Alaska

If you're simply visiting Alaska, you can drive with your out-of-state license throughout your stay, as long as you maintain residency elsewhere. If you establish residency within the state, you must exchange your out-of-state license for an Alaska driver's license within 90 days.

No, you must exchange your out-of-state permit for an Alaska permit.

If you have an unrestricted out-of-state driver's license, you do not need to pass the road test if it's currently valid/unexpired. If it has expired, you must take both the knowledge and skills tests.

No, you typically do not need to repeat your eye exam for license renewals. However, if your vision information has changed (i.e., you can now pass the vision exam without the use of corrective lenses) and you'd like the restriction removed from your license, you can retest in person at your next renewal.

If you have not yet passed an alcohol awareness test and you're at least 21 years old, you will need to do so before you can renew your license.

You can renew by mail if your notice gives you the option or if you're a college student located out of state. Generally, the DMV encourages you to renew online.

Most drivers can renew online, and the DMV highly encourages you to do so if you're eligible. Your renewal notice will state whether you are eligible for online renewal.

To renew online, you do not need any specific documents, but you will need to provide information pertaining to your identity and license status, plus valid payment information. This includes: 

• Your first and last name as it appears on your current driver's license.
• Your date of birth.
• Your street address.
• Your driver's license number.
• Your Social Security number. 

You'll also need payment for the applicable renewal fee:

• Non-compliant driver's license: $20
• REAL ID driver's license: $40

To renew by mail or in person, you will need all documents listed on your renewal form, plus payment for your renewal fee.

No, instruction permits are not required for adult applicants in Alaska. However, if you want to practice driving in any way before testing for your AK license, you must hold an instruction permit to do so.

If you fail your first driving test attempt, your examiner will let you know your next steps and when you can retest again. Practice the skills you failed with your supervising driver until you're able to come back for a retest.

Your examiner will let you know your next steps and when you can retest again.

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 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.

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.

• Knowledge test/instruction permit: $15
• Road test: $15
• Driver's license:
  • REAL ID license: $40
  • Non-compliant license: $20

No, there is no one else permitted to be in the vehicle during your road exam except for your examiner.

No. The knowledge test is a prerequisite to taking your road test. Once you have passed the knowledge test, you do not need to take it again to get your license.

You should be prepared to do the following during your road test:

• Properly adjust the seat, mirrors, steering wheel, and seat belts.
• Operate vehicle equipment such as windshield wipers and washers, heater and defroster, parking brake, headlights, and the horn.
• Respond to traffic control signs and signals.
• Interact with other motorists (e.g., yielding right-of-way correctly, responding to emergency vehicles).
• Back up and park your vehicle.
• Display proficiency in basic driving skills such as stopping and turning.
• Recognize any warning lights that may appear on your instrument panel.
• Execute other driving maneuvers as the inspector requires.

The biggest tip is to study the Alaska Driver's Manual! Everything you need to know to pass your skills exam is in the guide.

A licensed driver may bring you to your driving test. 

The vehicle you use for your road test must meet the following standards:

• It should be appropriate for the license class for which you are applying.
• It should have a valid registration certificate.
• It should have proof of insurance.
• It should comply with AK laws regarding tinted windows.
• It should not have an Ignition Interlock Device (unless you are required by law to use one).

The road test will not be conducted if the vehicle is deemed to be unsafe. Common reasons why vehicles are deemed unsafe include the following:

• The windows are illegally tinted.
• The brake lights or turn signals are defective.
• The tires are worn or damaged.
• One or more lug nuts are missing.
• A seatbelt is defective.
• The speedometer is defective.
• The brakes are defective.
• Other equipment is defective or missing.

Road tests are administered at regional offices and third-party exam stations throughout the state.

Schedule an appointment with your chosen testing and training location.

After passing your AK permit exam, you'll need to: 

• Hold your permit for at least 6 months with no traffic violations.
• Complete your 40 required practice hours, with at least 10 hours driven in adverse driving conditions.

Once the above requirements have been met, you can take your road skills exam for your intermediate license.

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.

If you fail your exam, you may retake it as soon as the next day.

If you fail your exam, you'll receive instructions on how and when you'll be allowed to retest.

No, there is no drug test involved.

No. If you're worried about passing the knowledge test, try taking some of our free practice tests to help you prepare.

If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must accompany you to co-sign your application to give their consent. If you are over 18 years old, no one needs to accompany you for your permit exam.

• Instruction permit: $15
• Driver's license:
  • REAL ID license: $40
  • Non-compliant license: $20
• Commercial driver's license: $120

Bring the following items to the DMV office: 

• 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
  • A completed:
    • Application for Alaska Driver's License, Permit or Identification Card (form D1), signed by your parent/guardian to give their consent.
    • Parent/Guardian Consent for a Minor (form 433).

You can apply for your permit once you're at least 14 years old.

To get your permit:

• Make an appointment at your local DMV office.
• 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
  • Provide a completed:
    • Application for Alaska Driver's License, Permit or Identification Card (form D1), signed by your parent/guardian to give their consent.
    • Parent/Guardian Consent for a Minor (form 433).
  • Pass a vision screening.
  • Pay the $15 permit fee.

You can take your knowledge test at any DMV office.

