Renew Your Alabama License Online, by Mail, or In Person

You can renew your Alabama driver license through three routes: online at the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) website, by mail, or in person at a Driver License Examiner's Office. Online renewal is the fastest option if you are may be able to access — it takes about 10 minutes and your new license arrives in 7 to 10 business days. Mail renewal takes 2 to 3 weeks. In-person renewal is when ready if you need a physical license the same day, but you will wait in line at an examiner's office.

Your may be able to access for each route depends on your current license status, whether you have had a name change, and how long it has been since your last renewal. Not everyone can renew online; some situations require you to appear in person. This guide walks you through which route works for you, what documents you need, and what happens if your license has expired.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the ALEA website is available if your license is not expired, you have not had a name change, and your address is current in the system.
  • Mail renewal requires a completed form DL-44, a check or money order for the renewal fee, and a copy of your current license; processing takes 2 to 3 weeks.
  • In-person renewal at any Driver License Examiner's Office requires your current license, proof of residency, and payment; you leave with a temporary license valid for 30 days.
  • If your license has been expired for more than 5 years, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written test.
  • Alabama licenses are valid for 8 years for drivers under 65 and 5 years for drivers 65 and older.

Check Your may be able to access for Online Renewal

Online renewal is the simplest path, but only if you meet all the requirements. You are may be able to access to renew online if your current Alabama license is not expired, your name has not changed since your last renewal, your address on file is correct, and you have no medical restrictions or suspensions on your record. You will also need a valid email address and a credit or debit card to pay the renewal fee.

If your license expired more than 5 years ago, you cannot renew online — you must go in person. If your license expired less than 5 years ago but is still expired, you can renew online, but you will pay a late fee in addition to the renewal fee. Check your current license to see the expiration date printed on the front.

If you have had a name change due to marriage, divorce, or legal petition, you cannot renew online. You must renew in person and bring a certified copy of the document that shows the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

Renew Online Through the ALEA Website

Go to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) driver license renewal portal at alea.gov. You will need your current Alabama driver license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number to log in. The system will pull up your record and show you the renewal fee, which is $24.50 for a standard 8-year license (or $15.50 for a 5-year license if you are 65 or older).

Review your personal information on the screen — name, address, and date of birth. If anything is wrong, stop and renew in person instead; the online system cannot correct errors. If everything is correct, proceed to payment. You can pay with a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card. After payment is processed, you will receive a confirmation number by email.

Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives. If you need to check the status of your renewal, return to the ALEA website and enter your confirmation number.

Renew by Mail

Mail renewal takes longer than online but does not require a trip to an examiner's office. read or request form DL-44 (process for Alabama Driver License) from the ALEA website or call 334-242-4400 to have one mailed to you. Fill out the form completely, including your current license number and the reason for renewal.

Write a check or money order for $24.50 (or $15.50 if you are 65 or older) payable to "State of Alabama." Include a photocopy of the front and back of your current Alabama driver license. Do not send the original license. Mail the completed form, payment, and copy of your license to:

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Driver License Division P.O. Box 1471 Montgomery, AL 36102-1471

Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date ALEA receives your envelope. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. You can continue to drive on your current license during this time. If you do not receive your new license within 4 weeks, contact ALEA at 334-242-4400.

Renew In Person at a Driver License Examiner's Office

In-person renewal is required if your license has expired for more than 5 years, you have had a name change, your address on file is incorrect, or you prefer to walk out with a temporary license the same day. Find the examiner's office nearest you on the ALEA website — there are offices in every county. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but hours vary by location. Some offices accept walk-ins; others require you to book an appointment online or by phone.

Bring your current Alabama driver license, proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and payment. The renewal fee is $24.50 for an 8-year license or $15.50 for a 5-year license. You can pay with cash, check, debit card, or credit card. If you have had a name change, also bring a certified copy of the document that proves it — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

At the office, you will be asked to verify your information and sign a form. If your license has been expired for more than 5 years, you will be required to take the written knowledge test. The test covers Alabama traffic laws and road signs; you can study using the Alabama Driver Manual, available free on the ALEA website. You will leave with a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent license is printed and mailed.

What to Do If Your License Has Expired for More Than 5 Years

If your Alabama driver license expired more than 5 years ago, you cannot renew — you must reapply. This means you will need to take the written test and the road test, just as if you were a new driver. You cannot renew online or by mail. You must go in person to a Driver License Examiner's Office.

Bring your expired license, proof of your current address, and payment for the renewal fee. You will also need to bring proof of your Social Security number (a Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form) and proof of your date of birth (a birth certificate or passport). The examiner will schedule you for the written test when ready. If you pass, you will then need to schedule a road test at a later date.

Study the Alabama Driver Manual before you go. It is free and covers all the material on the written test. You can read it from the ALEA website or pick up a printed copy at any examiner's office.

Renewal Fees and Payment Methods

The renewal fee for a standard 8-year Alabama driver license is $24.50. If you are 65 or older, you can renew for a 5-year license at a cost of $15.50. These are the only two options; there is no longer a 4-year license available in Alabama.

If your license has expired, you will pay an additional late fee. The late fee is $5 if your license has been expired for less than 1 year, $10 if expired for 1 to 5 years, and $15 if expired for more than 5 years. These fees explore only if you renew online or by mail; if you renew in person, the late fee is waived.

Online renewal accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Mail renewal requires a check or money order. In-person renewal accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card. No personal checks are accepted by mail; use a money order instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Alabama license if I have a suspended or revoked license?

No. If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew until the suspension or revocation is lifted. Contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety at 334-242-4400 to find out the status of your license and what steps you need to take to restore it.

What if my address has changed since my last renewal?

If you are renewing online, the system will use the address currently on file. If that address is wrong, do not complete the online renewal — go in person instead and bring proof of your new address. If you are renewing by mail or in person, bring a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days showing your new address.

How long does it take to get my new license after I renew in person?

You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days. Your permanent license will be mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can drive on the temporary license until the permanent one arrives.

Can I renew my license if I am out of state?

Yes. You can renew by mail or online from anywhere. If you are renewing by mail, follow the instructions in the mail renewal section. If you are renewing online, use the ALEA website. You cannot renew in person unless you are physically present at an Alabama Driver License Examiner's Office.

What if I lost my current license and need to renew?

You will need to request a replacement license before you can renew. Go in person to a Driver License Examiner's Office with proof of your identity and address. You will pay a replacement fee of $20 for a duplicate license. Once you have the replacement, you can renew using any of the three methods.