Alabama DMV · Permit Test Prep

Alabama DMV Practice Test 2026

Updated for 2026 · Sourced from the official Alabama handbook

The Alabama knowledge test, administered by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), is a 30-question multiple-choice exam drawn from the official Alabama Driver Manual, covering traffic laws, road signs, and safe-driving practices. You need 80% (24 out of 30) to pass, and Alabama sets no official time limit, so you can work at your own pace. Alabama runs a three-stage Graduated Driver License (GDL) program with a midnight-to-6 a.m. curfew and passenger limits that trip up a lot of first-timers. Work through the real, manual-sourced practice questions below, then download DMV Ace for 1,000+ more Alabama-specific questions, progress tracking, and a full explanation on every answer.

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80%Passing score
30Questions on real test
24Correct to pass
No limitTime limit
$5 knowledge-test fee, plus $36.25 to issue the Stage I learner licensePermit fee

Source: Official Alabama Driver Manual (alea.gov)

Topics covered on the Alabama DMV written test

The 30 questions on the real Alabama test are drawn from these chapters of the official Alabama Driver Handbook.

12 free Alabama DMV practice questions

Real Alabama-specific questions sourced from the official Alabama Driver Handbook. Read each one, pick your answer, then check the explanation.

  1. Question 1 · DUI Laws

    Under Alabama law, at what blood alcohol concentration (BAC) are all individuals considered definitely impaired?

    • A.05 percent
    • B.08 percent✓ Correct
    • C.10 percent

    Why: According to the Alabama Driver Manual, greater impairment results as blood alcohol concentration increases. At .08 percent, all individuals are definitely impaired, and under Alabama law it is unlawful to operate a motor vehicle at or above this level.

    Source: Alabama Driver Handbook, page 33 · Alcohol

  2. Question 2 · Speed Limits

    The maximum posted speed limit on a road should only be driven under what conditions?

    • AWhenever traffic is light, regardless of weather
    • BIdeal driving conditions✓ Correct
    • CDuring daylight hours on dry roads only

    Why: According to the Alabama Driver Manual, posted speed limits represent maximum legal speeds under normal, ideal conditions. Under the basic speed law, you must never drive faster than is reasonable given existing road, weather, and traffic conditions.

    Source: Alabama Driver Handbook, page 60 · Speed Limits

  3. Question 3 · Right of Way

    When turning left at an intersection, you must yield the right-of-way to:

    • AOnly vehicles traveling straight through the intersection
    • BAll oncoming vehicles and any pedestrians crossing your path✓ Correct
    • COnly emergency vehicles with lights activated

    Why: According to the Alabama Driver Manual, when making a left turn you must yield to all oncoming traffic as well as any pedestrians who are in or about to enter the intersection.

    Source: Alabama Driver Handbook, page 63 · Turning

  4. Question 4 · Pedestrian Laws

    When must you yield to a pedestrian in Alabama?

    • AOnly when the pedestrian is in a marked crosswalk
    • BOnly when the pedestrian has the traffic signal in their favor
    • CWhenever a pedestrian is lawfully crossing your path, whether in a marked crosswalk or not✓ Correct

    Why: According to the Alabama Driver Manual, drivers must yield to pedestrians lawfully crossing their path at intersections and crossings. You are required to yield whenever a pedestrian is crossing where they have the right of way, not only in marked crosswalks.

    Source: Alabama Driver Handbook, page 63 · Right of Way

  5. Question 5 · Highway Driving

    Why is following another vehicle too closely (tailgating) considered dangerous?

    • AIt causes increased tire wear from frequent braking
    • BMost rear-end collisions result from following too closely, leaving insufficient stopping distance✓ Correct
    • CIt forces other drivers to change lanes unnecessarily

    Why: According to the Alabama Driver Manual, most rear-end collisions are caused by following too closely. The space ahead of your vehicle is the easiest to control, and maintaining an adequate following distance is essential for safe driving.

