• If a license needs to be mailed out of state or overseas, you will need to complete the Application for a Renewal or Duplicate License for Alabama Drivers Temporarily Out of State. You must visit an ALEA Driver License Office to: Add or remove license classes, restrictions and/or endorsements. Obtain your first STAR ID.
• License renewal rules apply to all Alabama drivers. Time limits: Drivers must renew every four years in person at a local probate judge's office. Vision test: Required at in-person renewal only if licensing authorities believe a physical or mental condition or limitation may affect the ability to drive safely.

• Mobile County Driver's License Renewal

With the mobile driver’s license, updating your ID with a name change or new address can be done in real-time and initiated directly from the app on your phone. You also have the flexibility to manage the information you share when showing your ID at any time, providing you with the highest level of privacy management.

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If you plan to drive a vehicle in Alabama, you will be required to hold a valid AL driver's license. Pay attention to the date specified on your license, as you'll need to make sure to renew your driver's license before it expires.

The Alabama Driver License Division (DLD) of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is responsible for processing all driver license applications, including renewals.

If you currently hold another type of driver's license or permit, please jump to any the following links for more information:

Alabama STAR IDs

The Alabama DLD began issuing federally-compliant REAL ID driver’s licenses, called a STAR ID in Alabama, in place of standard driver’s licenses in 2011. If you don't already have a STAR ID, you can receive one upon renewal. Your required documents are listed below. For details, see the DPS' guide to STAR IDs.

When to Renew Your AL Driver's License

NOTE: If you recently moved and have not yet updated your address with the Alabama DPS, make sure to do so within 30 days of the move. For more information, please see our Changing Your Address page.

Your Alabama driver's license is valid for 4 years at a time. The Driver License Division of the Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) allows you to renew your driver's license 180 days before it expires, and even gives you a 'grace period' of 60 days after it expires in which your license will still be valid.

You can renew your AL driver's license without having to take an examination as long as you process the renewal within 3 years after it expires.

Remember, DO NOT operate your vehicle without a valid driver's license.

Lost, Stolen, Damaged, or Expired Licenses

Check Your AL Driver's License Status

Not sure if your driver's license is valid or suspended? Find out by ordering your AL driving record online.

Renewal requirements slightly differ if your license has been:

• Lost or stolen.
• Damaged beyond readability.
  OR
• Already expired.

Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Driver's License

If you've lost your AL driver's license and it has already expired, you may be able to renew your driver's license instead of ordering a replacement. Contact your local AL driver’s license office to see if you're eligible.

For more information about how to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged driver's license, please read our page about Replacing a Lost License.

Expired Driver's License

If your AL driver's license has been expired for no more than 3 years, you can renew it without examination.

Please remember you can only drive with your expired driver's license in Alabama as long as it's within the grace period of 60 days. After that, you can no longer legally drive.

You can look at the date on your driver's license or check your driving record to determine if it has expired and, if so, for how long.

If your license has been expired for more than 3 years, the AL DPS will require you to re-take the written and/or road test again. For more information, contact the Alabama DPS.

Renew Your Alabama Driver's License

Depending on your eligibility, you can renew your AL STAR ID driver's license:

• Online.
• By mail.
• In person at your local AL DPS office.

The Alabama DPS will accept your renewal application up to 180 days before your driver's license expires and up to 3 years after it expires without needing to re-take any tests.

Online Renewal

Qualifying drivers can use Alabama's Online Driver License Issuance tool to renew their driver's license online.

To use this tool you will need a credit card for payment and your current address must match the address on your current driver's license.

Renewal by Mail

The Alabama DPS allows certain individuals who meet the eligibility requirements to renew their STAR ID driver's licenses by mail.

For step-by-step details about this renewal process, please see Out-of-State & Military License Renewal below.

Renew In Person

If you would like to renew your AL driver's license in person, you'll need to visit your local driver's license office.

NOTE: You must renew in person if you want to upgrade to a STAR ID. For a STAR ID, the AL DPS requires you to renew at a driver license exam office; you can’t renew to a STAR ID at your county probate office or license commissioner’s office.

