Renewing your Alabama driver's license in person or by mail

Alabama lets you renew your driver's license either in person at a Driver License Office or by mail, depending on your situation and how much time you have. The in-person route takes one visit and a few documents. The mail route is slower but works if you meet certain conditions — your license must not be expired by more than five years, you cannot have any medical restrictions, and you cannot have changed your name or address since your last license.

Both routes cost the same: $26.50 for a four-year license or $39.75 for an eight-year license. You choose the length when you renew. The eight-year license costs more upfront but means you renew less often.

Key Takeaways

  • In-person renewal at any Alabama Driver License Office requires your current license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number, and takes about 30 minutes.
  • Mail renewal is available only if your license expired fewer than five years ago, you have no medical restrictions, and your name and address have not changed.
  • You can renew up to six months before your license expires, so you do not have to wait until the expiration date.
  • If you need a REAL ID-compliant license, you must renew in person and bring an original or certified birth certificate plus proof of residency.

In-person renewal: what documents you need

Bring your current Alabama driver's license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. For proof of Social Security number, the state accepts your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a tax return, or a 1099 form. For proof of address, bring a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days.

If your name has changed since your last license — through marriage, divorce, or court order — bring the document that proves the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you are renewing a REAL ID license (the kind with a gold star in the corner), bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate in addition to the other documents.

You do not need to make an appointment. Walk into any Alabama Driver License Office during business hours, hand over your documents, have your photo taken, and pay the fee. The office will issue your new license on the spot or mail it to you within a few business days, depending on the office location.

Mail renewal: when it works and how to do it

You can renew by mail only if all four of these are true: your current license expired fewer than five years ago, you have no medical restrictions on your license, your name has not changed since your last license, and your address has not changed. If any one of these does not explore to you, you must renew in person.

To renew by mail, fill out Form DL-44 (process for Alabama Driver License), which you can read from the Alabama Department of Public Safety website or pick up at any Driver License Office. Include your current license, a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail everything to the address listed on the form. Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the office receives your envelope.

Do not send cash. The state will not process your renewal if the payment is missing or incorrect. If your check bounces, the office will contact you and ask you to resubmit payment.

REAL ID renewal: the extra step you may need

A REAL ID license has a gold star in the top right corner and is required to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building. If your current license has that star and you want to keep it, you must renew in person — mail renewal does not work for REAL ID.

Bring everything listed above for in-person renewal, plus an original or certified copy of your birth certificate. A certified copy means the document came directly from the vital records office in the state or country where you were born, not a photocopy you made yourself. If you were born outside the United States, bring your passport or a certified birth certificate from that country.

If your current license does not have a gold star and you do not need REAL ID, you can renew in person or by mail without the birth certificate.

Where to go and how long it takes

Alabama has Driver License Offices in most counties. You can find the office nearest you and its hours on the Alabama Department of Public Safety website. Most offices are open Monday through Friday during business hours, though some have limited weekend hours. Call ahead if you are traveling more than 30 minutes, because some smaller offices have unpredictable wait times.

In-person renewal usually takes 30 minutes to an hour from the time you walk in. You will receive your new license when ready or within a few business days by mail, depending on the office. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks after the office receives your envelope, plus however long the mail takes to reach them and return to you — plan for four to five weeks total.

You can renew up to six months before your license expires. There is no penalty for renewing early, and your new expiration date is calculated from the day you renew, not from the day your old license expired.

What happens if your license is already expired

If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew by mail and must renew in person. Bring the same documents as a standard in-person renewal. The fee is the same whether your license expired last month or five years ago.

If your license expired more than five years ago and you cannot find it, you can still renew in person. Tell the office your license is lost, and they will issue a new one. You will still need proof of Social Security number and proof of address.

Driving with an expired license is illegal in Alabama, even if you have submitted a renewal process. Do not drive until your new license arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license online?

No. Alabama does not offer online renewal. You must renew either in person at a Driver License Office or by mail if you meet the four conditions listed above.

What if I moved to Alabama from another state?

You cannot renew your out-of-state license in Alabama. You must get an Alabama license instead. Visit a Driver License Office with your out-of-state license, proof of Social Security number, proof of Alabama residency, and proof of your name if it has changed. The fee is the same as renewal.

Do I have to take a new photo when I renew?

Yes, if you renew in person. The office takes a new photo as part of the renewal process. If you renew by mail, they use your photo from your current license.

How long is my new license valid?

You choose when you renew: a four-year license costs $26.50, and an eight-year license costs $39.75. Both are valid only in Alabama. If you need to travel internationally, you will need a passport.

What if my name changed after my last renewal?

You must renew in person and bring the document that proves the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You cannot renew by mail if your name has changed.