What you need to do to get a replacement Alabama learner's permit

If your Alabama learner's permit is lost, stolen, or damaged, you must visit an Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) driver license office in person to request a replacement. Alabama does not issue replacements by mail or online. You will need to bring your Social Security number, proof of Alabama residency, and payment for the replacement fee, which is currently $20.25.

The replacement process is straightforward but requires a trip to a physical location. You cannot renew or replace a learner's permit through any other method — the state requires you to appear at a DPS office so staff can verify your identity and issue the new document on the spot.

Key Takeaways

  • You must visit an Alabama DPS driver license office in person; replacements cannot be done by mail or online.
  • Bring your Social Security number, proof of Alabama residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and $20.25 in cash or card.
  • The replacement permit is issued when ready when you complete the transaction at the office.
  • If your permit was stolen, you may want to report it to local police first, though this is not required by the DPS.

Documents and information you must bring

Bring your Social Security number — you will need to provide it verbally or in writing when you request the replacement. The DPS will use this to look up your existing learner's permit record in their system.

Bring one document that proves you live in Alabama. Acceptable documents include a current utility bill, a lease agreement, a bank or credit card statement, or a government-issued document with your name and current address. The document must show your name and address and be dated within the last 60 days (utility bills and bank statements) or be currently valid (lease agreements).

Bring payment of $20.25. Most Alabama DPS offices accept cash and debit or credit cards, but call ahead to confirm the office you plan to visit accepts your payment method.

Finding the DPS office nearest you

Alabama has DPS driver license offices in most counties. You can find the office closest to you by visiting the Alabama Department of Public Safety website and using their office locator tool, or by calling 334-242-4437 to ask for the address and hours of the office in your area.

Hours vary by location. Some offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours; others have extended hours or Saturday appointments. Call or check online before you go to confirm the office is open and to ask whether you need an appointment or can walk in.

What happens when you arrive at the office

Tell the staff member at the counter that you need a replacement learner's permit. Provide your Social Security number and the proof of residency document. The staff member will look up your existing permit record in the DPS system and confirm your information.

You will be asked to sign the replacement permit. The new permit will be printed and issued to you when ready — you do not have to wait for it to arrive by mail. Take the permit with you when you leave the office.

If your permit was stolen

If your learner's permit was stolen rather than lost, you may want to file a report with your local police department. This creates a record in case the permit is used fraudulently, though it is not required by the Alabama DPS. The police report is separate from the replacement process — you still need to go to the DPS office to get the new permit.

You do not need the police report to request a replacement from the DPS. straightforward tell the staff member that the permit was stolen, and they will process the replacement the same way they would for a lost permit.

If your permit is damaged but still readable

If your permit is damaged but you can still read the information on it, you can still request a replacement. Bring the damaged permit with you to the DPS office along with your other documents. The staff member will take the old permit and issue a new one.

If the permit is so damaged that the information is not readable, bring whatever remains of it. The DPS staff can often look up your record using your Social Security number even if the physical permit is illegible.

Timeline and what to expect

The replacement is issued the same day you visit the office. There is no waiting period. Once you complete the transaction and pay the fee, you will receive your new learner's permit before you leave.

Your new permit will have the same expiration date as your original permit — the replacement does not extend the validity of your learner's permit. If your original permit was set to expire in three months, your replacement will also expire in three months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else pick up my replacement permit for me?

No. Alabama requires the permit holder to appear in person at the DPS office. You cannot authorize someone else to request or pick up the replacement on your behalf.

What if I don't have proof of Alabama residency?

You must have one of the accepted residency documents to get a replacement. If you recently moved to Alabama and do not yet have a utility bill or lease in your name, contact your local DPS office to ask what alternative documents they will accept.

Do I need to retake the written test to get a replacement permit?

No. A replacement permit is straightforward a new copy of your existing permit. You do not retake any tests or provide new information — the DPS reissues the same permit with a new document number.

What if my learner's permit expired while it was lost?

You can still request a replacement of the expired permit at the DPS office. However, you cannot use an expired learner's permit to drive. If you need to drive before you renew, you will need to renew the permit at the same time you request the replacement.

Is there a rush or expedited replacement option?

No. Alabama issues all replacements on the same day at the DPS office. There is no expedited or rush option — the standard replacement is issued when ready when you complete your visit.