You are here: Home / Articles / Automotive Law / Graduated License Law by State / Arizona Graduated License Law

Arizona Graduated License Law

There is no reason teens can't be good drivers. Teens tend to be high risk drivers because of limited experience, insufficient skills, poor judgement, and often unsafe behavior. The education and experience required by Graduated Driver Licensing is designed to reduce these risks and to create a solid foundation for a lifetime of safe driving habits. Over half of the states in the U.S. have already adopted some form of GDL. While the laws may differ greatly from state to state, they all contain three basic stages:

  1. Mandatory Class G Instruction Permit stage
  2. Restricted or probationary stage: Arizona Class G License
  3. Unrestricted License: Arizona Class D (Age 18)
  • Teens with a Class G driver license are not required to have an adult driver in the car with them
  • No passenger restrictions
  • No nighttime driving restrictions
  • Not required to graduate from high school before obtaining a Class G License
  • Penalties affect everyone under 18, regardless of what license they hold
For teens under age 18, the steps of becoming a new driver look like this:
  • Beginning at 15 years and 7 months: Mandatory Class G Instruction permit (Must pass written test to be eligible and Class A, B, C or D driver required to be in front passenger seat )


  • Drivers under age 18 must hold Class G Instruction Permit for 5-months


  • Beginning at 16 years: Class G Driver License. Must hold valid instruction permit and pass road test to be eligible. Additionally, you must have completed driver education or have a parent/guardian certify that you have completed 25 hours supervised driving practice, which includes 5 hours of nighttime driving.

With a Class G Driver License, you are able to drive anywhere, with anyone in the car, at anytime of the day or night (within curfew applicable by city code), and a licensed driver is not required to be in the car with you.

  • Beginning at 18 years: Class D Driver License
Class G Instruction Permit: $7.00
Class G License: $25.00
Class D License:$4.00*

*This is a fee for a duplicate (replacement) license. Upon turning 18, you are not required to obtain a Class D Driver License if you hold a Class G Driver License.

If you are convicted of a moving violation . . .and you're under 18, there are new penalties:

1st Violation

  • If you attend Defensive Driving School, your record remains clean

2nd Violation/1st Conviction

  • Must attend Traffic Survival School
  • Violation goes on driving record

3rd Violation/2nd Conviction

  • 3-month suspension
  • Violation goes on driving record

4th Violation/3rd Conviction

  • 6-month suspension
  • Violation goes on driving record

* Note: All persons under 18 are subject to new penalties