In addition to being a convenience and an enjoyable activity for many people, driving is also a symbol of one’s independence. As we age, there are a numerous factors that can affect our driving skills, and hinder our ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. The Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles wants older drivers to maintain their driving independence as long as they continue to drive safely and confidently.
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- State Of Alaska Dmv Driver's License Renewal
When applying for a drivers license renewal in person at a local Alaska DMV office, drivers are required to retake the vision test. Mailed licenses renewals do not require any additional testing. Mailed licenses renewals do not require any additional testing.
License Renewal For Senior Drivers
Alaska drivers who are 69 years of age or older at the time their current driver license expires are generally required to renew their license in person at a local DMV office by paying the required fee.
In addition to taking a vision test (see below), you may in certain situations be asked to take a written knowledge test as well. In preparation for this, you can review the Alaska Drivers Handbook and take practice tests before going for your license renewal.
The Vision Test
Most senior drivers in Alaska who renew their license in person will be asked to undergo a basic vision test to ensure they are able to safely operate a motor vehicle. If you wear eyeglasses, be sure to bring them with you to the DMV.
In addition, if you haven’t had your vision checked recently, or if you believe your eyesight has worsened, we recommend that you make an appointment with your vision specialist before visiting the DMV. A certificate from a vision specialist stating your vision meets the standards could be submitted if you wish to not take the vision test at the DMV.
The Alaska DMV’s vision standard is 20/40 for an unrestricted license, with or without glasses. If you do not meet this standard you will be referred to a licensed vision specialist. Please note the following if you are referred to a vision specialist:
- The vision specialist (a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist) will perform a full vision examination and assess whether your eyesight permits you to drive safely. Bring the results of this visit, completed by the vision specialist, back to your local DMV office.
- The vision specialist may prescribe eyeglasses or another type of vision correction. Since the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles will need to retest your vision, make sure to carry out the vision specialist’s recommendations before returning to the DMV.
- When you return to the DMV for another vision test, your visual report will be reviewed. If you pass the subsequent DMV vision test, your driver license renewal will be granted (with a corrective lens restriction, if necessary).
- In the event that you fail the subsequent DMV vision test, restrictions may be imposed on your license. The restrictions could be with respect to the area you can drive, the speed limit or the hours of driving.
The DMV Reexamination
A DMV re-examination is when a person’s driving skills must be reevaluated based on one or more factors, including the driver’s physical or mental condition, or driving record. A DMV re-examination may be recommended by a family member, physical or emergency medical technician, or peace officer.
Other times, information in your license renewal application or on your driving record may prompt a re-examination. To prepare for the test, many older drivers choose to enrol in a driver’s education program or driving school for seniors to brush up their skills.
The reexamination involves the immediate evaluation of an individual by a DMV Driver Safety hearing officer. It consists of an interview, and may also involve a vision test, a written test, and/or a driving test. Following the reexamination, the hearing officer will decide whether any action should be taken regarding your driving privileges, such as restrictions, probation, suspension or revocation.
The Restricted Drivers License
Sometimes, a physical or mental condition can impair a driver’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. The most common of these conditions is poor vision, but others which may be age-related include cognitive skills like memory, coordination and flexibility. People with poor vision may have license with restrictions limited to speed, area, or hours of driving or a combination of these.
In some circumstances, older drivers may have a restriction placed on their driver license. The types of restrictions vary, and are based on the results of your vision test, driving test, and the driving examiner’s assessment. A restricted driver license is intended to ensure that you are driving within your abilities. Some of the most common license restrictions are those that:
- Require eyeglasses, corrective contact lenses, or bioptic telescopic lens to be worn at certain times.
- Permit driving from sunrise to sunset only, or prohibit driving during rush hour.
- Restrict the geographical area in which a person is permitted to drive, or prohibit freeway driving.
- Require special mechanical devices, or an additional side mirror on the vehicle.
- Require extra support in order to ensure a safe and correct driving position.
- Need a medical certificate for drivers with a history of seizures that they have been seizure free for at least the past 6 months.
Last updated on Wednesday, March 6 2019.
Renew Your Alaska Driver's License
If you plan to operate a vehicle in Alaska, you must have a valid AK driver's license. When it is close to expiring or has already expired, you'll either need to renew it or apply for an extension. Fortunately, the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has a fairly simple renewal process.
For more details about other types of driver's licenses or permits, please visit our following pages:
Continue reading this page to learn how to renew your regular, non-commercial AK driver's license.
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When to Renew Your AK Driver's License
NOTE: If you moved to a new address and need to renew your AK driver's license, you'll need to update your address with the DMV first.
In Alaska, your driver's license will need to be renewed every 5 years. The Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) allows you to renew your license within 1 year of the expiration date (which is usually your birthday), and offers no 'grace period' once it expires.
If you're not sure whether your license is valid, go ahead and check your driving record.
Since the Alaska DMV allows you to renew your license so early in advance, you may not receive a renewal notice.
Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Driver's License
If you lost your AK driver's license, you may be able to renew it instead of paying for a replacement card. Contact your local AK DMV office to check whether you're eligible for this option.
For more information on how to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged driver's license in Alaska, please read our page about Replacing a Lost License.
Expired Driver's License
If your driver's license is expiring soon but you are unable to renew it for some reason, you may be eligible to apply for an extension. See “ Out-of-State, Remote & Military Renewals' below.
If your AK driver's license is already expired, you must renew it in person (see “Renew Your Alaska Driver's License' below). In addition to meeting the regular renewal requirements, you will be required to pass the written knowledge test again.
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Renew Your Alaska Driver's License
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Depending on your situation, you can renew your driver’s license in Alaska by mail, in person, or online.
NOTE: If you need to make a name change, you MUST renew your driver's license in person and submit additional documentation.
By Mail
Understand that if you’re unable to renew your driver’s license in person, the Alaska DMV strongly encourages you to renew online (if eligible).
That said, currently you still can renew by mail if:
- You're older than 22 years old.
- None of your personal information has changed.
- You didn’t renew by mail during your last renewal.
It costs $21 to renew your driver’s license by mail.
In Person
To renew your driver's license in person, visit your nearest Alaska DMV office. You'll need to:
- Complete an Application for Alaska Driver License, Permit or Identification Card (Form 478).
- Provide your current AK driver's license.
- Show 2 documents to prove your identity.
- The AK DMV provide a complete list of acceptable documents.
- Provide proof of your name change (if applicable), such as your marriage certificate or court order.
- Pay the $20fee.
- Pass a vision test (plus a written test, if your driver's license is expired).
- Have your photo taken.
NOTE: In the event you don't immediately receive your renewed driver's license and it doesn't arrive in the mail within a few weeks, contact the DMV office directly to check the status of your renewal.
Online
The AK DMV allows online renewal as long as you meet the following qualifications:
- You must be between 21 and 68 years old on the license expiration date.
- If you’re younger than 21 years old and have taken the Alcohol & Drug Awareness Test, you can renew online, too.
- You must have a non-commercial driver's license.
- Your last renewal must have been completed in person.
- You haven't changed your name since your last renewal.
- Your driver's license is NOT cancelled, revoked, suspended or disqualified.
If you are currently under 21 years old and you have taken the Alcohol Awareness Test, you may renew online.
To proceed, you'll need to first establish your identity with the Alaska DMV. Once you do this—and the DMV deems you eligible to renew online—you can move on with the online renewal process. The system will walk you through the process and explain all requirements.
Some details to keep in mind:
- Be prepared to pay the $21driver’s license renewal fee with a major credit card.
- After processing the renewed driver’s license, the AK DMV will email you a receipt and copy of your renewed card. Print this card and use it as a temporary card until you receive your renewed license by mail.
- The AK DMV will mail your new driver’s license to the address on file.
Alcohol & Drug Awareness Test
You must pass the Alcohol & Drug Awareness Test after turning 21 years old in order to renew your driver’s license.
If you’re out of state and haven’t passed the test, the state will send it to you. Use the contact information below to send your full name, date of birth, and how you’d like to receive the test.
- Phone: (907) 465-4361.
- Email: [email protected].
- Mail:
- State of Alaska
Division of Motor Vehicles
1300 W. Benson Blvd Suite 100
Anchorage, AK 99503
- State of Alaska
Once you complete the test, mail it along with the phone number or email address you’d like the results sent to. If you pass, you can move forward with your renewal.
ALTERNATIVELY, you can apply for a temporary license—as long as you’re NOT within 30 days of your license's expiration date. Begin the process online or with the Request for Out-of-State Temporary License (Form 481).
Out-of-State, Remote & Military Renewals
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If you are currently stationed in Germany, please be aware that some states require you to have a valid U.S. driver's license in addition to your USAREUR license. Read our article for more information.
If you are unable to renew your AK driver's license in person due to living outside of the state temporarily, or you do not have a DMV office near you, you may be able to renew by mail (see “Renew Your Alaska Driver's License' above) or apply for an extension.
Alaska Military Members
If you're in the military (or you are a spouse or dependent of a service member) and stationed outside of Alaska, you're eligible for an extension of your driver's license until 90 days after your discharge from active duty or returning to Alaska. Print out a Military Expiration Endorsement and keep it with your driver's license. You may be asked for your military ID to confirm your military status, should you be stopped by law enforcement.
Out-of-State Alaska Residents
If you are an Alaska resident temporarily out of state and your driver's license expires, you may be eligible to extend it. To apply for an extension, your AK driver's license must be within 1 year of expiring. You will need:
- A completed Request for a Temporary License or an Extension (Form 481).
- To provide your legal name, date of birth, driver's license number, and Social Security number (SSN).
- Payment for the $5 fee.
- Via credit card (on the form) or check/money order.
- To provide your out-of-state fax number or mailing address where you wish to receive the extension.
Submit the request via:
- Fax to (907) 465-5509.
- E-mail to: [email protected].
OR - Mail to:
- Division of Motor Vehicles
1300 W. Benson Blvd Suite 100
Anchorage, AK 99503
- Division of Motor Vehicles
Fees to Renew Your AK Driver's License
The fee you'll need to pay for renewing your Alaska driver's license depends on the renewal method you choose:
- In person: $20.
- By mail: $21.
Acceptable Payment Methods
The Alaska DMV accepts the following payment methods:
- VISA or MasterCard.
- Personalized checks or money orders (must be made payable to the “State of Alaska or Division of Motor Vehicles').
State Of Alaska Dmv Drivers License Renewal
Contact the Alaska DMV for more information.
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