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ALASKA FIELD FILE

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About this guide — education built from the Alaska Statutes as the Alaska State Legislature publishes them, not a law degree in a webpage. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Alaska attorney or a legal aid office. Current as of October 2026.

A driver has the license in immediate possession at all times when driving, and shows it for inspection on the demand of a peace officer or another authorized representative of the Department of Public Safety who identifies themselves as one.

AS 28.15.131

A person charged with not carrying the license is not convicted if they produce, in court or at the citing officer's office, a license issued to them before and valid at the time of the citation.
Not carrying or showing the license is an infraction.
The license may be physical or electronic.

A driver also has proof of liability insurance in immediate possession and presents it on demand. It may be shown on a mobile electronic device, and showing it that way is not consent for the officer to look at anything else on the device.

AS 28.22.019

A conviction for not having or showing proof of insurance is an infraction with a mandatory fine of $500, unless the driver later produces, in court or at the citing officer's office, proof that was valid at the time of the citation.

AS 28.22.019

The Fourth Amendment sets limits on every stop, and the Supreme Court of the United States has drawn several of them. It has held that a stop is reasonable where the officer has probable cause to believe a traffic violation occurred, whatever the officer's actual motive; that an officer making a lawful stop may order the driver, and the passengers, out of the vehicle; that a passenger is seized by the stop and may challenge it; and that a stop may last no longer than its purpose requires, so it may not be extended for a dog sniff without separate reasonable suspicion. It has also held that consent to a search has to be voluntary, judged on all the circumstances, and that the prosecution does not have to prove the person knew they could refuse. Those holdings are a floor: a state's own constitution and statutes can give more protection than they do, never less.

Sources for this section (9)

AS 28.15.131 — License to be carried and exhibited on demand
AS 28.22.019 — Proof of insurance to be exhibited on demand; penalty
AS 28.15.011 — Drivers must be licensed
Whren v. United States, 517 U.S. 806 (1996) — A traffic stop is reasonable when there is probable cause of a traffic violation
Pennsylvania v. Mimms, 434 U.S. 106 (1977) — An officer may order the driver out of a lawfully stopped car
Maryland v. Wilson, 519 U.S. 408 (1997) — An officer may order passengers out of a lawfully stopped car
Brendlin v. California, 551 U.S. 249 (2007) — A passenger is seized by a traffic stop and may challenge it
Rodriguez v. United States, 575 U.S. 348 (2015) — A stop may not be extended beyond its purpose to run a dog sniff
Schneckloth v. Bustamonte, 412 U.S. 218 (1973) — Consent to a search must be voluntary

Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Alaska attorney.

ALASKA FIELD FILE

Traffic stops

Being stopped

Marijuana and drugs

Impaired driving

Court and money

Recording

Carrying a firearm

Charges and penalties

How you carry yourself

Walk it through

ALASKA FIELD FILE

Traffic stops

Traffic StopsAS 28.15.131 — the license in hand and shown on demand, proof of insurance on a phone, and nothing more on the phone▾

A Traffic TicketAS 28.90.010 — an infraction is not a crime, a misdemeanor under the title runs to $500 and 90 days, and work zones double▾

Driving Without a License, or While SuspendedAS 28.15.291 — an infraction for most suspensions the first time, a class A misdemeanor after a DUI revocation, with 10 days▾

The Instruction Permit and the Provisional LicenseAS 28.15.057 — a permit at 14, six months before a provisional license, no driving from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.▾

Reckless and Negligent DrivingAS 28.35.400 — reckless driving up to $1,000 and one year; negligent driving is an infraction▾

Passing a School BusAS 28.35.145 — stop at least 30 feet back from flashing red lights, and a class B misdemeanor with demerit points▾

After a CrashAS 28.35.060 — stop, give a name and plate, help the injured, and report $2,000 in damage within 10 days▾

Seat Belts and Car SeatsAS 28.05.095 — a belt for everyone 16 and older, a car seat under one year or 20 pounds, a booster under 57 inches▾

Moving Over for Stopped VehiclesAS 28.35.185 — leave the nearest lane or slow down for flashing lights, a class A misdemeanor if someone is hurt▾

Failing to Stop for an OfficerAS 28.35.182 — a class A misdemeanor, a class C felony with reckless driving, a crash or an injury▾

