What Alabama offers and who needs which license type

Alabama issues several types of driver's licenses depending on your age, citizenship status, and what you plan to drive. The state distinguishes between a standard Class D license (for regular passenger vehicles), a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) for trucks and buses, and a Motorcycle Endorsement. If you are under 18, Alabama issues a Learner's Permit first, then a Restricted License, then an unrestricted Class D at 17 or 18 depending on how long you held the restricted version.

Alabama also offers a Real ID-compliant license, which you will need to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building after May 7, 2025. This is not a separate license type — it is a standard Class D or CDL marked with a gold star in the upper right corner. You can get a Real ID license when you renew or explore for a new license if you bring the required documents.

The state does not issue a separate license for non-citizens, but you can obtain a standard Class D license if you have a valid visa, passport, or other federal travel document. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to hold an Alabama driver's license.

Key Takeaways

  • Alabama issues Class D (standard), CDL (commercial), and Motorcycle licenses; drivers under 18 start with a Learner's Permit and progress to a Restricted License before full privileges.
  • A Real ID-compliant license requires proof of identity, Social Security number, and Alabama residency, and is marked with a gold star on the front.
  • You must renew your Alabama license every 8 years if you are 18 or older, and every 4 years if you are under 18 at the time of issuance.
  • The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Driver's License Division processes all applications and renewals at county offices statewide.
  • You can renew online through the ALEA website if your license is not expired more than 5 years and you do not need to change your address or name.

Documents you need for a new Alabama license

Alabama requires proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency. For identity, bring one of these: a valid U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate with a raised seal, a valid foreign passport, a military ID, or a state ID from another state. A photocopy or digital image is not acceptable — you must show the original document.

For your Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can still get a license, but you must bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating you are not may be able to access for a number.

For residency, bring one document dated within the last 60 days showing your current Alabama address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a bank statement, an insurance policy, a property tax bill, or a government check. A mail piece with your name and address is not enough on its own — it must be an official document from a utility, financial institution, or government agency.

If you are changing your name due to marriage, divorce, or court order, bring the original or certified copy of the document that proves the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). A photocopy will not be accepted.

The Alabama Learner's Permit and Restricted License process

If you are under 18, you must first obtain a Learner's Permit. You must be at least 15 years old. To get a Learner's Permit, bring the same identity, Social Security, and residency documents as you would for a regular license, plus a completed DL-44 form (the process). You will also take a written test covering Alabama traffic laws and road signs. The test is offered in English and Spanish.

Once you pass the written test and pay the fee (currently $20.50), you receive your Learner's Permit. You must hold it for at least 30 days before you can take the driving test. During this time, you can only drive with a licensed adult 21 or older in the front passenger seat.

After 30 days with your Learner's Permit, you can schedule a driving test at your county office. You will drive a route set by the examiner and be scored on vehicle control, observation, and following traffic laws. If you pass, you receive a Restricted License. A Restricted License allows you to drive unsupervised during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset) but not at night. You must hold a Restricted License for at least 6 months before you can get an unrestricted Class D license at age 17.

Renewal timelines and fees in Alabama

Your Alabama license expires 8 years from the date it was issued if you are 18 or older at the time of issuance. If you were under 18 when you got your license, it expires 4 years from the date of issuance. The expiration date is printed on the front of your license.

You can renew your license up to 6 months before it expires. If your license has been expired for more than 5 years, you must explore for a new license in person — you cannot renew online. If it has been expired 5 years or less, you may be able to renew online through the ALEA website, provided your name and address have not changed.

The current fee for a standard Class D license is $28.50 for 8 years. A Real ID-compliant license costs $33.50 for 8 years. A Learner's Permit costs $20.50 and is valid for 1 year. A Restricted License costs $20.50 and is valid for 6 months to 1 year. Fees are subject to change; check the ALEA website for current amounts.

If you renew in person at a county office, you can usually receive your new license the same day. If you renew online, your license will be mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days.

Real ID compliance and what it means for your Alabama license

A Real ID-compliant license is required to board a domestic airplane or enter certain federal buildings (such as military bases or federal courthouses) as of May 7, 2025. Alabama's Real ID license looks the same as a standard license except for a gold star in the upper right corner of the front side.

To get a Real ID license, you must bring the same documents as for a standard license, plus one additional document proving your Social Security number and one additional document proving your residency. In other words, you need two identity documents, two Social Security documents, and two residency documents. The ALEA website lists all acceptable documents for each category.

If you already have a standard Alabama license and want to upgrade to Real ID, you can do so when you renew or at any time by visiting a county office and paying the Real ID upgrade fee (currently $5.00). You do not need to take a new photo or retake any tests.

Commercial Driver's License (CDL) requirements

A Commercial Driver's License is required to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) — generally any vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, or any vehicle designed to carry 16 or more passengers including the driver. You must be at least 18 years old to get a CDL in Alabama (21 if you plan to drive interstate).

To get a CDL, you must first hold a valid Alabama Class D license. You then complete a CDL process (form DL-44), pass a written test specific to the class of vehicle you want to drive, and pass a skills test (pre-trip inspection, basic control, and road test). You must also obtain a Medical Certificate from a certified medical examiner and submit it to ALEA.

CDL classes in Alabama are Class A (tractor-trailer combinations), Class B (single large vehicles), and Class C (vehicles carrying 16 or more passengers or hazardous materials). The written test and skills test differ by class. Fees vary; check the ALEA website for current CDL fees and testing locations.

Where to go and what to bring on the day of your visit

All Alabama driver's license transactions are handled at county offices operated by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Driver's License Division. There are offices in every county. You do not need an appointment for most transactions, but some counties accept appointments to reduce wait times — check your county office's website or call ahead.

Bring your original documents (not copies) for identity, Social Security number, and residency. Bring the completed DL-44 process form if you are explore for a new license; you can fill this out at home or at the office. Bring your current license if you are renewing. Bring cash or a debit card for the fee — not all offices accept credit cards, so call ahead if you want to confirm payment methods.

You will be asked to take a new photo at the office. Wear clear glasses if you normally wear them (not sunglasses). You will also take a vision test. If you are explore for a new license (not renewing), you will take a written test and, if required, a driving test. Plan to spend 30 minutes to 2 hours at the office depending on the transaction and how busy the office is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Alabama license online?

You can renew online through the ALEA website if your license is not expired more than 5 years, your name and address have not changed, and you do not need to update your photo. If any of these conditions do not explore, you must renew in person at a county office. Online renewal takes 7 to 10 business days for delivery.

What happens if my Alabama license expires while I am out of state?

You can still drive on an expired license for a short time in most states, but it is not legal. If you are out of state when your license expires, renew online if you are within the 5-year window, or contact your county office to ask about mailing in your renewal. Some counties allow you to mail in a renewal process with a check or money order.

Do I need to take a new driving test if I renew my license?

No. If you are renewing an existing license (not explore for a new one), you do not take a written or driving test. You only take a vision test. If your license has been expired more than 5 years, you may be required to take a written test; call your county office to confirm.

Can I get an Alabama license if I do not have a Social Security number?

Yes. If you do not have a Social Security number, bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating you are not may be able to access for one. You will still need to provide proof of identity and residency. Your license will be issued without a Social Security number on file.

How long does it take to get a Restricted License after I pass the driving test?

You receive your Restricted License the same day you pass the driving test at the county office. It is issued when ready after you pay the fee. Your Restricted License is valid for 6 months to 1 year, depending on your age at the time of issuance.