What You Need to Know Before You Test in Birmingham
The written knowledge test in Birmingham is administered by the Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) at the Driver License Examining Office located at 2060 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203. You must pass this test to move forward with your license or learner's permit. The test covers Alabama traffic laws, road signs, safe driving practices, and right-of-way rules from the Alabama Driver Manual.
The test is 40 questions long, and you must answer at least 32 correctly (80%) to pass. You have up to one hour to complete it. The test is administered on a computer at the Birmingham office, and results are available when ready after you finish. If you fail, you can retake it the same day, though you may need to pay the retest fee again.
You do not need an appointment for the written test in Birmingham — it is first-come, first-served. However, the office can have wait times, especially during mid-morning and early afternoon hours on weekdays. Arriving early in the morning or on a weekday afternoon typically means shorter waits.
Key Takeaways
- The Birmingham DPS office is at 2060 1st Avenue North, and the written test is administered on a computer with when ready results.
- You must answer at least 32 of 40 questions correctly to pass, and you have up to one hour to complete the test.
- The test covers Alabama traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving rules from the official Alabama Driver Manual.
- You can retake the test the same day if you fail, but you will pay the retest fee each time.
- No appointment is required; arrive early to avoid longer wait times during peak hours.
Documents and Fees You Must Bring
Bring your Social Security number or a document that shows it — a Social Security card, birth certificate, or tax return. You will also need proof of your Alabama residency, such as a utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days. A photo ID is not required for the written test, but bring one anyway if you have it.
The written test fee in Alabama is $20.50 as of the most recent update, though fees can change. Bring cash or a debit card; the Birmingham office accepts both. If you fail and retake the test, you will pay the fee again. There is no refund if you pass on your first attempt.
If you are under 18, bring a parent or legal guardian with you. They will need to sign consent forms before you can test. If you are renewing an expired license rather than taking the test for the first time, different documents may be required — check with the office before you go.
How to Prepare Using the Alabama Driver Manual
The Alabama Driver Manual is free and available online at the Alabama DPS website (dps.alabama.gov). read it or request a printed copy at the Birmingham office. The manual covers all topics on the written test: traffic signs and their meanings, speed limits, right-of-way rules, parking rules, and safe driving practices in different weather and road conditions.
Focus on the sections about traffic signs, as these make up a significant portion of the test. Study what each sign means, its shape, and its color. For example, red signs mean stop or prohibition; yellow signs warn of hazards ahead; green signs provide directions or information. Know the difference between a yield sign and a stop sign, and understand when you must yield versus when you must stop completely.
Read the sections on right-of-way carefully. These questions often trip up test-takers because the rules change depending on the situation — whether you are at a four-way stop, a two-way stop, a traffic light, or an uncontrolled intersection. Practice scenarios in your head: if two cars arrive at a four-way stop at the same time, who goes first? The answer depends on direction and lane position, and the manual explains this clearly.
Step-by-Step: Taking the Test at the Birmingham Office
Step 1: Arrive and check in. Go to the DPS office at 2060 1st Avenue North. Bring all required documents. Check in at the front desk and tell them you are there to take the written knowledge test. You will be given a number and told to wait.
Step 2: Verify your information. When called, go to the testing window. The examiner will verify your identity, Social Security number, and residency. They will ask you what type of license or permit you are testing for (Class D for regular driving, Class M for motorcycle, etc.). Answer honestly — the test content may vary slightly by license type.
Step 3: Pay the fee. You will be asked to pay $20.50. Cash and debit cards are accepted. If you are retaking the test, you will pay again.
Step 4: Sit at the computer terminal. You will be directed to a computer station. The examiner will log you in and explain how to use the system. You can navigate forward and backward through questions, and you can flag questions to review before you submit. Take your time — you have up to one hour.
Step 5: Answer all 40 questions. Read each question carefully. If you are unsure, flag it and move on. You can return to flagged questions before you submit your final answers. Do not guess randomly — think through each answer based on what you learned from the manual.
