State Guide
Alabama DMV Permit Test 2026
A complete walkthrough of everything involved in getting your Alabama instruction permit — from eligibility at age 15 and the documents you need, to the written knowledge test, the 6-month holding period, and the GDL restrictions that follow. Driver licensing in Alabama is handled by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). Ready to start practicing? Take a free Alabama DMV practice test.
Who Can Get an Instruction Permit
Alabama uses a three-stage Graduated Driver License (GDL) system for drivers under 18. The first stage begins with an instruction permit, available starting at age 15.
Adults 18 and older who have never held a license can also apply for an instruction permit, though the GDL restrictions and holding periods do not apply to them.
Parental consent: If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign your application. Alabama law requires this consent before any minor can receive a permit. The signing parent or guardian also assumes liability for any damages you cause while driving. This consent can be revoked before you turn 18, which would cancel your permit.
Residency: You must be an Alabama resident and have a valid Alabama address. New residents from another state are expected to obtain an Alabama license within 30 days of establishing residency.
Driver education: Alabama does not require teens to complete a formal driver education course before applying for an instruction permit. However, completing an approved program is strongly recommended — it improves your knowledge of traffic laws and road signs (directly tested on the written exam), and many insurance providers offer discounts to young drivers who complete one.
Fees and What You Pay For
The instruction permit fee in Alabama is $36.25. This covers your permit application and the written knowledge test. Payment is made at the ALEA driver license office on the day of your visit.
Retest fee: If you fail the knowledge test, there may be a small fee to retake it. Check with your local ALEA office for the current retest amount. You must wait at least one day before attempting the test again.
Payment methods: ALEA offices accept cash, check, and credit or debit cards. Confirm accepted methods with your specific office before visiting, as some locations may have different policies.
Documents You Need
Alabama requires you to prove your identity, date of birth, Social Security number, and Alabama residency. Bring original documents — photocopies are not accepted.
1. Proof of identity and date of birth
U.S. birth certificate (certified copy), U.S. passport or passport card, Certificate of Naturalization, Permanent Resident Card, or other government-issued document establishing your identity and date of birth.
2. Social Security number
Your Social Security card, W-2, or other document displaying your full SSN. Alabama requires your SSN for the application.
3. Proof of Alabama residency
Utility bill, bank statement, lease or mortgage agreement, tax correspondence, or other official document showing your name and current Alabama address. Typically must be dated within the past 90 days.
4. Parental consent (under 18 only)
A parent or legal guardian must sign the application. They may need to be present at the ALEA office or provide a notarized consent form. A parent ID may also be required.
Verify the most current document requirements on the ALEA website before your visit, as requirements can vary by county office.
ALEA Driver License Offices
Driver licenses and permits in Alabama are issued through ALEA Driver License offices located throughout the state. Unlike many states, some Alabama driver license functions are also handled through county probate judge or license commissioner offices — check with your county to confirm where to go.
Find your nearest ALEA driver license office using the ALEA office locator.
Appointments vs. walk-ins: Many ALEA offices accept walk-ins for written knowledge tests. Wait times vary by location and time of day — arriving early in the morning or mid-week typically results in shorter waits.
The behind-the-wheel road test is scheduled separately. You will not take the driving test on the same day as the knowledge test.
What Happens at the ALEA Office
Here's what a typical first-time instruction permit visit looks like:
1. Submit your application and documents
Present your identity, SSN, and residency documents at the counter. Minors must also have parental consent completed. The clerk will verify your documents and process the application.
2. Pay the fee
Pay the $36.25 instruction permit fee at the service window.
3. Vision screening
A basic vision test is conducted at the office. Wear glasses or contacts if you use them. Alabama requires 20/40 visual acuity in at least one eye.
4. Photo
Your photo is taken and will appear on your instruction permit card.
5. Written knowledge test
You'll take the 30-question written test on a computer terminal at the ALEA office.
6. Receive your permit
If you pass, you'll receive your instruction permit. You may get a temporary document immediately, with your permit card mailed within a few weeks.
The full visit typically takes 1 to 2 hours. The knowledge test itself takes most people 20 to 30 minutes.
The Vision Screening
Alabama requires a vision screening before issuing an instruction permit. The minimum standard is 20/40 visual acuity in at least one eye, with or without corrective lenses.
If you wear glasses or contacts and only meet the standard with them on, your permit will carry a corrective lenses restriction. You must wear them every time you drive.
If you don't meet the vision standard at the office, ALEA will provide a form for your eye doctor to complete. Return with the completed form to continue your application.
The Written Knowledge Test
The Alabama knowledge test has 30 multiple-choice questions. All questions are based on the Alabama Driver License Study Guide. Topics include Alabama traffic laws, road signs, right-of-way rules, speed limits, safe driving practices, and alcohol and drug laws. There is no time limit.
Road sign questions are mixed into the main exam — Alabama does not use a separate road signs test. Questions are multiple choice with three or four answer options per question.
The test is taken on a computer terminal at the ALEA office. You must answer each question before moving to the next.
Is an online test available? No. Alabama does not offer a remote or online knowledge test. You must take the test in person at an ALEA driver license office.
Passing Score and Results
To pass the Alabama knowledge test, you must answer at least 24 out of 30 questions correctly — an 80% passing threshold. You can miss up to 6 questions.
Questions
30 questions
Same for teens and adults.
To Pass
24 correct (80%)
You may miss up to 6 questions.
Your results are displayed on screen immediately when you complete the test. If you pass, the ALEA clerk will proceed with issuing your permit. If you don't pass, you can review the topic areas where you missed questions to guide your studying before your next attempt.
Teens vs. Adults: How the Process Differs
The knowledge test is the same for all applicants, but the GDL requirements that follow are entirely a teen concern:
| Under 18 | 18 and Over | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum permit age | 15 | 18 |
| Parent consent | Required | Not required |
| Driver's ed | Not required (recommended) | Not required |
| Test questions | 30 | 30 |
| Passing score | 24 correct (80%) | 24 correct (80%) |
| Permit validity | 1 year | 1 year |
| Min. hold period | 6 months | None |
| Supervised driving | 30 hrs (10 at night) | No formal requirement |
| GDL restrictions | Yes (curfew, passengers) | None |
Adults applying for their first Alabama license go through the same knowledge test but face no GDL holding periods or restrictions. They can proceed directly to the road test once they feel ready.
After You Pass
After passing the knowledge test, ALEA will issue your instruction permit. Carry it whenever you drive — it is your legal authorization to practice driving under supervision.
Can you drive right away? Yes — but only with a licensed supervising driver in the front passenger seat. The supervisor must be a licensed Alabama driver who is at least 21 years old. You cannot drive alone under any circumstances with an instruction permit.
Alabama's three-stage GDL:
Stage 1 — Instruction permit (age 15+)
Drive only with a licensed adult 21+ in the front passenger seat at all times. Must hold this permit for at least 6 months before advancing.
Stage 2 — Restricted license (age 16+)
After 6 months with the instruction permit and completing 30 supervised hours, you may take the road test to get your restricted license. GDL curfew and passenger restrictions apply for the first 6 months.
Stage 3 — Unrestricted license (age 17+)
After 6 months with the restricted license without any violations, GDL restrictions are lifted and you receive a full Alabama driver license.
Permit validity: Your Alabama instruction permit is valid for one year from the date of issue. If you haven't advanced to the restricted license stage within that year, you will need to renew your permit.
If You Don't Pass
If you fail the knowledge test, you must wait at least one daybefore retaking it. Same-day retakes are not permitted.
What happens on a retest? You return to the ALEA office and take the test again. You do not need to redo the document verification or vision screening, though a small retest fee may apply — confirm with your local office.
Alabama allows up to 3 attempts per application. If you fail all three, you must reapply and pay the $36.25 fee again before your next attempt.
Study the topic areas where you missed questions between attempts. The Alabama Driver License Study Guide covers everything tested. Practice tests are one of the most effective ways to identify gaps before returning to the ALEA office.
Instruction Permit Rules
While driving with an Alabama instruction permit, you must:
Have a licensed supervising driver (age 21 or older) in the front passenger seat at all times — no exceptions.
Carry your instruction permit whenever you drive.
Not use a handheld cell phone or any mobile device while driving.
Stage 2 GDL restrictions (restricted license, first 6 months): Once you pass the road test and receive your restricted license, Alabama's GDL restrictions apply for the first 6 months:
Nighttime curfew: No driving between 12 AM (midnight) and 6 AM during the first 6 months with your restricted license, unless accompanied by a licensed adult 21 or older or driving for work or an emergency.
Passenger restriction: No more than 1 non-family passenger under 21 in the vehicle during the first 6 months (unless a licensed adult 21 or older is also present).
Cell phone: No handheld phone use while driving. Teen drivers under 18 may not use any mobile device while driving, even hands-free.
