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In Alabama, you must be 15 or older to apply for your permit.

The documents you bring to the DMV office should prove your identity & date of birth, social security number and proof of address. To prove your identity bring at least one of the following:

• Valid, unexpired US Passport
• Certified Birth Certificate
• Certificate of Citizenship
• Valid Permanent Resident Card
• Unexpired employment authorization document
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad

To prove your Social Security Number bring at least one of the following:

• Social Security Card
• A certified letter from the Social Security Administration stating the person’s name and Social Security Number
• W-2 Tax Form
• Medicare/Medicaid Card (if SS# IS FOLLOWED BY THE LETTER A)

To prove your address, bring at least 2 of the following:

• Voter Registration Card
• School Enrollment Documentation
• Social Security Benefits statements/summary mailed to physical address
• Utility bill less than 90 days old
• Proof of payment of residential property tax.

Your local Alabama public safety office, otherwise known as DMV office, is the place to go when you are ready to apply for your license. If you need additional help finding your local office, log onto www.dps.alabma.gov.

It absolutely is! Any Alabama DMV office will be pleased to assist you. Just call (334)242-4400 or email DriverLicenseInfo@dps.alabama.gov for any questions or concerns.

Any valid licensed driver age 21 or older may bring you. This could be a parent, legal guardian, sibling, neighbor, driving instructor, or any licensed driver you can trust.

A physical examination isn’t required when getting your license in Alabama. Keep in mind however, if you are afflicted with a mental or physical impairment, an examiner officer has the authority to deem you unfit for driving.

Of course it is. You must be tested on how well you can see. If you wear corrective lenses, you should wear them during the exam.

The state of Alabama uses their own photography system for driver licenses. Alabama also has a newly introduced Star ID system that has been put into effect for the purposes of reducing fraud and fighting terrorism. To find out more about this new system visit this page

Your next steps are simple once you have applied for your license and have obtained your permit. If you are under age 18, you must wait at least 6 months before scheduling a road test. Make certain you acquire at least 30 hours of behind the wheel training before scheduling your road test. If you are over age 18, you may schedule your road test whenever you are ready without having to meet the above requirements.

You may wear your hair the same way you would normally wear it; however, it should not be covering your face or your eyes. The purpose of the photo is to be able to identify who you really are. Besides, you would not want to hide that amazing face!

Wear your normal make-up; however, the less make-up the better. As long as you are not wearing so much make-up to where you are unrecognizable, you will be fine!

Some states are moving towards face recognition technology that will be able to uniquely identify each individual. A straight face on the photo helps distinguish who you really are. This is all in an effort to stop fraud.

Look straight into the camera and keep a calm and relaxed face!

If you can't find the answer to your question above, please use our Beginner Driver Q & A Section to get a professional answer from our experts! If you need any further assistance, you're welcome to contact us directly at info@driving-tests.org.

The AL driver’s handbook is the most trusted source when studying for the permit test. You can rest assured that permit test questions will come straight from the driver’s manual. In Alabama, all sections of the driver’s manual are important. Focus on road signs, speeding limits, traffic violations, defensive driving techniques and proper yielding situations.

Take our FREE AL Permit Practice Tests as many times as you want until you're 100% ready! Focusing on the main topics in each section of the manual will be a great way to begin studying the manual. In advance, begin reading the entire manual and take note of the main ideas from each section. Once you have done that, go back daily over the main topics. Next, begin taking practice tests available online. Once you have studied for several weeks, you may want to read the manual again just for additional clarification. You will need to spend plenty of time learning the rules of the road in order to ensure that you pass you test the FIRST TIME.

Alabama drivers under 18 have a choice of completing at least 30 hours of behind-the-wheel driving practice or completing a driver education course approved by the Alabama State Department of Education. Get a verification form for both from www.dps.alabma.gov.

It’s always easy to get an Alabama driver’s manual. You may go pick one up from a local driver’s license center or you can download one from here. You can also check out the Alabama Driver’s Manual online on our website.

If you want to ACE your test the first time, you should read the whole manual. The state of Alabama recommends it. You will also be confident taking your test knowing you’ve read everything that could possibly be on the exam.

Yes, there is. We are currently working on finalizing it and will be launching it shortly! It’s a great way to study for your AL written test, so stay tuned!

The entire Driver’s Manual is fair game for permit test questions. Expect questions to cover topics ranging from traffic signs to safe driving techniques. Here are some sample questions:

• When you see a flashing yellow signal light you should __________
• When driving in the center lane, you can_________.
• At a stop light what maneuvers can you make?