The Insurance RequirementAS 28.22.011 — liability insurance on the road system, a $500 fine for no proof, and a 90 day suspension after a crash▾

Open ContainerAS 28.35.029 — no open alcohol in the passenger area, a broken seal counts, and an infraction▾

Motorcycle HelmetsAS 28.35.245 — no helmet required at 18 or older with a motorcycle license or endorsement▾

Your Phone Behind the WheelAS 28.35.161 — no reading or typing texts while moving, and a felony if it injures someone▾

Pulling Over for Five Cars, and HeadlightsAS 28.35.140 — five or more vehicles behind on a two lane road means pulling off, a fine of at least $100▾

Studded Tires and ChainsAS 28.35.155 — off from May 1 through September 15 in the north, April 15 through September 30 in the south▾

Disability ParkingAS 28.35.235 — a permit or plate and a person with a disability, and a fine of at least $125▾

An Unsecured LoadAS 28.35.251 — a fine up to $300 the first time, and a misdemeanor when it damages $5,000 in property or seriously injures someone▾

Being stopped

Being ArrestedAS 12.25.150 — before a judge within 24 hours, Sundays and holidays included, and a call to a lawyer, relative or friend▾

When Police Come to the HouseAS 12.25.100 — an officer refused entry after announcing authority and purpose may break in to arrest▾

Resisting ArrestAS 11.56.700 — force, criminal mischief or a risk of injury to stop an arrest, a class A misdemeanor▾

Marijuana and drugs

Drug PossessionAS 11.71.050 — possessing most controlled substances is a class A misdemeanor, and some are a class C felony▾

MarijuanaAS 17.38.020 — an ounce and six plants at 21 or older, never in public, and a fine up to $100 if it is▾

Calling for Help in an OverdoseAS 11.71.311 — no possession charge for someone who calls in good faith, stays and cooperates▾

Property Seized in a Drug CaseAS 17.30.112 — forfeiture after a conviction or in a separate civil case, and an owner who was not involved can keep a vehicle▾

Underage DrinkingAS 04.16.050 — a violation with a $500 fine, cut to $50 for finishing a program within six months▾

Giving Alcohol to Someone Under 21AS 04.16.051 — a class A misdemeanor, and a class C felony on a second in five years▾

Tobacco and Vapes Under 19AS 11.76.105 — possessing tobacco, vapes or nicotine under 19 is a violation▾

Underage Drinking at a Home or a HotelAS 04.16.057 — letting someone under 21 have alcohol in a home is a violation with a $500 fine▾

Impaired driving

DUI PenaltiesAS 28.35.030 — 0.08, 72 consecutive hours and $1,500 the first time, a class C felony on a third in 10 years▾

The DUI Stop and the Breath TestAS 28.35.032 — consent to a breath test after a lawful arrest, and refusing is a class A misdemeanor of its own▾

Under 21 and DrivingAS 28.35.280 — any alcohol at all, a $500 fine and 20 to 40 hours of service, and no driving for 24 hours▾

The License Revocation After a DUI ArrestAS 28.15.166 — seven days to ask for review, a temporary license in the meantime, and at least 90 days revoked▾

Boating or Flying Under the InfluenceAS 28.35.030 — the same DUI law for a boat or a plane, with the same 0.08 and the same penalties▾

Court and money

Getting the Deposit BackAS 34.03.070 — no more than two months' rent, an itemized notice in 14 days or 30 with damage, and twice the amount for a willful failure▾

Lease Terms That Do Not CountAS 34.03.040 — no waiver of the tenant law, no confessed judgment, no landlord's lawyer fees, and damages for using them willfully▾

When the Landlord Will Not Fix ItAS 34.03.160 — written notice, 10 days to fix it, and the lease ends no sooner than 20 days after if it is not▾

No Heat, Water or Power, and a LockoutAS 34.03.210 — a lockout or a shutoff by the landlord, and up to one and one-half times the actual damages▾

When the Landlord Can Come InAS 34.03.140 — 24 hours' notice, reasonable times, and an emergency excepted▾

Being EvictedAS 34.03.220 — seven days to pay the rent after written notice, 10 days to fix other breaches, and a summons two days before trial▾

When the Landlord RetaliatesAS 34.03.310 — no rent hike, cut service or eviction for complaining or organizing, with listed exceptions▾

