Free Alabama Permit Practice Tests 2025

You must be at least 15 years old to apply for a learner’s permit (also called a restricted license) in Alabama. This age requirement applies to all first-time permit applicants regardless of prior driving experience.

To apply for a permit in Alabama you must bring:

• Primary identification document (birth certificate or passport)
• Social Security card or verification document
• Two proofs of Alabama residency (showing you live in Alabama)
• If under 19, a completed School Enrollment/Exclusion Form (DL-1-93)
• If applicable, legal name change documents (if different from your primary ID)
• Payment for the application fee

If you’re applying for a STAR ID (Alabama’s REAL ID compliant license), additional documentation may be required. Check the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) website for current accepted documents.

Yes. If you’re under 18, a parent or legal guardian must:

• Sign your permit application
• Accept financial responsibility for you
• Provide permission for you to receive a learner’s permit
• Accompany you to the licensing office

The application process in Alabama is:

1. Schedule an appointment with your local Driver License Examining Office
2. Fill out the application
3. Bring all required documents (identification, residency, etc.)
4. Take a vision test
5. Take the written knowledge test
6. Pay the fee

If you’re under 19, you must also provide proof of school enrollment or exclusion status.

No, you cannot apply for a learner’s permit online. You must visit a Driver License Examining Office in person to complete the application, bring your documents, take your vision test and take your written test.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) charges a fee for a learner’s permit. This fee covers the cost of processing your application, the written test and issuing your permit. Check the ALEA website for current fee information.

To get your permit in Alabama you must pass:

• A vision test to make sure you can see well enough to drive safely
• A written knowledge test with multiple-choice questions about traffic laws, road signs and safe driving practices

The Alabama permit written test contains 30 multiple-choice questions. You must answer at least 24 questions correctly (80%) to pass the test.

The Alabama permit test covers:

• Traffic laws and regulations
• Road signs and signals
• Right-of-way rules
• Safe driving practices
• Penalties for violating traffic laws
• Alcohol and drug effects on driving
• Basic vehicle operation

The best ways to prepare for your Alabama permit test:

• Study the Alabama Driver Manual thoroughly, available on our website at Alabama Driver Manual
• Take our free practice tests that simulate the actual permit test
• Review the test materials multiple times to make sure you understand the key concepts
• Pay special attention to road signs, signals and right-of-way rules

If you fail the Alabama permit test:

• You can retake the test, but you may need to wait before retaking it
• Each Driver License Examining Office may have different policies about how soon you can retake the test
• You’ll need to pay the test fee again for each attempt
• It’s best to study more before retaking the test to improve your chances of passing

With an Alabama learner’s permit, you can:

• Practice driving with a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old sitting in the front passenger seat
• This supervising driver must be a parent, legal guardian, or driving instructor, or have the permission of the permit holder’s parent or legal guardian
• Gain experience to prepare for your road skills test

When driving with a permit in Alabama you:

• Must have a licensed driver at least 21 years old in the front passenger seat at all times
• Cannot use any handheld communication devices while driving
• Must ensure all occupants wear seat belts

No, unless accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old with parental consent.

In Alabama, it depends on your age:
If you are under 18:

• You must hold your learner’s permit for at least 6 months before taking the road skills test for a restricted license
• You must complete at least 30 hours of behind-the-wheel driving practice, including 5 hours of nighttime driving

If you are 18 or older:

• There is no minimum holding period for your learner’s permit
• Practice enough to develop safe driving skills before taking your road skills test

Yes, non-U.S. citizens can get a permit in Alabama by providing:

• Proof of lawful presence in the United States
• Valid foreign passport with appropriate immigration documents
• Proof of Alabama residency
• Other required identification documents
• Visit the ALEA website for more information on documentation requirements for non-citizens

Alabama has different driver education requirements based on your age:

• If you are under 18: Driver education is not required to get a learner’s permit, but it is highly recommended. A state-approved driver education course can help you become a safer driver and may reduce your insurance rates.
• If you are 18 or older: No driver education is required, although it’s still recommended to help you become a safer driver.

In Alabama, before you get your driver’s license, the requirements depend on your age:
If you are under 18:

• While formal driver education is not legally required, you must complete at least 30 hours of supervised driving practice with at least 5 hours at night
• A state-approved driver education course can count toward your practice hours and may provide insurance benefits

If you are 18 or older:

• No formal driver education is required, though it’s still beneficial

You can find Alabama-approved driver education programs by:

• Checking your high school’s offerings
• Visiting the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency website for information on licensed driving schools
• Contacting your local Driver License Examining Office for recommendations

The Alabama behind-the-wheel test (road skills test) will check:

• If you can safely operate the vehicle
• If you follow traffic laws and signs
• Basic maneuvers like turns, lane changes, and parking
• Awareness of other road users
• Good decision making in various traffic situations

Before you start, the examiner will check your vehicle to ensure it’s safe and properly equipped. They’ll verify:

• Working headlights, brake lights and turn signals
• Functional seat belts
• Good tire condition
• Properly working horn
• Clean windshield with working wipers
• Properly adjusted mirrors

You can schedule your behind-the-wheel test by:

• Contacting your local Driver License Examining Office
• Making an appointment online through the ALEA website
• Calling the Driver License Division appointment line
• When scheduling, make sure you have your learner’s permit number and personal information ready.

On the day of your behind-the-wheel test, bring:

• Your learner’s permit
• A licensed driver who is at least 21 years old (to drive you to the test)
• A properly registered and insured vehicle for your test
• Current vehicle registration
• Proof of insurance for the vehicle
• Any required documentation of supervised driving hours (if under 18)

Most common reasons for failure:

• Not checking blind spots before changing lanes
• Rolling through stop signs instead of coming to a complete stop
• Driving too fast or too slow for conditions
• Improper lane positioning or lane changes
• Not yielding to pedestrians or other vehicles
• Lack of steering control
• Poor awareness of surroundings
• Improper parking techniques
• Following too closely
• Failing to obey traffic signals and signs

To convert your learner’s permit to a driver’s license in Alabama:
If you are under 18:

• Hold your learner’s permit for at least 6 months
• Complete at least 30 hours of supervised driving practice (including 5 hours at night)
• Be at least 16 years old
• Pass the behind-the-wheel test
• Pay the required fees

If you are 18 or older:

• Practice with your permit
• Schedule and pass the behind-the-wheel test
• Pay the required fees

Alabama’s graduated licensing program has these stages:

• Learner’s Permit (Stage I): Must be at least 15 years old. Practice driving with a licensed adult 21 or older in the front passenger seat.
• Restricted License (Stage II): Must be at least 16 years old, held a permit for at least 6 months, and completed 30 hours of supervised driving practice. Limited to no more than one non-family passenger and no driving between midnight and 6 a.m. unless specific exceptions apply.
• Unrestricted License (Stage III): Available at age 17 after holding a Stage II license for at least 6 months without any traffic violations.
• Adults 18 and older can go directly from permit to unrestricted license after passing the behind-the-wheel test.

As a new driver under 18 in Alabama with a Stage II license, you can’t:

• Drive between midnight and 6 a.m. unless:
  • You’re accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
  • Driving to or from work, school functions, religious events, or organized activities
  • Driving for a medical, fire, or law enforcement-related emergency
• Drive with more than one non-family passenger (other than parents or legal guardians)
• Use any handheld communication devices while driving

These restrictions apply until you reach Stage III or turn 18, whichever comes first.

Download the Alabama Driver Manual here. Physical copies are available at any Driver License Examining Office.

Yes! We have free Alabama-specific practice tests that mimic the actual permit test. Our practice tests are designed to help you study the material and get comfortable with the test format before your actual exam.

For more information about the Alabama permit process:

• ALEA website at alea.gov
• Driver License Division at 334-242-4400 during business hours
• Local Driver License Examining Office
• Email: dlemail@alea.gov

If you lost your Alabama learner’s permit:

• Apply for a duplicate at your local Driver License Examining Office
• Provide proof of your identity
• Pay the replacement fee
• You may need to complete a new application form

A parent or legal guardian who signed the application for a minor can cancel their teen’s permit or license by:

• Submitting a written request to ALEA
• Providing proof of their relationship to the minor
• Returning the permit or license if possible
• Completing any required forms available at the Driver License Examining Office