HB170 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Mike Ball
Republican
Co-Sponsors: Howard Sanderford Kerry Rich William Roberts Lynn Greer Richard Baughn Wayne Johnson
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Motor vehicles, driver's licenses, law enforcement authorized to issue citation if reasonable suspicion that driver was driving a motor vehicle without license even without personal observation of the person driving, request to see driver's license authorized under certain conditions, Sec. 32-6-9.1 added (2012-20486)
Summary: HB170 lets police ask to see a driver’s license even if they didn’t personally witness the driver, and allows issuing a ticket at an accident scene if the license isn’t shown after the request.
What This Bill Does
The bill adds a provision allowing law enforcement to request a driver’s license when they have reasonable cause to believe someone was driving, even if they did not observe the person driving. At the scene of an accident, if a person does not display a valid license after such a request, they may be issued a citation. These changes clarify license display rules and create a citation option based on reasonable suspicion.

Who It Affects
Drivers and other motor vehicle operators in Alabama may be asked to display their driver's license even if an officer did not witness them driving, and could be cited for not displaying it at an accident scene.
Law enforcement officers would be authorized to request license display and to issue citations at accident scenes based on reasonable suspicion and total circumstances.

Key Provisions
Adds Section 32-6-9.1 authorizing officers to request to see a driver's license if there is reasonable cause to believe the person was driving, even without observing the driving.
Authorizes citation at the scene of an accident if the person fails to display a valid license after the officer’s request under this provision.
States the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after its passage and approval (effective date).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Crimes and Offenses