SB29 Alabama 2016 1st Special Session Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

First Special Session 2016

Title

Driving under the influence, suspension of driver's licenses by Ala. St. Law Enforcement Agency, first time offenders, stay of suspension with use of ignition interlock devices, Sec. 32-5A-304 am'd.

Summary

SB29 would let a first-time DUI offender with no recent alcohol- or drug-related enforcement avoid suspension by using an approved ignition interlock device for six months.

What This Bill Does

It amends the DUI administrative suspension rule to stay the 90-day suspension for first-time offenders who have no prior enforcement contacts in the last five years if they install and operate an approved ignition interlock device for six months. The offender must prove installation to the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency and obtain an ignition interlock restricted license, and the remainder of the suspension is wiped upon successful completion of the interlock requirement. Other offenders with prior enforcement contacts keep the existing suspension lengths (1 year, 3 years, or 5 years). The bill also clarifies what counts as alcohol- or drug-related enforcement contacts and limits counting to at most one contact from any single DUI arrest.

Who It Affects

• First-time DUI offenders with no prior alcohol- or drug-related enforcement contacts in the last five years; they could avoid the full 90-day suspension by installing an IID for six months and obtaining an IID-restricted license.
• Offenders with prior alcohol- or drug-related enforcement contacts; they would continue to face the existing suspension periods (1 year, 3 years, or 5 years) as currently set.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 32-5A-304 to allow a stay of the 90-day driving privilege suspension for first-time offenders with no prior enforcement contacts if they install and operate an approved ignition interlock device for six months.
• Requires proof of IID installation to the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency and issuance of an ignition interlock restricted driver license; the remainder of the suspension is commuted upon successful completion of IID use.
• Maintains existing suspension periods for offenders with prior alcohol- or drug-related enforcement contacts (one prior contact = 1 year; two or three contacts = 3 years; four or more contacts = 5 years).
• Defines 'alcohol or drug-related enforcement contacts' to include suspensions, refusals to submit to chemical testing, and DUI-related convictions, with the limit that no more than one contact from any single DUI arrest may be considered.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after its passage and approval (or otherwise becoming law).

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

Subjects

Driving Under the Influence