What You Need to Do to Renew Your Alabama Driver's License
You can renew your Alabama 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 long you want it renewed for, and whether you need to update your photo. Most people renew by mail or online and receive their new license within two to three weeks. If you need your license faster or your current one is expired by more than five years, you must go in person.
Alabama licenses are valid for four or eight years depending on your age and the type of license you hold. You can renew up to six months before your expiration date, which gives you time to plan ahead. The renewal fee varies based on how long you want the license renewed for, but you will not need to retake the written or road test unless your license has been expired for more than five years.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew by mail, online, or in person, and mail and online renewals take two to three weeks to arrive.
- You are may be able to access to renew up to six months before your license expires, so you do not have to wait until the last minute.
- If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person and will need to pass the written and vision tests again.
- The renewal fee depends on whether you choose a four-year or eight-year license, and you can pay by check, money order, or credit card depending on your method.
- You will need your current license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number for any renewal method.
Renewing by Mail
Mail renewal is the slowest option but requires no appointment and no trip to an office. You will need to send in your current driver's license, a completed process for Driver License (Form DL-44), proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current Alabama address. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. Proof of Social Security number can be your Social Security card, W-2 form, or 1099 form.
Mail your documents to the Alabama Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division, P.O. Box 1471, Montgomery, AL 36102-1471. Include a check or money order for the renewal fee — do not send cash. The fee is $20 for a four-year license or $30 for an eight-year license. Your new license will arrive by mail in two to three weeks. You can continue driving on your current license until the new one arrives, as long as your current license has not expired.
If you are over 65 years old, you can renew for four years only by mail. Drivers under 65 can choose either four or eight years. If you need to update your photo, you cannot do so by mail — you must renew in person.
Renewing Online
Online renewal is faster than mail and does not require you to leave home, but not all drivers are may be able to access. You can renew online if your license is still valid, you are renewing for the first time, and you do not need to update your photo or address. You cannot renew online if your license has expired, if you are renewing for the second time in a row, or if you need to make any changes to your information.
Go to the Alabama Department of Public Safety website and select the online renewal option. You will need your current driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. You can pay the renewal fee by credit or debit card. Your new license will arrive by mail in two to three weeks. Online renewal costs $20 for a four-year license or $30 for an eight-year license.
If you have already renewed online once, you must renew in person or by mail the next time. This rule prevents people from renewing online indefinitely without ever appearing in person to update their photo.
Renewing in Person at a Driver License Office
In-person renewal is required if your license has expired by more than five years, if you need to update your photo, or if you want to make changes to your name, address, or other information on your license. You will also need to renew in person if you have already renewed online once and are due to renew again. Walk-in service is available at most offices, but you can also schedule an appointment online through the Alabama Department of Public Safety website to avoid waiting.
Bring your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current Alabama address. If you are changing your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you are changing your address, bring a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. The office will take a new photo and charge you $20 for a four-year license or $30 for an eight-year license. You can pay by cash, check, money order, or credit card.
If your license expired more than five years ago, you will need to pass the vision test and the written test before you can renew. The office will administer both tests on the same day. You do not need to retake the road test. Bring your current license or a valid ID to prove your identity.
What Happens If Your License Is Expired
If your license expired less than five years ago, you can renew by mail, online, or in person using the same process as a regular renewal. You cannot drive legally on an expired license, so renew as soon as you notice the expiration date has passed. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person and will need to pass the vision and written tests again. You cannot drive on a license that expired more than five years ago.
If you are renewing a license that expired while you were deployed with the military, you may be may be able to access for an extension. Contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety directly to ask about military renewal options.
Tracking Your Renewal and What to Do If It Does Not Arrive
If you renewed by mail or online, your new license should arrive within two to three weeks. Mail can take longer during busy periods, so allow up to four weeks before contacting the department. You can continue driving on your current license during this time as long as your current license has not expired.
If your new license does not arrive after four weeks, contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety at 334-242-4437. Have your driver's license number and date of birth ready. The department can check the status of your renewal and tell you whether your license was mailed and where it is in the delivery process. If your license was lost in the mail, the department can issue a replacement. If you renewed in person, you will receive your new license when ready before you leave the office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it is suspended or revoked?
No. You must resolve the suspension or revocation before you can renew. Contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety to find out why your license is suspended or revoked and what steps you need to take to restore it. This may include paying fines, completing a defensive driving course, or waiting out a suspension period.
What if I changed my name since my last license?
Bring a certified copy of the document that shows your name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order — when you renew in person. If you are renewing by mail, include a copy of the name change document with your process. You cannot update your name through online renewal.
Do I need to renew my license if I moved out of state?
No. Once you move out of state, your Alabama license is no longer valid for driving. You will need to get a driver's license from your new state. If you move back to Alabama later, you can renew your old Alabama license or get a new one.
How much does it cost to renew my license?
The fee is $20 for a four-year license or $30 for an eight-year license. Drivers over 65 can only renew for four years. You pay the same fee whether you renew by mail, online, or in person.
What if my address changed since my last license?
You can update your address by mail, online, or in person. If you are renewing by mail or online, provide your new address on the process form. If you are renewing in person, bring proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.