Alabama lets you renew your driver's license online if you meet certain conditions
You can renew your Alabama driver's license through the state's online system without visiting a Driver License office, but only if your license is still valid or expired less than two years ago. The process takes about 10 minutes, costs $26.50, and you'll receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person at an Alabama Driver License office.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) runs the online renewal system. You'll need your current or expired license number, your Social Security number, and a valid payment method — a debit card, credit card, or electronic check. You cannot renew online if you have certain medical conditions on file, if your address has changed and you cannot verify it, or if you're under 18.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal works only if your license is currently valid or expired within the last two years.
- The fee is $26.50 and you pay by debit card, credit card, or electronic check during the online process.
- Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days; you cannot pick it up at an office.
- If you've had a name change, address change, or medical restriction added since your last license, you may need to renew in person instead.
- The ALEA website at alea.gov is where you start the renewal; there is no separate login account to create.
Step-by-step process for renewing online
Go to the ALEA website and locate the Driver License section. Click on the online renewal link. You'll be asked to enter your driver's license number and your date of birth to pull up your record. The system will show you your current information and ask you to confirm or correct it — address, height, eye color, and other details.
Review everything carefully. If your address is different from what's on file, the system may not let you proceed online; in that case, you'll need to visit an office in person. Once you confirm your information is correct, you'll enter your Social Security number for identity verification. The system cross-checks this against state records.
Next, you'll choose your payment method and enter the card or bank account details. After payment is processed, you'll receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Print or save this number — you may need it if there's a problem with your order. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file.
When you cannot renew online
If your license expired more than two years ago, the online system will not accept your renewal. You must visit a Driver License office in person. The same applies if you're under 18 — minors must renew with a parent or guardian present at an office.
If you have a medical condition or restriction noted on your license — such as corrective lenses required or a hearing aid — you may be directed to renew in person so an examiner can verify the condition still applies. If you've had a name change since your last license was issued, you'll need to bring legal documentation (marriage certificate, court order, or other proof) to an office.
Address changes sometimes block online renewal. If the system cannot verify your new address through state records, it will ask you to visit an office instead. Bring a utility bill, lease, or other proof of residency when you go.
What to expect after you submit your renewal
You'll receive a confirmation email with your confirmation number and the address where your license will be sent. The license is mailed to the address on file in your ALEA record, not to a different address you provide during renewal. If you need it sent somewhere else, you must change your address in the system before you renew, or renew in person at an office.
Standard mail delivery takes 7 to 10 business days from the time ALEA processes your order. This does not include weekends or state holidays. If you don't receive your license within two weeks, contact the ALEA Driver License Bureau to check the status. Have your confirmation number ready.
Your old license remains valid until your new one arrives. You can use it for identification and driving during the mail delivery period. Once your new license arrives, destroy the old one or keep it for your records — there's no requirement to turn it in.
Finding an Alabama Driver License office if you need to renew in person
The ALEA website lists all Driver License offices by county. Each office has different hours, and some are open only certain days of the week. Call ahead or check the website before you go, because wait times vary and some offices fill up early in the day.
Bring your current or expired license, proof of residency (utility bill or lease dated within 60 days), and your Social Security card or a document showing your number. If you've had a name change, bring the legal document that proves it. The in-person renewal fee is the same as online: $26.50.
Common reasons online renewal fails
The most common issue is an address mismatch. If you've moved and the system cannot verify your new address, it will reject the renewal. The fix is to update your address at a Driver License office first, then try online renewal again, or straightforward renew in person.
Another frequent problem is entering your information incorrectly. Double-check your license number and date of birth before submitting — even a single digit wrong will cause the system to reject your request. If you're unsure of your license number, look at your physical license or contact ALEA.
Payment failures sometimes occur if your card or bank account information is entered wrong or if your bank flags the transaction as suspicious. Try again with the correct information, or use a different payment method. If the problem persists, renew in person instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license online if it's been expired for three years?
No. Online renewal is only for licenses that are currently valid or expired within the last two years. If yours expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person at a Driver License office. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and your Social Security card.
Will my new license have a different number?
No. Your license number stays the same when you renew. The new card will have the same number, a new expiration date, and an updated photo if you submitted one during online renewal. If you did not submit a photo, your old photo will be used.
What if I move after I renew online but before my license arrives?
Contact ALEA with your confirmation number and new address as soon as possible. They can try to redirect your license to the new address, but there's no may provide. If it arrives at your old address, the new owner or postal service may return it to ALEA. It's safer to update your address in person at a Driver License office before renewing.
Do I need to take a new photo for online renewal?
No. Online renewal uses your existing photo from your current license. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a Driver License office. The office will take a new photo during the renewal process.
How do I check the status of my renewed license in the mail?
Use your confirmation number to contact the ALEA Driver License Bureau. They can tell you whether your license has been mailed and provide an estimated delivery date. Call the number listed on the ALEA website or visit an office in person with your confirmation number.