How to get your license back after a DUI in Alaska
Getting a license back after a DUI is an agency process, not a court one: the steps below are the ones the State of Alaska, Department of Administration, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) lists, in its order, each quoted from the agency's own page. Requirements differ by offense, blood-alcohol level, refusal, and prior record; the state's wording controls.
Steps the state lists
- 1
Serve the revocation period
The DMV states that at the end of the revocation period the person can reinstate by passing the required tests, paying the fees, and providing proof of SR-22, ignition interlock installation, and ASAP satisfaction. The DMV lists administrative revocation periods of 90 days (first offense), 1 year (one prior), 3 years (two priors) and 5 years (three or more priors).
What the source says
“At the end of the revocation period, you can reinstate your driving privileges by successfully passing the required tests, paying the reinstatement and licensing fees and providing proof of the following: SR-22 insurance filing, ignition interlock installation, and ASAP satisfaction.”
- 2
Apply through DMV Online Services with a completed D1 application
For 'DUI or Refusal - Following Court Conviction', the DMV says to apply through DMV Online Services at my.alaska.gov and submit a completed and signed D1 application.
What the source says
“you may apply through DMV Online Services at my.alaska.gov. Expect to complete the following steps: If you are reinstating to get an Alaska driver's license: Completed and signed D1 application”
- 3
Pass the written and vision tests (road test if revoked more than 5 years)
The DMV lists passing the written test (available online), a vision test, and a road test if the license has been revoked for more than 5 years or the person never had a license.
What the source says
“Pass the written test which may be done online here . Vision test which may use this form or visit a local DMV If your license has been revoked for more than 5 years or if you never had a license, you may need a road test”
- 4
Submit an SR-22 form dated within the last 30 days
The DMV requires an SR22 form dated in the last 30 days. Under AS 28.20.230(c) proof of financial responsibility for the future is maintained for 5 years after a first DUI conviction (longer for repeat convictions).
What the source says
“Submit SR22 form, dated in the last 30 days”
- 5
Complete the Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP) and obtain the ASAP certificate
The DMV requires completion of ASAP and states the ASAP office is contacted to acquire the certificate. AS 28.35.030(h) requires the court to order a convicted person to satisfy ASAP screening, evaluation, referral and program requirements where a program is available.
What the source says
“Complete the Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP), contact that office to acquire the ASAP certificate”
- 6
Provide proof of ignition interlock installation if required by the court judgment
The DMV states proof of IID installation may be required based on the court judgment, and that installation paperwork must be dated within the last 30 days; the DMV advises installing the device only when the other reinstatement items are complete.
What the source says
“You may be required to provide proof of Ignition Interlock installation , this is based on your court judgment”
- 7
Pay the reinstatement and license fees
The DMV sends an electronic invoice for the reinstatement and license fees. Under AS 28.15.271(b)(3)(C) the reinstatement fee is $200 if the license was revoked under AS 28.35.030 or 28.35.032 only once within the preceding 10 years ($500 if two or more times); the DMV also lists a $50 J fee where an alcohol-prohibited restriction applies.
What the source says
“An electronic invoice will be sent to your email, allowing you to pay the fee online. reinstatement and license fees .”
Official reinstatement page: State of Alaska, Department of Administration, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Conditions that travel with reinstatement
| Reinstatement fee | $200 |
|---|---|
| SR-22 / financial-responsibility filing | Yes · 5 years — Alaska SR-22 requirements |
| Ignition interlock | Alaska interlock rule |
| Required program | Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP) |
| Driving during the suspension | Limited license (ignition interlock limited license privileges under AS 28.15.201) |
| Re-examination | Knowledge test: required · road test: required in some cases |
Required program: Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP)
Under AS 28.35.030(h) the court must order a person convicted to satisfy the screening, evaluation, referral, and program requirements of an alcohol safety action program (or a Department of Health-approved treatment facility). The Alaska Department of Health describes ASAP as providing substance use screening and case management for alcohol/drug misdemeanor cases such as DUI and test refusal. The DMV requires the ASAP certificate for reinstatement after a court conviction.
“(h) The court shall order a person convicted under this section to satisfy the screening, evaluation, referral, and program requirements of an alcohol safety action program if such a program is available in the community where the person resides,”
Driving during the suspension: Limited license (ignition interlock limited license privileges under AS 28.15.201)
Under AS 28.15.201(d), the court or the DMV may grant limited license privileges if the revocation was for a misdemeanor DUI conviction under AS 28.35.030 (not a refusal under AS 28.35.032); the license is not granted during the first 30 days of the revocation for a person not previously convicted, or the first 90 days for a person previously convicted; the person must use an ignition interlock device during the limited license period, be enrolled in or have completed ASAP requirements, and provide proof of insurance under AS 28.20.230 and 28.20.240. The DMV states limited licenses are not available for breath-test refusals, and that the application fee is $100 (AS 28.15.271(b)(2)).
“(1) the revocation was for a misdemeanor conviction under AS 28.35.030 or a similar municipal ordinance and not for a violation of AS 28.35.032 ; (2) the person (A) has not been previously convicted and the limited license is not granted during the first 30 days of the period of revocation”
Full page: waiting period, conditions and hearing deadline for the Limited License
When the interlock can be removed
Time-based, set by the court judgment: under AS 28.35.030(b)(1) the court requires IID use for a minimum period after the person regains the privilege to drive (6 months for a first conviction, 12 months with one prior, rising to 36 months), and the DMV enters the IID ending date on the driving record when it receives the court order. The DMV states that at the end of the IID required period the person obtains a replacement license and takes it to the installer to have the device removed. No violation-free compliance window, early-removal provision, or removal fee cap is stated; the DMV notes cancellations of driving privileges can extend the end date because the IID is required only while privileges are active.
