Alaska Driver's Handbook 2026

Preface 1 The purpose of this manual is to provide the reader with a general familiarity with the principles of safe and lawful operation of a motor vehicle. The contents of this manual are NOT intended to serve as a precise statement of all the Statutes and Regulations of the State of Alaska pertaining to the operation of a motor vehicle and should not be understood by the reader as such. REV.10/2025 DRIVER MANUAL Preface 2 INDEX Accidents (see Crash) Address Change.......................................................... 9 Addresses for Motor Vehicle Offices ........................... 80 Administrative Hearing ................................................ 17 Administrative Revocation ........................................... 16 Alcohol and Driving ..................................................... 14-19 Animals, Struck by Vehicle.......................................... 60 Bicycles ....................................................................... 43-45 Backing.......................................................................26, 63 Braking Distance ......................................................... 28 Change of Address ...................................................... 9 Change of Name ......................................................... 9 Changing Lanes .......................................................... 57 Child Restraints, Safety Belts ...................................... 20-23 Classes of Driver Licenses and Permits ..................... 2 Certified Driving Record .............................................. 9 Control of Vehicle at Intersections .............................. 34-35 Control of Vehicle ........................................................ 25 Crash reporting & what to do at the scene ................. 11 Distracted Driving ........................................................ 24 Driver License Requirements ...................................... 5 Driving Examination .................................................... 6-7 Driving Records ........................................................... 9 Drugs and Driving........................................................ 14-19 Duplicate License ........................................................ 9 Emergencies...............................................................58, 66 Emergency Vehicles.................................................... 64-65 Equipment Required for Safety ................................... 68 Equipment Requirement ............................................. 68-69 Examinations (Written, Vision, Driving)....................... 5-7 Financial Responsibility ............................................... 10 Four-Second Rule ....................................................... 28 Following other Vehicles ............................................. 27-28 Highways and Roads .................................................. 56-58 Identification Requirements ......................................... 2-3 Ignition Interlock Device .............................................. 19 Implied Consent Law ................................................... 14 Inspection of Vehicle Prior to Driving Test .................. 7, 68 Instruction Permit ........................................................ 2 Intersections ................................................................ 33-35 Lighting Equipment...................................................... 54-55 Littering from Vehicle................................................... 79 Mandatory Insurance ................................................... 10 Markings on Pavement............................................54-57 Merging onto highway .................................................. 58 Motorcycles, sharing the road with..........................43-47 Name Change .............................................................. 9 Night Driving................................................................. 54 Obstruction to Drivers View ......................................... 26 Office Locations ........................................................... 80 Organ and Tissue Donation ......................................... 9 Parental Consent ......................................................... 3 Parking....................................................................62-63 Passing .......................................................36-37, 57 Pavement Markings.................................................54-57 Pedestrian...............................................................43-44 Point System ................................................................ 11 Provisional License.....................................................5-6 Railroad Crossing....................................................58-59 Revocations ................................................................. 13 Right of Way (Yield)................................................31-35 Roads and Highways..............................................56-58 Round Abouts .............................................................. 34 Safety Belts, Child Restraints..................................20-23 Safety Equipment Required....................................68-69 Safety Tips ................................................................... 69 School Bus.........................................................48,70-71 Seat Belts................................................................20-21 Signaling ...................................................................... 30 Signs.......................................................................38-53 Skids ............................................................................ 61 Slow Moving Vehicle Emblem ..................................... 49 Speed and Speed Laws....................................25-29, 56 Stops Required ............................................................ 36 Suspensions................................................................. 13 Telephone Numbers.....................................................80 Texting ......................................................................... 24 Towing .......................................................................... 30 Traffic Lights............................................................50-53 Turn Signals ................................................................. 