Alabama driver's permit requirements: what to bring

What are the Alabama driver's permit requirements at 15?

At 15, ALEA asks for all four of these:

• A certified U.S. birth certificate from the Bureau of Vital Statistics. No photocopies
• Your Social Security card
• Two proofs of principal residence
• Proof that you're enrolled in school or have graduated, on the Student Enrollment/Exclusion form (DL-193)

Ask your school for the DL-193. It must be filled in and signed by school staff. Home-schooled students can use ALEA's Home School Affidavit, which a parent or guardian signs.

At 16 or older

You need two forms of ID, at least one with a photo, or three without photos. Either way, one must come from ALEA's primary list, such as a certified U.S. birth certificate, a valid U.S. passport, a certificate of naturalization or a permanent resident card. You also need your Social Security card and two proofs of residence. Until you're 19, the DL-193 school form is still required.

If you're 18 or older and going straight to full testing, bring a licensed driver, proof of car insurance, and a vehicle that passes inspection.

Proof of where you live

ALEA accepts things like a voter registration card, a lease or mortgage, a recent utility bill, a vehicle registration, or government mail sent to your physical address. If the bill is in a parent's name, bring your birth certificate to show the link. If it's in your spouse's name, bring your marriage certificate.

Documents ALEA turns down

The manual says a document isn't accepted if:

• It's a photocopy rather than an original or a certified copy
• White-out, erasures or other changes appear on key details
• Key details are missing or can't be read
• A fold, tear, hole or staple hides key details
• It isn't properly signed

If you were born outside the U.S.

You must prove you're lawfully in the United States. A foreign birth certificate must be translated into English and certified by the embassy of the issuing country, unless you have a U.S. passport. Immigration documents need at least 30 days left. F and M visa holders also bring Form I-20, and J-1 and J-2 holders Form DS-2019.