HB29 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Holmes

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Driver's licenses issued to persons under age 18, restrictions, penalties for violations of Stage II driver's licenses, revised, Deputy Hart Act, Sec. 32-6-7.2 am'd.

Summary

HB29 tightens Stage II licensing for minors, adds penalties for violations, and makes guardians liable when they allow violations.

What This Bill Does

The bill tightens teen licensing by requiring Stage I to be held for at least six months before Stage II for under-18s, and for 16-year-olds it requires consent forms and proof of 50 hours behind-the-wheel or driver education. It imposes Stage II restrictions (curfew 12:00 a.m.–6:00 a.m. with exceptions, passenger limits, and no handheld devices) and extends these restrictions if violated. Violations can trigger fines for the teen, penalties for guardians who knowingly allow violations, and may lead to suspension or reverting to Stage I; if a 17-year-old has held a license six months with no moving violations, it can become an unrestricted Stage III license.

Who It Affects

• Teens under 18 who apply for or hold Stage II licenses; they face new hours, practice, and device-use rules and possible penalties.
• Parents or guardians of teens with Stage I or Stage II licenses; they face fines if they knowingly permit violations.

Key Provisions

• Under-18 applicants must hold a Stage I license for at least six months before a Stage II license can be issued.
• 16-year-olds must submit verification of either 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice or completion of an approved driver education course, with some allowance for non-DOE instruction to satisfy the hours requirement.
• Stage II restrictions include a curfew from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. with listed exceptions, a maximum number of passengers, and a ban on using handheld nonessential devices.
• Violating Stage II restrictions lengthens the time before becoming unrestricted (up to six months or until age 18) and can trigger automatic 60-day suspension for certain moving violations, plus further extension of restrictions.
• Penalties for violations by the teen include a $250 fine (plus court costs) and, for a first offense, mandatory defensive driving, with more penalties for second or subsequent offenses (reversion to Stage I and a $150-$350 fine).
• Guardians who knowingly allow violations can be fined $500 for a first offense and $150-$350 for a second or subsequent offense.
• An eligible 17-year-old may automatically become a Stage III (unrestricted) license after six months if there have been no moving violations in the prior six months, and the bill defines Stage I, II, and III for licensure purposes.

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

Subjects

Drivers' Licenses