REASONS FOR DRIVER’S LICENSE SUSPENSIONS IN ALABAMA

The Following are some of the most common reasons for an Alabama driver’s license to be suspended or revoked:

Excessive Moving Violations: The state of Alabama operates on a point system, in which drivers accumulate points on their license for every moving violation they commit. If you accumulate 12 or more points on your current driver record, your license will be suspended. The amount of points will determine the length of suspension. If you accumulate:

• 12 to 14 points in 2 years – your license will be suspended for 60 days.
• 15 to 17 points in 2 years – your license will be suspended for 90 days.
• 18 to 20 points in 2 years – your license will be suspended for 120 days.
• 21 to 23 points in 2 years – your license will be suspended for 180 days.
• 24 points and above in 2 years – your license will be suspended for 365 days.

Driving Under the Influence: Your Alabama driver’s license will be suspended if you are found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs regardless of a criminal conviction, or if you refuse a test for your blood alcohol level. The length of the suspension depends on the severity of the violation and whether it is a first or repeat offense.

• 90-day suspension upon your 1st conviction.
• 1-year revocation upon your 2nd conviction.
• 3-year revocation upon your 3rd conviction within 5 years.
• 5-year revocation upon your 4th conviction (or any subsequent convictions) within 5 years.

NOTE: These suspensions and revocations are in addition to other penalties you face for DUI convictions. For more information regarding DUI penalties, please see our DUI & DWI in Alabama page.

• Driving with a Suspended License or No License: Driving with a suspended license will lead to an increase in the length of the suspension, and you may also be imprisoned for up to 5 years. The duration of the additional suspension varies depending on the reason for the underlying suspension. Your driver’s license may also be suspended if you do not have your license with you while you are driving.
• Driving without Insurance: All motor vehicles driven in Alabama must be properly insured. Failure to provide proof of valid auto insurance can result in your license being suspended.
• Other Driving-Related Violations: Your Alabama driver’s license may also be suspended if you engage in reckless driving, are found to be at fault in a fatal accident, or if you abandon your vehicle on a public highway. The Safety Responsibility Act, which is enforced in Alabama, requires you to file Form SR-13 within 30 days of being involved in an accident. If you fail to do this and if you are responsible for the accident, your license can be suspended.
• Physical or Psychological Disqualification: The Motor Vehicle Divisions Chief Administrator can order a re-examination of any person who may not be fit to drive. An individual’s driving privileges may be suspended if the re-examination finds they are physically or psychologically unable to drive safely.
• Non-Driving Reasons for License Suspension: A variety of non-driving violations or issues can result in your license being suspended. These include: not responding to a Motor Vehicle Commission notice or not appearing in court; failing to pay traffic tickets, fines or surcharges; and not paying child support.

Other Reasons Include

• If you are incompetent to use a motor vehicle.
• If you have mutilated your license or permitted fraudulent use of it.
• If you have been convicted of fleeing away from a police officer or of racing on the highways.
• If you have been convicted of several traffic offenses for traffic violations.
• If you have committed an offense in another state, which if committed in Alabama would result in suspension or revocation of your license.
• If you are between the ages of 15 and 18, and withdraw from school before graduation under certain conditions.

Your License May Also Be Revoked If:

• If you are convicted of manslaughter or homicide involving a motor vehicle.
• If you have subsequent convictions of driving under the influence.
• For perjury, regarding driving laws or information about your license.
• If you are involved in an accident and do not stop to give help in the said accident.
• Using a motor vehicle in a felony
• Driving under the influence of drugs.

Alabama does not issue a hardship or work/school license if your license has been suspended or revoked. If you believe your license has been suspended due to one of the reasons listed above it is advisable to speak with a Traffic Ticket Attorney or DUI Attorney.

NOTE: You may also face suspension as part of court-ordered penalties handed down for certain criminal convictions.

ACTIONS TO TAKE IF YOUR ALABAMA DRIVER’S LICENSE IS SUSPENDED

If your license has not already been taken away from you in court, you must surrender it to the Alabama Motor Vehicle Division. You can surrender your license in person at a Driver License Office, or mail it to:

Driver License Division

P.O. Box 1471

Montgomery, AL 36102-1471

• While your license is suspended, you are not permitted to drive. If you are found driving with a suspended license, you may be imprisoned for up to 5 years, and/or the length of your suspension may be increased.
• After your suspension is over, you will receive a written notice of restoration, with instructions on how to restore your license. Do not drive until you have completed the necessary steps and received a valid, replacement license from the Alabama MVD.

CHECK YOUR LICENSE STATUS

Your AL driving record is a record of driving history in the state. It will show you everything from accidents you’ve been involved in to your license status (i.e., valid, suspended, or revoked).

If you’re not sure of your license status, this is the best place to check. It’s also a good idea to monitor your driving record, even if your license status is valid, because it can affect your car insurance rates and sometimes even your employment.

ALABAMA SUSPENSION HEARINGS & APPEALS

When you receive a notice of suspension, you will be given the chance to request an administrative hearing with the DPS to appeal your suspension. If your request is received within 10 days of the mailing date of your suspension notice, your license suspension will not start until after your hearing date. You may still request a hearing after the initial 10 days; however, your suspension will not be delayed.

