Alabama driver's license renewal steps and timelines
Alabama allows you to renew your driver's license in person at any Department of Public Safety (DPS) office, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or online through the state's portal. The method you choose depends on whether your license is still valid, whether you need a new photo, and how quickly you need the renewed license in hand.
If your Alabama license has not yet expired, you can renew it up to one year before the expiration date. If it has already expired, you must renew in person at a DPS office — mail and online renewal are not available for expired licenses. The in-person process typically takes 30 to 45 minutes, though wait times vary by location and time of day.
Your renewed license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days of approval, whether you renew in person, by mail, or online. You will receive a temporary paper license at the DPS office if you renew in person, which is valid when ready while you wait for the plastic card.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew by mail or online only if your current license is still valid; expired licenses require an in-person visit to a DPS office.
- Renewing in person at a DPS office takes 30 to 45 minutes and gives you a temporary paper license valid right away.
- Mail renewal takes about two weeks total (processing plus mailing time) and costs the same as in-person renewal.
- Online renewal through Alabama's DPS portal is the fastest option if your license is valid and you do not need a new photo.
- Your renewed plastic license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days regardless of which method you choose.
In-person renewal at a Department of Public Safety office
Visit any DPS office in Alabama with your current driver's license, proof of Alabama residency (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and your Social Security number. You do not need to bring your Social Security card itself — the office will verify the number on file. If your address has changed, bring a document showing your new address.
At the office, you will take a new photo and answer questions about your vision and medical history. The staff will process your renewal on the spot. You will pay the renewal fee (currently $24.50 for a four-year license or $36.75 for an eight-year license) and receive a temporary paper license valid for 45 days. Your plastic license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
DPS offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and some locations offer Saturday hours. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours on the Alabama DPS website. Arriving early in the day or mid-week typically means shorter waits than Friday afternoons.
Mail renewal for valid licenses
If your license is still valid and you do not need a new photo, you can renew by mail. read the DL-44 form (process for Driver's License) from the Alabama DPS website, or request one by calling the DPS at 334-242-4437. Complete the form and mail it with your current driver's license, proof of residency, and the renewal fee ($24.50 or $36.75 depending on the license term you choose).
Mail your packet to the address listed on the DL-44 form. Processing takes about 7 to 10 business days after the DPS receives your process, and your renewed license will be mailed to you afterward. Total time from mailing to receiving your new license is typically two to three weeks.
You will not receive a temporary license by mail, so plan ahead if you need to drive before your renewed license arrives. If your current license expires before your renewed one arrives, you will be driving on an expired license, which is not legal. For this reason, mail renewal works best if you renew at least two to three weeks before your expiration date.
Online renewal through the Alabama DPS portal
The Alabama DPS offers online renewal through its official website for drivers whose licenses are still valid and who do not need a new photo. You will need your current driver's license number, date of birth, and Social Security number to start. The online system will verify your information against state records.
Online renewal takes about 10 minutes to complete. You will pay the renewal fee using a credit or debit card. After you submit, you will receive a confirmation number. Your renewed license will be mailed within 7 to 10 business days, and you will not receive a temporary license — your current license remains valid until it expires or your new one arrives, whichever comes first.
Online renewal is the fastest option if you are may be able to access, since you avoid mail delivery time and DPS office wait times. However, you cannot use it if your license has expired, if you need a new photo (such as after a significant appearance change), or if your address has changed and you need to update it on your license.
What happens if your license has already expired
Once your Alabama driver's license expires, you cannot renew it by mail or online. You must visit a DPS office in person. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. The process is the same as a standard in-person renewal — you will take a new photo, answer health and vision questions, and receive a temporary paper license valid for 45 days.
Driving on an expired license is illegal in Alabama, even if you have submitted a renewal process. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you can show your temporary paper license as proof that you have renewed, but the officer may still issue a citation. Renew as soon as possible after your license expires to avoid this risk.
Renewal fees and license validity periods
Alabama offers two renewal terms: a four-year license for $24.50 and an eight-year license for $36.75. Both are valid for their respective periods from the date of issue. You choose which term you want when you renew, whether in person, by mail, or online. There is no discount for choosing the longer term — you straightforward pay more upfront for more years of validity.
If you renew before your current license expires, your new license will be valid for four or eight years from the date you renew, not from the date your old license would have expired. This means if you renew early, you do not lose the remaining validity of your current license — you straightforward start a new term.
Address changes and license updates
If your address has changed since your last license was issued, you must update it during renewal. Bring a document showing your new address dated within 60 days (utility bill, lease, bank statement, or similar). If you renew by mail or online, include a copy of this document with your process.
You cannot change your address without renewing your license. If you need to update your address before your license expires, you must renew early. Some DPS offices will update your address on file for a small fee without requiring a full renewal, but this does not change the license itself — it only updates the DPS records. Contact your local DPS office to ask whether this service is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Alabama driver's license if I have an out-of-state address?
No. Alabama requires proof of current Alabama residency to renew. If you have moved out of state, you must obtain a license from your new state instead. If you are temporarily out of state but still an Alabama resident, you can renew by mail using a document showing your Alabama address.
What if I lost my current driver's license and cannot bring it to renew?
You will need to visit a DPS office in person. Bring proof of residency and your Social Security number. The office can look up your license record and issue a replacement or renewal. You may be charged an additional replacement fee in addition to the renewal fee.
How long is my temporary paper license valid?
Your temporary paper license is valid for 45 days from the date you receive it at the DPS office. This gives you time to receive your plastic license by mail. If your plastic license has not arrived after 45 days, contact the DPS when ready to check the status.
Can I renew my license online if I need a new photo?
No. Online renewal does not allow you to submit a new photo. You must renew in person at a DPS office if you want a new photo on your license. This includes situations where your appearance has changed significantly or your current photo is damaged.
What if I renew by mail but my license expires before the new one arrives?
You will be driving on an expired license, which is illegal. If you are stopped, you can show your DPS confirmation or the mailed process as proof you have renewed, but an officer may still cite you. To avoid this, renew by mail at least three weeks before your expiration date, or choose in-person or online renewal instead.