SB117 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Driver's licenses, suspension of, time frame for specified, Sec. 32-5A-195 am'd.

Summary

SB117 would set defined timeframes for the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency to suspend or revoke drivers' licenses after conviction records are received or when a driver is otherwise ineligible.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 32-5A-195 to require processing of suspensions or revocations within a defined period after a conviction record is received or evidence of ineligibility is found. For a specific list of offenses, the agency must revoke the license within three months of receipt of the conviction record. The bill also allows, under certain conditions, suspension without a preliminary hearing within six months of sufficient evidence of mandatory revocation, with an overall limit of up to one year for such suspensions. It maintains surrender requirements, establishes hearing rights, and includes procedures for notifying licensees and sharing records with other states (including action on nonresidents).

Who It Affects

• Drivers who are convicted of listed offenses (such as manslaughter or homicide by vehicle, DUI/DWI, second or subsequent DUI, any felony involving a motor vehicle, hit-and-run, perjury or false statements, three reckless driving charges within 12 months, or unauthorized use of a motor vehicle) would have their licenses revoked within three months of the state receiving their conviction record.
• Residents and nonresidents who hold or are eligible to hold Alabama driving privileges would be subject to suspensions or revocations under the new timeframes, with nonresidents' records forwarded to their home states and Alabama coordinating with other states on license actions. License surrender and potential hearings would apply to affected individuals.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 32-5A-195 to require suspension or revocation actions to occur within a specified time frame after receipt of conviction records or other evidence of ineligibility.
• Specifies that for the following offenses, the Secretary must revoke the license within three months of receiving a record of conviction: manslaughter or homicide by vehicle, driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance to incapacity, a second or subsequent DUI within five years, any felony involving a motor vehicle, failure to stop or aid after an accident, perjury or false statements, three reckless driving convictions within 12 months, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
• Allows suspension without preliminary hearing within six months of evidence for offenses that would mandatorily revoke, with a separate one-year limit on such suspensions.
• Requires surrender of any canceled, suspended, or revoked license and imposes penalties for failure to surrender.
• Provides procedures for notifying licensees and sharing conviction records with other states, including forwarding records to the state where a nonresident resides and accepting similar actions from other states.
• Establishes the act’s effective date as the first day of the third month after passage/approval.

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

Subjects

Motor Vehicles