Alabama lets you renew your vehicle registration online, but you cannot complete an initial registration or title transfer through the web portal
Alabama's online registration system, run by the Alabama Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Division, handles renewal only. If your registration is current and you are renewing before it expires, you can renew through the state's website without visiting an office. If you are registering a vehicle for the first time, transferring a title, or dealing with a lien, you must go to a county probate office or use mail-in forms.
The online renewal process takes about 10 minutes. You will need your current registration card, vehicle identification number (VIN), and a payment method. The state charges a renewal fee that varies by vehicle weight and type — passenger cars typically cost between $23 and $28, but commercial vehicles and trailers cost more. You pay by credit card, debit card, or electronic check.
After you complete the renewal online, the state mails your new registration card to the address on file. This usually arrives within 7 to 10 business days. You do not receive a temporary registration document, so if you need proof of renewal before the card arrives, print your confirmation email or receipt.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal works only if your current registration is valid and you are renewing before the expiration date shown on your card.
- Initial registrations, title transfers, and vehicles with liens must be handled at a county probate office or by mail with the Motor Vehicle Division.
- The renewal fee depends on your vehicle's weight and type, and you pay by card or electronic check at the time of renewal.
- Your new registration card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days; print your confirmation email if you need proof before then.
- You can renew up to six months before your registration expires, so you do not have to wait until the last day.
What you need before you start the online renewal
Gather your current registration card before you log in. The card shows your registration number, expiration date, and vehicle information. You will enter the registration number and VIN to pull up your record in the system.
Have your payment method ready — a credit card, debit card, or bank account information for an electronic check. The state does not accept PayPal, prepaid cards, or cash. If your address has changed since your last renewal, update it before you pay, because the new registration card will be mailed to whatever address is in the system at checkout.
Check that your registration has not already expired. If it has, you cannot renew online. You will need to visit a probate office or mail in a renewal form with a late fee. The late fee is typically $10 to $20 depending on how far past the expiration date you are.
Step-by-step: renewing online through the Alabama Department of Revenue
Go to the Alabama Department of Revenue website and look for the Motor Vehicle Division section. Find the link for online registration renewal — it is usually labeled "Renew Your Vehicle Registration" or "Online Services." You will be taken to a login page.
Enter your registration number and VIN. The system will pull up your vehicle record and show you the current expiration date and renewal fee. Review the information to make sure it matches your vehicle and registration card.
If your address needs to be updated, do that now before proceeding to payment. Once you move forward, the address on file is locked in and will print on your new card. If you miss this step, you will have to contact the Motor Vehicle Division to correct it after renewal.
Enter your payment information and complete the transaction. You will receive a confirmation number and a receipt showing the renewal fee, registration number, and new expiration date. Print or save this email — it serves as proof of renewal until your card arrives.
When you cannot use the online system
If your registration has expired, the online renewal portal will not accept your request. You must renew in person at a county probate office or by mail. The probate office can process an expired renewal the same day you visit. By mail, send your registration card, a completed MV-14 form (the renewal process), and a check or money order to the Motor Vehicle Division. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks.
If you are registering a vehicle for the first time — whether it is new, used, or imported — you cannot do this online. You need to visit a probate office with your title, bill of sale or purchase agreement, proof of insurance, and a completed MV-1 form. The probate office will issue your registration and title at that visit.
Title transfers, whether you bought a used car or inherited one, also require a probate office visit or mail submission. You will need the signed title from the previous owner, a bill of sale, proof of insurance, and the appropriate process form. If there is a lien on the vehicle, the lienholder must sign the title as well.
Vehicles with out-of-state titles or registrations need to be registered in Alabama before you can renew online. This is a first-time registration in the state and must be done at a probate office.
Finding your county probate office if you need to visit in person
Each of Alabama's 67 counties has a probate office that handles vehicle registration and titling. The Motor Vehicle Division website has a searchable list of probate offices by county, with addresses, phone numbers, and hours. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but some have different hours or close for lunch.
Call ahead if you are traveling more than 30 minutes. Some offices get busy on certain days, and a few require appointments for certain transactions. Asking about wait times and whether you need an appointment can save you a trip.
Bring all required documents with you. If you are missing even one document — such as proof of insurance or a signed title — the office cannot complete your transaction that day and you will have to return.
Fees and what affects the cost of renewal
Alabama bases registration fees on your vehicle's gross weight rating (GWR), which is the maximum weight the vehicle can safely carry when fully loaded. This is different from the vehicle's actual weight. You can find the GWR on your vehicle's door jamb label or in your owner's manual.
Passenger cars under 4,000 pounds typically renew for $23 to $28. Trucks and SUVs heavier than 4,000 pounds cost more — the fee increases in $100-pound increments. Commercial vehicles, trailers, and motorcycles have separate fee schedules. You can see the exact fee for your vehicle before you pay during the online renewal process.
If your registration is expired, add a late fee of $10 to $20 depending on how long it has been expired. If you renew online, you pay only the standard renewal fee — the late fee applies only if you renew in person or by mail after the expiration date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my registration if it expired more than a year ago?
No, the online system will not process renewals for registrations expired longer than one year. You must visit a probate office or mail in a renewal form with the late fee. The probate office can handle this the same day you visit.
What if I moved and my address changed since my last renewal?
Update your address during the online renewal process before you pay. The new registration card will be mailed to the address you enter at checkout. If you forget to update it, contact the Motor Vehicle Division after renewal to request a corrected card.
Do I get a temporary registration while I wait for my new card?
No, Alabama does not issue temporary registration documents for online renewals. Your confirmation email and receipt serve as proof of renewal. If you are stopped by police before your card arrives, show them the confirmation email on your phone or a printed copy.
Can I renew my registration if my vehicle has a lien on it?
Yes, you can renew online if the lien is already recorded with the state. The lienholder does not need to sign anything for a renewal. If you are paying off the lien, contact your lender about releasing it before you renew, so your registration reflects that you own the vehicle free and clear.
How long does it take to receive my new registration card after I renew online?
The state typically mails registration cards within 7 to 10 business days of renewal. If you do not receive your card within two weeks, contact the Motor Vehicle Division with your confirmation number to check the status.