SB111 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Traffic schools, uniform requirements, oversight and approval by Administrative Office of Courts

Summary

SB111 creates a uniform, court-approved traffic safety violator program overseen by the Administrative Office of Courts, allowing eligible drivers to take a four-hour course to avoid a driving record for certain offenses.

What This Bill Does

It sets the eligibility criteria and requires the course to be four hours long and approved by the AOC. It allows courts to defer sentencing for up to 90 days to let the defendant complete the course, and if they succeed, the case is dismissed and a private, nonpublic record is kept for eligibility purposes. It also requires a fee and directs how funds are used; it lets out-of-state residents participate under the same rules and protects CDL holders from these provisions.

Who It Affects

• Defendants charged with qualifying traffic offenses who meet the eligibility criteria and may elect to take the four-hour traffic safety violator course in lieu of immediate conviction
• Traffic schools/providers and government agencies (AOC, DPS, courts) involved in approving, administering, and enforcing the program, including record-keeping and fee handling

Key Provisions

• Eligibility to participate in a four-hour traffic safety violator course for certain traffic offenses, with conditions: valid license, no offenses within three years, driving record not showing prior completion, proper affidavit, and required fees.
• Court must defer sentencing for up to 90 days to allow completion of the course; upon successful completion, the prosecution is dismissed and the case is closed; only a nonpublic eligibility record is kept.
• Director of AOC must approve courses that provide at least four hours of instruction and require curriculum, instructor qualifications, and reporting requirements.
• Out-of-state residents may participate through a substantially similar program if they meet the same conditions and hold a valid license from their home jurisdiction.
• An additional court fee is collected and sent to the State Judicial Administration Fund to support court operations.
• DPS will keep a private, nonpublic three-year record used only to determine first-time offender eligibility; it does not become a criminal record.
• Insurers cannot cancel or raise premiums solely because of completion of the course or having a charge dismissed under this act.
• DPS must publish notice of the program and courts must inform defendants; the Director must issue implementing rules.
• Commercial driver license holders are exempt from these provisions.
• Effective date: October 1, 2014.

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

Subjects

Administrative Office of Courts