HB264 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tim WadsworthRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to driver license suspensions; to provide for the suspension of an individual's driver license or driving privilege in certain circumstances.

Summary

HB264 would expand driver license suspensions for failing to appear and failing to pay, set a payment-miss threshold, add points for traffic convictions, and establish related rules.

What This Bill Does

It allows suspending licenses for failing to appear in court in two ways: violating a written bond or failing to appear for an initial court date, and failing to appear two or more times during post-adjudication compliance reviews. A license would be reinstated once the person complies with the notice to appear. Suspensions for failing to pay fines would only happen after six missed payments, and commercial driver licenses and commercial vehicle operations are exempt. It would add points to licenses after final traffic convictions, with conviction records forwarded to the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency after the appeal period.

Who It Affects

• Non-commercial drivers in Alabama who fail to appear in court (for initial dates or post-adjudication compliance reviews) and may have their licenses suspended, with reinstatement after complying with the notice to appear.
• Non-commercial drivers who fail to pay fines, fees, or court costs after six missed payments and may have their licenses suspended.
• Drivers convicted of traffic offenses, who would have points added to their driving record after final conviction.
• Commercial driver license (CDL) holders or individuals operating commercial vehicles, who are exempt from these provisions.
• State agencies and courts, which implement suspensions, reinstatements, and record-keeping related to convictions and points.

Key Provisions

• Allows suspension for failing to appear due to violating a written bond or failing to appear for an initial court date.
• Allows suspension for failing to appear on two or more occasions when the court appearance is for post adjudication compliance review of court ordered conditions.
• Requires reinstatement of the license upon compliance with the notice to appear.
• Restricts suspension for failure to pay fines, fees, or court costs to cases where six or more required payments are missed; excludes CDL/CMV from these provisions.
• Requires the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency to add points to a driver's license for final convictions and to forward conviction records after the appeal period.
• Final conviction is defined as a judicial finding of guilt or a guilty plea; points may be assessed only after final conviction.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.