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 will need your current Alabama driver's license number, your Social Security number, and a valid email address. The state also requires you to have a debit or credit card to pay the renewal fee, which is $36.25 for a four-year license or $54.25 for an eight-year license.
Before you begin, check that your address on file with the Alabama Department of Public Safety is correct. If you have moved recently and have not updated your address, you should do that first — either online during renewal or at an Alabama driver's license office in person. The state will mail your new license to the address on file, so an outdated address means your new license goes to the wrong place.
You also cannot renew online if you need to change your name, correct your vision correction status, or update your organ donor choice. Those changes require an in-person visit to a driver's license office.
Key Takeaways
- Alabama's online renewal process takes about 10 minutes and works only if your license is still valid or expired within the last five years.
- You will need your license number, Social Security number, a valid email address, and a debit or credit card to complete the transaction.
- The state mails your new license to the address on file, so verify your address is current before you submit your renewal.
- If you need to change your name, vision correction status, or organ donor information, you must renew in person at an Alabama driver's license office.
- Your new license typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days after the state processes your renewal.
How to renew step by step
Go to the Alabama Department of Public Safety website and find the driver's license renewal section. Click the link for online renewal and you will be taken to a find form. Enter your driver's license number and your date of birth, then click "Continue."
On the next screen, you will see your current information pulled from the state's records — your name, address, and vision correction status. Review this carefully. If anything is wrong, stop and contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety at 334-242-4437 before you proceed, because you cannot correct most information online. If everything looks right, check the box confirming the information is accurate and continue.
You will then enter your Social Security number and answer security questions based on your credit history. These questions are designed to verify your identity. Answer them as accurately as you can — if you answer too many incorrectly, the system will reject your renewal and you will need to go to an office in person.
Once you pass the identity verification, you will see the renewal fee and choose your license length: four years or eight years. Enter your debit or credit card information and submit payment. You will receive a confirmation email at the address you provided. Keep this email — it serves as proof that you have renewed until your new license arrives.
What happens after you submit
The Alabama Department of Public Safety typically processes online renewals within one to two business days. Once processed, your new license is printed and mailed to the address on file. Delivery usually takes 7 to 10 business days from the time the state mails it, though this can vary depending on your location and mail service delays.
You can continue to drive on your old license while you wait for the new one to arrive. Your old license remains valid until the expiration date printed on it, even after you have renewed online. If you need to drive before your new license arrives and your old one has expired, you should carry your confirmation email as proof of renewal.
When you cannot renew online
If your license expired more than five years ago, the online system will not let you renew. You will need to visit an Alabama driver's license office in person and may need to retake the written test and vision test. Check the Alabama Department of Public Safety website to find an office near you and see current wait times.
You also cannot renew online if you are under 18, if you have a commercial driver's license, or if you have a license from another state. Drivers under 18 must renew in person. Commercial drivers and out-of-state drivers must also visit an office.
If your license was suspended or revoked, you cannot renew online. You will need to resolve the suspension or revocation first by contacting the Alabama Department of Public Safety or visiting an office in person.
Updating your address during renewal
The online renewal form shows your current address on file. If you have moved, you can update your address as part of the renewal process. The form will ask you to confirm or change your mailing address before you submit payment. Make sure the address you enter is where you want your new license mailed.
If you realize after you have submitted that your address is wrong, contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety when ready at 334-242-4437. The sooner you call, the better the chance they can intercept the license before it is mailed to the wrong address. If your license is already mailed to an old address, you can request a replacement at an office in person.
Troubleshooting common problems
If the system rejects your identity verification, it usually means you answered the security questions incorrectly or the information you entered does not match the state's records. You cannot try again online — you will need to visit a driver's license office in person. Bring your current license, Social Security card, and proof of address (such as a utility bill or lease).
If your payment is declined, check that your debit or credit card has sufficient funds and that the card number, expiration date, and security code are entered correctly. Try again with the same card or use a different card. If the problem continues, contact your bank to make sure the card is not blocked for online transactions.
If you do not receive your confirmation email, check your spam or junk folder. If it is not there, the renewal may not have gone through. Try the process again from the beginning. If you still have trouble, call the Alabama Department of Public Safety at 334-242-4437 and they can check whether your renewal was processed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it expired during the pandemic?
Yes, as long as it expired less than five years ago. Alabama's five-year window includes licenses that expired during the pandemic. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a driver's license office.
What if I move to another state after I renew online?
Your Alabama license remains valid in other states for the duration of its expiration date. You do not need to do anything. When you move permanently to another state, you will need to get a driver's license from that state, but your Alabama license will still be good until it expires.
Do I need to take 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 a driver's license office. The state will take a new photo when you visit.
How do I know if my renewal went through?
You will receive a confirmation email when ready after you submit payment. This email contains a confirmation number and shows the address where your new license will be mailed. Keep this email until your new license arrives. You can also call the Alabama Department of Public Safety at 334-242-4437 to confirm your renewal was processed.
Can I renew online if I have a Real ID license?
Yes, you can renew a Real ID license online as long as your current license is still valid or expired less than five years ago. Your new license will be a Real ID license. The online process does not change based on Real ID status.