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 an office, but only if your license is still valid or expired less than two years ago. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) runs the online renewal portal. You will need your current license number, a valid email address, and a payment method—the fee is $31.50 for a four-year renewal or $47.25 for an eight-year renewal.
The process takes about 10 minutes to complete. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You cannot use online renewal if your license has been suspended, revoked, or expired for more than two years, or if you need to change your name, address, or other information on the license itself.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal works only if your license expired less than two years ago and has not been suspended or revoked.
- You will pay $31.50 for a four-year license or $47.25 for an eight-year license through the online portal.
- The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency mails your new license within 7 to 10 business days after you complete the transaction.
- If you need to change your name, address, or other information, you must visit an ALEA office in person instead of renewing online.
How to renew online step by step
Start by visiting the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's online renewal portal at alea.gov. You will need your driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number to log in. The system will pull up your current license information and ask you to confirm it is correct.
Next, you choose your renewal term: four years or eight years. The system will show you the fee for each option. Enter your payment information—the portal accepts credit cards and debit cards. After payment goes through, you will receive a confirmation email with a reference number. Keep this number in case you need to check on your order later.
Your new license will be mailed to the address currently on file with ALEA. If you have moved recently and updated your address with the state, the license goes to your new address. If you have not updated your address, it goes to your old one, so update your address before you renew if you have moved.
When you cannot use online renewal
Online renewal does not work if your license has been suspended or revoked by the state. Suspensions happen for reasons like unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, or driving without insurance. If your license is suspended, you must resolve the underlying issue first, then visit an ALEA office to renew in person.
You also cannot renew online if your license expired more than two years ago. Once a license passes the two-year mark, ALEA requires you to take a new vision test and pass a written knowledge test, which can only happen at an office. The same rule applies if you need to change your name, address, or other information on your license—those changes require an in-person visit.
If you are not sure whether your license is suspended, you can check your status on the ALEA website before you try to renew. The status check tool will tell you whether your license is active, suspended, or revoked.
What happens after you submit your renewal
Once your payment is processed, ALEA begins preparing your new license. The mailing process typically takes 7 to 10 business days from the date you complete the transaction. During this time, you can continue to drive using your current license—it remains valid until your new one arrives.
If you do not receive your new license within 10 business days, you can contact ALEA with your confirmation number. Have the reference number from your confirmation email ready when you call. ALEA's customer service line can look up your order and tell you where it is in the process.
Updating your address before you renew
If you have moved since your current license was issued, update your address with ALEA before you renew online. Your new license will be mailed to whatever address is on file, so if you do not update it first, your license goes to your old address and you will have to retrieve it from there or request a remail.
You can update your address online through the ALEA website, or you can do it at the same time you renew if you visit an office in person. If you update your address online separately, wait a day or two for the change to process before you renew your license, so the system has time to record the new address.
Choosing between a four-year and eight-year license
Alabama offers two renewal terms: four years for $31.50 or eight years for $47.25. The choice depends on how long you want to go before renewing again. A four-year license costs less upfront but requires you to renew more often. An eight-year license costs more but you will not need to renew again for eight years.
If you are not sure how long you will be living in Alabama or driving regularly, a four-year license gives you more flexibility. If you plan to stay and drive for many years, an eight-year license saves you the hassle of renewing as often. Either way, you can renew online again when the time comes, as long as your license has not expired for more than two years.
What to do if your license is suspended or revoked
If your license is suspended, you cannot renew it online or in person until the suspension is lifted. Suspensions are usually tied to a specific issue—unpaid fines, unpaid child support, failure to maintain insurance, or a court order. You have to resolve that issue first.
Contact ALEA or the court that issued the suspension to find out what you need to do. Once the issue is resolved, ALEA will lift the suspension and you can renew. If the suspension was recent, it may take a few days for the system to update after you resolve the problem, so check your status again before you try to renew online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license online if it expired more than two years ago?
No. If your license has been expired for more than two years, you must visit an ALEA office in person. The state requires a new vision test and a written knowledge test for licenses that have been expired that long, and those tests can only be done at an office.
What if I move after I renew online but before my new license arrives?
Contact ALEA with your confirmation number and ask them to mail your license to your new address instead. You will need to provide your new address and may need to wait a few extra days for the remail. It is faster to update your address before you renew if you know you are moving soon.
Can I renew online if my license was suspended but the suspension was just lifted?
Yes, but wait a day or two after the suspension is lifted for ALEA's system to update. Check your license status on the ALEA website to confirm it shows as active before you try to renew online. If the system still shows it as suspended, call ALEA to confirm the suspension was removed.
What if I need to change my name on my license when I renew?
You cannot change your name through online renewal. You must visit an ALEA office in person and bring documents that show your name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order. The office will issue you a new license with your updated name.
How do I know if my payment went through?
You will receive a confirmation email when ready after your payment is processed. The email includes a reference number you can use to track your order. If you do not receive a confirmation email within a few minutes, check your spam folder or contact ALEA with the payment details you used.