There are several websites around that offer sample test questions. Most of them will offer you a low-quality free test, but will charge you for the full test. Take our FULL 100% FREE tests, starting with the AL Permit Practice Test One - it's a proven way to help you prepare, and the questions are amazingly similar to what you'll get at the real DMV Test!

You must get 24 out of 30 questions correct. You will know your score immediately upon finishing.

Driving-Tests.org offers 5 FREE AL permit practice tests for your state, you can find the links to all five of them above. Start with this Practice Test One here: AL Permit Practice Test One.

By now, it’s safe to presume you are well prepared. If you are well prepared, here are some last minute tips that have helped others pass their permit test: review all material, take the review tests available online, rest and relax for the next day.

Many people pass their test the first time because they are well prepared and confident. You can be one of those people too. Just read the manual, take the practice tests, and remain calm during your exam.

Alabama Department of Public Safety suggests you read the entire manual for your permit test. The questions will come from any place in the manual. Watch for these signs in order to tell if you are prepared for the permit test: you can easily recall the rules of the road without assistance, you score high on online practice tests, you are familiar with all road signs.

Before you go to your local DMV office, you must first make sure you are prepared. Look below to see what actions to take next:

1. Step One: Prepare by studying the Driver’s Book and taking the practice tests.
2. Step Two: Gather your proofs of identity, social security number and address.
3. Step Three: Collect your $5 permit test fee
4. Step Four: Go take and PASS your permit test

Alabama has one of the lowest permit test fees. It only costs $5.

Expect to see 30 questions on the exam.

You must score 24 out of 30 questions correctly.

You aren’t allowed to miss more than 6 questions.

Common mistakes include studying practice test questions instead of studying the manual, not learning the road signs, lack of understanding for the rules of the road.

You are NOT allowed to use the driver’s book during your permit test. You are being tested on your ability to recall the rules of the road. Prepare yourself before you go in and you will see that you can do well without the manual.

No, a drug test is not necessary when getting a driver’s license in Alabama.

If you fail your test, look on the bright side, when you retake it, you know what to expect! Look over your manual and study notes again. Then go back and take your test again. You may even get some of the same questions as before.

Any public street or road is acceptable for practice driving. Remember, you must have a licensed driver age 21 or older sitting next to you at all times.

On the day of your exam you will be tested on your overall ability to control your vehicle. We suggest you focus on ordinary maneuvers like right and left turns, signaling, backing up and three point turns.

Yes, as long as it is a public street or road, you may practice driving on it. Be sure to always have your supervising licensed driver age 21 or older accompanying you at all times. You are not allowed to drive between midnight and 6am.

If you are looking for driving schools go to http://www.aboutdrivingschools.com/unitedstates/alabama for a list in your area.

Be sure to bring your unexpired learner’s permit, $23.50 license fee, well equipped and insured vehicle, licensed driver age 21 or older

Can you show the examiner that you know how to make proper right & left turns, change lanes, use marked and unmarked lanes of traffic, back up the vehicle and make a quick stop if necessary? If you answered yes to all of these, then you have an idea of what to expect on your Alabama driving exam.

The best thing you can do the night before your road test is relax. You should be well prepared and ready to drive the next day. Don’t be nervous. Think positive thoughts and look forward to showing your reliable driving skills to the examiner. Remember to have your learner’s permit and $23.50 license fee ready to take with you for the road test.

Yes, you can make a road test appointment at the Birmingham office. Just call (205) 252-7445 or send an e-mail to Bham.DLRoadTestAppt@dps.alabama.gov. If you are anywhere else call 334-242-4400.

No, you are required to supply your own vehicle. We strongly suggest you use a vehicle you have been practicing with for your road test. You are better familiar with it and will be more comfortable driving it.

The road test is the last step towards qualifying for a regular driver’s license. Keep in mind that once the examiner checks your vehicle to see whether there are working brakes, horn, mirrors, tail lights, and directional signals, you will have to demonstrate how effectively you can drive. You will be observed on how well you manage your speed, and maneuver along with other cars. We also recommend that you study this guide: Road Test Tips: Your Ultimate Guide To Passing Your Driving Test.

You definitely want to avoid::

• Violating a traffic laws such as improper signaling and speeding
• Making a dangerous action such as cutting in front of another car or closely following a vehicle
• Causing an accident that you could have prevented, regardless of legal fault.
• Lack of cooperation
• Refusal to perform any maneuver instructed by the examiner

The Alabama public safety office explains clearly what they will be looking for in applicants on the exam. You will have to demonstrate the basics of your vehicle such as the signal lights, tail lights, head lights and windshield wipers. You will make basic driving maneuvers such as backing up, turning left & right and cruising through intersections.

