What You Need Before You Start
Alabama lets you renew your driver's license online if your license is still valid or expired less than five years ago. You'll need your current Alabama driver's license number, your Social Security number, and a valid payment method — Alabama takes Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. The state charges a renewal fee that varies depending on how many years you're renewing for; check the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency website for the current amount.
You cannot renew online if your license has been suspended or revoked, if you need to change your address, if you want to add or remove endorsements (like a motorcycle endorsement), or if you're renewing a commercial driver's license. In those cases, you'll need to visit an Alabama driver's license office in person.
The online renewal system is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The whole process usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and you'll get a confirmation number at the end. Your new physical license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online only if your Alabama license is still valid or expired within the last five years.
- You'll need your driver's license number, Social Security number, and a credit or debit card to pay the renewal fee.
- The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency website is where you start the renewal process.
- Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days after you complete the online renewal.
- If you need to change your address or add endorsements, you must renew in person at a driver's license office instead.
Step-by-Step: The Online Renewal Process
Go to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency website and look for the driver's license renewal section. You'll see a link to the online renewal system. Click it and you'll be asked to enter your driver's license number and date of birth to pull up your record.
Once your record appears on screen, review all the information — your name, address, date of birth, and any restrictions or endorsements. If everything is correct, you can proceed. If your address has changed, you cannot complete the renewal online; you'll need to stop and go to a driver's license office instead.
Next, you'll confirm your mailing address (where your new license will be sent) and answer a few questions about your health and driving record. These questions are the same ones you'd answer on a paper renewal form. Be honest; lying on these questions is a crime.
At the end, you'll enter your payment information and review a summary of your renewal. Once you submit, you'll receive a confirmation number. Write it down or take a screenshot — you may need it if you have questions about your renewal.
What Happens After You Submit
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency processes online renewals in the order they're received. You should see your new license arrive within 7 to 10 business days. If you don't receive it after 10 business days, use your confirmation number to check the status on the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency website.
If your license arrives damaged or with incorrect information, contact the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency right away. You can call their customer service line or visit a driver's license office in person with your new license and proof of the error.
When You Cannot Renew Online
If your license has been suspended or revoked, the online system will reject your renewal and tell you to contact the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The same happens if your license expired more than five years ago — at that point, Alabama treats it as a new license process, not a renewal, and you must explore in person.
If you want to change your address, add a motorcycle endorsement, remove a restriction, or make any other change to your license, you cannot do it online. You'll need to visit a driver's license office and bring your current license, proof of residency (like a utility bill or lease), and any documents required for the change you're making.
Commercial driver's licenses cannot be renewed online under any circumstances. If you hold a CDL, you must renew in person at a driver's license office.
If You Lose Your Confirmation Number
Your confirmation number is useful but not required to track your renewal. You can check the status of your new license on the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency website by entering your driver's license number and date of birth, the same way you started the renewal. The system will show you whether your renewal is pending, approved, or mailed.
If the system says your renewal was not found, wait a few hours and try again — there can be a short delay between when you submit and when it appears in the tracking system. If it still doesn't show up after 24 hours, call the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency customer service line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew online if my license is suspended?
No. The online system will reject your renewal if your license is suspended or revoked. You must contact the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to resolve the suspension first, then you can renew in person or online once it's cleared.
What if I moved and need to change my address?
You cannot change your address during an online renewal. You'll need to visit a driver's license office in person with your current license and proof of your new address, such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement. You can renew your license and update your address at the same time.
How long does it take to get my new license in the mail?
Most new licenses arrive within 7 to 10 business days. If you don't receive yours after 10 business days, check the status on the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency website using your driver's license number and date of birth, or call their customer service line.
Can I use my old license while I wait for the new one?
Yes. Your old license remains valid until your new one arrives. Once your new license arrives, the old one is no longer valid and you should destroy it or return it to a driver's license office.
What if I need to renew before my license expires?
Alabama allows you to renew up to six months before your license expires. You can start the online renewal process anytime within that window, and your new license will have a new expiration date six years from the date you renew.