October 2024

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Arizona driver’s licenses have famously had expiration dates decades from when they were first issued.

But that won’t be the case for much longer—assuming you want to be able to get through security at the airport.

By next May, Arizonans will finally have to comply with congressional mandates to upgrade to state identification cards issued with stronger proofs of identity than before. This Arizona Travel ID will only be valid for up to 8 years instead of decades.

Photo: Arizona Department Of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Division

Pull out your wallet and take a look at your license. If there’s a circle with a star-shaped cut-out in the corner, you’re good to go.

Otherwise, you will need to collect “one document to establish birth or legal presence,” such as a birth certificate or valid U.S. passport, and “two documents to establish residency in Arizona,” like a power or water bill or recent bank account statement.

Then, visit AZ MVD Now’s website to make an appointment.

If you don’t want to deal with the logistics of upgrading your ID at the moment, rest assured that TSA will always accept a valid passport or the more portable and affordable passport card at security checkpoints.

Photo: Sky Schaudt/KJZZ

The original deadline was 2008, but it has been pushed back many times, including in 2020, in 2021, and in 2022.

It remains to be seen whether the deadline to upgrade your ID will be moved yet again, but for now, the date is set for May 2025.

Photo: Apple

Check out these updates on adding your ID to your Apple Wallet, your Google Wallet, or your Samsung Wallet.

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