Drivers whose license may be suspended due to accumulating excessive points may be eligible to enroll in a Driver Improvement Program. Completing a Driver Improvement Program removes 3 points from the current driving record, and in some cases can enable an individual to avoid having his license suspended.

The DPS will not grant hearings to all requests. If you are convicted of an offense that requires a license suspension by law, you will not be granted an administrative hearing. You can request your hearing by mail to:

Driver License Division

P.O. Box 1471

Montgomery, AL 36102

You must include your full name, date of birth and driver’s license number. You may also submit a request online at the DPS website.

REINSTATE YOUR ALABAMA DRIVER’S LICENSE

After your suspension period has terminated, you may request reinstatement of your suspended driver’s license. The steps you need to take in order to reinstate your license depend on the reason for your suspension.

You can complete and submit a Request for Reinstatement Requirements (form DI-46A) in order to find out what steps you need to take to reinstate your license. Mail the Request for Reinstatement Requirements (form DI-46A) to:

Driver License Division

P.O. Box 1471

Montgomery, AL 36102

You will receive the form back from the DPS with instructions on the steps you must follow to successfully reinstate your suspended AL driver’s license. A complete list of reinstatement steps will be on the form.

FEES FOR REINSTATING SUSPENDED LICENSES IN ALABAMA

All license reinstatements will come with fees. The fees for reinstatement depend on the type of suspension or revocation:

• Suspended or cancelled license: $100.
• Revoked license: $175.
• DUI-related suspended license: $275.
• DUI-related revoked license: $275.

You may also be required to pay additional fees:

• $25 additional fee for drug-related
• $150 fee if your reinstatement requirements involve installation of an ignition interlock.
• $50 fee for failure to surrender your license within 30 days.
• $50 fee for failure to pay child support.

You can mail a check or money order payable to:

Alabama Department of Revenue

Motor Vehicle Division

P.O. Box 327650

Montgomery, AL 36132 -7650

Note that after you license is restored, you will be subject to a Mandatory Probation Period of 1 year, during which any new violations may result in an additional suspension of your Alabama driver’s license.

COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE (CDL) SUSPENSIONS IN ALABAMA

CDL’s are suspended more easily than standard licenses. This is because commercial drivers are held to very high standards. If you hold a CDL, you can have your license suspended for any of the violation types

Major Offenses

Major offenses in Alabama can lead to CDL disqualification, regardless of the type of vehicle you were driving at the time (commercial motor vehicle or non-CMV). Alabama and federal law lists major offenses as:

• Alcohol and drug-related offenses, such as driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04% or refusing a blood or breathalyzer test (violating implied consent laws).
• A DUI conviction.
• Leaving the scene of an accident.
• Using the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) to commit a felony, including the manufacturing and distributing of a controlled substance.
• Causing a death due to negligent CMV operation.
• Operating a commercial vehicle while you have a disqualified, suspended, or revoked commercial driver’s license.

Major Offense Penalties

• 1st offense: 1-year disqualification. (3 years if carrying hazardous materials)
• 2nd offense: Lifetime disqualification.

You will be given an out-of-service order for 24 hours if you test for any amount of alcohol, even if under the legal limit. You can have your license suspended if you drive during this time.

Serious Traffic Violations

CDL drivers in Alabama will lose their driving privileges for serious traffic violations:

• Excessive speeding or reckless driving.
• Making improper lane changes.
• Following vehicles too closely.
• Operating a CMV without a CDL, or without the proper CDL endorsements.

Serious Traffic Violation Penalties:

• 2nd violation in 3 years: suspension of 60 days.
• 3rd violation in 3 years: suspension of 120 days.

Railroad Crossing Violations:

Railroad crossing violations include, but are not limited to:

• Failing to slow down and check that the tracks are clear.
• Failing to stop when required.
• Driving across the tracks when there isn’t sufficient space for the commercial vehicle.

Railroad Crossing Violation Penalties:

• 1st violation: suspension minimum of 60 days.
• 2nd violation in 3 years: suspension minimum of 120 days.
• 3rd violation in 3 years: suspension minimum of 1 year.

Any subsequent violations will result in the same penalty of 1 year.

Out-of-Service Violations

If you violate an out-of-service order, you face a minimum disqualification of 90 days.

Non-CDL Suspensions

If your privilege to drive non-commercial vehicles has been suspended, revoked, or canceled due to traffic violations (other than parking violations), your CDL will also be disqualified.

Alabama CDL Disqualification Hearings & Appeals

Because your CDL is essential for your job, you may want to consider contesting a disqualification of your CDL. The Alabama DPS will consider request for administrative hearings to contest any CDL disqualification. You can request your hearing by mail to:

Driver License Division

P.O. Box 1471

Montgomery, AL 36102

You must include your full name, date of birth and driver’s license number. You may also submit a request online at the DPS website or in person at your local DPS office.

Reinstate Your Alabama CDL

For most cases, you must wait until your CDL disqualification period has terminated before you are able to reinstate your CDL. For information about what requirements you might have to fulfill to regain your CDL driving privileges, you can contact the CDL headquarters at (334) 242-1789.