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Driver Training and Your Alaska Drivers License

Alaska’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) mandates that all drivers 21 years of age and older take a drug and alcohol drivers education awareness program before they receive their drivers license. The Alaska (AK) House Bill 75 introduced the mandatory driver license training. October 2008 the bill was voted into law.

If you already have an AK drivers license and you are younger than 21 years of age, you must complete the drivers ed program in order to have your license renewed. Should you relocate to AK and already have a valid out-of-state drivers license, you are still required to take the driver training.

Topics covered during the training include:

• How drugs and alcohol impact drivers.
• Impaired judgment.
• Penalties for driving under the influence.

Prepare for the License Test

Questions on the test are found in the latest AK drivers manual. Download a copy of the manual at the DMV website. You can also grab a copy of the AK drivers manual at the nearest DMV office.

Conduct at least one practice test out loud with a relative or friend. The drug and alcohol awareness test is the last portion of the license test that you must take. You will take this test after you take and pass the road or driving test. Should you fail the written drug and alcohol awareness examination, you can retake the test on the next business day.

Prepare for the Driving Test

Teen drivers who are younger than 18 years old are required to practice driving for at least 40 hours before they take their driving test to receive their license. Their parent, legal guardian, or a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old must accompany them while they practice driving. Ten or more hours of the driving must take place during night or in inclement weather.