Driver's Licenses
Issued by the state, Arizona driver's licenses are required for newcomers as soon as residency has taken place. Proof is needed of age and identity (previous driver's license, birth certificate, or other documents). Also, one must pass a vision test, written test on Arizona traffic laws and possibly a road test (in an Arizona registered and insured vehicle).
The Motor Vehicle Division issues licenses for extended periods. The license expires at age 60 and drivers are required to go in every 12 years for an eye test and a new photograph. Five-year licenses are available to drivers 55 and older, military personnel and their families, and out-of- state students.
Motor Vehicle Division of Arizona
Department of Transportation
Information: 629-9808.
Driver's license examinations are given at the following locations:
3565 S. Broadmont Drive
1102 S. Sherwood Village Drive
7330 N. Shannon Road
601 N. La Canada Drive,
Green Valley
4300 5th Street, Davis Monthan AFB
Insurance
Proof of insurance - at least $15,000/ $30,000 for bodily injury or death and $10,000 for property damage in anyone accident is mandatory before one can register a car in Arizona.
Registration/ License Plates/Titles
Pima County issues registrations, license plates, titles and personalized or special license plates. 629-9808.
The fee is based on the make, model and year of the car. The previous registration card and license plates, plus the title or lien papers must be provided.
Locations of registration offices:
3565 S. Broadmont Drive
7330 N. Shannon Road
1114 S. Sarnoff Drive
601 N. La Canada Drive,
Green Valley
4300 5th Street, Davis Montham AFB
Vehicle Emissions Testing
Required by the state, general information concerning emission testing is available from the Department of Environmental Quality, Vehicle Emissions, 4040 E. 29th Street, Tucson, 628-5395.
Every car (unless it is a model year 1966 or earlier) must pass emission inspection each year before it can be registered.
Vehicle Inspection Stations:
1301 S. Stocker Drive (South of 22nd Street and Sarnoff Drive).
3931 N. Business Center Drive
(Off of Prince Road west of 1-10).
6661 S. Renaissance Drive
(Off of Valencia Road west of 1-19).
Telephone number for all locations is 1-800-284-7748.
Residents of Tucson and the surrounding area enjoy year-round sunshine and low humidity which makes the summer heat (average maximum temperature in July is 98.5 degrees) more comfortable than other southern climates. Also, the temperature drops with the setting sun, so evenings are quite comfortable. Known as the land of extremes, Tucsonans are delighted about the swings which can span 40 degrees from day to night time.
All Arizona day-care centers and pre-schools are licensed and regulated by the state. Before selecting a facility, check the licensing records (open to the public during working hours).
Arizona State Office of Child Care
400 W. Congress Street
628-6540.
To hunt in Arizona, a six-month residency requirement exists before a license can be purchased. The quarry consists of deer, javelina, antelope, elk, bighorn sheep, bear, turkey and other small animals and birds.
Seasons and locations are announced each year by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, 2222 W. Greenway Road, Phoenix 85023, 602/942-3000 or contact the regional office, 555 N. Greasewood Road, Tucson 85745, 628-5376.
Fishing licenses do not have residency requirements, but both resident and visitor must purchase one. There are over 550 official year-round fishing spots in Arizona and the catch of the day can range from trout in the streams and bass in the lakes to crappies, bluegills and channel cats. There is no size or weight limit but there are some limitations on the number of certain species that you can have in your post-session. Check with the Game and Fish Department for current regulations.
The Pima County Medical Society has a physician referral service for residents, 5199 E. Farness Drive, 795-7985. The American Board of Medical Specialties will verify whether a physician is board certified by calling 1-800-776-2378.
Arizona law requires all dogs over four months to be vaccinated and licensed. A new resident has a thirty-day grace period from date of entry.
The licenses are issued after proper proof of rabies vaccination by Pima County at 4000 N. Silverbell Road, 743-7666. Cats are exempt from this law.
Most of the cities and towns in Pima County have strict leash laws. Dogs must be kept on owner's property, either tied or within a fence and must be on a leash.
A referral service helps find veterinarians, 325-0311.
Newcomers are considered residents of Arizona if they own or rent a residence for six months or more; accept a job (other than seasonal employment); register children in public schools; obtain a state driver's license; or maintain a business that is taxed by the state.
For information about any social security concern from monthly benefits to Medicare, call 1-800- 772-1213. Offices at 4601 E. Broadway Boulevard, Tucson and 2716 S. 6th Avenue, South Tucson.
The Pima Council on Aging, 5505 E. Broadway Boulevard, 790-7262, can supply lists of senior citizen housing and retirement communities.
For locations of Senior Citizen Centers, call 791-4865.
Located on the third floor of Robinsons-May Department Store in the El Con Mall is OASIS (Older Adult Service & Information System). Classes, special events and day trips are offered for people fifty-five and older. There is no membership fee. 322-5627.
Pima County property tax for home- owners is based on the assessed value of the home (determined by the Pima County Assessor's Office-740-8630). The formula used to figure property taxes is the assessed value x the tax rate for the district in which the house is located.
The average tax rate for Pima County is $15.00- $17.00 for every $100 of assessed value.
For further information contact: The Pima County Treasurer, 115 N. Church Avenue, Tucson, 740-8344 or for Green Valley, 648-2215.
Once in the city, you will discover the numbered streets run east/west to the south of Speedway Boulevard, and numbered avenues run north/south to the west of Euclid Avenue. The divider streets are Broadway Boulevard (north/south) and Stone Avenue (east/west).
During rush hour, the streets of Broadway, Grant and 5th set aside an extra lane to ease traffic. From 7-9 a.m., going west (toward downtown), and from 4-6 p.m., heading east, drivers enjoy this benefit.
Electricity Tucson Electric Power Company , 220 W. 6th Street, 623-7711, supplies electricity for the Tucson metropolitan area. Trico Electric Cooperative, 5100 W. Ina Road, 744-2944, serves the outlying areas.
Gas
Southwest Gas, 3401 E. Gas Road, supplies natural gas to the entire area.
The main customer service number is 889-1888 or 800-766-9722.
Telephone
US West Communications supplies local telephone service for Pima County. Service can be established by calling 800- 244-1111.
Some of the long-distance companies serving the area are:
AT& T -1-800-222- 0300
Call-America-628-9900
MCI-1- 800-950-5555
GSTTelecom -745-0555
Sprint-1-800- 877-7746
Water
To turn on/off water in Tucson, call the Tucson Water Department at 791-3242.
In Green Valley, call 625-9112.
Trash
City of Tucson trash is collected on Mondays and Thursdays or Tuesdays and Fridays at no charge to the customer. Trash must be out by 6:30 am on the pickup day.
Phone 791-3171 to initiate pickup service.
Outside the city limits, Green Valley, Oro Valley and Marana have their own schedules.
Phone USA Waste of Arizona at 748-8100 for more information on how they may serve you and your waste needs. Or, call Waste Management of Tucson. Twice weekly trash removal and once weekly recycling.
To vote in local and national elections, you must be registered at least twenty-nine days prior to the election. You must be at least 18 years old, a citizen of the U.S. and a resident of Arizona.
Register at:
Pima County Department of Elections, 130 W. Congress, 740-4260.
League of Women Voters,
4560 E. Broadway Blvd., 327-7652.
Democratic County Headquarters,
2617 E. Broadway Boulevard, 326-3716.
Republican County Headquarters, 5447 E. 5th Street, 321-1492.
Also, registration can be done at city clerk offices and driver's license bureaus. Mail-in registration forms are also avail- able at these locations.