    Source: Alabama Driver Handbook, page 36 · How to Avoid Rear End Collisions

  6. Question 6 · Lane Changes & Passing

    Under Alabama law, in which situation is it lawful to pass another vehicle on a two-lane road using the opposing traffic lane?

    • AWhenever the vehicle ahead is traveling more than 10 mph below the posted speed limit
    • BOnly when the center line nearest to you is a broken (dashed) line and the pass can be completed safely✓ Correct
    • COn any road, as long as no oncoming traffic is currently visible

    Why: According to the Alabama Driver Manual, No Passing Zones are marked by solid lines. Passing using the opposing lane is only permitted when the center line on your side is a broken dashed line. Even then, the pass must be completed safely with adequate visibility and distance.

    Source: Alabama Driver Handbook, page 64 · No Passing Zones

  7. Question 7 · Turns & Intersections

    Before entering an intersection, in what order should you look to check for hazards?

    • ARight, then left
    • BLeft, then right, then left again✓ Correct
    • CLeft only, since vehicles approaching from the left are closer to you

    Why: According to the Alabama Driver Manual, before entering an intersection you should look to the left, then right, then left again for approaching vehicles or crossing pedestrians. You look left a second time because vehicles from your left will be closer than those approaching from the right.

    Source: Alabama Driver Handbook, page 62 · Right of Way and Yielding

  8. Question 8 · Parking Rules

    You are parking facing downhill on a two-way road with no curb. Which way should you turn your front wheels?

    • AStraight ahead so the vehicle stays centered in the parking space
    • BTo the left, toward the center of the road
    • CTo the right, toward the edge of the road✓ Correct

    Why: According to the Alabama Driver Manual, when parking downhill on a road with no curb (or uphill with no curb), turn your front wheels to the right toward the road's edge so the vehicle will roll away from traffic if the brakes fail.

    Source: Alabama Driver Handbook, page 29 · Parking

  9. Question 9 · Accidents & Emergencies

    What is one of the most common causes of tire blowouts according to the Alabama Driver Manual?

    • AOver-inflation of the tire
    • BUnder-inflation of the tire✓ Correct
    • CDriving at highway speeds for extended periods

    Why: According to the Alabama Driver Manual, under-inflation is one of the most common reasons for blowouts. When a tire loses air rapidly it will pull the car to the side. Maintaining proper tire pressure is essential to prevent blowouts.

    Source: Alabama Driver Handbook, page 74 · Tire Blowout

  10. Question 10 · Weather & Visibility

    On a slippery road, how should you adjust your following distance compared to a dry road?

    • ADecrease it — braking is faster on smooth surfaces
    • BKeep it the same — your brakes work independently of road conditions
    • CIncrease it — it takes longer to stop when traction is reduced✓ Correct

    Why: According to the Alabama Driver Manual, following distance must be increased on slippery roads because reduced traction means your vehicle needs more distance to stop safely. The type and condition of the road surface directly affects stopping distance.

    Source: Alabama Driver Handbook, page 36 · How to Avoid Rear End Collisions

  11. Question 11 · Traffic Signs & Signals

    When approaching an intersection controlled by a flashing yellow light, what are you required to do?

    • ACome to a complete stop and wait for the light to change to green
    • BSlow down, proceed with caution, and yield to cross traffic✓ Correct
    • CProceed at normal speed since flashing yellow lights are only advisory

    Why: According to the Alabama Driver Manual, a flashing yellow light is a warning signal requiring you to slow down and proceed with caution. You must be prepared to yield to crossing traffic. A complete stop is not required unless cross traffic or pedestrians are present.

    Source: Alabama Driver Handbook, page 55 · Traffic Signals

  12. Question 12 · General Rules

    What does a double solid yellow centerline on a two-lane road indicate?

    • APassing is permitted from the left lane only
    • BPassing is not permitted from either direction✓ Correct
    • CThe center of the road is reserved for turning vehicles

    Why: According to the Alabama Driver Manual, when the broken line is replaced by two solid yellow lines, passing is prohibited for traffic moving in both directions. Neither lane of traffic may cross the double solid yellow lines to pass.

