Your driver’s license can be revoked or suspended in Alabama for many reasons, such as having unpaid court fees, getting a DUI, or being involved in a vehicular homicide. Continuing to drive with a suspended license in Alabama can result in fines, jail time, and even having your car impounded.
The ability to freely drive around in your own vehicle is a basic feature of everyday life for many folks—which can make it easy to forget that it’s a privilege, not a right. Failure to be a safe driver or to obey other laws can lead to your license being suspended or even revoked. Make sure you know the laws about license suspensions in your state and stay safe and legal!
Insurance super app Jerry
has your back on more than just great savings on car insurance
. In this article, we’re covering common reasons that you might get your license suspended in Alabama. Read on to learn what you need to know and how it might affect the cost of car insurance in Alabama.
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What’s the difference between a license suspension and revocation?
Sometimes the words “suspended” and ‘“revoked” are used interchangeably when you read about losing driving privileges. While neither scenario is good, they do have very different meanings:
A license suspension is a temporary loss of your driving privileges for a set period of time.
A license revocation is more serious and means your license has been taken away permanently. This often requires reapplying for a license from scratch and having to pass the associated tests.
The Alabama Department of Public Safety
(DPS) can revoke or suspend your license for a wide variety of reasons, ranging from the fairly minor (unpaid fines) to the quite serious (DUI, vehicular manslaughter, etc). What can your license be suspended for in Alabama?
While the list of reasons for a suspended license can be broad and sometimes subject to the rulings of the judicial system, there are a few more common reasons that you should be aware of.
Here are ten actions that can get you a suspended license in Alabama.
1. A hit-and-run conviction
Being convicted of a hit-and-run can lead to a suspended license. If you’re involved in a traffic accident of any kind, make sure you stay on the scene — it's required by Alabama law.
2. Failure to appear in court or pay fines
Failing to appear in court when summoned or to pay any fines can result in a suspended license, even if the court case or fines have nothing to do with driving.
3. Failure to pay child support
A lapse in child support payments can get your driving privileges suspended in Alabama, so make sure you stay current to avoid any problems.
4. A racing conviction
If you have been convicted of street or drag racing, you will often find yourself with a suspended license as part of your punishment.
5. Using or permitting the use of your license in an illegal manner
Using your license for illegal activities, such as fraud, can result in a suspended license. And yes, allowing your younger sibling to use your ID to get into the bars also counts.
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6. Manslaughter or homicide by vehicle
If you are involved in a car accident and someone is killed, your license can be suspended or even revoked. In some cases, this can apply even if you’re not the driver.
7. Accumulating too many points on your license
Violating traffic laws can result in points on your license, and if you get too many of them over a two-year period, it can result in a suspension.
Acquiring 12 to 14 points will result in a 60-day suspension, 15 to 17 points is a 90-day suspension, 18 to 20 points is a 120-day suspension, 21 to 23 is a 180-day suspension, and more than 24 can result in a suspension of one year.
8. Having a BAC over 0.08% or refusing a DUI chemical test
Refusing to take a blood or breathalyzer test will get your license revoked—even if you are not convicted. If you get a DUI in Alabama
, it can result in anything from a 90-day suspension to a five-year revocation of your license, depending on how many offenses you have. It’s best to just take the test and deal with the consequences. 9. Committing an offense in another state
If you commit an offense in another state that would be grounds for suspension in Alabama, it can mean getting your license suspended. For example, being convicted of a DUI in Georgia could result in your Alabama license being revoked.
10. Driving without insurance
Alabama requires all drivers to have at least bodily injury
and property damage
liability, as well as uninsured/underinsured
motorist coverage. Failure to do so can result in fines, jail time, and up to a 180-day suspension of your license. How to save money on car insurance in Alabama
Even if your driving record isn’t the greatest, you can count on Jerry
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“I’ve shaved off at least $50 a month using Jerry
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