What you need to renew your Alabama plate
Alabama renews your license plate every two years. You can renew by mail, online, or in person at your county probate office. The state sends you a renewal notice about 30 days before your plate expires—check the expiration date on your current plate to know when to expect it.
To renew, you will need your current vehicle registration, proof of a valid Alabama inspection (if your vehicle requires one), and proof of insurance. If you are renewing by mail or online, you will also need a valid payment method. The renewal fee varies by vehicle type and county, but typically ranges from around $20 to $30 for standard passenger vehicles.
If your vehicle's information has changed—such as a new owner, address, or lien holder—you cannot renew online or by mail. You must go to your county probate office in person with the title and any other documents showing the change.
Key Takeaways
- Alabama plates expire every two years, and the state mails you a renewal notice about 30 days before expiration.
- You can renew online through the Alabama Department of Revenue website, by mail using the notice, or in person at your county probate office.
- Online renewal requires your current registration, proof of insurance, and a valid payment method, and takes a few minutes.
- If your vehicle information has changed, you must renew in person at the probate office with your title and supporting documents.
- Your new plate arrives by mail within one to two weeks of approval; you can drive with your old plate until the new one arrives.
Renewing online through the Alabama Department of Revenue
The fastest way to renew is online at the Alabama Department of Revenue website. Go to the vehicle registration section and enter your vehicle identification number (VIN), current registration number, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your registration and show you the renewal fee.
You will need to upload or have ready your proof of insurance and your current vehicle inspection certificate (if required for your vehicle type). Once you submit payment by credit card or debit card, your renewal is processed when ready. The state will mail your new plate to the address on file within one to two weeks.
If the online system cannot find your registration or if you get an error message, do not try again repeatedly—contact your county probate office instead. Some registrations have holds or flags that prevent online renewal, and the probate office can see what the issue is.
Renewing by mail with your renewal notice
When the state mails your renewal notice, it includes a payment envelope and instructions. Fill out the form, include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail it back to the address shown on the notice. Do not send cash.
Include a copy of your current proof of insurance and inspection certificate with your mailed renewal. Processing by mail takes longer than online—typically two to three weeks from the time the probate office receives your envelope. Your new plate will arrive separately by mail after approval.
Keep a copy of everything you mail for your records. If your renewal does not arrive within four weeks of mailing, contact your county probate office with your registration number and the date you mailed the renewal.
Renewing in person at your county probate office
You must renew in person if your vehicle information has changed, if you did not receive a renewal notice, or if you prefer to handle it face-to-face. Find your county probate office online or call the main county courthouse to get the address and hours. Most offices are open Monday through Friday during business hours.
Bring your current registration, proof of insurance, vehicle inspection certificate, and your driver's license or state ID. If your vehicle information has changed, bring your title and any documents that show the change (bill of sale, court order, or lien release). Payment is cash, check, or card depending on the office.
Processing at the probate office is usually when ready or within a few minutes. You will receive a temporary registration document on the spot, and your new plate will be mailed to you within one to two weeks. You can drive legally with the temporary document until the plate arrives.
Vehicle inspection requirements and timing
Most Alabama vehicles require an annual safety inspection, not a biennial one. Your inspection certificate must be current when you renew your plate. If your inspection has expired, you must get a new one before you can complete your renewal—online, by mail, or in person.
You can get an inspection at any authorized Alabama inspection station, which includes many service stations, tire shops, and repair facilities. The inspection takes about 15 minutes and costs around $7.50. Once you pass, the station gives you a certificate or sticker that is valid for one year from the date of inspection.
If your vehicle fails inspection, you will need to fix the issue and have it re-inspected before you can renew your plate. Some stations offer re-inspection for free if you return within a certain time frame—ask when you fail.
What happens if your plate expires before you renew
Driving with an expired plate is illegal in Alabama and can result in a traffic citation. If you miss your renewal important date, renew as soon as possible. You can still renew online, by mail, or in person even after the plate has expired.
If you are pulled over with an expired plate, the officer may issue a citation. You can show proof of renewal (such as a confirmation email from online renewal or a mailed receipt) to potentially reduce the penalty, but the safest approach is to renew before expiration.
If you have a valid reason for the late renewal—such as a medical emergency or military deployment—some counties may waive late fees. Contact your county probate office to ask about hardship exceptions.
Transferring or replacing a damaged plate
If you buy a used vehicle in Alabama that already has a plate, you do not need to get a new one—the plate stays with the vehicle. You will renew it on its normal two-year cycle. If you want a personalized or specialty plate instead, you must go to your county probate office in person to request the change.
If your plate is damaged, lost, or stolen, you can get a replacement at your county probate office. Bring your current registration and driver's license. The replacement fee is typically around $5 to $10. If your plate was stolen, you may want to file a police report first, though it is not required for the replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my plate if I just moved to Alabama?
If you moved to Alabama from another state, you must register your vehicle in Alabama before you can renew an out-of-state plate. Contact your county probate office with your out-of-state registration, title, proof of insurance, and inspection certificate to register the vehicle first. Once registered, you can renew on the normal schedule.
What if I did not get my renewal notice in the mail?
If your renewal notice did not arrive, you can still renew online or in person. For online renewal, you will need your VIN, current registration number, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you cannot renew online, go to your county probate office with your registration and proof of insurance.
How long can I drive with an expired plate before I get a ticket?
You cannot legally drive with an expired plate at all. Renew before the expiration date shown on your current plate. If your plate has already expired, renew when ready to avoid a citation.
Do I need to renew my plate if I sold my vehicle?
No. When you sell your vehicle, notify the Alabama Department of Revenue by submitting a bill of sale or title transfer form. The new owner will register and renew the plate in their name. You are not responsible for renewal once ownership transfers.
What if my vehicle inspection expires between now and my plate renewal date?
Get a new inspection before your current one expires. You will need a current inspection certificate to renew your plate, so plan ahead if your inspection expires before your plate renewal date. You can get an inspection at any authorized station anytime.