Driving Permit Rules in Arizona
Legal Arizona residents who are 15 years and 6 months old can be issued a graduated instruction permit that is valid for one year. A parent or legal guardian must accompany the applicant to any branch of the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), where the applicant will take a written test, as well as an eye exam. With the permit, residents can begin driver training either through an approved school or under adult supervision.
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Getting Started
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The written exam consists of driving-related information that is contained in the Arizona Driver License Manual. A copy of this manual can be found online at dmv.org as well as the Arizona Department of Transportation's Web site, azdot.gov. Before visiting the MVD to take the exam, study the manual to ensure success on the exam. The Motor Vehicles Division also provides practice tests and questions which can be used to prepare in advance for the real test. Although there is no fee for retaking the exam, applicants who fail must wait 24 hours before they can take it again.
Permit Application
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To take the exam, go to the closest branch of the MVD. An appointment is not necessary, nor is there a charge to take either the written or vision exam. Office locations and the hours for each branch can be found at azdot.gov. Applicants must provide their Social Security number as well as proper identification, such as a United States passport or birth certificate. A parent or guardian will need to be present to sign the instruction permit application, acknowledging that they are willing to be legally responsible for the applicant's driving conduct. If the applicant has a single legal guardian or parents who are married, only one signature will be required. However, if parents are divorced and share joint custody, both parents must accompany the applicant to sign, or the application can be signed in the presence of a notary public. Those who sign the permit application will also need to be present to sign the driver's license application. Once the exams and paperwork are completed, the applicant will be issued an instruction permit. As of August 2010, there is a $7 fee for the permit and it is valid for one year.
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Driver Training
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With the instruction permit, the applicant may begin driver training. The first option is to complete 30 hours of behind-the-wheel training, 10 of which must be at night, with a currently licensed driver who is at least 21 years old sitting next to the applicant whenever he is driving. A second option is to enroll in a driving school such as Desert Driving School or Driving MBA. A list of approved driver training schools can be found on The Unofficial DMV Guide site. Fees and programs vary for the different schools, with details listed on individual websites. If a permit is lost, a duplicate can be obtained at the MVD office for $2. If a permit expires before driver training hours are completed, the entire process must be completed again.
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