Vision, insurance and the point system

Key points

1. A non resident with a valid license must get an Alaska license within 90 days of entering the state.

   Source: Handbook p. 2

   “However, an Alaska driver’s license must be obtained by the end of a 90-day period after entry into the state.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 2

2. You need at least 20/40 vision in each eye or with both eyes together.

   Source: Handbook p. 6

   “To qualify you must have, in each eye or with both eyes together, at least 20/40 vision.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 6

3. If you fail the driving test you normally wait 2 business days to retake it.

   Source: Handbook p. 7

   “Normally, you must wait two business days to retake the test.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 7

4. Report a name or address change in writing within 30 days.

   Source: Handbook p. 9

   “Individuals who have a license or permit and who have changed their name or address must notify the Division of Motor Vehicles, in writing, within 30 days of the change.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 9

5. Minimum liability coverage is $50,000/$100,000 for injury or death and $25,000 for property damage.

   Source: Handbook p. 10

   “The minimum amount of liability insurance coverage is $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury or death and $25,000 for property damage.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 10

6. If you were uninsured, or fail to prove insurance within 15 days after a crash, your license is suspended 90 days, then 1 year.

   Source: Handbook p. 10

   “If you were uninsured or fail to provide the proof within 15 days, your driver’s license will be suspended for 90 days for a first occurrence and 1 year for a second occurrence.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 10

7. 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months means a mandatory suspension or revocation.

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “Accumulating 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months requires the mandatory suspension or revocation of the driving privilege, regardless of the hardships involved.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 11

8. A provisional driver with 6 points in 12 months or 9 in 24 months must take a driver improvement course.

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “A provisional license holder who accumulates 6 or more points in a 12-month period or 9 or more points in a 24-month period must complete a driver improvement course approved by the Division.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 11

9. Driving while your license is cancelled, suspended or revoked means at least 10 days in jail.

   Source: Handbook p. 5

   “Conviction of driving while license is cancelled, suspended, revoked, or in violation of a limited license will result in a jail sentence of not less than 10 days.”
   Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 5

10. A copy of your driving record costs $10.00.

    Source: Handbook p. 9

    “For a fee of $10.00 a driving record may be provided to the driver, or a person designated by the driver.”
    Alaska Driver Manual, Handbook p. 9

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Alaska practice test

1. 1. What vision must an Alaska applicant have to qualify for a license?

   1. 20/20 in both eyes
   2. Any vision with corrective lenses
   3. 20/70 in one eye
   4. At least 20/40 in each eye or with both eyes together
   Show answer

   At least 20/40 in each eye or with both eyes together. To qualify you must have, in each eye or with both eyes together, at least 20/40 vision, with or without corrective lenses. If lenses are needed to reach the standard, a restriction requires you to wear them whenever you drive. Applicants who cannot meet the standard may be referred to an eye specialist before a decision is made, and the screening is repeated at renewal.

2. 2. What minimum liability insurance must an Alaska driver carry?

   1. $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury or death, and $25,000 for property damage
   2. $25,000, $50,000 and $10,000
   3. $15,000, $30,000 and $5,000
   4. $100,000 combined single limit
   Show answer

   $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury or death, and $25,000 for property damage. The minimum amount of liability insurance coverage in Alaska is $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury or death, and $25,000 for property damage. If you were uninsured in a crash or fail to provide proof within 15 days, your license is suspended for 90 days for a first occurrence and one year for a second. Future proof is filed as an SR22.

3. 3. What happens to an Alaska driver who was uninsured in a crash or fails to prove insurance within 15 days?

   1. Permanent revocation
   2. A $25 fine
   3. Nothing if no one was hurt
   4. A 90 day suspension for a first occurrence and one year for a second
   Show answer

   A 90 day suspension for a first occurrence and one year for a second. If you were uninsured or fail to provide proof of insurance within 15 days of a crash, your driver's license will be suspended for 90 days for a first occurrence and one year for a second occurrence. A certificate of insurance is required for any crash with property damage of $501 or more and must reach the DMV within 15 days, even if you showed proof to the officer.

Source: the Alaska Driver Manual, Financial Responsibility, Crashes and Points. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.