International License Holders
Visitors to Alabama with a valid foreign driver license may drive in the state as tourists. Alabama generally recognizes foreign licenses for non-residents visiting the state. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not legally required but can be helpful as a translation document, especially if your license is not in English.
If you become an Alabama resident, you must obtain an Alabama driver license within 30 days of establishing residency. Your foreign license will not transfer — you must complete the full process: application, documents, fee, vision screening, knowledge test, and road test.
Adults (18+) applying for their first Alabama license do not need to hold a permit for any minimum period before scheduling the road test.
Out-of-State Transfers
If you move to Alabama with a valid license from another U.S. state, you must obtain an Alabama license within 30 days. Visit an ALEA driver license office with your identity, SSN, and residency documents. You will need to pass a vision screening and have your photo taken.
Knowledge test: Alabama may waive the written knowledge test for applicants with a valid out-of-state license in good standing. Confirm with your local ALEA office whether a test is required in your specific case.
The behind-the-wheel road test is generally waived for holders of a valid out-of-state license. You will surrender your old license and receive an Alabama license once all requirements are met.
The Driver License Study Guide
The Alabama Driver License Study Guide is the official resource for the written knowledge test. Every question on the exam is drawn from this guide. It covers Alabama traffic laws, road signs, right-of-way rules, speed limits, alcohol and drug regulations, and safe driving practices.
The study guide is available free online as a PDF from the ALEA website. You can also pick up a printed copy at any ALEA driver license office. It is currently available in English.
Read the entire guide before taking the test. Pay particular attention to road signs, right-of-way situations, speed limits, and Alabama-specific laws — these are the areas most frequently covered in the exam questions.
Practice Tests
Practice tests are one of the most effective ways to prepare for the Alabama knowledge test. They reveal knowledge gaps before your real exam and help you get comfortable with the question format.
DMV Question Bank practice tests: Take Alabama DMV practice tests on DMV Question Bank. The question bank covers all topics from the Alabama Driver License Study Guide with the same multiple-choice format and instant feedback you'll encounter on the real test. Practice until you're consistently scoring above 90% before your ALEA visit.
A recommended study approach: read the full study guide, take a practice test to find weak spots, review those sections, and test again. Repeat until you can pass comfortably with room to spare.
Behind-the-Wheel Requirements
After receiving your instruction permit, you'll need supervised driving practice before taking the road test. Requirements differ for teens and adults.
Teens (Under 18)
Hold your instruction permit for at least 6 months before you can take the behind-the-wheel road test and advance to Stage 2. The 6-month clock starts on the date your permit is issued.
Complete at least 30 hours of supervised driving practice, including a minimum of 10 hours at night. Your supervising driver must be a licensed Alabama driver at least 21 years old.
Keep a driving practice log signed by your supervising driver. Bring it to your road test appointment as documentation of your hours.
You must also be at least 16 years old before you can take the road test and receive a restricted license.
Adults (18 and Over)
There is no mandatory holding period for adult permit holders. You can schedule your road test as soon as you feel ready.
There is no minimum number of supervised practice hoursrequired. Practice until you're comfortable with all standard road test maneuvers: turns, lane changes, parking, right-of-way, and backing.
Stage 2 GDL restrictions (restricted license, teens): After passing the road test, the following restrictions apply for the first 6 months:
Nighttime curfew: No driving between 12 AM and 6 AM (exceptions for work, emergencies, or when accompanied by a licensed adult 21 or older).
Passenger restriction: No more than 1 non-family passenger under 21 in the vehicle during the first 6 months (unless a licensed adult 21 or older is present).
Cell phone: No handheld phone use while driving. Drivers under 18 may not use any mobile device while driving, even hands-free.
Quick Reference
| Minimum permit age | 15 years old |
| Application fee | $36.25 |
| Where to apply | ALEA Driver License office |
| Written test | 30 questions, 24 to pass (80%) |
| Test format | Computer terminal, multiple choice |
| Online test available | No — in-person only |
| Max attempts per application | 3 |
| Wait between attempts | 1 day |
| Permit validity | 1 year |
| Min. holding period (teens) | 6 months |
| Min. age for road test (teens) | 16 years old |
| Supervised practice (teens) | 30 hours total, 10 at night |
| Supervising driver age | 21+ (licensed) |
| Driving log required | Yes (teens) |
| GDL nighttime curfew | 12am–6am (Stage 2, first 6 months) |
| Passenger restriction | Max 1 non-family passenger under 21 (Stage 2, 6 months) |
| Stage 3 (full license) | Age 17+, after 6 months with restricted license |
| Residency transfer deadline | 30 days after establishing residency |