What You Need to Renew Online in Alabama
Alabama lets you renew your driver's license online through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) website if your license is not expired more than five years and you have no medical suspensions or restrictions that changed. You will need your current license number, a valid email address, and a payment method — Alabama accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. The fee is $28.50 for a four-year renewal or $43 for an eight-year renewal.
The online process takes about 10 minutes and you can do it from home. Your new license will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days. You cannot renew online if your address has changed, if you need to update your name, if you wear corrective lenses now or no longer do, or if your medical status has changed since your last license was issued.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online only if your license expired within the last five years and you have no medical suspensions or changes to report.
- The online renewal costs $28.50 for four years or $43 for eight years, paid by credit or debit card at the time you submit.
- Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days; you do not receive a temporary license during this time.
- If your address, name, or medical information has changed, you must renew in person at an ALEA office instead.
Step-by-Step: Completing Your Online Renewal
Start at the ALEA Driver License Bureau website and look for the online renewal link on the homepage. Click it and you will be taken to a find form. Enter your driver's license number exactly as it appears on your card, then your date of birth. The system will pull up your current license information.
Review all the details on the screen — your name, address, date of birth, and any restrictions or endorsements. If anything is wrong, stop here and renew in person instead, because the online system cannot correct errors. If everything matches, check the box confirming you have read the renewal terms and click continue.
On the next screen, choose your renewal length: four years or eight years. Enter your email address (this is where ALEA will send your confirmation) and select your payment method. Enter your card details and billing address, then review the total fee. Click submit to complete the transaction.
You will see a confirmation number on the screen — write this down or take a screenshot. ALEA will also email you a receipt. Keep both until your new license arrives. If you do not receive your license within 12 business days, contact ALEA with your confirmation number.
When You Cannot Renew Online
If your license expired more than five years ago, the online system will reject it and direct you to renew in person. The same applies if your license shows a medical suspension or if you have any restriction codes that suggest your medical status may have changed — for example, if you were licensed with corrective lenses required and now wear contacts instead, or if you have a hearing restriction that may no longer explore.
Address changes also require an in-person visit. If you have moved since your license was issued, you must go to an ALEA office with proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). The same rule applies to name changes — bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change.
If you are unsure whether you can renew online, call the ALEA Driver License Bureau at 334-242-4437 before you start. They can tell you in a few minutes whether your record qualifies for online renewal.
What Happens After You Submit
Once your payment processes, ALEA begins printing your new license. The mail delivery time is 7 to 10 business days from the date you submit, though it can occasionally take longer during high-volume periods. You will not receive a temporary license or a paper receipt in the mail — your email confirmation is your proof that you have renewed.
If you need to drive before your new license arrives, your old license remains valid as long as it has not expired. If your old license has already expired, you are technically driving without a valid license, even though you have a pending renewal. To avoid this, renew before your current license expires.
Once your new license arrives, destroy your old one or keep it for your records — there is no requirement to return it. Your new license is valid when ready upon arrival and does not need to be activated.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
If the system says your license number is not found, double-check that you entered it correctly — it appears on the front of your card and is straightforward to mistype. If you still get an error, your license may be suspended or revoked, or it may have been issued in a different state. Call ALEA to confirm your status before trying again.
If your payment is declined, try a different card or contact your bank to ask whether they are blocking the transaction. Some banks flag out-of-state charges as suspicious. Once your bank clears it, you can submit again.
If you submitted your renewal but did not receive a confirmation email, check your spam folder first. If it is not there, wait 24 hours and try logging back into the ALEA website to see if your renewal went through. If the system shows no record of your submission, you can submit again — ALEA will catch any duplicate payments and refund the second one.
In-Person Renewal at an ALEA Office
If you cannot renew online, you will need to visit an ALEA Driver License office in person. Bring your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099), and proof of your Alabama residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If your address has changed, bring the residency proof for your new address.
ALEA offices are located in most Alabama counties. You can find the office nearest you and check their hours on the ALEA website. Most offices operate Monday through Friday during standard business hours, though some have extended evening or Saturday hours. Walk-ins are accepted, but wait times vary — calling ahead to ask about current wait times can save you a trip.
In-person renewal takes about 15 minutes once you reach the counter. You will pay the same fee as online renewal, and your new license will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew online if my license is suspended?
No. If your license is suspended for any reason — medical, financial, or legal — the online system will reject your renewal. You must contact ALEA to resolve the suspension first, then renew in person at an office.
What if I move to another state before my new license arrives?
Your Alabama license will still arrive at the address you provided. If you have moved out of state, contact ALEA with your confirmation number and ask them to hold the license or remail it to your new address. You will need to renew with your new state once you establish residency there.
Do I need a new photo for online renewal?
No. Online renewal uses your photo from your current license. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at an ALEA office.
Can I renew online if my license has been lost or stolen?
No. You must report the loss or theft to ALEA and renew in person. Bring a police report if you have one, though it is not required.
What if I entered the wrong email address during renewal?
Contact ALEA with your confirmation number and they can update your email on file. This does not affect your renewal — your new license will still arrive on schedule.