How licensing works in Alaska
Alaska's Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) licenses drivers. New drivers under 18 go through a permit stage and a provisional stage before they get full privileges.
| Stage | Minimum age | Main rules |
|---|---|---|
| Instruction permit | 14 | Pass the knowledge and vision tests. Parental consent if under 18. Drive only with a licensed driver 21 or older who has 1 year of experience, sitting beside you. |
| Provisional license | 16 | Hold the permit 6 months, log 40 supervised hours (10 in challenging conditions), and have no convictions in the last 6 months. No driving 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. No passengers except siblings unless an adult 21 or older is with you. |
| Full license | After 6 months conviction-free, or at 18 | Restrictions end. A new parental consent and fee are needed to end them early. |
The provisional rules
The night limit has an exception for driving to or from work, or as part of your job, by the most direct route. The passenger limit does not apply when a parent, guardian, or person 21 or older is also in the car. Brothers and sisters may ride with you even without an adult.
Provisional drivers who get 6 or more points in 12 months, or 9 or more in 24 months, must take a driver improvement course.
The Alaska knowledge test
To get an instruction permit you pass a written knowledge test and a vision test. The knowledge test covers Alaska traffic laws, safe driving and road signs from the Alaska Driver Manual.
- The online test system offers several languages, with audio playback.
- Bring proof of identity, your Social Security number, and proof of Alaska residence, such as a bank statement, utility bill or pay stub.
- Bring your glasses or contact lenses if you wear them, for the vision test.
- If you fail the written test, you may take it again the following day.
Rules specific to Alaska
Alcohol and implied consent
If you are under 21, it is an offense to drive after drinking any alcohol. Adult drivers are presumed under the influence at 0.08% BAC, and commercial drivers face revocation at 0.04%.
Driving in Alaska means you consent to a breath test. Refusing after a lawful DUI arrest is a separate crime, and a first refusal brings a 90-day license revocation.
Phones and screens
Texting while driving is illegal. It is also illegal to drive with a screen device turned on where you can see it.
Seat belts and child seats
All occupants must wear a seat belt or use a proper child restraint. A driver who carries an unbuckled passenger under 16 can be fined and gets 2 points. Children under 1 year or under 20 pounds ride in a rear-facing seat. Children over 4 and under 8 who are under 57 inches and between 20 and 65 pounds use a booster seat.
Default speed limits
| Where | Speed limit |
|---|---|
| Alley | 15 mph |
| Business district | 20 mph |
| School zone | 20 mph |
| Residential district | 25 mph |
| Other roads | 55 mph (some highways are posted 65 mph) |
Slow vehicles and safety corridors
On two-lane roads outside cities, a slow driver must pull over at a safe place when five or more vehicles are lined up behind. In designated Traffic Safety Corridors, traffic fines are doubled.
School buses
Stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop arm out, whether you are behind it or meeting it on an undivided road. Failing to stop is a 6-point violation.
On a two-lane road, traffic in both directions stops for a school bus with red lights flashing.
- The school bus with its stop arm out.
- A car behind the bus stops.
- An oncoming car also stops.
Points
Alaska suspends your license at 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months. DUI and reckless driving are 10 points. Speeding 3 to 9 mph over is 2 points, 10 to 19 mph over is 4 points, and 20 mph or more over is 6 points.
Test tips
- Read the Alaska Driver Manual once all the way through.
- Write down every number you see: ages, hours, speeds, BAC limits and points.
- Take practice tests and review the topics you miss.
- Learn road signs by shape and color.
Keep studying
This guide covers rules that are special to Alaska. The general rules of the road, such as right-of-way, turning, lane markings, parking and sharing the road, are in the national US driving study guide. Study both before your test.