Where to renew your Alabama driver license

In Alabama, you renew your driver license through the Department of Public Safety (DPS), which runs all driver licensing in the state. You have two main routes: renew in person at a DPS Driver License Examining Station, or renew by mail if you meet certain conditions.

The in-person route is the most straightforward. You walk into any DPS examining station with your documents, pay the fee, and usually leave with a temporary license the same day. The mail route is faster if you're may be able to access — you send your documents and payment to the DPS mail processing center, and your new license arrives at your home address within two to three weeks.

Which route you can use depends on your license type, how long it's been expired, and whether you've had any changes to your name or address since your last renewal.

Key Takeaways

  • Alabama driver licenses expire on your birthday, and you can renew up to six months before expiration or up to one year after.
  • If your license is not expired or expired less than one year ago, you may renew by mail without visiting a DPS office.
  • In-person renewal at a DPS examining station takes about 30 minutes and costs $28 for a four-year license or $48 for an eight-year license.
  • You will need your current license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number; additional documents are required if you've changed your name.
  • DPS examining stations are located in most county seats and larger cities, and you do not need an appointment for most locations.

Renewing by mail from home

Mail renewal is the fastest option if you're may be able to access. You can renew by mail if your license is not currently expired or has been expired for less than one year, and you have not had any changes to your name, address, or license class since your last renewal.

To renew by mail, you will need to send the DPS a completed Form DL-44 (the driver license process), your current license, a check or money order for the renewal fee, and proof of your Social Security number. Mail everything to the Alabama Department of Public Safety, Driver License Section, P.O. Box 1471, Montgomery, AL 36102-1471.

Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the DPS receives your envelope. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. If you need your license sooner, in-person renewal is faster — you can leave the examining station with a temporary license the same day.

Renewing in person at a DPS examining station

Walk-in renewal at a DPS examining station takes about 30 minutes and requires no appointment at most locations. You will bring your documents, pay the fee in cash or card, and receive a temporary paper license on the spot. Your permanent license arrives by mail within one to two weeks.

DPS examining stations are located in most county seats and larger cities. To find the station nearest you, visit the Alabama Department of Public Safety website and use their office locator tool, or call your county sheriff's office — they can tell you the closest location and current hours.

Bring your current license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days), and proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or tax return). If you've changed your name since your last renewal, also bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

License fees and expiration dates

Alabama driver licenses cost $28 for a four-year license or $48 for an eight-year license. You choose the length when you renew. The fee is the same whether you renew in person or by mail.

Your license expires on your birthday. You can renew starting six months before your birthday, and you can continue to drive legally for up to one year after expiration if you have already renewed. However, if your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew by mail — you must renew in person and may be required to retake the written test and vision test.

What to do if your name has changed

If you've been married, divorced, or legally changed your name since your last renewal, you cannot renew by mail. You must renew in person at a DPS examining station and bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change.

Acceptable documents include a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order of name change, or adoption papers. The document must be certified (an official copy with a seal or stamp from the issuing court or agency). A photocopy or uncertified copy will not be accepted.

Bring this document along with your current license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. The DPS will update your name on your new license at the time of renewal.

What to do if your address has changed

If you've moved since your last renewal, you can still renew by mail as long as your license is not expired or has been expired for less than one year. You do not need to update your address before you renew — the DPS will update it during the renewal process.

When you renew by mail, include your new address on the Form DL-44 process. When you renew in person, bring proof of your new residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days) along with your other documents. The DPS will print your new address on your license.

What happens if your license is expired more than one year

If your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew by mail. You must go to a DPS examining station in person and bring all the same documents as a first-time applicant: proof of identity, proof of residency, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Alabama residency.

You will also be required to retake the written test and vision test. The DPS will schedule these tests when you arrive. If you pass, you will receive a temporary license and your permanent license will arrive by mail within one to two weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license before it expires?

Yes. You can renew your Alabama driver license starting six months before your birthday (the expiration date on your current license). Renewing early does not change your expiration date — your new license will still expire on your birthday, just four or eight years later depending on which license length you choose.

Do I need an appointment to renew in person?

Most DPS examining stations do not require appointments for renewal. However, some locations may have appointment systems during busy times. Call the station nearest you or check the DPS website before you go to confirm current procedures.

What if I lost my current license?

If your license is lost or stolen, you cannot renew by mail. You must go to a DPS examining station in person and bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. You will receive a temporary license and your permanent license will arrive by mail.

Can I renew if my license is suspended or revoked?

No. You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license. You must first resolve the suspension or revocation with the DPS or the court that issued it. Contact the DPS directly to find out the status of your license and what steps you need to take.

How long does it take to get my license in the mail after I renew?

If you renew in person, your permanent license arrives by mail within one to two weeks. If you renew by mail, processing takes two to three weeks from the date the DPS receives your envelope, plus mail delivery time. You can drive with your temporary license until your permanent license arrives.