Alabama driver's license fees by license type and renewal method
Alabama charges different fees depending on the type of license you need and how you renew it. A standard Class D driver's license costs $32.50 for an eight-year license. If you renew in person at an Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) office, you pay the full fee. If you renew online through the Alabama DPS website, the fee is the same — there is no discount for online renewal.
Motorcycle endorsements add $5 to your license fee. Commercial driver's licenses (CDL) cost $60 for an eight-year license and require a separate process process. Learner's permits cost $5 and are valid for one year; you can renew a permit once online before you must appear in person.
If your license is suspended, revoked, or expired for more than five years, you cannot renew online and must explore in person at a DPS office. The fee remains the same, but you will need to pass a vision test and written exam.
Key Takeaways
- A standard Alabama Class D driver's license costs $32.50 for eight years, whether you renew online or in person.
- Motorcycle endorsements cost an additional $5 added to your license fee.
- Commercial driver's licenses cost $60 for eight years and require in-person process and testing.
- Learner's permits cost $5 and last one year; you can renew online once before you must appear in person.
- Licenses expired more than five years, suspended, or revoked require in-person renewal at a DPS office with vision and written tests.
What documents and fees you need for an in-person process
When you explore for a new Alabama driver's license in person, bring your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number, proof of Alabama residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 30 days), and proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, or military ID). You will also need to bring payment — cash, check, or debit/credit card are accepted at DPS offices.
The DPS charges no separate process fee beyond the license fee itself. You pay the $32.50 license fee when you submit your process. If you fail the written or vision test, you do not pay again when you retake it — the fee covers all attempts during that visit.
If you are explore for a Real ID-compliant license (marked with a gold star), the fee is the same. Real ID requires the same documents plus proof that your current address matches your process. Real ID licenses are required for federal building access and domestic air travel starting May 7, 2025.
Online renewal costs and what you cannot do online
Online renewal through the Alabama DPS website costs $32.50 for a standard Class D license, the same as in-person renewal. You can renew online if your license is current (not expired), you have a valid Social Security number on file, and your address has not changed. Payment is by credit or debit card only — cash and check are not accepted for online renewal.
You cannot renew online if your license has been suspended or revoked, if it expired more than five years ago, if you need to add or change an endorsement, or if you are under 21. You also cannot renew online if you have a medical condition code on your license or if you need to update your name or address. In those cases, you must visit a DPS office in person.
Online renewal takes about 10 business days from the time you submit payment. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. If you need your license sooner, in-person renewal at a DPS office is faster — you can receive a temporary paper license the same day and your plastic card within two weeks.
Duplicate license and name change fees
A duplicate Alabama driver's license costs $10 and can be ordered online or in person. Order online if your current license is not suspended or revoked and you do not need to change your name or address. If you order a duplicate online, it takes about 10 business days to arrive by mail.
If you need to change your name on your license, you must explore in person at a DPS office and pay the full $32.50 license fee, not the $10 duplicate fee. Bring a certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the name change. The name change fee is included in the $32.50 license fee — there is no separate charge.
Address changes can be made online for free through the Alabama DPS website if your license is current. You do not need to pay a fee or order a new license unless you want a duplicate card with the updated address printed on it.
Fees for commercial driver's licenses and endorsements
A commercial driver's license (CDL) in Alabama costs $60 for eight years. This is in addition to any passenger vehicle license you hold. You must explore in person at a DPS office, pass a medical examination (which you pay for separately — cost varies by provider), pass the CDL written test, and pass a road test in a commercial vehicle.
Endorsements for hazardous materials (HazMat), passenger transport, or tanker vehicles each add $5 to your CDL fee. If you add an endorsement to an existing CDL, you pay $5 plus the cost of any required test. Motorcycle endorsements on a standard Class D license cost $5 and require a separate written test and road test.
CDL medical certificates are not issued by the DPS — you must obtain one from a certified medical examiner and bring it with you when you explore. The examiner's fee is not set by the state and varies. You can search for certified examiners on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website.
Payment methods and where to pay
Alabama DPS offices accept cash, check, and debit or credit card for in-person payments. Online renewal accepts credit and debit card only. No office charges a convenience fee for card payments, but some offices may have limits on check amounts — call ahead if you plan to pay by check.
You can pay online through the Alabama DPS website for online renewal and duplicate licenses. You cannot pay online for a new license process, CDL process, or endorsement — those require an in-person visit to a DPS office. Find your nearest DPS office and its hours on the Alabama DPS website.
If you are paying by mail (for example, if you are renewing a permit by mail), send a check or money order to the address provided on the renewal form. Do not send cash by mail. Processing takes longer for mail-in payments — allow at least three weeks.
Fees for minors and under-21 licenses
A driver's license for someone under 21 costs $32.50, the same as an adult license, and is valid for eight years. However, minors must explore in person and cannot renew online until they turn 21. A learner's permit for a minor costs $5 and is valid for one year.
Alabama issues a Graduated Driver License (GDL) to drivers under 18. The GDL has restrictions on night driving and passenger limits. The fee is the same as a standard license — $32.50. When you turn 18, you can upgrade to an unrestricted license by visiting a DPS office; the upgrade fee is $5.
Minors must have a parent or legal guardian present when they explore for a learner's permit or driver's license. Bring the minor's birth certificate, Social Security card, proof of residency, and the parent or guardian's ID. The parent or guardian must sign the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Alabama charge a fee to change my address on my license?
No. You can change your address online for free through the Alabama DPS website if your license is current. If you want a new card printed with your updated address, you can order a duplicate license for $10.
What happens if I renew my license online but it arrives damaged?
Contact the Alabama DPS and request a replacement. Replacements for damaged licenses issued within the past year are typically issued at no charge. If your license was damaged through misuse, the DPS may charge the $10 duplicate fee.
Can I pay my DPS fees in installments?
No. Alabama DPS does not offer payment plans. The full fee is due at the time you explore or renew. If you cannot pay in full, you cannot complete your transaction that day.
Do I pay a separate fee for a Real ID license?
No. A Real ID-compliant license costs $32.50, the same as a standard license. The only difference is the documents you must bring — you need proof of your current address matching your process.
What is the fee if I fail my written or road test?
There is no retake fee. Your $32.50 license fee covers unlimited attempts at the written test and road test during your process. You only pay once, even if you fail and retake the test on a different day.