Frequently Asked Questions

Dealer (D) and motorcycle dealer plates may be obtained by licensed motor vehicle dealers.  Manufacturer plates may be obtained by manufacturers of private passenger automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, truck tractors, or trailers, if the manufacturing facility is located in Alabama.

Dealer (D) and motorcycle dealer plate restrictions:

• New motor vehicle dealers may obtain a combined total of 35 dealer and motorcycle dealer license plates.
• Used motor vehicle dealers may obtain a combined total of 10 dealer and motorcycle dealer license plates.
• Licensed new or used dealers may purchase an additional combined total of 25 dealer and motorcycle dealer license plates, if they complete applications for certificates of title for 300 or more title transfers in Alabama during the previous dealer regulatory license year.

There are no limitations on the number of manufacturer and motorcycle manufacturer plates that can be purchased by manufacturers.

• Dealer: $25
• Dealer motorcycle: $17
• Manufacturer: $25
• Motorcycle manufacturer: $17

These fees cannot be refunded or prorated.

• Prospective purchasers, limited to 72 hours of use
• Owners of the dealership
• Partners of the dealership
• Corporate officers of the dealership
• Employees of the dealership

• May be used on vehicles on temporary loan from a dealer to a customer whose vehicle is being serviced or repaired by the dealer.
• May be used on vehicles on temporary loan to a high school for the purpose of student driver education.
• May only be displayed on vehicles in the dealer’s/manufacturer’s inventory.
• May be used for one payload trip only on trucks or truck tractors in a dealer’s inventory with more than 2 axles on the power unit or a GVW exceeding 26,000 pounds. Limited to 72 hours of usage.

If the dealer charges customers a fee for the uses listed above, dealer plates cannot be displayed on the vehicle.

Motor vehicle dealers may display standard plates on vehicles in a dealer’s inventory.  Ad valorem tax is not due when this occurs.

If the dealer license is revoked or forfeited, all dealer plates shall be returned to ALDOR within 10 calendar days.

On vehicles newer than 35 years, you must apply for title transfer by bringing the current title (signed correctly by the previous owner), along with the bill of sale and previous tag receipt. On vehicle models older than 35 years, transfer can be made with a bill of sale. Also, bring in previous owner's tag receipt and the vehicle. 

The dealer is required to complete your application for title and collect sales tax due at their location. However, you must bring the following:

1. A copy of the title application
2. Bill of sale
3. Valid Alabama Insurance card or Policy
4. Dealer’s Affidavit
5. A driver license or state ID for each person listed on the new title

Alabama law provides that any person acquiring a new or used motor vehicle shall within 20 calendar days from the date of acquisition, obtain a license plate. In order to register a vehicle subject to the Alabama title law, a title application must be completed before a registration can be processed.

An individual who can no longer find his/her title may apply at an office location of the License Commissioner. The cost is $19.25 payable by VISA, MasterCard, Discover, check or cash.

• If you have lost your tag registration receipt, you may obtain a duplicate copy from any of our locations.
• Only the registered owner can apply by completing the Request for Motor Vehicle form (Drivers Privacy Protection Act).
• Fee: $2.25 per copy
• For additional questions, please call Customer Service Department at (251) 574-8563.

Effective January 1, 1998, license plates are to be removed by the registrant upon sale or disposal of the vehicle, for possible transfer to a replacement vehicle. The license plates may be surrendered to us or need to be rendered unusable prior to disposal.

In order to receive a Receipt for Credit, one of the following criteria must be met:

• Selling of a vehicle (bring copy of bill of sale, tag or tag receipt)
• Trading of a vehicle and purchase of a new one (bring copy of bill of sale, tag or tag receipt)
• Total destruction of a vehicle (bring letter from insurance company with complete vehicle description information, VIN, the date vehicle deemed a total loss, on company stationery, signed by the agent)
• Theft without recovery (bring letter from insurance company with complete vehicle description information, VIN, on company stationery, signed by the agent)
• Or removed from the state before renewal date (bring copy of out of state registration, previous Alabama registration, original Power of Attorney form, completed and notarized, and the original Credit Voucher Affidavit)
• Since property tax on vehicles is collected in advance when customers purchase or renew their tags, customers can receive a Receipt for Credit for prepaid taxes when they sell or trade a vehicle before the next renewal date. Proper documentation is required for any Receipt for Credit.
  • In no event shall a receipt for credit or credit voucher be issued later than twelve months after the date a motor vehicle is sold, traded, totally destroyed, permanently removed from Alabama, or stolen without recovery.
  • Credit voucher must be redeemed immediately at the time a customer registers a vehicle.
  • If the credit voucher exceeds the amount of tax due or cannot be applied to a tag bill, any balance can be refunded to the customer through a Receipt for Credit. Checks for credit are processed by the 20th of the following month. The law calls for the issuing office to collect a $2.00 redemption fee on credit vouchers and receipts for credit checks.
  • Credit Vouchers can only be used on the tax portion of the tag bill.
  • Receipt for credit and credit voucher must be redeemed in the county where the tax was originally paid.
  • If a customer has moved to another Alabama county and sold a vehicle, a receipt for credit will be issued for any unapplied pre-paid taxes in Mobile County.
  • If a customer moves and registers his/ her vehicle in another Alabama county, no credit is issued.
  • If a customer moves out of state, credit will be issued.
  • A credit voucher can be transferred to an immediate family member who qualifies as a dependent.

Property taxes are collected in advance.

Example 1: Renewal
Bob Smith renews his tag in September, 2009. He will now pay taxes in advance from October, 2009 through September, 2010.

Example 2: Purchasing a used or new vehicle
For an individual purchasing a used or new vehicle, it is important to obtain the most current tag receipt for that used vehicle and bring it with you when you register the vehicle. Otherwise, you will be responsible for paying any unpaid taxes by the previous owner. If back taxes are due, they must also be paid at the time of registration. Used vehicles must be addressed on a case by case basis. Property taxes are based on the make, model and age of the vehicle. Property taxes must be collected in advance.

Example 3: Exception
Mr. Anderson acquires a vehicle on January 5, 2009 (during his renewal month). Registration fees and taxes would be collected for the period January 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010.

Please reference the following links: Quick Reference Guide as well as Business License Handbook. You may also call our office at 251-574-8561 or 251-574-4800

Many service businesses do not need a State of Alabama Privilege License issued by the License Commission; however, there are many that require the license. Contact our office by email click here or call 251-574-8561 about your specific circumstance.

Sellers of tangible personal property at both retail and wholesale are required to have a license, and in some cases more than one license section will apply. Contact our office by email click here or call 251-574-8561 about your specific circumstance.

The state, counties and municipalities regulate businesses within their boundaries. Acquiring a license from a municipality satisfies that entity's requirement but municipalities are within the confines of a county and the state and are subject to the license requirements of those jurisdictions also.

Several licenses issued by us are valid statewide; however, most of them are specific to the county where issued. Contact our office by email click here or call 251-574-8561 and we can verify if additional licensing is required in Mobile County.

Contact our office by email click here or call 251-574-8561 and we can verify if the business in question has (or needs) a State of Alabama Privilege License. Any license required by a State regulatory agency must be verified with that agency. Companies should be able to furnish you with proof of insurance and bonding in much the same way you have to show liability insurance when operating a vehicle.

All Privilege Licenses expire September 30 each year and can be renewed without penalty October 1 through October 31. Early renewals are not allowed.

Late renewal is subject to a 15% penalty of the license cost, plus monthly interest.

You can renew online https://www.altags.com/mobile_license. You can also visit our Michael Square Location or you can renew by mail.

Please go to https://www.altags.com/mobile_license to renew online.

The online business license renewal system will renew business licenses during October 1 through October 31 only.

If any information on your business license has changed, you will need to contact the Business License Department at 251-574-8561.

Alabama law requires that automobile dealers must submit an Act 539 regulatory license to the License Commission prior to issuance of the §51 Privilege License; Act 539 regulatory licenses are issued by the Alabama Department of Revenue in Montgomery. Additional information is available on the ADOR website at the following link.

Yes. Complete our Itinerant Vendor application available in the forms section and mail or fax to our office; describe completely all goods you will be selling. We will contact you with the cost of your license. Please refer to HERE for more information regarding additional municipalities.

Submit a statement on company letterhead that your business in Mobile County is closed, giving the effective date of the closure and your most recent business license number. Fax the letter to 251-574-8103 or mail to Business License Department, Mobile County License Commission, P. O. Box 161009, Mobile, AL 36616.

• A valid Alabama driver license is required.
• The disclosure of your social security number is required pursuant to Federal law 42 U.S.C.A. § 666(a)(13)(2003) and Alabama state law § 30-3-194(a) Code of Alabama 1975. Information may be supplied to the Alabama Department of Human Resources to enforce orders of child support.
• Hunter Education Card if applicable.
• Current resident and non-resident hunting license prices can be found at http://www.outdooralabama.com/licenses/huntlicinfo/
• Cost: $26.20 All Game and $17.45 Small Game for a resident of Alabama
• When you renew your driver license, it takes up to 2 business days for AL Public Safety records to be updated
• Non-resident licenses are available. Please call 574-8563 for additional information.
• Hunting licenses can be handled at any of the offices of the License Commissioner or you can order your hunting license online by visiting DCNR Hunting and Fishing - General Information (alabamainteractive.org)

• If it is a new boat, it must be registered in 3 days and a bill of sale is needed.
• If it is a used boat, it must be registered in 15 days, and a bill of sale and the last boat registration certificate are required. No title is required in the state of Alabama.
• The disclosure of your social security number is required pursuant to Federal law 42 U.S.C.A. § 666(a)(13)(2003) and Alabama state law § 30-3-194(a) Code of Alabama 1975. Information may be supplied to the Alabama Department of Human Resources to enforce orders of child support.
   

Registration Costs:

Boat Length/Fee

Transfers: $5.00
Replacement/Duplicate Certificates: $5.00

• Registration of boats can be handled at any of the offices of the License Commissioner.
• For additional information regarding the registration of your boat, contact (251) 574-8551.

Commercial seafood licenses are issued by Marine Resource Offices only. Locations are at Dauphin Island (251) 861-2882 and Gulf Shores (251) 968-7576. Applications can be obtained from Michael Square License Office located at the corner of Azalea Road and Michael Boulevard at the Customer Service window. Your application can then be mailed to one of the Marine Resource offices.

Recreational seafood licenses can be obtained at any of the offices of the Mobile County License Commissioner, or you can obtain a recreational seafood license online at DCNR Hunting and Fishing - General Information (alabamainteractive.org).

• An Alabama driver license is required.
• The disclosure of your social security number is required pursuant to Federal law 42 U.S.C.A. § 666(a)(13)(2003) and Alabama state law § 30-3-194(a) Code of Alabama 1975. Information may be supplied to the Alabama Department of Human Resources to enforce orders of child support.
• Current resident and non-resident freshwater and saltwater fishing license prices can be found at http://www.outdooralabama.com/licenses/fwfishlicinfo/
• Freshwater: $13.10
• Saltwater: $23.00
• Fishing licenses can be handled at any of the offices of the License Commissioner or you can order your fishing license online by visiting DCNR Hunting and Fishing - General Information (alabamainteractive.org)
• For additional questions, please contact Customer Service Department at (251) 574-8563.

For instructions and an application on how to obtain an Alabama Resident Disabled Fishing License Click here.

There may be several reasons for differences in the cost of your tag renewal:

• Normally, a vehicle’s value will depreciate, reducing the assessed value of the vehicle
• You may have moved into a new jurisdiction with a different tax rate
• The tag you bought last year may have been pro-rated for a partial year. If so, your assessment this year will be higher since it will reflect a full year
• Occasionally, the company which provides market values to the Department of Revenue assigns the same or higher values if a vehicle is a popular used vehicle.

You should renew your tag by the last business day of your renewal month. The penalty for failure to renew within the time allowed by law is $15.00 plus 12% annualized interest to the date of payment.

Yes, if you have permission from the owner, and present the following:

• The owner’s check (signed by the owner)
• A copy of their driver’s license
• Photo ID of the person presenting the check
• We consider your possession of the owner’s courtesy renewal card as consent for you to renew the registration.

Alabama registers vehicles January through November, based on the first letter of the owner’s last name. Motor vehicle registrations expire on the last day of the month. For example: someone whose last name begins with the letter J, K, or R is required to renew in the month of August, and the previous registration expires on August 31. Leased, commercial and fleet vehicles are subject to renewal in the months of October and November and the registrations for these type vehicles expire on November 30; provided, vehicles registered pursuant to the International Registration Plan (IRP) are assigned renewal registration months by the Department of Revenue in Montgomery. For a complete list of the staggered registration system, click here.

Some can be renewed online. Please go to https://www.altags.com/mobile_license to renew your Business License online.

If any information on your business license has changed, you will need to contact the Business License Department at 251-574-4800.