Vision and knowledge tests — Alabama Permit Test

If the vision test shows you need lenses to see well enough, you will be required to wear corrective lenses while driving.

You cannot react to what you cannot see, so a driver who needs glasses must have them on behind the wheel.

If, as a result of the vision examination, it is found that lenses are needed to improve eyesight, you will be required to wear corrective lenses while driving.

If you do not pass the vision examination, you must be examined by a licensed eye specialist and return the report to the examiner; if it shows you see well enough, you may take the rest of the test.

An eye doctor can measure what a quick screening cannot, and may show your sight is good enough with the right help.

If you don’t pass your vision examination, you will be required to have your eyes examined by a licensed eye specialist and return the report to the examiner.

The knowledge test covers Alabama traffic laws, road signs and rules of safe driving, and it is taken from the material in the Alabama Driver Manual.

Everything on the test is in the manual, so studying the manual is studying for the test.

The test will be taken from material found in this booklet.

Each knowledge test costs $5.00, and checks are not accepted.

Knowing the fee and how to pay it saves a wasted trip to the testing office.

The fee for each knowledge test is $5.00, no checks accepted.

Written driver license examinations are offered in foreign languages, including Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.

A driver who reads another language better can still show they know the rules of the road.

Driver License written examinations are available in foreign languages: Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Thai and Vietnamese.

Oral examinations are available for applicants who cannot read and understand the knowledge test, and may be given on the automated testing equipment.

The test checks what you know about driving, not how well you read, so the questions can be read to you.

Examinations are available for applicants that are unable to read and comprehend the knowledge tests.

If you apply for both a motor-driven cycle license and a learner license, you must take both the motor-driven cycle and the learner license examinations.

A car and a cycle are driven differently, so each license needs its own test.

If you are applying for a motor driven cycle license and a learner license, you will be required to take both the motor driven cycle and the learner license examination.

The vision test shows you need glasses to see well enough. What does that mean for your driving?

You must wear corrective lenses while driving. You cannot react to what you cannot see, so a driver who needs glasses must have them on behind the wheel. Alabama Driver Manual, p.11: “If, as a result of the vision examination, it is found that lenses are needed to improve eyesight, you will be required to wear corrective lenses while driving.”