Belongings Left BehindAS 34.03.260 — a notice giving at least 15 days to remove property before a sale▾

Ending a Month to Month, and Staying OverAS 34.03.290 — 30 days before a rent due date for month to month, 14 days for week to week▾

Unemployment After a Job EndsAS 23.20.379 — quitting without good cause or a misconduct firing costs the first week and the next five, and an appeal runs 30 days▾

Hurt at WorkAS 23.30.100 — notice to the employer within 15 days, a claim within two years, and 80 percent of spendable weekly wages▾

Fired for a Workers' Comp ClaimAS 23.30.247 — no discrimination in hiring, promotion or keeping a job over a good faith claim▾

Discrimination at WorkAS 18.80.220 — race, religion, age, disability, sex, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood and more, and retaliation too▾

Equal PayAS 18.80.220 — no paying women less than men for work of comparable character▾

Working Under SixteenAS 23.10.340 — nine hours of school and work a day, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., and 23 hours a week outside school▾

Time Off to VoteAS 15.15.100 — paid time off to vote for someone without two consecutive hours outside the shift▾

Minimum Wage, Overtime and the Last PaycheckAS 23.10.065 — $14.00 an hour from July 1, 2026, overtime past eight hours a day or 40 a week, and final pay in three working days▾

Paid Sick LeaveAS 23.10.066 — one hour for every 30 worked, up to 56 hours a year at 15 or more employees and 40 below▾

Getting Divorced, or a DissolutionAS 25.24.200 — a dissolution when both spouses agree on everything, or a divorce on grounds such as incompatibility▾

Dividing Property and MaintenanceAS 25.24.160 — property acquired during the marriage divided in a just manner, and maintenance without regard to fault▾

Custody and VisitationAS 25.24.150 — the child's best interests, the child's preference at a sufficient age, and a presumption against custody for a history of domestic violence▾

A Domestic Violence Protective OrderAS 18.66.110 — an emergency order for 72 hours, an ex parte order for 20 days, and a long term order for one year▾

Getting MarriedAS 25.05.171 — a judge's permission from 16 and under 18, with the other party no more than three years older▾

Grandparent VisitationAS 25.20.065 — a petition when the grandparent has sought ongoing contact and visits serve the child's best interest▾

Reporting Child AbuseAS 47.17.020 — doctors, teachers, coaches, police, child care providers and others report right away▾

The Age of MajorityAS 25.20.010 — an adult at 18, with the rights and liabilities of full age▾

Signing a WillAS 13.12.502 — in writing, signed, and two witnesses, or a handwritten will with no witnesses▾

Revoking a WillAS 13.12.507 — a later will, or burning, tearing or canceling it meaning to revoke it▾

Dying Without a WillAS 13.12.102 — the spouse takes everything when every child is also the spouse's, and a set amount plus a share otherwise▾

A Spouse and the WillAS 13.12.202 — a surviving spouse may elect one-third of the augmented estate, with a floor of $50,000▾

A Small EstateAS 13.16.680 — an affidavit 30 days after death, for vehicles up to $100,000 and other property up to $50,000▾

A Health Care DirectiveAS 13.52.010 — instructions oral or written, and a health care power of attorney signed before two witnesses or a notary▾

Who Decides Without a DirectiveAS 13.52.030 — a surrogate the patient named, then a spouse, an adult child, a parent, an adult sibling▾

A Power of AttorneyAS 13.26.600 — signed and acknowledged before a notary, and it ends at death, revocation or its own terms▾

Getting Public RecordsAS 40.25.110 — open during office hours, copies at the unit cost, and personnel costs past five person-hours a month▾

Open MeetingsAS 44.62.310 — meetings open with reasonable notice, and a suit to void an action within 180 days▾

Registering to VoteAS 15.05.010 — a citizen, 18 or older, a resident 30 days, and registration up to 90 days before an 18th birthday▾

Voting After a FelonyAS 15.05.030 — no vote from conviction for a felony of moral turpitude to unconditional discharge, and registration after▾

Unfair and Deceptive PracticesAS 45.50.531 — three times the actual damages or $500, whichever is greater, for each unlawful act▾

A Sale at the DoorAS 45.02.350 — five business days to revoke a sale of $10 or more, and the seller pays the return▾