1. Get Started Online With New Drivers License Assistance
New drivers licenses cannot be obtained online or by mail. Instead, you must apply for a new license in person at a local DMV. While there, you must pass a vision screening, a written exam and a skills test. To make sure that you are prepared, download our informative online drivers license guide. Our guide contains everything you need to know to complete this application easily and quickly. In it, you will get in-depth details on how to complete other important licensing transactions, such as updating personal information on your license, renewing your license and replacing a lost one.
Check your Application Status by selecting 'myPFD'.Please remember, you will need your Alaska Driver's License or ID to view your information. To attach an Electronic Signature or print a Signature Page, visit 'myPFD' and select the Document Center tab in your record.
NOTE: The State of Alaska is not responsible for the content/information on any site outside of a State of Alaska department. You will be redirected to the MY LICENSE customer home page. Under Add an Existing License, enter your license number and Web Authorization Code, if one has been provided. This information is on your renewal notice. To renew your license, simply select the license you wish to renew from the Professional Licensing section. An Alaska business requires meticulous planning. Find out about the licenses, permits, and registrations you will need to set up shop where you live in Alaska. MyAlaska is a system for secure single sign-on and signature for citizens allowing them to interact with multiple state of Alaska services through a single user name.
2. In Person at the DMV
To obtain a new drivers license at the DMV, you must submit identification documents and pass mandatory tests. A birth certificate or passport can verify your name and age, and a utility bill can prove your state residency. Generally, you must pass a written knowledge exam and a road skills test. You must also fill out a drivers license application form and pay the applicable fees. However, you may not know which forms to complete or if you are already eligible to take your exams. Arriving at the DMV unprepared may result in long wait times and potential mistakes, which could mean having to redo the process.
Getting your first Alaska drivers license is an exciting process. However, it can feel slightly complicated if you are unaware of the steps that must be taken to obtain that license. Therefore, it is essential that you understand what is required of you when completing the application process so that you can expect a faster and less-stressful experience overall.
Also, it is crucial to understand that the steps for getting a DMV license in Alaska vary depending on how old you are. There are different types of permits and licenses that can be attained at different ages, and the requirements set in place for those licenses vary greatly between them. Because of these differences, you must do your research beforehand so that you know where to get a drivers license, what the eligibility requirements are for each permit or license and more. To learn more, read the sections below.
How to Apply for a Drivers License in Alaska as an Adult (18 or Older)
If you have the question “What do you need to get your license?” it is important to understand that the requirements vary depending on whether you are an adult or not. If you are 18 years of age or older, you do not have to meet certain requirements in order to get your license, and it is essential that you are aware of all the steps involved before you start the process.
When applying for a regular license through the drivers license services DMV office, you must meet certain eligibility requirements before you will be able to get the license. These requirements include that you can pass the required written, road and vision tests, you are at least 18 years of age, and you are legally present in the United States.
If you are an adult over the age of 18 and want to get a regular (non-provisional) DMV drivers license in the state of Alaska, you must follow certain steps. This includes the following:
- Go to your local DMV office. Currently, you are not able to get a drivers license online. Thus, the process must be completed in person.
- Provide a completed Application for Alaska Driver License, Permit or Identification Card (form 478) – this can be filled out and printed in advance.
- Present valid documentation:
- Primary document for proof of legal name, date of birth and citizenship, such as:
- A certified U.S. birth certificate
- A passport
- A resident alien or employment work authorization document
- An Alaska instruction permit
- A certificate of citizenship
- Secondary document to verify primary document, such as:
- A permit or license from another state
- An employee ID
- A health insurance card
- A school ID
- A U.S. military ID
- Proof of residence, such as:
- A utility bill
- An AK voter registration card
- A paycheck stub
- Mortgage or rental documents
- Primary document for proof of legal name, date of birth and citizenship, such as:
- Proof of Social Security number. If you do not have a Social Security card, provide documentation from the Social Security Administration verifying that you have not been issued an SSN.
- Pass a written knowledge test, vision test and road test. The written test is not a requirement if you have received an Alaska instruction permit. Simply present your permit and the test will be waived.
- Pass an alcohol and drug awareness knowledge test. This is only a requirement if you are upgrading from a learner permit to a license.
- Pay the applicable fees.
State Of Alaska License Renewal
Getting an Alaska Drivers License as a New State Resident
If you are a new resident of Alaska, you must get a new Alaskan driving license as soon as possible after becoming a resident. To do so, you must visit any DMV office and do the following:
- Surrender your out-of-state license.
- Pass a written knowledge test, an alcohol and drug awareness test if you are 21 years of age or older and a vision test.
- Provide proof of legal name, date of birth, current residence address and Social Security number.
If you are from a country other than Canada or a U.S. territory, you must also pass a road test in addition to the steps listed above.
How to Apply for a Drivers License in Alaska as a Teen (Younger Than 18)
Only after you are 18 years of age may you obtain a regular drivers license as long as you meet the other qualifications. If you are younger than 18 years of age, you must first obtain an instruction/learners permit and then a provisional license. These licenses are part of a graduated licensing program that helps you to build up driving experience before you are awarded with your official license.
You must meet certain drivers license eligibility requirements to get a provisional license, the license provided to teens under the age of 18. These requirements include the following:
- You must be between the ages of 16 and 18 years old.
- You must have held a valid learner’s permit for at least six months.
- When practicing driving, you must have been accompanied by an adult aged 21 years or older who had a valid driving license for at least one year.
- Your parent, legal guardian or employer must provide proof that you have had at least 40 hours of driving experience, with at least 10 hours of driving in weather or nighttime conditions.
If you meet the criteria listed above, you may then apply for a provisional license in the state of Alaska. You should note that drivers education courses are NOT one of the mandatory requirements for getting your license.
However, even though participating in drivers ed is not necessary before you can obtain a provisional or regular license, it is still recommended. Enrolling in a qualified drivers education course can help you to be better prepared for both the written and driving tests and can also help you to be a much more confident driver, as well.
Steps for Getting a Drivers License in Alaska as a Teen (Younger Than 18)
To apply for a drivers license as a teenager, you must apply for a learners permit first. The learners or instruction permit is a permit that allows anyone aged 14 years or older to drive a motor vehicle as long as a licensed driver at least 21 years old with at least one year of driving experience is in the passenger seat at all times.
After you have held the learners permit for at least six months and you meet the other drivers license requirements, you can apply for a provisional license. This license allows you to drive with fewer restrictions than a learner’s permit. The steps for getting this license include:
- Go to your local DMV office.
- Provide a completed Parental Consent (form 433).
- Provide a completed Application for Alaska Driver License, Permit or Identification Card (form 478).
- Present valid documentation for proof of legal name, date of birth and citizenship;
- Provide proof of Alaska residence and a Social Security number.
- Pass a road test.
- Pay the applicable fees.
Alaska Drivers License Costs
Another valuable piece of drivers license information involves the drivers license cost that you must pay when you obtain your learners permit or license. The fees include the following:
- Standard driver license: $20
- Real-ID compliant driver license: $40
- Instruction/learners permit: $15
- Instruction/learners permit renewal: $5
- Road test fee: $15
Alaska Drivers License Forms
Note: DMV forms change regularly. The forms provided above are current based on the date of writing.
Sources
- Driver License, Permit, and State ID from Alaska.gov
Renew Your Alaska Driver's License
If you plan to operate a vehicle in Alaska, you must have a valid AK driver's license. When it is close to expiring or has already expired, you'll either need to renew it or apply for an extension. Fortunately, the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has a fairly simple renewal process.
For more details about other types of driver's licenses or permits, please visit our following pages:
Continue reading this page to learn how to renew your regular, non-commercial AK driver's license.
Check Your AK Driver's License Status Is your driver's license valid or suspended in Alaska? Find out by ordering your driving record online today.
When to Renew Your AK Driver's License
NOTE: If you moved to a new address and need to renew your AK driver's license, you'll need to update your address with the DMV first.
In Alaska, your driver's license will need to be renewed every 5 years. The Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) allows you to renew your license within 1 year of the expiration date (which is usually your birthday), and offers no 'grace period' once it expires.
If you're not sure whether your license is valid, go ahead and check your driving record.
Since the Alaska DMV allows you to renew your license so early in advance, you may not receive a renewal notice.
Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Driver's License
If you lost your AK driver's license, you may be able to renew it instead of paying for a replacement card. Contact your local AK DMV office to check whether you're eligible for this option.
For more information on how to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged driver's license in Alaska, please read our page about Replacing a Lost License.
Expired Driver's License
If your driver's license is expiring soon but you are unable to renew it for some reason, you may be eligible to apply for an extension. See “ Out-of-State, Remote & Military Renewals' below.
If your AK driver's license is already expired, you must renew it in person (see “Renew Your Alaska Driver's License' below). In addition to meeting the regular renewal requirements, you will be required to pass the written knowledge test again.
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Renew Your Alaska Driver's License
Depending on your situation, you can renew your driver’s license in Alaska by mail, in person, or online.
NOTE: If you need to make a name change, you MUST renew your driver's license in person and submit additional documentation.
By Mail
Understand that if you’re unable to renew your driver’s license in person, the Alaska DMV strongly encourages you to renew online (if eligible).
