MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) reminds the public the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, at the direction of President Donald J. Trump, has extended the STAR ID enforcement deadline to Oct. 1, 2021, in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
STAR ID, which stands for Secure, Trusted and Reliable Identification, is Alabama’s version of the federal REAL ID program.
ALEA began modifying its Driver License Division operations in mid-March. The agency then shut down public access to Driver License locations at the end of March 26. Driver License Division personnel have continued to serve customers online and via phone and email.
ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor said, “As always, we are dedicated to serving the citizens of this state, but we must make the health and safety of our customers and our personnel a priority. The federal deadline extension should relieve some of the wait time at ALEA’s DL offices to obtain a STAR ID during the next several months.”
During the closure, ALEA’s Driver License personnel continue to contact customers who scheduled appointments for services prior to the pandemic.
Until operations are back to normal, Driver License Division customers still may:
- Renew DL/CDL/ID online
- Renew by mail – for Alabama drivers out of state for military, employment, missionary work, under a physician’s care or other issues on a case-by-case basis
- Request a hearing online or by mail/fax. We will not take any law enforcement actions until hearing can be held.
- Change address by mail/email/fax. Address change document available online.
- Change name by mail/email. Contact ALEA DL for instructions.
- Renew hardship license
- Have license reinstated by mail/email/phone. May use credit card.
- Order MVR (driver history) by mail/email/phone. May use credit card.
- Order crash reports by mail/email/phone. May use credit card.
- Submit medical cards by fax/email
- Submit medical unit forms – fax/email
- Handle Mandatory Liability Insurance – online/mail
- Renew vessel registration online
Once ALEA’s Driver License Division resumes normal operations, customers may schedule an appointment on the agency’s website to obtain a STAR ID and conduct other driver license business. In addition, Secretary Taylor would like to remind the public of the 60-day grace period for driver licenses (Code of Alabama, 32-6-1), but customers who would like to renew during the pandemic are encouraged to do so online. Individuals whose driver licenses must be reinstated may contact the Driver License Division to handle it by phone.
For more information on STAR ID, online renewals and other services, and the latest on Driver License Division office closures, please visit www.alea.gov.
