Alabama lets you renew online if your license is not expired more than five years and you have no medical suspensions
Alabama's online renewal system, called ALERS (Alabama License and Enrollment Renewal System), handles standard renewals through the state's Department of Public Safety website. You can renew without visiting a driver's license office if your current license meets the requirements and you have not had certain violations or changes to your status.
The process takes about 15 minutes and costs the same as renewing in person. Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. You will need your current Alabama driver's license number, a valid email address, and a payment method — debit card, credit card, or electronic check.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online only if your license expired within the last five years and you have no medical holds or suspensions on your record.
- ALERS is the official Alabama online renewal system, found at the Department of Public Safety website — do not use third-party renewal sites.
- The renewal fee is the same whether you renew online or in person, and your new license arrives by mail in about a week.
- If your license is expired more than five years, you have a medical suspension, or you changed your address, you must renew in person at a driver's license office.
Who can renew online through ALERS
Your license must not be expired more than five years from the date it was issued. If your license expired in 2019 or later, you are within the window. If it expired before 2019, you will need to renew in person.
You also cannot have a medical suspension or medical hold on your driving record. These are placed by the Department of Public Safety when a doctor reports a condition that affects your ability to drive safely, or when you fail a vision or medical screening. If you are unsure whether you have a hold, call the Department of Public Safety at 334-242-4400 before starting the online process.
Your address must not have changed since your last license was issued. If you moved, you will need to renew in person and bring proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days.
Steps to renew online
Go to the Alabama Department of Public Safety website and look for the ALERS link on the driver's license renewal page. You will enter your current license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your record and confirm your may be able to access.
Review your information on screen. If anything is wrong — your name spelling, your address, your eye color — stop and renew in person instead, because you cannot correct those details online. If everything is correct, proceed to payment.
Pay the renewal fee using a debit card, credit card, or electronic check. You will receive a confirmation number by email. Keep this number in case you need to check on your license status or contact the department.
Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. Standard mail delivery takes 7 to 10 business days. If you need your license sooner, you cannot expedite an online renewal — you would have to renew in person and request expedited service at the office.
When you must renew in person instead
If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot use ALERS. You will need to visit a driver's license office with your current ID, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. The office will take a new photo and may give you a temporary license to use while your permanent one is mailed.
Medical suspensions or holds require an in-person visit and often require a letter from a doctor clearing you to drive. The office staff can tell you what documentation the department needs.
If you changed your name, address, or other information on your license, you must renew in person. Bring documents that prove the change — a marriage certificate for a name change, a utility bill for an address change.
If you have unpaid traffic fines or child support obligations, the system may flag your record and prevent online renewal. Contact the Department of Public Safety to find out whether your record has a hold before you try to renew.
What to do if ALERS rejects your renewal
The system will tell you why it cannot process your renewal. Common reasons are an expired license that is too old, a medical hold, an address mismatch, or an outstanding fine or obligation. Write down the exact reason the system gives you.
If the reason is unclear, call the Department of Public Safety at 334-242-4400 during business hours. They can look up your record and explain what you need to do. If you need to renew in person, ask which documents to bring so you do not make a second trip.
Finding a driver's license office if you cannot renew online
Alabama has driver's license offices in most counties. The Department of Public Safety website has a location finder that shows hours, address, and phone number for each office. Some offices are open Monday through Friday only; a few have Saturday hours. Call ahead if you are traveling far, because some smaller offices have limited hours or may close for lunch.
Bring your current ID, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 60 days), and proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return). If you are renewing after a medical suspension, bring the letter from your doctor. If you changed your name, bring the marriage certificate or court order.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to renew online?
The fee is the same as renewing in person. Alabama charges based on the type of license and how long you want it to be valid — typically $25 to $35 for a standard renewal. The exact amount will be shown on the ALERS screen before you pay.
Can I renew if my license is suspended for a traffic violation?
No. A suspension for unpaid fines, points, or a DUI conviction must be cleared before you can renew. Contact the court or the Department of Public Safety to find out how to clear the suspension, then renew in person once it is lifted.
What if I do not receive my new license after two weeks?
Contact the Department of Public Safety with your confirmation number. They can check whether the license was mailed and provide a tracking update. If it was lost in the mail, they can reissue it or issue a temporary license while you wait for a replacement.
Can I use my old license while I wait for the new one to arrive?
Yes. Your current license remains valid until it expires. You can use it to drive while your new license is in the mail. Once the new license arrives, the old one is no longer valid.
What if I made a mistake on the online renewal form?
If you submitted the form and paid, you cannot change it online. Contact the Department of Public Safety when ready with your confirmation number. Depending on what was wrong, they may be able to correct it before your license is printed, or you may need to renew again in person.