Alabama lets you renew online if you meet specific requirements
Alabama's online renewal system, called AVIS (Alabama Vehicle Information System), allows you to renew your driver's license without visiting a Driver License Examiner's Office — but only if your license is still valid or expired less than two years ago, and you have no medical restrictions, vision corrections, or address changes. If you meet those conditions, 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's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover). Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days after approval.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online only if your license expired less than two years ago and you have no medical restrictions, vision corrections, or address changes.
- The online renewal costs $24.50 for four years or $36.75 for eight years, paid by credit or debit card at the time of renewal.
- You must have your current Alabama license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number to start the renewal.
- Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days; you can continue using your current license until it arrives.
- If you do not meet the online requirements, you must renew in person at a Driver License Examiner's Office.
Step-by-step process for renewing online
Go to the Alabama Department of Public Safety website and locate the AVIS online renewal portal. You will see a link labeled "Renew Your License Online" on the main page. Click it and you will be taken to a login screen where you enter your driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
Once logged in, review your personal information on file. If your address, name, or any other detail is incorrect, you cannot proceed online — you must visit an office in person to make changes. If everything is correct, select your renewal term (four or eight years) and proceed to payment. Enter your credit or debit card information and submit. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email.
Do not discard your current license. You are legally permitted to drive on it until your new license arrives in the mail. If you need to verify your renewal status before the new card arrives, you can log back into AVIS with your license number and Social Security number.
Who cannot use online renewal
You must renew in person at a Driver License Examiner's Office if any of the following explore: your license expired more than two years ago, you have a medical restriction or condition noted on your license, you require vision correction (glasses or contacts), your address has changed since your last renewal, your name has changed, or you are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL). You also cannot renew online if you have any outstanding traffic violations, unpaid fines, or a suspended license.
If you fall into any of these categories, locate your nearest Driver License Examiner's Office on the Alabama Department of Public Safety website, bring your current license and proof of address, and complete the renewal in person. In-person renewals take about 30 minutes and cost the same as online renewal.
What to do if your renewal is rejected
If your online renewal is declined, you will see an error message on screen explaining why. Common reasons include a mismatch between your license number and Social Security number, an expired license that is more than two years old, or a flag on your driving record. Write down the error message and the confirmation number provided.
Contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety Driver License Section at 334-242-4437 to ask why your renewal was rejected and what steps to take next. You may be required to renew in person, provide additional documentation, or resolve an issue with your driving record before you can renew online. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time.
Fees and payment methods accepted
Online renewal costs $24.50 for a four-year license or $36.75 for an eight-year license. These are the same fees charged for in-person renewal. The system accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. No cash, check, or money order is accepted online.
The fee is charged to your card when ready when you submit your renewal. If your renewal is rejected after payment, contact the Driver License Section to request a refund. Refunds are typically processed within 5 to 7 business days.
Timeline for receiving your new license
After your online renewal is approved, your new license is printed and mailed within 1 to 2 business days. Standard mail delivery takes 5 to 8 additional business days, so you should expect to receive your new license within 7 to 10 business days total from the date of approval. During this time, your current license remains valid for driving.
If you do not receive your new license within 10 business days, contact the Driver License Section. Provide your confirmation number and the date you renewed. The office can check the status of your card and reissue it if necessary. Do not assume your renewal failed if the card is delayed; mail delivery times vary by location.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most frequent error is attempting to renew online when you do not meet the requirements — for example, if your license expired more than two years ago or if you have an address change. The system will reject you, and you will have wasted time. Before you start, verify that your license is still valid or expired less than two years ago, and that you have no medical restrictions or address changes.
Another common mistake is entering your license number or Social Security number incorrectly. Double-check both before submitting. If you enter the wrong information three times, the system will lock you out temporarily. You will need to wait 24 hours before trying again or contact the Driver License Section to unlock your account.
Do not throw away your current license when your new one arrives. You may need it for identification purposes, and some people keep expired licenses as backup ID. Your new license is valid when ready upon arrival, even though it was mailed after your old one expired.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew online if my license has been expired for more than two years?
No. The online system only works for licenses that are still valid or expired less than two years ago. If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person at a Driver License Examiner's Office and may need to retake the written test and vision test.
What if I need to change my address during renewal?
You cannot change your address online. If your address has changed, you must renew in person at a Driver License Examiner's Office. Bring your current license, proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and proof of residency if required. The office will update your address and issue your new license on the spot or by mail.
How do I know if my renewal was successful?
You will receive a confirmation number on screen when ready after payment is processed, and a confirmation email will be sent to the address on file. You can also log back into AVIS at any time using your license number and Social Security number to check your renewal status. If your renewal was rejected, the reason will be displayed in your account.
Can I renew my license online if I wear glasses or contacts?
No. If you require vision correction, you must renew in person so the examiner can verify your vision meets Alabama's standards. Bring your current glasses or contacts and your license to the office.
What if I never receive my new license in the mail?
Contact the Driver License Section at 334-242-4437 with your confirmation number and renewal date. The office can check whether your card was mailed and provide a tracking update. If the card was lost in the mail, they can reissue it. You can continue driving on your current license while you wait for a replacement.