License Renewal in Alaska

Depending on your situation, you can renew your driver’s license in Alaska by mail, in person, or online. If you are upgrading to a REAL ID license, you MUST renew in person.

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 D1).
• Provide your current AK driver's license.
• Show proof of your identity and residency based on whether you're renewing for a:
  • REAL ID-compliant license.
  • Non-compliant standard license.
• Provide proof of your name change (if applicable), such as your marriage certificate or court order.
• Pay the $20 fee.
• 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 at least  22 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 driver’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.

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: doa.dmv.jds@alaska.gov.
• Mail:
  • State of Alaska
    Division of Motor Vehicles
    3901 Old Seward Highway, Suite 101
    Anchorage, AK 99503

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 and have a credit or debit card to pay the $5 fee.

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 online, 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 apply for a temporary license. To apply you will need:

• Complete the online request form.
• 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.

The fee you'll need to pay for renewing your Alaska driver's license depends on the renewal method you choose and the type of credential you are renewing:

• Online and in person:
  • Standard driver's license:$20.
  • Real ID driver's license: $40.
• By mail: Additional $1 fee.

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.