That said, currently you still can renew by mail if:
- You're older than 22 years old.
- None of your personal information has changed.
- You didn’t renew by mail during your last renewal.
It costs $21 to renew your driver’s license by mail.
In Person
To renew your driver's license in person, visit your nearest Alaska DMV office. You'll need to:
- Complete an Application for Alaska Driver License, Permit or Identification Card (Form 478).
- Provide your current AK driver's license.
- Show 2 documents to prove your identity.
- The AK DMV provide a complete list of acceptable documents.
- Provide proof of your name change (if applicable), such as your marriage certificate or court order.
- Pay the $20fee.
- Pass a vision test (plus a written test, if your driver's license is expired).
- Have your photo taken.
NOTE: In the event you don't immediately receive your renewed driver's license and it doesn't arrive in the mail within a few weeks, contact the DMV office directly to check the status of your renewal.
Online
The AK DMV allows online renewal as long as you meet the following qualifications:
- You must be between 21 and 68 years old on the license expiration date.
- If you’re younger than 21 years old and have taken the Alcohol & Drug Awareness Test, you can renew online, too.
- You must have a non-commercial driver's license.
- Your last renewal must have been completed in person.
- You haven't changed your name since your last renewal.
- Your driver's license is NOT cancelled, revoked, suspended or disqualified.
If you are currently under 21 years old and you have taken the Alcohol Awareness Test, you may renew online.
To proceed, you'll need to first establish your identity with the Alaska DMV. Once you do this—and the DMV deems you eligible to renew online—you can move on with the online renewal process. The system will walk you through the process and explain all requirements.
Some details to keep in mind:
- Be prepared to pay the $21driver’s license renewal fee with a major credit card.
- After processing the renewed driver’s license, the AK DMV will email you a receipt and copy of your renewed card. Print this card and use it as a temporary card until you receive your renewed license by mail.
- The AK DMV will mail your new driver’s license to the address on file.
Alcohol & Drug Awareness Test
You must pass the Alcohol & Drug Awareness Test after turning 21 years old in order to renew your driver’s license.
If you’re out of state and haven’t passed the test, the state will send it to you. Use the contact information below to send your full name, date of birth, and how you’d like to receive the test.
- Phone: (907) 465-4361.
- Email: [email protected].
- Mail:
- State of Alaska
Division of Motor Vehicles
1300 W. Benson Blvd Suite 100
Anchorage, AK 99503
- State of Alaska
Once you complete the test, mail it along with the phone number or email address you’d like the results sent to. If you pass, you can move forward with your renewal.
ALTERNATIVELY, you can apply for a temporary license—as long as you’re NOT within 30 days of your license's expiration date. Begin the process online or with the Request for Out-of-State Temporary License (Form 481).
Out-of-State, Remote & Military Renewals
Military Stationed in Germany
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.
If you are unable to renew your AK driver's license in person due to living outside of the state temporarily, or you do not have a DMV office near you, you may be able to renew by mail (see “Renew Your Alaska Driver's License' above) or apply for an extension.
Alaska Military Members
If you're in the military (or you are a spouse or dependent of a service member) and stationed outside of Alaska, you're eligible for an extension of your driver's license until 90 days after your discharge from active duty or returning to Alaska. Print out a Military Expiration Endorsement and keep it with your driver's license. You may be asked for your military ID to confirm your military status, should you be stopped by law enforcement.
Out-of-State Alaska Residents
If you are an Alaska resident temporarily out of state and your driver's license expires, you may be eligible to extend it. To apply for an extension, your AK driver's license must be within 1 year of expiring. You will need:
- A completed Request for a Temporary License or an Extension (Form 481).
- To provide your legal name, date of birth, driver's license number, and Social Security number (SSN).
- Payment for the $5 fee.
- Via credit card (on the form) or check/money order.
- To provide your out-of-state fax number or mailing address where you wish to receive the extension.
Submit the request via:
- Fax to (907) 465-5509.
- E-mail to: [email protected].
OR - Mail to:
- Division of Motor Vehicles
1300 W. Benson Blvd Suite 100
Anchorage, AK 99503
- Division of Motor Vehicles
Fees to Renew Your AK Driver's License
The fee you'll need to pay for renewing your Alaska driver's license depends on the renewal method you choose:
- In person: $20.
- By mail: $21.
Acceptable Payment Methods
The Alaska DMV accepts the following payment methods:
- VISA or MasterCard.
- Personalized checks or money orders (must be made payable to the “State of Alaska or Division of Motor Vehicles').
Contact the Alaska DMV for more information.
Forms
This form is provided by your state's agency/department.
Please select one of the below to continue:
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