Alabama lets you renew online if your license is still valid and you meet a few basic requirements
Alabama's online renewal system, called ALERS (Alabama Law Enforcement Records System), lets you renew your driver's license without visiting a Driver License Examiner's Office. You can renew online if your current license has not expired more than five years ago, you have no medical suspensions or restrictions that changed, and you are not required to take a new photo. The process takes about 15 minutes and costs $24.50 for a four-year renewal or $36.75 for an eight-year renewal.
You will need your current Alabama driver's license number, a valid email address, and a payment method (debit or credit card). Alabama mails your renewed license to the address on file, which typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. Your temporary digital license becomes valid when ready after you complete the transaction online.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online through ALERS only if your license expired within the last five years and you have no medical holds or changed restrictions.
- The online renewal costs $24.50 for four years or $36.75 for eight years and takes about 15 minutes to complete.
- You receive a temporary digital license right away and your physical card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
- If your address, name, or medical information has changed, you must renew in person at a Driver License Examiner's Office instead.
Who can and cannot renew online
Online renewal is available only to drivers whose licenses are still valid or expired no more than five years ago. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written and vision tests. You also cannot renew online if you have an active medical suspension, if your medical restrictions or conditions have changed since your last renewal, or if you are required to take a new photo (which happens every 16 years for most drivers).
Drivers under 18 cannot renew online; they must appear in person. If you have changed your name or address since your last license was issued, you must renew in person and bring proof of the change, such as a marriage certificate or utility bill. Commercial driver's license (CDL) holders cannot renew online and must visit an examiner's office.
Step-by-step process for online renewal
Start by visiting the ALERS website at alers.alabama.gov. Click the "Renew License" option and enter your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will pull up your current license information and ask you to review it for accuracy. If everything is correct, proceed to the next screen.
On the payment screen, choose your renewal term: four years or eight years. Enter your debit or credit card information and complete the transaction. After payment is processed, you will receive a confirmation number and a temporary digital license that you can view on your phone or print. Save this confirmation number for your records. Your physical renewed license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days.
What happens after you renew online
Once your online renewal is complete, you can use your temporary digital license when ready for most purposes, including driving. You do not need to wait for the physical card to arrive. The temporary license is valid for the same period as your renewed license (four or eight years, depending on which you chose).
If you do not receive your physical license within 14 business days, contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety at 334-242-4437. Have your confirmation number ready. If you need to update your address or other information before the card arrives, you must visit a Driver License Examiner's Office in person; online renewal cannot be changed after payment.
Renewal costs and payment methods
Alabama charges $24.50 for a four-year renewal and $36.75 for an eight-year renewal through the online system. These fees are the same whether you renew online or in person. The online system accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. There are no additional processing fees for paying online.
If your payment is declined, the system will prompt you to try again with a different card or contact your bank to confirm the card is active. Refunds are not issued for declined transactions; you straightforward do not complete the renewal and can try again later.
When you must renew in person instead
Visit a Driver License Examiner's Office if your license expired more than five years ago, if you are under 18, if you have a medical suspension or your medical information has changed, if you need a new photo, or if you have a CDL. You must also renew in person if you have changed your name, address, or gender marker since your last license was issued.
Bring your current license (if you have one), proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or W-2), proof of your current address (such as a utility bill or lease), and proof of your name change if applicable (such as a marriage certificate or court order). In-person renewal at an examiner's office takes 30 to 45 minutes on average, depending on how busy the office is.
Temporary digital license and what it covers
Your temporary digital license is a valid form of identification for driving purposes when ready after you complete your online renewal. You can display it on your phone using the ALERS app or print a copy. Law enforcement will accept it as proof of a valid license if you are stopped while driving.
The temporary license covers all the same driving privileges as your physical card and is valid for the full renewal period you chose (four or eight years). You do not need to carry both the temporary and physical license; the temporary is sufficient until your physical card arrives. Once your physical license arrives in the mail, you can use either one, though most people switch to the physical card.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I moved and my address on file is wrong?
You cannot update your address through online renewal. You must visit a Driver License Examiner's Office in person with proof of your new address, such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement. Bring your current license and the proof of address together.
Can I renew online if my license is suspended?
No. If your license is suspended for any reason—medical, financial, or legal—you cannot renew online. You must resolve the suspension first by contacting the Alabama Department of Public Safety or visiting an examiner's office, then renew in person.
How long is my temporary digital license valid?
Your temporary digital license is valid for the same period as your renewed license: either four or eight years, depending on which term you chose during renewal. It remains valid even after your physical card arrives in the mail.
What if my payment goes through but I don't get a confirmation?
Check your email for a confirmation message, including your confirmation number. If you do not see it within a few minutes, check your spam folder. If you still cannot find it, contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety at 334-242-4437 with your license number and payment card details to verify the transaction.
Can I renew online if I wear glasses or contacts?
Yes, as long as your current license already shows that you must wear corrective lenses. If your vision has changed or you need to add or remove a corrective lens restriction, you must renew in person and take a new vision test at an examiner's office.