Alaska driving law, answered
Every answer here comes from Alaska Driver Manual and, where the manual is silent, the Alaska Statutes and Administrative Code: AS 28.01: Alaska Uniform Traffic Laws Act, AS 28.05.095-.099, .151: Seat belts, child safety devices, and scheduled offenses, AS 28.10: Vehicle Registration, Liens, and Title, AS 28.15: Drivers' Licenses, AS 28.20: Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act, AS 28.22: Mandatory Motor Vehicle Insurance, AS 28.35: Offenses and Accidents, AS 28.37: Driver License Compact, AS 28.90: General and Miscellaneous Provisions, AS 04.16.050: Possession, control, or consumption by persons under 21, 13 AAC 02: Rules of the Road, 13 AAC 04: Vehicle Equipment and Inspection, 13 AAC 08: Driver Licensing and Safety Responsibility, 13 AAC 70: Vehicle Registration, Title, and Transfer, with the page or the section it is in.
Statutes fetched on 6 October 2026; manuals fetched on 14 September 2026. How the answers are made
How far from a fire hydrant must you park?
It is illegal to park closer than 15 feet from a fire hydrant. Firefighters need to reach the hydrant at once, and a car in the way costs time while a building burns.
It is illegal to park closer than the indicated distances from the following:
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a crosswalk at an intersection must you park?
It is illegal to park closer than 20 feet from a crosswalk or intersection. Cars parked near a corner hide people stepping into the crosswalk from drivers turning there.
It is illegal to park closer than the indicated distances from the following:
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you park in or near an intersection?
It is illegal to park closer than 20 feet from a crosswalk or intersection. Cars parked near a corner hide people stepping into the crosswalk from drivers turning there.
It is illegal to park closer than the indicated distances from the following:
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a stop sign or traffic signal must you park?
It is illegal to park closer than 30 feet from a stop sign. A parked car near a stop sign hides the sign from drivers who need to see it.
It is illegal to park closer than the indicated distances from the following:
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a railroad crossing must you park?
It is illegal to park closer than 50 feet from a railroad crossing. A car parked near the tracks blocks the view of a coming train for drivers about to cross.
It is illegal to park closer than the indicated distances from the following:
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a fire station driveway must you park?
It is illegal to park closer than 20 feet from the entrance to a fire station. Fire trucks need to swing out of the station fast, and a parked car there can block them.
It is illegal to park closer than the indicated distances from the following:
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must you stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?
When a school bus's yellow/amber warning lights are flashing, approaching drivers must reduce speed, and must stop completely when the bus stops, red lights flash and the stop sign is extended. Amber lights mean the bus is about to stop for children, so slowing now lets you stop in time.
Drivers approaching a school bus on which the yellow/amber warning signal lights are flashing shall reduce the speed of their vehicles and shall bring the vehicle to a complete stop when school bus stops, red lights flash, and stop sign is extended.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What must you do when passing a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights?
On a four-lane road, when you encounter stationary emergency vehicles or tow trucks with overhead flashing lights, pull to the lane opposite them if it is safe. Tow drivers and responders stand beside traffic, and an empty lane keeps them from being struck.
When encountering stationary emergency vehicles or tow trucks with overhead flashing lights on a four-lane road, drivers must pull to the lane opposite the emergency vehicle/tow truck if it is safe to do so.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far behind a fire truck answering an alarm may you follow?
(a) A driver of a vehicle, other than one on official business with respect to the emergency to which an emergency vehicle is responding, may not follow an authorized emergency vehicle traveling in response to an emergency and displaying visual or audible signals, as required by sec. 517 of this chapter, closer than 500 feet. A driver may not stop, stand or park his vehicle within 500 feet of fire apparatus stopped in answer to a fire alarm.
Alaska law, 13 AAC 02.520(a)
As of 6 Oct 2026
When must you turn on your headlights?
Headlights must be turned on in daytime when fog, rain, snow, smoke, or dust reduces visibility to 1000 feet or less. In fog or snow your car can blend into the gray, and headlights make you visible to others long before they reach you.
Headlights must be turned on in daytime when visibility is reduced to 1000 feet or less by fog, rain, snow, smoke, or dust.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from an oncoming vehicle must you dim your high beams?
Change your headlights to low beam 500 feet or more from an oncoming vehicle. High beams blind an oncoming driver, who then cannot see you or the road while you pass each other.
Change headlights to low beam (dim) 500 feet or more from oncoming vehicle.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Who must wear a seat belt?
In Alaska, passengers 18 and older will be issued their own citation for failing to wear a seat belt. Adults are responsible for their own choice to buckle, so the ticket goes to the adult rather than the driver.
Passengers 18 and older will be issued a citation for failure to wear a seat belt.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must a child ride in a car seat?
A child less than one year old, or one year or older who weighs less than 20 pounds, must be secured in a rear-facing child safety seat. A baby's neck is too weak to hold its head in a crash, and a rear-facing seat cradles head and neck together.
(1) less than one year of age or a child one year of age or older who weighs less than 20 pounds shall be properly secured in a rear-facing child safety seat that meets or exceeds standards of the United States Department of Transportation and is used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the legal blood alcohol limit for adult drivers?
If you operate a motor vehicle in Alaska with a breath or blood alcohol concentration of .08 or more, by law you are presumed to be driving under the influence. At that level of alcohol, judgment and reaction time are badly hurt for nearly every driver.
If you operate a motor vehicle with a breath or blood alcohol concentration of .08 or more, by law you are presumed to be driving under the influence (DUI).
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the blood alcohol limit for drivers under 21?
It is illegal in Alaska for a person under 21 to consume alcohol, and one under 21 who operates a motor vehicle, aircraft or watercraft after consuming alcohol in any amount can be arrested or cited. Young drivers have little experience, and even one drink makes their mistakes more likely.
It is illegal in Alaska for a person under the age of 21 to consume alcohol.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What happens if you refuse a breath or blood alcohol test?
After a DUI arrest in Alaska, refusing a breath test or a result of .08 or more leads the DMV to revoke your license, even if the DUI or Refusal charge is dismissed or you are found not guilty. The DMV acts to keep the road safe straight away, and a court result months later does not undo that.
This revocation will occur even if the criminal charge of DUI or Refusal is dismissed, or you are found not guilty in court.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you use a handheld phone while driving?
Notwithstanding other provisions of this title, a municipality may adopt an ordinance prohibiting the use of a cellular telephone by a person driving a motor vehicle while on school property or in an active school zone designated under the current edition of the Alaska Traffic Manual prepared by the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. A municipal ordinance adopted under this section may not prohibit the hands-free use of a cellular telephone.
Alaska law, AS 28.01.017
As of 6 Oct 2026
May you text while driving?
Texting, surfing the web or reading email while driving is dangerous and against the law in Alaska. Reading or typing takes your eyes, hands and mind off the road all at once, which is why it is banned.
Don't ever text and drive, surf the web or read your email while driving.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far before a turn must you signal?
In Alaska, a signal to turn or move right or left must be given continuously during the last 100 feet before turning. Drivers behind you need a few seconds of warning to slow down before you do.
A hand and arm or directional signal of intention to turn or move a vehicle right or left must be given continuously during the last 100 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you turn right on a red light?
On a steady red light, a right turn is permitted only after a full stop, when it can be made safely, and when no “No turn on red” sign restricts it. Drivers turning right on red often watch the cars on their left and miss the walker stepping off the curb.
Right turns are permitted only after a full stop, when the turn can be made safely, and is not restricted by a “No turn on red” sign.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you turn left on a red light onto a one-way street?
