Alabama learner license and written test
Alabama's Graduated Driver License starts with a Stage I learner license at age 15. Applicants pass the written examination based on the Alabama Driver Manual and complete the ALEA document and fee requirements.
Independent guide. Road to Permit is not affiliated with or endorsed by a DMV, DPS or other government agency. Use the official state links below when a rule, fee or procedure matters.
- 15minimum Stage I age
- $5written-test fee
- 6 monthsunder-18 Stage I before Stage II
Alabama learner-license written test
Alabama requires a passing written examination based on the official Driver Manual. ALEA currently lists a $5 testing fee and a $36.25 learner-license fee.
| testing fee | $5 |
|---|---|
| written examination | Manual-based |
| learner-license step | Stage I |
The official manual controls the content
ALEA explicitly bases the written examination on the Alabama Driver Manual.
Current test fee
ALEA currently lists a $5 written-test fee for learner-license applicants.
The steps to a Alabama driver license
Alabama's Stage I learner license begins at age 15 and allows supervised driving after the applicant passes the required written examination and completes ALEA issuance requirements.
- Step 1. Study the current Alabama Driver Manual.
- Step 2. Bring the required identity, Social Security, principal-residence and school-enrollment/graduation documents that apply to you, then pass the written exam.
- Step 3. Receive the learner license and practice with an eligible supervising driver. Under 18, hold Stage I for at least six months before the Stage II road-skills license.
Before you go: requirements and documents
Alabama learner-license requirements
Alabama learner-license requirements: Stage I from age 15, written examination, identity/residency documents, fees and teen six-month progression to Stage II.
Open the requirements guide →Documents for an Alabama learner license
Alabama learner-license document checklist: identity, Social Security, two proofs of principal residence and school enrollment/graduation rules for younger applicants.
Open the document checklist →Identity and Social Security
Use ALEA's current primary/secondary document rules and Social Security verification list.
Bring two residence proofs
ALEA currently requires two proofs of principal residence for driver and learner-license applicants.
Fees
ALEA currently lists a $5 learner-license test fee and a $36.25 learner-license fee. The state notes that some county-level charges may make the final amount slightly higher.
| learner written test | $5 |
|---|---|
| learner license | $36.25 |
| possible local increase | County variation |
See the full Alabama fee guide →
Alabama teen learner-license rules
Alabama's GDL system uses three stages. Stage I is the learner license; Stage II is the restricted license after a road-skills examination; Stage III is unrestricted.
Stage I supervised driving
A teen must drive with an eligible adult or qualified instructor seated beside them.
Move to Stage II
Under 18, the teen must hold Stage I for at least six months, reach age 16 and pass the road skills examination.
Stage II has restrictions
Alabama restricts late-night driving, passengers and handheld communication-device use for Stage II drivers, subject to the listed exceptions.
Alabama first driver license for adults
Adults age 18+ are not subject to the teen six-month Stage I progression. First-time adult applicants complete the testing and document requirements for the regular Class D license.
Prepare the adult document package
ALEA lists identity, Social Security, residence and applicable school-document requirements for first-time applicants.
Complete the required driver examination
First-time adult applicants complete the required written and road-skills testing for a Class D license.
Bring driver, insurance and a test-ready vehicle
ALEA states that adults completing all testing need a licensed driver, proof of insurance and a vehicle that will pass inspection.
Appointments and office visits
ALEA offers online appointment scheduling for driver-license services. For the Stage II road skills examination, appointments can be scheduled at select locations while walk-ins are also welcome at testing sites.
Use ALEA's official appointment system
Check the current office page for appointment links, location details and service availability.
Road-test appointments
ALEA says road-skills appointments can be booked online at select locations and up to the current scheduling horizon.
Walk-ins are also available
The GDL page says walk-ins are welcome at testing sites, subject to current capacity and local procedures.
Alabama driver-license office locations
ALEA's official office locator lists driver-license offices by county with addresses and contact information. Service and appointment availability can differ by location.
Find the right office
Find Alabama ALEA Driver License Offices for learner-license, written-test and road-skills services and check current appointment availability.
Open office locations →Check the service first
Office types, appointment rules and testing availability can differ by location. Confirm the exact service before you travel.
