Alabama Teen Driving Laws, Insurance Requirements & Drivers License

Alabama has a graduated license system to advance new drivers to a full, unrestricted license. Below, we explain the process, including the requirements, restrictions, and penalties for violations.

How Do I Get a Stage 1 Learner's Permit to Start Driving in Alabama?

Requirements to get a learner's permit. At age 15, Alabama teens are eligible to apply for the stage 1 learner's permit. The application must be approved by the parent or guardian and include a birth certificate to verify age. The applicant must then pass a written exam covering Alabama traffic laws and a vision test. However, applicants who have completed driver's education don't have to take the written exam.

What a learner's permit allows you to do. A learner's permit allows the holder to operate a motor vehicle only under the supervision of a licensed driver who's at least 21 years old. The supervising driver must be in the front seat at all times.

(Ala. Code § 32-6-8 (2024).)

Who Qualifies for an Alabama Stage 2 Restricted Driver's License?

After holding the learner's permit for at least six months without any violations, the teen can apply for a Stage 2 Restricted Regular Driver's License. (Ala. Code § 32-6-7.2 (2024).)

Requirements for a stage 2 license. Before applying for the stage 2 license, the teen must either complete 50 hours of certified, supervised driving or complete a behind-the-wheel driver's education course. The applicant must also be at least 16 years old and have held the stage 1 permit for six months without any traffic or rule violations. With all prerequisites completed, the teen can take the driving exam to obtain a stage 2 license.

Restrictions on stage 2 license holders. The stage 2 restricted license allows the holder to drive unsupervised from 6 a.m. until midnight. Driving outside of this time is allowed when supervised by a licensed driver who's at least 21 years old or when:

• driving to and from school activities
• driving to and from employment
• fishing or hunting (must hold fishing or hunting license), or
• there is an emergency.

Stage 2 holders are also limited to only one non-family passenger. Supervising adults do not count as passengers for this limit. But any and all passengers must wear seatbelts.

Stage 1 and 2 drivers are prohibited from using any form of mobile communication device while driving.

What Are the Penalties for Restricted License Violations in Alabama?

A violation of standard traffic laws or of the license restrictions will result in fines and delayed license progression—a driver must be violation-free for six months before advancing to the next license, so any restriction violation will delay the process an additional six months. (Ala. Code § 32-6-7.2 (2024).)

Restriction violations. A graduated license restriction violation is a traffic violation worth two demerit points and will result in a $150 to $350 fine. The offender must also complete a certified defensive driving course for a first-offense violation. A second restriction violation causes the driver's license to revert to a stage 1 learner's permit and the driver must wait six months before reapplying for the stage 2 license.

Moving violations. Moving violations will similarly delay the advancement of a graduated license. However, two moving violations (or a single major violation like reckless driving or racing) will result in four demerit points and a 60-day license suspension.

How Do I Get a Stage 3 Unrestricted License in Alabama?

After the teen holds the stage 2 license for at least six months without violations and turns 17 years old, the license restrictions will be removed. (Ala. Code § 32-6-7.2 (2024).)

How Does Alabama's School Points System Affect Driving Privileges?

Alabama also has school performance requirements for obtaining a driver's license. For each school point a student gets (after age 12), the teen must wait an additional week before applying for a permit or license (up to a one-year delay).

For example, a student with five days of out-of-school suspension will have to wait ten weeks after his or her 15th birthday to apply for a permit. A full year without added points will reduce the point total by half, and two years clean will wipe away all points. (Ala. Code § 32-6-7.4 (2024).)

What Are Alabama's Minimum Car Insurance Requirements?

Alabama requires all vehicles driven to be properly insured. Alabama requires a minimum liability insurance policy of at least $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 property damage per accident. (Ala. Code § 32-7-6 (2024).)

Failure to carry proper insurance can result in suspension of the driver's license or vehicle registration.