What you need to do to renew in Alabama
You can renew your Alabama driver's license by mail, online, or in person at a Driver License Examiner's Office. The method you choose depends on whether your license is still valid, how much time you have, and whether you need to update your photo or address. Most people renew before their license expires, but Alabama allows you to renew up to one year after expiration.
Your renewal notice arrives in the mail about 60 days before your license expires. This notice contains your renewal number, which you'll need for online or mail renewal. If you don't receive a notice, you can still renew—you'll just need your driver's license number and Social Security number instead.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs $25.50, but you cannot change your photo or address this way.
- Mail renewal uses the notice Alabama sends you and takes two to three weeks; you pay by check or money order.
- In-person renewal at a Driver License Examiner's Office lets you update your photo and address but requires an appointment and takes longer.
- You must renew in person if your license has been expired for more than one year, if you need a Real ID, or if you want to change your photo.
- Alabama charges $25.50 for a standard five-year renewal; Real ID costs $32.50.
Online renewal: fastest if nothing has changed
Online renewal through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) website is the quickest option if your address and name are still correct and your license is not yet expired. You log in with your driver's license number, Social Security number, and renewal number (from your notice), answer a few questions about your vision and medical history, and pay $25.50 by debit or credit card. The process takes about 10 minutes.
Your new license arrives by mail in seven to ten business days. You can use your old license until the new one arrives. Online renewal works only if your license is still valid—if it expired more than one year ago, you must renew in person.
Mail renewal: no appointment needed
Mail renewal uses the renewal notice Alabama sends you. You fill out the notice, sign it, and mail it with a check or money order for $25.50 to the address printed on the notice. Do not send cash. Include a copy of your current driver's license if possible, though it is not required.
Processing takes two to three weeks from the date ALEA receives your envelope. Your new license arrives by mail after that. Mail renewal works for licenses that are current or expired up to one year. You cannot change your photo or address by mail—if you need either change, you must renew in person.
In-person renewal: when you need a photo update or address change
Renewing at a Driver License Examiner's Office is the only way to update your photo or change your address. You must make an appointment through the ALEA website or by calling 334-242-4437. Walk-ins are not accepted. Bring your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and proof of your current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days).
The appointment itself takes 15 to 30 minutes. You pay $25.50 for a standard license or $32.50 for a Real ID. Your new license is printed on site and you receive it before you leave. This is also the only renewal method available if your license expired more than one year ago.
Real ID versus standard license
A Real ID is a federal standard that allows you to use your driver's license as identification for domestic flights and entry to federal buildings. Alabama Real IDs have a gold star in the upper right corner. If you want to fly domestically or enter a federal facility without a passport, you need a Real ID.
Real ID renewal costs $32.50 instead of $25.50 and requires in-person renewal. You must bring proof of your Social Security number and proof of your current address, the same documents needed for any in-person renewal. You cannot get a Real ID by mail or online. If you renew online or by mail for a standard license, you can upgrade to Real ID at your next renewal or visit an Examiner's Office to upgrade before your current license expires.
What happens if your license is expired
You can renew your license up to one year after it expires. Online and mail renewal both work during this window. After one year of expiration, you must renew in person at a Driver License Examiner's Office. Driving with an expired license is illegal, even if you have applied to renew.
If your license has been expired for more than three years, ALEA may require you to take a vision test and written exam in addition to the standard renewal process. Call 334-242-4437 to ask about your specific situation before you visit an office.
Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged license
If your license is lost, stolen, or too damaged to use, you need a replacement, not a renewal. Replacements cost $20 and require in-person process at a Driver License Examiner's Office. You must bring proof of your identity (passport, birth certificate, or military ID), proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. Your new license is printed on site.
If your license was stolen, you can report it to ALEA when you explore for the replacement. Your old license number is deactivated so it cannot be used fraudulently. You do not need a police report, but you can file one if you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I have unpaid traffic tickets or fines?
No. ALEA will not process a renewal if you have outstanding traffic violations or unpaid fines. You must resolve these through the court that issued the citation before you can renew. Contact the court listed on your ticket to find out what you owe and how to pay.
What if my name has changed since my last license?
You must renew in person and bring proof of your name change—a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Mail and online renewal cannot process name changes. At your appointment, bring your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number, proof of your address, and the document showing your name change.
How long does my new license take to arrive if I renew by mail?
Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the date ALEA receives your envelope, not from the date you mail it. Use certified mail if you want to confirm delivery. Your old license remains valid until your new one arrives, so you can continue to drive.
Can I renew online if I wear glasses or contacts?
Yes. Online renewal asks whether you need corrective lenses to drive, and you answer honestly. Your new license will show the restriction if needed. You do not need to provide a vision test result—ALEA relies on your answer and your medical history.
What if I moved out of Alabama but still have an Alabama license?
You should get a driver's license from your new state. Driving with an out-of-state license after you establish residency elsewhere is illegal in most states. If you are temporarily out of state but still an Alabama resident, you can renew by mail or online using your renewal notice or driver's license number.