Step 6: Submit and receive your result. When you are done, submit your test. Your score appears on the screen when ready. If you passed (32 or more correct), you will receive a printed score sheet. If you failed, you can ask to retake it the same day by paying the fee again and repeating the process.
Common Mistakes Test-Takers Make in Birmingham
Many people fail because they do not read questions carefully. A question might ask "which of the following is NOT a safe practice" — if you miss the word "NOT," you will pick the wrong answer. Read the entire question before you look at the choices.
Another common mistake is not studying traffic signs thoroughly enough. The test includes signs you may not see often in everyday driving, such as regulatory signs for divided highways or warning signs for railroad crossings. Spend extra time on the sign section of the manual.
People also underestimate questions about right-of-way and speed limits in different zones. School zones, residential areas, and construction zones all have different rules. Know the speed limit for each, and know who has the right-of-way in each situation. The manual has clear tables and diagrams for these — study them repeatedly.
Finally, do not rush. You have a full hour. If you finish in 10 minutes, you probably missed something. Use the full time to review your answers, especially the ones you flagged.
What Happens After You Pass
If you pass the written test, you will receive a printed score sheet showing your result. Keep this sheet — you will need it to schedule your road test. The score sheet is valid for a set period (typically 12 months in Alabama, though this can vary). If you do not schedule your road test within that window, you will need to retake the written test.
After you pass the written test, you can schedule your road test at the same Birmingham office or at another DPS office in Alabama. The road test is a separate appointment and requires a vehicle and a licensed adult in the car with you. You will be tested on your ability to operate the vehicle safely, follow traffic laws, and respond to road conditions.
If you are testing for a learner's permit instead of a full license, you will receive your permit after passing the written test. A learner's permit allows you to drive with a licensed adult in the car. You must hold it for a minimum period before you can test for your full license.
If You Fail the Test
If you score below 32 correct, you have failed. You will be told your score and which topic areas you missed the most. Do not panic — you can retake the test the same day by paying the fee again and going through the process once more. Many people pass on their second or third attempt.
Before you retake it, ask the examiner which topics gave you trouble. Go back to the Alabama Driver Manual and focus on those sections. If you failed because of traffic signs, spend 30 minutes studying signs. If you failed on right-of-way questions, work through the scenarios in the manual again. Do not just retake the test without studying — you will likely fail again.
If you fail multiple times, consider taking a driver education course. Some courses in the Birmingham area offer classroom or online instruction that covers the test material in a different way. A different explanation might help the material click for you. Some courses also waive or reduce the written test requirement, though this varies by program and your age.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my phone or notes into the testing room?
No. The testing room is a controlled environment. You cannot bring phones, notes, the driver manual, or any other materials into the testing area. You must rely on what you have studied beforehand. The examiner will tell you where to put your belongings before you sit at the computer.
What if I do not speak English well?
The Alabama DPS office in Birmingham can provide the written test in languages other than English, but you must request this in advance. Call the office at the number listed on the DPS website or ask when you arrive. Not all languages are available, so confirm before you go. Some offices also allow you to bring an interpreter, though this varies by location.
Do I have to take the test in Birmingham, or can I go to another office?
You can take the written test at any Alabama DPS office, not just Birmingham. If you live closer to another office or prefer a different location, you can test there instead. The test content and fee are the same statewide. However, if you are scheduling a road test, you may want to test at the same office where you plan to do your road test, as some offices have different availability.
How long does the written test take?
The actual test takes 20 to 40 minutes for most people, though you have up to one hour. The entire visit — checking in, verifying documents, paying, testing, and receiving your result — usually takes 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on how busy the office is. Arrive early if you want to minimize wait time.
What score do I need to pass?
You must answer at least 32 of the 40 questions correctly, which is 80%. There is no partial credit. Each question is either right or wrong. Your final score is reported as a percentage and as the number of correct answers.