Becoming a new driver is an exciting step toward independence. In Alaska, you qualify for a first-time driver’s license once you turn 18.
If you are under 18, you can still become driver-certified with a parent’s permission. Between the ages of 14 and 15, you are eligible to apply for an instruction permit. Once you turn 16, you may get a provisional license.
Alaska Learner's Permits
In Alaska, drivers are eligible to apply for a learner’s permit when they turn 14. A permit is required for everyone learning to drive on a street or highway. Getting a driver’s permit will allow you to practice your driving skills whenever you’re accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and has themselves been a licensed driver for at least 1 year.
How to Apply for a Driving Permit
- Complete the application form. You may fill it out at home but you are required to sign it in front of a DMV representative.
- Applicants must also complete a parent consent form. The consent form must be signed in front of a Notary Public or a DMV employee.
- Pass the written knowledge test. Use the official manual to study and take practice the tests here.
- Provide proof of a passed road test.
- Pass a vision test. You must have 20/40 vision. If you need, you can wear corrective lenses.
- Provide the required proof of identification.
- Pay the fee.
Driving Permit Application Forms
Required Identification Documents
- In order to receive your permit, you’ll need to provide documents that prove your name, date of birth, residence, and social security number. See additional information about this below.
Lost & Expired Permits
- Once you receive your permit, it will be valid for 2 years. You may renew an expired driving permit one time for $15 after it expires by completing the steps above.
- If you need to replace a lost permit, you can get a duplicate for $35 and a completed D1 application.
Alaska Provisional Licenses
Once you’re 16 and have been driving with a learner’s permit for at least 6 months, you’ll qualify for a provisional license. A provisional license provides more freedom than a permit, such as being able to drive alone and carrying additional passengers.
Provisional licenses do still have some restrictions. Those who possess a provisional license may not drive between 1:00 & 5:00 a.m. and all passengers must be 21 and older, siblings excluded. However, these restrictions are lifted if the provisional driver is accompanied by an adult who is at least 21 years old, or whenever he or she is driving to or from their place of employment.
You’ll be eligible for your unrestricted Alaska license after you’ve held your provisional license for at least 6 months, or until you turn 18.
How to Get a Provisional License
- In addition to age, there are two prerequisite requirements for a provisional license: you cannot have had a traffic violation within 6 months, and your legal guardian must be able to provide proof that you have had at least 40 hours of driving experience. This must include at least 10 hours of driving at night and in inclement weather.
- Bring your learner’s permit
- Complete the application form. You may fill it out at home but you are required to sign it in front of a DMV representative.
- Complete a parent consent form. The consent form must be signed in front of a Notary Public or a DMV employee.
- Pass the written knowledge test. You can use the official manual to study and take a practice the test here.
- Provide proof of a passed road test.
- Pass a vision test. You must have 20/40 vision. If you need, you can wear corrective lenses.
- Provide the required proof of identification.
- Pay the fee. We charge $40 cash or $41.20 debit/credit for standard provisional licenses. You may apply for a RealID-compliant provisional license (not recommended). The fee is $65 cash or $66.95 debit/credit
Required Provisional License Application Forms
Proof of Identification to Get a Provisional License
- In order to receive your license, you’ll need to provide documents that prove your name, date of birth, residence, and social security number. See additional information about this below.
Your First-Ever Alaska License
If you’ve held a provisional license for at least 6 months or you’ve turned 18, you automatically qualify for a full Class D Alaska driver’s license!
How to Get a First License with a Provisional License
If you already have a provisional license, you can simply exchange your provisional license for an unrestricted one. Note that Alaska licenses are not automatically Real ID compliant. If you want to use your license to travel by air or you require access to a military base or federal facility after May 3, 2023, get a Real ID now. Learn about the difference in cost here.
How to Get a First License without a Provisional License
- If you have never been licensed to drive and are over 18, you can apply for a first license by filling out the new driver's application. You can fill it out in advance, but don’t sign the form until you’re in front of a DMV representative.
- Pass the written knowledge test. You can use the official manual to study and take a practice the test here.
- Provide proof of a passed road test.
- Those over 21 and those upgrading to a license directly from a permit must also pass the Alcohol and Drug Awareness knowledge test. You may take the Alcohol Awareness test in our office. You can attempt the test up to 2 times a day at no cost.
- Pass a vision test. You must have 20/40 vision. If you need, you can wear corrective lenses.
- Provide proof of identification.
Driver’s License Application Forms
- Application Form D1
Proof of Identification to Get a License for the First Time
In order to get your Alaska license, you must bring 4 or 5 documents that prove your name and birth date, your current residence, and your social security number. Find more information about this below.
You may also use the official DMV checklist to find the required documents.
How to Get an Alaska License for Existing Drivers
If you will be driving in Alaska for more than 90 days, you’ll need an Alaska license. Commercial license holders are required to obtain an Alaska CDL within 30 days of establishing residency.
Get more information about transferring a license from another state, territory, or country.
What Does the Written Knowledge Test Include & How Do You Prepare?
- All of the necessary information for the written test is covered in the official Driver’s Manual. You should read and study the manual carefully. The most common reason new drivers fail the knowledge test is relying too heavily on the practice tests alone.
- To pass the knowledge portion of the DMV driving test, you must answer 16 questions correctly. You can take as many free practice tests as you’d like.
- You will have 25 minutes to complete 20 multiple-choice questions testing your knowledge of traffic laws, safe driving practices, and highway sign recognition. The test is not open-book.
- Our knowledge test fee is $10. If you fail, you can retake it for an additional fee as early as the next day.
- If you can understand the English language but are unable to read or have difficulty reading, you may bring someone who may read the questions to you.
Road Test for Class D Alaska Licenses
The road test is designed to examine your ability to drive. Driving tests last about 30 minutes. We do not provide road tests at Auto Tags & Titles. You can schedule a road test at the DMV up to 24 hours in advance.
New Driver Identification Documents
You must be able to prove the following elements: your full legal name, identity, date of birth, lawful status in the United States, social security number, and proof of residential address. Multiple documents may be required to show all name changes.
Address verification documents for a parent can be used for a minor child. If the minor's last name is different from the parent's, you must provide legal documents showing the reason for the difference. Examples would be a marriage license, divorce decree, legal name change etc.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call us or you can send us a message using our online contact form.