To meet Alaska’s driver’s license requirements, you need to pass a vision screening, a written knowledge test, and a road skills test, bring documents proving your identity, Social Security number, and Alaska residency, and pay the license fee at a DMV office in person. Applicants under 18 move through a graduated system that starts with an instruction permit at 14, advances to a provisional license at 16, and reaches a full license after at least six months of clean provisional driving.
Who Can Apply, and When
Alaska’s licensing path depends on your age on the day you apply.
Age 14: Instruction Permit
At 14, you can apply for a noncommercial instruction permit after passing the written knowledge test and vision screening. The permit is valid for two years and can be renewed once.1Justia Law. Alaska Code Title 28 Motor Vehicles 28.15.051 Whenever you drive on the permit, a licensed driver who is at least 21, has at least one year of experience in that type of vehicle, and sits in the front passenger seat must be with you.2Division of Motor Vehicles, State of Alaska. Instruction Permit
Age 16: Provisional License
At 16, a permit holder can apply for a provisional license if three conditions are met: the instruction permit has been held for at least six months, a parent or guardian certifies at least 40 hours of driving practice (including 10 hours in challenging conditions such as nighttime or bad weather), and the applicant has no traffic violations in the six months before applying.3Justia Law. Alaska Code 28.15.055 – Provisional Drivers License
Around Age 17: Full License
A driver under 18 can upgrade from a provisional license to a full, unrestricted license after holding the provisional for at least six months with a clean driving record. The earliest this can happen is around age 17.4Justia Law. Alaska Code 28.15.057 – Restrictions on Drivers License Issued to a Person Under 18
Age 18 and Older
Applicants 18 or older skip the graduated system. Pass the three tests, provide the required documents, and apply for a full license directly.
Documents You Need to Bring
Every applicant must appear in person with original or certified documents and complete Form D1, which is available at any DMV office or on the DMV website.5Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles. Driver License, Permit or Identification Card Transaction Application The form asks for physical descriptors, medical disclosures, and prior driving history in other states. Providing false information on Form D1 can result in permanent loss of driving privileges, so review every entry before submitting.
You must provide a Social Security number for verification against federal records. If you are not eligible for one, you need documentation from the Social Security Administration or another federal agency proving that ineligibility.6Legal Information Institute. 2 AAC 90.420 – Application for Drivers License
REAL ID Documents
Federal REAL ID enforcement began on May 7, 2025. Without a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable federal ID such as a passport, you cannot board domestic flights or enter certain federal facilities.7Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID For a REAL ID-compliant Alaska license, bring:
- Proof of identity and lawful status: a birth certificate, valid U.S. passport, or permanent resident card.
- Proof of your Social Security number: the card itself or a document from the Social Security Administration.
- Two documents proving Alaska residency. Both must show your name and physical address. Acceptable options include utility bills (cell phone included), rental or lease agreements, bank statements, employment documents, insurance documents, voter registration confirmations, and government-issued tax documents. The two documents cannot come from the same source within the same billing cycle.
Post office boxes do not satisfy the residency requirement.8Division of Motor Vehicles, State of Alaska. REAL ID Update9Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles. REAL ID Checklist
The Three Tests
Vision Screening
If your vision is 20/40 or better in each eye or both eyes together, you get a license with no corrective-lens restriction. If you only reach 20/40 with glasses or contacts, the DMV adds a restriction requiring you to wear them while driving. Best corrected vision between 20/50 and 20/100 triggers a referral to an optometrist or eye specialist, and the DMV may then issue a restricted Class D license with limits on time, speed, vehicle type, or geographic area. No license is issued if your best corrected vision is worse than 20/100.10Legal Information Institute. 2 AAC 90.440 – Medical Standards
Written Knowledge Test
The written test has 20 multiple-choice questions covering Alaska traffic laws, road signs, and safe-driving practices. You need at least 16 correct (80%) to pass. The official Alaska Driver Manual tracks the test content closely. You can take the test at a DMV office or online through Alaska’s “Know to Drive” program.
Road Skills Test
Bring a vehicle that is properly registered, insured, and in safe working condition. The examiner scores your control of the vehicle through maneuvers like backing up and turning, your use of signals, your compliance with speed limits, and your overall traffic awareness. A dangerous action or any traffic law violation during the test is an immediate failure.11Division of Motor Vehicles, State of Alaska. Road Test The road test fee is $15 on top of the license fee.
Fees
Alaska’s licensing fees are set by statute:12Justia Law. Alaska Code 28.15.271 – Fees
- Standard noncommercial license: $20, or $40 for the REAL ID-compliant version.
- Instruction permit: $15.
- Permit renewal: $5.
- Road skills test (noncommercial): $15.
- Duplicate license: $15, or $35 for a REAL ID duplicate.
Most DMV offices accept cash, checks, and major credit cards.13Division of Motor Vehicles, State of Alaska. License Fees
Restrictions on Provisional Drivers
Two restrictions apply to provisional license holders until they qualify for a full license:
- Passenger limits. A provisional driver cannot carry passengers unless at least one is a parent, legal guardian, or person 21 or older. Siblings are the only exception and may ride along without an adult present.
- Curfew. No driving between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, or licensed adult 21 or older, or driving directly to or from work.
Violating these restrictions is an infraction. They do not apply to drivers in off-road-system areas of Alaska operating vehicles in those areas.4Justia Law. Alaska Code 28.15.057 – Restrictions on Drivers License Issued to a Person Under 18
Moving to Alaska With an Out-of-State License
If you move to Alaska with a valid license from another state, you have 90 days to transfer it. Commercial driver’s license holders have 30 days.14Division of Motor Vehicles, State of Alaska. Visiting or New to Alaska The transfer requires the written knowledge test on Alaska driving standards, a vision screening, and the same identity and residency documents listed above. You do not need to retake the road test if your current license is valid and unrestricted.
Alaska checks the National Driver Register, a federal database that flags drivers whose licenses have been suspended, revoked, or canceled in other states.15National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. National Driver Register An unresolved suspension elsewhere will block your Alaska application until you clear it with the original state.
What Happens at the DMV Office
With your documents gathered and your tests passed, the final step is the in-person visit to a DMV office or authorized rural agent. The processing officer takes a digital photograph, collects your signature, and verifies all paperwork. You leave with a temporary paper permit that is valid for driving immediately. The permanent plastic card is printed at a central facility and mailed to your home address, typically arriving within two to four weeks. If it does not arrive within that window, contact the DMV to confirm your mailing address and request a status update.