Alabama Driver's Permit Requirements
Everything you need to get your Alabama learner's permit — age, fees, documents for the written test, supervised-hours rules, and what the road test itself checks — summarized from the official ALEA pages and linked to the source.
AlabamaALEAAlabama Law Enforcement Agency — Graduated Driver LicenseChecked 2026-07-13Official source
AlabamaALEAAlabama Law Enforcement Agency — License and ID CardsChecked 2026-08-12Official source
AlabamaALEAAlabama Law Enforcement Agency — Graduated Driver LicenseChecked 2026-07-13Official source
AlabamaALEAAlabama Law Enforcement Agency — Graduated Driver LicenseChecked 2026-07-13Official source
Last verified 2026-07-13 · Source: Alabama Law Enforcement Agency — Graduated Driver License ↗
Fees and rules change — always confirm current requirements on the official page above before you go.
The Alabama licensing timeline
Each stage below carries what ALEA itself publishes, the people it applies to, the page it came from, and the date we last checked it. Where ALEA publishes no figure, the card says so instead of guessing one.
1Eligibility
Minimum permit age15AlabamaALEAAlabama Law Enforcement Agency — Graduated Driver LicenseChecked 2026-07-13Official source
Stage I learner's permit under Alabama's Graduated Driver License law
2Documents
ALEA lists these for the knowledge-test visit:
- Pass the written knowledge exam (Stage I learner's permit is issued the same visit)
The knowledge test and the permit itself are handled in the same visit.
AlabamaALEAAlabama Law Enforcement Agency — Graduated Driver LicenseChecked 2026-07-13Official source
3Required education
Alabama's own published steps name a training requirement:
- Complete either 50 verified behind-the-wheel hours or an approved driver education course
AlabamaALEAAlabama Law Enforcement Agency — Graduated Driver LicenseChecked 2026-07-13Official source
4Application
Permit fee$36.25AlabamaALEAAlabama Law Enforcement Agency — License and ID CardsChecked 2026-08-12Official source
Stage I license fee; ALEA also lists a $5 exam fee
What the permit itself takes, once you pass:
- Verification of 50 supervised practice hours (signed by a parent, grandparent, guardian, or certified instructor), or an SDE-approved driver education completion form — required to advance from Stage I to Stage II
- Parent, grandparent, or legal guardian permission for Stage II if under 18
5Knowledge test
Questions on the official testALEA does not publish thisAlabamaALEAAlabama Law Enforcement Agency — Graduated Driver LicenseChecked 2026-07-13Official source
Official passing scoreALEA does not publish thisAlabamaALEAAlabama Law Enforcement Agency — Graduated Driver LicenseChecked 2026-07-13Official source
Wait before a retakeALEA does not publish a verified retake waitAlabamaALEAAL official knowledge-test sourceChecked 2026-08-12Official source
6Permit restrictions
Permit validityALEA does not publish a verified validity periodAlabamaALEAAlabama Law Enforcement Agency — Graduated Driver LicenseChecked 2026-07-13Official source
Restrictions Alabama puts on a new driver:
- Permit supervision: Stage I permit holders may drive with a parent, legal guardian, licensed driver age 21+ in the front seat, or licensed/certified driving instructor
- Restricted curfew: Stage II drivers may not drive midnight to 6 a.m. unless an allowed school, religious, work, emergency, parent/guardian, or licensed-driver exception applies
- Restricted passenger rule: Stage II drivers may not have more than one passenger other than parents, legal guardians, or family members
- Device rule: Stage II drivers may not use handheld communication devices while driving
AlabamaALEAAlabama Law Enforcement Agency — Graduated Driver LicenseChecked 2026-07-13Official source
7Supervised driving
Supervised driving for applicants under 1850 hoursAlabamaALEAAlabama Law Enforcement Agency — Graduated Driver LicenseChecked 2026-07-13Official source
ALEA requires either 50 behind-the-wheel practice hours verified by an authorized adult/instructor or an SDE-approved driver education completion form. That is a graduated-licensing rule — an applicant who is already 18 follows a different path, so check the official source below rather than assuming this figure is yours to meet.
8Road test
Minimum permit hold6 monthsAlabamaALEAAlabama Law Enforcement Agency — Graduated Driver LicenseChecked 2026-07-13Official source
9Full licence
Unrestricted driving age16AlabamaALEAAlabama Law Enforcement Agency — Graduated Driver LicenseChecked 2026-07-13Official source
Stage II restricted license at 16+ after holding Stage I at least 6 months if under 18
How to get your permit in Alabama
- At 15+, pass the written exam and get the Stage I learner's permit
- Drive only with an allowed supervising driver in the front seat
- Complete either 50 verified behind-the-wheel hours or an approved driver education course
- Hold Stage I at least 6 months if under 18
- At 16+, pass the road skills exam and follow Stage II curfew, passenger, and device limits
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to get a permit in Alabama?
You can get a learner's permit in Alabama at 15. Stage I learner's permit under Alabama's Graduated Driver License law.
How much does a Alabama permit cost?
The Alabama permit fee is $36.25. Stage I license fee; ALEA also lists a $5 exam fee.
How long do you have to hold your permit in Alabama?
You must hold your Alabama permit for at least 6 months before the driving test.
How many practice driving hours does Alabama require?
Alabama requires 50 hours of supervised practice driving for applicants under 18. That is a graduated-licensing rule — an applicant who is already 18 follows a different path, so check the official source below rather than assuming this figure is yours to meet.
Where can I practice for the Alabama permit test?
Right here — take a free Alabama practice test, review every answer, and build readiness in your browser. The free DMV Prep app adds offline study and native reminders.
