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Alaska

The best way to prepare for your written exam is through practice tests! Our list of practice tests, including the Alaska permit test and the Alaska new-to-state driver's license test, are what you need to prepare appropriately.

PICK A Alaska DMV PRACTICE TEST TO START:

Driver's License
Just Moved? Renewing your License? Practice here!
Driver's License
Driver's Permit
Teens! Get your practice permit test here!
Driver's Permit
Motorcycle
Your Permit to Ride starts here!
Motorcycle
CDL
Get your Commercial Endorsements practice here!
CDL
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Alaska DMV Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

  • After You Have Passed the Driving Exam (or Road Test)
  • Applying for Your Alaska License
  • Preparing For Your AK Driving Exam (or Road Test)
  • Preparing For Your AK Permit Test
  • Renewing Your AK License
  • Taking your AK Driving Exam (or Road Test)
  • Taking Your AK Permit Test
  • What If I Failed My Road Test?
  • What If I'm Moving to Alaska or Just Visiting?
When should my teen get car insurance?

Your teen should be insured once they're licensed and begin driving on their own (i.e., without another supervising licensed driver). Teens with learner's permits don't yet require insurance while they're driving under the supervision of a licensed adult.

If I'm under 18, are there any limits to my driver's license?

If you have an Alaska instruction permit, you may only drive with a supervising driver at least 21 years old with at least 1 year of driving experience sitting in the front seat at all times. You'll need to hold your AK learner's permit for at least 6 months and be at least 16 years old before you can move on to earning your provisional license.

If you have a provisional license:

  • You may not drive between 1 AM and 5 AM unless you're accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years old.
    • Exceptions are only made if you're driving to/from school, work, or church, or because of an emergency situation.
  • You may not have any passengers in the vehicle unless your parent or guardian is also in the vehicle.
    • The lone exception is if your passengers are your siblings.
  • You must remain violation-free for a full 6 months in order to be eligible for an unrestricted license.

What happens after I pass my AK road test?

Once you pass your road test, you'll have your photo taken and receive a temporary license until your photo license arrives in the mail.

Once I have my permit, who can I drive with?

You may drive only when accompanied by a supervising driver who is at least 21 years old and has held their license for at least 1 year in the front passenger seat next to you.

Can I choose where I have my photo taken for my driver's license?

No, your photo will be taken at the DMV office where you apply.

Once I get my AK permit, what do I need to do before I can drive with my parents?

You may begin practicing with your parents right away.

Teen Learners Permit

Basic
Advanced
Our Test
License Tests Variations
Number of Questions in Pool
Easy Online Practice
Print and take With You "Cheat Sheet"
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
Drivers Permit Practice Package Price
unlimited
50
No
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
$9.95
unlimited
100
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
$19.95
1
20
No
No Cost

Drivers License Renewal

Basic
Advanced
Our Test
License Tests Variations
Number of Questions in Pool
Easy Online Practice
Print and take With You "Cheat Sheet"
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
Drivers Permit Practice Package Price
unlimited
50
No
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
$9.95
unlimited
100
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
$19.95
1
20
No
No Cost

New to State Drivers

Basic
Advanced
Our Test
License Tests Variations
Number of Questions in Pool
Easy Online Practice
Print and take With You "Cheat Sheet"
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
Drivers Permit Practice Package Price
unlimited
50
No
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
$9.95
unlimited
100
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
$19.95
1
20
No
No Cost

Motorcycle Permit

Basic
Advanced
Our Test
Motorcycle Permit Practice Packages
Test Variations
Number of Questions in Pool
Easy Online Practice
State Specific Questions
$9.95
unlimited
50
$14.95
unlimited
100
No Cost
1
15

Commercial License

Basic
Advanced
Our Test
CDL Package Price
CDL Tests Variations
Number of Questions in Pool
Easy Online Practice
State Specific Questions
$9.95
unlimited
50
$14.95
unlimited
100
No Cost
1
20

How To Get An Alaska Driver’s License

Learning to drive is exciting, but it’s also a huge responsibility. The Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires potential drivers to complete training and demonstrate knowledge and skills behind the wheel before allowing them the privilege of driving with no restrictions. This is required for all new drivers, as well as those moving to Alaska whose licenses have expired before arrival.

The requirements to obtain an AK driver’s license will vary slightly based on whether you are a minor or adult, as well as whether you’re applying for a standard license or a REAL ID-compliant license.

AK Instruction Permit Requirements

If you’re under 18 years old, you must first obtain an instruction permit before graduating to a provisional driver’s license. If you’re at least 18 years old already, an instruction permit isn’t required, though it is highly recommended in order to help you pass your road test. However, you can skip down below to learn how to get your first license as a new adult driver.

You must be at least 14 years old to apply for your Alaska instruction permit. Visit your local DMV office with your parent or guardian—depending on your branch, you may be able to make an appointment ahead of time. If you live in a rural area without a DMV location, jump down to the Off-Highway License section below.

At the DMV, be ready to:

  • Submit your proofs of:
    • Name and birth date.
    • Citizenship or legal presence.
    • Alaska address.
    • Social Security card.
      • Your acceptable documents will differ slightly based on whether you want a federally compliant REAL ID or a non-compliant license. The AK DMV provides guides to required proofs for both standard and REAL ID licenses.
  • Provide a completed:
  • Pass a vision screening.
  • Pass knowledge exam.
    • You may be eligible to take your knowledge test online.
  • Pay the $15 permit fee.

Your Alaska instruction permit will be valid for 2 years, and you can renew it once. With your permit, you may only drive with a supervising driver at least 21 years old with at least 1 year of driving experience sitting in the front seat at all times. You’ll need to hold your AK learner’s permit for at least 6 months and be at least 16 years old before you can move on to earning your provisional license.

Alaska Provisional Driver’s License Requirements

You can take your road test* and apply for a provisional driver’s license in Alaska once you’ve turned 16 years old. Before you can take your road test, you’ll also need to have:

  • Held your permit for at least 6 months.
  • Held a clean driving record for at least 6 months prior to applying for your provisional license.
  • Practiced driving with your parent/guardian, to equal the following required practice hours:
    • At least 40 total hours of driving practice.
    • At least 10 hours of the total 40 hours driven in “challenging” conditions, such as driving at night or in sub-optimal weather.

When you’re ready, schedule your skills test at your local DMV office. Bring with you:

  • Your instruction permit.
  • Your parent/guardian.
  • Proof of your:
    • Name and birth date.
    • Citizenship or legal presence.
    • Social Security number.
    • Alaska residency.
      • Your acceptable documents will differ slightly based on whether you want a federally compliant REAL ID or a non-compliant license. The AK DMV provides guides to required proofs for both standard and REAL ID licenses.
  • A completed:
  • Proof of your completed driving practice hours, signed by your parent/guardian.
  • Payment for the $15 testing fee and applicable license fee:
    • REAL ID-compliant license: $40
    • Non-compliant license: $20

You’ll also need a reliable vehicle to take your test in, along with the registration and insurance for your testing vehicle. Once you pass your road test, you’ll have your photo taken and receive a temporary license until your photo license arrives in the mail.

With your AK provisional driver’s license, you can only drive under the following restrictions*:

  • You may not drive between 1 AM and 5 AM unless you’re accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years old.
    • Exceptions are only made if you’re driving to/from school, work, or church, or because of an emergency situation.
  • You may not have any passengers in the vehicle unless your parent or guardian is also in the vehicle.
    • The lone exception is if your passengers are your siblings.
  • You must remain violation-free for a full 6 months in order to be eligible for an unrestricted license.

*If you’re a rural Alaska resident without a DMV office nearby and your community isn’t connected to the road system, road testing is NOT required to obtain your provisional off-highway license, and there are no driving restrictions attached. Jump down to the section on Off-Highway Licenses for details on your options.

Unrestricted Licenses for Minors in Alaska

You’re eligible to apply to have the provisional restriction removed from your Alaska driver’s license once you’ve held your provisional license for at least 6 months without any traffic violations. Alternatively, you can wait until you’re 18 years old, at which time your license restrictions will fall off and you’ll automatically advance to a full, unrestricted license.