Some examples of potential questions include:

You must use your headlights:

1. At all times
2. Between sundown and sunrise
3. Only during poor weather

The maximum posted speed limit on posted highways is:

1. 55 MPH
2. 60 MPH
3. 65 MPH

If the roadway is wet or icy you should:

1. Follow the posted speed limit
2. Reduce your speed
3. Speed up

Find more sample questions on a free Alaska practice test.

No. To obtain a learner's permit, you must only pass knowledge and vision tests with the DMV.

The Alaska Driver Manual is available online and at your local DMV office.

The Alaska Driver's Manual has everything you need to pass your permit test. It's also a good idea to use a free practice test to get ready for the testing format and prepare yourself for the actual experience of taking the exam.

Once you pass your road test, the DMV agent will give you a temporary paper license to use until your photo license arrives in the mail. Call your local DMV office for specifics.

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

Yes, your vision test occurs during your permit and/or license application.

No, a physical exam isn't required for an AK permit.

If you are under 18 years old, your parent or guardian must accompany you to co-sign your permit application and provide their consent. If you are 18 or older, no one needs to accompany you other than the supervising driver who drove you to the DMV office.

You can contact your local DMV office by phone. You can contact the state Division of Motor Vehicles by phone.

You can apply at any DMV office.

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.

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.

Examples of proof of legal presence include your original birth certificate or your valid U.S. passport.

To apply for your Alaska driver's license when you're at least 18 years old, you'll need:

• Your instruction permit, if you obtained one.
• 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
  • A completed Application for Alaska Driver License, Permit or Identification Card (form 478).

You'll need:

• 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
  • A completed:
    • Application for Alaska Driver's License, Permit or Identification Card (form D1), signed by your parent/guardian to give their consent.
    • Parent/Guardian Consent for a Minor (form 433).

You can apply once you're 14 years old.

If you hold an 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.

If you hold 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.

You can get a provisional driver's license once you're at least 16 years old, you've held an instruction permit for at least 6 months, and you've completed your required practice hours. Otherwise, you can get your license when you turn 18 years old.

You may only drive with your Alaska instruction permit when accompanied by 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 may begin practicing with your parents right away.

You'll need a completed Application for Alaska Driver's License, Permit or Identification Card (form D1). If you're under 18 years old, you'll also need a completed Parent/Guardian Consent for a Minor (form 433).

To get your learner's permit, you must pass a knowledge test and a vision exam. To get your driver's license, you must also pass an on-road driving skills test.

Driver's Ed isn't required in Alaska.

There are no prerequisites to obtaining your permit, other than being minimum age (14 years old) and being prepared to pass your knowledge test.

To apply for your AK instruction permit, you must: 

• Be at least 14 years old.
• Make an appointment at a local DMV office.
• Pass the written knowledge exam.
• Submit:
  • Proof of your:
    • 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
    • A completed:
      • Application for Alaska Driver's License, Permit or Identification Card (form D1), signed by your parent/guardian to give their consent.
      • Parent/Guardian Consent for a Minor (form 433).
    • Pass a vision screening.
    • Pay the $15 permit fee.

To apply for an AK provisional license, you must:

• Be at least 16 years old.
• Have earned your learner's permit and held it for at least 6 months without any traffic violations.
• Complete at least 40 hours of behind-the-wheel practice.
• Pass the driving skills road test.

To apply for a license as an adult in Alaska, you must:

• Pass the knowledge skills exam.
• Pass the driving skills road test.

If you're under 18 years old, you can take your road test once you turn at least 16 and you have:

• Earned your learner's permit and held it for at least 6 months without any traffic violations.
• Completed behind-the-wheel practice hours.

If you're at least 18 years old, you may take your road test any time.

You can renew your AK driver's license online, by mail, or in person. Your renewal notice will state which option(s) you're eligible for.

Driver's licenses in Alaska expire every 5 years. You can renew it up to 1 year after its expiration date before it is suspended.

Standard license renewals cost $40 for REAL ID-compliant credentials or $20 for non-compliant licenses.

You must obtain an Alaska license within 90 days of establishing residency in the state.

Yes, you may have the option of completing your knowledge test online.

You can take the knowledge exam as many times as needed to pass.

Yes.

Have your glasses or contact lenses, if you need them, as well as all of your required proofs of identity plus payment for your $15 permit application fee. If you're under 18 years old, have your parent or guardian there to sign your application.

The Alaska permit exam will test you on topics such as road signs, state driving laws, right-of-way procedures, driving safety requirements, and more. You can find examples of topics in the Alaska Driver's Manual, as well as on free practice tests to help you prepare for your exam.

Appointments are highly recommended to take your permit test, but walk-ins are also welcome.

Contact your local DMV branch to see if any near you has Saturday appointment openings.

You have 25 minutes to take your Alaska permit exam.

You may be able to apply for a limited license, which allows you to drive solely for specific purposes like education or employment.

Requirements will vary based on your personal circumstances and why your license was initially suspended. All applicants will have to attend a court hearing, where it will be determined whether or not your circumstances allow for a restricted license. Then, you'll need to fill out the applicable form and send it to the designated address.

You can request a limited license by mailing in the appropriate application based on your offense, as well as the designated application fee. The DMV will review it and contact you with the next steps, including further documents to submit.

Your restriction period will vary based on a number of factors, including your specific violation or reason for restriction, and whether it's a first offense or you have a repeated history of offenses.

You can take your test in person via a written exam, or you may be able to take your test online.