HB2609 Summary

• Allows the Arizona Department of Transportation to waive written and driving exams for applicants holding valid foreign driver licenses if standards are substantially similar to Arizona's and the foreign country extends reciprocal privileges.

• Foreign license holders may apply for class D, G, or M licenses and must surrender their original license upon successful application; the department must maintain a public list of participating countries.

• Establishes compliant driver licenses and nonoperating identification licenses for federal purposes (boarding aircraft, accessing restricted areas) valid up to 8 years without radio frequency identification technology, effective by April 1, 2016.

• Sets fee for new federal-compliant licenses to be determined by the director and deposits collected fees into the state highway fund.

• Makes provisions conditional on Arizona requesting a REAL ID Act waiver from the federal government by January 1, 2021 and the waiver being denied; requires the department to notify the legislative council of waiver requests and decisions.