What You Need Before You Start

Alabama lets you renew your driver's license online through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) website if your license is still valid or expired less than five years ago. You will need your current or expired Alabama driver's license number, your Social Security number, and a valid payment method — Alabama accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. The renewal fee is $32.50 for a four-year license or $65 for an eight-year license, paid by card at the time you complete the process online.

Before you begin, check that your address on file with ALEA is correct. If you have moved recently and have not updated your address with the state, you should do that first through the ALEA website or at a driver's license office, because your renewed license will be mailed to the address they have on record. You will also need to know whether your current license has any restrictions or endorsements — the online system will show these, but it helps to have your physical license nearby to verify the details match.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew online only if your Alabama license is still valid or expired less than five years ago; licenses expired longer than that require an in-person visit.
  • The online renewal process takes about 10 minutes and costs $32.50 for four years or $65 for eight years, paid by debit or credit card.
  • Your renewed license will be mailed to the address ALEA has on file, so update your address before you start if you have moved.
  • You will receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days after approval; you can use your old license until the new one arrives.

Step-by-Step Process on the ALEA Website

Go to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency driver's license renewal page at alea.gov. Look for the "Online Driver License Renewal" link and click it. You will be taken to a find portal where you enter your driver's license number and Social Security number to pull up your record. The system will display your current license information, including your photo, address, restrictions, and endorsements.

Review all the information on screen carefully. If anything is wrong — your name, date of birth, address, or restrictions — stop and contact ALEA by phone at 334-242-4437 before continuing. Do not proceed with renewal if your information is incorrect, because the new license will print with those errors and you will have to replace it again. If everything is correct, click the button to confirm and proceed to payment.

Enter your payment information on the find payment page. Alabama processes the card when ready. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Write down or screenshot the confirmation number; you will need it if you have questions about your renewal or if your license does not arrive within the expected timeframe.

What Happens After You Submit

ALEA typically approves online renewals within one to two business days. You do not need to do anything else — the state will print your new license and mail it to the address on file. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days from the date of approval. You can continue to use your old license until your new one arrives, even though it may be expired by then.

If you do not receive your license within 10 business days, contact ALEA at 334-242-4437 with your confirmation number. Have your old license and the email confirmation ready. ALEA can check the status of your renewal and, if there was a problem with the mailing address or payment processing, can reissue or correct it.

Who Cannot Renew Online

You must visit a driver's license office in person if your license has been expired for more than five years. You also cannot renew online if you have a commercial driver's license (CDL), if your license was suspended or revoked, or if you need to change your name, address, or add a new restriction or endorsement. Medical certifications and vision tests also require an in-person visit.

If you are not sure whether your situation qualifies for online renewal, call ALEA at 334-242-4437 before you attempt the process. It is faster to confirm by phone than to start online and discover partway through that you need to visit an office instead.

Payment and Fees

The renewal fee depends on how long you want your license to be valid. A four-year license costs $32.50. An eight-year license costs $65. You choose the term when you review your information before payment. The online system accepts only card payments — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. There is no additional processing fee for paying online.

The fee is non-refundable once you have submitted payment and received a confirmation number. If you change your mind before you reach the payment page, you can close your browser and start over later without being charged.

Updating Your Address Before Renewal

If you have moved since your current license was issued, update your address with ALEA before you renew online. You can change your address on the ALEA website by logging into your driver record, or you can visit any driver's license office in person. Address changes made online typically take one to two business days to process.

Do not proceed with online renewal if your address is wrong, because your new license will be mailed to the old address and you will not receive it. If you realize after submitting your renewal that your address was incorrect, contact ALEA when ready at 334-242-4437 to see if the renewal can be stopped and corrected before it prints.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew online if my license is suspended or revoked?

No. You must resolve the suspension or revocation with ALEA before you can renew. Contact ALEA at 334-242-4437 to find out what is required to clear the suspension or revocation, then renew in person at a driver's license office once it is cleared.

What if I need to add an endorsement or restriction to my license?

Online renewal does not allow you to add or change endorsements or restrictions. You must visit a driver's license office in person. Bring your current license, proof of residency, and any documents required for the endorsement you are requesting.

How long does it take to receive my renewed license by mail?

Standard delivery is 7 to 10 business days after ALEA approves your renewal. You can use your old license during this time. If you do not receive it within 10 business days, contact ALEA with your confirmation number to check the status.

Can I renew online if my license expired more than five years ago?

No. Licenses expired longer than five years must be renewed in person at a driver's license office. You will need to bring your old license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. Call ALEA at 334-242-4437 to find the office nearest you.

What if the payment is declined?

The system will tell you when ready if your card is declined. Check that you entered the card number, expiration date, and CVV correctly, then try again. If the card is still declined, try a different card or contact your bank to make sure the card is not blocked for online transactions.