Alabama driver's license fees by type and renewal

An Alabama driver's license costs $31.25 for a four-year license or $46.25 for an eight-year license. These are the standard fees charged by the Alabama Department of Public Safety. The price you pay depends on which type of license you need and how long you want it to remain valid.

A Class D license — the standard passenger vehicle license — carries these same fees. If you are renewing an existing license rather than obtaining one for the first time, the renewal fee is identical to the initial issuance fee. Alabama does not charge a separate renewal price.

Commercial driver's licenses (CDL) cost more. A four-year CDL is $56.25, and an eight-year CDL is $81.25. These higher fees reflect the additional testing and endorsements required for commercial driving.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard four-year Alabama driver's license costs $31.25; an eight-year license costs $46.25.
  • Commercial driver's licenses cost $56.25 for four years or $81.25 for eight years.
  • You can pay by cash, check, or money order at any Alabama Department of Public Safety office.
  • The Alabama Department of Public Safety does not accept payment by phone, mail, or online; you must visit an office in person.
  • Replacement of a lost or stolen license costs $20, separate from the license fee itself.

Where to pay and what to bring

You must visit a local Alabama Department of Public Safety office to pay for your license. The department operates driver's license offices in every county. You can find the office nearest you and its hours on the Alabama Department of Public Safety website.

Bring a valid form of identification, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your Alabama residency. Residency proof can be a utility bill, lease agreement, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days. You will also need to pass a vision test and provide a photograph at the office.

Payment methods at the office are limited to cash, check, or money order. Bring exact change if you are paying in cash, as not all offices keep change on hand. If you are paying by check or money order, make it payable to the Alabama Department of Public Safety.

Fees for replacement and duplicate licenses

If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, a replacement costs $20. This fee is separate from the cost of the license itself. You will still need to pay the standard license fee ($31.25 or $46.25) when you replace it, so the total cost is the license fee plus $20.

A duplicate license — an extra copy of your current valid license — also costs $20. Some people order a duplicate to keep at home or in a safe place while carrying the original. You do not need to retake the vision test or photograph for a duplicate; the office will use your existing photo on file.

Additional fees for endorsements and restrictions

Adding endorsements to your license — such as a motorcycle endorsement or hazmat endorsement for commercial drivers — costs $5 per endorsement. You must pass the required test for each endorsement you want to add.

Removing a restriction from your license (for example, corrective lenses or automatic transmission only) also costs $5. If you have corrective lenses as a restriction and your vision improves, you can pay $5 to have that restriction removed after passing a new vision test.

Payment timing and license validity

Your license becomes valid when ready after you pay the fee and complete the process process at the office. You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot, valid for 30 days while your plastic card is printed and mailed to you. The plastic card typically arrives within two to three weeks.

The four-year and eight-year options determine how long your license remains valid from the date of issuance. An eight-year license costs $15 more but does not require renewal as often. If you are under 21, your license is valid for four years only, regardless of which option you choose.

Age-based license rules and costs

Drivers under 21 receive a Class D Intermediate License at age 16, which costs $31.25 for a four-year term. This license has restrictions on nighttime driving and passenger limits. At age 19, you can convert to an unrestricted Class D license by visiting an office and paying another $31.25 fee.

Drivers aged 21 and older can choose between the four-year and eight-year options. Drivers aged 65 and older can renew their license every four years for $31.25, regardless of which option they initially chose.

What happens if you do not pay

If you do not pay the license fee, you cannot legally drive in Alabama. Driving without a valid license is a traffic violation that can result in a fine, points on your driving record, and possible license suspension. The fine for driving without a license varies but typically ranges from $100 to $500 depending on whether it is your first offense.

If your license expires and you do not renew it, you have a grace period of 30 days to renew without penalty. After 30 days, your license is considered suspended, and driving on a suspended license carries steeper penalties than straightforward driving expired.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay for my Alabama driver's license online or by mail?

No. The Alabama Department of Public Safety requires you to pay in person at a local office. You cannot pay by phone, mail, or through the department's website. You must visit an office during business hours with cash, a check, or a money order.

Is there a difference in cost between a first-time license and a renewal?

No. The fee for a new license and the fee for renewing an existing license are the same: $31.25 for four years or $46.25 for eight years. The only difference is that renewal does not require you to retake the written driving test, though you will still take a vision test.

What if I need my license before the plastic card arrives?

You receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days when ready after you pay and complete your process at the office. You can use this temporary license to drive legally while you wait for your plastic card to arrive by mail, which usually takes two to three weeks.

Do I have to choose the eight-year license, or can I stick with four years?

You can choose either option. The four-year license costs $15 less but requires renewal more often. The eight-year license costs more upfront but lasts longer. If you are under 21, you are limited to the four-year option regardless of your preference.

What if I lose my license before it expires?

A replacement license costs $20 plus the standard license fee ($31.25 or $46.25 depending on the term you choose). You will receive a new temporary paper license when ready and a new plastic card by mail within two to three weeks. The expiration date on your new license will be the same as your original license would have been.