You can renew your Alabama license plate online through the Alabama Department of Revenue website if your vehicle is registered in Alabama and your plate has not expired more than two years ago.
The online renewal process takes about 10 minutes and lets you pay the renewal fee without visiting an office. You will need your current vehicle registration card, your driver's license number, and a payment method. The state mails your new plate to the address on file, which typically arrives within two to three weeks.
Not every vehicle qualifies for online renewal. Commercial vehicles, vehicles with salvage or rebuilt titles, and plates that have been expired for more than two years must be renewed in person at a county probate office. If you are unsure whether your vehicle qualifies, the online system will tell you before you pay.
Key Takeaways
- Alabama's online renewal system is available at revenue.alabama.gov and works for most passenger vehicles whose plates expired within the last two years.
- You will need your registration card, driver's license number, and a valid payment method to complete the renewal online.
- The state mails your new plate to the address on your registration, and delivery typically takes two to three weeks.
- Commercial vehicles, salvage titles, and plates expired longer than two years require an in-person visit to your county probate office.
- Your renewal fee depends on your vehicle's weight class and whether you choose a standard or specialty plate design.
What You Need Before You Start
Gather your current vehicle registration card before you go to the renewal website. This card shows your vehicle identification number (VIN), registration number, and the expiration date. You will also need your Alabama driver's license number or state ID number.
Have a payment method ready. Alabama accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards for online renewal. The state charges a convenience fee on top of your plate renewal fee when you pay online—this fee varies but is typically a few dollars. You can avoid the convenience fee by renewing in person at a probate office, though this takes longer.
Steps to Renew Online at Revenue.alabama.gov
Go to revenue.alabama.gov and look for the motor vehicle section. Click on the link for online plate renewal or vehicle registration renewal. The system will ask you to enter your vehicle registration number and your driver's license number to pull up your account.
Review the vehicle information on the screen to make sure it matches your registration card. If the address, vehicle description, or other details are wrong, you will need to correct them before you can renew. The system will then show you the renewal fee based on your vehicle's weight class and current plate type.
Choose whether to keep your current plate design or select a specialty plate if you want one. Standard plates cost less than specialty plates, which support specific causes or organizations. Enter your payment information and submit. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email.
When Your New Plate Will Arrive
Alabama mails renewal plates to the address listed on your registration. Standard delivery takes two to three weeks from the date you complete your payment. During this time, you are still legal to drive with your old plate as long as it was not already expired when you renewed.
If you need your plate sooner, you cannot expedite it through the online system. You would need to visit a county probate office in person and request expedited service, though not all offices offer this option. Call your county probate office to ask whether they can issue a plate the same day or within a few days.
What Happens If Your Plate Has Already Expired
You can still renew online if your plate expired less than two years ago. The system will accept your renewal, and you can legally drive while waiting for your new plate to arrive in the mail. However, you should not delay—driving on an expired plate can result in a traffic stop and a fine.
If your plate expired more than two years ago, the online system will not let you renew. You must visit your county probate office in person with your vehicle registration card, proof of insurance, and a valid ID. The probate office will process your renewal and may issue a temporary plate while you wait for the permanent one.
Specialty Plates and Design Changes
Alabama offers specialty plates that support universities, military branches, professional organizations, and charitable causes. If you want to switch from a standard plate to a specialty plate during renewal, you can do this online. The specialty plate will cost more than a standard plate—the difference varies depending on which design you choose.
If you want to keep your current specialty plate, the online system will renew it at the specialty plate rate. You cannot change back to a standard plate online; if you want to downgrade, you must visit a probate office in person. Some specialty plates have waiting lists, so the online system will tell you if your chosen design is not currently available.
Troubleshooting Common Online Renewal Problems
If the system says your vehicle is not found, double-check that you entered your registration number and driver's license number exactly as they appear on your documents. Spaces, dashes, and letters all matter. If you still cannot find your vehicle after a second attempt, your registration may not be in the system yet, or there may be a hold on your account.
If you see a message that your vehicle does not may have access to for online renewal, it means your plate type, title status, or expiration date puts it outside the online system's rules. This is not an error—it means you need to renew in person at a probate office. Call the office in your county to find out their hours and what documents to bring.
If you completed your payment but did not receive a confirmation email, check your spam folder first. If it is not there, log back into the system with your registration number and driver's license number to see whether your payment went through. You can also call the Alabama Department of Revenue at the number on their website to confirm your renewal status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my plate if I just moved to Alabama?
If you recently moved to Alabama and transferred your registration, you can renew online once your new Alabama registration is in the system. This usually takes one to two weeks after you complete the transfer at a probate office. If you try to renew online and the system does not find your vehicle, wait a few more days and try again.
What if I want to renew but my insurance has lapsed?
Alabama requires proof of insurance to renew your registration. If your insurance has lapsed, you must purchase a new policy before you can renew online or in person. Once your policy is active, you can renew when ready. The online system does not verify insurance automatically, but the probate office will ask for proof if you renew in person.
Do I have to use the same address for my new plate?
The online system mails your plate to the address on your registration. If you moved recently and updated your address with the probate office, your new plate will go to your new address. If you have not updated your address yet, you can do that online before you renew, or you can renew and then update your address separately.
What if my registration card is lost or damaged?
You need your registration number to renew online. If you cannot find your card, you can look up your registration number by calling your county probate office or visiting the Alabama Department of Revenue in person. Once you have the number, you can complete your online renewal.
Can I renew my plate if I owe back taxes or fines?
If there is a hold on your registration due to unpaid taxes, fines, or other issues, the online system will not let you renew. You must resolve the hold first by contacting the Alabama Department of Revenue or your county probate office. Once the hold is cleared, you can renew online or in person.