Alabama Driving Laws
Knowledge of Alabama driving laws is essential for anyone driving in Alabama. This page includes a summary of Alabama traffic law.
You are responsible for obeying all Alabama traffic laws. If you are arrested for violating Alabama driving laws and are convicted, you may, in addition to the punishment handed down by the court, lose your driver license through cancellation, revocation, suspension, or disqualification.
Cancellation of Driver License
Alabama law authorizes the Director of Public Safety to cancel any driver license upon determining that a person was not entitled to the license.
Failing to give required or correct information on a driver license application or committing any fraud in making an application is a violation of Alabama law and is also grounds for license cancellation.
Revocation of Driver License
A driver license may be revoked if a driver is convicted of certain offenses of Alabama traffic law. After the period of revocation has expired, the driver may apply for a new driver license and will be required to take and pass the complete examinations.
According to Alabama driving laws, the Director must revoke your license upon receiving a record of your conviction for:
- Manslaughter or homicide resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle.
- Driving or being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor upon a second or subsequent conviction.
- Driving a motor vehicle while a habitual user or under the influence of a controlled substance to a degree rendering you incapable of safely driving a motor vehicle upon a second or subsequent conviction.
- Using a motor vehicle in the commission of a felony.
- Failures to stop, render aid, or identify yourself in the event of a motor vehicle accident resulting in the death or personal injury of another.
- Perjury or the making of a false affidavit or statement under oath to the Director regarding driver license laws or under any other laws relating to the ownership or operation of motor vehicles.
- Three reckless driving convictions within 12 months.
- Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle belonging to another.
Suspension of Driver License
Alabama law state that a driver license may be suspended if a driver is convicted of certain offenses or is judged incompetent to operate a motor vehicle.
After the period of suspension, the driver license will be reinstated unless it expired during the period of the suspension, or unless all the requirements of the suspension and Alabama traffic law were not met.
In accordance with Alabama driving laws, your driver license may be suspended if you:
- Have committed an offense for which mandatory revocation of license is required upon conviction.
- Have been convicted of violating Alabama driving laws with such frequency of serious offenses against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles to indicate disrespect for traffic law, and a disregard for the safety of other persons on the highways.
- Are a habitually reckless or negligent driver of a motor vehicle as established by a record of accidents or other evidence.
- Are incompetent to drive a motor vehicle.
- Have permitted an unlawful or fraudulent use of your license or mutilated such license.
- Have committed an offense in another state which, if committed in this state under Alabama driving laws, would be grounds for suspension or revocation.
- Are convicted of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer.
- Are convicted of racing on the highways.
- Fail to answer a traffic court summons on time.
- Are ages 15 through 18 and withdraw from school under certain conditions prior to graduation.
The following schedule is used to determine the length of a suspension period:
- 12-14 points in a 2-year period 60 days
- 15-17 points in a 2-year period 90 days
- 18-20 points in a 2-year period 120 days
- 21-23 points in a 2-year period 180 days
- 24 and above points in a 2-year period 365 days
In accordance with Alabama traffic law, after a traffic conviction is 2 years old, it loses its point count for suspension purposes but remains on a driver’s record.
Driver License Reinstatement
Information on Alabama driver license reinstatement, including associated fees and locations for paying those fees, can be found here.
The Alabama Point System
The point system has been instituted in Alabama driving laws as a means of identifying the problem driver (one who continually disobeys the motor vehicle laws).
Points are assessed for various violations as follows:
- Any conviction for violation of Alabama driving laws which resulted from a charge that involved the drinking of alcoholic beverages and the driving of a motor vehicle but did not require mandatory revocation of the driver license - 6 Points
- Reckless Driving - 6 Points
- Speeding In Excess of 85 MPH (86 or above) - 5 Points
- Failure to Yield Right of Way - 5 Points
- Passing Stopped School Bus - 5 Points
- Wrong Side of Road - 4 Points
- Illegal Passing - 4 Points
- Following Too Closely - 3 Points
- Disregarding Traffic Control Device (stop sign, traffic light) - 3 Points
- Speeding in Excess of Posted Limits - 2 Points
- All Other Moving Violations - 2 Points
For more information on Alabama driving laws, please visit the Alabama Department of Public Safety website.
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