    Source: Alabama Driver Handbook, page 52 · Pavement Markings

988+ more Alabama practice questions in the app

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Alabama-specific rules to know

A few traffic rules that are particular to Alabama and frequently show up on the test.

How to get your Alabama driver's license

The knowledge test is one step in Alabama's licensing process. Here's how the path typically works for a new driver.

  1. Check the age and eligibility requirements

    Eligibility in Alabama: 15 for a Stage I learner license; 16 for a Stage II restricted license; 17 (or 18+) for an unrestricted license. Have your proof of identity, residency, and any required parental consent ready.

  2. Study the official handbook

    Read the Official Alabama Driver Manual (alea.gov) and practice with DMV Ace until you're consistently scoring above 80%.

  3. Pass the knowledge test

    The Alabama written test has 30 questions, and you need 24 correct (80%) to pass. Permit/licensing fee: $5 knowledge-test fee, plus $36.25 to issue the Stage I learner license.

  4. Build supervised driving experience

    Hold your permit for the period Alabama requires and log supervised driving hours with a licensed adult before you schedule the road test.

  5. Pass the road test and get licensed

    After you pass the behind-the-wheel road test, Alabama issues your driver's license — often an intermediate/provisional license first for younger drivers.

Steps are a general guide — always confirm the current process with your local Alabama DMV office.

How DMV Ace prepares you for the Alabama test

  • 1,000+ Alabama-specific questions

    Every question is sourced from the official Alabama Driver Handbook — same wording style, same topic mix as the real test.

  • Explanations on every answer

    Right or wrong, you see exactly why — with a handbook page citation so you can dig deeper.

  • Hard Questions module

    A curated bank of the trickiest Alabama questions — the ones most testers fail. Master these and you're ready.

  • Smart progress tracking

    See exactly which topics you've mastered and which need work. A pass-readiness score tells you when you're truly ready for the Alabama DMV.

Alabama DMV permit test — common questions

How many questions are on the Alabama knowledge test?

The Alabama knowledge test has 30 multiple-choice questions on traffic laws, road signs, and safe-driving rules from the official Alabama Driver Manual. You must answer at least 24 correctly (80%) to pass.

What's the passing score for the Alabama permit test?

80% — meaning you can miss no more than 6 of the 30 questions. The threshold is the same for first-time testers and retakes.

How old do I have to be to get a learner license in Alabama?

You can apply for a Stage I learner license at age 15 through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). A Stage II restricted license is available at 16, and an unrestricted license at 17 (or at 18 and older with no GDL holding period).

Can I take the Alabama knowledge test online?

No. Alabama requires the knowledge test to be taken in person at an ALEA driver license office. You can schedule an appointment through alea.gov before you go.

How many times can I retake the Alabama test if I fail?

If you do not pass, you may retake the knowledge test after a short waiting period set by the office. Each attempt is covered by the $5 test fee, and there is no statewide cap on retakes.

How much does an Alabama learner license cost?

The knowledge test costs $5, and it is $36.25 to issue the Stage I learner license once you pass. There is no separate charge for taking the written exam beyond the $5 test fee.

Is there a time limit on the Alabama knowledge test?

No. Alabama (ALEA) does not publish an official time limit for the knowledge test, so you can work through all 30 questions at your own pace. Most testers finish well within 30 minutes.

What is the Alabama GDL night curfew?

Stage II restricted-license holders may not drive between midnight and 6:00 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed parent or guardian, or driving for documented work, school, religious, or medical reasons. Stage II drivers are also limited to one non-family passenger and may not use a handheld device while driving.

Coming Soon

Alabama motorcycle permit test prep

Studying for your motorcycle endorsement instead? Dedicated Alabama motorcycle practice is coming to DMV Ace soon — meanwhile, the app already includes full motorcycle question banks for every state.

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Practice tests for other states

Studying in a different state, or moving soon? DMV Ace covers every U.S. jurisdiction. Free sample questions for nearby states:

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