Where to Get Your Birmingham Driver's License

In Birmingham, you obtain your driver's license through the Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS), which operates the state's driver licensing system. Birmingham has two main DPS driver license offices: one downtown on North 20th Street and one on the east side. Both issue new licenses, handle renewals, and process duplicate licenses.

You cannot get a Birmingham driver's license at a county courthouse, city hall, or private vendor — only at a DPS office. The state does not offer online licensing for new applicants, though you can renew certain licenses by mail if you meet specific conditions. Walk-in service is available at both locations, but wait times vary by time of day and day of week; early morning and mid-week visits typically have shorter lines.

Before you go to either office, you need to bring the correct documents. The DPS requires proof of identity, proof of residency, proof of Social Security number, and a completed process form (DL-44). If you are under 18, you also need a parent or guardian present and a completed parental consent form.

Key Takeaways

  • Alabama driver's licenses are issued only by the Department of Public Safety at their Birmingham offices; you cannot obtain one anywhere else in the city.
  • You must bring proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number, plus a completed DL-44 form; minors need a parent and parental consent.
  • New licenses cost $28.50 and are valid for four years; renewal fees and validity periods depend on your age and license type.
  • Alabama does not offer online licensing for new applicants, but some renewals can be done by mail if your license is not expired and you meet other conditions.
  • Vision tests are required at the DPS office; you must pass a written test and a driving test to receive your license.

Documents You Need for a New License in Birmingham

The Alabama DPS requires four categories of documents for a new driver's license process. First, proof of identity: a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a military ID, or a foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa. A school ID or work ID alone will not work. Second, proof of residency: a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement showing your name and a Birmingham address dated within the last 60 days. A cell phone bill does not count.

Third, proof of Social Security number: your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return. Fourth, a completed DL-44 form, which you can read from the Alabama DPS website or fill out at the office. You must also bring your current out-of-state license if you have one, or a statement explaining why you do not.

If you are under 18, bring a parent or legal guardian and a completed DL-44J (parental consent form). If you are 18 or older and do not have a parent present, you can still explore, but the process is the same. Bring originals or certified copies — photocopies are not accepted for identity or residency documents.

Testing Requirements and What Happens at the DPS Office

When you arrive at the Birmingham DPS office with your documents, you will first check in and wait to be called. A DPS examiner will review your documents, take your photograph, and conduct a vision screening. You must read a line of letters on a chart from a set distance; if you wear glasses or contacts, wear them during the test. If you fail the vision test, you cannot proceed that day and must return after correcting your vision.

Next, you take a written knowledge test on a computer or paper form. The test covers Alabama traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You must score at least 80 percent to pass. If you fail, you can retake it the same day or return another day; there is no additional fee for retakes. After passing the written test, you schedule a driving test at a separate appointment, usually within one to three weeks.

The driving test lasts about 20 minutes and covers basic vehicle control, turning, parking, and following traffic laws. You must bring the vehicle you will use for the test, and it must be registered and insured. If you pass the driving test, you receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your plastic card is mailed to your address. The plastic license arrives within 7 to 10 business days.

Fees and License Validity in Alabama

A new driver's license in Alabama costs $28.50 and is valid for four years from the date of issue. If you are 16 or 17, your license is valid for two years. Payment is cash, check, or card at the DPS office. There is no additional fee for the driving test or the knowledge test, but you pay once when you explore.

Renewal fees depend on your age and how long you renew for. A standard four-year renewal costs $28.50. If you renew by mail (which is available only if your license is not expired and you have not had any violations or address changes), the fee is the same, and you mail a check or money order to the address on the renewal form. Duplicate licenses (if yours is lost or stolen) cost $10.50.

Alabama does not charge different fees for different license classes, but a commercial driver's license (CDL) has separate requirements and costs. A CDL knowledge test and driving test are required, and the license is valid for four years. The fee structure is the same as a standard license.

Renewing Your License by Mail or in Person

You can renew your Alabama driver's license by mail only if all of the following are true: your license is not yet expired, you have no medical restrictions, you have not had any violations or suspensions, and your address has not changed. If any of these do not explore, you must renew in person at a DPS office in Birmingham.

To renew by mail, contact the Alabama DPS or visit their website to request a renewal form. Complete the form, include a check or money order for $28.50, and mail it to the address provided. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days after the DPS receives your form. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. If you need your license sooner, renew in person at either Birmingham DPS office.

In-person renewal at the DPS office is faster and does not require a new vision or knowledge test if your license is not expired. You bring your current license, proof of residency if your address has changed, and payment. The process takes about 30 minutes, and you receive a temporary paper license when ready. Your plastic card arrives within 7 to 10 business days.

Special Circumstances: Minors, Learner's Permits, and Restrictions

If you are under 18 in Alabama, you must first obtain a learner's permit before you can take the driving test for a full license. A learner's permit costs $10.50, is valid for one year, and requires you to pass the written knowledge test. You must have a licensed adult 19 or older in the vehicle with you at all times while driving on a learner's permit.

After holding a learner's permit for at least 30 days, you can schedule a driving test. When you pass, you receive a restricted license valid until age 18. A restricted license has limitations: you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m., you cannot use a cell phone while driving, and you cannot have more than one passenger under 21 unless a licensed adult is present. These restrictions lift automatically when you turn 18.

If you are 18 or older and have never held an Alabama license, you skip the learner's permit and go straight to the knowledge and driving tests. If you are transferring a license from another state, bring your out-of-state license and the same documents required for a new license. Alabama will not charge you an additional fee if you transfer within 30 days of moving to the state.

Birmingham DPS Office Locations and Hours

The downtown Birmingham DPS driver license office is located at 2501 North 20th Street, Birmingham, AL 35203. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The east side office is at 7956 Crestwood Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35210, with the same hours. Both offices close on state holidays.

Neither office takes appointments; service is first-come, first-served. Arrive early if you need to complete your process the same day, as offices may stop accepting new applicants 30 minutes before closing. If you cannot visit during regular hours, plan to go on a Saturday morning, which typically has shorter wait times than weekday afternoons.

You can call the Alabama DPS at 1-844-DPS-ALAB (1-844-377-2522) to ask about current wait times or to confirm that the office has the documents you plan to bring. The DPS website also lists office locations, hours, and required documents.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When explore in Birmingham

The most common mistake is bringing the wrong proof of residency. Utility bills, lease agreements, and mortgage statements work; cell phone bills, credit card statements, and insurance bills do not. Make sure your residency document is dated within the last 60 days and shows your current Birmingham address.

A second mistake is not bringing a parent or guardian if you are under 18. The DPS will not process your process without a parent present and a signed parental consent form. If your parent cannot attend, you must wait until they can; there is no exception for this rule.

A third mistake is scheduling a driving test before you are ready. You must pass the written test first, and you cannot take the driving test the same day. Many applicants fail the written test because they did not study the Alabama driver's manual, which is free on the DPS website. Spend time reviewing road signs, speed limits, and right-of-way rules before you arrive.

A fourth mistake is bringing a vehicle for the driving test that is not registered or insured. The DPS will not allow you to take the test in an unregistered or uninsured vehicle. Make sure your vehicle's registration and insurance are current and that you bring proof of both.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a driver's license in Birmingham?

If you pass both the written and driving tests on your first attempt, you receive a temporary paper license the same day. Your plastic card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. The entire process from process to receiving your plastic license typically takes two to four weeks, depending on how quickly you schedule and pass the driving test.

Can I take the driving test in a borrowed vehicle?

Yes, as long as the vehicle is registered and insured. The registration and insurance must be current, and you must bring proof of both to the DPS office. The vehicle does not have to be registered in your name, but it must be legally registered and insured in Alabama.

What happens if I fail the driving test?

You can retake the driving test at no additional cost. You must schedule another appointment, which is usually available within one to three weeks. There is no limit to how many times you can retake the test, but you must pass the written test before each driving test attempt.

Do I need to take a vision test if I renew my license in person?

Yes, the DPS conducts a vision screening at every in-person visit, including renewals. If you wear glasses or contacts, wear them during the test. If you fail the vision test, you cannot proceed and must return after correcting your vision or obtaining a corrective lens prescription.

Can I get a duplicate license if mine is lost or stolen?

Yes, a duplicate license costs $10.50 and can be obtained at either Birmingham DPS office. Bring your proof of identity and residency, just as you would for a renewal. You receive a temporary paper license when ready and your plastic card within 7 to 10 business days.