Get a replacement license at your local Alabama DMV office
To replace a lost Alabama driver's license, you visit an Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) Driver License office in person, bring proof of identity and residency, pay the replacement fee, and take a new photo. The process takes about 30 minutes at the office, and you'll receive a temporary paper license on the spot while your permanent card is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.
You cannot replace your license by mail or online — Alabama requires you to appear in person. However, you do not need to retake the written or road test unless your license has been expired for more than five years.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a DPS Driver License office in person with valid proof of identity and proof of your current Alabama address.
- The replacement fee is $20.50 for a standard four-year license or $31 for an eight-year license, paid by cash, check, or card at the office.
- You will receive a temporary paper license when ready and your permanent card by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
- If your license expired more than five years ago, you must retake the written test and road test in addition to paying the replacement fee.
Documents you need to bring
Bring one form of government-issued photo ID and one document proving your current Alabama address. Your expired Alabama license counts as photo ID if you still have it, even though it is lost in the sense that you cannot locate it.
For proof of residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement showing your name and current address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. A cell phone bill, insurance bill, or government mail also works. If you have moved recently and do not have a document in your new name yet, bring a lease or utility bill in your name from your previous address plus a piece of mail showing your new address — the office will accept both together.
If you do not have a government photo ID, bring two documents from this list: passport, military ID, school ID, tribal ID, or a certified birth certificate. The office staff can tell you over the phone whether your specific documents will work, so call ahead if you are uncertain.
Find your nearest DPS Driver License office
Alabama has DPS Driver License offices in most counties. Visit dps.alabama.gov and click "Driver License" in the main menu, then select "Office Locations" to see the full list with hours and addresses. Many offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but some have reduced hours or are closed certain days, so check your specific location before you go.
You can walk in without an appointment at most offices, but some locations now use an online appointment system. The website will tell you whether your office requires one. If appointments are required and none are available, the office can usually fit you in as a walk-in if you arrive early, but calling ahead to confirm is safer.
If you live in a rural county without a local office, you can visit an office in an adjacent county. Bring the same documents regardless of which office you visit.
What happens during your visit
When you arrive, check in at the front desk and give the staff member your documents. They will verify your identity and address, take a new photo of you, and ask you to sign the back of your temporary license. The photo must meet federal standards — you cannot wear sunglasses, a hat, or anything covering your face, and the background must be plain. If you wear glasses, you can keep them on.
You will then pay the replacement fee at a separate window. Alabama charges $20.50 for a standard four-year license or $31 for an eight-year license. The office accepts cash, checks, and debit or credit cards. You will receive a temporary paper license printed on the spot, valid for 45 days while you wait for your permanent card.
Your permanent license will be mailed to the address you provided. If you move before it arrives, you can update your address online through the DPS website or at your next visit to an office — do not try to intercept the mail.
If your license expired more than five years ago
If you have not renewed your license since it expired, and more than five years have passed, you must retake both the written knowledge test and the road test. You cannot straightforward pay the replacement fee and leave. The office will schedule you for both tests during your visit.
The written test covers Alabama traffic laws and road signs. You can study using the official Alabama Driver Manual, available free on the DPS website. The test has 30 questions, and you must answer at least 24 correctly to pass. The road test is a 15-minute drive with an examiner who watches your ability to handle basic driving tasks. If you fail either test, you can retake it the same day or schedule another appointment.
The fee for retesting is included in the replacement fee — you do not pay extra. However, if you fail and need to retake a test, some offices charge a small retest fee of $5 to $10, so ask when you schedule.
Temporary license and permanent card timeline
Your temporary paper license is valid for 45 days and works anywhere a regular license does — traffic stops, banks, airports, and age verification. Keep it in your wallet until your permanent card arrives. If you lose the temporary license before the permanent one comes, return to the office and request a replacement, which costs $5.
Your permanent card is mailed within 7 to 10 business days from the date you visit the office. Mail delivery can add another 3 to 5 days depending on your location. If you do not receive it within two weeks, contact the DPS office where you applied — they can check the status and remail it if needed.
Once your permanent card arrives, destroy the temporary license. You do not need to return it to the office.
Special situations
If your license was suspended or revoked, you cannot straightforward replace it. You must first resolve the suspension or revocation with the DPS. Visit the DPS website or call your local office to find out why your license was suspended and what steps you need to take. In most cases, you must pay a reinstatement fee and provide proof that the underlying issue (unpaid traffic fines, failed drug test, etc.) has been resolved.
If your license was lost in a disaster like a flood or fire, bring a police report or FEMA documentation along with your other proof of identity. The office may waive or reduce the replacement fee in these cases, though this is at the discretion of the individual office.
If you are replacing a license you lost while traveling out of state, you can still visit any Alabama DPS office. You do not need to be in the county where you originally obtained the license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace my license online or by mail?
No. Alabama requires you to appear in person at a DPS Driver License office. You cannot complete a replacement by mail, phone, or online. However, if you are out of state temporarily, you can visit an Alabama office when you return, and the temporary license will work in the meantime.
How much does it cost to replace a lost license?
The replacement fee is $20.50 for a four-year license or $31 for an eight-year license. You pay this fee only once at the office. If you fail a retest and need to retake it, some offices charge an additional $5 to $10 retest fee.
What if I do not have proof of my current address?
If you recently moved and do not have a utility bill or lease in your new name, bring a document from your old address plus a piece of mail showing your new address — a bank statement, insurance bill, or government letter works. The office will accept both together as proof of your current residence.
Can I use my temporary license to fly or cross state lines?
Your temporary paper license is valid for identification at airports and border crossings during the 45-day validity period. However, TSA recommends bringing an additional form of ID if possible. For international travel, you will need a passport regardless of your driver's license status.
What if my permanent license does not arrive after two weeks?
Contact the DPS office where you applied and provide your temporary license number or the date you visited. They can check whether the card was mailed and request a replacement if it was lost in transit. There is usually no additional charge for a remail.