Alabama lets you renew online if your license is not suspended and you meet a few other conditions

Alabama's online renewal system, called ALERS (Alabama License and Enrollment Renewal System), works through the state's Department of Public Safety website. You can renew there if your license is valid or expired no more than five years, you have no medical suspensions, and you are not required to take a new photo. The process takes about 10 minutes and costs $24.50 for a four-year renewal or $36.75 for an eight-year renewal.

You will need your current Alabama driver license number, your Social Security number, and a payment method — debit card, credit card, or electronic check. Your new license arrives by mail in about 7 to 10 business days. If you cannot renew online because of a suspension, a medical flag, or because you need a new photo, you must visit a driver license office in person.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew online through ALERS only if your license is not suspended, not expired more than five years, and you do not need a new photo.
  • The online renewal costs $24.50 for four years or $36.75 for eight years and takes about 10 minutes to complete.
  • Your renewed license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days; you cannot pick it up at an office.
  • If you have a medical suspension, an active suspension for any reason, or a requirement to take a new photo, you must renew in person at a driver license office.

Who can use the ALERS online system

Alabama's online renewal is limited to people whose licenses meet specific conditions. Your license must be currently valid or expired no more than five years ago. You cannot have any type of suspension on your record — not a medical suspension, a suspension for unpaid tickets or child support, or a suspension from a DUI or traffic conviction. You also cannot be required to take a new photo, which means you cannot have changed your name, your address, or your gender marker since your last license was issued.

If you are unsure whether you have a suspension, you can check your driving record through the Alabama Department of Public Safety website before you attempt to renew. Trying to renew online when you are ineligible will not process your payment, but it wastes time. If you have any doubt, call the driver license office nearest you or visit in person.

How to renew step by step

Go to the Alabama Department of Public Safety website and find the ALERS link. You will enter your driver license number and Social Security number. The system will pull up your record and show you the renewal fee based on whether you want a four-year or eight-year license. Review your name, address, and date of birth on the screen — if anything is wrong, stop and call a driver license office, because you cannot correct it online.

Once you confirm your information is correct, enter your payment details. Alabama accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and electronic check payments. After your payment processes, you will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Write down or save the confirmation number. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file, and you should receive it within 7 to 10 business days.

Until your new license arrives, your current license remains valid. You can continue to drive and use your current license for identification. If you need your new license sooner, you cannot expedite it through the online system — you would have to visit a driver license office in person and pay an additional fee for a replacement.

What happens if you have a suspension or medical flag

If you have any type of suspension — whether for unpaid fines, child support arrears, a DUI conviction, or a traffic violation — the ALERS system will not let you complete the renewal. The same applies if you have a medical suspension, which Alabama issues when a doctor reports a condition that affects your ability to drive safely, or when you fail a vision or medical exam at renewal time.

To renew when a suspension is active, you must first clear the suspension. For a financial suspension (unpaid fines or child support), you need to pay what you owe or set up a payment plan with the court or the agency involved. For a medical suspension, you need to provide medical clearance from your doctor or pass a new vision test at a driver license office. Once the suspension is lifted, you can renew online or in person.

When you must renew in person instead

You cannot renew online if your license expired more than five years ago, if you need a new photo, or if you have any suspension. You also cannot renew online if you want to change your name, address, or gender marker — those changes require an in-person visit and often require documents like a marriage certificate, a lease, or a court order.

If you are renewing a commercial driver license (CDL), you must renew in person at a driver license office. The same is true if you are adding or removing endorsements, such as a hazmat endorsement. Visit the Alabama Department of Public Safety website to find the office nearest you and check its hours before you go.

How long the process takes and what to expect

The online renewal itself takes about 10 minutes from start to finish. Your payment processes when ready, and you receive a confirmation email right away. The longer wait is for your new license to arrive by mail — Alabama's standard timeframe is 7 to 10 business days, though it can take longer during high-volume periods or if there are mail delays in your area.

If you need your license sooner, you have two options. You can visit a driver license office in person and request a replacement license, which you can usually pick up the same day or within a few days, though you will pay an additional fee. Or you can use your confirmation email as proof that you have renewed — some businesses and agencies will accept it temporarily while you wait for your physical license to arrive, though this is not may provide.

Fees and payment methods

Alabama charges $24.50 to renew for four years or $36.75 to renew for eight years. These are the only two options available through ALERS. The fee is non-refundable once your payment processes, even if you change your mind or if there is an error in your process.

You can pay by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, or electronic check. There is no additional fee for using a credit or debit card. If you pay by electronic check, the funds are drawn from your bank account within a few business days. Keep your confirmation number and receipt for your records.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew online if my license expired more than five years ago?

No. ALERS only works for licenses that are currently valid or expired no more than five years. If your license expired longer ago, you must renew in person at a driver license office and may need to retake the written test and vision test.

What if I have a medical suspension?

You cannot renew online with a medical suspension active. You must visit a driver license office, provide medical clearance from your doctor or pass a new vision test, and renew in person. Once the suspension is cleared, you can renew online if you meet all other requirements.

Can I change my address when I renew online?

No. ALERS only renews your license with the address currently on file. To change your address, you must visit a driver license office in person. Bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or lease.

How do I know if I have a suspension?

You can check your driving record through the Alabama Department of Public Safety website. Enter your license number and date of birth. If you have any suspension, it will show on your record. You can also call a driver license office to ask.

What if my payment fails during online renewal?

If your payment does not go through, you will see an error message on screen. Check that your card number, expiration date, and billing address are correct, then try again. If it fails a second time, try a different payment method or visit a driver license office to renew in person.