Sadly, homelessness is a problem faced by some who have courageously served their country.

In an effort to assist those men and women, an outreach event called the Maricopa County StandDown is held each year to connect homeless and at-risk veterans with needed resources.

ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division has participated for the past several years…

Just one of the many agencies on hand to help, MVD can assist veterans who are attempting to get a driver license or state identification card – important credentials to have when applying for employment, benefits and other services.

At this year’s StandDown, held Feb. 12-13 at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, about 35 ADOT employees staffed a temporary, full-service MVD office on-site.

As in previous years, veterans were able to conduct transactions for driver license applications, renewals, written examinations and the road skills test (Courtesy Chevrolet provided vehicles to be used for those who did not have one of their own). They were also able to pick up a snack – MVD employees contributed money throughout the year in order to provide 1,800 sandwiches, 1,600 cupcakes and water at the event.

MVD Manager Jon Jenkins conducts a road test at the 2015 StandDown.

Besides MVD, other agencies were at this year’s StandDown to offer housing assistance, legal aid, benefits help and even veterinary services for the pets. Sleeping areas and shower facilities were also provided, along with meals, clothing and haircuts.

MVD Metro East Area Manager Anne Yanofsky serves on the executive board of the Arizona Veterans StandDown Alliance, the group that organizes several StandDown events around the state. Yanofsky explains that veterans who obtain a license or identification card at the StandDown don’t have to pay fees – those are covered by the Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness and the Arizona Veterans StandDown Alliance.

“They raise money throughout the year,” she said.

Early numbers show that more than 1,000 veterans were served by MVD at this year's StandDown event.

MVD Western Area Manager Dave Jackson, a veteran himself, said the StandDown offers a great opportunity to assist those who have served.

“To most of these guys, a driver license or identification card could mean a job,” said Jackson, adding that the credential can also aid with education, housing and other benefits. “It gives them an identity.”

MVD Customer Service Lead Cynthia Marin agrees.

“StandDown helps the community, it helps our veterans,” she said. “We just really appreciate their sacrifice.”

More information can be found on the Arizona Veterans StandDown Alliance website. To learn about MVD’s participation in previous years, check out these blog posts.

Maybe you didn’t wake up this morning thinking that you’d get to see a photo from a traffic safety class held in 1973, but now that you have, aren’t you glad you got out of bed?

OK, maybe traffic school isn’t the most picturesque subject (certainly not compared to other topics we’ve covered), but it does give us the chance to segue over to our website and point out where you can find information on Traffic Survival School today.

Traffic Survival School (TSS) is designed to reach individuals who have exhibited a disregard for traffic laws and the safety of others. The TSS Program attempts to modify the behavior of these drivers by teaching them how to avoid adverse traffic situations by increasing their knowledge of Arizona traffic laws, defining their responsibilities while driving, and most importantly, improving their attitude toward safe driving.

In other words, if you run a red light, get a DUI, or have too many points against your license, you’ll be required by MVD to attend TSS in order to keep your driver license in good standing. You’ll be notified of this requirement through a Corrective Action Notice from MVD.

Additionally, courts can and do order juveniles who have exhibited poor driving behavior to attend the course (helping them to establish a lifetime of safe driving habits). Courts may also refer traffic violators to a Traffic Survival School as a condition of sentencing.

A quick note – Traffic Survival School should not be confused with Defensive Driving Schools, which are administered through the Arizona Supreme Court. Defensive Driving School is a court diversion program that allows eligible drivers to have the violation dismissed. If a driver chooses this option, and is eligible, the violation will not be included on his or her driving record and no points will be assessed for the violation.

TSS is administered by the Arizona Chapter National Safety Council, through a contract with ADOT. These schools train and assist errant drivers in the proper attitude and techniques in the operation of motor vehicles and strengthen their knowledge of state motor vehicle laws.

If you are required to attend TSS, you’ll be glad to know that the Arizona Chapter National Safety Council website makes it easy to search for classes near you. The site allows users to search for classes by address or ZIP code and you can also search by date to find a convenient time.

Now, back to that photo…

We don’t have too many details, other than the date it was taken (back in Dec. 1973) and the location (ADOT’s equipment auditorium, which was new at the time). If you zoom in close, you can read the information being presented on the board. It lists six conditions that lead to accidents, including light, weather, road, driver, vehicle and traffic.

New traffic issues have undoubtedly been added to modern curriculum since 1973, but it definitely looks like those drivers from 41 years ago were getting a good lesson!

