Where to renew your Alabama driver license
You can renew your Alabama driver license at any Driver License Examining Station run by the Alabama Department of Public Safety. The state has stations in most counties, and you do not need an appointment — you walk in during business hours and wait your turn. You can find the station nearest you and its hours on the Alabama Department of Public Safety website.
Some counties also offer renewal through the mail if you meet certain conditions: your license must not be expired by more than five years, you must be between 19 and 62 years old, and you cannot have any medical restrictions on your current license. If you are may be able to access, you can request a mail renewal form from your local examining station or read it from the state website, fill it out, and send it with your current license and the renewal fee.
A third option is online renewal through the state's website, but this is only available if your license is not expired and you have a valid email address on file. The online process takes about 10 minutes and costs less than renewing in person.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew in person at any Driver License Examining Station without an appointment, by mail if your license expired less than five years ago and you meet age and medical restrictions, or online if your license is still valid.
- You will need your current driver license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement usually works.
- The renewal fee in Alabama is $25.50 for a four-year license or $38.25 for an eight-year license, and you can pay by cash, check, or card at examining stations.
- Your new license arrives in the mail within two to three weeks if you renew in person or by mail; online renewal produces a temporary digital license you can use when ready.
- If your license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot use mail or online renewal and must go to an examining station in person.
Documents you need to bring
Bring your current Alabama driver license or state ID card. If you do not have it, bring a passport or military ID instead. You also need proof of your Social Security number — your Social Security card itself, a W-2 form, or a tax return with your SSN on it will work.
For proof of your current address, bring one document from this list: a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or phone), a lease or rental agreement, a mortgage statement, a bank or credit card statement, an insurance policy, or a government check. The document must show your name and current address and be dated within the last 60 days. A post office change-of-address form does not count.
If you are renewing by mail, you do not need to bring documents in person — you mail them with your process. If you are renewing online, you do not need to submit physical documents at all, though you should keep them in case the state asks for them later.
What happens at the examining station
When you arrive, take a number and wait to be called. Tell the clerk you are renewing your license. They will check your documents, ask you to verify your address and other information on your current license, and take a new photo unless you are over 60 and have chosen to keep your old photo. You will then pay the renewal fee and receive a receipt.
You do not take a written test or driving test when you renew — those are only for new drivers. The whole process usually takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on how busy the station is. Your temporary paper license is valid when ready, and your plastic card arrives in the mail in two to three weeks.
Renewal fees and payment methods
A four-year Alabama driver license costs $25.50 to renew. An eight-year license costs $38.25. These are the only two options — you choose which term you want when you renew. You can pay with cash, check, or debit or credit card at any examining station. If you renew by mail, you can include a check or money order with your process.
Online renewal costs the same as in-person renewal. There are no additional fees for processing or shipping. If you are a member of the military on active duty, you may be able to renew for free or at a reduced rate — ask at your local examining station or check the state website for current military discounts.
When your license expires and renewal important date
Your Alabama driver license expires on your birthday. You can renew it anytime in the 90 days before your birthday, on your birthday itself, or within 60 days after your birthday. If you renew before your birthday, your new license will be valid starting on your birthday. If you renew after your birthday, your new license is valid starting the day you renew it.
If your license expires and you do not renew it within 60 days of your birthday, you cannot use mail or online renewal anymore — you must go to an examining station in person. If it has been more than five years since your license expired, you may have to retake the written test and vision test, though the state sometimes waives these requirements. It is easier to renew before or shortly after your birthday.
Renewing with a name change or address change
If your name has changed since your last license — through marriage, divorce, or legal name change — bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The examining station will update your name on your new license at no extra cost.
If you have moved to a new address in Alabama, just bring proof of your new address with your other documents. The examining station will update your address on your new license. If you have moved out of state, you cannot renew your Alabama license — you will need to get a license from your new state instead.
What to do if you cannot renew in person
If you are out of state or unable to visit an examining station, mail renewal is your best option if your license expired less than five years ago and you meet the age and medical restrictions. You can also ask a family member or trusted person to renew on your behalf — they will need a notarized power of attorney form, which you can get from a notary public. The state website has a template you can use.
If you are in the military and stationed outside Alabama, you may be able to renew by mail even if your license is older or you do not meet the usual restrictions. Contact your local examining station or the Alabama Department of Public Safety to ask about military exceptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license online if it is already expired?
No. Online renewal is only for licenses that have not yet expired. If your license is expired, you must renew in person at an examining station or by mail if it expired less than five years ago and you meet the other requirements.
How long does it take to get my new license in the mail?
Your new plastic license card arrives in two to three weeks after you renew in person or by mail. You receive a temporary paper license when ready that is valid while you wait. If you renew online, you get a temporary digital license you can show on your phone right away.
What if I lost my current license and cannot bring it to the examining station?
Bring a passport, military ID, or other government-issued photo ID instead. You will still need proof of your Social Security number and proof of your current address. The examining station can look up your old license information in their system.
Do I have to take a new photo when I renew?
The examining station takes a new photo unless you are 60 or older and choose to keep your photo from your current license. If you want to keep your old photo, tell the clerk before they take a new one.
Can I renew my license if I have unpaid traffic tickets or fines?
Yes. Unpaid traffic tickets do not stop you from renewing your license. However, if you have an active suspension on your license for unpaid fines or other reasons, you must clear the suspension before you can renew. Contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety to learn about your license is suspended.