PHOENIX – Is there a teen driver in your household? Maybe your teen plans to take the road test soon or is studying for the written test?

Across the country, traffic safety stakeholders, including the Arizona Department of Transportation, are marking National Teen Driver Safety Week (Oct. 17-23) and encouraging teens to make safe choices when driving. Nationally, car crashes are among the leading causes of death for teens. In 2020 in Arizona, 35 teen drivers died in vehicle collisions and 2,324 others suffered injuries, according to statewide crash reports.

Four simple actions can help teen drivers – and drivers of any age – be safer on the roads:

• Always wear a seat belt.
• Don’t speed or drive recklessly.
• Don’t drive distracted – put down the phone.
• Don’t drive impaired or let impaired people get behind the wheel.

Teens preparing to apply for their instruction permit and the written test can study by reviewing the Arizona Driver License Manual and find practice tests on ADOT’s website. Pro tip: Save a trip and take your instruction permit test online via Permit Test @ Home. ADOT makes available the study materials for free.

For those teens further along in their quest for their driver license, information about driving schools and road test tips are also available online.

PHOENIX – Changes to state law mean that drivers who purchase alternative fuel vehicles will pay the same vehicle license tax (VLT) rate as other drivers by 2023. The change in VLT rates is phased-in, starting Jan. 1, 2022. 

The VLT is paid during vehicle registration and is assessed in place of a personal property tax often charged in other states. The VLT funds transportation infrastructure in Arizona, including highways, bridges and local roads, and contributes to the general funds of cities/towns and counties.

In 2019, the Legislature amended Arizona Revised Statute 28-5805. This implemented a phased-in approach for making the VLT formula used for alternative fuel vehicles the same one used currently for traditional cars and trucks, bringing parity to VLT assessments. The changes in the formula will begin taking effect this coming January and be completely phased-in by 2023. The changes mean that drivers of alternative fuel vehicles will contribute to the preservation and maintenance of the state’s 7,000-mile highway system at the same rate as drivers of traditional vehicles. Bringing parity to VLT assessments is especially important for the continued maintenance and expansion of Arizona’s infrastructure as alternative fuel vehicles continue to increase in popularity in Arizona. 

Under current state law, an alternative fuel vehicle registered before Jan. 1, 2022, will have its VLT calculated using 1% of the manufacturer's base retail price of the vehicle. For an alternative fuel vehicle registered between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2022, the VLT will be calculated using 20% of the manufacturer's base retail price of the vehicle. After Dec. 31, 2022, the formula used to calculate VLT for alternative fuel vehicles will be the same one used for other vehicles, as determined by ARS 28-5801.

What potential buyers of alternative fuel vehicles need to know

• It’s important to note that the VLT formula attached to an alternative fuel vehicle is determined by vehicle registration date, which can be different from the purchase date. A temporary registration permit issued by a vehicle dealer qualifies as the registration date and must be issued before Jan. 1, 2022, for a vehicle to have its VLT calculated using the 1% formula.
• For private party sales, new title documentation must be processed by an MVD or an Authorized Third Party office before Jan. 1, 2022, for the alternative fuel vehicle to have its VLT calculated using the 1% formula. Note: Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division offices will be closed Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in observance of the New Year’s Day holiday. 

What current owners of alternative fuel vehicles need to know

• A current owner of an Arizona-registered alternative fuel vehicle who makes no changes to their vehicle title will continue to have their car’s VLT calculated with the 1% formula. The VLT rate changes won’t affect these vehicles until a change is made to the vehicle title, triggering a new registration cycle.
• The VLT formula attached to the alternative fuel vehicle will be changed to the current formula in use if a new registration cycle is established. Examples of this include but are not limited to: selling the car, transferring ownership, adding or removing an owner from the title, and a lease buy-out.
• Paying off a vehicle loan and the lender’s name being removed from the title will not trigger a new registration cycle.

For more information about VLT for alternative fuel vehicles, visit azdot.gov/altfuel.

Alternative fuel vehicles are defined as vehicles that are powered by electricity, hydrogen, solar or natural gas/compressed natural gas/liquefied petroleum gas. This does not apply to hybrid vehicles.

