Renewing Your Alaska Driver's License

Alaska driver's licenses run on a 5-year cycle, and most renewals can be handled online through the Alaska DMV eServices portal — provided the previous renewal was completed in person and the driver is under 69. The Alaska DMV typically mails a courtesy renewal notice 60 days before expiration, but the driver is responsible for tracking the date regardless of whether the notice arrives.

When to renew

Alaska allows renewal up to 1 year before expiration. The new 5-year period begins on the date of the existing expiration, not the date of renewal — so renewing early doesn't shorten the next cycle. Driving on an expired license in Alaska is a moving violation under AS §28.15.011 and adds points to the driver's record. The fine is roughly $300, plus court fees.

Online renewal through eServices

Most adult renewals can be done online if you meet all of these:

• Your current license is not expired by more than 1 year.
• Your previous renewal was completed in person at an Alaska DMV office (Alaska requires alternating in-person renewals).
• You are under 69 years old.
• You have no medical conditions reportable to the Alaska DMV.
• Your address and name on file are current — if either has changed, complete an address or name change first.
• You hold a non-commercial Class D license, not a CDL.

The online renewal fee is $20, paid by credit or debit card. The renewed license is mailed to the address on file in 7-10 business days; you'll receive a printable receipt that serves as a temporary license for that period.

In-person renewal

If you don't qualify for online renewal — first-time renewal, age 69+, name change, or you renewed online last cycle — visit any Alaska DMV office. Bring your existing Alaska driver's license, a completed Form 802, and the $20 fee. You'll have a vision screening, a new photo taken, and you'll receive a temporary paper license valid for 60 days. The permanent card arrives by mail.

If you're upgrading to a REAL ID at renewal, bring the full document checklist described in our Alaska driver's license guide. Drivers who don't need REAL ID for federal flight or facility access can keep a standard Alaska license — the standard version still works as state ID.

Renewal by mail

Alaska offers a limited mail-renewal option for residents who are temporarily out of state — military, college students, and long-distance workers. The driver requests a mail-renewal packet from the Alaska DMV, completes it with a notarized signature, and returns it with the $20 fee. A vision screening signed by a licensed optometrist or physician must accompany the packet. Mail renewal is not available within Alaska — residents in the state must use online or in-person.

Vision screening

Every other renewal cycle requires an in-person vision screening at an Alaska DMV office. The standard is at least 20/40 corrected vision in the better eye. Drivers with corrected vision below 20/40 may be issued a restricted license with daylight-only or area limitations, depending on the optometrist's recommendation. Drivers who fail the in-office screening can submit a Vision Specialist Report from their own eye doctor for review.

Drivers age 69 and older

Alaska does not impose a separate license cycle on older drivers, but anyone 69 or older must renew in person at every cycle. The renewal includes a vision screening on each visit and a knowledge test only if the DMV's medical review section flags concerns based on physician reports or family-member referrals. The state takes a less aggressive approach to senior re-testing than some other states (Illinois requires road tests at 75+, for example).

Address or name change at renewal

If your address has changed since your last license, the Alaska DMV requires you to update it within 30 days regardless of whether you're renewing. Online renewal will not work with an address mismatch. The address change is free if done online; the fee is built into the renewal if done in person. Name changes always require an in-person visit with the supporting legal document — see our Alaska address and name change guide for the full process.

Late renewal

Alaska charges a $10 late fee on renewals more than 30 days past expiration. Renewals more than 1 year past expiration require the driver to repeat the knowledge test; renewals more than 5 years late require both the knowledge and road tests. Driving with an expired license is a citable offense and may add points to your Alaska driving record.