10 Most Common Ways to Get a Suspended License in Alabama

The Alabama DPS can revoke or suspend your driver’s license for various reasons, ranging from unpaid fines to serious traffic violations.
Written by Amber Reed
Edited by R.E. Fulton
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
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.
  • The Alabama Department/Director of Public Safety can revoke or
    suspend your driver’s license
    for various reasons, ranging from unpaid fines to serious traffic violations.
  • Continuing to drive with a suspended license in Alabama can result in fines, jail time, and even having your car impounded.
  • License suspension is a temporary loss of driving privileges for a set period of time, while license revocation is a permanent loss of driving privileges, requiring reapplication for a license and associated test.

Top 10 reasons for a driver’s license suspension in Alabama 

The Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) can revoke or suspend your
Alabama driver’s license
for a wide variety of reasons, ranging from fairly minor violations to felony traffic offenses.
Here are ten offenses that can lead to 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 or motor vehicles. 

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 a bar also counts. 

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. Here is a breakdown of how the State of Alabama’s point system affects suspension periods:
  • 12 to 14 points: 60-day suspension 
  • 15 to 17 points: 90-day suspension 
  • 18 to 20 points: 120-day suspension 
  • 21 to 23 points: 180-day suspension 
  • 24 points or more: one year

8. Having a blood alcohol level (BAC) over 0.08% or refusing a DUI chemical test

Whether you’re over the legal limit or not, refusing to take a blood or breathalyzer test will get your license revoked—even if it doesn’t result in a DUI conviction. Depending on how many offenses you have for driving under the influence (DUI/DWI), if you get a
DUI in Alabama
, it can result in: 
  • 90-day suspension 
  • Five-year revocation 
The bottom line: 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 insurance, 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.

License suspension vs. 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:
  • License suspension: A temporary loss of your driving privileges for a set period of time.
  • License revocation: A permanent loss of driving privileges. This often requires reapplying for a license from scratch and having to pass the associated tests. 
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