Alternative fuel vehicles will continue to be issued the Alternative Fuel Vehicle special license plate, which allows access to HOV freeway lanes at any time, regardless of the number of passengers in the vehicle.

PHOENIX – For the first time, three Arizona specialty license plates each generated more than $1 million in annual revenue.

That’s great news as Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division specialty license plates raise money for charities in Arizona. In Fiscal Year 2021, which ran July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, specialty plates for Veterans, First Responders and the Arizona Cardinals each topped more than $1 million in revenue.

“Specialty plates are a great way for Arizonans to show off their interests, experiences, sports fandom or school pride,” MVD Director Eric Jorgensen said. “Even better, every person who requests a specialty plate is raising money for charities in Arizona.”

In total, Fiscal Year 2021 saw specialty plates generate $10.7 million in revenue, helping charities throughout Arizona. There are more than 60 specialty plates to choose from – more will be added later this year, too – and each one benefits a worthy organization that helps Arizonans.

The Veterans specialty plate was the most popular among Arizona motorists and brought in more than $1.8 million for programs supported by the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services. Additional specialty plates, including Women Veterans, Gold Star Family and Military Support (Freedom) plates, also provide funds for these programs and all veterans-related specialty plates combined to raise $2.8 million for veterans services carried out by nonprofits throughout Arizona.

“Last fiscal year, we were grateful to put more than $1 million into the veteran community using these funds,” Retired Air Force Col. Wanda Wright, Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services Director said. "From homelessness to suicide prevention, employment, COVID-19 relief and more, the specialty plates not only help meet essential veteran needs, but also honor their service.”

To order a specialty plate, visit azmvdnow.gov, an MVD office or Authorized Third-Party office.

PHOENIX – As monsoon season brings needed rain across the state and Arizonans revel in the precipitation, prospective buyers of used cars should pay close attention to the condition of any vehicle that piques their interest.

Every Arizonan knows that monsoon storms can result in flash flooding -- hello, “stupid motorist law” -- and a submerged vehicle can suffer extensive damage that might not always be noticeable. The title of such vehicles should be branded as “salvage” or “flood damage,” but scammers can and do fraudulently remove flood history from vehicle titles.

The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division wants potential buyers to closely inspect a vehicle before purchase and if it doesn’t pass a literal smell test, walk away.

• Inspect the vehicle’s nooks and crannies. Examine the trunk for dirt, silt and mold. Check under the dashboard and other hard-to-reach places as well. People trying to rip you off usually don’t clean all of those places. Finally, take a good sniff in those areas. Water damage leaves a distinctive odor.
• Check the electrical and mechanical components. Water wreaks havoc on electrical systems, so take a thorough look to see if any of those systems aren’t working quite right. Also check the engine for signs of rust or even random new parts. Get under the vehicle and check the suspension for water damage. Any of those things could be a sign that you’re in danger of buying a flood-damaged vehicle. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, find a reputable mechanic.

Additional car-buying tips can be found on ADOT’s website at azdot.gov/CarBuyingTips.

If you believe you’re a victim of fraud involving a vehicle title or registration, call our 24-hour fraud hotline at 877.712.2370 or email [email protected].

TUCSON – A widespread power outage has forced the Green Valley Motor Vehicle Division office to be closed on Friday.

Customers who need to complete MVD services during the closure can go online at azmvdnow.gov or servicearizona.com; visit another MVD or Authorized Third Party office location; or call MVD at 602-255-0072.

PHOENIX – Earning an instruction permit and a first driver license are definitely instagrammable moments for teen drivers.

The Arizona Department of Transportation doesn’t want those celebratory events to turn into a nightmare, and reminds freshly-minted drivers to keep their IDs hidden from potential identity thieves.

“Every day at MVD offices, we see teens excited to get their instruction permit and driver license and they want to capture that moment with a photo,” said MVD Stakeholder Relations Manager Jennifer Bowser Richards. “MVD is very conscious about protecting personal-identifying information and we want our youngest customers to be aware that it’s absolutely critical to protect the personal information on their permit or license.”

To that end, MVD has “Safe Selfie” areas at some of the busiest MVD offices, providing a space for triumphant teens to snap a photo in front of a huge banner that displays a distinctively Arizona landscape with a highway sign that reads “New Driver.”

