Alabama’s Car licensing process is handled by the ALEA Driver License Division. Start with a learner license, study the Alabama Driver Manual, and complete the testing required for your age and driving history. Teen drivers move through supervised learning, a restricted license, and then regular licensing. Use this page to organize the application documents, understand the graduated-license stages, and find the right handbook before you begin studying. The knowledge test covers traffic laws, signs, and safe driving decisions.
Last verified: November 4, 2026
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Knowledge test questions | Multiple choice, from the Alabama Driver Manual |
| Passing score | Passing grade required |
| Minimum age | 15 for Stage I learner license |
| Permit / test fee | $5 per knowledge test; $36.25 learner-license issuance; local/card charges may apply |
| What to bring | Age15: certified U.S. birth certificate, Social Security card, school enrollment/graduation evidence. Age16+: ALEA identity checklist plus Social Security evidence; school evidence for first applicants under 19. |
| Official handbook | Alabama Driver Manual |
| Licensing agency | ALEA Driver License Division |
What changed
No major changes since November 4, 2026.
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How old do you have to be for an Alabama learner license?
You can apply for a Stage I learner license at 15, according to ALEA’s graduated-license rules. Learners drive with the required supervising adult or licensed or certified instructor seated beside them. A learner license allows supervised practice; it does not authorize driving alone.
What should a 15-year-old bring to the permit visit?
ALEA lists a certified U.S. birth certificate, Social Security card, and acceptable school enrollment or graduation evidence for a 15-year-old learner. The document checklist changes for older applicants. Bring the required originals and the documents for your age rather than combining every checklist into one list.
How much does the Alabama Car knowledge test cost?
The Alabama Driver Manual lists $5 for each knowledge test. Learner-license issuance is a separate $36.25 charge. Local charges and card convenience fees may affect the amount paid. A test fee and the charge to issue the license cover different parts of the visit.
What do teens need before the restricted license?
Under-18 applicants need a Stage I license for at least six months before Stage II, which begins at 16. ALEA accepts certification of 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice or completion of an approved State Department of Education driver education course. The applicant must also meet the consent and road-test requirements.
What restrictions apply after a teen passes the road test?
Stage II generally restricts driving from midnight to 6 a.m., with specified exceptions. It also limits passengers to no more than one person outside the parent, guardian, or family categories. Handheld communication devices are prohibited. Keep these restrictions in mind when planning school, work, and evening trips.