30 Turns.......................................................................31-32 Vehicle Inspection Prior to Driving Test...................7, 68 Vision Test ................................................................... 6 Weather Conditions ..................................................... 59 Withdrawal of Parental Consent .................................. 3 Written Examination....................................................6-7 Preface 3 THIS MANUAL MAY NOT BE USED DURING THE TEST TO ALL WHO NOW DRIVE and those who will drive: a safe driver must constantly demonstrate a courteous attitude and exercise sound judgment. To qualify for an operator’s license you must acquire knowledge, develop skills, and possess the necessary physical and mental qualifications. As a beginning driver the privilege to drive represents a steppingstone in your life. It can be a pleasant experience and lead to economic wellbeing and enjoyment. It can also be a fatal experience and result in pain and grief. Your future, as a driver, might very well be decided by how well you study and absorb the information contained in this manual and how conscientiously you practice the principles. You are invited to join the drivers who are already sharing Alaska’s streets and highways. AS AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER a review of this guide will enable you to improve your driving and your understanding of the increasingly complex traffic patterns and control measures. AN UNINFORMED, unskilled driver is a traffic hazard. Won’t you join the thousands of Alaskans who exemplify that crash and violation free driving is the result of the application of safe driving principles and courtesy? Make driving a safe and enjoyable experience for yourself and other drivers who share the road with you. Produced By: Division of Motor Vehicles 1 ONLINE SERVICES Go to https://dmv.alaska.gov/home/ to access all the Alaska DMV Online Services: Take a practice knowledge test Take an online knowledge test (fees may apply) Make an appointment to take a knowledge test at DMV office, get a permit or license issued Schedule a driving test See the mailing status for an issued license or permit Duplicate a license or permit Renew a license or permit Get a certified driving record 2 WHO MUST HAVE AN ALASKA DRIVER’S LICENSE? Every person who operates a motor vehicle on Alaska streets, highways, or other public property must have a valid Alaska driver’s license or permit. The few exceptions are listed below. WHO IS EXEMPT? 1. A non-resident who is at least 16 years of age and has in their possession a valid driver’s license issued by another state or country. However, an Alaska driver’s license must be obtained by the end of a 90-day period after entry into the state. 2. A member of the armed forces of the United States, and their spouse who is over the age of 18, who has a valid driver’s license issued by another state, and who maintains permanent residence in that state. A member’s dependents are not exempt. 3. A person when driving farm equipment that is only temporarily driven or moved on a highway. 4. An employee of the United States Government while operating a United States Government vehicle on official business. 5. A commercial driver who is domiciled in another state. LICENSES AND PERMITS Alaska has seven classes of driver’s licenses and two types of permits. Classes A, B, and C are licenses used for operating commercial motor vehicles. A separate manual is published for persons interested in obtaining a commercial driver’s license. Class D is the license used for operating passenger vehicles. Motorcycles and motor scooters with engine displacements of less than 50cc can also be operated with a class D license. To take the test for your Class D license online, please visit ak.knowtodrive.com. Class M1 are licenses used to operate motorcycles and motor scooters with engine displacements of 50cc or more. Individuals who are 14 or 15 years of age may obtain a M2 license for motor scooters with an engine displacement of less than 50 cc. A Class M3 license allows the operation of three-wheeled motorcycles (trike), three wheeled motor-driven cycles, and three-wheeled motorized bicycles with an engine displacement of 50 cc or more. The Division of Motor Vehicles publishes a separate manual for persons interested in obtaining a motorcycle license. Instruction permits, which allow for drivers to practice driving are the IP, IM, and IE classes. • IP- Non-commercial motor vehicles • IM- 2- or 3-wheel motorcycles and motor driven cycles with engine displacement 50cc’s or more • IE- Non-commercial motor vehicles valid only during operation under the supervision of a licensed driver training school instructor IDENTIFICATION When you apply for an original driver’s license or permit, you must furnish: • Your Social Security Number. While you don’t need to present your card, the social security number must match what is in the Social Security Database used by the division. • Proof of residence address, such as a bank statement, utility bill, or pay stub. • Documentary proof of your date of birth, U.S. Citizenship, or proof of authorized stay. 3 The proof of date of birth may consist of one of the following: 1. Certified United States birth certificate. The certificate must have a raised seal and be issued by an authorized government agency such as the Bureau of Vital Statistics or State Board of Health. Hospital issued certificates and baptismal certificates are not acceptable. 2. Court order which must contain the individual’s full name, date of birth, and court seal. Some examples include an adoption document, a name change document, or gender change document. It does not include an abstract of criminal or civil conviction. 3. Military identification card for active duty, retiree, or reservist. (Service member only. Dependent military ID’S are not acceptable as a primary document.) 4. Passport - U.S., expired passports are not valid. 5. Passport Card-US 6. Report of Birth Abroad by a Citizen of the United States, issued by a U.S. consular officer. 7. Passport – foreign with the following Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) documents are acceptable. The document must be an original. Expired documents are unacceptable: a. Resident Alien Card or Permanent Resident Card (I-551) b. Temporary Resident Card (I-688) c. Valid foreign passport with appropriate immigration documents d. Employment Authorization Card or Employment Authorization Document (I- 688A, I-688B, or I-766) e. Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization Proof of authorized stay in the United States is required to renew an Alaska license, permit or identification card. If the name on the document for proof of date of birth does not match the name on the document for proof of identification, certified copies of legal documents of name change must be provided to link all names previously used. PARENTAL CONSENT Alaska statutes require parental signature for all minors under the age of 18 who are applying for a driver’s license or instruction permit. The law provides that any negligence or willful misconduct of a minor under the age of 18 when driving a motor vehicle may be attributed to the person who signed the parental consent for the minor. By giving their consent and signing the parental consent for the minor, the signer may become liable for damages in a motor vehicle crash. A parent or guardian must complete and sign the parental consent portion on the back of the Application for Alaska Driver License, Permit or Identification Card (Form D1) prior to issuance of a permit or license for an applicant under the age of 18. A legal guardian is defined as one who is appointed by the courts and presents court documents so stating. [AS 13.06.050 (20)] "Guardian" means a person who has qualified as a guardian of a minor or incapacitated person in accordance with testamentary or court appointment but excludes a person who is merely a guardian “ad litem”. A separate consent is required for each specific type of permit or license that is issued. If the parent is not present, a properly completed and notarized Parent/Guardian Consent for a Minor (Form433) is required. The parent or guardian may withdraw consent; however, only the person who signed the parental consent form can withdraw consent. That person may submit to the DMV a notarized written request or witnessed by a DMV employee. The DMV will then cancel the 4 minor’s license or permit. To take the test for your Class D license online, please visit ak.knowtodrive.com . NON-COMMERCIAL INSTRUCTION PERMIT An instruction permit is required for everyone learning to drive on a street or highway. If you are 14 years of age or older, you may obtain the permit which is valid for two years. While you are learning to drive, you must be accompanied by a licensed driver. The licensed driver must be at least 21 years of age and have at least one year of driving experience for the same type or class of vehicle you are driving. For passenger vehicles, the licensed driver must occupy the seat beside you. For motorcycles or motor scooters, you must be within visual sight and under the immediate supervision of the licensed driver. A special instruction permit as, defined by AS 28.15.051, may be issued to those persons enrolled in an approved high school, community college, commercial driver training course, or approved medical program. If you are 16 or 17, you must have a valid instruction permit for 6 months before the DMV can issue you a provisional Class D license. Each type of non-commercial instruction permit issued is valid for 2 years and can only be renewed one time. To obtain an original instruction permit, you must satisfy the identification requirements, pass the vision and written tests, and if you are under 18 years of age, have parental consent. The fee for an original instruction permit is $15.00. To take the online written test for your instruction permit, please visit ak.knowtodrive.com. If you have previously held a license for that class of license you may obtain another permit after five years of expiration. 5 DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS Driving is a privilege, not a right. Following is information concerning a driver’s license. 1. A license may be issued to an applicant who is at least 16 years of age. 2. The license must be always in the licensee’s possession while driving. 3. A license must be signed by the licensee to be valid. 4. Separate tests are required for the operation of a motorcycle, motor scooter, or moped. 5. If you are under 21 years of age your driver’s license will expire 90 days after your 21st birthday. An alcohol awareness test must be passed prior to renewing. To take the online written test for your instruction permit and alcohol awareness training, please visit ak.knowtodrive.com. 6. As a result of physical conditions, some drivers are restricted to driving with corrective lenses, special equipment, or otherwise. 7. A license will not be issued to an applicant whose privilege to drive is suspended, canceled, or revoked in Alaska or in another state. 8. An applicant holding an out-of-state license may be required to surrender that license before an Alaska license will be issued. 9. Dependents of military personnel (other than the spouse) who plan to drive in this state must obtain an Alaskan license. 10. Conviction of driving while license is cancelled, suspended, revoked, or in violation of a limited license will result in a jail sentence of not less than 10 days. 11. Social Security Numbers are mandatory for all permits and licenses. 12. Applicants who are 16 or 17 years of age must have a valid instruction permit for at least 6 months before they can be issued a license. PROVISIONAL LICENSES Provisional licenses will give a new driver the opportunity to gain experience while lessening distractions, which may lead to illegal maneuvers and possible crashes. By closely monitoring the young person’s driving record and illegal use of alcohol or drugs, more responsible drivers will gain their full license privileges before 18 years of age. Some drivers will have provisional restrictions until their 18th birthday due to their driving behavior. All parents should consider other restrictions, which may help their young driver have a safer beginning experience as an independent driver. Cell phone and stereo use while driving should be discussed as well as eating and drinking while driving. Any activity, even conversation, can take the focus off the driving, causing distractions, which can lead to violations and crashes. If you are under 18 years of age and obtaining your first driver license you: must have a valid permit for 6 months prior to obtaining your provisional license; your parent, legal guardian, or employer must certify that you have had at least 40 hours of driving experience, including at least 10 hours of driving in progressively challenging circumstances, such as driving in inclement weather and nighttime driving; and You must NOT have been convicted of a violation of a traffic law within the six months before you apply for your provisional driver license. 6 Once you obtain your provisional license you may not graduate to a driver license for at least six months and cannot have been convicted of violating a traffic law or been convicted of violating AS 04.16.050(c), repeat minor consuming alcohol, during the six months before applying for a driver license. During the provisional license stage which is a minimum of six months and can remain in effect up to the age of 18, you: • MAY NOT carry passengers unless one of the passengers is a parent, legal guardian, or a person at least 21 years of age • MAY carry, without a parent in the vehicle, passengers if they are siblings. • MAY NOT operate a motor vehicle between the hours of 1:00 am and 5:00 am unless accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or a person at least 21 years of age who is licensed to drive the class of vehicle being used. • MAY operate a motor vehicle between the hours of 1:00am and 5:00am to or from your place of employment or within the scope of your employment and driving is along the most direct route. After six months of conviction free driving and no convictions for illegal use of alcohol or drugs, you may have the provisional restriction removed. To remove a provisional restriction a new parental consent must be provided, and a new driver license issued for a fee of $15.00. A driver 18 years of age or older may obtain a license without provisional restrictions without parental consent for a fee of $15.00. Note: The passenger and hour restrictions do not apply if you have an “off system” license restricted to areas not connected to the land highway system or is not connected to a highway where average daily traffic volume is 499 or greater. After 18 years of age, or once you go to DMV and remove the restrictions, the restrictions no longer apply. EXAMINATIONS The examinations conducted by the Division of Motor Vehicles are designed to aid in the determination of the applicant’s mental and physical competence; also, to determine whether the applicant has acquired the knowledge and technical skills to safely operate a motor vehicle. VISION: A test is required of each driver to determine visual acuity before any license or permit is issued. This includes original, renewal, and duplicate licenses. A tele binocular device is used to check vision. If you normally wear corrective lenses, bring them with you when you apply for any type of license. In lieu of the vision test, you may submit a certified statement from a licensed physician or optometrist stating that your vision meets or exceeds the department’s standards. The standards are as follows: 1. To qualify you must have, in each eye or with both eyes together, at least 20/40 vision. 2. If you need corrective lenses to qualify, you must wear them while driving. 3. If you fail to qualify because you are unable to see well, you will be denied a license or permit until you are able to qualify. 7 WRITTEN: The written test is required for applicants not currently licensed in Alaska or whose driving privileges have been expired for over one year, or whose driving privileges have been revoked. An alcohol awareness written test must be taken after your 21st birthday prior to an original or renewal driver license. The written test covers only information found in this manual, including traffic laws, safe driving practices, and highway sign recognition. If failed, the test may be retaken the following day. If you can understand the English language, but are unable to read or have difficulty reading, you may bring someone who may read the questions to you, but you must independently answer the questions. To take the online written test for your instruction permit, please visit ak.knowtodrive.com. DRIVING: The driving test is required for applicants who have never been licensed, or who have not had a valid license for the past 5 years, or whose driving privileges have been revoked. Usually, a person who has a valid license from another state is not required to take the driving test. Driving tests are available at most Division of Motor Vehicle offices or through state approved third party testers. You may be required to make an appointment, and you must pay a nonrefundable driving test fee prior to taking the driving test. The fee for a driving test through the Division of Motor Vehicles is $15.00. Fees through third party testers vary. You must furnish a currently registered vehicle with proof of insurance for the test. The vehicle will be checked for required equipment, which must be in good working condition and properly adjusted. The driving test may be refused or delayed until mechanical defects are corrected. Please review the equipment section of this manual. No one is allowed to accompany you and the examiner during the driving test. The driving test consists of normal driving tasks. You will not be asked to do anything against the law. You will be graded on your ability to perform several tasks such as: 1. Starting and stopping 7. Proper lane change 2. Parking parallel/3 point turn 8. Speed control 3. Quick stop 9. Following a vehicle 4. Backing 10. Traffic signs and signals 5. Use of turn signals 11. Intersection observance 6. Left and right turns 12. General control of the vehicle The examiner will answer questions on proper driving techniques prior to or following the driving test. Do not converse unnecessarily with the examiner during the test. The examiner will be giving you instructions and scoring your driving skill throughout the test. Upon completion of the driving test, the examiner will advise you how to correct any errors. If you fail the test, the examiner will advise you about what maneuvers you should practice improving your driving skill and tell you when you may return for another test. Normally, you must wait two business days to retake the test. A “business day” is Monday- Friday not a State or Federal Holiday. You will automatically fail for any of the following: 1. Violation of a traffic law 2. Dangerous driving action 3. Lack of cooperation or refusal to perform 4. Contributing to a crash 5. Inability to perform required driving task 6. Driving ability does not meet required standards