What You Need to Do to Renew in Alabama
In Alabama, you can renew your driver's license by mail, online, or in person at a Driver License Examiner's Office. The method you choose depends on whether your license is still valid, how much time you have before expiration, and whether you need a new photo. Most people renew by mail or online because it takes less time than going to an office, but you must renew in person if your license has been expired for more than five years or if you need a new photograph.
Your renewal notice arrives in the mail about 60 days before your license expires. This notice contains your renewal number and instructions for each method. Keep this notice — you will need the renewal number whether you renew online, by mail, or in person.
Key Takeaways
- Alabama sends a renewal notice 60 days before your license expires; use the renewal number on that notice to renew online or by mail.
- Online renewal takes minutes and costs $25.50 if your license is still valid and you do not need a new photo.
- Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and requires you to send your renewal notice, a check or money order, and a new photo if requested.
- In-person renewal at a Driver License Examiner's Office is required if your license expired more than five years ago or if you need a new photograph.
- You must be a current Alabama resident with a valid Social Security number to renew; if you have moved out of state, you cannot renew and must obtain a new license in your current state.
Renewing Online Through the Alabama Department of Public Safety
Online renewal is the fastest option if your license is still valid and you do not need a new photo. Go to the Alabama Department of Public Safety website and select the driver license renewal option. You will enter your renewal number (from your renewal notice), your driver's license number, and your date of birth. The system will verify your information and show you the renewal fee.
The cost is $25.50 for a four-year renewal. You pay by debit card or credit card. Once your payment is processed, your new license is mailed to the address on file. The entire process takes about 10 minutes. Your new license arrives in seven to ten business days.
You cannot renew online if your license has been expired for more than five years, if you need a new photograph, or if your address has changed and you have not updated it with the state. If any of these explore, use the mail or in-person method instead.
Renewing by Mail
Mail renewal works if your license is still valid and you do not need a new photo. Tear off the renewal notice that arrived in the mail — this is your process. Write a check or money order for $25.50 payable to the Alabama Department of Public Safety. Do not send cash.
Mail your renewal notice and payment to the address printed on the notice. Include a new photograph if the renewal notice requests one (this happens if your current photo is damaged or if you are renewing after a certain number of years). The photograph must be 2 inches by 2 inches, in color, taken within the last six months, and show your face clearly without sunglasses or a hat.
Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the office receives your envelope. Your new license is mailed to your address on file. If you do not receive it within four weeks, contact the Driver License Examiner's Office to check the status.
Renewing in Person at a Driver License Examiner's Office
You must renew in person if your license expired more than five years ago, if you need a new photograph, or if you want to update your address or other information on your license. Bring your current license (or expired license if you still have it), proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and proof of your current Alabama address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days).
Bring a photograph if the office requests one, or you can have one taken there for an additional fee. The office will take a new photo as part of the renewal process. The cost is $25.50 for a four-year renewal. You pay by cash, check, or debit card — credit cards are not accepted at all offices, so call ahead if you plan to use one.
Wait times vary by location and time of day. Offices are usually less crowded on weekday mornings. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours on the Alabama Department of Public Safety website. Some offices accept walk-ins; others require an appointment. Check before you go.
What Happens If Your License Is Expired
If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can still renew by mail or online using your renewal notice. If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew — you must obtain a new license instead. This requires an in-person visit, a written test, and a vision test.
If you are still within the renewal window (your license has not expired yet or expired within the last five years) but you have moved out of Alabama, you cannot renew with Alabama. You must obtain a new license in your current state of residence. Contact that state's driver license agency to begin the process.
Updating Your Address or Other Information
If you have moved within Alabama, you can update your address online through the Alabama Department of Public Safety website without renewing your license. This is separate from renewal and costs nothing. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth.
If you are renewing and your address has changed, tell the office or include a note with your mail renewal. If you are renewing online and your address changed, you must update it in person or by mail instead — the online system does not allow address changes.
If you need to change your name, you must renew in person and bring a certified copy of the document that shows your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). This cannot be done by mail or online.
Timeline and What to Expect
Start the renewal process at least two weeks before your license expires. If you renew online, your new license arrives in seven to ten business days. If you renew by mail, allow two to three weeks for processing plus mail delivery time. If you renew in person, you receive a temporary paper license when ready and your plastic card arrives in seven to ten business days.
Your new license is valid for four years from the date it is issued. The expiration date is printed on the front of the card. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives, even if the current one has expired — as long as you have proof that you submitted a renewal (your receipt from online renewal or your mail receipt).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Alabama driver's license if I live out of state now?
No. You must be a current Alabama resident to renew. If you have moved, you need to obtain a new license in your current state. Contact that state's driver license agency to start the process.
What if I lost my renewal notice?
You can still renew online or by mail without the notice if you have your driver's license number and date of birth. Go to the Alabama Department of Public Safety website and select the renewal option. If you cannot remember your license number, you will need to renew in person.
Do I need a new photo every time I renew?
Not every time. The renewal notice tells you whether a new photo is required. If it is not required and you do not request one, you can renew by mail or online without a photo. If you want a new photo, you can have one taken at a Driver License Examiner's Office for a fee.
What if my name changed since my last license?
You must renew in person and bring a certified copy of the document that shows your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). You cannot change your name by mail or online renewal.
How long is my new license valid?
Your renewed license is valid for four years from the date it is issued. The expiration date is printed on the front of the card. You will receive a renewal notice about 60 days before it expires.