State law requires that you obtain a driver license and registration immediately if any one of the following apply. If you:
**Work in Arizona (other than for seasonal agricultural work)
**Place children in school without paying the tuition rate of a nonresident
**Have a business with an office in Arizona, and that bases and operates vehicles in this state
**Obtain a state license or pay school tuition fees at the same rate as an Arizona resident
**Have a business that operates vehicles to transport goods or passengers within Arizona
**Remain in Arizona for a total of 7 months or more during any calendar year, regardless of your permanent residence
**An "out-of-state student" enrolled with 7 or more semester hours is not considered a resident, even if employed.
Military personnel based in Arizona who qualify for exemption under the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act are not considered Arizona residents.
It varies depending on the vehicle. There is a registration fee of $8.00 (or $8.25 in metro Phoenix and Tucson, including 25¢ air quality compliance sticker fee); plus an air quality research fee of $1.50; plus a vehicle license tax (VLT) assessed in place of a personal property tax charged by other states. There may also be a weight fee for commercial vehicles and other fees.
The VLT is based on an assessed value of 60% of the manufacturer's base retail price reduced by 16.25% for each year since the vehicle was first registered in Arizona (15% before 8/1/98). Then, as of the Dec 1, 2000 reduction, the rate is calculated as $2.80 (new vehicles)/$2.89 (used vehicles) for each $100 of the assessed value.
For example, for a new vehicle that costs $25,000, the first year assessed value would be $15,000 and the VLT would be $420.00. The second year the assessed value would be $12,562.50 and the VLT would be $363.06.