Alabama driver’s now have an online option for renewing their licenses.

The new feature was live on the Alabama.gov website on Thursday, although the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has said the service remains in a testing stage.

“The new online driver’s license renewal service introduced by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, is a welcome option for citizens to renew their Driver’s License,” said Pike County Probate Judge Wes Allen. “It will be a convenience for a lot of people.”

Trooper Kevin Cook with ALEA said the agency was not officially ready to roll the program out, but hoped to be able to have the site up and functioning completely over the next couple of weeks.

“We are not ready to roll the story out because it’s still in the testing stages,” Cook said. “We hope to have a campaign on it in the coming weeks.”

Allen said he had seen a posting about the agency’s new program on social media and did research for himself after seeing the post.

“I first saw it this morning on social media,” Allen said. “I got to looking and it was live, so but I that it was worth putting out there.”

Driver’s licenses must be obtained for the first time in person. Until now, renewals were handled in person, as well, but this option will allow some licensed drivers to renew online. While the Pike County Probate Judge’s office handles renewals, rules and processes are set by the state, Allen said. “This is a state function. This is not a probate office undertaking. We’re just a vendor for the state.”

Allen said he had been asked in the past when he felt the state would allow online driver’s license renewals and is thankful to be able to be able to provide an answer. “I’m glad for people to have another option,” Allen said

Allen also said the option likely would be well received, as was the shift to allow online tag renewals.

“I was excited when we were able to add mail-in tag renewals and online renewals,” Allen said. “It’s exciting to give people options, and I’m sure the state is very excited as well.”