting your license.

New license, new process

Beginning June 16, 2014, ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division is expanding central credential issuance to all offices statewide, meaning that customers visiting a MVD office to obtain a new driver license or identification card will leave with a temporary credential. The permanent license or identification card will be mailed to the customer, and received within 15 days.

A sample temporary license.

Coupled with that, ADOT is launching a new, high-security credential format. Both changes are designed to protect against identity theft.

What if I don’t want a new license?

If you have a license (that hasn’t expired), you don’t need to do anything. A current driver license or identification card will still be valid until its expiration date – or at least until the 12-year mark when the photo needs to be refreshed. The price of a duplicate credential remains unchanged – $12 for many customers.

How is the new process different?

Customers at ADOT MVD offices will no longer immediately be issued a new permanent driver license or identification card at the end of the application process. The credential will instead be mailed to the address on the resident’s application. It is important to ensure the correct mailing address has been provided in order to receive the credential. Address changes can be made online at azmvdnow.gov.

At the MVD office, you will receive a temporary driver license or identification card. It will contain a photo and the basic information that appears on the actual credential. As in other states that have moved to this process, the decision to accept the temporary credential as proof of identity exists solely with the organization requesting to see the license or identification card.

The process of central credential issuance is used by most states around the country and is a growing trend as states transition to higher-security credentials.

More to come

We’ll have more blog posts and reminders about this change in the coming weeks. But before we sign off, we just want to point out some of the new security features on the new license and identification cards:

A larger primary portrait with a smaller redundant ghost portrait ensuring customer appearance is clearly reflected.
A high-security design comprised of unique Arizona geological features in the background created by using many different patterns, lines and images. This provides the overall look of the credential.
A laser perforation in the shape of Arizona, which when held up to the light is used to quickly authenticate the credential.
Tactile date of birth field to assist in authenticating the credential using the sense of touch. The date in this field will have a raised feel to it.
Tri-color Optically Variable Device consisting of the state outline, the state name “Arizona,” the state seal, a saguaro cactus and a star. This laminate overlay provides the final layer of the credential and provides one more feature for authentication.
The ringtail, the state mammal, is illustrated on the front of the new credential.

For additional information, please visit our MVD Web page.

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