HB432 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Van SmithRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to driver licenses; to amend Section 32-6-10.1, Code of Alabama 1975, to reduce the minimum time period certain Alabama licenses may be issued to a foreign national; and to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style.

Summary

HB432 lowers the minimum time a driver license can be issued to a foreign national and adds labeling and renewal changes.

What This Bill Does

If passed, it reduces the minimum license duration for foreign nationals from at least 160 days to at least 30 days. It requires including the applicant’s country of origin and the expiration date of their immigration documentation, and the license will carry a designation showing foreign national status (permanent resident vs temporary stay). The license would expire with the immigration document, renewals would require starting the licensing process again as a first-time applicant, and issuance would occur only at designated driver license offices; the Department of Public Safety would publish rules to enforce these changes. The act becomes effective on the date specified in the bill (the first day of the third month after passage/approval).

Who It Affects

• Foreign nationals applying for an Alabama driver license, non-driver ID, or vessel license (their licenses will be issued for a minimum of 30 days, include country of origin and immigration document expiration, and indicate foreign national status).
• Alabama Department of Public Safety and its driver license offices (they will implement new processes, designate offices, collect immigration information, label licenses, and enforce the new rules).

Key Provisions

• Defines 'foreign national' and 'license' for the purposes of 32-6-10.1 and requires foreign-national licenses to include country of origin and immigration document expiration date on the application.
• Licenses issued to foreign nationals must be processed only at DPS-designated driver license offices and must include a designation indicating foreign-national status (permanent resident vs temporary stay).
• License expiration dates must match the expiration date of the provided immigration documentation; renewal requires re-initiating the licensing process as if for a first-time applicant.
• Under no circumstances shall a foreign-national license be issued for a period of less than 30 days (changing the previous minimum).
• The Director of Public Safety will establish rules and regulations governing the enforcement of these provisions.

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

Subjects

Driver licenses, to further provide for minimum time for foreign national license