No. Alabama doesn’t require you to Parallel Park. Parking slots in Alabama are diagonal.

If you normally wear corrective lenses, you must wear them during the exam. This is to ensure the safety of everyone on the road.

If at first you don’t succeed….. try…. try… and try again! There is no limit to the number of times you can take your road test. It would save you a lot of trouble if you would prepare yourself before trying again.

Bravo! You are now a licensed driver! Once you’ve paid your $23.50 license fee and passed your test, you will be issued your temporary license with your picture on it showing that you have the privilege of driving in Alabama. Your permanent license will arrive in the mail in thirty days.

If you are under the age of 18, you will receive a license with restrictions. Restrictions include not being allowed to drive between midnight and 6 am for the first 6 months. You are welcome to check out more information at www.dps.alabma.gov.

Alabama is pleased to welcome newcomers. There are a few things to remember when driving in the state for the first time:

• Some roads may not have division lines between them, in these cases; treat them as if they are marked by staying on the far right side of the road
• Be cautious of agricultural equipment such as tractors, and combines
• Drinking and driving laws are strictly enforced

If you are going to drive in Alabama, at the minimum you must carry liability insurance. Your insurance policy must be able to cover a minimum of $20,000 for each person of the other vehicle in the event of an accident you caused.You must also be able to cover $10,000 in property damage.

Normally, you would need your driver’s license and information pertaining to your vehicle. You can shoot for discounts by proving you are a student or that you have successfully completed a driver’s education course. A cool website to check out is Kanetix.com. They claim to be able to help you better understand the insurance process.

You price tag will be as unique as you are. Car class, age, location and driving record will be considered in determining this. The Alabama Department of Insurance can assist you further just go to http://www.aldoi.gov/.

According to an independent research company, J.D. Power and Associates, the top insurance companies in Alabama with the highest overall customer satisfaction rating based on price, claims, customer satisfaction, interaction, and policy offers are:

1. Amica Mutual
2. State Farm
3. Geico
4. Allstate
5. American Family Group

Car insurance companies charge more for new drivers in Alabama because they are a much higher risk. On average, newer drivers tend to cause more accidents than seasoned drivers. Search cheap car insurance sites such as http://www.cheapinsuranceforcar.com/ for additional help in finding affordable car insurance in Alabama.

The great thing about license renewal in Alabama is that you have a 60 day grace period after it expires to renew it. During this period, your license is still considered valid. Just go down to your local probate judge or license commissioner office to renew.

The state allows you to renew your license at a Probate Judge or license Commissioner Office.

No, the eye exam is not necessary when renewing your license in Alabama.

If you already hold a license in your home state, you only have to take the eye exam which costs $5 and pay your $23.50 license fee. No road test is required. You have 30 days to trade in your out of state license for a new Alabama license.

The state of Alabama will recognize any valid out-of-state learner’s permit subject to restrictions mandated by the state that issued it.

As long as you remain a resident of your home state, there is no limit to how long you can drive in Alabama with your valid out-of-state license.

In the state of Alabama, it’s acceptable to drive with your valid out-of-country license as long as you remain a non resident of Alabama. If you are not required to hold a license in your home country, you may drive up to 90 days per calendar year.

If you have further questions regarding driving in Alabama, you should contact the Department of Public Safety. They can be reached at (334)242-4400 or you may go online to www.dps.alabma.gov.

Driving in Alabama is a major responsibility and must be done legally and safely. That is why you must be at least 15 with a learner’s permit to drive. A licensed driver age 21 or older must accompany you at all times until you obtain your regular license.

Many people believe the purpose for drinking and driving restrictions is to arrest or punish drivers who put everyone else at risk. However, according to www.iihs.org, the real purpose is to deter people from driving under the influence. For this reason, if you are under 21 years old the BAC limit is .02%. If you are 21 or older the BAC limit is .08%.

Defensive driving is when you are driving for yourself and others. You are looking out for potential dangers ahead of time and avoiding them. According to the Safe Practices for Motor Vehicle Operations, defensive driving is "driving to save lives, time and money, in spite of the conditions around you and the actions of others". Studies show that 90% of accidents are caused by driver errors.
Although these skills are often taught in a driver’s education course, here are some ways you can begin defensive driving now:

• Leave plenty of space between you and the car in front
• Check all of your mirrors often and look at conditions way ahead of you
• Keep your speed down
• Position your vehicle so you can see and be seen
• Don’t depend on other drivers to drive safely