“Be proud of your accomplishment and take that photo,” Bowser Richards added, “but be smart and safe with what you’re allowing others to see, too.”

Remember, protect your ID and keep hidden personal-identifying information such as your full name, address, license or permit number, all of which can be exploited by identity thieves.

Visit azdot.gov for information on getting an instruction permit and first-time driver license.

PHOENIX – Is a road test in your future? Maybe you know someone seeking their first driver license?

This can feel like a daunting process, but there’s good news because the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is offering tips and reminders to help the road test run smoothly. ADOT’s No. 1 piece of advice? Practice, practice, practice.

Driving is a huge responsibility that carries real life-or-death consequences. According to national crash data, more than 90% of crashes are caused by driver behavior -- that includes drivers who choose to speed, drive recklessly, impaired or distracted. To make Arizona’s roads safer, every motorist needs to make better decisions behind the wheel.

And that starts with the driving test.

On the day of the road test, drivers will be observed and graded on specific actions and their general ability to operate the vehicle safely. Studying the Arizona Driver License Manual is a great place to learn and memorize the rules of the road.

The vehicle used for the road test must be in working order and have operational brakes, speedometer, turn signals, seat belts, doors, windows, mirrors, horn and an unobstructed windshield. The applicant must also show proof of insurance and valid vehicle registration.

Only the driver taking the road test and the test administrator are allowed in the vehicle during the test.

In addition to practicing for the road test, make sure that you’re eligible and prepared for the big day. For people older than 18, they must have passed the written test. For applicants younger than 18, they must have had the instruction permit for at least six months and authorization is required from a parent or legal guardian.

Next, fill out a driver license application. You have two choices: the Arizona Travel ID and the non-Travel ID. Both IDs are a driver license, but only the Arizona Travel ID will satisfy REAL ID standards and can be used at TSA checkpoints in airports when the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s REAL ID deadline goes into effect on May 3, 2023.

While many MVD services can be completed online, including the written instruction permit test, road tests must be done in-person and are appointment-only. To make an appointment, log in to your account at AZMVDNow.gov or call MVD. Additionally, some Authorized Third Party locations offer road tests.

Because of extreme summer temperatures, ADOT encourages those taking the road test in a vehicle without air conditioning to consider making an early-morning appointment for their safety and the safety of the examiner.

Teens can also earn their driver license by passing the final road skills test at an MVD-certified professional driving school or high school driver education program. Visit azdot.gov/mvd for a complete list of locations.

PHOENIX – Following a temporary halt in license plate production because of an aluminum supply-chain issue, the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is again producing and delivering license plates to Arizonans in the normal timeframe.

License plate production crews worked weekends and double shifts to quickly eliminate the backlog and minimize delays for customers. Customers with questions can visit an MVD office or call MVD at 602-255-0072.

In May, an aluminum-supply chain issue temporarily halted license plate production when MVD’s longtime license plate vendor, Arizona Correctional Industries, a branch of the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry, did not receive a scheduled delivery of aluminum. MVD and its vendors worked quickly to secure aluminum from another source and resume production of license plates.

Various industries have been constrained by a shortage of materials, including aluminum, over the past several months and at least two other states have experienced license plate production issues because of a lack of aluminum.

PHOENIX – Across Arizona, schools have released students for the summer. But some teens have a test in their future, one they might even be looking forward to: the written driver Instruction Permit test.

Typically, June and July are two of the busier months for permit tests for the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division. ADOT’s official website – azdot.gov – is a one-stop shop for test-takers, offering all the study material a test-taker will need, including the Arizona Driver License Manual and practice tests.

Remember, when going online to search for information about an Arizona instruction permit, go to the source -- ADOT MVD -- and ignore shady websites that don’t have a user’s best interest in mind.

A person must be at least 15 years and 6 months old to apply for an Instruction Permit and first-time drivers younger than 18 years old have a few options for taking the written test. Most applicants choose to take the test online via Permit Test @ Home at AZMVDNow.gov. Some take the test at an MVD office -- applicants can schedule their in-person test appointment time and date online -- and participating Arizona Professional Driving School trainers can also administer the written test.

The written tests used for all options are identical.