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

You can renew your Alabama driver's license in three ways: online through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) website, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or in person at a Driver License Examiner's Office. The method you choose depends on whether your license is still valid, whether you need a Real ID, and how soon you need the new one. Most people renew online or by mail and receive their license within two to three weeks.

Your license is renewable up to six months before it expires and up to one year after expiration. If your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew by mail or online—you must go in person and may need to retake the written test. Check your license now to see the expiration date in the upper right corner.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the ALEA website is the fastest option if your license is valid and you do not need a Real ID upgrade.
  • Mail renewal works if your license is not expired, you have not changed your name, and you do not need a Real ID.
  • In-person renewal at a Driver License Examiner's Office is required if your license expired more than one year ago or if you need a Real ID.
  • A Real ID costs the same as a standard renewal but requires proof of citizenship, residency, and identity at an office visit.
  • Processing times vary: online takes one to two weeks, mail takes two to three weeks, and in-person takes about 30 minutes on the day of your visit.

Online renewal through the ALEA website

Online renewal is available if your license is currently valid (not expired), you have not changed your name since your last license was issued, and you do not need a Real ID. Go to alea.gov, find the Driver License section, and select "Renew Your License Online." You will need your current license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). The fee is $25.50 for a four-year license or $37.50 for an eight-year license.

After you complete the online form and pay, ALEA will mail your new license to the address on file. You should receive it within one to two weeks. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives. If you need to change your address, you can do that during the online renewal process.

Mail renewal if your license is still valid

Mail renewal is an option if your license is not expired, your name has not changed, and you do not need a Real ID. You do not explore by mail directly to ALEA. Instead, you must first request a renewal form by calling the ALEA Driver License Section at 334-242-4437 or visiting an examiner's office in person to pick one up. Some offices may mail the form to you if you ask, but calling ahead is the safest way to confirm.

Once you have the form, complete it, include a check or money order for $25.50 (four-year) or $37.50 (eight-year), and mail it to the address printed on the form. Processing takes two to three weeks from the date ALEA receives your envelope. Keep your current license until the new one arrives.

In-person renewal at a Driver License Examiner's Office

You must renew in person if your license has been expired for more than one year, if you need a Real ID, if you have changed your name, or if you want to update your address and cannot do so online. Find your nearest examiner's office on the ALEA website by entering your county. Most offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, though some have limited hours on certain days.

Bring your current license (or expired license if it has been more than one year), proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). The office will take a new photo, collect the fee ($25.50 or $37.50), and issue your license on the spot. You can drive home with it when ready.

Real ID renewal: what you need and why it costs the same

A Real ID is a federal standard that allows you to use your driver's license to board domestic flights and enter federal buildings. Alabama's Real ID license looks the same as a standard license but has a small star in the upper right corner. If you want to upgrade to a Real ID during renewal, you must do so in person at an examiner's office.

Real ID renewal costs the same as a standard renewal ($25.50 for four years or $37.50 for eight years), but you must bring additional documents. You need proof of citizenship (birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers), proof of your Social Security number, proof of your current address, and a valid photo ID. If your name has changed since your birth certificate was issued, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the name change. Processing takes about 30 minutes, and you leave with your license that day.

What to do if your license expired more than one year ago

If your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must visit a Driver License Examiner's Office in person. You will need to retake the written test (the 40-question multiple-choice test on Alabama traffic laws) before you can receive a new license. Bring your expired license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address.

The office will schedule you for the written test, which you take on a computer at the office. If you pass, you will take a new photo and pay the renewal fee. If you fail, you can retake the test the same day or return another day. Once you pass, your new license is issued when ready. Study materials are available free on the ALEA website under "Knowledge Test Study Guide."

Address changes and name changes during renewal

If you are renewing online, you can update your address during the process. If you are renewing by mail, call ALEA at 334-242-4437 to ask whether the form allows address changes; if not, you will need to visit an office in person. If you are renewing in person, bring your proof of current address and the office will update it for you at no extra cost.

If your name has changed since your last license was issued (through marriage, divorce, or court order), you cannot renew online or by mail. You must go in person and bring the document that shows the name change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The fee is the same, and the office will issue your new license with the updated name on the day of your visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it is expired by just a few months?

Yes. You can renew your license up to one year after it expires. If it expired less than a year ago, you can renew online, by mail, or in person. If it expired more than one year ago, you must go in person and retake the written test.

How long does it take to get my license if I renew online?

Online renewal takes one to two weeks from the date you submit your process. ALEA mails the license to your address on file. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives.

Do I have to get a Real ID, or can I keep a standard license?

You do not have to get a Real ID. A standard Alabama driver's license is still valid for driving. You only need a Real ID if you plan to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building using your driver's license as your ID. A passport works for both purposes.

What happens if I fail the written test when renewing in person?

You can retake the test the same day at most offices, or you can schedule another appointment. There is no extra fee to retake the test. Study materials are free on the ALEA website.

Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or unpaid fine?

Alabama does not suspend your license renewal for unpaid traffic fines alone. However, if your license has been suspended for a separate reason (such as a DUI conviction or failure to pay child support), you must clear the suspension before you can renew. Contact ALEA or the court that issued the suspension to find out how to resolve it.