Renew Your Alabama License by Mail, Online, or In Person
You can renew your Alabama driver license through three routes: by mail, online through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) website, or in person at a Driver License Examiner's Office. The method you choose depends on whether your license is still valid, how much time you have, and whether you need a new photo. Mail and online renewals are faster and cheaper than in-person visits, but both have restrictions on who can use them.
Your renewal window opens 90 days before your license expires. If you renew during this window, your new license will be valid for eight years from your current expiration date — not eight years from the renewal date. This matters if you're renewing early: you don't lose time on your current license.
Standard renewal fees are $24.50 for an eight-year license. If you renew by mail or online, you'll pay only the license fee. If you renew in person, you may pay additional fees if you need a new photo, a name change, or other services.
Key Takeaways
- Mail and online renewals cost $24.50 and take 7 to 10 business days; in-person renewal is same-day but requires a visit to an examiner's office.
- You can renew by mail or online only if your license is currently valid and you don't need a new photo or address change.
- If your license is expired, suspended, or revoked, you must renew in person at a Driver License Examiner's Office.
- You can start the renewal process 90 days before your expiration date, and your new license will be valid for eight years from your current expiration date.
- Alabama does not offer online payment for in-person renewals; you must pay by cash, check, or money order at the office.
Mail Renewal: Documents and Timeline
Mail renewal is the slowest option but requires no office visit. You'll need to send ALEA a completed process for Driver License or Identification Card (Form DL-44), your current valid license, and a check or money order for $24.50. Do not send cash through the mail.
Mail your renewal packet to:
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Driver License Section P.O. Box 1471 Montgomery, AL 36102-1471
Processing takes 7 to 10 business days after ALEA receives your packet. Your current license remains valid during this time. If you don't receive your renewed license within two weeks of mailing, contact ALEA at 334-242-4437 to confirm receipt.
Mail renewal is not available if your license is expired, suspended, or revoked, or if you need a new photo, name change, or address correction. If any of these explore, you must renew in person.
Online Renewal Through the ALEA Website
Online renewal through the ALEA website (alea.gov) is the fastest option for those who meet the requirements. You'll create an account, answer questions about your current license and personal information, pay the $24.50 fee by debit or credit card, and submit your renewal. The system will confirm your submission when ready.
Your renewed license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. Your current license remains valid during processing. You do not need to print or mail anything; the entire transaction happens online.
Online renewal has the same restrictions as mail renewal: your license must be currently valid, and you cannot use this method if you need a new photo, name change, address change, or if your license is expired, suspended, or revoked. If you're unsure whether you meet the requirements, call ALEA at 334-242-4437 before starting the online process.
In-Person Renewal at a Driver License Examiner's Office
In-person renewal is required if your license is expired, suspended, or revoked, or if you need a new photo, name change, or address correction. It's also the only option if you want to change your license class or add endorsements. Renewal is completed the same day you visit, and you'll receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent license is mailed.
Bring your current valid license (or expired license if it expired less than two years ago), proof of Alabama residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and proof of Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or 1099). If you've changed your name, bring a certified copy of the document that changed it (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). Payment is by cash, check, or money order only — no credit or debit cards are accepted.
Find your nearest Driver License Examiner's Office on the ALEA website or call 334-242-4437 for the office closest to you and current hours. Many offices operate by appointment only, so check before you go. Fees vary depending on what services you need: a standard eight-year renewal is $24.50, but a new photo costs an additional $5, and a name change or address correction may have separate fees.
What Happens If Your License Is Expired
If your license expired less than two years ago, you can renew it by mail, online, or in person using the same process as a standard renewal. Your new license will be valid for eight years from the date your old license expired, not from the renewal date.
If your license expired more than two years ago, you cannot renew it — you must reapply for a new license. This requires an in-person visit, a written test, a vision test, and a new photo. Contact ALEA or visit a Driver License Examiner's Office to start the reapplication process.
If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it. You must contact ALEA to find out why it was suspended or revoked and what steps are required to restore it. Suspension is often due to unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, or failure to appear in court. Revocation is more serious and usually requires a hearing or completion of a specific program before you can reapply.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The most common mistake is attempting to renew by mail or online when your license is expired or when you need a new photo. ALEA will reject your process and return it, delaying your renewal by several days. Before you start, confirm that your license is currently valid and that you don't need any services beyond a standard renewal.
A second common error is sending cash through the mail. ALEA will not process your process if cash is included, and the cash will not be returned. Use a check or money order instead.
A third mistake is providing incomplete or illegible information on the process form. Make sure your name, address, and date of birth match your current license exactly. If you've moved, update your address before renewing, or renew in person so the address change is processed at the same time.
Finally, do not wait until your license expires to renew. Start the process 90 days before your expiration date. If you wait until after expiration, you'll have to reapply rather than renew, which takes longer and costs more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Alabama license if I live out of state?
Yes. You can renew by mail or online as long as your license is currently valid and you don't need a new photo or address change. If you need any of those services, you'll have to renew in person during a visit to Alabama, or contact ALEA to ask about exceptions.
What if my name has changed since I got my current license?
You must renew in person. Bring a certified copy of the document that changed your name (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order) along with your current license and proof of residency. Mail and online renewal cannot process name changes.
How long is my temporary paper license valid?
Your temporary paper license is valid for 30 days from the date you receive it at the Driver License Examiner's Office. Your permanent license should arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If it doesn't arrive within 30 days, contact ALEA when ready.
Can I renew my license if it's suspended for unpaid traffic fines?
No. You must pay the fines or resolve the underlying issue before you can renew. Contact the court that issued the fine or call ALEA at 334-242-4437 to find out what's required to lift the suspension.
What if I made a mistake on my renewal process?
If you renewed by mail or online and made an error, contact ALEA at 334-242-4437 as soon as possible. If the error is minor (a typo in your address, for example), ALEA may correct it before mailing your license. If the error is significant, you may have to renew again in person.