Alabama Drivers License Class D

Show your Alabama driver license. You must take and pass all Alabama examinations that apply to your license class and endorsement requirements. Show proof of social security number. Meet Alabama driver record eligibility requirements as determined by the State. Fill out an application including certifications. Alabama law grants a grace period of 60 days after expiration date of a driver's license to renew your license. Your old license shall be valid for this time period. Your old license shall be valid for this time period.

Alabama Driver's License Class Codes
Alabama Driver S License Class Dmv
Alabama Drivers License Class D

A Class D license is a regular driver's license distributed by the transportation authorities in states that allow the holder to operate certain types of motor vehicles, as explained by the AAA. While all states issue Class D driver's licenses, each state has different requirements. Keep Learning.

The class D driver's license is the standard license for any vehicle under 16,000 pounds--including passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, vans, and trucks. This license is issued by most states for non-commercial use. The class D license cannot be used to operate a motorcycle. The exceptions are Florida and Louisiana, where a passenger vehicle license is called a class E; Mississippi, which issues a class R license for passenger vehicles; Hawaii which issues a class 4 license for passenger vehicles; and Rhode Island, where a class 10 license is issued for passenger vehicles. Some states combine a class D license with a commercial license.

Obtaining a Class D Driver's License

In most states, a class D driver's license will not be issued without first issuing a learner's permit, or a driver's permit as it is sometimes called. This is a temporary license that is issued to people who have not previously had a driver's license, including teenagers of at least 15 years of age, or adults who are learning to drive for the first time or who have never had a driver's license before. In most states, operating a vehicle for a certain amount of time with a learner's permit--along with taking a driver's education course, a written test, and a road test--are required to obtain a class D driver's license.

Preparing

The regulations governing a learner's permit vary from state to state, but generally this permit will be used for a determined amount of time so that the new driver can gain experience in real driving conditions. Usually, the learner's permit can only be used under the supervision of a licensed driver who must be in the vehicle at all times. After a period of usually about two months of supervised driving, the written test can be taken in the process of obtaining the class D driver's license.

Written Test

The written exam for obtaining a class D driver's license covers all the basic rules of the road and the laws that pertain to the safe operation of a motor vehicle. This includes the fundamentals of operating a vehicle, how to drive in traffic, braking and following distances, various speed limits, parking procedures, and understanding road signs and markings. Laws which apply to driving will also be on the exam, such as license renewal, proper registration and insurance paperwork, fines and license suspension regulations, and laws pertaining to substance abuse and legal alcohol limits.

How to Obtain Information

All states will provide a book of rules which correspond to the jurisdiction in which the class D license will be issued. This book will include all of the laws and driving procedures that apply to the safe and legal operation of a vehicle within the jurisdiction. These books are usually printed in color so that the potential driver can familiarize herself with the various categories of road signs and road markings that are classified by color coding. There will also be charts and or graphs for learning about braking distances and safe following distances.

Other Information

Besides studying the rule books that are provided, a driver's education course can be taken to learn driving laws and gain real road experience under a driving instructor's supervision. In many states, a driver's education course is mandatory before the issuance of a class D driver's license. There are many driver's education courses offered in most states, and may be found in the telephone directory or online.

References

If you plan to drive a vehicle in Alabama, you will be required to hold a valid AL driver's license. Pay attention to the date specified on your license, as you'll need to make sure to renew your driver's license before it expires.

The Alabama Driver License Division (DLD) of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is responsible for processing all driver license applications, including renewals.

If you currently hold another type of driver's license or permit, please jump to any the following links for more information:

Alabama STAR IDs

The Alabama DLD began issuing federally-compliant REAL ID driver’s licenses, called a STAR ID in Alabama, in place of standard driver’s licenses in 2011. If you don't already have a STAR ID, you can receive one upon renewal. Your required documents are listed below. For details, see the DPS' guide to STAR IDs.

When to Renew Your AL Driver's License

NOTE: If you recently moved and have not yet updated your address with the Alabama DPS, make sure to do so within 30 days of the move. For more information, please see our Changing Your Address page.

Your Alabama driver's license is valid for 4 years at a time. The Driver License Division of the Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) allows you to renew your driver's license 180 days before it expires, and even gives you a 'grace period' of 60 days after it expires in which your license will still be valid.

You can renew your AL driver's license without having to take an examination as long as you process the renewal within 3 years after it expires.

Remember, DO NOT operate your vehicle without a valid driver's license.

Lost, Stolen, Damaged, or Expired Licenses

Check Your AL Driver's License Status

Not sure if your driver's license is valid or suspended? Find out by ordering your AL driving record online.

Renewal requirements slightly differ if your license has been:

Lost or stolen.
Damaged beyond readability.
OR
Already expired.

Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Driver's License

If you've lost your AL driver's license and it has already expired, you may be able to renew your driver's license instead of ordering a replacement. Contact your local AL driver’s license office to see if you're eligible.

For more information about how to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged driver's license, please read our page about Replacing a Lost License.

Expired Driver's License

If your AL driver's license has been expired for no more than 3 years, you can renew it without examination.

Please remember you can only drive with your expired driver's license in Alabama as long as it's within the grace period of 60 days. After that, you can no longer legally drive.

You can look at the date on your driver's license or check your driving record to determine if it has expired and, if so, for how long.

If your license has been expired for more than 3 years, the AL DPS will require you to re-take the written and/or road test again. For more information, contact the Alabama DPS.

Renew Your Alabama Driver's License

Depending on your eligibility, you can renew your AL STAR ID driver's license:

Online.
By mail.
In person at your local AL DPS office.

The Alabama DPS will accept your renewal application up to 180 days before your driver's license expires and up to 3 years after it expires without needing to re-take any tests.

Online Renewal

Qualifying drivers can use Alabama's Online Driver License Issuance tool to renew their driver's license online.

To use this tool you will need a credit card for payment and your current address must match the address on your current driver's license.

Renewal by Mail

The Alabama DPS allows certain individuals who meet the eligibility requirements to renew their STAR ID driver's licenses by mail.

For step-by-step details about this renewal process, please see Out-of-State & Military License Renewal below.

Renew In Person

If you would like to renew your AL driver's license in person, you'll need to visit your local driver's license office.

NOTE: You must renew in person if you want to upgrade to a STAR ID. For a STAR ID, the AL DPS requires you to renew at a driver license exam office; you can’t renew to a STAR ID at your county probate office or license commissioner’s office.

Be prepared to:

Provide your current AL driver's license.
- You MIGHT be required to show additional documentation if you’re renewing and keeping a regular driver’s license.
- You WILL be required to show specific documentation if you want to upgrade to a STAR ID. The AL DPS requires the following for a STAR ID:
  - 1 document proving your identity and date of birth such as your certified birth certificate, valid passport, or valid citizenship or naturalization documents. If your name has changed since getting your last driver’s license, you also must provide all proofs of the name change such as all marriage licenses, divorce decrees, adoption documents, and/or court orders.
  - 1 document proving your Social Security number such as your Social Security card or W-2 tax form.
  - 2 documents proving your principal residence such as your voter registration card, current mortgage, lease, or rental contract, or school enrollment documents.
Pay the $36.25 driver's license fee.
- See “Fees to Renew Your Driver's License' below for more details.
Pass any required examination (if applicable).
Have your photograph taken.

The Alabama DPS will issue you a temporary driver's license—whether it’s a basic driver’s license or a STAR ID—until you receive your permanent one in the mail. Expect to receive this within approximately 30 days. If you have not received your driver's license, you can check the status with the AL DPS.

NOTE: If you need to process a name change, you will be required to bring additional documentation. Visit our Changing Your Name page for more details.

Out-of-State & Military License Renewal

Military Stationed in Germany

Alabama Driver's License Class Codes

If you are currently stationed in Germany, please be aware that some states require you to have a valid U.S. driver's license in addition to your USAREUR license. Read our article for more information.

You may renew your license by mail only if you've obtained a AL driver's license with your photo and signature within the last 4 years, and you're:

Military personnel or the dependent of someone in the military.
- See our Drivers in the Military page.
A college student who's away from home.
OR
A resident who's temporarily out of the state due to work.

If this is you, you may apply within 60 days of your expiration date. You'll need to:

Complete the Application for a Renewal License for Alabama Drivers Temporarily Out of State.
Obtain a money order for $36.25 made payable to the Driver License Division.
Gather proof of your reason for being out of state, such as a copy of your military ID and orders or your student ID and enrollment papers, or a certification letter on company letterhead from your employer.
Provide your full name, birth date, AL driver's license number, and Social Security number (SSN).