Suspended drivers licenses in Alabama are issued to drivers who do not adhere to the state motor vehicle laws. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) administers drivers license suspensions for non-driving violations as well. In such circumstances, drivers will be required to complete the AL drivers license reinstatement procedure in order to restore their driving privileges.

The reinstatement process generally varies based on the type of offense that was committed and the DPS-issued penalty. When reinstating drivers licenses, applicants may also be required to visit an AL Driver License Office in person. Learn more about the Alabama drivers license restoration procedure in the following sections.

Reinstating an Alabama Suspended License

Driving with a suspended license in Alabama is against the law, and it may lead to further DPS penalties. Drivers must reinstate suspended drivers licenses in AL in order to continue to legally operate their motor vehicle within the state.

The department also mails out notifications of drivers license revocations and suspensions to the credential holder’s home address. The DPS letter will contain instructions on the type of penalty that was administered and the requirements that must be met to resolve it.

How to Reinstate an AL Suspended Drivers License

To complete the process of reinstating suspended drivers licenses in Alabama, drivers will be required to complete several steps, which vary based on factors such as the severity of the violation and the type of punishment issued by the DPS. Prior to submitting their driving license restoration request, licensees must carefully review their case by studying the DMV notice or obtaining their AL driving record.

During the procedure to reinstate drivers licenses in AL, drivers may be required to complete a combination of the steps outlined below, which vary based on their specific circumstances:

• Surrender the suspended credential to a DPS official.
• Complete the AL driving license revocation or suspension period.
• Provide payment for the applicable reinstatement fees.
• Pay a traffic ticket in AL.
• Apply for a new drivers license (in case of revoked credentials).
• Install an ignition interlock device (if required).
• File proof of SR22 Insurance.
• Complete any court-ordered penalties.

When reinstating suspended driving licenses in AL, drivers may also be required to complete certain specific steps as well. Licensees who stop meeting their child support obligations, for instance, will be required to resume their payments in order to restore their credential.

Suspension Periods in Alabama

Suspended driving licenses in Alabama can be reinstated after the completion of a specific penalty period, which varies based on the type of violation that was committed. Drivers also have the option of obtaining their AL driving history via the internet, which will provide detailed data about any suspension or revocation penalties on their record and their corresponding duration.

Another factor in determining the duration of an AL drivers license suspension is the number of penalty points collected on your record. The following list includes several examples of point-related suspensions:

• Accumulation of 12 to 14 points in a two-year period: 60 days of suspension.
• Accumulation of 15 to 17 points in a two-year period: 90-day suspension.
• Accumulation of 21 to 23 points in a 24-month period: 180 suspension days.
• Accumulation of more than 23 points within two years: A one-year AL driving license suspension.

Certain DPS suspension periods will last until the driver takes a specific action to resolve the issue. For instance, drivers whose physical and/or mental health prevents them from operating a vehicle will be suspended until their condition improves.

Alabama Point System

Under the DPS Point System, Alabama driving license suspensions may also occur by accumulating an excessive amount of negative points. The department will assess a different number of points for different types of driving offenses. Review several types of infractions and the number of negative points they incur in the following list:

• Making improper turns – 2 points.
• Disregarding traffic signs and lights – 3 points.
• Illegal passing – 4 points.
• Passing a stopped school bus – 5 points.
• DUI-related convictions – 6 points.

Driving violations that have resulted in negative points can be reviewed by ordering your driver’s record, regardless of when the infraction was committed. Negative points will be counted toward the driver’s total point sum for two years from the date of conviction.

Traffic School in Alabama

Certain types of Alabama driving license suspensions may be avoided by completing an AL defensive driving course. For example, several state courts offer the option of a traffic ticket dismissal for drivers who complete a court-approved traffic school. Note that the successful completion of a defensive driving program will not lower your current negative point count.

Drivers who enroll in a traffic school will receive other benefits as well. You may be able to lower your vehicle insurance premiums, for instance, as the program’s certificate of completion can be submitted as proof that you re not a reckless driver. Another advantage of completing a traffic school in AL is the chance to improve your safe driving habits, which will help you avoid traffic citations in the future.

Note: Contact the court processing your traffic ticket to inquire of whether or not you are eligible for a ticket dismissal after completing a defensive driving program.

Types of AL Driver’s License Suspensions

Drivers who disobey the state traffic laws face driving license suspensions in Alabama that vary based on the type and severity of their offense. In addition to suspended drivers licenses in AL, the state DPS issues other types of administrative penalties as well. More serious offenses, for example, will result in driving license revocations.

To reestablish their driving privileges in such circumstances, drivers will be required to reapply for their license to drive after the conclusion of the revocation period. The most common reasons leading to suspended and revoked drivers licenses in AL include, but are not limited to:

• Convictions of speed racing on highways.
• Using a motor vehicle to commit a felony.
• Habitually reckless driving.
• Unauthorized usage of a vehicle belonging to another driver.
• Homicide or manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle.

