Drive-Safely.net

Alaska Driver’s License Requirements (A Complete 2024 Guide)

Alaska Driver's License Requirements

Are you a resident of Alaska and looking to get your first driver’s license?

Then you’ve come to the right place. 

With all the requirements, it can be hard to keep track of everything. 

What is the first step? Where do I apply?

In this complete 2024 guide on Alaska driver’s license requirements, we won’t skip anything. We’ll give you a step-by-step guide so you know exactly how, when, and where.

Are you ready?

Let’s begin!

Who is Eligible to Get A Driver’s License in Alaska?

If you are able to check all these boxes, then you can start working towards your Alaska driver’s license.

  • You are at least 14 years old
  • You don’t hold a suspended or revoked license in another state
  • You don’t suffer from a physical or mental impairment that prevents you from controlling a motor vehicle
  • You graduated secondary school 

Now, there are a few exceptions when it comes to holding an Alaska driver’s license. These are: 

  • A non-resident who is at least 16 years old and possesses a valid driver’s license issued by another state or country. But after a period of 90 days upon entry to the state, one must get an Alaska driver’s license
  • A member of the armed forces in the United States, as well as their spouse older than the age of 18 with a valid driver’s license issued by another state or country 
  • A person temporarily driving farm equipment on a highway
  • A US Government employee operating a government-issued vehicle for official business
  • A commercial driver who resides in a different state but enters Alaska for business

How to Get a Driver’s License in Alaska

With that out of the way, let’s get to the steps to acquiring your Alaska driver’s license. 

If you didn’t already know, Alaska follows a Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) program. This means you’ll have to go through 3 stages, namely:

  • Learner stage
  • Intermediate stage
  • Unrestricted stage

Let’s look at these stages in detail. 

Learner Stage

If you just turned 14, you can start the learner stage. This stage requires you to get a learner’s permit to practice how to drive. 

One important thing to note. You must be accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years old and have held their license for at least 1 year. 

So, to get your learner’s permit, follow these steps: 

  1. Apply in person

Visit a nearby DMV office. Walk-ins are accepted, but some offices need online scheduling.

  1. Complete the application form

Download Form 478. You may fill it out at home but you are required to sign it in front of a DMV representative.

  1. Provide your parent or guardian consent

As you’re under the age of 18, ask your parent or guardian to complete Form 433 which must be signed in front of a Notary Public or a DMV employee.

  1. Bring the necessary documentation, including:
    1. 1 primary document (passport, birth certificate, naturalization, or citizenship certificate)
    2. 1 secondary document (school ID, medical records, health insurance card, employee ID)
    3. Social Security Number document
    4. 1 residence address document
  1. Pass the vision test

You must have 20/40 vision. If you need, you can wear corrective lenses

  1. Pass the written knowledge test

Covers information from the Alaska DMV manual

  1. Pay the fee of $15 

You can pay via cash, check, Visa, or MasterCard

  1. Get your learner’s permit 

This is valid for 2 years and can only be renewed once

If you live in an Alaskan rural community, you are not required to get a  learner’s permit. However, the DMV strongly advises you to get one so you can practice supervised driving. 

If so, you can apply by mail and follow these steps:

  1. Pass the written test at a Proctor in your area.
  2. Pass a vision test at a doctor, nurse, or other qualified person of your choice.
  3. Complete Form 480
  4. Provide original documents verifying date of birth, Social Security Number, identity, and parental consent.
  5. Pay the fee of $15
  6. Mail your application and supporting documents to:

Juneau Driver Services

State of Alaska

Division of Motor Vehicles

PO Box 110221

Juneau AK 99811-0221

Note: Anyone enrolled in an approved high school, community college, commercial driver training course, or approved medical program may be issued a special learner’s permit.

Intermediate Stage

For the intermediate stage, you need to upgrade your learner’s permit to a provisional license. 

For anyone aged between 16 and 17, the provisional license allows you to drive unsupervised. However, this comes with restrictions, such as you may not carry non-sibling passengers under 21 years old or drive between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.

However, there are a few exceptions to this, including:

  • If you are accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old
  • Driving to or from your place of employment
  • Driving within the area of your employment

To get your provisional license, you must:

  1. Hold your learner’s permit for at least 6 months

During that time, you must log 40 hours of behind-the-wheel training, 10 hours of which must be done at night or in poor weather. This must be done with a licensed parent/guardian or certified instructor. Plus, you should NOT have any traffic violations.

  1. Go to any local DMV office

Again, walk-ins are accepted, but some offices need online scheduling.

  1. Make your parent/guardian complete the Parental Consent (Form 433)

Must be signed in the presence of a Notary Public or DMV officer

  1. Pay the road test fee of $15

Can be paid with cash, personal check, Visa, MasterCard, etc.

  1. Pas the road test

You must bring your own vehicle for this. Check here for vehicle requirements.

