What you need to do to replace your Alabama driver's license
To replace a lost, stolen, or damaged Alabama driver's license, you visit your local Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) office in person, bring proof of identity and residency, pay the replacement fee, and have a new photo taken. The process takes about 30 minutes on the day you explore. Your replacement license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
You cannot replace your license online or by mail — Alabama requires you to appear in person. If your license was stolen, you should also report the theft to local police and keep the report number, though it is not required to get a replacement.
Key Takeaways
- You must visit a DPS office in person with a valid form of ID and proof of your current Alabama address.
- The replacement fee is $25.50 for a standard license and $30.50 for a REAL ID-compliant license, and payment is cash, check, or card depending on the office.
- Your replacement license is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days; you cannot pick it up at the office the same day.
- If your license was suspended or revoked, you must resolve that status before a replacement will be issued.
- A police report is not required to replace a stolen license, but having one can help if the license is used fraudulently.
Which DPS office to visit and what to bring
Alabama has DPS offices in every county. You can visit any office in the state — you do not have to go to the one in your home county. To find the office nearest you and its hours, go to the Alabama Department of Public Safety website and use their office locator tool, or call 334-242-4394.
Bring one valid form of primary ID (a passport, military ID, or out-of-state driver's license) and one document showing your current Alabama address (a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If your address on your old license matches your current address, you may not need a separate residency document — ask when you call or arrive.
If you are replacing a license that was damaged but still readable, bring the damaged license with you. If it was lost or stolen, you do not need to bring anything related to it.
Replacement fees and payment methods
A standard replacement license costs $25.50. If you want a REAL ID-compliant license (required for federal buildings and domestic flights after May 7, 2025), the fee is $30.50. Some DPS offices accept cash, check, and card; others accept only cash or card. Call your local office ahead of time to confirm what they take.
The fee is non-refundable. If you lose or damage your replacement license within a year, you will pay the full replacement fee again.
What happens after you explore
After you complete your process and photo at the DPS office, you will receive a temporary paper receipt. Your new license will be mailed to the address you provided on your process within 7 to 10 business days. Do not expect it sooner — Alabama does not offer expedited replacement.
If you need to drive before your replacement arrives, you can use your temporary receipt as proof of identity in most situations, though some businesses and law enforcement may not accept it. If you were driving on an expired or suspended license before it was lost or stolen, you cannot legally drive until your replacement arrives.
If your license was suspended or revoked
If your Alabama license was suspended or revoked — for unpaid traffic fines, DUI, points accumulation, or failure to pay child support — DPS will not issue a replacement until the suspension or revocation is lifted. When you arrive at the DPS office, their system will flag your record when ready.
To find out why your license is suspended, call the DPS at 334-242-4394 or visit their website. The reason determines what you must do: unpaid fines require payment to the court that issued the ticket; DUI suspensions require completion of a substance abuse program and payment of reinstatement fees; points suspensions require waiting out the suspension period. Once the underlying issue is resolved, you can return to any DPS office and complete your replacement.
Replacing a stolen license and fraud protection
If your license was stolen, you do not have to file a police report to get a replacement, but filing one creates a record in case the thief uses your license to open accounts or commit fraud. If you do file a report, bring the report number with you to the DPS office — it may help if you later need to dispute fraudulent charges.
After you report your license stolen, monitor your credit report for suspicious activity. You can request a free credit report from each of the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) once per year at annualcreditreport.com. If you see fraud, contact the creditor and the Federal Trade Commission's identity theft hotline at identitytheft.gov.
Replacing a damaged or unreadable license
If your license is damaged but still readable — water damage, fading, cracked plastic — bring it with you to the DPS office. The staff will assess whether it is damaged enough to warrant replacement. Minor wear does not may have access to; the license must be difficult to read or use.
If the damage is severe, the DPS will issue a replacement at the standard fee. If they determine the damage is minor, they may decline and ask you to continue using the license. In that case, you can request a replacement anyway and pay the fee, though it is not required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace my license if I have unpaid traffic tickets?
No. If you have unpaid fines, your license will be suspended and DPS will not issue a replacement until you pay the court. Contact the court that issued the ticket to find out the amount owed and payment options.
What if I moved and my address changed since I got my current license?
Bring proof of your new Alabama address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days) to the DPS office. Your replacement license will show your current address. You do not need to update your address separately.
How long does the replacement take if I pay extra?
Alabama does not offer expedited replacement for any fee. All replacement licenses are mailed within 7 to 10 business days regardless of how much you pay. The only faster option is to get a REAL ID at the time of replacement if you do not already have one, but that does not speed up mailing.
Can someone else pick up my replacement license for me?
No. Alabama mails all replacement licenses directly to the address you provide on your process. You cannot pick it up at the office or have someone else collect it. If you are moving soon, provide your new address on the process so the license is mailed there.
What if my replacement license arrives damaged?
Contact the DPS office where you applied and explain the damage. They can issue a second replacement, though you will likely have to pay the fee again. Keep the damaged license and the envelope it came in as proof of the defect.