Alaska driver's license
Get your first license in Alaska after moving to the US.
The short answer
Alaska issues a first driver's license after you pass the knowledge test and the driving test.1, 2 A standard license costs $20 at first issue, and the federally compliant version costs $40.3 If you fail the knowledge test, you can take it again the following day.4 Only you and the examiner are in the car during the driving test.5
How it goes
- 1You arriveYou have moved to Alaska and you want to drive here.
- 2Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
- 3The written testYou take the written test.
- 4Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
- 5Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.
What it costs
| What you pay | Amount |
|---|---|
| A standard driver license, when it is first issued3 | $20 |
| A federally compliant REAL ID driver license instead3 | $40 |
| A standard instruction permit, which you take before the license3 | $15 |
| A federally compliant instruction permit instead3 | $35 |
If you just arrived in the US
Your immigration status
If you have temporary lawful status in the United States, you are issued a temporary or limited-term license or ID card only in the federally compliant form, and the card clearly shows on its face that it is temporary or limited-term.6
If your license from another state has expired
The road test is waived if you previously held the same class of driver's license in another US state or territory, a Canadian province/territory, or a province of the Republic of Korea, and the license has been expired, suspended, revoked, disqualified, or cancelled for less than five years.7
If you have no license to transfer
An applicant for an original license must take a road test unless they qualify for a waiver.8
For an original license, or to renew a license expired more than one year, you must furnish documentary proof of lawful status in the United States and take the vision and knowledge tests.1
Documents you need
- Documents that are still validA foreign passport is accepted together with Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) documents, but each document must be an original and expired documents are unacceptable.9
Your Social Security Number
Giving your number, and who may see it
On request, the department provides your Social Security number to the Alaska Child Support Services Agency, or another state's child support agency, for child support purposes authorized by law.12
Tests you take
Eye test
A telebinocular device is used to check vision. If you normally wear corrective lenses, bring them with you when you apply for any type of license.15
Instead of taking the vision test, you may submit a certified statement from a licensed physician or optometrist stating that your vision meets or exceeds the department's standards.16
You need at least 20/40 vision in each eye or both eyes together for an unrestricted license; if your best corrected vision in both eyes together is between 20/50 and 20/100, an eye specialist's report is reviewed and a restricted license may be issued, and no license is issued if your vision is worse than 20/100.17
Drive test
A driving test is required for applicants who have never been licensed, have not held a valid license within the past 5 years, or whose driving privileges have been revoked.2
Tries you get on the written test
If you fail, you may retake the test the following day.4
If you do not pass the first time, you may retake the test the following day, and after a second or third failed try the department may let you keep retaking it once per day until you pass.18
Practice questions for the written test
The written test covers only information found in the driver manual, including traffic laws, safe driving practices, and highway sign recognition.19
Practising with your permit
Who can sit with you while you practise
In a passenger vehicle, the licensed driver must sit in the seat beside you; on a motorcycle or motor scooter, you must stay within visual sight and under the immediate supervision of the licensed driver.20
You must be accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years old who has been licensed for at least one year for that type of vehicle, can take control of it, and sits in the seat beside you.21
What to bring to the drive test
Who comes with you
No one may come along with you and the examiner during the driving test.5
The car and its insurance
The test vehicle must be currently registered and insured, in good working condition, and equipped with working headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, license plate light, rearview mirrors, windshield with wipers and defroster, safety glass, seat belts, horn, parking brake, foot brake, and anti-spray devices.22
Where to go
Other states
U
Sources
Every numbered fact above is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.
- 1
“An applicant for an original license, or renewal of a license that has expired for more than one year, must furnish documentary proof of lawful status in the United States and must take the vision and knowledge tests.”
akleg.gov/basis/aac.aspChecked August 1, 2026
- 2
“The driving test is required for applicants who have never been licensed, or who have not had a valid license for the past 5 years, or whose driving privileges have been revoked.”
dmv.alaska.gov/media/t5ef5vi2/dlman.pdfChecked August 4, 2026
- 3
“FEES: The following fees are charged upon initial issue of a license or permit: License Type Non-Commercial Driver License Commercial Driver License Motorcycle License Instruction Permit Standard $20 $100 $20 $15 Federally Compliant $40 $120 $40 $35”
dmv.alaska.gov/media/t5ef5vi2/dlman.pdfChecked July 28, 2026
- 4
“If failed, the test may be retaken the following day.”
dmv.alaska.gov/media/t5ef5vi2/dlman.pdfChecked July 28, 2026
- 5
“No one is allowed to accompany you and the examiner during the driving test.”
dmv.alaska.gov/media/t5ef5vi2/dlman.pdfChecked July 28, 2026
- 6
“The department may only issue a temporary or limited-term driver's license or identification card that is federally compliant to an applicant who has temporary lawful status in the United States. ... A temporary or limited-term driver's license and identification card must clearly indicate on the face of the license and in the machine-readable zone that the license or card is a temporary or limited-term driver's license or identification card.”
akleg.gov/basis/aac.aspChecked August 1, 2026
- 7
“(j) The department will waive the road test requirement of this section for an applicant for an original or renewal of a driver's license if the (1) applicant previously possessed the same class of driver's license under AS 28.15.041 or a similar statute of (A) another state or territory of the United States; (B) a province or territory of Canada; or (C) a province of the Republic of Korea; and (2) driver's license was expired, suspended, revoked, disqualified, or cancelled for less than five years from the current date of application.”