  1. Pay the license fee of $20
  1. Hand over your learner’s permit
  1. Get your provisional license

What if you got a traffic violation during your 6 months of practice?

You need another 6 months before you can upgrade to the provisional license. 

If you are a resident of an Alaskan rural community, you can use the provisional license without the usual restrictions if you use it in areas NOT connected to the land highway system or on daily, traffic highways. 

Unrestricted Stage

As you might guess, this stage gives you a regular driver’s license. 

You can get it once you have held your provisional license for 6 months OR you turned 18 years old, whichever comes first. 

All you need to do is go to your local DMV office, show proof of either of the 2 options above, and exchange the provisional license for an unrestricted license. 

CONGRATS!

You now have your driver’s license. 

But you might be wondering, “what if you are getting your first driver’s license at the age of 18 and above?”

If so, you must complete all these steps in one go:

  1. Apply for a driver’s license at your local DMV office
  1. Fill out Form D1 with the necessary info (must be signed in front of a DMV representative)
  1. Bring the necessary documents, including:
    1. 1 primary document (passport, birth certificate, naturalization, or citizenship)
    2. 1 secondary document (school ID, medical records, health insurance card, employee ID)
    3. Social Security Number
    4. Proof of residency
    5. Proof of name change (if applicable)
    6. Immigration status (for non–US citizens)
  1. Pass the vision test 
  1. Pass the written knowledge test
  1. Pass alcohol and drug awareness knowledge test (if you are older than 21 or upgrading from a permit straight to a license)
  1. Pass the road test 
  1. Pay the license fee of $20

Alabama Driver’s License Requirements FAQs

Got some questions? We answer the most frequently asked ones in this section. 

What documents or IDs do I need to get my driver’s license in Alaska?

You need a primary document/ID, a Social Security Number, and proof of residency. 

Here are some primary documents/IDs: 

  • U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card
  • Certified copy of U.S. Birth certificate issued by a city, country, or state vital
  • Statistics office (Note: not issued by a hospital)
  • Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
  • Birth certificate from U.S. State or Territory (Puerto Rico Birth Certificates must be issued on or after July 01, 2010)
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad of U.S. Citizen
  • Foreign Passport with a valid U.S. Visa and approved I-94 form
  • I-551 Resident Alien/Permanent Resident Card
  • I-766 Employment Authorization Document Card

As for Social Security Number, you can provide the following documents: 

  • Social Security Card (copies not accepted. Laminated is acceptable)
  • W-2 form (copies are acceptable)
  • 1099 form (SSA or Non-SSA) (copies are acceptable)
  • Pay Stub (copies are acceptable)

If you do not have a Social Security Number, you must provide documentation from the Social Security Administration verifying that you have not been issued a number.

And finally, here are some documents for your proof of residency: 

  • Rental or Lease Agreement with the signature(s) of the owner/landlord and the tenant/resident
  • Deed or Title to residential real property
  • Mortgage documents
  • Home utility bills (cell phone included)
  • Employment documents
  • Insurance documents (medical, dental, vision, life, home, rental, or vehicle)
  • Government-issued document (no 1040s)
  • Financial/Bank statement/Voided check
  • Voter registration confirmation letter or postcard issued by Alaska Division of Elections
  • Proof of payment of resident tuition at a public institution of higher education in Alaska
  • Letter on letterhead from homeless shelter, shelter for abused women, nonprofit entity, faith-based organization, employer, or govt. agency w/in USA attesting applicant resides in Alaska
  • Alaska certificate of vehicle titles or registration (issued at least 30 days prior to the date of application)
  • Change of Address Confirmation by USPS
  • Mail w/ postmark (handwritten mail is valid)
  • Alaska Tribal Card for non-standard remote Alaska addresses, within the tribal area indicated on the card

Any foreign documents must have a certified translation

How many questions are in the Alaska permit test? 

You’ll have 25 minutes to answer 20 multiple-choice questions about traffic laws, safe driving techniques, and highway sign recognition. The AK Driver Manual contains all of the necessary information. 

You must correctly answer 16 questions to pass. 

How to prepare for the Alaska permit test?

The best way to prepare is to study the AK Driver Manual. Also, you can take free practice tests online. 

Click here for a FREE Alaska practice test.

What common mistakes should I avoid in the permit test?

Make sure to read the manual first. All information can be found there. Do not rush answering the questions. Take your time and remember what you have studied. 

Can I take the Alaska permit test if I can’t read?

You may bring someone with you if you’re unable to read or have difficulty reading. But you must independently answer the questions on your own. 

What if I fail the Alaska permit test?

If you fail, you may retake the test as early as the following day. So no worries there. 

Conclusion

If you’ve reached this far, then you now know all the steps to getting your driver’s license in Alaska. 

Yes, it will take time, dedication, and even investment. 

But once you have your driver’s license in your hand, it will be all worth it. 

So what are you waiting for? 

There’s a long way to go, so you should get started right away!

Good luck!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *