What you need to get an Alabama driver's license
Alabama issues driver's licenses through the Department of Public Safety. To get your first license or renew an existing one, you will need to visit a Driver License Examiner's Office in person — there is no online option for the initial issuance or renewal. You cannot mail in your process.
Before you go, gather these documents: a valid form of identification (passport, birth certificate, or military ID), proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If you are renewing and your name has changed since your last license, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change.
You will also need to pass a vision test and a written knowledge test unless you are renewing a license that has not expired. If you are under 19, Alabama requires you to hold a learner's permit for at least 30 days before you can take the driving test for a full license.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a Driver License Examiner's Office in person with proof of identity, Social Security number, and current address.
- Alabama driver's licenses are valid for four years if you are under 60, and eight years if you are 60 or older.
- Renewal by mail is not available, but you can renew in person at any examiner's office regardless of which county issued your original license.
- If your license has expired more than five years ago, you will need to retake the written and driving tests rather than straightforward renewing.
- The cost varies slightly by license type, but a standard four-year license costs around $25 to $30.
Finding your nearest Driver License Examiner's Office
Alabama has Driver License Examiner's Offices in most counties. You can find the office nearest you by visiting the Department of Public Safety website and using their office locator tool, or by calling 334-242-4437. Hours vary by location, but most offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours.
Some offices operate by appointment only, while others accept walk-ins. Call ahead to confirm whether you need an appointment and what the current wait time is. During peak times — typically mid-month and before holidays — wait times can stretch to several hours even with an appointment.
The renewal process if your license is still valid
If your Alabama driver's license has not yet expired, you can renew it in person at any Driver License Examiner's Office. Bring your current license, proof of your current address, and any documents showing a name change if applicable. You will not need to retake the written or driving test.
The examiner will take a new photo, verify your information, and issue your renewed license on the spot or mail it to you within 7 to 10 business days, depending on the office. A standard renewal for someone under 60 costs around $25 to $30 and extends your license for another four years. If you are 60 or older, your renewal extends for eight years.
What to do if your license has expired
If your Alabama driver's license expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew it without retaking tests. Bring your expired license, proof of current address, and any name-change documents to a Driver License Examiner's Office. The process is the same as renewing a valid license.
If your license expired more than five years ago, Alabama treats it as a new process. You will need to retake the written knowledge test and the driving test, and you will need to provide all the original documents required for a first-time license: proof of identity, Social Security number, and current address. If you are under 19, you will also need to show that you held a learner's permit for at least 30 days.
Learner's permits and the path to a full license
If you are under 19 and do not yet have a driver's license, you must first obtain a learner's permit. To get a learner's permit, visit a Driver License Examiner's Office with proof of identity, Social Security number, and current address. You will take a written knowledge test covering Alabama traffic laws and road signs.
Once you pass the written test, you receive your learner's permit when ready. You must hold this permit for at least 30 days before you are allowed to take the driving test. During this time, you can only drive with a licensed adult 21 or older in the front seat. After 30 days have passed, return to the examiner's office to schedule and take your driving test. If you pass, you receive your full driver's license.
If you are 19 or older and have never held a license, you do not need a learner's permit. You can go directly to the examiner's office, take the written test, and then schedule a driving test. The 30-day waiting period does not explore to adults.
Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged license
If your Alabama driver's license is lost, stolen, or too damaged to use, go to any Driver License Examiner's Office with proof of identity and current address. You do not need to retake any tests. The examiner will issue you a replacement license with a new number and take a new photo.
A replacement license costs the same as a renewal. You will receive it on the spot or by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If your license was stolen, consider reporting the theft to local police and keeping a copy of the report in case the stolen license is used fraudulently.
Understanding Alabama's license types and restrictions
Alabama issues several types of driver's licenses depending on what you will be driving. A standard Class D license allows you to drive passenger vehicles. A Class M license is required if you ride a motorcycle. Commercial Driver's License (CDL) holders can operate commercial vehicles and require additional testing and medical certification.
Your license may also carry restrictions — for example, corrective lenses required, automatic transmission only, or daylight driving only. These restrictions appear on the front of your license and are based on your vision test results or medical history. If you believe a restriction is incorrect, bring documentation to the examiner's office and request a review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Alabama driver's license by mail?
No. Alabama does not offer mail-in renewal. You must visit a Driver License Examiner's Office in person, even if you are renewing a valid license. However, you can renew at any examiner's office in the state, not just the one that issued your original license.
How long does it take to get a new Alabama driver's license?
If you are renewing a valid license or replacing a lost one, you may receive it on the spot or by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you are taking the written or driving test for the first time, you will receive your license when ready after passing both tests, unless the office mails it instead.
What happens if I fail the written or driving test?
You can retake the test the same day or schedule another appointment. There is no waiting period between attempts in Alabama. Each retake may have a small fee, typically a few dollars. Most people pass on their second or third attempt.
Do I need to renew my license if I move to another state?
No. Your Alabama driver's license remains valid even if you move. However, if you become a resident of another state, that state's laws may require you to obtain a license there within a certain timeframe. Check the requirements of your new state.
What if my name has changed since my last license?
Bring documentation of the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order — along with your current license and proof of address. The examiner will issue a new license with your updated name at no additional cost beyond the standard renewal fee.