Arizona MVD Changes The Way Plates And Tabs Are Issued

ARIZONA — Starting in January, drivers will have to adjust to the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division’s new way of distributing registration tabs, license plates, vehicle titles and other documents.

Beginning in January, the Arizona MVD will mail those items via the United States Postal Service, and motorists won’t be able to pick them up at an MVD office or from an authorized third party. To make the transition as smooth as possible, ADOT officials advise motorists to verify with both the MVD and USPS that their address on file is correct.

The move stems from the MVD’s preparation for a projected increase in online services. “The MVD needs to be well-positioned for the growth of e-commerce,” wrote MVD Stakeholder Relations Manager Jennifer Bowser Richards in a news release. “Distributing items such as license plates, tabs, title work and other documents allows us to prepare for the growing demand for fulfilling customer orders through the mail as MVD continues to increase the number of services available online, anytime.”

Those using one of the MVD’s self-service kiosks will also have their license plate tabs and registration documents mailed to them, starting now. The renewal receipt then serves as their proof of registration, and their MVD records are immediately updated.

Where license plates are concerned, the change results in a customer’s service file being updated with the plate number, and the office-issued temporary plate will match the number of the permanent plate that will be mailed.

Motorists who buy Off-Highway Vehicle decals on the day they will be traveling to a recreational area won’t get a decal at the MVD either, but they will instead be given a receipt as proof of decal purchase.

Right now, only certain types of title transfers can be completed online though, including those of one owner transferring to one other owner an Arizona-registered vehicle via ServiceArizona.com. However, more title transactions will be available online in the future, ADOT reported.

For more information, access ADOT’s MVD System Changes webpage.