Alabama's online renewal process and who can use it

Alabama allows you to renew your driver's license online through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) website if you meet certain conditions. You can renew online if your license is not suspended or revoked, you have no medical restrictions, and your license is not expired by more than five years. The online process takes about 10 minutes and costs $28.50 for a four-year renewal or $42.50 for an eight-year renewal.

Not everyone can use the online system. If your license has been suspended, revoked, or cancelled, you must renew in person at an ALEA office. The same applies if you have medical restrictions on your license, if you need to change your address, or if your license expired more than five years ago. You also cannot renew online if you are changing your name or if you need a REAL ID-compliant license for the first time.

Key Takeaways

  • Alabama's online renewal works only for standard licenses that are not suspended, revoked, or expired by more than five years.
  • The online process costs $28.50 for four years or $42.50 for eight years and takes about 10 minutes to complete.
  • You will need your current Alabama driver's license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method to renew online.
  • If your license is suspended, revoked, or has medical restrictions, you must renew in person at an ALEA office instead.
  • Your renewed license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days after approval.

What you need before you start the online renewal

Gather these items before you go to the ALEA website to renew. You will need your current Alabama driver's license number, your Social Security number, and your date of birth. You will also need a valid payment method — Alabama accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.

Make sure the address on file with ALEA is correct. If you have moved recently and have not updated your address, you should do that before renewing online. The renewed license will be mailed to the address ALEA has in their system, so if it is wrong, your new license will go to the old address. You can update your address online at the same time you renew, or you can call ALEA at 334-242-4437 to change it first.

Step-by-step: completing your renewal online

Go to the ALEA website and look for the Driver License Renewal section. You will see a link to the online renewal portal. Click it and select "Renew Your License Online." The system will ask you to enter your driver's license number and date of birth to pull up your record.

Review the information ALEA has on file — your name, address, and license details. If anything is wrong, you can correct it during this step. Answer the questions about your health and driving record honestly. These questions ask whether you have any medical conditions that affect your driving and whether you have been convicted of any traffic offenses since your last renewal. Once you have answered all questions and confirmed your information is correct, you will pay the renewal fee. Your receipt will appear on screen, and you will receive a confirmation email.

After you submit your payment, ALEA will review your renewal. Most renewals are approved within one business day. You will receive an email when your renewal is approved, and your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days.

When you cannot renew online and must go in person

If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew online. You must visit an ALEA office in person and resolve the suspension or revocation before you can get a new license. The same is true if your license was cancelled. Contact ALEA at 334-242-4437 to find out why your license was suspended or cancelled and what steps you need to take.

You also must renew in person if you are changing your name, if you need a REAL ID-compliant license for the first time, or if you have medical restrictions on your current license. If your license expired more than five years ago, the online system will not let you renew — you will need to visit an ALEA office and may need to retake the written test and vision test.

Finding an ALEA office near you

Alabama has ALEA driver license offices in most counties. You can find the office nearest you on the ALEA website by entering your county or city. Many offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., though hours vary by location. Some offices have reduced hours on certain days, so check before you go.

You do not need an appointment at most ALEA offices, but wait times can be long during lunch hours and late afternoon. Going early in the morning or mid-week usually means a shorter wait. Bring your current license, proof of residency (a utility bill or lease), and your Social Security card or a document with your Social Security number on it.

What happens after you submit your online renewal

Once ALEA approves your renewal, your new license will be mailed to you. The mailing usually takes 7 to 10 business days from the date of approval. You can continue to drive on your current license while you wait for the new one to arrive. Your current license remains valid until the expiration date printed on it, even after you have renewed online.

If your new license does not arrive within 14 business days, contact ALEA at 334-242-4437. Have your confirmation email and receipt number ready. ALEA can check the status of your renewal and tell you whether it has been mailed or if there is a problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Alabama license online if it is already expired?

Yes, as long as it expired less than five years ago. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at an ALEA office and may need to retake the written and vision tests.

What if I made a mistake on my online renewal form?

Contact ALEA at 334-242-4437 as soon as possible. If your renewal has not been approved yet, they may be able to correct it. If it has already been approved and mailed, you will need to visit an ALEA office in person to make changes.

Do I need a REAL ID to renew online in Alabama?

No. If you already have a REAL ID-compliant license, you can renew it online. If you do not have a REAL ID and want one, you must renew in person at an ALEA office and bring documents that meet REAL ID requirements.

Can I renew online if my address has changed?

Yes. The online renewal system lets you update your address at the same time you renew. Your new license will be mailed to the updated address. Make sure you enter it correctly.

What should I do if my license was suspended?

You cannot renew online if your license is suspended. Call ALEA at 334-242-4437 to find out why it was suspended and what you need to do to lift the suspension. Once it is cleared, you can renew in person or online, depending on the reason for the suspension.