Alabama drivers seeking a new or renewed license may be surprised by increased costs that quietly went into effect this week. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency on Monday increased prices for Alabama driver’s licenses by $12. Comparing information from the agency’s website on Thursday with an archived version of the same website from August 2014, costs for a private operator or learner license have increased from $23.50 to $36.50 and similar increases were seen for all commercial licenses.
The Anniston Star reports local license commissioner Barry Robertson said his office was notified about changes in an email from the agency on Friday. The new rates were not sent to his office until Monday, according to the newspaper. According to an email from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency on Thursday, costs for the state to produce and issue licenses has exceeded the charge to citizens. Efforts that searched for how the state could recover those costs was undertaken by the state Department of Examiners of Public Accounts, according to the statement.
Changes to the license fees will not affect tests or non-driver identification cards for senior citizens or individuals with physical or mental disabilities.