Be prepared to:

• Provide your current AL driver's license.
  • You MIGHT be required to show additional documentation if you’re renewing and keeping a regular driver’s license.
  • You WILL be required to show specific documentation if you want to upgrade to a STAR ID. The AL DPS requires the following for a STAR ID:
    • 1 document proving your identity and date of birth such as your certified birth certificate, valid passport, or valid citizenship or naturalization documents. If your name has changed since getting your last driver’s license, you also must provide all proofs of the name change such as all marriage licenses, divorce decrees, adoption documents, and/or court orders.
    • 1 document proving your Social Security number such as your Social Security card or W-2 tax form.
    • 2 documents proving your principal residence such as your voter registration card, current mortgage, lease, or rental contract, or school enrollment documents.
• Pay the $36.25 driver's license fee.
  • See “Fees to Renew Your Driver's License' below for more details.
• Pass any required examination (if applicable).
• Have your photograph taken.

The Alabama DPS will issue you a temporary driver's license—whether it’s a basic driver’s license or a STAR ID—until you receive your permanent one in the mail. Expect to receive this within approximately 30 days. If you have not received your driver's license, you can check the status with the AL DPS.

NOTE: If you need to process a name change, you will be required to bring additional documentation. Visit our Changing Your Name page for more details.

Out-of-State & Military License Renewal

Military Stationed in Germany

If you are currently stationed in Germany, please be aware that some states require you to have a valid U.S. driver's license in addition to your USAREUR license. Read our article for more information.

You may renew your license by mail only if you've obtained a AL driver's license with your photo and signature within the last 4 years, and you're:

• Military personnel or the dependent of someone in the military.
  • See our Drivers in the Military page.
• A college student who's away from home.
  OR
  
• A resident who's temporarily out of the state due to work.

If this is you, you may apply within 60 days of your expiration date. You'll need to:

• Complete the Application for a Renewal License for Alabama Drivers Temporarily Out of State.
• Obtain a money order for $36.25 made payable to the Driver License Division.
• Gather proof of your reason for being out of state, such as a copy of your military ID and orders or your student ID and enrollment papers, or a certification letter on company letterhead from your employer.
• Provide your full name, birth date, AL driver's license number, and Social Security number (SSN).

Mail all of the above to:

Alabama Department of Public Safety
Driver License Division
P.O. Box 1471
Montgomery, AL 36102

Fees to Renew Your AL Driver's License

The cost to renew your AL driver's license is $36.25 for 4 years.

NOTE: Some AL driver's license offices are permitted to charge higher prices for renewal applications. For specific pricing details, contact your local AL DPS office.

Accepted Payment Methods

The Alabama DPS does NOT accept checks.

If you submit your Alabama renewal application bymail, you must send payment via a money order made payable to the “Driver License Division.'

When renewing your AL driver's license inperson, you can pay by cash or money order only.

Mobile County Driver's License Renewal

The American South is famous for its slower pace of life, but that doesn't mean a trip to get your driver's license with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) should take all day. Scheduling an appointment with the agency ahead of time will help you get in and out, and get back to taking time on the finer things in life.

Types of DPS/DOR Appointments

Currently, the ALEA only offers appointments for driver's license services. All other services require you to wait in line.

But don't dismay: thanks to the number of online services offered by the ALEA and other private companies in the state, you may be able to complete your task without leaving the house at all.

How to Schedule an AL Appointment

Alabama DPS offers an online appointment scheduling system to book your AL driver license transaction. You can also request an appointment with your preferred location by phone.

You can schedule your test up to 2 weeks in advance when using the online service. Calling your local DPS office directly is another great way to book your time with the state agency.

What to Bring to the DPS/DOR

Make sure you only need to use the appointment scheduler once by having everything you'll need for your appointment on hand when you visit the DMV. Check out our handy guides to help compile a checklist for what to bring when you:

• Apply for a learner's permit or license (teens).
• Apply for a driver's license (adults).