Alabama driver's licenses expire every four or eight years depending on your age, and you can renew in person, by mail, or online through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) website.

The method you choose depends on whether your license is expired, expiring soon, or still valid for at least six months. If your license is currently valid, you have the most options. If it has been expired for more than five years, you will need to renew in person at an ALEA office and may need to retake the written test. The online option is the fastest if you are may be able to access, but not everyone can use it.

Your renewal timeline matters because Alabama does not issue temporary licenses during the renewal process. If you need to drive while your process is being processed, you should plan ahead or renew before your current license expires.

Key Takeaways

  • Alabama driver's licenses expire on your birthday in the year shown on your card, either four or eight years after issue depending on your age at the time.
  • You can renew online through the ALEA website if your license is not expired and you have not had certain violations or address changes in the past five years.
  • In-person renewal at an ALEA office is required if your license has been expired for more than five years, and you will need to bring your Social Security card, proof of residency, and proof of citizenship.
  • Mail renewal is available for some drivers but takes longer than online or in-person options, and ALEA will contact you if documents are missing or incorrect.
  • The renewal fee in Alabama is $25.50 for a four-year license or $36 for an eight-year license, and you must be a resident with a valid Social Security number.

Renewing online through the ALEA website

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency operates an online renewal system at alea.gov. You can use it if your license is currently valid (not expired), you have no outstanding violations or suspensions, and you have not changed your address in the past five years. The system will ask you to log in with your driver's license number and date of birth, then verify your identity by answering security questions based on your driving record.

Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs $25.50 for a four-year license or $36 for an eight-year license. You pay by debit or credit card. ALEA will mail your new license to the address on file, which usually arrives within 7 to 10 business days. During that time, your old license remains valid for driving.

If the system cannot verify your identity or flags something in your record, it will tell you that you must renew in person. Do not ignore this message—attempting to renew online again will not change the outcome.

Renewing in person at an ALEA office

You must renew in person if your license has been expired for more than five years, if you have had a suspension or revocation, if you need to change your name or address, or if the online system tells you to come in. ALEA has driver's license offices in most Alabama counties. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours on the ALEA website.

Bring your current license or expired license, your Social Security card (the original or a certified copy), proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the past 60 days), and proof of citizenship (a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers). If you have changed your name since your last license, bring the document that shows the change—a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

In-person renewal takes about 15 to 30 minutes depending on how busy the office is. You will have your photo taken and pay the same fee as online renewal. Your new license is usually mailed within 7 to 10 business days. If your license has been expired for more than five years, you may be asked to retake the written knowledge test before renewal is approved.

Renewing by mail

Mail renewal is available only if your license is currently valid and you meet the same conditions as online renewal—no violations, no address changes in five years, and no suspensions. You cannot use mail renewal if your license is expired or if you need to update your photo.

To renew by mail, contact your local ALEA office or visit alea.gov to request a renewal process. Fill out the form, include a check or money order for $25.50 or $36, and mail it to the address shown on the form along with a copy of your current license. ALEA will contact you by phone or mail if anything is missing or incorrect. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks from the date ALEA receives your process.

Mail renewal is slower than online or in-person options and carries a small risk that documents will be lost in transit. Use it only if you cannot visit an office or use the online system.

What happens if your license has been expired for a long time

If your Alabama driver's license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot use online or mail renewal. You must go to an ALEA office in person with all the documents listed above. ALEA may also require you to retake the written knowledge test before your license is renewed, even if you have been driving legally on an out-of-state license or have not driven at all.

The written test covers Alabama traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You can study using the Alabama Driver's Manual, which is available free on the ALEA website. The test has 30 questions, and you must answer at least 24 correctly to pass. If you fail, you can retake it the same day or return another day at no extra charge.

Plan for this appointment to take longer than a standard renewal—usually 45 minutes to an hour. Bring the same documents as you would for any in-person renewal, plus time to study the manual if you are not confident about the test.

Understanding Alabama's license expiration dates and renewal cycles

Your Alabama driver's license expires on your birthday in a specific year printed on the card. Licenses issued to drivers under 18 expire four years after issue. Licenses issued to drivers 18 and older expire eight years after issue. When you renew, you will receive a license with the same expiration cycle—four years if you were under 18 when you first got it, eight years if you were 18 or older.

You can renew your license up to six months before it expires. If you wait until after it expires, you can still renew, but your options become more limited. ALEA recommends renewing at least 30 days before your expiration date to avoid driving on an expired license, which can result in a traffic citation.

If you are unsure when your license expires, check the expiration date printed on the front of your card. It is written as a month and year (for example, 06/2027 means June 2027).

Fees, documents, and what to bring

Alabama renewal fees are $25.50 for a four-year license and $36 for an eight-year license. You pay at the time of renewal, whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. ALEA does not accept cash by mail, so use a check or money order if you are mailing your process. Online and in-person offices accept debit cards, credit cards, checks, and cash.

For in-person renewal, bring your current or expired license, your original Social Security card or a certified copy, proof of residency dated within the past 60 days, and proof of citizenship. Acceptable proof of residency includes a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement. Acceptable proof of citizenship includes a birth certificate, U.S. passport, or naturalization certificate. If you do not have these documents, ALEA staff can tell you what alternatives are acceptable.

If you are renewing online or by mail, you do not need to bring documents to an office, but ALEA will verify your identity using information already in their system. If something does not match, they will contact you and may require you to renew in person instead.

What to do if your license is suspended or revoked

If your Alabama driver's license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it until the suspension or revocation is lifted. Suspensions and revocations happen for reasons such as unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, driving under the influence convictions, or accumulating too many points from traffic violations.

To learn about your license is suspended or revoked, visit the ALEA website and use the license status check tool, or call your local ALEA office. If your license is suspended, you will need to resolve the underlying issue—pay fines, appear in court, complete a required program, or wait out the suspension period—before you can renew. If your license is revoked, the process to restore it is more complex and may require a hearing or completion of specific requirements set by the court.

Do not attempt to renew online if your license is suspended or revoked. The system will reject your process, and you will need to visit an office in person to address the suspension or revocation before renewal can proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Alabama license if I live out of state?

No. Alabama requires you to be a resident to renew your license. If you have moved out of state, you should obtain a driver's license from your new state of residence. If you are temporarily out of state but still an Alabama resident, you can renew online or by mail if you meet the other requirements.

What if my name has changed since my last license?

If you have changed your name due to marriage, divorce, or court order, bring the document that shows the change to your in-person renewal appointment. You cannot renew online or by mail if your name has changed. ALEA will update your name in their system and issue a new license with the correct name.

How long does it take to get my renewed license in the mail?

ALEA typically mails renewed licenses within 7 to 10 business days after you complete your renewal, whether you renewed online or in person. Mail renewal takes 4 to 6 weeks from the date ALEA receives your process. Your old license remains valid for driving until your new one arrives.

What if I lose my license before my renewal arrives?

Contact your local ALEA office to report the loss and request a replacement. You will need to pay a replacement fee and provide the same documents as you would for a renewal. If you have already submitted a renewal process, tell ALEA staff so they can note it in your file.

Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?

Yes. Whether you renew online, by mail, or in person, ALEA will use a new photo on your renewed license. If you renew in person, ALEA takes the photo at the office. If you renew online or by mail, ALEA uses the photo from your current license unless you request a new one, in which case you must renew in person.