Alaska
Vehicle Resource Center
Alaska is beloved for its stunning natural beauty, but the state is home to more than half a million licensed drivers who all rely on their vehicles to travel where they need each day. The state is known for being more relaxed about rules and regulations than many. However, Alaska still has strict driving laws, regulations, and requirements for vehicle owners and drivers within the state.
Ownership and Maintenance
Maintaining a vehicle in Alaska legally means filing paperwork regularly, paying fees, and meeting government requirements. The average owner must stay on top of insurance requirements while keeping their driver's license current and meeting regular vehicle registration renewals.
Alaskan residents are not required to have safety or emissions inspections on their vehicles.
Every resident who owns a vehicle must maintain adequate liability insurance to protect against damages or injuries that may occur in an accident. The state demands that owners hold liability insurance that meets minimum coverage limits. It is also statutorily required that they formally notify the DMV whenever an accident occurs that leads to more than $501 in injuries and property damage.
The Minimum Liability Coverage Amounts Are:
Alaska car owners must have the following liability coverage amounts:
If these minimums are met, the vehicle owner is safe from any tickets for failure to have automotive insurance. There are still risks even with the minimum liability insurance, and vehicle owners should consider adding collision insurance to help them repair their own vehicles. Drivers should also consider increasing their liability limits to help them cover all the costs if they cause a seriously expensive accident.
More information about Alaska's liability insurance requirements can be found on the state's insurance information page.
Vehicle owners in Alaska must renew their registrations once every two years. The registration renewal process is simple and, for most individuals, can be completed online rapidly. Vehicle owners who do not wish to go through the process online can visit a local office ($10 office fees are assessed) or renew through the mail (takes up to 6 weeks).
Vehicle registrations can be costly to renew, but fees are determined based on the type of vehicle and the county in which it's renewed. Owners can use this calculator or this table to determine their renewal costs.
Alaska driver's licenses are good for five years before they must be renewed. The rare exception to this rule is when drivers turn 21 or 69. Their license must be renewed at each of those ages, no matter how long they've held them.
When a driver's license is nearing its expiration date, there are two possible ways to renew. The more convenient method is an online renewal, but online renewals are only possible if all of the following conditions are met:
Only if all these conditions are met can an individual renew their license online. If an online renewal is not possible, the driver will have to visit a nearby DMV office location and go through the renewal process in person.
Renewals Can Be Completed One Year Before Expiration"
Any resident who wants to handle their license renewal early can do so up to one year before the license is set to expire. Both online and in-person renewal methods work up to one year before the expiration date.
Online Renewals Should Be Completed at Least 30 Days Early
It's important to note that a temporary license is issued via mail when renewing online. That license may take up to 30 days to arrive at the final destination. It's essential to renew more than 30 days before the driver's license expiration date to avoid going without a valid license for a period of time. Learn more about the license renewal process by visiting the Alaska DMV license guide.
There are fees associated with driver's licenses and registration renewals in Alaska. Knowing what to expect from these fees makes it easy to plan for upcoming renewal costs.
Driver's License
The cost to renew an Alaska driver's license is $20 for a standard license and $40 for a REAL ID. It's important to note that a $1 fee is added for renewal via mail. More license-related costs can be reviewed using the Alaska DMV license fees page.
Vehicle Registration
Drivers must pay a $100 flat fee to renew their registration every two years, but there is also a tax that's required based on where the driver lives and what vehicle they have. The tax costs are normally between $70 and $300, depending on the vehicle and its location. Learn more using this calculator or the Alaska tax chart.
Buying & Selling
When buying or selling a vehicle in Alaska, there are important concerns to consider. Things like vehicle research, title and registration requirements, and reporting with the Alaska DMV should be taken into consideration when purchasing or selling a vehicle. Learn how to legally buy and sell vehicles in Alaska and avoid potential complications with the DMV:
Vehicle sellers are responsible for all the following tasks when selling a vehicle to an individual:
Report the Sale Online
After the vehicle is sold, it's essential for the seller to visit the online reporting tool and use it to notify the Alaska DMV that the vehicle has been sold to another individual. The service only takes a moment to use. It is simple and free.
Keep the Plates
Before allowing the buyer to take away the vehicle, it's essential to remove the license plates. These plates must be turned in to the DMV or transferred to another vehicle in the seller's name. The buyer will have to obtain their own license plates.
Get a Copy of the Bill of Sale
It's recommended that the seller print two copies of a Bill of Sale form and have the buyer fill out both. One Bill of Sale is kept by the buyer, and the other is kept by the seller, so both have proof that the deal was completed.
Buyers should do all of the following when purchasing a vehicle from a third party or a dealership:
Research the Vehicle
Before buying any vehicle, it's important to research it thoroughly. The best way to do this effectively is to get a VIN report or license plate report through GoodCar. These reports provide an in-depth history of the specific vehicle. The report shows previous owners, odometer readings, title brands, vehicle features and options, and open recalls for the vehicle.
Get the Original Title
Buyers are responsible for ensuring the seller has the original title for the vehicle. Look at the title and make sure the seller fills out all the required spots on the back of the title to create a binding document. This title is required to title the vehicle in the buyer's name later.
Get a Bill of Sale
Print two copies of a Bill of Sale form, and get the seller to sign their part while filling out the information on your part. Buyers should ensure they get a copy of a Bill of Sale to prove they legally obtained the vehicle and to prove how much the vehicle was sold for.
Insure the Vehicle
Obtain liability insurance on the new vehicle before going to the DMV to license and register it. Proof of insurance is required to legally register the vehicle.
Register and Title the Vehicle
Once all the paperwork is complete, it's time to visit a DMV office to register and title the vehicle. This process comes with some significant fees, as discussed in the section below. Be sure to bring along the Bill of Sale, signed title, and proof of insurance on the vehicle. With those documents, as well as standard identification, it should be possible to title and register the purchased vehicle.
There are costs associated with titling and registering a vehicle. All those fees are the responsibility of the buyer.
When registering a new vehicle, the buyer must pay $100 as well as county taxes. The tax costs are available via this government table, making it easy to see what the costs will be. Other than county taxes, there are no sales taxes for vehicles in Alaska.
The title fee in Alaska is an additional $15, but it's important to verify all the fees with the local DMV office for an exact amount.
Laws and Regulations
In Alaska, seat belt laws are primary, meaning that police officers can stop a vehicle if one of the passengers isn't wearing a seat belt or proper safety harness.
According to Alaska state laws, the driver and all passengers in a vehicle must be properly buckled. Anyone 16 or older is responsible for their own belt and can be ticketed if disobeying the law. All others under 16 are the responsibility of the driver, and the driver can be ticketed if they are unbuckled.
Car Seat Regulations
All children aged seven and younger must be restrained in a safety seat at all times. This means a rear-facing car seat, a front-facing car seat, or a booster seat, depending on their age, height, and weight. Drivers should keep their children in rear-facing car seats until they outgrow the weight and height limits listed on the seat. Children should then be graduated to a forward-facing car seat with a harness until they outgrow the height and weight limits again. Finally, children will remain in a booster seat until they reach a safe height of approximately 4'7" tall, or they are at least over nine years old.
Alaska imposes strict DUI (driving under the influence) laws on any drivers within the state. Drivers are expected to stay under the legal limits of alcohol consumption while driving in the state. If they fail to meet that requirement, they can face time in jail, license suspension, significant fines, and more.
Alaska DUI Limits
In Alaska, adult drivers can be charged with a DUI whenever their blood alcohol level reaches more than 0.08. Drivers who fail a breathalyzer with a 0.08 BAC or higher will be charged with a DUI. Drivers who test at 0.15 or higher can be charged with aggravated DUI and given stiffer penalties.
Any minor under 21 caught driving with a BAC above 0.00 can be charged with a DUI and faces a set of fines as well. Important DUI limitations, charges, and additional information are available in the state's About D.U.I. report.
When buying a new vehicle in Alaska, the purchase is protected by the state's Lemon law for the first 12 months or the duration of the auto manufacturer's express warranty coverage. The Lemon law states that a new vehicle must not be proven defective, or the auto manufacturer must refund the cost of the vehicle or replace the vehicle with a functional model.
The law protects the buyer, but only if that buyer notifies the manufacturer of the vehicle's issues and provides the manufacturer with sufficient opportunities to make effective repairs.
When is a Vehicle Considered a Lemon?
The car is considered a lemon when the following conditions are met.
If either of those conditions is met, the vehicle can be designated as a Lemon and set for replacement. However, there are legal steps the buyer must go through to obtain a refund.
Find out more specific details about the Alaska Lemon law at this government site.
Useful Things to Know
Drivers and vehicle owners in Alaska have a great deal of information to remember. These individuals should be able to get the most pressing information from the guide above, but they can rely on the resources below to get additional information they may need.
Find DMV Office Locations
While some automotive paperwork can be completed online, many processes must be completed in person in Alaska. This is why it's essential to know where the nearest DMV office is located: Alaska DMV Office Locations
Become Familiar with Alaska Car Crash Trends
The number of vehicle-based fatalities has decreased in Alaska in the last few years. According to state data, the number of annual crash-based fatalities decreased from 80 in 2018 down to 67, 64, and then 67 between 2019 and 2021. The number of accidents per 100 million vehicle miles traveled also went down to 1.16 in 2021 from much higher values of 1.6 in 2016 and 1.43 in 2017. Vehicle accidents occur all throughout the year in Alaska, and gaining an understanding of the type of accidents that occur can help drivers prepare for more. To understand the complete picture, check Alaska car crash statistics on GoodCar.
Locate EV Charging Stations
While EVs are rare in Alaska, some citizens have electric vehicles. As an EV owner in Alaska, it's beneficial to know where any public charging stations are located. Most charging will happen at home, but when traveling extended distances, drivers must use nearby charging stations to travel. Look up charging stations using the locator tool below: AK EV Charging Station Locator
See the Alaska Driver Manual
Any drivers interested in becoming licensed in Alaska or learning more about Alaska state driving laws can refer to the state's driver's manual for more information: Online Alaska Driver Manual
Get the Latest Alaska Vehicle Information with GoodCar
Alaska vehicle owners owe it to themselves to have the most up-to-date information about state laws, maintenance requirements, recalls, and more. Refer to this useful resource for residents looking for help and GoodCar's VIN Check and license plate lookup tools for help getting additional information about specific vehicles.