I’m moving from CT to AZ for school, and I plan to apply for residency at some point (most of my family lives out there, so I do plan on staying there after I graduate if all goes well). I’m almost 18, but I don’t have my drivers license yet. I’m wondering if I should wait until I get out there to get my license, so it helps with when I apply to be a resident?
College students generally keep their home state driver’s license.
If your plan is go to AZ as an OOS student, graduate, and then get a job and stay, you don’t have any issue of “applying for residency” because you will be a resident. You will live there and have a job and therefore are a resident and will need to get an AZ DL.
The only issue is trying to get residency for instate tuition.
https://www.azdot.gov/motor-vehicles/driver-services/driver-license-information/proof-of-identification-age-and-authorized-presence
Resident Definition
State law requires that Arizona residents who drive and/or own a vehicle(s) obtain an Arizona driver license and vehicle registration(s) as applicable. You are considered an Arizona resident if any of the following applies:
You work in Arizona (other than for seasonal agricultural work).
You are registered to vote in this state.
You place children in school without paying the tuition rate of a nonresident.
You have a business with an office in Arizona that bases and operates vehicles in this state.
You obtain a state license or pay school tuition fees at the same rate as an Arizona resident.
You have a business that operates vehicles to transport goods or passengers within Arizona.
You remain in Arizona for a total of seven months or more during any calendar year, regardless of your permanent residence.
** Out-of-state students enrolled with seven or more semester hours are not considered Arizona residents, regardless of employment.**
Active-duty military personnel based in Arizona who qualify for exemption under the Service Members Civil Relief Act of 2003 are not considered Arizona residents.
Often you have to be a resident of a state in order to get a driver’s license there. When I applied for a permit I needed proof of residency in the licensing state. Generally things that prove residency in a particular state are utility bills, voter registration, etc. If you are planning on registering to vote in that state it’s a good start and means you can just show up at your local polling place to vote which for me is easier than mailing in a ballot.
Another thing to keep in mind – while I did have a learner’s permit in my school’s state (one where you can register to vote there as a student), I didn’t have a car or enough time to get in practice hours while also attending classes and doing work, so I’ll have to wait until I move into my grad school to get my U.S. license in a different state. I had a special class of license at home so it didn’t translate over.
Getting a drivers license doesn’t make you a resident if you’re going there for college. In-state doesn’t work that way. Unless your parents have been living in AZ for at least a year, you pay OOS tuition. It’s that way in every state.