Alaska Online Driver Education and Alaska Licensing Procedures

So, you’ve finally decided to apply for your Alaska learner’s permit or first Alaska driver license! Alaska has a graduated driver license program for Alaska drivers ages 15-18, and there are a few things you need to know to make sure that applying for your Alaska driving license goes as smoothly as possible. So let’s not waste any more time!.

Alaska Learner Permit

An Alaska learner’s permit is valid for 2 years, although it may be renewed once with your parent or guardian’s permission. Although you’ll have to wait until you’re 16 to apply for your first Alaska driver license, you can apply for an Alaska instructional permit, otherwise known as an Alaska learner’s permit, when you’re just 14.
To apply for your Alaska learner’s permit, take the following documents with you to your local DMV:

• Your 15$ fee
• Social Security card
• Personal identification
• your birth certificate
• and one of the following: proof of school enrollment or graduation, employee ID, health insurance card, IRTS or state tax form, medical records, military dependant identification, pilot’s license, or school ID

This Alaska learner’s permit will enable you to begin learning to drive provided you have someone 21 years or older in the seat next to you as you learn (just remember that the driver accompanying you must have at least 1 year of driving experience!). Once you pass the written exam and vision test (all the information can be found in Alaska’s DMV website), you’ll receive your Alaska instructional driver license.

However, when you turn 16, you’re allowed t to drive with any other Alaska licensed driver—just make sure they’re sitting next to you! Keep in mind that an Alaska restricted learner’s license is valid for up to 4 years—which means it can only be renewed once.

Alaska Teen Driver’s License

You’re free to apply for your first “real” license—the Alaska provisional license—as soon as you’ve had your learner’s license for at least 6 months or you turn 18, whichever comes first. You will have to surrender your Alaska learner’s permit once you arrive to take the dreaded road test. When taking the Alaska driver’s license road test, any 16 year old applicants must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please make note of the following:

• If you’ve been convicted of a traffic violation or for consuming alcohol while driving with an Alaska learner’s permit, you must wait an additional six months before applying for your Alaska provisional driver license.The lesson: try not to do anything while learning to drive that a licensed driver wouldn’t do!

• At least 40 driving hours must be completed (signed by a parent, legal guardian, or certified driving instructor)

• And, 10 hours must be during “challenging circumstances” like nighttime driving or during bad weather.

If you go to the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles website, you’ll find all of the required forms to apply for your Alaska provisional license, as well as schedule your Alaska road test . It’s all there at your fingertips.
After you’ve scheduled your Alaska road test, bring the following to your local Alaska DMV:

• the required fee ($15)
• your written test scores
• your Alaska learner’s permit
• two pieces of identification
• You’ll also need to bring a “notarized parent consent form(http://doa.alaska.gov/dmv/forms/forms.htm)”: if you’re under 18
• Also, remember to take along your Social Security card

During the road test, you should expect to be asked to make right and left turns, signal properly, use marked and unmarked traffic lanes, back up, make a quick stop, park, and successfully perform the dreaded three point turn. You’ll have to provide your own vehicle for the road test. Your car will be inspected by an examiner to see whether it is in safe operating condition with the necessary equipment.

Alaska Teen Driver License Penalties and Restrictions

Driving is a privilege, not a right. There are several restrictions you need to keep in mind regarding your Alaska driver’s license or Alaska learner’s permit.
You cannot drive with passengers under 21 (except siblings). If you only have an Alaska learner’s permit, you must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or person over 21 who has at least one year of driving experience. In addition, this person must be sitting in the front passenger seat.

If you’re 16 or older and have your Alaska provisional license you cannot drive a vehicle between 1:00AM and 5:00AM with the follow exceptions:

• you have a parent, legal guardian with you
• you have a medical emergency
• you are going to or from your workplace, a school sponsored or religious event
  ( You will receive 2 points on your Alaska driving record if you are convicted of any of the above violations. You will also receive a $200 fine.

Alaska Auto Insurance Alaska Financial Responsibility Laws

Once you receive your Alaska drivers license, you’re ready to drive, right? Not so fast! There’s one more thing you need: insurance. All vehicles registered in Alaska must be covered by liability insurance. The minimum coverage is $50,000 for personal injury and $100,000 for total injury, and $25,000 for property damage. If you are caught driving without Alaska mandatory liability insurance, you could be fined up to $500 plus court costs. If you are involved in an auto accident and cannot provide proof of insurance, your Alaska learner’s license or Alaska provisional license will be suspended from 90 days to 1 year. Don’t get on Alaska roads in an uninsured vehicle, period!

Alaska Drunk Driving, Cell Phone, and Text Messaging Laws

For young drivers in particular, learning good safety habits is crucial. Thus, it’s important for you to learn the Alaska drunk driving, cell phone, and text messaging laws. Upon your first conviction of an Alaska DUI, you face imprisonment up to 72 hours and a fine of $1500. Your license will also be suspended a minimum of 90 days. Further Alaska DUI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and Alaska license suspension or even Alaska license revocation.

If you like to text your friends, be warned: in 2008 Alaska instituted a ban on text messaging while driving. Driving while texting is a misdemeanor if no accident is caused, and a felony if you are involved in an accident and there is injury or death. Studies show that a distracted driver is a dangerous driver, so limit your cell phone use to vocal conversation only (and even that should be kept to a minimum).

Alaska Online Driver Education

We’ve already mentioned that if you’re 16 and would like to apply for an Alaska driver license you must have completed at least 40 driving hours (signed by a parent, legal guardian, or certified driving instructor). There is one additional option: an approved Alaska online driver education course. Check with the nearest Alaska DMV regarding approved driver education classes. We’ve included a partial list below:

Anchorage

• AA Drivers Educational School
• American Association of Retired Persons
• Anchorage Driver Training
• Center for Employment Education

Fairbanks

• Alaska Peace Officers Association
• American Association of Retired Persons
• Cherokee Riders
• Center for Employment Education

Juneau

• American Association of Retired Persons

Kenai Peninsula, Kodiak, and Seldovia

• Manny’s Driver Education:
• Peninsula Driving Academy:
• American Association of Retired Persons

Ketchikan

• Alaska Driving Instruction

Mat-Su Valley

• American Association of Retired Persons
• Northern Industrial Training (NIT)

Petersburg

• Petersburg Community School (no classes in summer months):