Where to explore for a Driver's License in Mobile

In Mobile, you explore for your driver's license at the Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) Driver License Division. The main office that serves Mobile residents is located at 500 Commerce Street, Mobile, AL 36602. This is the full-service location where you can explore for an original license, renew, replace, or upgrade your license type.

You can also visit satellite DPS offices in Mobile County if the main office is inconvenient. The Tillmans Corner office at 6620 Three Notch Road serves the eastern part of the county. Both locations handle the same services, though wait times vary by location and time of day. Walk-ins are accepted, but you may wait 30 minutes to two hours depending on how busy the office is.

Before you go, check the Alabama DPS website or call 334-242-4437 to confirm current hours. Office hours change seasonally and occasionally for staff training. You do not need an appointment, but arriving early in the morning typically means shorter waits.

Key Takeaways

  • The main Mobile DPS office is at 500 Commerce Street, and a satellite office serves Tillmans Corner; both handle all license types and services.
  • You must bring your Social Security card, proof of residency (utility bill or lease dated within 60 days), and proof of identity such as a passport or birth certificate.
  • Alabama charges $31.50 for a four-year Class D license and $63 for an eight-year license; fees are cash, check, or card.
  • The written test covers Alabama traffic laws and road signs; you can study using the free Alabama Driver Manual available on the DPS website.
  • If you already hold a valid license from another state, you can transfer it without retaking the written test, though you must pass the vision and road tests.

Documents You Must Bring

Alabama requires specific documents at the time of process. Bring your original Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number, such as a W-2 or tax return. The DPS will not accept a photocopy of your Social Security card.

You also need proof of residency dated within the last 60 days. Acceptable documents include a utility bill (electric, gas, water, or internet), a lease agreement, a mortgage statement, or a bank statement showing your name and current Mobile address. A driver's license from another state does not count as proof of residency in Alabama.

Bring one form of proof of identity: a U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, military ID, or passport card. If your birth certificate is not certified (raised seal), it will not be accepted. A school ID, work ID, or expired driver's license alone is not sufficient.

If you are under 18, your parent or legal guardian must be present with their own ID. Bring any court documents if you have a different last name than your birth certificate shows, such as a marriage license or divorce decree.

The Written Test and Vision Screening

The Alabama written test has 30 questions covering traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You must answer at least 24 questions correctly to pass. The test is offered in English and Spanish. You have one hour to complete it, and you can retake it the same day if you fail, though you must pay the process fee again.

Study material is free: read the Alabama Driver Manual from the DPS website or pick up a printed copy at any DPS office. The manual covers everything on the test. Many people study it for one or two weeks before testing.

Before the written test, you will have a vision screening. The DPS tests your visual acuity and color blindness. You must see at least 20/40 in each eye with or without corrective lenses. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them. If you fail the vision test, you cannot proceed that day; you must see an eye doctor and return with documentation of corrected vision.

If you pass both the vision and written tests, you will take a road test on a separate appointment. The road test is not administered at the DPS office; you must schedule it through a third-party testing facility. The DPS will give you a list of approved examiners in Mobile County when you pass your written test.

Road Test Requirements and Scheduling

After you pass the written and vision tests, you must schedule a road test with an approved examiner. Alabama does not conduct road tests at DPS offices; instead, the state contracts with private testing facilities. The DPS will provide you with a list of examiners in Mobile County, or you can find them on the Alabama DPS website under "Third-Party Examiners."

The road test lasts about 20 minutes. You must bring the vehicle you will be tested in, and it must be in safe working condition with valid registration and insurance. The examiner will check your mirrors, lights, wipers, and brakes before the test begins. Bring your written test pass certificate and a valid ID to the road test appointment.

Road test fees vary by examiner but typically range from $20 to $30. Call the examiner directly to schedule; wait times range from a few days to several weeks depending on demand. If you fail, you can retake it, but you must pay the examiner's fee again. You do not need to retake the written test.

Transferring a License from Another State

If you hold a valid driver's license from another state and you are moving to Alabama, you can transfer it without retaking the written test. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of residency in Mobile (dated within 60 days), and your Social Security card to the DPS office.

You will still take the vision screening and road test. The vision test is the same as for new applicants. The road test is also required unless your out-of-state license is from a state with which Alabama has a reciprocal agreement—currently, Alabama recognizes licenses from most U.S. states without requiring a new road test, but you should confirm with the DPS office before your visit.

If your out-of-state license has expired, you cannot transfer it; you must explore as a new driver and take the written test. If your license expired fewer than two years ago, some states allow reinstatement without retesting, but Alabama does not. Contact the DPS at 334-242-4437 to confirm your specific situation.

License Types and Fees in Alabama

Alabama offers several license types. The Class D license is the standard passenger vehicle license for drivers 18 and older. A four-year Class D license costs $31.50; an eight-year license costs $63. You choose the term length when you explore.

A Class M license is required to operate a motorcycle. You must pass a separate motorcycle written test and road test. The fee is the same as a Class D license.

A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required if you drive a vehicle over 26,000 pounds or carry hazardous materials. CDL testing is more extensive and costs more; contact the DPS for current CDL fees and requirements.

Drivers under 18 receive a Learner's Permit first, which allows supervised driving. The permit is valid for one year and costs $5. After holding the permit for at least 30 days, you can take the road test for a full license. Drivers under 18 also face restrictions: they cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m., and they cannot use a cell phone while driving.

Processing Time and Your Temporary License

After you pass your road test, the DPS issues a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your plastic card is printed and mailed. This temporary license is valid for driving in Alabama and most other states. Keep it with you until your permanent license arrives.

Your permanent plastic license is mailed to the address you provided at the DPS office. Delivery typically takes 7 to 14 business days from the date you passed your road test. If you do not receive it within three weeks, contact the DPS at 334-242-4437.

If you need to drive before your permanent license arrives, the temporary paper license is sufficient. However, some rental car companies and law enforcement may not accept it, so keep your road test pass certificate as backup documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the written test online or by mail?

No. The written test must be taken in person at a DPS office in Mobile. You cannot take it online or remotely. You must visit the office, pass the vision screening, and complete the written test on the same day.

What if I fail the road test?

You can retake the road test with the same examiner or a different one. You must pay the examiner's fee again, typically $20 to $30. You do not retake the written test. Schedule your next attempt directly with the examiner; wait times vary.

Do I need a learner's permit before I can take the road test?

No, not if you are 18 or older. Adults can go directly from the written test to the road test. Learner's permits are required only for drivers under 18, and they must hold the permit for at least 30 days before taking the road test.

What happens if my proof of residency is older than 60 days?

The DPS will not accept it. You must bring a document dated within the last 60 days. If you have just moved to Mobile, a recent utility bill, lease, or bank statement works. If you cannot obtain one, contact the DPS office to ask about alternative documents.

Can I renew my license by mail or online?

Renewals must be done in person at a DPS office. You cannot renew online or by mail in Alabama. Bring your current license, proof of residency, and your Social Security card. You will retake the vision test but not the written or road tests unless your license has been expired for more than two years.