The Alabama permit test, explained
The short answer
In Alabama you can get a Stage I learner’s permit at 15 by passing the written exam, which costs $5. Then you drive with a parent, legal guardian, licensed driver aged 21 or older, or a driving instructor beside you. ALEA’s graduated license page does not give the number of questions or the pass mark.
Source: Graduated driver license, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
In Alabama, driver licensing is part of the state law enforcement agency, ALEA. If you break a Stage II rule, your restrictions last six months longer, or until you turn 18.
This text was written with AI help, checked against the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s pages and approved by Fri Vei AS. Last updated .
Checked against the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency · Report a mistake
Drivoku is not connected to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), which runs driver licensing in Alabama. Every fact below links to the ALEA page it comes from, checked on November 4, 2026.
The Alabama permit test at a glance
| Minimum age | 15 (ALEA) |
|---|---|
| Test | A written exam, with a passing grade |
| Number of questions and pass mark | Not on the ALEA page we read |
| Exam fee | $5 |
| Who sits beside you | A parent, legal guardian or licensed driver aged 21 or older, or a licensed or certified driving instructor |
| Held for | At least six months before Stage II, if you are under 18 |
How many questions are on the Alabama permit test?
We could not find the number. ALEA’s graduated driver license page says you must complete the written examination with a passing grade, and that the exam fee is $5, but it does not give the number of questions or the score you need. Many websites quote a number; we do not, because ALEA’s page does not.
Alabama’s three stages
- Stage I, learner’s permit (from 15): pass the written exam. Drive only with a parent, legal guardian or licensed driver aged 21 or older, or with a licensed or certified driving instructor in the front seat.
- Stage II, restricted license (from 16): under 18, hold Stage I for at least six months. You need permission from a parent, grandparent or guardian, and you pass a road skills exam.
- Stage III, unrestricted license (from 17): after six months with Stage II. From 18 you can apply straight away, after the road skills exam.
Do you need driver’s ed in Alabama?
Not necessarily. ALEA’s page asks for one of two things: a form, signed by a parent, grandparent, legal guardian or certified driving instructor, confirming at least 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice, or a form from the State Department of Education showing that you finished an approved driver education course.
Rules for teen drivers in Alabama
Alabama, like every state, uses graduated driver licensing. With a Stage II license, according to ALEA:
- Nights: no driving from midnight to 6 a.m. unless a parent or legal guardian is with you. Exceptions include school or religious events, work, and medical, fire or law enforcement emergencies.
- Passengers: at most one passenger besides parents, legal guardians or family members.
- Phones: no handheld communication devices while driving.
- If you break a rule: your restricted period gets six months longer, or lasts until you turn 18. It counts as a traffic violation, with no points.
What Drivoku covers for Alabama
Our free permit practice test and the questions below cover road rules and signs that apply in every state, with signs from the national sign manual. They do not cover Alabama’s own laws; the Alabama Driver Manual has those.
Practice five questions every state shares
Five shared road rules
Answer one question at a time. You see the answer and the reason after each one. Nothing you pick is saved or sent anywhere.
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Signs
A green rectangular sign has white lettering reading CIVIC CENTER and a white arrow pointing right. What information does it provide?
- A requirement for every vehicle to turn right
- A warning that the road bends sharply right
- Permission to turn right without checking traffic
- Directions to the civic center Right
The right answer is D: Directions to the civic center
WhyGreen guide signs provide direction guidance to destinations.
Source: MUTCD Section 1D.05 Color Code
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Highways
You are on a divided highway with a grassy median between the two roadways, and you miss your turn. What may you do?
- Cross the median where the grass is low
- Drive the wrong way briefly to an opening
- Use the next crossover marked for emergency vehicles only
- Continue to an opening or intersection where crossing is permitted, and turn only when safe Right
The right answer is D: Continue to an opening or intersection where crossing is permitted, and turn only when safe
WhyStay on your roadway until you reach a permitted crossing, and turn only when safe.
Source: UVC § 11-311 Driving on divided highways (model law)
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Sharing the road
Red lights are flashing at a railroad crossing, but the gate is still raised and you cannot see a train. No officer is directing traffic. What should you do?
- Stop before the tracks; wait until the lights stop and it is safe Right
- Cross slowly while watching for a train in both directions
- Continue across because the raised gate permits travel
- Stop only if a train becomes visible near the crossing
The right answer is A: Stop before the tracks; wait until the lights stop and it is safe
WhyFlashing crossing lights mean stop before the tracks; a raised gate does not cancel them.
Source: UVC § 11-701(a) Obedience to signal indicating approach of train (model law)
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Intersections and turns
You face a steady circular green and plan a permitted left turn. An oncoming car is close enough to conflict with your turn. A pedestrian is also lawfully crossing your turning path. What must happen before you turn?
- The pedestrian clears your path; the car must yield
- The oncoming car passes; the pedestrian must wait
- You signal; the car and pedestrian must then yield
- You yield until each conflict clears Right
The right answer is D: You yield until each conflict clears
WhyOn a circular green, left turns yield to conflicting oncoming vehicles and pedestrians lawfully in the crosswalk.
Source: MUTCD Section 4A.03 Meanings of Steady Vehicular Signal Indications, UVC § 11-402 Vehicle turning left (model law)
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Night and bad weather
You are using high beams on a dark two-way road. An oncoming vehicle is getting close enough that your high beams could dazzle its driver. What should you do?
- Keep high beams on until the other driver flashes theirs
- Switch to parking lights until the other vehicle passes
- Keep high beams on and aim your car toward the shoulder
- Switch to low beams Right
The right answer is D: Switch to low beams
WhyDim high beams to low beams to avoid blinding an oncoming driver.
Source: California Driver Handbook (California DMV): Signals, Horns, and Headlights: Using Your Headlights, Texas Driver Handbook, Chapter 9: Some Special Driving Situations, Headlights, Florida Driver License Handbook (FLHSMV): Low Visibility; Night Driving
Topics to review
- Signs
- Traffic signals
- Pavement markings
- Intersections and turns
- Right-of-way
- Sharing the road
- Alcohol and drugs
- Speed and space
- Seat belts and child safety
- Night and bad weather
- Distraction
- Emergencies
- Lanes
- Passing
- Highways
- Regulatory signs
- Warning signs
- Guide and service signs
- Pavement markings
- Emergency vehicles and crashes
- Learner and provisional licenses
- Driver education
- Seat belts and child seats
- Alcohol and DWI
- Parking
- Speed limits
- Sharing the road
- Headlights
- Insurance
- Phones and distraction
Your topics
- SignsKnow it
- Learner and provisional licensesOn the way
- Right-of-wayStamped
In the app, questions you miss come back until you get them right. 5 questions a day are free.
45 free questions on this website and 379 in the app, checked against the MUTCD, the Uniform Vehicle Code and Texas law, with the reason for every answer. About the app
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Keep going with the 25-question permit practice test and the road signs quiz. Other states: permit test by state.
Common questions
How old do you have to be for a permit in Alabama?
15, for the Stage I learner’s permit.
How much is the Alabama permit test?
ALEA lists an exam fee of $5.
Who can drive with a learner in Alabama?
A parent, legal guardian or licensed driver aged 21 or older, or a licensed or certified driving instructor in the front seat.
Do you need driver’s ed in Alabama?
Not necessarily. ALEA asks for either a signed form confirming at least 50 hours of practice or proof of a driver education course approved by the State Department of Education.