All the key numbers from the Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024). Memorize these before your test.
| Situation | Limit / Rule |
|---|---|
| BAC limit — drivers 21+ | 0.08% |
| BAC limit — drivers under 21 | 0.02% or more Under-21 DUI |
| Under-21 DUI test failure | 0.02% or more — 90-day suspension (1st offense) |
| Reinstatement fee minimum | $100 (not less than) |
| Fail BAC test — temp permit issued (1st) | Subject to DUI charge and license action |
| Implied Consent refusal (1st) | License suspension (duration per court/administrative decision) |
| Implied Consent refusal (subsequent) | Longer suspension (amount not specified in manual) |
| DUI / Implied Consent reinstatement fee |
| Offense | Fine | Jail | Suspension |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st DUI | $600–$2,100 | Up to 1 year | 90 days |
| 2nd DUI (within 10 yrs) | $1,100–$5,100 | Mandatory 48 hrs jail or 20 days community service | 1-year revocation |
| 3rd DUI (Felony, within 10 yrs) | $2,100–$10,100 | Mandatory 60-day jail (cannot be suspended) | 3-year revocation |
| 4th+ DUI | $4,100–$10,100 | 1 year 1 day – 10 years imprisonment | 5-year revocation (Class C felony) |
| Road Type | Speed Limit |
|---|---|
| Residential / business areas | Posted (reduced — obey the sign) |
| Interstate highways | 70 mph |
| Where posted | 65 mph |
| 2-lane state/US highways | 55 mph |
| Urban district (unless posted) | 30 mph |
| Situation | Distance |
|---|---|
| Signal before turn/stop | 100 feet |
| Following distance (any speed) | 2-second rule (pick fixed object; count "one thousand one, two") |
| Following distance (adverse conditions) | Increase to 4–5 seconds in bad weather, rain, ice, or fog |
| Stop at railroad crossing | 15–50 feet from nearest rail |
| Fire hydrant | 15 feet |
| Crosswalk at intersection | 20 feet |
| Traffic control device (stop sign, signal, yield, beacon) | 30 feet |
| Railroad crossing | 50 feet |
| In front of any driveway | Always prohibited |
| Do not follow fire truck / ambulance (lights on) | 200 feet |
| Dim headlights (oncoming vehicle) | 500 feet |
| Dim headlights (following vehicle) | 200 feet |
| Low beam visibility trigger | < 500 feet |
| Headlights on | Sunset to sunrise; also when visibility < 500 ft ahead |
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Learner License minimum age | 15 (with 21+ supervisor) |
| Learner Permit fee | $7.00 |
| Learner Permit minimum hold period | 6 months (must also be at least 17) |
| Supervisor requirement | Licensed adult 21+ — no experience req. |
| Required supervised driving affidavit | Supervisor must be 21+ in front seat; road test required at ALEA office |
| Class D License age | 16 (after 6-month Learner hold) |
| Full Class D license eligible | After 6 months with permit AND at least age 17 |
| Nighttime curfew | No driving midnight–6 AM (exceptions for work, school event, religious event, emergency, or accompanied by licensed 21+ with parental consent) |
| Passenger restriction | No more than 1 non-family passenger (other than parent/guardian or 21+ supervising driver) |
| Cell phone rule | No hand-held texting for any driver. Hands-free permitted. |
| Full Class D license age | 17 |
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Under 4 years | Car seat (child passenger restraint device) |
| Until age 6 | Booster seat |
| Ages 7+ (or 4'9″+ tall / 65+ lbs) | Lap/shoulder seatbelt |
| Under 13 years | Rear seat of vehicle when available |
| Safety belt required | All passengers, any age — primary enforcement |
| Coverage | Minimum Required |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury (per person) | $25,000 |
| Bodily injury (per accident) | $50,000 |
| Property damage (per accident) | $25,000 |
| Proof of insurance required | Must be available at traffic stop; electronic proof on phone is acceptable |
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Class D license — 4 year | $24.00 |
| Knowledge test fee | $5.00 (no checks accepted) |
| Learner's Permit | $7.00 |
| Duplicate license | $11.00 |
| License renewal frequency | Every 4 years |
| Address change deadline | Within 30 days (Alabama Code 760-X-1-.07(7)) (notify ALEA) |
| Organ donor registry | registerme.org |
| Work zone fines | Reduce speed, be prepared to stop suddenly |
Free, no signup · Questions verified against the official state driver manual