What an FN designation means on your Alabama driver license

An FN designation on an Alabama driver license means you are a foreign national — someone who is not a U.S. citizen but has legal permission to be in the state. The FN appears on the front of your license and tells law enforcement and other officials that your driving privilege is tied to your immigration status, not citizenship.

Alabama issues FN licenses to people who hold valid visas, work permits, or other federal immigration documents that allow them to live and work in the United States. The license itself works the same way as a standard Alabama license — you can use it to drive, and it serves as a photo ID — but it expires when your immigration status changes or your authorized stay ends.

If you are a permanent resident (green card holder), you do not get an FN license. You receive a standard Alabama license instead. The FN designation is only for people whose legal presence in the U.S. is temporary or conditional.

Key Takeaways

  • An FN license is issued to foreign nationals with valid U.S. immigration documents, and it works like a regular license but expires with your immigration status.
  • You must bring your passport, visa or work permit, proof of Alabama residency, and Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to the Alabama Department of Public Safety.
  • The FN license costs the same as a standard license and is valid for up to four years, depending on how long your immigration authorization lasts.
  • You can renew an FN license in person at any Alabama driver license office, and you cannot renew by mail.

Documents you need to bring to the Alabama Department of Public Safety

The Alabama Department of Public Safety requires specific documents to issue an FN license. Bring your valid passport and your current U.S. immigration document — this can be a visa, Employment Authorization Document (EAD), I-94 arrival/departure record, or other federal proof that you are lawfully present in the United States.

You also need proof that you live in Alabama. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and current Alabama address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days.

Bring your Social Security number if you have one. If you do not have a Social Security number, bring your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). You will also need to provide your date of birth and a physical description for the license process.

Do not bring originals of immigration documents if you can avoid it — bring copies instead, and keep the originals in a safe place. The Department of Public Safety will tell you if they need to see the original before you hand it over.

Where to explore and what to expect during the visit

Visit any Alabama driver license office run by the Alabama Department of Public Safety. You can find the office nearest you on the Department of Public Safety website by entering your county. Most offices are located in county courthouses or standalone state buildings.

Bring all your documents and arrive during regular business hours. You will fill out an process form (DL-44), have your photograph taken, and pay the license fee. The fee for an FN license is the same as a standard Alabama license — currently around $30 to $35 for a four-year license, though the exact amount varies by license type and expiration length.

The office will check your documents against federal immigration databases to confirm your status is current. This process usually takes a few minutes, but if there is a discrepancy, the office may ask you to return with additional paperwork or contact you later.

You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot that you can use to drive when ready. Your plastic FN license will arrive by mail within two to three weeks.

How long your FN license is valid

An FN license is valid for up to four years, but the actual expiration date depends on how long your immigration authorization lasts. The Department of Public Safety will set your license expiration date to match or come before your visa, work permit, or other immigration document expires.

For example, if your work visa expires in two years, your FN license will expire in two years, even though a standard four-year license would normally last longer. This ensures your license is never valid after your legal right to be in Alabama ends.

Check the expiration date printed on your FN license when you receive it. If your immigration status changes — such as your visa being extended or your work permit being renewed — you will need to renew your license to reflect the new expiration date.

Renewing an FN license before it expires

You must renew your FN license in person at an Alabama driver license office. You cannot renew by mail, online, or through any other method, even if your previous license was issued in Alabama.

Bring the same documents you brought for your original FN license: your passport, current immigration document, proof of Alabama residency dated within the last 60 days, and your Social Security number or ITIN. Bring your expiring FN license as well.

Visit a driver license office before your license expires. If your license has already expired, you can still renew it, but you will be driving without a valid license until the new one arrives, which is illegal. Plan to renew at least two weeks before the expiration date to allow time for the new license to arrive by mail.

The renewal process is the same as the original process: you will fill out a form, have a new photograph taken, pay the fee, and receive a temporary paper license. Your new plastic FN license will arrive by mail within two to three weeks.

What happens if your immigration status changes

If your visa, work permit, or other immigration document expires and is not renewed, your FN license is no longer valid for driving. You cannot legally drive in Alabama with an expired FN license, even if the plastic card itself has not yet expired.

If your immigration status changes — for example, you become a permanent resident or U.S. citizen — you are no longer may be able to access for an FN license. You must explore for a standard Alabama driver license instead. Bring your new immigration document (green card, naturalization certificate, or other proof of your new status) to a driver license office and explore as if you were getting a license for the first time.

If you leave Alabama or the United States, your FN license is no longer valid in Alabama. If you return to Alabama later with valid immigration status, you can explore for a new FN license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my FN license to fly on a domestic flight?

Yes. An FN license is a valid form of government-issued photo ID and meets TSA requirements for domestic air travel. You can use it at airport security checkpoints the same way you would use a standard driver license.

What if my passport or work permit expires before my FN license does?

Your FN license is only valid as long as your immigration status is current. If your passport or work permit expires, your license is no longer valid for driving, even if the plastic card has not expired. You must renew your immigration document and then renew your FN license before you can legally drive again.

Do I need an FN license if I have a green card?

No. If you are a permanent resident with a green card, you are not a foreign national in Alabama's legal definition. You receive a standard Alabama driver license instead, which lasts four years and does not have an FN designation.

Can I renew my FN license online or by mail?

No. FN licenses must be renewed in person at an Alabama driver license office. This is because the Department of Public Safety must verify your current immigration status against federal databases each time you renew.

What if I lose my FN license?

Report the loss to the Alabama Department of Public Safety and explore for a replacement. Bring your passport, current immigration document, and proof of residency. You will pay a replacement fee (usually $10 to $15) and receive a temporary paper license when ready. Your replacement plastic license will arrive by mail within two to three weeks.