Compliance period: none stated; the court-ordered minimum term (6 months first conviction) runs from when the person regains the privilege, including any limited privilege, to drive
“How can I get the restriction removed? ... C restriction: At the end of the IID required period, you can obtain a replacement license. Then take that license to the installer to have the IID removed.”
Will you have to retake the test? Re-examination in Alaska
Some states hand the license back once the conditions are met; others treat a revoked or long-withdrawn license as expired and issue a new one only after the knowledge test, the road test or a vision screening is passed again. The rules below are the licensing agency's own, one per test.
| Knowledge (written) test | Required After a DUI, breath-test or refusal revocation the driver applies for a new license and passes the written and vision tests; the written test can be taken online. For other withdrawals — points, financial-responsibility, child-support or medical cancellations — the written test is listed only when the license has been canceled, suspended or expired for more than one year, or on a third points suspension in two years. What the source says“Pass the written and vision tests” |
|---|---|
| Road (driving) test | Required in some cases A road test is listed for the DUI and refusal cases only when the license has been revoked for more than five years or the driver never held a license. Road tests are given at DMV offices that offer them and by DMV-authorized third parties, by appointment. What the source says“If your license has been revoked for more than 5 years or if you never had a license, you may need a road test” |
| Vision screening | Required The vision test is part of every path back to an Alaska license after a DUI or refusal revocation; it can be done on the DMV's vision form or at a local DMV office. What the source says“Pass the written and vision tests” |
What triggers a re-test
A DUI or refusal revocation itself: the driver applies for a new license with the written and vision tests, and a road test once the license has been revoked for more than five years or was never held. For other withdrawals the written test turns on a license canceled, suspended or expired for more than one year. The statute draws the same line — after a suspension a duplicate license is issued on the fees, after a revocation a new license is issued on reexamination.
“If your license has been suspended or expired for more than 1 year, pass the written test which may be done”- Testing fee
- $15 — the non-commercial road test fee; a new Class D license is $20 (standard) or $40 (REAL ID), and the reinstatement fee set by AS 28.15.271 — $100 for one withdrawal in ten years, $250 for two or more — is separate
What the source says
“Road Test (Non-Commercial) $15”
- Where to take it
- dmv.alaska.gov — the written test can be taken online; the road test is scheduled online, by appointment, at DMV offices that offer it or through a DMV-authorized third party
- Official driver manual
- Alaska Driver Manual
- The rule
- AS 28.15.211(c)–(d)
“(d) At the end of a period of revocation or limitation following a revocation, a person whose driver's license has been revoked may apply to the department for the issuance of a new license, but shall submit to reexamination, pay all required fees including a reinstatement fee”
Questions about re-testing in Alaska
- Does an Alaska DUI revocation mean retaking the written test?
- Yes. The DMV's reinstatement steps for a DUI, breath-test or refusal revocation — administrative or after a court conviction — are to apply for a new license and pass the written and vision tests, pay the reinstatement and license fees, file an SR-22 and, after a conviction, complete the Alcohol Safety Action Program. The written test can be taken online.
- When is the road test required?
- Only when the license has been revoked for more than five years or the driver never held a license, according to the DMV's reinstatement page. AS 28.15.211(d) states that a person whose license was revoked applies for a new license and submits to reexamination, whereas after a suspension a duplicate license is issued on payment of the fees.
- What does the retest cost?
- The DMV's fee page lists the non-commercial road test at $15 and a new Class D license at $20 (standard) or $40 (REAL ID). The reinstatement fee under AS 28.15.271 is $100 for a first withdrawal within ten years and $250 for two or more.
Reinstatement knowledge check: Alaska
Ten questions on the rules this site cites for the state — the figures the licensing agency and the statute state, with a link to where each one is stated. The order changes every time.
This is not the agency's knowledge test and does not predict it; it checks the rules cited on this site.
Questions about reinstatement in Alaska
- What does the Alaska DMV require to reinstate after a DUI conviction?
- For 'DUI or Refusal - Following Court Conviction', the Alaska DMV lists: a completed D1 application through DMV Online Services, the written and vision tests (road test if revoked more than 5 years), an SR22 form dated within the last 30 days, completion of the Alcohol Safety Action Program with its certificate, proof of ignition interlock installation if the court judgment requires it, and payment of the reinstatement and license fees by electronic invoice.
- How does the ignition interlock requirement end in Alaska?
- Under AS 28.35.030(b), the court orders the interlock for a minimum period after driving privileges are regained (six months for a first conviction; the court may order longer). The DMV records the IID ending date from the court order and states that at the end of the IID required period a replacement license is obtained and taken to the installer to have the device removed.
- Is a limited license available during an Alaska DUI revocation?
- Under AS 28.15.201(d), limited license privileges may be granted for a misdemeanor DUI conviction (not a refusal) after the first 30 days of revocation for a first conviction or 90 days for a repeat conviction, with an ignition interlock device, ASAP compliance, and proof of insurance. The DMV states limited licenses are not available for breath-test refusals; AS 28.15.271(b)(2) sets a $100 application fee.
Sources
- Alaska DMV – Reinstate Your Driving Privileges (section 'DUI or Refusal - Following Court Conviction')
- Alaska DMV – Reinstate After DUI, Breath Test or Refusal
- Alaska DMV – Restrictions Due to Drinking and Driving FAQ (C restriction, limited license, removal)
- Alaska DMV – Ignition Interlock Information
- Alaska DMV – DUI Administrative Revocation (revocation periods; from the existing state record)
- AS 28.35.030 Operating a vehicle while under the influence (akleg.gov printable version)
- AS 28.15.201 Limitation of driver's license (akleg.gov printable version)
- AS 28.15.271 Fees (akleg.gov printable version; from the existing state record)
- Alaska Department of Health – Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP)