HB542 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Thad McClammy

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Traffic violations, court authorized to order deferred payments or installments to pay fines or costs, court prohibited from suspending or revoking driver's license if violator making payments

Summary

HB542 would require courts to offer deferred payments, installments, or community service for traffic fines that can't be paid within 30 days, and would protect licensed drivers from suspension if they are making timely payments or performing community service, while barring suspension solely for failure to appear.

What This Bill Does

If passed, courts must order deferred payments, installments, or community service for defendants unable to pay within 30 days; the court may set the conditions for those agreements and may charge a one-time fee up to $10 to cover account management costs; defendants must inform the court of address changes during the agreement. If the defendant makes timely payments or performs community service under these agreements, their driver's license may not be suspended or revoked. The bill also prohibits suspending a driver's license solely on the grounds of a failure to appear in connection with a traffic violation.

Who It Affects

• Defendants convicted of traffic violations who cannot pay fines within 30 days would be required to pay via deferred payments, installments, or by performing community service.
• Drivers who are making timely payments or performing community service under these arrangements would have their driver's licenses protected from suspension or revocation.

Key Provisions

• Court must order deferred payments or installments or community service for those unable to pay within 30 days; the clerk may establish and approve the conditions of these agreements; defendants must promptly inform the court of any mailing address changes; the court may assess a one-time management fee up to $10.
• If a deferred payment/installment or community service agreement is in place, the defendant's driver's license may not be suspended or revoked while payments are timely or service is being performed.
• The bill prohibits suspending a driver's license solely on the grounds of a failure to appear in connection with a traffic violation.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage and approval by the Governor (or upon becoming law by other means).

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

Subjects

Licenses and Licensing