Suspended license in Alabama: points, other causes, and how to reinstate
In Alabama, the first points threshold is 12 points within 2 years: 60-day suspension. The fee to reinstate after a suspension that is not alcohol-related is $100.
A DUI is only one of the ways a license gets suspended. Points from ordinary tickets, an unpaid ticket, a lapse in insurance, unpaid child support or a missed court date each carry their own suspension and their own path back. The rules below are the ones the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division states, each quoted from its page or from the statute.
How the points system works
Most states assign points to moving violations and suspend the license when the total inside a set window crosses a threshold. The threshold, the window and how long each violation keeps counting are all set by the state.
ALEA's Driver License Point System assigns a point count to each traffic conviction, and the schedule 'is used to determine the length of a suspension period for any Alabama license holder': 12 to 14 points in a 2-year period brings a 60-day suspension, rising to 365 days at 24 or more points. ALEA Rule 760-X-1-.07 states the point values were adopted to give a uniform basis for the suspension authority in Ala. Code § 32-5A-195.
| Points | Within | Consequence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 points | 2 years | 60-day suspension | alea.gov |
| 15 points | 2 years | 90-day suspension | alea.gov |
| 18 points | 2 years | 120-day suspension | alea.gov |
| 21 points | 2 years | 180-day suspension | alea.gov |
| 24 points | 2 years | 365-day suspension | alea.gov |
Points period stated by the agency: 2 years. A conviction counts toward a suspension for two years; after that it loses its point count for suspension purposes but stays on the driving record.
“12-14 points in a 2-year period - 60 days”
“After a traffic conviction is 2 years old, it loses its point count for suspension purposes but remains on a driver's record.”
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding (1 to 25mph over speed limit) | 2 |
| Speeding (26 or more mph over speed limit) | 5 |
| Reckless driving or reckless endangerment involving operating a motor vehicle | 6 |
| Failure to yield right of way | 5 |
| Passing stopped school bus | 5 |
| Disregarding traffic control device (stop sign, traffic light, etc.) | 3 |
Check points or the driving record: alea.gov
The statute: Ala. Code § 32-5A-195(k)
“(2) Has been convicted with such frequency of serious offenses against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles as to indicate a disrespect for traffic laws and a disregard for the safety of other persons on the highways;”
Other reasons a license is suspended, and what ends each one
These are the causes the licensing agency itself lists on its suspension pages, with what it requires to lift each one. Court-imposed suspensions and DUI suspensions are covered on the state's DUI pages.
| Cause | What the agency states | To reinstate | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver License Point System | Points from traffic convictions within a 2-year period: 12-14 points bring a 60-day suspension, 15-17 points 90 days, 18-20 points 120 days, 21-23 points 180 days, and 24 or more points 365 days. A driver may request a pre-suspension or administrative hearing in the county of residence. | Serve the suspension period and pay the reinstatement fee for a suspended license. | $100 |
| Failure to answer a traffic court summons or pay | The Alabama Driver Manual lists failing to answer a traffic court summons on time or failing to pay among the reasons a driver license may be suspended. | Settle all tickets before submitting the reinstatement fee; ALEA's reinstatement requirements form states the fee and any SR22 should not be submitted until all tickets are settled. | $100 |
| Failure to maintain SR-22 insurance when required | The manual lists failing to maintain SR-22 insurance when required as a ground for suspension. | File SR22 insurance showing coverage for Alabama for the period ALEA specifies, and pay the reinstatement fee. | $100 |
| Non-payment of child support | Non-payment of child support is listed as a ground for suspension. Suspensions for non-payment of child support carry an additional $50 fee on top of the reinstatement fee. | Pay the reinstatement fee plus the additional child-support fee once the suspension is cleared. | $150 |
| Medical reasons | The manual lists medical reasons among the grounds for suspension, and Ala. Code § 32-5A-195(k)(4) allows suspension of a driver who is incompetent to drive a motor vehicle. A driver who is medically ineligible for a Class D license cannot obtain a hardship license. | — | — |
| Racing on the highways | Under Ala. Code § 32-5A-195(k)(8) the Secretary may suspend the license of a driver convicted of racing on the highways; the manual lists the same ground. | — | $100 |
| Fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer | Ala. Code § 32-5A-195(k)(7) lists conviction of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer as a ground for suspension. | — | $100 |
Source quotes for each cause
Driver License Point System
“The following schedule is used to determine the length of a suspension period for any Alabama license holder:”
Failure to answer a traffic court summons or pay
“Fail to answer a traffic court summons on time or fail to pay.”
Failure to maintain SR-22 insurance when required
“Fail to maintain SR-22 insurance when required.”
Non-payment of child support
“Fail to pay child support - $50”
Medical reasons
“Have medical reasons.”
Racing on the highways
“(8) Has been convicted of racing on the highways.”
Fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer
“(7) Has been convicted of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer; or”
Reinstating after a non-DUI suspension
Reinstatement fee: $100. Suspended or cancelled licenses $100; revoked licenses $175; an additional $50 for failure to pay child support and $50 for failing to surrender a license within 30 days.
“Suspended/cancelled licenses - $100”
Request your reinstatement requirements
Requests to ALEA's Driver License Division must include the driver's complete name, driver license number if known, date of birth and current address.
“All requests for reinstatement must include your COMPLETE NAME, DRIVER LICENSE NUMBER (if known), DATE OF BIRTH, and CURRENT ADDRESS.”
Settle tickets and clear other holds first
The reinstatement requirements form states that the fee and any SR22 should not be submitted until all tickets are settled.
“The reinstatement fee and/or SR22 (if required) should not be submitted until all tickets are settled”
File an SR22 if required
Where required, the form calls for SR22 insurance showing coverage for Alabama until the date ALEA specifies.
“Must File SR22 Insurance Showing Coverage for Alabama Until”
Pay the reinstatement fee
Fees can be paid online at AlabamaDL.alea.gov or by mail with a cashier's check or money order payable to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Driver License Division; no personal checks.
“Reinstatement fees can be paid online at www.AlabamaDL.alea.gov or submitted by mail with CASHIER’S CHECK or MONEY ORDER made payable to: Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Driver License Division.”
Reinstate online
ALEA's reinstatement page provides an online reinstatement link and lists the fee for each type of action.
“You may reinstate your license online”
Official page: alea.gov
After a DUI the steps are different: how to get a license back after a DUI in Alabama.
Driving during a non-DUI suspension
Available in some cases · Hardship Driver License. A limited driving privilege for drivers who meet specific hardship eligibility requirements, including a license suspended or revoked where the driver cannot obtain reasonable transportation; permitted purposes include work, court-ordered programs, medical care and voting. Drivers suspended or revoked for a serious traffic offense, drivers convicted of DUI under § 32-5A-191, and drivers medically ineligible for a Class D license are not eligible.
“A Hardship Driver License is a limited driving privilege license for those who meet specific hardship eligibility requirements.”
For the privilege after a DUI, see driving after a DUI in Alabama.
Questions about a suspended license in Alabama
- How many points suspend an Alabama license?
- Under ALEA's Driver License Point System, 12-14 points in a 2-year period bring a 60-day suspension, 15-17 points 90 days, 18-20 points 120 days, 21-23 points 180 days, and 24 or more points 365 days. After a conviction is 2 years old it no longer counts toward suspension but stays on the record.
- What does reinstatement cost after a non-DUI suspension in Alabama?
- ALEA's reinstatement page lists $100 for suspended or cancelled licenses and $175 for revoked licenses. Failure to pay child support adds $50, and failing to surrender a license within 30 days adds $50. Fees can be paid online at AlabamaDL.alea.gov or by cashier's check or money order.
- What non-DUI reasons can suspend an Alabama license?
- The Alabama Driver Manual lists failing to answer a traffic court summons or pay, failing to maintain SR-22 insurance when required, non-payment of child support, medical reasons, racing on the highways and fleeing or eluding a police officer. Ala. Code § 32-5A-195(k) gives the Secretary authority to suspend for these grounds.
- Can a driving course remove points in Alabama?
- ALEA's point system page describes no course that removes points; a conviction simply loses its point count for suspension purposes after two years. No ALEA page addresses court-approved driving courses.
Sources
- ALEA – Driver License Point System (schedule and suspension periods)
- ALEA – Driver Records, Crash Reports, and Driver License Reinstatements (fees, online reinstatement, record purchase)
- ALEA Alabama Driver Manual (Nov. 2024) – grounds for suspension, point system
- ALEA – Hardship Driver License
- Code of Alabama § 32-5A-195 Cancellation, Suspension, or Revocation of Driver's License (ALISON)
- Ala. Admin. Code ch. 760-X-1, incl. r. 760-X-1-.07 Suspension and Revocation of Driver License Under the Point System (PDF)
- ALEA form DI-46A Request for Reinstatement Requirements
- ALEA – Request for Reinstatement Requirements (updated form, fee payment instructions)
Cite this page
Every state page quotes the statute or agency page each value comes from; when citing this page, include the verification date shown above.
WheelsBack. "Alabama license suspension, points and reinstatement rules." Verified against primary sources August 29, 2026; sources re-checked September 4, 2026. https://wheelsback.com/alabama/suspended-license/