Where to get your driver's license in Dothan

The Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) runs the driver's license office in Dothan. You'll go to the Dothan Driver License Examiner's Office, located at 2700 Ross Clark Circle, Dothan, AL 36303. This is the only place in the Dothan area where you can take the written test, vision test, and road test, or renew an existing license.

The office is open Monday through Friday. Hours vary by day, so call ahead at (334) 615-3000 to confirm when you can be seen. Walk-ins are accepted, but wait times can be long during lunch hours and late afternoon, especially on Thursdays and Fridays. Arriving early in the morning typically means a shorter wait.

You cannot handle any driver's license business online or by mail in Alabama, except for certain renewals if you already hold a valid license. Everything else—first-time licenses, tests, replacements, and address changes—requires an in-person visit to the Dothan office.

Key Takeaways

  • The Dothan Driver License Examiner's Office is at 2700 Ross Clark Circle and is the only location in Dothan where you can test and obtain a license.
  • You must bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number or a document showing it before you can take any test.
  • Alabama requires you to pass a written test, vision test, and road test in that order; you cannot skip the written test even if you have a license from another state.
  • The road test uses your own vehicle, which must be registered, insured, and in safe working condition, or you can use a vehicle belonging to a family member.
  • Fees are paid in cash or card at the Dothan office; a Class D license costs $25 and is valid for four years.

Documents you need to bring on test day

Alabama requires proof of identity before you can take any test. An acceptable document is a passport, military ID, state ID from another state, or a certified birth certificate. A school ID or work ID alone will not work. If you don't have a passport or military ID, bring your birth certificate and one additional document with your name on it, such as a Social Security card, bank statement, or utility bill.

You also need proof of residency showing your current Dothan or Houston County address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or government mail addressed to you. The document must show your full name and current address. A bank statement or credit card statement works if it's recent (within 30 days). A driver's license from another state counts as both identity and residency proof if it's still valid.

Bring your Social Security number or a document that shows it, such as a Social Security card or tax return. If you don't have your card, you can provide a W-2 form or a letter from the Social Security Administration. The DPS office will not issue a license without this number on file.

If you're under 18, bring a parent or legal guardian with you. They must bring their own ID and sign consent forms. If only one parent can attend, bring a notarized letter of consent from the other parent.

The written test and what it covers

Alabama's written test has 30 multiple-choice questions about traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You must answer at least 24 questions correctly (80%) to pass. The test is given on a computer at the Dothan office and takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

The test covers Alabama traffic laws found in the Alabama Driver's Manual, which you can read free from the DPS website or pick up at the Dothan office. Study the sections on right-of-way, speed limits, parking, seat belt laws, and what different road signs mean. Questions about alcohol and drug impairment are common, as are questions about what to do at a red light or stop sign.

You can take the written test as many times as you need. If you fail, you can retake it the same day or come back another day. There is no extra fee for retakes. Many people pass on the second or third attempt after studying the manual more carefully.

Vision test and road test requirements

After you pass the written test, you take a vision test at the same office. You must be able to read a chart from a certain distance and have adequate peripheral vision. If you wear glasses or contacts, wear them during the test. If you fail the vision test, you cannot proceed to the road test that day. You'll need to see an eye doctor, get a corrective lens prescription if needed, and return to retake the vision test.

The road test happens after you pass both the written and vision tests. It typically takes 15 to 20 minutes. The examiner will ask you to perform basic driving tasks: starting the car, turning, stopping, backing up, and parking. You'll drive on local streets in Dothan. The examiner is looking for safe driving habits, proper use of signals, and ability to follow instructions.

You must bring a vehicle that is registered in Alabama, insured, and in safe working condition. The vehicle must have working headlights, brake lights, turn signals, windshield wipers, and a functioning horn. The examiner will check these before the test begins. You can use your own car, a family member's car, or a friend's car—it doesn't matter who owns it as long as it meets these requirements. You cannot use a vehicle from a rental company or a driving school.

If you fail the road test, you can retake it after waiting at least one day. There is no extra fee for retakes.

License types and costs in Alabama

Alabama issues a Class D license for regular passenger vehicle driving. This is what most people get. It costs $25 and is valid for four years. If you're under 18, you get a Learner's Permit first, which costs $5 and is valid for one year. With a learner's permit, you can drive only with a licensed adult in the front seat.

If you want to drive a motorcycle, you need a separate motorcycle endorsement, which requires an additional written test and road test on a motorcycle. The endorsement costs $10 and is added to your Class D license.

All fees are paid in cash or card at the Dothan office. You cannot pay online or by mail. When you pass all tests, you receive a temporary paper license on the spot. Your permanent plastic card arrives in the mail within two to three weeks.

Renewing or replacing your license in Dothan

If your Alabama license is still valid and not suspended, you can renew it by mail or online through the DPS website without visiting the Dothan office. You'll need your current license number and a credit or debit card. A renewal costs $25 and extends your license for another four years.

If your license is expired, suspended, or revoked, you must go to the Dothan office in person. You'll need to retake the written test and vision test. If your license was suspended due to unpaid traffic fines or a DUI, you may also need to show proof that the suspension has been lifted before you can get a new license.

If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, go to the Dothan office with your ID and proof of residency. A replacement license costs $25. You do not need to retake any tests for a replacement.

If you've moved and need to update your address, you can do this at the Dothan office or online if your license is still valid. Bring proof of your new address if you go in person.

Special situations: Suspensions, Real ID, and out-of-state transfers

If your license is suspended in Alabama, you cannot renew it or get a new one until the suspension is lifted. Suspensions happen for unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, or DUI convictions. Contact the DPS or the court that issued the suspension to find out how to clear it. Once cleared, bring proof to the Dothan office and you can explore for a new license.

Alabama offers a Real ID compliant driver's license, which is required to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building after May 7, 2025. To get a Real ID license, bring the same documents you'd bring for a regular license, plus an original or certified copy of your birth certificate. The Real ID license costs $25, the same as a regular license, and is valid for four years. You do not need to retake tests if you already have a valid license; you can straightforward upgrade it at the Dothan office.

If you have a valid driver's license from another state, you can transfer it to an Alabama license. You must pass Alabama's written test and vision test, but you may not need to take the road test if your out-of-state license is current and you have no traffic violations in Alabama. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of residency in Dothan, and your Social Security number to the Dothan office to find out whether you need the road test.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a license from start to finish in Dothan?

If you pass all tests on your first visit, you receive a temporary paper license the same day. Your permanent plastic card arrives by mail in two to three weeks. If you fail a test, you'll need to return another day to retake it, which adds one to seven days depending on when you can come back.

Can I take the written test in a language other than English?

Yes. The Dothan office offers the written test in Spanish and several other languages. Call (334) 615-3000 ahead of time to confirm which languages are available and to request an interpreter if you need one.

What happens if I fail the road test?

You can retake the road test after waiting at least one day. There is no extra fee. You do not need to retake the written or vision tests. Schedule your next road test appointment at the Dothan office or by phone.

Do I need to take a test if I'm transferring my license from Georgia or Florida?

You must pass Alabama's written test and vision test. Whether you need the road test depends on your driving record and how long your out-of-state license has been valid. Bring your out-of-state license and proof of residency to the Dothan office, and they will tell you which tests you need.

What if I can't drive a manual transmission car?

You can take the road test in an automatic transmission vehicle. There is no restriction on transmission type in Alabama. Just make sure the vehicle you use is registered, insured, and in safe working condition.