Alaska Provisional License
In Alaska, receiving your provisional license is the second step toward obtaining a full Alaska driver’s license, but drivers must be at least 16 years old.
Written by Kathryn Mae Kurlychek
Reviewed by Bellina Gaskey
In Alaska, receiving your provisional license is the second step toward obtaining a full Alaska driver’s license. But before you can get it, you’ll need to hold a learner’s permit for at least six months, pass a road test and written exam, and be at least 16 years old.
Getting behind the wheel is a rite of passage for any young driver—but it’s just the first step in a long list of requirements for getting your unrestricted driver’s license. Along the way, you’ll have to check a number of boxes, pass a series of tests, and maybe even start paying for
car insurance
. One of those steps involves getting your provisional license. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know from the application process to what restrictions come with an Alaska provisional license.
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversWhat is a provisional driver’s license in Alaska?
An Alaska provisional license is a type of license for young drivers between the ages of 16 and 18. Obtaining a provisional license is typically the second step in the process of acquiring your first
Alaska driver’s license
. In Alaska, there are three levels of licensing for new drivers pursuing an unrestricted driver’s license:
- Learner’s permit (also called an instruction permit)
- Provisional license
- Full driver’s license
Young drivers living in Alaska can qualify for a
learner’s permit
once they turn 14 years old and can apply for a provisional license at 16 years old. But you won’t qualify for a provisional license unless you’ve held your learner’s permit for at least six months. During that time, young drivers must maintain a
clean driving record
and complete at least 40 hours of driving experience—ten hours of which must occur under “challenging circumstances” (like stormy weather or nighttime driving). Upon completion of the six-month waiting period, young drivers must take (and pass) a road test that requires demonstrating basic driving skills, along with a written knowledge test and vision test.
You can study up for the written knowledge test using the state’s
online practice test
resources—but for things like parking maneuvers, lane changing, merging, and more, you’ll have to practice on the road. Make sure you’re accompanied by a fully licensed passenger at least 21 years of age or older any time you’re driving with your permit. Upon successful completion of the road test, new drivers can apply for their provisional license in person at their local
Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles
(DMV) by submitting proof of successful completion of the road test and knowledge test, along with their learner’s permit, proof of 40 hours of driving experience, a completed driver’s license application (form D1)
and a completed parental consent form (form 433)
.What are the age requirements for an Alaska provisional driver’s license?
In Alaska, new drivers must be at least 16 years of age to apply for a provisional license, and have held a learner’s permit for at least six months prior to applying. Drivers between the ages of 14 and 16 can apply for a learner’s permit with parental consent—and once you turn 18, you automatically become eligible for a full driver’s license.
How long is a provisional license in Alaska?
As with learner’s permits, young drivers with a provisional license must wait at least 6 months before they become eligible for an unrestricted Alaska driver’s license.
While holding a provisional license, young drivers must remain free of traffic violation convictions—or face the possibility of a $200 penalty and two points added to their driving record, along with a potentially longer waiting period for an unrestricted license.
What are the rules for driving with a provisional license in Alaska?
Once you’ve received your provisional license, you’ll face fewer restrictions on driving. Woohoo! That means you’ll be able to drive alone and even carry additional passengers.
That said, there are still some limitations on a provisional license. For example, you won’t be allowed to drive passengers younger than 21 years of age without another adult present (with the exception of younger siblings). With a provisional license, you also aren’t allowed to drive between the hours of 1 am and 5 am, unless you’re driving to or from your place of employment.
Are there exceptions to the restrictions on an Alaska provisional license?
The restrictions mentioned above are mandatory for every young Alaska driver that holds a provisional license—except for those who are members of
Alaskan rural communities
. “Rural” simply refers to any area or community within Alaska defined as such within the state’s AS and AAC statutes. But, generally speaking, these areas are typically either not connected to the state’s land highway system, or connected to a highway where traffic volume is significantly reduced.
Residents who live in these areas are exempt from a number of standard DMV provisions, including vehicle registration, mandatory insurance law, and
CDL road testing
. These conditions also extend to young drivers seeking their unrestricted Alaska driver’s license. While rookie drivers living in rural communities must still hold an instruction permit for at least six months and complete the same amount of on-road experience, they aren’t subject to the usual licensing exams and will have reduced restrictions on their provisional license.
How do I change my Alaska provisional license to a full license?
Ready to upgrade to a full Alaska driver’s license? Young drivers may exchange their provisional license for a Class D Alaska driver’s license once they have held it for at least six months while maintaining a clean driving record, or upon turning 18 years old.
In most cases, you will have to exchange your provisional license for a full driver’s license in person at your local DMV office. However, drivers who are members of Alaskan rural communities may be able to exchange their licenses via mail.
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