SB46 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Quinton Ross

Democrat

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

SB46 would name the three stages of Alabama's graduated licenses and impose stricter teen-driving rules, including who may accompany learners, hours and passenger limits for Stage II, and a handheld-device ban.

What This Bill Does

It creates Stage I-Learning Permit, Stage II-Restricted Licensing, and Stage III-Unrestricted License, and updates accompanying-driver requirements. It requires a supervising driver of 21 or older for Stage I, imposes nightly and passenger restrictions for Stage II, and bans use of handheld devices by Stage II drivers. It sets criteria for moving from Stage II to Stage III (six months with no moving violations for 17-year-olds, with extensions for violations) and requires behind-the-wheel practice or driver education verification for Stage II eligibility. It also addresses license durations and exemptions, and notes a local-funds constitutional exception for this bill.

Who It Affects

• Teens aged 16-17 who hold or are earning a Stage I or Stage II license, facing stricter supervision, more restricted driving hours, a limited number of passengers, and a ban on handheld devices.
• Parents/guardians, licensed drivers, and driving instructors who must supervise, verify behind-the-wheel hours (or driver-ed completion), sign consent forms, and adhere to the new accompaniment and verification requirements.

Key Provisions

• Names the three stages: Stage I-Learning Permit, Stage II-Restricted Licensing, Stage III-Unrestricted or Regular License.
• Requires the licensed driver accompanying a Stage I learner to be 21 years of age or older.
• Prohibits Stage II drivers from operating a motor vehicle while using a handheld communication device under specified conditions.
• Imposes hours-of-operation restrictions for Stage II licensees (with exceptions) and limits the number of occupants (not including the licensed driver, parents/guardians, and accompanying family members) to four or fewer.
• For Stage II eligibility, requires a 16-year-old applicant to obtain parental/guardian consent and to verify either 30 hours of behind-the-wheel practice or completion of a state-approved driver education course.
• Converts certain 17-year-olds' licenses to Stage II restricted licenses and defines circumstances under which Stage II restrictions may be relaxed or extended, including violations or lack of moving violations in the prior period.
• Automatically treats 17-year-olds as Stage III unrestricted license holders after six months if no moving violations occur within the prior six months; exemptions apply for certain groups (e.g., married individuals, head of household, or those no longer in minority).
• Exempts some residents from certain restrictions based on age or status (e.g., married, head of household, legally relieved of minority, or age 18+).
• Stage I learner's license lasts four years and Stage II/III licenses are issued for the remainder of that four-year period; the process requires examinations similar to Stage II/III licensing.
• The bill notes a local-funds expenditure provision under Amendment 621, but it is configured to fall within specified exceptions, so it does not require a 2/3 local-vote approval to become effective.
• Effective date is the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

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