SB162 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Hank Sanders

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Motor vehicles, traffic fines and fees, prevent suspension or revocation of defendant's driver's license for failure or inability to pay fines and costs

Summary

SB162 would prevent driver's license suspensions solely due to inability to pay traffic fines and would require courts to offer payment plans or community service to satisfy those debts.

What This Bill Does

Courts must allow a defendant who cannot pay within 30 days to pay through deferred payments, installments, or by performing community service. A driver's license cannot be suspended or revoked solely for failure to appear or inability to pay, and any previously suspended license for those reasons must be reinstated. Courts may have the clerk set the terms of the payment plan or community service, and a one-time fee up to $10 may be charged to cover debt-management costs. Defendants must promptly inform the court of any address changes.

Who It Affects

• Defendants convicted of traffic violations who cannot pay fines, fees, penalties, or court costs, who would be allowed to pay later through a plan or perform community service instead of immediate payment.
• People whose driver's licenses were suspended solely because of failure to appear or inability to pay traffic fines/fees, who would have their licenses reinstated immediately.

Key Provisions

• Courts must allow deferred payments, installments, or community service when the defendant cannot pay within 30 days of sentencing.
• The court may authorize the clerk to establish and approve the conditions of all deferred payment, installment, and community service agreements under court guidelines.
• A one-time fee not to exceed $10 may be charged to cover debt-management costs and must be paid in full.
• A driver's license cannot be suspended or revoked solely for failure to appear or inability to pay; such suspensions must be reinstated immediately with notification.
• Defendants must promptly inform the court of any change of mailing address during the term of the agreement.
• Effective date: The act becomes law on the first day of the third month following its passage and governor's 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

Drivers' Licenses