Arizona’s Teen Driving Laws and Insurance Requirements

In Arizona, drivers who are under the age of 18 years old can legally drive, subject to certain conditions and restrictions. Before obtaining an unrestricted driver's license, Arizona requires teen drivers to get a graduated instruction permit, followed by a graduated driver license.

What Is Arizona's Graduated License Program?

Drivers between 15 and 20 are eligible to participate in Arizona's graduated license program. This program is similar to other graduated license programs across the United States. It helps limit high-risk driving situations for teen drivers while increasing parental involvement and supervision.

Arizona's graduated driver's license program has three steps:

• Step one: Graduated instruction permit
• Step two: Graduated driver license (Class G)
• Step three: Full driver's license

Graduated Instruction Permit

A graduated instruction permit (or "learner's permit") is the first step for a teen to become licensed to drive. This permit is designed to give teens a decent amount of driving experience while an adult is in the car before the teen is allowed to drive alone. The permit is good for 12 months.

How Do You Get a Learner's Permit?

The earliest a teen can apply for a permit is 15 years and six months of age. The teen and a parent or legal guardian must complete an application. The applicant also must pay a fee and provide proof of identity, date of birth, address, and legal presence in the United States. The teen must also pass written and vision tests. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 28-3154, 28-3158, 28-3160 (2024).)

What Are the Driving Restrictions for a Learner's Permit?

A driver with a permit may drive only with a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age and is seated next to the driver at all times. Under these conditions, the minor can also have other passengers in the car. The minor must always carry the learner's permit while driving. Teens also are prohibited from using a cell phone while driving except during specific emergencies. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 28-3154 (2024).)

Graduated Driver License (Class G)

At age 16, you're eligible to apply for a graduated driver license (also called a "Class G" license). This license allows a teen to drive alone under certain conditions.

How Do You Get a Graduated Driver License?

To obtain a graduated license, the teen must be under the age of 18 and have held a valid instruction permit for at least six months. The teen applicant must complete one of the following paths to obtain a graduated license:

• at least 30 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 10 hours at night, and a road test
• at least 20 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 6 hours at night, a driver education program offered by a traffic survival school or a certified defensive driving school approved by the Arizona Supreme Court, and a road test, or
• a high school driver education or authorized third party driver license driver education program and provided proof of completion within twelve months of issuance

The teen also needs to pass an eye exam and a written exam. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 28-3174 (2024).)

What Are the Driving Restrictions for a Graduated Driver License in Arizona?

With a graduated license, the teen can't drive between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 5 a.m. for the first six months of holding the license. However, this restriction doesn't apply when:

1. the driver is accompanied by a licensed parent or legal guardian who is sitting in the front seat
2. the driver is driving to or from work and home
3. the driver is driving directly home after a school or religious activity, or
4. driving in a family emergency.

(Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 28-3174 (2024).)

Also, a minor can't have more than one passenger under the age of 18 in the car for the first six months. This rule doesn't apply if the passengers are siblings of the driver or if the driver's licensed parent or legal guardian is sitting in the seat next to the teen. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 28-3174 (2024).)

Teens are also prohibited from using a cell phone while driving during the first six months of having a license. But teens may use cell phones during an emergency if it's impossible to stop or if they're simply using the phone's turn-by-turn navigation. But it's illegal to manually enter or adjust directions while driving. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 28-3174 (2024).)

How Do You Get a Full Driver's License in Arizona?

After completing each step of Arizona's graduated license program, teens may obtain a full (Class D) license when they turn 18.

A teen who is 18 or 19 may apply directly for a Class D license. The applicant also must pay a fee and provide proof of identity, date of birth, address, and legal presence in the United States. The teen must also pass written, vision, and driving tests. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 28-3153, 28- 3158, 28-3164 (2024).)

Do Permit Drivers Need Insurance in Arizona?

Under Arizona law, the parent or legal guardian who signs the minor's license application is jointly and severally liable with the minor for any damage the minor causes by negligence or willful misconduct. If the parent is married, the parent's spouse also is responsible for damages the minor causes. Parents aren't liable for such damages if there is insurance covering the minor in at least the minimum amounts required by law. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 28-3160 (2024).)

If you're the parent of a teen driver in Arizona, you should contact your insurer to make sure your child is properly added to your vehicles' insurance policies.

What Are the Minimum Insurance Requirements in Arizona?

In Arizona, all motor vehicles operated on public roads must be covered under liability insurance. All liability policies must include at least $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 property damage per accident. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 28-4009, 28-4135 (2024).)

What Is the Penalty If You Fail to Provide Proof of Insurance?

Failure to provide and display valid insurance is a civil offense. For a first offense, the driver is looking at a $500 fine and a three-month license suspension. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 28-4135 (2024).)

If a driver provides evidence that the driver was insured at the time of the citation, the judge will generally dismiss the citation. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 28-4135 (2024).)