Where to renew your Alabama driver's license
You can renew your Alabama driver's license in person at any Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) driver's license office, or online through the state's official website if you meet certain conditions. The online option is faster and requires no office visit, but not everyone is may be able to access — your license must not be expired by more than five years, you cannot have medical restrictions, and you must have a valid email address.
If you cannot renew online, you will need to visit a DPS office. Alabama has driver's license offices in most counties. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours on the Alabama DPS website. Some offices are busier than others, so calling ahead to ask about wait times can save you a trip.
You can also renew by mail if your license is not expired by more than five years and you do not have medical restrictions. The mail-in process takes longer — typically two to three weeks — but works if you prefer not to visit an office or cannot easily reach one.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Alabama DPS website is the fastest option if your license expired five years ago or less and has no medical restrictions.
- In-person renewal at a DPS office requires your current license, proof of residency, and payment, and takes about 30 minutes on average.
- Mail-in renewal is available for licenses not expired more than five years, but takes two to three weeks to receive your new license.
- Your Alabama driver's license is valid for four years, so you should plan to renew before the expiration date printed on the front.
- If your license has been expired for more than five years, you will need to take the written test and vision test again, even if you renew in person.
What documents you need to bring
For in-person renewal, bring your current Alabama driver's license and one document that proves your current address. Acceptable proof of residency includes a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. A government-issued ID with your current address also works.
You will also need to bring payment. The renewal fee for a four-year license is $25.50 if you renew in person or by mail. If you renew online, the fee is $24.50. Alabama accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card at DPS offices.
If you are renewing online, you will not need to bring documents to an office, but you will need to have your current license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number ready when you start the online process.
The in-person renewal process
When you arrive at a DPS office, take a number and wait to be called. Bring all required documents and your payment method. The staff member will verify your information, take a new photo, and process your renewal. The entire visit usually takes 20 to 40 minutes, depending on how busy the office is.
You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your plastic license is being made. Your new license will arrive by mail within two to three weeks. If you need your license sooner, some DPS offices offer expedited service for an additional fee — ask at your local office whether this option is available.
If your address has changed since your last license, tell the staff member before they take your photo. They will update your address in the system and print it on your new license.
Online renewal step by step
Go to the Alabama DPS website and select the online renewal option. You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid email address. The system will verify your information against state records.
Once verified, you will be asked to upload a new photo or use the photo on file. If you upload a new photo, it must meet Alabama's photo requirements: taken within the last six months, show your full face, and have a plain background. You can take the photo yourself with a smartphone if it meets these standards.
After you submit your photo and pay the $24.50 fee with a debit or credit card, your renewal is complete. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within two to three weeks. You can use your current license until the new one arrives.
Mail-in renewal by post
To renew by mail, contact your local DPS office or read the renewal form from the Alabama DPS website. Fill out the form completely and include your current license, proof of residency, and a check or money order for $25.50 made payable to the Alabama Department of Public Safety.
Mail the envelope to the address listed on the form. Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the office receives your materials. Your new license will be mailed to the address you provide on the form. During this time, your current license remains valid, so you can continue to drive.
Keep a copy of the form and proof of mailing in case there are questions about your renewal. If you do not receive your new license within four weeks, contact the DPS office to check the status.
What happens if your license has been expired for more than five years
If your Alabama driver's license has been expired for longer than five years, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must visit a DPS office in person and retake the written knowledge test and the vision test. You will not need to take the road test unless the DPS officer determines it is necessary.
Bring the same documents you would for a regular renewal — your expired license, proof of residency, and payment. You will also need to study the Alabama Driver's Manual before you go, since you will take a written test on road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving practices. The manual is free and available on the Alabama DPS website.
The vision test checks whether you can see well enough to drive safely. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you. If you fail the vision test, you will be required to wear corrective lenses while driving, and this restriction will be printed on your new license.
Renewing a license with medical restrictions
If your current license has medical restrictions — such as requiring corrective lenses, hearing aids, or an automatic transmission vehicle — you cannot renew online. You must renew in person at a DPS office so that an officer can verify your medical status has not changed.
Bring your current license, proof of residency, payment, and any medical documentation that supports your restrictions. If your medical condition has improved and you no longer need a restriction, tell the DPS officer. They can remove the restriction if you pass any required tests, such as a vision test if you no longer need glasses.
If your medical condition has worsened and you now need additional restrictions, the DPS officer will add them to your new license. You may be asked to provide a medical report from your doctor to support the new restriction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Alabama driver's license before it expires?
Yes. You can renew your license up to six months before the expiration date. Renewing early does not change when your license will expire — your new license will still be valid for four years from the expiration date of your old license, not from the date you renew.
What if I lost my current license and need to renew?
You cannot renew online or by mail without your current license. You must visit a DPS office in person. Bring proof of residency, payment, and a second form of ID if you have one. The officer will issue a replacement license and process your renewal at the same time.
How long is an Alabama driver's license valid?
An Alabama driver's license is valid for four years from the expiration date printed on the front. The expiration date is your birthday four years after you renew. You should plan to renew before that date to avoid driving with an expired license.
Can I renew my license if I have unpaid traffic tickets or fines?
Yes, unpaid traffic tickets do not prevent you from renewing your license. However, if you have an outstanding warrant or suspension related to your driving record, the DPS system may flag your renewal. Contact your local DPS office or the court that issued the ticket to find out whether your license is suspended before you attempt to renew.
What if my name has changed since my last license?
If you changed your name due to marriage, divorce, or court order, bring a certified copy of the document that proves the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You can renew in person or by mail with this document. Online renewal may not be available if your name in the system does not match your current legal name.