(B) a driver of a vehicle who has stopped as provided in (a)(3)(A) of this section may, after stopping, cautiously proceed to turn right or left from the lawful lane for the turn, except that no person may turn left onto a two-way street when facing a steady red indication; these movements are not allowed if an official traffic-control device prohibits them or directs the driver's attention to a green arrow signal which controls these movements; vehicular traffic making such a turn must yield the right-of-way to another vehicle or to a pedestrian lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time the signal is exhibited;
Alaska law, 13 AAC 02.010(a)(3)
As of 6 Oct 2026
What is the speed limit on a residential street when no sign is posted?
Where no other limit is posted, Alaska's speed limit in a residential district is 25 mph. Children, pets and parked cars crowd residential streets, so a driver needs time to stop for what steps out.
Residential district, 25 mph.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the speed limit on a highway outside town when no sign is posted?
Where no other limit is posted, Alaska's speed limit on any other roadway is 55 mph. Open roads still hide moose, ice and sharp bends, so the law sets a ceiling even where no sign is posted.
Any other roadway .......................... 55
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the speed limit in a school zone?
Where no other limit is posted, Alaska's speed limit in a school zone is 20 mph. Children dart into the street without looking, and a slower car can stop before it reaches them.
School zone, 20 mph.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When may you pass another vehicle on the right?
(a) Except as provided in (c) of this section, the driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass on the right of another vehicle only under conditions permitting the movement in safety, and (1) when the vehicle overtaken is making, or is about to make, a left turn from a lane to the left of the overtaking vehicle, or is stopped or disabled; or (2) when the vehicles are traveling upon an unobstructed roadway of sufficient width for two or more lines of vehicles, moving lawfully in the direction of the overtaking vehicle. (3) repealed 6/28/79.
Alaska law, 13 AAC 02.055(a)
As of 6 Oct 2026
May you wear headphones while driving?
(b) A driver of a motor vehicle may not wear a headset, headphones, or other headgear designed for receiving sound and transmitting sound to the driver, or wear ear plugs or a similar device which reduces the driver's hearing ability while driving a vehicle.
Alaska law, 13 AAC 04.260(b)
As of 6 Oct 2026
May you have an open container of alcohol in the car?
(a) A person may not drive a motor vehicle on a highway or vehicular way or area, when there is an open bottle, can, or other receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, except as provided in (b) of this section.
Alaska law, AS 28.35.029(a)
As of 6 Oct 2026
How old must you be to get a learner's permit?
In Alaska, you may obtain an instruction permit if you are 14 years of age or older. Starting young gives a learner years of supervised practice before driving alone is allowed.
If you are 14 years of age or older, you may obtain the permit which is valid for two years.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How long must you hold a learner's permit before a license?
If you are 16 or 17, you must hold a valid Alaska instruction permit for 6 months before the DMV can issue you a provisional Class D license. Six months of supervised driving lets a new driver meet many seasons and situations before driving without help.
If you are 16 or 17, you must have a valid instruction permit for 6 months before the DMV can issue you a provisional Class D license.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Who must ride with you when you drive on a learner's permit?
For passenger vehicles, the licensed driver supervising an Alaska permit holder must occupy the seat beside the learner. From the next seat the supervisor can see what the learner sees, speak up fast and reach the wheel if needed.
For passenger vehicles, the licensed driver must occupy the seat beside you.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What hours may a provisional driver not drive?
An Alaska provisional driver may not drive between 1:00 am and 5:00 am unless accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or licensed person at least 21. Late-night roads bring tired drivers, darkness and impaired drivers, which is when new drivers crash most.
MAY NOT operate a motor vehicle between the hours of 1:00 am and 5:00 am unless accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or a person at least 21 years of age who is licensed to drive the class of vehicle being used.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How many passengers may a new provisional driver carry?
An Alaska provisional driver may not carry passengers unless one of them is a parent, legal guardian or a person at least 21 years of age. Teen passengers are a big distraction for a new driver, and an adult on board tends to keep the driving calm and careful.