Whenever you decide to apply for your unrestricted license,  you’ll need to make an appointment at your local DMV office. Bring with you:

  • Your AK provisional license.
  • Proof of your:
    • Name and birth date.
    • Citizenship or legal presence.
    • Social Security number.
    • Alaska residency.
      • Your acceptable documents will differ slightly based on whether you want a federally compliant REAL ID or a non-compliant license. The AK DMV provides guides to required proofs for both standard and REAL ID licenses.
  • A completed:
  • Payment for the $15 duplicate license fee.

Note that before you renew your license on your 21st birthday, you will need to complete an Alcohol Awareness Test before you can renew.

License Requirements for New Adult Drivers in Alaska

If you are 18 years old or older but have never held a driver’s license before in any state, you are not required to obtain an instruction permit prior to applying for your Alaska license. However, if you want to practice at all before testing for your road skills exam, you MUST have a permit to drive on Alaska roads. Jump up to the steps to obtain an instruction permit above for details—note that because you’re not a minor, you won’t need to provide parental consent with your application.

When you’re ready, schedule your skills test at your local DMV office. You’ll need:

  • Your instruction permit, if you obtained one.
  • A testing vehicle.
  • Proof of registration and insurance for your testing vehicle.
  • Proof of your:
    • Name and birth date.
    • Citizenship or legal presence.
    • Social Security number.
    • Name change, if applicable.
    • Alaska residency.
      • Your acceptable documents will differ slightly based on whether you want a federally compliant REAL ID or a non-compliant license. The AK DMV provides guides to required proofs for both standard and REAL ID licenses.
  • A completed Application for Alaska Driver License, Permit or Identification Card (form D1).
  • Payment for the $15 road test fee, plus the applicable licensing fee:
    • REAL ID license: $40.
    • Non-compliant license: $20.

You’ll also need to pass a vision exam, a knowledge test, and have your photo taken. You may be able to take your knowledge test online. Once you pass your road test, you’ll receive a temporary license, and your full, unrestricted AK driver’s license will arrive by mail.

Off-Highway AK Licenses for Rural Residents

If you live in an area within Alaska that is not connected to the road system,  you can apply for a driver’s license with an off-highway restriction. This license allows you to legally drive on rural roads, but NOT interconnected state or interstate highways.

Your community is eligible for off-highway licensing if it:

  • Is separated from the state’s connected road system.
  • Doesn’t have a DMV office or other affiliated agent within its limits.
  • Hasn’t had a DMV-commissioned agent visit within the last year to offer road skills testing.

If your community qualifies, you can apply for a rural off-highway license by mail. The required documents are the same as for standard provisional or unrestricted licenses, and you’ll still need to take a written exam through a proctor located in your area. However, you will not need to pass a skills exam, and the driving restrictions that normally accompany a provisional license do not apply.

Once you’ve passed your written exam, mail your Application for Alaska Driver License, Permit or Identification Card (form D1) and required identity documents to:

State of Alaska 
Division of Motor Vehicles 
Driver Services 
3901 Old Seward Highway, Suite 101 
Anchorage, AK 99503

Should you wish to remove your off-highway restriction in order to drive a vehicle on Alaska state and interstate roads, you must visit a DMV location or third-party affiliate to take your road test.

Driver’s License Requirements for New Alaska Residents

If you hold an out-of-state license and move to Alaska, you must apply for your AK driver’s license within 90 days of establishing residency in the state.

To transfer your license to Alaska, you’ll need to visit your local DMV office and:

  • Hand in your out-of-state license.
  • Pass a written knowledge exam and vision test.
  • Submit a completed Application for Alaska Driver License, Permit or Identification Card (form D1).
  • Provide proof of your:
    • Name and birth date.
    • Citizenship or legal presence.
    • Social Security number.
    • Alaska address.
      • Your acceptable documents will differ slightly based on whether you want a federally compliant REAL ID or a non-compliant license. The AK DMV provides guides to required proofs for both standard and REAL ID licenses.
  • Pay the applicable license fee:
    • REAL ID-compliant license: $40.
    • Non-compliant license: $20.

Alaska DMV Motorcycle Permit & License Info

You can apply for a motorcycle permit in Alaska once you’re at least 14 years old, and a motorcycle license once you’re at least 16 years old. The application process for an Alaska motorcycle license closely mirrors that for a regular driver’s license.

AK Motorcycle Instruction Permit

If you’re under 18 years old, you must first obtain a motorcycle instruction permit before you can apply for a provisional motorcycle license. If you’re already at least 18 years old, the permit isn’t required, but it will be the only way to practice riding before taking your on-cycle skills exam (unless you complete a motorcycle safety course—more on this below). The forms, fees, and identity documents required  are the same—jump up to our section on Instruction Permit Requirements for steps and details. With your permit, you can only ride while within visual sight and under the supervision of another licensed motorcyclist at least 21 years old.

Alaska Motorcycle Safety Course

The Alaska DMV offers you the option to waive your on-cycle skills exam (road test) if you successfully complete a state-approved Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Basic Rider Course (BRC).

Though you are NOT required to take a motorcycle training course to get your motorcycle license, it’s highly recommended. If you do, you can bypass the DMV skills exam, as it will be included as part of your course. Unlike several other states, Alaska does NOT require a BRC course for applicants under 18 years old; however, you will still need to obtain a motorcycle learner’s permit before applying.

Applying for Your AK Motorcycle License

As mentioned, you have two options for earning your Alaska motorcycle license:

When you’re ready, you’ll need to schedule your on-cycle skills exam with your local DMV office. At the DMV, be prepared to:

  • Submit your:
    • Instruction permit, if applicable.
    • BRC completion card, if applicable (this will waive your skills test).
  • Provide proof of your:
    • Name and birth date.
    • Citizenship or legal presence.
    • Social Security number.
    • Name change, if you’ve ever legally changed your name.
    • Alaska residency.
      • Your acceptable documents will differ slightly based on whether you want a federally compliant REAL ID or a non-compliant license. The AK DMV provides guides to required proofs for both standard and REAL ID licenses.
  • Submit a completed Application for Alaska Driver’s License, Permit or Identification Card (form D1).
  • Pass a:
    • Motorcycle knowledge test.
    • Vision test.
    • On-cycle skills exam, if you didn’t complete a BRC program.
  • Pay the applicable motorcycle license fee:
    • REAL ID license: $40.
    • Non-compliant license: $20.

Alaska CDL Requirements

To drive a commercial vehicle in Alaska, you must be at least 18 years old. To drive across state lines or to carry hazardous materials you must be at least 21 years old.

Regardless of age, to get your commercial driver’s license (CDL), you must first:

  1. Have a valid Alaska driver’s license.
  2. Have held your driver’s license for at least 1 year.
  3. Obtain and hold a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) for at least 2 weeks.

Getting Your AK Commercial Learner’s Permit

To get your CLP, bring the following to any DMV office:

Your CLP will be valid for 180 days, during which time you can practice for your commercial driver’s license road test. You can only drive when accompanied by another CDL holder in the front seat next to you, who is at least 21 years old and has held their own CDL for at least 1 year. Their CDL must be of the appropriate class and have the proper endorsements for the vehicle you’re practicing in.

Applying for an AK Commercial Driver’s License

After practicing with your CLP and holding it for at least 2 weeks, you are eligible to apply for your full Alaska commercial driver’s license. First, you’ll need to take and pass a skills test for the vehicle class you’ll be driving.

  1. Schedule a road test with your closest approved location.
  2. At your test, bring:
    1. Your valid AK driver’s license and CLP.
    2. A valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MCSA-5876) filled out by a medical professional.
    3. A vehicle representative of the class and type you’ll be driving, which meets all safety standards.
    4. Proof of your:
      1. Citizenship or legal presence—the state offers a list of acceptable documents.
      2. Alaska residency.
      3. Social Security number.
    5. Proof of insurance for your testing vehicle, or a letter from the titled owner authorizing you to use it for testing.
    6. Payment for the $25 testing fee and $120 CDL fee.

Alaska DMV Handbooks

Alaska CDL Handbook

Alaska CDL Handbook

Alaska CDL Handbook
Alaska Driver's License Handbook

Alaska Driver's License Handbook

Alaska Driver's License Handbook
Alaska Motorcycle Handbook

Alaska Motorcycle Handbook

Alaska Motorcycle Handbook