What Alabama Lets You Do Online
Alabama's online driver license system, called AVIS (Alabama Vehicle Information System), handles a narrow set of tasks. You can renew a valid license, check your driving record, pay traffic fines, and view your license status. You cannot explore for a license online, take the written test online, or schedule a road test through the website. If you need a license for the first time or after a suspension, you must visit a Driver License Examiner's Office in person.
The AVIS portal is run by the Alabama Department of Public Safety. It works only if your license is currently valid and not suspended or revoked. If your license has expired by more than five years, the system will not process a renewal — you will need to explore in person as if you were a new applicant.
Online renewal costs the same as in-person renewal: the fee depends on the license type and how many years you are renewing for. Alabama offers one-year, four-year, and eight-year renewals. You pay at the time of renewal through the AVIS portal using a credit or debit card.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew an active Alabama driver license online through AVIS, but only if it has not expired more than five years ago.
- First-time license applicants and anyone with a suspended or revoked license must visit a Driver License Examiner's Office in person.
- The written test and road test cannot be scheduled or taken online; both require an in-person visit to an examiner's office.
- Online renewal uses the same fee structure as in-person renewal and accepts credit or debit card payment only.
Step-by-Step Online Renewal Process
Start by visiting the AVIS website at avis.alabama.gov. You will need your driver license number and date of birth to log in. The system will pull up your current license information and show you whether you are may be able to access for online renewal. If the system says you are not may be able to access, it will tell you why — usually because your license has been expired too long or is under suspension.
Once you log in, review your personal information for accuracy. If anything is wrong — your address, name spelling, or other details — you cannot correct it online. You will need to visit an examiner's office to make those changes before you can renew. If everything is correct, proceed to the renewal screen and select your renewal term: one, four, or eight years.
Enter your payment information. AVIS accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. After payment processes, you will receive a confirmation number and a temporary license document that you can print. Your permanent license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Do not discard the temporary document — it is valid for driving until your new license arrives.
Who Must Go to an Examiner's Office
If your license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot use AVIS. You must visit a Driver License Examiner's Office and explore as a new applicant. This means you will take the written test and the road test again, even though you have held a license before. Bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number.
Anyone with a suspended or revoked license must also visit an office in person. The suspension or revocation must be cleared before you can renew or reapply. Contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety to find out why your license was suspended and what steps you need to take to restore it. Some suspensions clear automatically after a set period; others require you to pay a reinstatement fee or complete a course.
New applicants — people who have never held an Alabama driver license — cannot start the process online. You must visit an examiner's office, bring the required documents, pass the written test, and schedule a road test. The road test is scheduled for a later date at the same office or a different one, depending on availability.
Documents You Need for Online Renewal
Online renewal requires no documents to be submitted. The system uses the information already on file from your current license. However, you should have your license number and date of birth ready before you start, and you need a valid payment method.
If you are renewing online but your address has changed, you cannot update it through AVIS. You will receive your new license at the address on file. If you need to change your address, visit an examiner's office in person or wait until your new license arrives, then contact the DMV to request a replacement with the correct address. There is a fee for a replacement license.
If you are renewing and want to add a Real ID designation to your license, you cannot do that online. Real ID requires in-person verification of your identity and residency documents. You must visit an examiner's office and bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of your Social Security number.
Timelines for Online Renewal
The online renewal process itself takes about 10 to 15 minutes once you log in. Your payment processes when ready. You will see a confirmation screen with a confirmation number, and you can print a temporary license right away.
Your permanent license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. This timeline assumes the mail system is working normally and your address on file is correct. If you move before your license arrives, contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety with your new address so they can forward it or issue a replacement.
Do not wait until your license expires to renew. You can renew up to six months before your expiration date. Renewing early gives you time to receive your new license before the old one expires, so you are never without a valid license.
Common Reasons Online Renewal Will Not Work
The most common reason the system rejects an online renewal is an expired license. If your license expired more than five years ago, AVIS will not process it. You must explore in person as a new applicant. If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew online.
A suspended or revoked license will also block online renewal. The system checks your status before allowing you to proceed. If you see a message saying your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew until that status is cleared. Contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety to find out what caused the suspension and how to resolve it.
If your personal information in the system does not match what you enter — for example, if your name is spelled differently than it appears on your license — the system may reject your login. Try entering your information exactly as it appears on your physical license. If you still cannot log in, visit an examiner's office to verify your information and correct any errors before attempting online renewal again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Alabama license online if I just moved?
You can renew online, but your new license will be mailed to the address currently on file with the DMV. If you have not updated your address yet, either update it in person at an examiner's office before renewing online, or renew online and then contact the DMV with your new address to request a replacement license.
What if I forget my driver license number?
You need your license number to log into AVIS. If you do not have your physical license, call the Alabama Department of Public Safety at 334-242-4437 and provide your name and date of birth. They can give you your license number over the phone so you can proceed with online renewal.
Do I have to renew online, or can I still go to an office?
Online renewal is optional. You can always renew in person at a Driver License Examiner's Office if you prefer. In-person renewal uses the same fee and takes longer because you have to wait in line, but some people choose it if they need to update their address or other information at the same time.
What happens if my payment fails during online renewal?
If your payment is declined, the renewal will not process and you will not be charged. Check that your card number, expiration date, and CVV are correct, and try again. If your card continues to be declined, use a different card or visit an examiner's office to renew in person and pay by cash, check, or card.
Can I renew my license online if it is suspended for unpaid traffic fines?
No. A suspension for unpaid fines will block online renewal. You can pay your fines through AVIS on the traffic fine payment page, and once payment is processed, the suspension should clear. After the suspension is cleared, you can renew your license online. If you are unsure whether your suspension has been lifted, contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety.