Here's the ultimate guide to transferring your out-of-state license to a Alabama driver license. This is specifically if you have a US driver's license from another state and want to change it to Alabama driver license. If you have a driver license from another country, check out getting a driver's license in Alabama.
What You’ll Need to Transfer your Driver License to Alabama
- Out-of-state driver license
- Social Security: Social Security card (original), US military form DD214, Medicare/Medicaid identification card (if SSN is followed by the letter “A”, W2 tax form
- One item from the following, in addition to the Social Security card: US military form DD214, Medicare/Medicaid identification card (if SSN is followed by the letter “A”), W2 tax form
- Proof of school enrollment or graduation (if younger than 19): Form DL1/93, Certificate of Graduation, GED certificate, Certified letter from school officials stating student is enrolled
- $5 for transfer fee
- $36.25 to purchase a license
What You’ll Need To Do
- Make an appointment or visit your nearest DPS location.
- Submit the required documents & ID: Your out-of-state driver license, One form of primary identification, such as your birth certificate or passport, Social Security Card (original), Alternatively you can provide Medicare/Medicaid identification card (if your SSN is followed by the letter "A"), U.S. military form DD 214, or W2 tax form.
- Surrender your out-of-state license.
- Pay the transfer fee of $5.00 and the license fee of $36.25 (no checks). At this point you can either obtain a learner’s permit OR you can continue on your driving test. Once you pass your driving exam and pay your license fee, you’ll receive a temporary license to drive legally.
Caveats and Exceptions
- If you just moved to Alabama, you must apply for an AL driver license within 30 days of establishing AL residency.
- AL DPS doesn’t require driver testing for new-to-state drivers - unless your out-of-state license has been expired for longer than 1 year.
- Testing requirements are at the discretion of the DPS examiner. You might be required to pass one or more tests depending on extenuating circumstances.
- You do not need an Alabama driver’s license IF: You’re operating a farm vehicle, You’re employed by the U.S Federal government and operating a government-owned or -leased vehicle, You are enrolled in any AL school, college, or university and have a valid-out-state license, You’re at least 16 years old and already have a valid driver’s license from your home state or country, You’re at least 16 years old from a country that doesn’t require a driver’s license. In this case you can drive for at least 90 days if the vehicle is properly registered in your home country.
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