akleg.gov/basis/aac.aspChecked August 1, 2026
- 8
“Unless the applicant is eligible for a waiver under (j), (l), or (n) of this section, a road test must be taken by an applicant for an original license”
akleg.gov/basis/aac.aspChecked August 1, 2026
- 9
“Passport – foreign with the following Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) documents are acceptable. The document must be an original. Expired documents are unacceptable:”
dmv.alaska.gov/media/t5ef5vi2/dlman.pdfChecked August 4, 2026
- 10
“an unexpired employment authorization document”
akleg.gov/basis/aac.aspChecked August 3, 2026
- 11
“All documents presented must be: Unaltered certified originals Certified amended originals (Federally Compliant) True copies certified by the issuing agency Checklist Valid and unexpired”
dmv.alaska.gov/media/ozwhxz3e/ak-real-id-checklist.pdfChecked August 4, 2026
- 12
“(g) Upon request, the department shall provide a social security number provided under this section to the child support services agency created in AS 25.27.010 , or the child support agency of another state, for child support purposes authorized by law.”
akleg.gov/basis/statutes.aspChecked August 27, 2026
- 13
“contain the applicant's social security number; the requirement of this paragraph only applies to an applicant who has been issued a social security number”
akleg.gov/basis/statutes.aspChecked August 1, 2026
- 14
“Social Security Numbers are mandatory for all permits and licenses.”
dmv.alaska.gov/media/t5ef5vi2/dlman.pdfChecked August 4, 2026
- 15
“VISION: A test is required of each driver to determine visual acuity before any license or permit is issued. This includes original, renewal, and duplicate licenses. A tele binocular device is used to check vision. If you normally wear corrective lenses, bring them with you when you apply for any type of license. In lieu of the vision test, you may submit a certified statement from a licensed physician or optometrist stating that your vision meets or exceeds the department’s standards. The standards are as follows: 1. 2. 3. To qualify you must have, in each eye or with both eyes together, at least 20/40 vision. If you need corrective lenses to qualify, you must wear them while driving.”
dmv.alaska.gov/media/t5ef5vi2/dlman.pdfChecked August 4, 2026
- 16
“In lieu of the vision test, you may submit a certified statement from a licensed physician or optometrist stating that your vision meets or exceeds the department’s standards.”
dmv.alaska.gov/media/t5ef5vi2/dlman.pdfChecked August 4, 2026
- 17
“(1) a person with vision of 20/40 or better in each eye or both eyes together will receive a driver's license without restrictions in regard to corrective lenses, unless a medical or other problem affecting that person's vision exists; (2) a person with vision of 20/40 or better in each eye or both eyes together only with use of corrective lenses will be restricted to driving with corrective lenses; (3) a person who, with the best possible corrections in both eyes together, has vision of at least 20/50 but no worse than 20/100 will be required to be examined by an optometrist or other eye specialist; if the report states that the person's vision cannot be improved, all data will be reviewed by the department; after the review, the department may issue a Class D license with restrictions that include driving limitations as to time of day, type of vehicle, specific area, speed, and other limitations considered necessary by the department; the department will only issue a commercial driver's license to a person whose best possible corrections in both eyes together is 20/40 or better; (4) the department will only issue a driver's license to a person whose best possible corrections in both eyes together is 20/100 or better;”
akleg.gov/basis/aac.aspChecked August 3, 2026
- 18
“(2) the knowledge test will be conducted when the applicant applies for a driver's license; if the applicant does not pass the knowledge test the first time, the applicant may retake the test the following day; if the applicant does not pass the second, third, and subsequent tests, the department may continue to allow the applicant to retake the test once per day until the applicant passes the test;”
akleg.gov/basis/aac.aspChecked August 1, 2026
- 19
“The written test covers only information found in this manual, including traffic laws, safe driving practices, and highway sign recognition.”
dmv.alaska.gov/media/t5ef5vi2/dlman.pdfChecked August 4, 2026
- 20
“For passenger vehicles, the licensed driver must occupy the seat beside you. For motorcycles or motor scooters, you must be within visual sight and under the immediate supervision of the licensed driver.”
dmv.alaska.gov/media/t5ef5vi2/dlman.pdfChecked August 4, 2026
- 21
“The permittee shall be accompanied by a person at least 21 years of age who has been licensed at least one year to drive the type or class of vehicle being used, who is capable of exercising control over the vehicle and who occupies a seat beside the driver, or who accompanies and immediately supervises the driver when the permittee drives a motorcycle.”
akleg.gov/basis/statutes.aspChecked August 3, 2026
- 22
“The vehicle will be checked for required equipment, which must be in good working condition and properly adjusted. The driving test may be refused or delayed until mechanical defects are corrected.”
dmv.alaska.gov/media/t5ef5vi2/dlman.pdfChecked August 4, 2026
- 23
“Driving tests are available at most Division of Motor Vehicle offices or through state approved third party testers.”
dmv.alaska.gov/media/t5ef5vi2/dlman.pdfChecked July 26, 2026
- 24
“FINAL-URL: https://dmv.alaska.gov/locations/locations/”
dmv.alaska.gov/locations/locationsChecked August 4, 2026
Applying for a driver's license in Alaska?
Answer a few questions and see the steps that apply to you.