Getting an Alabama Drivers License

Congrats! You’ve gotten your Alabama Stage I license – commonly called the learner license – and now it’s time to think about getting your Stage II license. Alabama is one of a number of states that has a Graduated Driver Licensing program in place; that means that your first drivers license will come with some restrictions. We’ll get to those in a moment. First, let’s look at what you’ll need to do to meet your drivers license requirements.

Alabama Drivers License Requirements

To be eligible to test for your Alabama drivers license, you first need to get some behind-the-wheel training. Your learners license allows you to get behind the wheel – with a licensed adult riding next to you – for driving practice and training. While the state of Alabama does not require you to take a state-approved drivers ed course, by doing so you’ll complete the required 30 hours of behind the wheel practice. If you opt to have a parent or legal guardian teach you how to drive, they’ll need to complete and sign the Alabama Graduated Driver License form (Form DL-31), confirming that you’ve satisfied the state’s 30 hour driver training requirements.

Alabama Drivers License Test

You’ll need to have your learners permit for a minimum of 6 months and complete the above training requirements before you can test for your Alabama drivers license. Once you’re ready, you can make an appointment at your local DPS testing office for your driving test. For your driving test, you’ll need to bring the following:

• Your valid learners permit.
• Proof of high school enrollment or graduation.
• One of the following documents:
  • A completed and signed Alabama Graduated Driver License form (Form DL-31), proving that you completed 30 hours of supervised driving.
  • Proof of completion from a state-approved drivers education course.
• Two documents proving your identity; your Social Security card and one form of primary identification.
• The registration and proof of insurance for the vehicle you will be testing in.
• Payment for the $36.25 drivers license fee.

If you’re 16, you must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Alabama Stage II Restricted License

Once you’ve passed your test, you’ll be issued your Stage II license. And then the fun begins! But before you get behind the wheel without supervision, you’ll need to be aware that the Stage II license comes with some restrictions.

• You cannot drive between midnight and 6 a.m. unless:
  • You are with your parent/guardian, or a licensed driver at least 21 years old who has been designated by your parent/guardian.
  • You are driving to or from school, work, church, or because of an emergency.
• You may only have 1 passenger other than your immediate family in the vehicle.
• You may not use a cell phone or any other handheld device while behind the wheel.

Once you reach 17 years old and have held your Stage II license for at least 6 months, you can apply for your unrestricted (Stage III) drivers license.