In Alaska, all drivers, regardless of age, who are just learning to drive must obtain an instruction permit to practice supervised driving before they may apply for a driver’s license. The requirements for obtaining an instruction permit include passing a vision test and a written (permit) test on driving theory. (You may take the “written” test online.) In Alaska, you are not required to enroll in a driver’s education course to obtain an instruction permit, but it is recommended if you’re under 18.
As part of our permit test preparation program, we have made available the official Alaska DMV driver’s 2025 handbook (Alaska DMV Handbook (AK Driver's Manual) 2025). This manual is in PDF format and can be easily downloaded from this webpage. (Currently, the DMV only publishes an English version.)
All questions on the official written test are based on information in this manual, such as traffic laws, safe driving practices, and road sign recognition. Therefore, you should study the manual as the first step in your preparation to pass the written test. However, this may not prepare you well enough. In 2016, about 50% of aspiring drivers failed the DMV written test on their first attempt. This is why you should follow the rest of our test preparation program, including our graduated series of practice tests accompanied by our AI assistant. It can give you hints and explanations to help you learn. You can also ask it to clarify complex terms or obscure or confusing points that you may find in the handbook.
We have also created an audiobook of the official driver’s handbook. It’s formatted as a series of MP3 files, one for each chapter of the handbook. You can download each chapter file from the right side of this webpage and listen to it on any device that supports an internet browser or audio app capable of playing MP3s. You can listen to a chapter while you’re performing your usual activities. You can also listen to a chapter while you follow along by reading the text of that chapter in the PDF version of the manual. This study technique is particularly effective when you must study in a noisy or otherwise distracting environment.
In addition to the official handbook, we also offer our own permit test study guide (available elsewhere on this website) to help you prepare for the day of the Alaska written test. It covers what documents to take to the DMV, what fees you may have to pay, frequently missed written test questions, and other last-minute written test tips.