How to get a driver's license in Alaska as an immigrant

Quick answers

Drive on a foreign license?

Visitors with a valid foreign license may drive in Alaska for up to 90 days.

Deadline after moving

90 days after becoming a resident (30 days for commercial drivers)

License exchange without tests

1 countries (only the road test is waived)

License without immigration status

No

No SSN?

Give your SSN if you have one; if not, bring SSA documentation showing no number has been issued.

Driving on a foreign license

Visitors with a valid foreign license may drive in Alaska for up to 90 days. Deadline after moving: 90 days after becoming a resident (30 days for commercial drivers).

Exchanging a foreign license

• South Korea

Only the road test is waived.

Only the road (driving) test is waived, and only if the South Korean license is held now or within the last 5 years (same as Canada and U.S. states). The written and vision tests are still required.

If your country is not on the list

Holders of other foreign licenses must pass the written test on Alaska driving standards, a vision test and the road test.

If you hold or have held a license from a US state, US territory, Canada, or South Korea in the last 5 years you will not be required to take a driving test. dmv.alaska.gov

Documents for non-citizens

Examples of accepted immigration documents:

• Foreign passport with DHS immigration status forms (e.g. I-94)
• Resident alien (Permanent Resident) card
• Employment Authorization Document
• Students: passport, visa, I-94 and SEVIS/I-20 or DS-2019

License validity: License may be issued for less than 8 years to match the end of your authorized stay; status is checked through SAVE, which can take about 8 weeks if secondary review is needed.

to match the expiration date of your authorized stay in the United States. dmv.alaska.gov

Social Security number

Give your SSN if you have one; if not, bring SSA documentation showing no number has been issued.

you must provide documentation from the Social Security Administration verifying that you have not been issued a number dmv.alaska.gov

Proof of residency

1 document showing your Alaska residential address (not a P.O. box), e.g. utility bill, lease, bank statement, paystub.

The document must show your residence address, not a post office box or other mail cache facility. dmv.alaska.gov

Step by step

1. Gather original, unexpired immigration documents (passport + I-94, green card or EAD), SSN or SSA letter, and 1 Alaska address document.
2. Fill out Form D1 and go to a local DMV office (Mobile DMV serves rural communities).
3. Pass the vision test and the written knowledge test on Alaska driving laws.
4. Practice on an instruction permit if needed ($15).
5. Take the road test ($15) unless you held a U.S., Canadian or South Korean license in the last 5 years.
6. Pay the $20 license fee ($40 for REAL ID); expect a delay if SAVE needs secondary verification.

Fees

$20 standard Class D license ($40 REAL ID); $15 instruction permit; $15 non-commercial road test.

Driver or Motorcycle License (Non-Commercial) dmv.alaska.gov

Prepare for the knowledge test

Checked against official sources on October 27, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the DMV before your visit. This is not legal advice.