Eligibility for Arizona License Plates
One rear license plate is mandatory for most passenger vehicles in Arizona (ARS § 28-2354). The ADOT Motor Vehicle Division issues all titles and registrations, with operations conducted at state MVD offices and authorized third-party providers throughout the state.
- Residence: You must register as soon as you establish residency in Arizona. The state defines residency broadly: staying seven or more months in a calendar year, working in Arizona, registering to vote, or enrolling children in school at resident rates all qualify (ARS § 28-2153).
- Vehicle: Passenger cars, trucks, motorcycles, motorhomes, and trailers require registration. A certificate of title must be obtained before or at the same time as registration. Vehicles with a salvage certificate or deemed non-repairable follow a separate titling path through the MVD.
- Applicant: All title applicants must sign the Title and Registration Application (Form 96-0236). Arizona liability insurance must be active before registration, with minimums of 25, 000/50,000 bodily injury and $15,000 property damage.
- Plate Categories: Standard plates are issued at no additional charge. Specialty plates cover over 100 designs, plus plates for veterans, disabled persons, “Purple Heart,” and hearing impaired/deaf awareness. Veterans certified as 100% disabled by the VA are eligible for full exemption from VLT and registration fees.
How to Get a License Plate in Arizona?
The first registration requires an in-person visit to an MVD or third-party office. Renewals can be done entirely online.
- Bring a completed Form 96-0236, out-of-state title (or registration if the title is held by a lienholder), and proof of Arizona liability insurance. A lien release is required if the loan is paid off.
- Vehicles in the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas must pass an emissions test before registration. The program is conducted by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality through myazcar.com. Vehicles outside these areas are exempt.
- Pay the title fee, registration fee, vehicle license tax, and any applicable air quality fees at the counter. Arizona titles are now stored electronically; a paper copy costs $4 if needed later.
- Plates, stickers, and registration documents are mailed to your address. They are not issued at the office.
Renewals are conducted for one, two, or five years depending on emissions requirements. The MVD sends reminders by mail or email 45 days before expiration. The online channel below covers most renewal cases.
How Much Does a License Plate Cost in Arizona?
The fixed registration fee is small; the vehicle license tax is the main cost, recalculated annually based on the decreasing assessed value of your vehicle.
- Registration Fee: $8 for motor vehicles, $9 for motorcycles (ARS § 28-2003). An air quality fee of $1.50 and an air quality compliance fee of $0.25 apply in emissions testing areas.
- Vehicle License Tax replaces personal property tax. The assessed value starts at 60% of the manufacturer’s base retail price and decreases by 16.25% each year. The rate is $2.80 per $100 for new vehicles and $2.89 for used vehicles (ARS § 28-5801). A new car valued at $25,000 pays approximately $420 in VLT the first year.
- Specialty plates add $25 at initial order and $25 annually. Personalization costs an additional $25 per year. Veteran plates follow the same 25/25 structure, with $17 directed to the veterans’ fund.
- Issuing a title costs $4. Recording a lien costs $1.50 per request. Non-commercial trailers up to 10,000 pounds pay a one-time registration of $20 and a one-time VLT of $105.
- Late renewal starts at $8, then adds $4 for each additional month late, capped at $100.
Can I Get a License Plate Online in Arizona?
Renewals are conducted entirely online through AZ MVD Now. The first issuance of title and registration still requires an office visit for document verification. AZ MVD Now charges the same fees as an in-person transaction, with no additional convenience fee.
For in-person work, both state MVD offices and authorized third-party providers handle titles and registrations. The MVD office locator covers all locations. No appointment is needed.
Renewals by mail are sent to:
- Check or money order made payable to the Motor Vehicle Division
- Write the license plate number on the check
- Mail to: Motor Vehicle Division, PO Box 29008, Phoenix, AZ 85038
Cash payments can also be made at over 500 CheckFreePay locations across Arizona. If your renewal is eligible for AZ MVD Now, it is the fastest and cheapest route; the office or mail handles what the portal cannot.