Where to Renew Your License in Mobile
In Mobile, you can renew your driver license at any Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) Driver License Office. The main office serving Mobile is located at 951 Government Street, Mobile, AL 36602. You can also renew at satellite locations in Baldwin County if that is more convenient — check the DPS website for current addresses and hours, as office locations and schedules change.
You do not have to renew in person for every renewal. Alabama allows mail-in renewal for standard driver licenses under certain conditions: your license must not be expired by more than five years, you must have no medical restrictions, and you cannot have changed your name or address since your last renewal. If you meet these requirements, you can mail your renewal process and fee to the DPS, though processing takes longer than in-person renewal.
Online renewal is not available in Alabama. You must either visit a DPS office in person or use the mail option. Walk-in service is available at all DPS offices, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Calling ahead to ask about current wait times can help you plan your visit.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew in person at the main DPS office on Government Street in Mobile or at Baldwin County satellite locations.
- Mail-in renewal is an option only if your license expired fewer than five years ago, you have no medical restrictions, and your name and address have not changed.
- You will need your current driver license, proof of residency, and the renewal fee, which is $28 for a four-year license or $48 for an eight-year license.
- Standard processing takes about two weeks in person; mail renewal takes four to six weeks.
- If your license has been expired for more than five years, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written test.
Documents You Need to Bring
For in-person renewal in Mobile, bring your current Alabama driver license and one document that proves your current address. Acceptable proof of residency includes a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or government mail (such as a tax return or voter registration card) dated within the last 60 days. A bank statement or insurance bill also works if it shows your name and address.
If your name has changed since your last license was issued — through marriage, divorce, or legal name change — bring the document that proves the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You will also need to bring your Social Security number or a Social Security card, though you do not have to bring the physical card if you know the number.
Bring your renewal fee in cash or card. The DPS offices in Mobile accept both. If you are renewing by mail, include a check or money order with your process; do not send cash through the mail.
Renewal Fees and License Duration
Alabama driver license renewal fees depend on how long you want your license to be valid. A four-year license costs $28. An eight-year license costs $48. You choose the duration when you renew — there is no requirement to pick one or the other, so choose based on your preference and budget.
Your new license will be valid for the duration you select, starting from the date you renew. If you renew before your current license expires, the new expiration date is calculated from the renewal date, not from your old expiration date. This means you do not lose time by renewing early.
If you renew by mail, the fee is the same. Mail your check or money order with your process to the address provided on the renewal form. Processing typically takes four to six weeks from the date the DPS receives your process.
When Your License Has Been Expired Too Long
If your Alabama driver license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot use the mail-in renewal process. You must renew in person at a DPS office in Mobile. Additionally, the DPS may require you to retake the written knowledge test and the vision screening, depending on how long your license has been expired and your age.
Bring the same documents you would for a standard renewal: your expired license, proof of current address, and your fee. If you do not have your expired license, bring a government-issued photo ID instead. You will also need to bring proof of your Social Security number.
If you are required to retake the written test, you can study using the Alabama Driver Manual, which is available free on the DPS website. The test covers road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving practices. You will have a set number of attempts to pass; check with the Mobile DPS office for their specific policy on retakes.
Medical Restrictions and Special Circumstances
If your current license has medical restrictions — such as corrective lenses required, hearing aid required, or automatic transmission only — you cannot renew by mail. You must renew in person at the Mobile DPS office so that the examiner can verify your medical status and update your restrictions if needed.
If your vision has changed and you now need glasses or contacts to drive safely, you must report this when you renew. Bring documentation from your eye doctor showing your current prescription and that you are safe to drive. The DPS will add a corrective lenses restriction to your new license if needed.
If you have a commercial driver license (CDL) or a license with hazmat endorsement, you cannot renew by mail under any circumstances. CDL renewals require an in-person visit, a medical examination, and a written test. Contact the Mobile DPS office for specific requirements for your endorsement type.
Processing Time and When You Will Receive Your New License
If you renew in person at the Mobile DPS office, you will receive a temporary paper license when ready after your transaction is complete. This temporary license is valid for 30 days and allows you to drive while your permanent plastic license is being printed and mailed to you. Your permanent license typically arrives within two weeks.
If you renew by mail, you will not receive a temporary license. Your permanent license will be mailed to the address you provide on your process. Mail renewal takes four to six weeks from the date the DPS receives your process. During this time, you can still drive using your current license as long as it has not yet expired. If your current license expires before your new one arrives, you will be driving without a valid license, so plan your mail renewal accordingly.
If your permanent license does not arrive within the expected timeframe, contact the DPS directly. Bring your temporary license (if you renewed in person) or your process confirmation number (if you renewed by mail). The DPS can check the status of your license and reissue it if there was a problem with mailing.
What to Expect at the Mobile DPS Office
When you arrive at the DPS office on Government Street or at a Baldwin County location, check in at the front desk and take a number. You will wait until your number is called. Bring all required documents and have them ready to show the examiner. The process typically takes 10 to 20 minutes once you are called, though wait times in the lobby can range from 15 minutes to over an hour depending on the time of day and day of the week.
The examiner will review your documents, verify your identity, and take a new photo for your license. You will be asked to confirm your address and any medical restrictions. If everything is correct, you will pay your fee and receive your temporary license. Do not leave the office without your temporary license — you will need it to drive legally until your permanent license arrives.
If the examiner finds an issue with your documents — such as proof of residency that is too old or a name change document that is missing — they will tell you what you need to bring back. You will have to return another day to complete your renewal. Bring the missing document and be prepared to wait again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or unpaid fine?
Alabama does not automatically suspend your license for unpaid traffic fines, so you can renew even if you have outstanding tickets. However, if your license has been suspended for a specific reason — such as failure to pay a court-ordered fine or a DUI conviction — you must resolve that suspension before you can renew. Contact the Mobile DPS office or the court that issued the suspension to find out what steps you need to take.
What if I changed my address but did not update my license yet?
You can renew your license with your new address at the same time. Bring proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or government mail dated within 60 days) and your current license. The examiner will update your address in the system and print it on your new license. You do not need to make a separate address change transaction.
Can I renew my license if I am not a U.S. citizen?
Yes. Alabama issues driver licenses to lawful permanent residents and some visa holders. You will need to bring proof of your legal status in the United States, such as a green card or valid visa, along with your other renewal documents. Contact the Mobile DPS office before you visit to confirm what immigration documents they will accept for your specific visa type.
What happens if I renew my license and then move out of Alabama?
Your Alabama license remains valid for its full duration, even if you move to another state. However, most states require you to get a license in your new state within 30 to 60 days of establishing residency. Check the requirements for your new state's DMV. You do not need to do anything with your Alabama license — it will straightforward expire on its scheduled date.
Can I renew my license online or by phone?
No. Alabama does not offer online or phone renewal for driver licenses. You must renew in person at a DPS office or by mail. If you have questions about your renewal, you can call the DPS, but you cannot complete the renewal over the phone.