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Military Personnel Information

The following is a brief description of special driver license and vehicle services available to military personnel.


Vehicle Services


Registration Renewal

Arizona residents on active military duty stationed out-of-state may renew a vehicle registration by mail, or online or by phone using a major credit card:

  • Online
  • Phone toll free at 888-713-3031
  • Mail (pay by check or money order only)
        Motor Vehicle Division
        4005 N 51st Ave
        Phoenix AZ 85031-2688

If a vehicle emissions test is required and the vehicle is out-of-state at the time of registration renewal, you may apply for an out-of-state emissions exemption from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

If a vehicle registration expires and the vehicle is not being driven or is in storage, a Registration Penalty Fee Waiver, Non-Use may be signed at the time of registration to waive the late registration penalties.

If you wish to maintain the current registration on a vehicle that you own or lease, but it is temporarily not being used, you may submit a De-Insured Certificate online.

If applying for or renewing an exemption, the registration renewal must be made by mail or in person, with the required proof of eligibility indicated below.


Resident Exemptions

Special Military Exemption – An Arizona resident who is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, including a member of a National Guard or reserve unit, called to active military duty outside of Arizona in support of a worldwide contingency operation of the U.S. Armed Forces is eligible for a one-year VLT and registration fee exemption.

Motor vehicles owned or leased must have been currently registered in this state in the member’s name on the date he or she received orders to report to active military duty.

This exemption allows the registration of the motor vehicle to be renewed for one year without payment of the VLT and registration fees. The applicant must ensure all other registration requirements are met and submit a completed Special Military Exemption form at the time of registration.

Note: Exemption is limited to no more than 2 motor vehicles and will apply to a surviving spouse or personal representative. Qualified individuals who already paid VLT and registration fees while eligible for the exemption, are not entitled to a refund but may apply the paid VLT and registration fees to that motor vehicle’s next registration year.

Special Military Exemption Executive Order 2003-10 – A member of the Arizona National Guard regular or reserve component called to active military duty (inside or outside of Arizona) in support of Operations Enduring Freedom or Noble Eagle is eligible for a one-year VLT and registration fee exemption.

Motor vehicles owned or leased must have been currently registered in this state in the member’s name on the date he or she received orders to report to active military duty.

This exemption allows the registration of the motor vehicle to be renewed for one year without payment of the VLT and registration fees. The applicant must ensure all other registration requirements are met and submit a completed Special Military Exemption form at the time of registration.

Note: Exemption is limited to no more than 2 motor vehicles and may be submitted by a spouse or personal representative. Qualified individuals who already paid VLT and registration fees while eligible for the exemption, are not entitled to a refund but may apply the paid VLT and registration fees to that motor vehicle’s next registration year.

100% Disabled Veteran - A veteran owning or co-owning a vehicle is exempt from payment of VLT or registration fee, if the veteran is certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs to be 100% disabled and drawing compensation on that basis. The exemption also applies to the surviving spouse, until remarriage, and to only one vehicle or any replacement of the vehicle owned by the veteran or the surviving spouse.

VA Financial Aid - A veteran residing in Arizona is exempt from payment of VLT or registration fee for a vehicle or a replacement vehicle acquired by financial aid from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The exemption applies to only one vehicle or any replacement of the vehicle owned by the veteran.


Nonresident Exemptions

Active duty military personnel or Public Health Service (PHS) Officers stationed in Arizona who are not Arizona residents are not required to pay the VLT portion of the annual vehicle registration.

To register a vehicle, nonresident active duty military personnel must:

  1. Provide an affidavit for VLT exemption of nonresident service personnel issued and certified by the commanding officer.

  2. Meet all applicable vehicle emissions test requirements.

  3. Pay a registration fee and if applicable, commercial registration and weight fees, motor carrier fees and/or any late registration penalty fees that may apply.

When the nonresident service member is assigned overseas and the spouse or dependent must remain in Arizona, the exemption still applies if the nonresident service person’s name appears on the vehicle title. The nonresident service person must have been on military assignment in Arizona at the time the overseas orders were issued.

This applies only to vehicles owned or leased by the applicant and is reduced by the number of registered owners on the vehicle (Example: If husband and wife are both registered owners of the vehicle and only one is active duty, then 50% of the VLT is due). A new exemption affidavit must be submitted each year.




Driver License & Identification Card Services

Automatic Military Extension – Even if the expiration date on your license is passed while you are on active military duty, your license will remain valid for up to 6 months from the time you leave military service.

You may notify us of your active military duty status when you apply for your Arizona driver license. Or, submit copies of the front and back of your military ID card and your most recent earnings/leave statement by mail to:
Mail Drop 510M
Motor Vehicle Division
PO Box 2100
Phoenix AZ 85001-2100

5-Year Driver License – Military personnel and dependents stationed in Arizona may visit any MVD office to apply for, or to renew a 5-year license.

Duplicate Driver License – We began storing digital driver license photos in July 1995. If a digital photo is on file, military personnel and their dependants may obtain a duplicate driver license online or by phone using a major credit card for a $4.00 fee.

Reinstatement of a Suspended Driver License – Qualified applicants may also reinstate a suspended driver license online or by phone using a major credit card.

If your license was issued before July 1995, you must visit an MVD office to obtain a duplicate or reinstated license so that your photo may be updated.

Reinstatement of a Revoked Driver License – A revoked license can not be reinstated online or by phone. Please see the FAQs for more info.

Photo Update – All licensees are required to update their photo and pass a vision test every 12 years. However, if we have recorded your active military status this requirement will not apply.

Renew-by-Mail – If a digital photo is not currently on file with us, then military personnel and their dependants stationed out-of-state, may renew an Arizona driver license by mail. We will issue the new credential indicating “Valid Without Photo” until you are able to visit an MVD office to update the photo. Contact Us for details.

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