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Alaska driving lesson · Getting Your Alaska License

License classes & who needs one

A 3-minute lesson from the Alaska course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Getting Your Alaska License
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
6

Anyone who drives a motor vehicle on Alaska streets, highways or other public property needs a valid Alaska driver's license or permit. A short list of people are exempt, and every license belongs to a class that matches the kind of vehicle you drive.

Know the rule

Every person who operates a motor vehicle on Alaska streets, highways, or other public property must have a valid Alaska driver's license or permit.

Handbook p. 6 ↗

Who is exempt from needing an Alaska license:

  • A non-resident at least 16 with a valid license from another state or country (only for the first 90 days)
  • A U.S. armed forces member, and spouse over 18, licensed in and keeping permanent residence in another state
  • A person driving farm equipment that is only temporarily driven or moved on a highway
  • A U.S. Government employee driving a U.S. Government vehicle on official business
  • A commercial driver who is domiciled in another state
Handbook p. 6 ↗
90 days

A non-resident must get an Alaska license by the end of 90 days after entering the state

Handbook p. 6 ↗

Know the rule

A military member's dependents are not exempt. Only the member and a spouse over 18 qualify.

Handbook p. 6 ↗

Alaska license classes

Alaska license classes
ClassWhat it lets you drive
A, B, CCommercial motor vehicles (separate CDL manual)
DPassenger vehicles, plus motorcycles/scooters under 50cc
M1Motorcycles and motor scooters of 50cc or more
M2Motor scooters under 50cc, for ages 14 or 15
M3Three-wheeled motorcycles (trikes) and cycles, 50cc or more
Handbook p. 6 ↗
50cc

Engine size line: under 50cc a Class D is enough; 50cc or more needs M1 (or M3 on three wheels)

Handbook p. 6 ↗

Instruction permit types

Instruction permit types
PermitFor practicing on
IPNon-commercial motor vehicles
IM2- or 3-wheel motorcycles and motor-driven cycles, 50cc+
IENon-commercial; only with a driving school instructor
Handbook p. 6 ↗

Know the rule

Motorcycles and motor scooters of 50cc or more need their own license class (M1 or M3), and the DMV publishes a separate motorcycle manual.

Handbook p. 6 ↗

Know the rule

You can take the Class D knowledge test online at ak.knowtodrive.com.

Handbook p. 6 ↗

Put it into practice

You move from Oregon to Anchorage with a valid Oregon license. You may drive on it for now, but you must have an Alaska license by the end of 90 days after you entered the state.

Put it into practice

You're 15 and want to ride a 45cc scooter. You can't hold a Class D yet, but at 14 or 15 you can get an M2 license, which covers scooters under 50cc.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

Which class of Alaska license is used to operate a passenger vehicle?
  1. Class D
  2. Class A
  3. Class M1
  4. Class IP

Answer: Class D

Class D covers passenger vehicles and can also cover scooters under 50cc.

Handbook p. 6 ↗
What is the minimum engine displacement for a motorcycle requiring a Class M1 license?
  1. 25cc
  2. 50cc
  3. 70cc
  4. 100cc

Answer: 50cc

M1 covers motorcycles and scooters with an engine displacement of 50cc or more.

Handbook p. 6 ↗
At what age can a driver obtain an M2 license for a motor scooter under 50cc?
  1. 12 or 13 years old
  2. 16 or 17 years old
  3. 14 or 15 years old
  4. 18 or older

Answer: 14 or 15 years old

M2 licenses are available to 14 and 15 year olds for scooters under 50cc.

Handbook p. 6 ↗
A non-resident with a valid out-of-state license must get an Alaska license within how many days of moving to the state?
  1. 30 days
  2. 60 days
  3. 180 days
  4. 90 days

Answer: 90 days

Non-residents are exempt at first, but must obtain an Alaska license within 90 days of entry.

Handbook p. 6 ↗
Which class of license allows operation of a three-wheeled motorcycle (trike) with an engine of 50cc or more?
  1. Class M2
  2. Class M3
  3. Class D
  4. Class IE

Answer: Class M3

M3 licenses cover three-wheeled motorcycles, cycles, and motorized bicycles of 50cc or more.

Handbook p. 6 ↗
A member of the military and their spouse over 18 who hold a valid license from another state are always exempt from needing an Alaska license, regardless of residency.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

The exemption only applies if the servicemember maintains permanent residence in that other state.

Handbook p. 6 ↗
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