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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
driver license instruction permit; age
Purpose
Effective December 1, 2026, lowers the age at which a person is eligible for an instruction permit for a class D, G or M license from 15 years and 6 months to 15 years old. Increases the number of driving practice hours that a permittee must complete before applying for a class G or M license when the person is between 16 and 18 years old.
Background
A person who is
at least 15 years and 6 months old may apply to the Arizona Department of
Transportation (ADOT) for an instruction permit for a class D, G or M license.
ADOT may issue the instruction permit after the applicant successfully passes
all parts of the examination other than the driving or motorcycle skills test.
A person who is under 18 years old may apply to ADOT for a class G license once
prescribed conditions are met, including when: 1) the person is at least 16
years old; 2) the person has held a valid instruction permit for at least six
months; 3) the person satisfactorily completes an ADOT approved driver
education program as prescribed; and 4) the person's custodial parent or
guardian certifies in writing to ADOT that the applicant has completed at least
30 hours of supervised driving practice and at least 10 of the required
practice hours were completed at night. If a person who is between 16 and 18
years old applies for a class M license or motorcycle endorsement, ADOT may
only issue the class M license or endorsement if the person: 1) has held an
instruction permit for a class M license for at least six months; and 2) the
person has satisfactorily completed an ADOT approved motorcycle driver
education program or the person's custodial parent or guardian certifies in
writing to ADOT that the applicant has completed at least 30 hours of
motorcycle driving practice (A.R.S. §§ 28-3154;
28-3156;
and
28-3174).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Decreases, from 15 years and 6 months to 15 years, the age at which a person is eligible for an instruction permit for a class D, G or M license.
2. Specifies that an instruction permit for a class D or G license entitles a permittee to drive a motor vehicle on public highways for 18 months, rather than 12 months.
3. Specifies that an instruction permit for a class M license is valid for 12 months, rather than 7 months from the date of issuance.
4. Modifies the list of conditions that must be met before ADOT may issue a class G license to a permittee by increasing:
a) from six months to nine months, the duration of time that the permittee must hold an instruction permit, except as outlined for persons holding a valid instruction permit on November 30, 2026; and
b) from 30 hours to 50 hours, the number of supervised driving practice hours and, from 10 hours to 20 hours, the number of practice hours completed at night that a custodial parent or guardian must certify that the applicant has completed to ADOT.
5. Modifies the list of conditions that must be met before ADOT may issue a class M license to a person who is between 16 and 18 years old by increasing:
a) from six months to nine months, the duration of time that the permittee must hold a class M instruction permit, except as outlined for persons holding a valid instruction permit on November 30, 2026; and
b) from 30 hours to 50 hours, the number of motorcycle driving practice hours that a custodial parent or guardian must certify that the applicant has completed to ADOT.
6. Exempts persons who are at least 15 years and 6 months old and who hold a valid instruction permit on November 30, 2026, from the requirement that a permittee hold an instruction permit for nine months before ADOT may issue the person a class G or M license.
7. Designates this legislation as the Juveniles Unlocking Driver Education (JUDE) Act.
8. Makes conforming changes.
9. Becomes effective on December 1, 2026.
Amendments Adopted by Additional Committee of the Whole
· Adds a delayed effective date of December 1, 2026.
Amendments Adopted by Conference Committee
· Specifies that persons who are at least 15 years and 6 months old and who hold a valid instruction permit on November 30, 2026, are not required to hold the permit for more than six months before the person is eligible to be issued a class G or M license.
House Action Senate Action
TI 1/28/26 DP 5-1-1-0 ATT 3/10/26 DP 9-1-0
3rd Read 2/24/26 39-16-5 3rd Read 4/8/26 17-11-2
Prepared by Senate Research
April 16, 2026
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