I'm a new resident in Alabama: what do I do with my license?

Compare with the state you moved from

Choose the state you came from to see the main differences from Alabama. Every value comes from that state's official manual (with the page number) or from its license guide. Where a manual does not state a rule, we say so instead of guessing.

Key rules in Alabama

Each rule comes from the Alabama driver manual or from the license guide, with its source.

Licensing and paperwork

• Deadline to switch your license

  30 days after establishing residence; you may drive on your valid previous-state license until then.

  What the manual says

  • Deadline: 30 days

    The Code of Alabama says every new resident must get an Alabama driver license within 30 days after establishing residence in the state. A person with a valid license from the state of previous residence may drive without an Alabama license for 30 days after becoming a resident.

  • The manual allows 30 days after becoming a resident of the state.

  Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 5

  Source: [1] [2]

• Tests when you transfer a license

  No driver examination if the out-of-state license has not been expired for more than one year.

  What the manual says

  • Whether you test

    A holder of an out-of-state license that has not been expired for more than one year does not have to pass a driver examination.

    • Out-of-state transfers are done at an ALEA office.
    • Bring the out-of-state driver license, your Social Security card and one item from the primary list of documents.
    • Applicants younger than 19 also bring proof of school enrollment or graduation.
    • An Alabama license is not issued until all driver licenses in your possession are surrendered to ALEA.
  • The manual says a holder of an out of state license that has not been expired over one year does not have to pass a driver examination.

  Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 5

  Source: [3] [1] [4] [5]

• Liability insurance

  Liability insurance required to operate or register; minimum $25,000 for one person's injury, $50,000 for two or more.

  What the manual says

  • The law bars operating, registering, or maintaining registration of a motor vehicle without liability coverage.
  • The minimum is $25,000 for death or bodily injury to one person.
  • The minimum is $50,000 for death or bodily injury to two or more persons.

  Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 68

• Change of address

  Notify the Driver License Division within 30 days of changing your address.

  What the manual says

  • After changing your address within Alabama you have 30 days to notify the Driver License Division.

  • Changing your name or address

    • To change your name, present proper documents (a marriage certificate or court order with an updated Social Security card) to your probate judge, license commissioner or any ALEA driver license office. If you have a STAR ID you must visit an ALEA office.
    • A licensee who changes name or address must notify the Driver License Division within 30 days.
    • ALEA offers a form (DL-99) to change the address on your record at no charge. It updates the record only and no new license or ID is issued.

  Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 14

  Source: [3] [6] [5]

• How long the license lasts

  A license expires four years after it is issued.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says the license expires four years after it is issued.

  Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 13

Road rules

• Teen driving hours

  Stage II: no driving 12 midnight-6 a.m. except with parent, licensed driver 21+ with parent's consent, school/religious events, work, emergencies.

  What the manual says

  • Stage II: night driving

    A Stage II license holder must not drive between midnight and 6 a.m. ALEA's graduated license page lists these exceptions: when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian; when accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older with the parent or legal guardian's consent; when going to or from an event sponsored by a school or religious organization; when going to or from work; or when driving for a medical, fire or law-enforcement emergency.

  • Stage II: night driving

    A Stage II license holder must not drive between midnight and 6 a.m. ALEA's graduated license page lists these exceptions: when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian; when accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older with the parent or legal guardian's consent; when going to or from an event sponsored by a school or religious organization; when going to or from work; or when driving for a medical, fire or law-enforcement emergency.

  • The student may not drive between 12 midnight and 6 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian or an exception applies.

  Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 84

  Source: [7]

• Passengers for teen drivers

  Stage II: no more than one passenger besides parents, legal guardians or family members.

  What the manual says

  • Stage II: passengers and phones

    ALEA's graduated license page lists these Stage II rules:

    • No more than one passenger may be in the vehicle other than parents, legal guardians or family members.
    • A Stage II holder must not use any handheld communication device while driving.
  • The first restriction says the driver may not have more than 1 nonfamily passenger.

  Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 84

  Source: [7]

• Alcohol limit under 21

  Unlawful for a driver under 21 to drive with blood alcohol of .02% or more.

  What the manual says

  • The manual lists persons under 21 years of age whose blood alcohol content is .02% or more.

  Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 33

• Refusing a chemical test

  Deemed consent to blood, breath or urine tests; refusing after a DUI arrest suspends the license.

  What the manual says

  • The implied consent law deems drivers to have consented to chemical tests of blood, breath or urine to determine blood alcohol content.
  • The manual says such a driver shall have the driver license suspended.

  Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 34

• Seat belts

  Each occupant, regardless of age, must be restrained.

  What the manual says

  • Alabama's safety belt law requires that each occupant, regardless of age, be restrained.

  Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 30

• Child safety seats

  Rear-facing until at least 1 year or 20 lb; forward-facing until at least 5 years or 40 lb; booster until age 6.

  What the manual says

  • The law requires rear-facing use until the infant is at least 1 year of age or 20 pounds.
  • The law requires a forward-facing seat until a child is at least 5 years of age or 40 pounds.
  • The law requires a booster seat until a child is 6 years of age.

  Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 30

• Phone use while driving

  Holding a phone is a violation when driving improperly, e.g. swerving; writing, sending or reading texts is banned.