Drivers with suspended driving licenses can easily obtain more information about the specific type and severity of their offense by obtaining their driving record via the internet.

In addition to the standard AL drivers license suspensions and revocations, the department may also administer a credential cancellation. This type of penalty is issued if the DPS determines that the applicant does not yet meet the requirements to hold a driving license. Drivers who provide false information during the application procedure will have their credential canceled as well.

AL DUI Suspensions

The AL DMV issues more rigorous driving license suspensions in Alabama for Driving Under the Influence offenses in comparison to standard violations, as a high number of fatal accidents are caused by intoxicated drivers. In addition to the penalty fine and a period of suspension, DUI offenders are facing a jail sentence as well.

An important factor in determining the severity of the DUI-related drivers license revocation or suspension is whether or not the driver has previously committed similar offenses. Habitual offenders are subject to stricter penalties.

Drivers Older Than 21

Drivers can complete the process of reinstating driving licenses in Alabama after a DUI conviction by meeting the specific requirements of their drivers license suspension or revocation penalty. Certain DUI offenses, for instance, are treated under the state Ignition Interlock Laws, which require the installation of an ignition interlock device. Note that drivers arrested for a suspected DUI offense who refuse to submit to a breathalyzer test are in violation of the state Implied Consent Law, and they will immediately be penalized with a suspended driving license in AL.

Per the DPS rules and regulations, drivers belonging in the following groups are unlawfully operating a motor vehicle within the state:

• Operators whose BAC level is higher than .07 percent.
• Motorists physically incapacitated to operate a vehicle due to drugs, alcohol or a combination of both.
• Commercial drivers with a BAC level higher than .03 percent.
• Drivers who are transporting children to schools or daycare centers with a BAC level higher than .01 percent.

First DUI convictions result in an AL driving license suspensions of 60 days and a fine of $600 to $2,100 and/or a 12-month jail sentence. Second convictions within the same five-year period lead to an AL revoked driving license of one year and a 20-day community service or a 48-hour mandatory imprisonment. Drivers will also be required to pay a fine in the amount of 1,100 to $5,100, as well as receive a jail sentence of one year. Subsequent violations result in even stricter penalties.

Drivers Younger Than 21

Per state law, the DPS issues stricter driving license suspensions in Alabama for drivers younger than 21 years of age. This group of motorists must abide by more rigorous DUI-related rules and regulations as well.

For instance, licensees younger than 21 years of age with a BAC level .02 percent or higher are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle. To learn more about the DUI drivers license revocations and suspensions that apply to young DUI offenders, contact your local AL DPS location.

Car Insurance Suspensions

The department also issues suspended drivers licenses in Alabama for the duration of six months in the event of a lapse of the driver’s insurance coverage. The AL Mandatory Liability Insurance Law requires motorists to maintain a valid liability vehicle insurance policy at all times while operating their vehicle. The minimum amount of mandatory coverage is $25,000 for property damages, $25,000 for injuries or death to one individual and $50,000 for all participants in the accident.

To complete the Alabama suspended drivers license reinstatement process after the issuance of a no-insurance conviction, first-time offenders will be required to pay a $500 fine. Committing the same violation for a second time will result in a $1000 fine.

Traffic Summons or Failure to Pay

To avoid an Alabama drivers license suspension for failure to respond to a traffic ticket, drivers must resolve the issue through the traffic court that handles their case in due time. If you plead guilty, you can generally provide the payment for the fine via the website of the corresponding court.

Drivers who are unable to pay online, can still do so via alternative methods, such as in person or by phone. If you decide to contest the traffic ticket, you can plead your case in front of a hearing officer on the date displayed on the ticket. Motorists who are found innocent of the offense will not be required to pay the mandatory ticket fine.

If you choose to avoid a suspended driving license in AL by paying the ticket fine via the internet, you can access the online services of the corresponding court through the website of the AL DPS. After accessing the specific court’s webpage, you can either resolve the ticket issue immediately by submitting an online payment or review the specifics of the court process.

Alabama Hardship Drivers License

While completing an Alabama driving license suspension period, drivers may have the option to obtain obtain a hardship driving license, which will grant them limited driving privileges. To learn whether or not the state laws allow for the issuance of such credentials, contact your local AL DMV office. If you are unable to obtain an AL provisional drivers license, you will be required to complete the penalty period of your suspended or revoked drivers license.

Note: Drivers with suspended credentials will be able to resume their driving activities by meeting the requirements of their suspension. If you were issued a driving license revocation, you will be required to reapply for an AL driving license.

Drivers License Reinstatement Fees

The reinstatement fee for a suspended license in Alabama is $275. There is an additional drug-related fee of $25 that applies to certain suspensions. Additionally, you will be required to pay an interlock issuance fee of $150 if you are required to have an interlock ignition device. All of these fees are in addition to paying any outstanding tickets or fines.

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