MAY NOT carry passengers unless one of the passengers is a parent, legal guardian, or a person at least 21 years of age
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the penalty for littering from a vehicle?
The penalty for littering in Alaska is a fine up to $1000, up to 90 days in jail, and possibly a court order to gather litter. Litter on the road can make drivers swerve or hit debris, so the law treats it as more than an eyesore.
The penalty for littering in Alaska is a fine up to $1000; a maximum of 90 days imprisonment, and a possible court-imposed penalty of gathering litter in a specified area for a specified time.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How long is your license suspended for a first drunk-driving conviction?
The Alaska administrative revocation for a .08 result or a refusal is 90 days for a first offense. Months without driving show a first-time offender how serious drinking and driving is.
90 days for a first offense;
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must you install an ignition interlock after a drunk-driving conviction?
After a DUI or Refusal conviction in Alaska, an ignition interlock device is required on any vehicle you operate. If the device were needed only in your own car, a convicted driver could simply borrow another one and drive after drinking.
When convicted of a DUI or Refusal, use of an ignition interlock device is required on any vehicle you operate.
As of 14 Sep 2026
For how many years does a prior drunk-driving conviction count against you?
Prior DWI/DUI or Refusal convictions in Alaska or another state within the last 15 years can be used to set the administrative revocation period. Moving between states does not wipe out a drunk-driving history.
Prior convictions of DWI/DUI or Refusal occurring in Alaska or another state within the last 15 years can be used to determine the revocation period.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How many points on your license lead to a suspension?
Accumulating 12 points in 12 months requires the mandatory suspension or revocation of an Alaska driving privilege, regardless of hardship. A driver who collects that many violations in a year is a crash waiting to happen, so the law removes them for a time.
Accumulating 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months requires the mandatory suspension or revocation of the driving privilege, regardless of the hardships involved.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Who must wear a protective helmet while operating or riding a motorcycle?
(a) Except as otherwise provided by statute, a person operating or riding upon a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle upon a public roadway must wear protective headgear that complies with standards of the United States American National Standard Institute Safety Code Z 90.1 - 1971, United States Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218 (49 C.F.R. 571.218), or is approved by the Snell Memorial Foundation, Underwriter Laboratories, Factory Mutual, United States Department of Transportation, or a comparable foreign testing authority acceptable to the department. The wearing of protective headgear is not required during offroad riding of a motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle.
Alaska law, 13 AAC 04.350(a)
As of 6 Oct 2026
How much light must a tinted side or rear window let through?
(b) Aftermarket tinting of vehicle windows is allowed as follows: (1) the front windshield may have a strip of tinting material applied to the top edge, known in the industry as an "eyebrow," which does not extend downward more than five inches from the top of the glass; (2) the driver and front passenger side windows may have tinting material that permits at least 70 percent light transmittance; (3) the rear door windows, quarter glasses, and back glasses may have tinting material that permits at least 40 percent light transmittance; (4) limousines and passenger buses used to transport persons for hire, motor homes, and vehicles identified by the vehicle manufacturer as multipurpose may have tinting material that complies with Standard No. 205, Glazing Materials, in 49 C.F.R. 571.205 (1992).
Alaska law, 13 AAC 04.223(b)
As of 6 Oct 2026
Must a vehicle driving slower than other traffic keep to the right lane?
On an Alaska multi-lane highway, if you drive slower than other traffic, use the right, outside lane except when passing. Keeping slow cars to the right lets faster traffic pass without weaving around you.
If you drive slower than other traffic, use the right, outside lane, except when passing.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the minimum liability insurance coverage for bodily injury or death of one person and property damage?
In Alaska the minimum liability insurance is $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury or death and $25,000 for property damage. Even a small crash can wreck a car worth thousands, and the minimum makes sure there is money to pay for it.
The minimum amount of liability insurance coverage is $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury or death and $25,000 for property damage.
As of 14 Sep 2026
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