  What the manual says

  • Holding the device is a violation when the driver is observed crossing in and out of a lane without a signal, swerving or otherwise operating improperly.
  • The law prohibits using a wireless device to write, send or read a text message, instant message or e-mail while operating a motor vehicle.

  Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 16, 32

• School buses

  Stop for a stopped school bus, including on 4-6 lane undivided roads; not when opposite on divided 4+ lane roads.

  What the manual says

  • Flashing red lights and an extended stop arm mean the bus is stopped to load or unload children.
  • You should also stop for a stopped bus on a four to six lane undivided highway.
  • A stop is not required on a divided highway with four or more lanes when meeting a bus stopped in the opposing roadway.

  Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 62, 61

• Move Over law

  Near stopped emergency vehicle or wrecker: 4+ lanes vacate nearest lane; two lanes move away in lane, slow.

  What the manual says

  • Under the Move-Over law, motorists on roadways with four or more lanes must vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle or wrecker.
  • On a two-lane road the driver must move as far away as possible within the lane and slow down.

  Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 68

• Headlights

  Half-hour after sunset to half-hour before sunrise; wipers in use for rain, sleet or snow; visibility under 500 feet.

  What the manual says

  • State law requires headlights from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise, and parking lights alone are not enough.
  • Headlights are required whenever wipers are in use because of rain, sleet, or snow.
  • Headlights are required during other periods of limited visibility when you cannot see clearly for at least 500 feet.

  Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 69, 71

• Right turn on red

  Right turn allowed after stopping, from proper lane, yielding to traffic and pedestrians; not where a sign prohibits.

  What the manual says

  • You may turn right after stopping for a red light if you are in the proper lane for such a turn.
  • You must yield to other traffic and pedestrians lawfully proceeding through the intersection.
  • Turns against a red light cannot be made if a sign has been posted prohibiting them.

  Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 60, 61

• Speed limits

  Statutory: 30 mph urban district; 55 mph other locations; 70 mph where posted on an interstate.

  What the manual says

  • The statutory list gives 30 miles per hour in an urban district.
  • The statutory list gives 55 miles per hour in other locations.
  • The list gives 70 miles per hour where posted on an interstate.

  Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 60

• Left lane and keeping right

  On a freeway, vehicles traveling slower than normal traffic speed must keep to the right.

  What the manual says

  • Vehicles traveling less than the normal speed of traffic must keep to the right.

  Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 76

• Points and suspension

  12-14 points in 2 years: 60-day suspension, rising to 365 days at 24 or more points.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says Alabama established a uniform system of suspending driver licenses.
  • The suspension schedule sets 60 days for 12-14 points in a 2-year period.
  • The suspension schedule sets 365 days for 24 or more points in a 2-year period.

  Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 18, 19

Official steps for moving to Alabama

• Deadline: 30 days

  The Code of Alabama says every new resident must get an Alabama driver license within 30 days after establishing residence in the state. A person with a valid license from the state of previous residence may drive without an Alabama license for 30 days after becoming a resident.

  Source: [1] [2]

• Whether you test

  A holder of an out-of-state license that has not been expired for more than one year does not have to pass a driver examination.

  • Out-of-state transfers are done at an ALEA office.
  • Bring the out-of-state driver license, your Social Security card and one item from the primary list of documents.
  • Applicants younger than 19 also bring proof of school enrollment or graduation.
  • An Alabama license is not issued until all driver licenses in your possession are surrendered to ALEA.

  Source: [3] [1] [4] [5]

• Visitors and some non-residents

  These people may drive in Alabama without an Alabama license:

  • A non-resident on active duty in the U.S. armed forces, and the spouse and dependent children, while they hold a valid license from their home state.
  • A non-resident full-time student properly enrolled and registered in a school, college, university or trade school in Alabama, who holds a valid license from his or her home state or country.
  • A non-resident who is at least 16 and whose home country does not license drivers may drive for no more than 90 days in a calendar year if the vehicle is registered for the current year in the home country.

  Source: [1] [5]

• Drivers from other countries

  • A foreign national applicant must be lawfully present in the United States. The documents that show lawful presence are listed on ALEA's Document Requirements and Fees page.
  • Applications for a foreign national license are processed only at driver license offices designated by the ALEA Secretary.
  • The license expires on the date the immigration document you showed at application expires. To renew, you start the process again in the same way as a first-time applicant.
  • An applicant who was previously deported must also present proof from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that legal presence status has been restored.

  Source: [4] [8] [5]

Sources

1. Driver License Information (alea.gov) — Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)
2. Code of Alabama 1975 Section 32-6-1 (Required; Expiration Date; Renewal; Identification Cards for Nondrivers) (alison.legislature.state.al.us) — Alabama Legislature (ALISON, Code of Alabama)
3. Alabama Driver Manual (ALEA), November 2024, English (alea.gov) — Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Driver License Division
4. Document Requirements And Fees (alea.gov) — Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)
5. Alabama Administrative Code, Chapter 760-X-1 (ALEA Promulgated Rules), revised 6/14/26 (admincode.legislature.state.al.us) — Alabama Legislative Services Agency (Alabama Administrative Code)
6. Driver License Forms (alea.gov) — Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)
7. Graduated Driver License (alea.gov) — Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)
8. Code of Alabama 1975 Section 32-6-10.1 (Foreign National Licenses) (alison.legislature.state.al.us) — Alabama Legislature (ALISON, Code of Alabama)