Alabama CDL Manual
Read the official manual from AL DPS directly. Download the PDF for offline study or read it online.
Official Resource
This handbook is sourced directly from AL DPS.
Testing at a Glance for Alabama
Once you've read the handbook, here's what to expect at the AL DPS knowledge test.
30
80%
No time limit
$5
Documents You'll Need When You Take the Alabama Test
Two forms of ID (at least one with photograph) or three non-photo forms, original Social Security card, and two proofs of principal residence. Applicants under 19 must show school enrollment documentation.
Alabama-Specific Rules Covered in This Handbook
Rules unique to Alabama that AL DPS weights heavily in the knowledge test — you'll see these in the handbook chapters.
- gavel Alabama Hands-Free Law (June 2024): illegal to physically hold a wireless device while driving
- gavel Move Over Law: on 4+ lane roads vacate lane nearest stopped emergency/wrecker vehicles; on 2-lane roads slow to 15 mph below posted limit
- gavel GDL restrictions for 16-year-olds: no driving 12am-6am and no more than 1 non-family passenger under 21
- gavel School bus stop law: must stop at least 20 feet from a bus with flashing red lights or extended stop arm
- gavel Child restraint required through age 5 (car seat), booster through age 5, seat belt through age 15
After You Pass: Alabama License Renewal
4 years
$36
Up to 180 days (6 months) before expiration
More Alabama Driving Resources
Alabama Handbook FAQ
Is this the official Alabama CDL handbook?
Yes. The handbook mirrored above is the same document AL DPS publishes on its official website — we host it here for faster mobile loading and cleaner reading.
Which CDL endorsements does this Alabama manual cover?
Typically all federally recognized endorsements: Hazmat (H), Tank (N), Doubles/Triples (T), Passenger (P), and School Bus (S). Each endorsement has its own chapter and its own separate written knowledge test.
Is there an audio version of the Alabama handbook?
AL DPS does not publish an official audio edition. You can use a device text-to-speech reader on the PDF/HTML — most work well, though sign images obviously don't get spoken.
Where do I actually take the Alabama test after reading the handbook?
At any AL DPS location. Use our /dmv-near-me/al finder for the nearest office with address, hours, and phone.
Is the Alabama driver handbook free to download?
Yes. AL DPS publishes it free as a PDF. If a website is charging to "download" the handbook, it's a scam — the state's official version is always free.
Is there a shortcut for just the road signs chapter?
Yes — our /signs library shows every standard sign with test-focused explanations, organized by shape and color. Pair it with the handbook's signs chapter for the fastest sign memorization.
What documents does AL DPS require when I show up for the test?
Two forms of ID (at least one with photograph) or three non-photo forms, original Social Security card, and two proofs of principal residence. Applicants under 19 must show school enrollment documentation.
Do first-time drivers and renewing drivers use the same Alabama handbook?
Yes. AL DPS publishes a single unified handbook covering both. Sections marked "For New Drivers" or "GDL" are the ones a renewing driver can skim; the rest is universal.