How to Renew Your Alabama Driver's License Online

You can renew your Alabama driver's license online if your license is not suspended, you have a Real ID, and your renewal notice arrived in the mail

Alabama's online renewal system, called AVIS (Alabama Vessel and Vehicle Information System), lets you renew your driver's license without visiting an office — but only under specific conditions. You must have received a renewal notice from the Alabama Department of Public Safety, your current license cannot be suspended or revoked, and you must have a Real ID-compliant license or be willing to get one. The process takes about 10 minutes and costs the same as renewing in person.

If your license is suspended, expired for more than five years, or you need to change your address, you cannot use the online system and must visit a driver's license office in person. The same applies if you lost your renewal notice or never received one.

Key Takeaways

Alabama's online renewal system requires a renewal notice in the mail, an active (not suspended) license, and a Real ID or willingness to upgrade to one.
You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and driver's license number to start the online renewal on the Alabama Department of Public Safety website.
The renewal fee is paid by credit or debit card during the online process, and your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
If your license is suspended, you cannot renew online and must resolve the suspension through the court or the department before visiting an office.
Address changes, name changes, and organ donor updates require an in-person visit to a driver's license office.

What you need before you start the online renewal

Gather these items before you log into the renewal system: your current Alabama driver's license number, your Social Security number, and your date of birth. You will also need the renewal notice that arrived in your mailbox — it contains a confirmation code that the system will ask for. If you cannot find the notice, you cannot complete the renewal online.

Check your license status before you begin. If your license shows a suspension, revocation, or cancellation, the online system will reject your renewal. You must contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety or the court that issued the suspension to clear it first. Suspensions often result from unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, or child support issues — each has a different process to remove it.

If your current license is not Real ID-compliant, you can still renew online, but your new license will not be Real ID-compliant unless you request the upgrade. A Real ID license has a gold star in the upper right corner and is required for domestic air travel and federal building access starting in 2025. Upgrading during renewal costs the same as a standard renewal.

Steps to renew your Alabama driver's license online

Go to the Alabama Department of Public Safety website and select the online renewal option. You will be directed to the AVIS portal. Enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and Social Security number. The system will pull up your record and ask you to confirm your personal information.

Review the renewal notice information that appears on screen. This includes your current address, name, and license class. If any of this information is wrong, stop here — you cannot correct it online. You will need to visit a driver's license office in person to make changes. If everything is correct, proceed to the next step.

Enter the confirmation code from your renewal notice. This code proves you received the official notice from the department. Without it, the system will not let you continue. Answer any questions about medical conditions, organ donation, or license restrictions that appear on screen. These are the same questions you would answer in person.

Review the fee amount, which varies depending on whether you are upgrading to Real ID. Pay by credit card or debit card. The system will show you a confirmation number — write this down or take a screenshot. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days.

When you cannot renew online and must visit an office

If your license is suspended, you cannot renew online. Suspensions in Alabama are issued by courts (for traffic violations or failure to appear) or by the Department of Public Safety (for medical reasons or unpaid child support). You must resolve the suspension before any renewal is possible. Contact the court that issued the suspension or call the Department of Public Safety at 334-242-4437 to find out what you owe or what action is required.

If your license expired more than five years ago, the online system will not recognize it as valid. You will need to explore for a new license in person, which involves a written test and a new photo. If you lost your renewal notice or it was damaged, you cannot retrieve the confirmation code online — visit an office and ask for a replacement notice or renew in person.

Address changes, name changes, and corrections to your license class or restrictions require an in-person visit. The online system only renews your current license as it exists in the department's records. If you moved, got married, or need to add or remove a restriction, you must go to a driver's license office.

What happens after you submit your online renewal

After you complete the online renewal, the system generates a confirmation number. This number is your proof that the renewal was submitted. Keep it until your new license arrives. You do not need to do anything else — the department processes the renewal automatically.

Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. It will be mailed to the address on file in the system. If you moved recently and updated your address with the post office, the license should follow you. If you did not update your address with the post office, the license may go to your old address — in that case, contact the Department of Public Safety to request a replacement.

Your old license remains valid until the new one arrives. You can continue to use it for driving and identification. Once the new license arrives, destroy the old one or keep it as a record — there is no requirement to turn it in.

Real ID requirements and what they mean for your renewal

A Real ID is a federal standard for state-issued driver's licenses. It has a gold star on the upper right corner and is required to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building (like a courthouse or military base) starting in 2025. If your current license does not have the gold star, you can request a Real ID upgrade when you renew online.

Upgrading to Real ID during online renewal does not cost extra — you pay the same renewal fee. However, the upgrade requires you to have already provided proof of citizenship and identity to the Alabama Department of Public Safety. If you have never done this, you cannot upgrade online and must visit an office in person with documents like a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers.

If you are not sure whether you have already provided proof of citizenship, call the Department of Public Safety before you start the online renewal. They can tell you whether your record is complete and whether you can upgrade online.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I never received my renewal notice in the mail?

You cannot renew online without the confirmation code from the notice. Contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety at 334-242-4437 and ask them to mail you a replacement notice or to renew your license in person at a driver's license office. Some offices can issue a temporary license while you wait for the permanent one.

Can I renew online if my license is suspended for unpaid traffic fines?

No. You must pay the fines or resolve the court case first. Contact the court that issued the ticket or the Department of Public Safety to find out what you owe. Once the suspension is lifted, you can renew online if you still have your renewal notice.

How long does it take to get my new license after I renew online?

The new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Your old license remains valid until the new one arrives, so you can continue to drive and use it for identification. If it does not arrive within 10 business days, contact the Department of Public Safety.

Can I change my address during an online renewal?

No. Address changes must be done in person at a driver's license office. If you renew online, your new license will be mailed to your current address on file. Update your address in person before you renew if you have moved.

What if I want to upgrade to Real ID but I have not provided proof of citizenship yet?

You cannot upgrade online. You must visit a driver's license office in person with proof of citizenship (birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers) and proof of identity. Once your record is updated, you can renew online and request Real ID on your next renewal.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.