Check appointment rules →After the permit: prepare for the road test
Alabama requires a passing road skills examination for Stage II teen licensing and for first-time adult applicants completing the Class D testing process.
Teen Stage II eligibility
A driver under 18 must have Stage I for at least six months and be at least 16 before the Stage II road skills examination.
Adult first-license road test
Adults completing all testing need a licensed driver, proof of car insurance and a vehicle that will pass inspection.
Scheduling
ALEA offers online road-test appointment scheduling at select locations while also accepting walk-ins at testing sites.
Open the full road-test guide →
Practice for the Alabama knowledge test
Alabama missions are not live in Road to Permit yet. For now, use the current Alabama Driver Manual and the free Alabama guides on this site.
Alabama road signs for the permit test
Alabama's learner-license written examination is based on the official Driver Manual, which includes traffic signs, signals and roadway markings.
Study road signs →Alabama Driver Manual for permit-test study
ALEA bases the learner-license written examination on the Alabama Driver Manual and publishes the current manual online.
Open the handbook study guide →What to study
Use the official handbook as the source of truth, then practice the same subjects in short sessions. These are the major study areas covered across the official guide and Road to Permit resources.
- Use the current ALEA manual
- The written test is manual-based
- Prepare the documents too
- Study signs in the manual
- Learn the required driving response
- Connect signs with Alabama road rules
- The official manual controls the content
- Current test fee
- Do not rely on an invented fixed question count
Alabama permit test: questions and answers
What is the Alabama knowledge-test format?
ALEA requires a passing grade on the written examination for a Stage I learner license and states that the exam is based on the Alabama Driver Manual.
What do I need before I apply in Alabama?
Alabama's Stage I learner license begins at age 15 and allows supervised driving after the applicant passes the required written examination and completes ALEA issuance requirements.
Which documents should I prepare?
ALEA publishes specific document requirements for first-time driver and learner licenses, including identity, Social Security verification and two proofs of principal residence.
How much does the permit or first license cost?
ALEA currently lists a $5 learner-license test fee and a $36.25 learner-license fee. The state notes that some county-level charges may make the final amount slightly higher.
Where do I make an appointment?
ALEA offers online appointment scheduling for driver-license services. For the Stage II road skills examination, appointments can be scheduled at select locations while walk-ins are also welcome at testing sites.
Complete Alabama driver guide
Open the exact part of the licensing process you need. Every page below is backed by official state sources.
Alabama Driver Manual for permit-test study
Use Alabama's official Driver Manual to study road rules, signs and safe driving for the learner-license written examination.
Open guide →Alabama learner-license requirements
Alabama learner-license requirements: Stage I from age 15, written examination, identity/residency documents, fees and teen six-month progression to Stage II.
Open guide →Documents for an Alabama learner license
Alabama learner-license document checklist: identity, Social Security, two proofs of principal residence and school enrollment/graduation rules for younger applicants.
Open guide →Alabama driver-license appointments
Alabama appointment guide for learner-license and road-skills testing, including online road-test appointments and walk-in availability at testing sites.
Open guide →Alabama road signs for the permit test
Study Alabama road signs, signals and pavement markings from the official Driver Manual for the learner-license written examination.
Open guide →Alabama learner-license written test
Alabama learner-license written-test guide: exam based on the Alabama Driver Manual, $5 testing fee and Stage I issuance after a passing grade.
Open guide →Alabama teen learner-license rules
Alabama teen GDL rules: Stage I from age 15, six-month hold under 18, Stage II from age 16 and supervised-driving restrictions.
Open guide →Alabama first driver license for adults
Alabama adult first-driver guide: written examination, documents, vision/skills testing, licensed accompanying driver, insurance and vehicle requirements.
Open guide →Alabama road skills test
Alabama road-test guide: Stage II teen eligibility, adult first-license testing, vehicle readiness, insurance and online appointment options.
Open guide →Alabama permit and testing fees
Alabama learner-license and testing fees: current $5 written-test fee and $36.25 learner-license credential fee, with local variation possible.
Open guide →Alabama driver-license office locations
Find Alabama ALEA Driver License Offices for learner-license, written-test and road-skills services and check current appointment availability.
Open guide →Official sources
Facts on this hub were checked against the linked state sources on September 30, 2026. Procedures and fees can change, so recheck the official page before you apply.