How to Renew Your Drivers License in Alaska

All licensed motorists will be required to request a drivers license renewal in Alaska whenever their credentials approach their expiration dates. While certain applicants may be able to renew a drivers license online, other motorists may not be eligible to use the state’s online portal. Overall, the state offers three different methods for residents to submit a renewal application.

In this article, you will learn about renewing your driver’s license in AK, which includes details regarding when and how you need to file this request. Furthermore, you will discover where to renew a driver’s license in the state, as well as what to do if you are out of state when your credential expires. To learn more about this license renewal procedure, read the sections below.

Eligibility for Drivers License Renewal in Alaska

Alaska Drivers License
Note: The expiration date of your driver’s license is located on the front of it, right under the issue date.

As a general rule, licensed motorists will need to renew an Alaska driver’s license a few times over the course of their lives. On the other hand, motorists who are younger than 18 years of age will not be able to request a DMV license renewal in AK, as these applicants are issued slightly different driving credentials. Furthermore, if you have a driver’s license when you turn 21 years of age, be mindful that the credential will expire 90 days after your birthday. Thus, you will need to renew your license within that timeframe.

Instances When You Cannot Renew Your Drivers License in Alaska

Renewing an AK driver’s license that has been canceled, revoked or suspended is not possible. Instead, you will need to visit a DMV office in person and apply for the reinstatement of your license, if applicable.

On the other hand, if you have lost your driving credential or it is significantly damaged, you will need to apply for a replacement card rather than requesting a DMV license renewal.

How early can you renew your drivers license in Alaska?

You can renew a driver’s license in Alaska up to a year before it is set to expire. In general, you will not be allowed to operate a vehicle with an expired driver’s license. However, if your license has expired less than one year ago, you will be able to get a new one without retaking any of the tests.

Alaska DMV License Renewal Options

Understanding how to renew a drivers license in Alaska is important, as there are several different methods offered to applicants with varying ages and residency statuses. The sections below detail the three most common methods for renewing your DMV license in AK.

How to Renew Your Drivers License Online

Certain motorists may be eligible to renew a driver’s license online in Alaska. While this is often the simplest method available to residents, there are a number of restrictions that make this method not available to everyone. For instance, in order to qualify for this renewal procedure, you must be between 21 and 69 years of age. Moreover, the AK DMV cannot have any questions about your identity. If you recently changed your address or legal name, you will not be able to request a driver’s license renewal online.

If you qualify for renewing a driving license online, you will need to visit the official DMV online portal and submit identifying information such as your name, Social Security Number (SSN) and driver’s license number. Then, you will need to use a credit card in order to pay for the applicable service fees.

How to Renew Your Driving License by Mail

As a general rule, the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) encourages individuals to renew their drivers license online or in person. Therefore, you may only become eligible to renew this credential by mail if one of the following circumstances applies to you:

  • You are currently out of state
  • There are no DMV locations near you

The mail-in driver’s license renewal form will require extensive personal information, including basic personal details such as your name and address, but also information about your height and hair color. You will also need to state whether you want to be registered to vote and whether or not you are an organ donor. Then, you will need to submit your expired license in order to get it renewed. To do so, you must mail all of the paperwork required for a DMV license renewal to:

Division of Motor Vehicles
Juneau Driver Services
PO Box 110221
Juneau AK 99811-0221

How to Renew Your Drivers License in Person

In order to renew your driver’s license in person, you must visit a local DMV branch in person. Certain DMV offices offer appointments for motorists to schedule their visits in advance. However, be mindful that many other branches of the division do not.

Remembering what you need to bring to renew a driver’s license in Alaska is simple, because the only document you will be required to show to identify yourself will be your current AK license to drive. In addition, you will need to submit a completed “Application for Alaska Driver License, Permit or Identification Card” form, which requires information such as your name, address, height and hair color. Furthermore, you will be asked to pay for the applicable driving license renewal fees with an acceptable payment method.

Military & Out of State Renewal in Alaska

If you cannot request a DMV license renewal in person due to military service, college enrollment or another documented reason, you may not be eligible to renew your driving credential for the time being. That is because the drivers license renewal requirements in Alaska describe that you must be in the state to renew the credential. On the other hand, you may be eligible to apply for a temporary license that lasts for one year while out of the state. This license will allow you to drive until you are back in AK and able to request a renewal.

When filling out a drivers license renewal form, you will need to provide details such as your Social Security Number (SSN), date of birth and current license number. Additionally, the DMV will allow you to submit payment for the applicable fees via credit card, money order or cashier’s check. If you are out of state, you can send your application to the following mailing address:

Division of Motor Vehicles
Juneau Driver Services
PO Box 110221
Juneau AK 99811-0221

Alaska Drivers License Renewal Fees

How much it costs to renew a driver’s license in Alaska will vary based on which DMV office you choose to visit. The state of Alaska does not provide a general driving license renewal fee. Thus, if you go to an establishment that processes these requests, you will have to contact that particular business in order to determine how much your renewal will cost. Below you will find the fees that are required by the state:

Alaska Drivers License Renewal Forms

Note: DMV forms change regularly. The forms provided above are current based on the date of writing.

Last updated on Tuesday, March 3 2020.

Sources

  1. Renew Your Alaska Drivers License from Alaska.gov