PHOENIX – Simple and free tools can help you make sure your vehicle is as safe as possible by learning of any outstanding recalls for your ride. 

The Arizona Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are sharing the lifesaving message “Safe Cars Save Lives” during Vehicle Safety Recalls Week, March 4-10. This week serves as a reminder to vehicle owners of the dangers of lingering vehicle recalls and to get any unrepaired recalls fixed immediately. 

It takes just a few minutes to check for open recalls through ADOT or NHTSA.

The first way is through the MVD customer portal AZMVDNOW.gov. The homepage of your personal account has information for each vehicle registered under your name. Click on each vehicle to see title and recall information tabs associated with that specific vehicle. 

You also can use the free Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Look-Up Tool, located at NHTSA.gov/recalls. This allows vehicle owners to check for open safety recalls on their vehicles or automotive equipment, such as tires and car seats. 

Even with alerts and warnings emailed or mailed by manufacturers, millions of recalled vehicles go unrepaired every year. This puts drivers, passengers and others at risk. By checking for vehicle safety recalls twice a year, you can avoid such unnecessary risks.

If a driver believes their vehicle may have a safety-related defect that isn’t part of a current recall, contact NHTSA online at NHTSA.gov or by calling the agency’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236. Sometimes just one complaint is enough to trigger a safety recall.

For more information and vehicle history tools, please visit azdot.gov.

PHOENIX – If a visit to an ADOT Motor Vehicle Division office is in your future, there’s good news: You can schedule an appointment using one of two online options.

Appointments to visit an MVD office can be scheduled through the MVD customer portal at AZMVDNOW.gov or by contacting an MVD employee on the ADOT website through Live Chat. 

“MVD is constantly looking for ways to make things easier and provide a convenient and fast experience in the office and online,” said MVD Director Eric Jorgensen. “We are committed to our goal of getting customers out of the line and safely on the road.”

Scheduling an MVD appointment is easier than ever; however, an office visit may not even be needed. Many MVD services and transactions can be completed easily and securely at AZMVDNow.gov. More than 4 million Arizonans have activated their accounts and are taking advantage of convenient, self-service options to complete their business with MVD. Here’s a sampling of what can be done through AZMVDNow.gov:

• Renew vehicle registration
• Renew driver license
• Order a replacement driver license or ID card
• Change of address
• Order specialty and personalized license plates
• Submit a sold notice 
• Schedule appointments to visit an MVD office

Customers are also able to contact MVD via chat through azdot.gov to schedule an appointment directly with an MVD expert. This online way to address questions, or even complete some services, allows people to text directly with an MVD expert on the ADOT website from the comforts of their own computer or cell phone in real time. Here’s a sampling of what can be done via Live Chat:

• Registration credit refunds and disbursements 
• Title and registration fee estimations and registration status letter requests 
• Submit a sold notice 
• Change of address
• Replace a disability placard 
• Schedule appointments to visit an MVD office.

Appointments are not required. MVD locations always accept walk-ins, where average wait times remain low, at just over 10 minutes. However, scheduling an appointment through AZMVDNow.gov or Live Chat  can save time, especially if you need to visit an office during the busiest part of the day. 

PHOENIX – Arizona, the Valentine’s State, turns 112 this month. February also includes the birthday of one of our state’s most famous exports: rock legend Alice Cooper. 

You can celebrate both occasions – and jazz up your vehicle – with specialty license plates available through the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division.

For fans of “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” “School’s Out” and his other hits, there’s an Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock plate that supports free art, music and dance programs for all youth at Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Centers in Phoenix and Mesa. The centers provide a safe space for everyone ages 12-20 to spend time, receive positive mentorship and free music, art, dance, photography and recording studio lessons and opportunities.

There are many options if you’re celebrating our great state, including Arizona Centennial, Arizona Highways Magazine, Route 66, State Forty Eight, not to mention all the different Arizona sports teams and universities. Each plate supports a designated organization that benefits the community. 

Most specialty plates cost $25 each year. Of that amount, $17 goes to a designated charity or nonprofit group. Last fiscal year sales of specialty plates contributed over $12 million for various causes and charities.

Specialty plates are authorized by the Arizona Legislature and have been offered since 1989. Plate designs complete a review by ADOT and law enforcement. Personalization can be added for an additional $25 per year.

To view and order any specialty plate, please visit azmvdnow.gov. 

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is adding yet another option for digital identification. Arizonans can now keep a digital driver license or state ID in Samsung Wallet on their Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

“Arizona is proud to be the first state to offer Samsung Wallet for carrying and presenting a driver license or state ID,” Arizona MVD Director Eric Jorgensen said. “ADOT MVD continues to find easy new ways for Arizonans to conveniently and securely conduct business. Whether that is utilizing your smartphone to digitally present your identity safely, or the ability to take care of MVD services securely online at azmvdnow.gov, or even a quick easy chat with an MVD expert online to get you out of the line and safely on the road.”

Arizona is the first state to offer four options to keep your digital license or ID in your smartphone. Arizona first offered the mobile driver license (mID) in 2021, then in 2022 was the first state to add Apple Wallet, and just last month Google Wallet for Android devices became available for Arizona driver licenses or ID cards. 

Digital identity is a new technology that Arizonans can utilize and securely present it as a valid ID at select TSA airport security checkpoints. Arizona residents should continue to carry their physical driver license or state ID card to use in other situations, including with law enforcement.

To learn more about mobile options for Arizona driver licenses and state IDs, please visit azdot.gov/DigitalIDs.

PHOENIX – More than 4 million Arizonans have now discovered the fastest, safest and most convenient way to complete services with the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division.

In just over three years since ADOT launched AZMVDNow.gov, 4,006,210 Arizonans have activated free accounts to access the primary online portal for MVD customers. 

The AZ MVD Now portal offers more web-based services than ever before, with more levels of security and options to get you out of the line and safely on the road.

Here are just a few recent customer comments about AZ MVD NOW: 

“I love how easy everything can be accomplished on this website. The website is one of the best I've ever used. Thanks and keep it up.”

“This is the best online government service available!”

“Very streamlined and easy to complete. Very few steps to renew registration. Probably the best run MVD in the country.”

Here are some of the things you can do with your AZ MVD Now account:

• View information related to your vehicle, including title status, registration status and MVD service history.
• Complete dozens of services such as registration renewals, ordering a duplicate license, change of address, updating insurance, title transfers and sold notices.
• Schedule an in-office appointment for a time that is convenient for you. 

To activate your account, please visit AZMVDNow.gov and follow the prompts. AZ MVD Now accounts are free and protected by several security protocols that are explained on the site and in an accompanying “how to” video.