SB26 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Clyde ChamblissSenator

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

SB26 tightens Stage II licensing rules for under-18 drivers and adds penalties for violations, including penalties for parents who permit violations.

What This Bill Does

It changes penalties for violating Stage II restrictions to include revoking the Stage II license and requiring a return to Stage I for six months, a $250 fine plus court costs, and two points on the driving record. It also imposes a $500 fine on parents or guardians who knowingly allow a Stage I or Stage II license holder to drive in violation of the restrictions. It adds eligibility and verification requirements for obtaining Stage II (teens must have held Stage I for six months; 16-year-olds must get parental consent and show either 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice or a driver education certificate). It strengthens restrictions for Stage II drivers (nighttime and passenger limits, no handheld devices) and outlines how violations affect the license (extensions of restrictions, potential suspensions, and progression to Stage III after six months with no moving violations).

Who It Affects

• Teens under 18 who are applying for or hold a Stage II license, facing stricter eligibility rules, driving restrictions, and potential penalties for violations.
• Parents or legal guardians of under-18 drivers, who may face a $500 fine if they knowingly allow violations of the license restrictions.

Key Provisions

• Under 18 cannot apply for Stage II until they have held a Stage I learner's license for at least six months.
• For 16-year-olds, requires verification forms from a parent/guardian and either 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice or a driver education certificate; course requirements need not be through a DOE-approved program to include the 50 hours.
• A 17-year-old with a Stage II restriction or a 16-year-old is subject to nighttime and passenger restrictions and a ban on handheld devices, with specific allowed exceptions listed.
• Violating Stage II restrictions can lead to revocation of the Stage II license and reversion to Stage I for six months, a $250 fine plus costs, and two points on the driving record.
• A parent or guardian who knowingly allows a violation can be fined $500 plus costs.
• Violations can extend the restriction period by six months or until age 18, and certain offenses can trigger automatic suspensions (60 days) with extended restrictions.
• If a 17-year-old has held a license for six months and has no moving violations in the previous six months, the license may become Stage III (unrestricted).
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

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