HB65 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

H. Mac Gipson

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Motor vehicles, three-stage graduated licensing, age requirements for licensed driver accompanying driver with learner's permit, restrictions on persons 16 or 17 years of age with Stage II driver's license further provided for, operation of hand held communication devices prohibited, Secs. 32-5-64, 32-6-7.2, 32-6-8 am'd.

Summary

HB65 creates a three-stage teen driver licensing system with supervision, curfews, and device restrictions to improve safety for drivers under 18.

What This Bill Does

It establishes Stage I learner's permits, Stage II restricted licenses for 16- and 17-year-olds, and Stage III unrestricted licenses. It requires parental consent and proof of behind-the-wheel practice (30 hours) or driver education for 16-year-olds applying for Stage II, and imposes curfews, passenger limits, and a handheld-device ban for Stage II drivers, with several exceptions. It adds enforcement mechanisms and penalties, including extending restrictions for violations and a 60-day automatic suspension for certain moving violations, and it allows 17-year-olds with six months of licensure and no violations to move toward Stage III; older licenses issued before Oct 1, 2002 are treated as unrestricted.

Who It Affects

• Teens under 18 (especially ages 16-17) who apply for or hold Stage I/II/III licenses and must follow new consent, practice, curfew, passenger, and device restrictions.
• Parents/guardians (and driving instructors) who must sign consent forms and verify behind-the-wheel practice, and the Department of Public Safety which administers licensing, exams, and enforcement.

Key Provisions

• Amends 32-5-64 to require a 21+ licensed driver to accompany any driver under 16, with an exception for students in approved driver training programs.
• Creates Stage II restrictions for 16- and 17-year-olds under 32-6-7.2, including curfews, passenger limits, and prohibitions on handheld devices, plus required parental consent and proof of driving practice (30 hours) or completion of a driver education course for eligibility.
• Enumerates curfew exceptions for Stage II drivers (employment, school events, religious events, medical/emergency needs, hunting/fishing with proper licenses and season), and limits on the number of passengers.
• Imposes penalties for violations of Stage II restrictions, including extending the restriction period by six months and, for certain violations, automatic 60-day suspension with further extension; violations do not carry criminal penalties or court costs.
• Provides that after six months with no moving violations, a 17-year-old’s license may transition toward Stage III unrestricted status if criteria are met; pre-2002 licenses are treated as unrestricted.
• Outlines Stage I learner's license provisions under 32-6-8, including a $20 fee, four-year validity, required accompaniment by a parent/ guardian or 21+ licensed driver or approved instructor, and that Stage II/III licenses are issued for the remainder of the four-year period with no additional fee.
• Defines the three stages (Stage I, Stage II, Stage III) and sets the effective date as the first day of the third month after the bill’s passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles