You can renew your Alabama driver's license online if you meet specific requirements
Alabama allows online renewal through its website, but only if your license is not expired by more than five years and you have no medical suspensions or restrictions that changed since your last renewal. You will need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method. The process takes about 10 minutes and your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
Not everyone can use the online system. If your license expired more than five years ago, if you need to update your address or medical information, or if you have any active suspensions, you must renew in person at an Alabama Department of Public Safety office instead.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal works only if your license expired within the last five years and you have no medical holds or changes to report.
- You need your current license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a debit or credit card to pay the renewal fee.
- The Alabama Department of Public Safety website handles the entire transaction, and your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
- If your license expired more than five years ago or you have a suspension, you cannot renew online and must visit a DPS office in person.
- The renewal fee is the same whether you renew online or in person, and your new license will be valid for eight years from the issue date.
What you need before you start the online renewal
Gather these items before you go to the Alabama Department of Public Safety website to begin renewal. You will need your current driver's license or the license number written down. You will also need the last four digits of your Social Security number. Have a debit card or credit card ready to pay the renewal fee.
Check that your license has not expired by more than five years. If it has, the online system will not accept your renewal and you will need to go to a DPS office instead. Also confirm that nothing has changed about your health or medical restrictions since your last renewal—if you have a new condition or medication that affects your ability to drive, you cannot complete the renewal online.
Steps to renew online through the Alabama DPS website
Go to the Alabama Department of Public Safety website and look for the driver's license renewal section. You will see an option for online renewal. Click it and you will be asked to enter your driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your record and confirm that you are may be able to access to renew online.
Review the information on your current license to make sure it is still correct. If your address, name, or other details have changed, stop here—you cannot update that information online and must visit a DPS office instead. If everything is correct, proceed to the payment screen. Enter your debit or credit card information and pay the renewal fee. You will receive a confirmation number by email.
Do not lose that confirmation number. Write it down or save the email. You will need it if you have questions about your renewal or if your new license does not arrive within the expected timeframe.
How long it takes to receive your new license
After you complete the online renewal, your new license is printed and mailed to the address on file. The Alabama Department of Public Safety typically processes online renewals within 2 to 3 business days, and the license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days after that. In total, expect your new license to arrive within 10 to 14 days from the date you complete your renewal.
If you need to drive before your new license arrives, your old license remains valid until it expires. You can carry both licenses if you want, or just keep your old one until the new one shows up. Once the new license arrives, destroy the old one or keep it as a record—Alabama does not require you to return it.
When you cannot renew online and must go in person
If your license expired more than five years ago, the online system will reject your renewal. You must visit a DPS office to renew in person. The same applies if you have any active suspension on your license, whether for medical reasons, unpaid fines, or other violations. The online system will tell you if a suspension exists and will not let you proceed.
You also cannot renew online if your address has changed, if you need to update your name, or if your medical or vision status has changed since your last renewal. In any of these cases, you will need to go to a DPS office with the required documents. Bring your current license, proof of your new address if you moved, and any medical documentation if your health status changed.
The renewal fee and what it covers
The renewal fee for an Alabama driver's license is the same whether you renew online or in person. As of the most recent update, the fee is $25.50 for an eight-year renewal. You pay this fee when you complete the online transaction using your debit or credit card. There are no additional fees for online renewal.
Your new license will be valid for eight years from the date it is issued. This means if you renew today, your next renewal will not be due for eight years. Keep track of your expiration date so you do not accidentally let your license lapse.
What to do if your online renewal does not go through
If the online system rejects your renewal and you are not sure why, check the error message carefully. Common reasons include an expired license that is more than five years old, an active suspension, or incorrect information entered during the process. Double-check the last four digits of your Social Security number and your license number—these must be exact.
If you still cannot complete the renewal online after checking your information, contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety directly. You can call their main line or visit a local DPS office to renew in person. Bring your current license and be prepared to explain what happened when you tried to renew online. The staff can look up your record and tell you whether you are may be able to access to renew online or whether you must renew in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Alabama license online if I moved to a different address?
No. If your address changed, you cannot renew online. You must visit a DPS office in person and bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease. The online system does not allow address updates.
What happens if my new license does not arrive after 14 days?
Contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety with your confirmation number. They can check the status of your license and tell you where it is in the mail. If it was lost, they can reissue it or help you renew again.
Do I need to bring my old license to the mailbox when my new one arrives?
No. Alabama does not require you to return your old license. You can keep it as a record or destroy it. Your old license becomes invalid once your new one is issued, even if you still have it.
Can I renew online if my license has been suspended?
No. Any active suspension—medical, financial, or legal—will block online renewal. You must resolve the suspension first, then renew in person at a DPS office or through the online system once the suspension is lifted.
Is the online renewal fee different from renewing in person?
No. The fee is the same either way. You pay $25.50 for an eight-year renewal whether you renew online or at a DPS office.