Driver training rules in Alaska

✓ Checked against official sources · 2026-10-18

Driver training rules in Alaska for teen and adult driver's education, CDL schools, carriers that train their own drivers and school bus drivers, each with a link to the official source. Federal ELDT rules (49 CFR Part 380) apply in every state on top of these.

Driver education (teens)	No driver ed required under 18; instead hold permit 6 months and have 40 certified hours of driving. Enrolling in an approved course allows a special instruction permit.source 1
Supervised practice (teens)	Under 18: 40 hours certified by parent, guardian or employer, at least 10 in challenging conditions (bad weather, darkness); permit held 6 months.source 1 · source 2
New adult drivers	None stated. Course and practice rules in the manual apply only to drivers under 18 (manual rev. 10/2025).source 1
Who licenses driving schools	Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (Dept. of Administration) licenses non-commercial driving schools and instructors under 2 AAC 91.source 3 · source 4
CDL training: state rules beyond federal ELDT	No state training hours in Alaska's CDL rule; 2 AAC 90.250 adopts federal 49 CFR 383 standards (Part 380 ELDT applies federally).source 5
CDL schools: state license	Yes. A commercial driver training school (any school charging tuition) needs a DMV license under AS 28.17.011.source 6
CDL schools: state hours or curriculum	No state hour minimum. The course must be DMV-approved and listed on FMCSA's TPR (2 AAC 91.080); law says CMV courses must meet or exceed the USDOT model tractor-trailer curriculum.source 4 · source 6
CDL schools: instructor rules	Yes. DMV instructor license; CMV instructors need at least 3 years' CMV driving experience within the 7 years before applying (2 AAC 91).source 4
Carriers training their own drivers: license	Exempt by definition: the law covers only schools that charge consideration or tuition, so a carrier training its own drivers free is not a 'commercial driver training school.'source 6
Carriers: hours or curriculum	Course-approval rules apply only to licensed schools; a carrier that charges no tuition is outside them. Federal ELDT applies.source 6
Carriers: instructor rules	Instructor licenses cover instructors of a commercial driver training school; a free in-house carrier program is outside that definition. Federal 380.605 applies.source 6
New school bus drivers	State-approved school bus driver training course of at least 10 hours, taught by a state-certified instructor (Dept. of Education, 4 AAC 27.200), unless licensed to drive a bus the prior 2 years.source 7 · source 8
School bus refresher	No driver refresher training in state rules. School bus license renews within 5 years with a current physical exam and fee.source 8 · source 9

Driving manuals and handbooks

Official publications from Alaska, checked 2026-10-19. Read them here or download them; the state's own copy is always linked.

Driving jobs in Alaska

Rules change. Always confirm with the state agency before you rely on a rule. Something out of date? Email terry@eldt.courses.

Federal rules in every state

CDL entry-level driver training must come from a provider listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry, for a first Class A or B CDL, an upgrade to Class A or B, or a first P, S or H endorsement (49 CFR 380.609). See ELDT record keeping under 49 CFR 380.

Sources

1. https://dmv.alaska.gov/media/t5ef5vi2/dlman.pdf
2. https://dmv.alaska.gov/media/cuebehop/433.pdf
3. https://dmv.alaska.gov/partner-services/
4. https://www.akleg.gov/basis/aac.asp?media=print&secStart=2.91.010&secEnd=2.91.999
5. https://www.akleg.gov/basis/aac.asp?media=print&secStart=2.90.250&secEnd=2.90.250
6. https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp?media=print&secStart=28.17.011&secEnd=28.17.990
7. https://www.akleg.gov/basis/aac.asp?media=print&secStart=4.27.200&secEnd=4.27.240
8. https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp?media=print&secStart=28.15.046&secEnd=28.15.046
9. https://www.akleg.gov/basis/aac.asp?media=print&secStart=4.27.005&secEnd=4.27.999

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