ALEA runs Alabama's driver license testing and issuance from county examining offices

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) operates the state's driver license examining offices. These are the physical locations where you take your written test, vision test, and road test, and where you receive your actual license. ALEA is a state agency under Alabama's Department of Public Safety, and it sets the rules for what you must pass and what documents you need to bring.

There is one examining office in most Alabama counties. Some larger counties have more than one location. You cannot take your test at a private driving school or at a different state's office — you must go to your county's ALEA examining office or one nearby if your county does not have one.

ALEA examining offices are not the same as the Department of Motor Vehicles offices you might know from other states. ALEA handles testing and licensing. If you need to renew a license by mail or check a suspension status, you may contact ALEA's central office, but the examining offices themselves focus on in-person testing and issuance.

Key Takeaways

  • ALEA examining offices are run by Alabama's state law enforcement agency and are the only places where you can take your written, vision, and road tests for a driver license.
  • Each Alabama county has at least one examining office; you must test at the office in your county or in a nearby county if yours has none.
  • You must bring specific documents to your test appointment, including proof of identity, proof of residency, and a Social Security number or proof you are exempt.
  • ALEA sets the passing scores for the written test (80 percent) and road test, and you can retake either test if you fail, usually within a few days.
  • Examining offices do not handle renewals, address changes, or suspension appeals — those go through ALEA's central office or online services.

What documents you must bring to an ALEA examining office

ALEA requires you to bring original or certified documents to prove your identity, residency, and Social Security number before you can test. Photocopies and digital images on a phone are not accepted. If you do not have a Social Security number, you must bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating you are not may be able to access for one.

For proof of identity, bring one of these: a valid passport, a certified birth certificate, a military ID, a school ID issued by a public school or accredited college, or a work ID from a government agency. A school ID from a private school does not count. If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must be present and bring their own ID.

For proof of residency, bring a document dated within the last 60 days showing your name and current address. A utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement works. A cell phone bill counts only if it shows your physical address, not just a mailing address. A piece of mail from a government agency also works.

If you are explore for a Real ID-compliant license, you must bring additional documents: proof of your Social Security number (a Social Security card, W-2, or 1099), and a second proof of residency if your first document is a lease or mortgage (because those can be in a co-signer's name). Real ID licenses cost more and take longer to issue, but they are required for federal buildings and domestic flights starting in 2025.

How ALEA examining offices schedule and conduct tests

Most ALEA examining offices require you to make an appointment before you arrive. You can schedule online through ALEA's website or by calling your county office directly. Walk-ins are not usually accepted, and showing up without an appointment may mean a long wait or being turned away.

The written test is given on a computer and covers traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You must score at least 80 percent to pass. The test takes about 30 minutes. If you fail, you can usually retake it within a few days, though some offices have a waiting period of 24 hours.

The vision test checks your eyesight and color blindness. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them. If you fail the vision test, you cannot proceed to the road test that day, and you must return after correcting your vision (usually with new glasses or contacts and a doctor's note).

The road test is conducted by an ALEA examiner who sits in your vehicle while you drive a set route in your county. The test lasts about 20 to 30 minutes and covers basic driving skills, parking, and following traffic laws. You must pass the written and vision tests before you can take the road test. If you fail the road test, you can retake it, but ALEA may require you to wait a few days or even weeks depending on office policy.

What happens after you pass your tests at ALEA

Once you pass all three tests (written, vision, and road), ALEA issues your driver license on the spot or within a few days. If you are under 18, your license will have restrictions — you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. for the first six months, and you cannot have passengers under 21 in the car for the first year, with some exceptions for family members.

Your license is valid for four years if you are under 65, and eight years if you are 65 or older. ALEA will mail you a renewal notice about 60 days before your license expires. You can renew by mail, online, or in person, depending on your situation.

If you have a suspension on your record — from a DUI, unpaid traffic fines, or other violations — ALEA will not issue a license until the suspension is lifted. You must contact ALEA's central office or go through the court system to clear the suspension before you can test.

Finding your county's ALEA examining office and hours

ALEA's website lists all examining offices by county, along with their phone numbers, addresses, and hours. Hours vary widely — some offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., while others have shorter hours or are closed on certain days. Some offices close for lunch.

If your county does not have an examining office, ALEA will direct you to the nearest office in an adjacent county. You can test in any county, not just your own, but you must bring proof of residency in Alabama (not necessarily in that specific county).

Call ahead before you go. Examining offices sometimes close for staff training, equipment maintenance, or other reasons, and a phone call can save you a trip. When you call, ask about appointment availability, what documents you need, and whether the office accepts walk-ins on any days.

Retaking tests and handling failures at ALEA offices

If you fail the written test, you can retake it. ALEA allows you to retake the written test as many times as you need, though some offices require you to wait 24 hours between attempts. There is usually no extra fee for a retake.

If you fail the road test, the rules are stricter. You can retake the road test, but ALEA may require you to wait one to four weeks before your next attempt, depending on the office and the reason for your failure. Some offices allow you to retake it within a few days if you failed on a minor point, but major failures (like hitting a curb or running a red light) may result in a longer wait.

If you fail the vision test, you cannot retake it the same day. You must return after you have corrected your vision — usually with new glasses or contacts. Bring a note from your eye doctor confirming your vision now meets the standard (usually 20/40 in each eye, or 20/70 with correction).

When to contact ALEA's central office instead of an examining office

ALEA examining offices handle testing and issuance only. For other matters, contact ALEA's central office in Montgomery or use their online services. You should contact the central office if you need to renew your license by mail, report a lost or stolen license, change your address, appeal a suspension, or check the status of your process.

ALEA's central office phone number is available on their website. Wait times can be long, especially near the end of the month or before holidays. Online services are often faster — you can renew some licenses, check suspension status, and update your address through ALEA's website without calling.

If you have a suspension and want to know whether you can test, call the central office or visit in person. Do not assume you can test just because you have an appointment at an examining office — ALEA will turn you away if a suspension is active.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take my driver license test at a different county's ALEA office than where I live?

Yes. You can test at any ALEA examining office in Alabama as long as you bring proof of residency in Alabama. You do not have to test in your home county. However, you must still get your license in the county where you live or claim residency, so if you test in a different county, ALEA will issue your license through your home county office.

What if I fail my road test — how long do I have to wait to retake it?

The waiting period varies by office, usually one to four weeks. Some offices allow a retake within a few days for minor failures, but major failures require a longer wait. Call your examining office to ask about their specific policy and to schedule your next attempt.

Do I need an appointment at an ALEA examining office, or can I walk in?

Most ALEA examining offices require appointments and do not accept walk-ins. You can schedule online through ALEA's website or by calling your county office. Showing up without an appointment may result in a long wait or being turned away, so call ahead.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

You must bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating you are not may be able to access for a Social Security number. ALEA will not issue a license without either a Social Security number or this letter. Contact the Social Security Administration to request the letter if you need one.

Can ALEA examining offices help me with a license suspension or renewal?

No. Examining offices handle testing and new license issuance only. For suspensions, renewals, address changes, or lost license reports, contact ALEA's central office in Montgomery by phone or through their website. The central office handles all administrative matters.