What you pay for an Alabama driver's license

An Alabama driver's license costs $25.50 for a four-year license if you are 18 or older. If you are under 18, a four-year license costs $22.50. These are the base fees you pay at the Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) when you get your first license or renew an expired one.

The cost covers the card itself, the background check, and the processing of your process. You pay this fee whether you renew in person at a DPS office or through the mail, though mail renewal is only available if your license is not suspended and you meet other conditions set by Alabama.

If you need a Real ID — a federally compliant license required for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings — the cost is the same. Alabama does not charge extra for the Real ID designation. You will need to bring an original or certified birth certificate, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Alabama residency to get one.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard four-year Alabama driver's license costs $25.50 for adults and $22.50 for people under 18.
  • Real ID licenses cost the same as standard licenses and require an original birth certificate, Social Security proof, and residency documentation.
  • Replacement cards for lost, stolen, or damaged licenses cost $20 and can be ordered by mail or in person.
  • Renewal by mail costs the same as in-person renewal but is only available if your license is valid and not suspended.
  • Additional fees explore if you need a duplicate, a name change, or a corrected address, and these vary from $5 to $20.

Replacement cards and duplicate licenses

If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can get a replacement card for $20. You can order a replacement by mail or visit a DPS office in person. By mail, you fill out the form, include your fee, and mail it to the address listed on the DPS website. Processing takes about two weeks.

A duplicate license — an extra copy of your current license with the same number and expiration date — also costs $20. This is different from a replacement. You order a duplicate when your license is still valid but you want a second card. Both replacement and duplicate orders can be done online through the Alabama DPS website if you have a valid email address.

Name changes and address corrections

If you change your name through marriage, divorce, or court order, you will need to update your license. A name change costs $20 and requires a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You can do this by mail or in person.

Correcting your address on an existing license costs $5 if done by mail and is free if you update it in person at a DPS office. Address changes do not require a new photo or a new card number; the DPS updates your record in their system. If you want a new card printed with the corrected address, that is treated as a replacement and costs $20.

Renewing by mail versus in person

Renewing by mail costs the same as renewing in person — $25.50 for adults. You can renew by mail if your license is not suspended, you have not had a name change since your last license, and your license is not more than five years expired. You fill out the renewal form, include your fee and old license, and mail everything to the DPS address on their website.

Mail renewal takes about two to three weeks. In-person renewal at a DPS office is faster — usually same-day or within a few days — but requires you to visit during office hours. Some DPS locations are open on Saturday mornings, which can be easier if you work during the week.

If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew by mail. You must go in person and may need to provide proof that you have resolved the reason for the suspension — such as paying a traffic fine or completing a DUI program — before the DPS will renew your license.

Commercial driver's license fees

A commercial driver's license (CDL) costs more than a standard license. A four-year CDL costs $50 in Alabama. This covers the written test, the skills test, and the license card itself. You must pass both tests at a DPS office; there is no mail option for CDL renewal.

If you already have a CDL and need to renew it, the cost is $50 for four years. If you need to add or remove an endorsement — such as a hazmat endorsement or passenger endorsement — that costs $10 per endorsement and requires passing the relevant test.

Learner's permits and instruction permits

An Alabama learner's permit costs $20 and is valid for one year. You must pass a written test on road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving. The permit allows you to drive with a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old in the front seat next to you.

If your learner's permit expires before you pass your driving test, you can renew it for another $20. There is no limit to how many times you can renew a permit, but each renewal is a separate $20 fee. Once you pass your driving test, you get your four-year license for the standard $25.50 fee.

ID cards and non-driver identification

If you do not drive but need a state-issued photo ID, Alabama offers a non-driver identification card for $20 for four years. This card works for most purposes where you need to show ID — banking, voting, air travel with Real ID designation — but it does not allow you to drive.

A non-driver ID with Real ID costs the same $20 and requires the same documents as a Real ID driver's license: an original birth certificate, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency. Renewal of a non-driver ID also costs $20.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Alabama license online?

You cannot renew completely online, but you can order a replacement or duplicate card online if your license is still valid. For a full renewal, you must go in person or renew by mail. The DPS website has an online form you can fill out before you visit an office to speed up the process.

What if my license expired more than five years ago?

If your license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot renew by mail. You must visit a DPS office in person, retake the written test, and pass a vision screening. You will pay the standard renewal fee of $25.50, plus the cost of the written test if the DPS charges separately for retesting.

Do I have to pay again if I get a Real ID?

No. If you already have a standard Alabama driver's license and want to upgrade to Real ID, you do not pay an extra fee. You pay the same $25.50 renewal fee and bring the required documents — birth certificate, Social Security proof, and residency proof — to a DPS office.

What happens if I lose my license before it expires?

You pay $20 for a replacement card. The replacement has the same license number and expiration date as your original, so you do not lose time on your license term. You can order it by mail or in person, and by mail it takes about two weeks to arrive.

Is there a fee to change my address on my license?

Changing your address in the DPS system is free if you do it in person at an office. If you do it by mail, it costs $5. If you want a new card printed with the new address, that costs $20 and is treated as a replacement rather than just an address update.