For more information on Traffic Survival School, please visit our MVD website.

It’s safe to say things have changed since 1912 when the Arizona Highway Department was first established. But you don’t just have to take our word … we’ve got plenty of pictures to prove it. We combed through our archives and decided to periodically post these photos from the past in a blog series we’re calling, “From the ADOT Archives.”

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.

*** UPDATE (5/6/15) *** The availability of energy-efficient license plates for owners of qualified vehicles has ended as the maximum number of plate applications has been reached.

Please see our recent blog post for the latest.

We’ve blogged about the Energy Efficient license plate program a couple of times in the past few months (you might remember THIS blog post or THIS one). Today, we’re at it again. We don’t have much to say on the subject, but we do have something to show you...

The infographic below is intended to help explain the Energy Efficient Plate and Alternative Fuel Vehicle programs. Check it out for a good overview of the two programs. As always, you can visit our MVD website for more details on both the Alternative Fuel Vehicle program and the Energy Efficient Plate program.

*** UPDATE *** This infographic has been updated since it was first published. The update includes the addition of qualifying 2015 vehicle models. More information can be found on our website.

Supporting your favorite cause has never looked so good…

Three new specialty license plates now available from MVD.

The new plates include a Girls Youth Organization plate to support the Girl Scouts; an Arizona Motorsports Commemorative plate for Phoenix International Raceway; and a redesigned Phoenix Suns plate. Like many of Arizona’s specialty plates, these three support specific charities.

Funds raised by the Girl Scouts plate will provide enriching experiences in Arizona’s Girl Scouts program, such as extraordinary field trips, sports skill-building clinics, community service projects and cultural exchanges.

The money from The Phoenix International Raceway license plate will go to Motorsports Charities to provide resources and charitable support for children through education, medical treatment, dream experiences and volunteerism.

The redesigned Phoenix Suns plate will continue to support Phoenix Suns Charities for youth education and development, college scholarship programs and community development.

More of the details

The license plates have an annual fee of $25 for a non-personalized plate and $50 for a personalized plate, with $17 going to support the charities. Vehicle owners can purchase the new plates at any MVD or Authorized Third Party office location or online at ServiceArizona.com.

Because the Phoenix Suns license plate is a new design, anyone with the current plate design can request the new plate design for a $5 replacement fee. However, the redesigned plate has six characters instead of the seven that are on the current Suns plate. So those with a personalized Suns plate with seven characters would not be able to transfer their personalization to the new design. They can reapply for the new design, but would have to start the application process from the beginning. The older, original Phoenix Suns license plate design is still valid for use.

There are no special requirements to get the license plates. The plates are also available with a disability symbol.

Specialty plates

Even though ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division issues license plates, ADOT and MVD do NOT choose which plates get approved. That decision is actually a function of the legislative process.

So, if you’re part of a nonprofit group looking to get a plate for your cause, you’ll need to get the attention of your state lawmakers. A bill sponsored through the legislature must pass and then be signed into law by the governor before any specialty plate can be manufactured.

Once that step is cleared, the group pays an implementation fee to cover all programming costs and production.

The group then works on the plate design alongside ADOT/MVD. Guidelines for the design ensure that plates are readable from 100 yards and aren’t too busy. Once a final design is agreed on, prototype plates are created for review. Law enforcement officials, representatives of the nonprofit group and MVD’s director must sign off on the plate before production begins.

For more information on the new specialty plates, please visit azdot.gov/mvd. You can also check out our previous license plate posts, including this one that explains how plates are made and this one that goes into even more detail on the specialty plate approval process.

This blog post was revised September 2022.

You might think that your child’s first visit to an MVD office will come once it’s time for him or her to get behind the wheel, but did you know there’s a good reason to make the trip much sooner?

When you bring your child to an MVD or MVD authorized third party office, you can easily obtain an Arizona identification card for him or her at any age - even if they’re a baby.

Having an Arizona ID card can help protect your child against identity theft, and it allows law enforcement agencies to rapidly distribute your child’s information and photograph in the event of an Amber Alert. An Arizona ID card can also make it easier for children to travel, enroll in school or activities and even get a driver license once they’re old enough.

An Arizona ID card is is $12. You can start the application online through your secure AZ MVD Now account, then bring your child to an MVD or MVD authorized third party office with appropriate documentation. (Please visit our website to see the full list of acceptable forms of identification.)

After your child’s photo is taken, you will receive a temporary ID before you leave the MVD office. Your child’s ID card will arrive by mail within 15 days.

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.

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.