Transportation
Getting Around the Phoenix Metro Area
Phoenix is a large area but is developed on a N-S-E-W grid system. This means that most streets run parallel and perpendicular to each other.
Central Avenue is the dividing line between the east and west sides of the city.
The Phoenix metropolitan area is served several freeways including I-17, I-10, the 101 and US 60. Outer Loops 202 and 303 have been completed. Our (sort of) tongue-in-cheek guide to driving in Phoenix is available for your edification and amusement.
Vehicle Registration and Licensing
602-255-0072
Arizona requires vehicle registration and driver’s license upon establishing residency in the state. Proof of age and identity (previous driver’s license, birth certificate, etc.) are required. Applicants must pass a vision test and possibly a written and road exam. Licenses expire at age 60. Drivers must update their photo and vision test every 12 years. Drivers age 55 and older are issued licenses for 5-year durations.
602-255-0072
Registration fees are based on the year, make and model of the vehicle. Prior registration and license plates must be provided. Emissions testing may be required, depending on the age of the vehicle.
Fines can be up to $500 fine if you are caught not registering your vehicle in AZ. If you rent an apartment, take a job, or register your child for school, you are considered a resident. It’s not worth taking the chance.
Vehicle registration is expensive in Arizona. The newer and more expensive the car, the higher the fees. A new $30,000 car will run about $500 – $600 the first year. It slowly drops after that.
Car Insurance
Proof of automobile insurance is required prior to registering a car in Arizona, and must be maintained after registration. Drivers must carry at least $10,000 for property damage and $15,000/$30,000 for bodily injury or death per accident. (Check with your agent – these amounts may increase.) No insurance means a steep fine and suspension of your driver’s license.
Public Transportation
(602) 253-5000
Valley Metro is the public transit system for the entire Phoenix area. The buses run seven days a week, depending on specific routes. Senior citizens and the disabled may call Dial-A-Ride, which runs throughout the week, including Sundays and holidays.
Downtown Phoenix features DASH (downtown area shuttle) and makes stops all over downtown at a lower cost than that of the regular bus.
FLASH and FLASH Lite are free shuttles serving the Tempe and Arizona State University community.
The Bus Book is published by the transit authority and can be found at libraries, on buses and other public locations. Route information is also available by telephone and on the web site.
The light rail is a relatively new addition to the Phoenix area. In December 2008 the first 20-mile starter line of the METRO light rail system for Phoenix started accepting passengers. The METRO light rail system uses state-of-the art light rail vehicles with a modern, streamlined design.
During peak times, a train stops at a station every ten minutes. At night and on weekends, trains stops every 20 to 30 minutes. Trains run between 18 and 20 hours per day. Rail fares are the same fare as the local bus fare.