SB154 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Will BarfootSenator

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

SB154 changes when licenses can be suspended, adds a points system for traffic convictions, and sets reinstatement rules, with commercial licenses exempt.

What This Bill Does

It limits license suspensions to specific failure-to-appear cases (pre-adjudication or post-adjudication with multiple failures) and requires a court order with reinstatement after the notice to appear and reinstatement fee. It restricts suspensions for failing to pay fines to only those who miss three or more payments under a payment plan. It creates a new system where the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency adds points to a driver's license after a final conviction for a traffic violation, with the conviction record sent to ALEA after the appeal period; points apply only after final conviction. It does not change provisions of the Motor Vehicle Responsibility Act or Mandatory Liability Insurance Act, and commercial licenses remain exempt.

Who It Affects

• Regular (non-commercial) drivers who fail to appear in court may have their license suspended; reinstatement occurs after complying with the notice to appear and paying the reinstatement fee.
• Drivers who fail to pay fines: suspensions for nonpayment are limited to those who miss three or more payments under a payment plan; commercial driver licenses and commercial vehicles are exempt.
• Drivers with final traffic convictions: points may be added to their licenses after conviction.
• Law enforcement and courts: must issue suspensions via court orders and implement reinstatement procedures; ALEA will handle point assessments and notices; Supreme Court may adjust rules as needed.

Key Provisions

• Section 1: Suspending driver licenses only for failing to appear (pre-adjudication or post-adjudication with multiple failures); suspensions by ALEA upon court order; reinstatement after compliance with notice to appear and payment of reinstatement fee; commercial licenses exempt.
• Section 2: Courts may not suspend for failure to pay fines unless three or more payments are missed under a payment plan; commercial licenses exempt; Supreme Court to amend rules to conform.
• Section 3: ALEA will add points to licenses for traffic violations with final convictions; the record is sent after time to appeal; points may be assessed only at final conviction; points apply to non-commercial licenses.
• Section 4: Provisions of the Motor Vehicle Responsibility Act and Mandatory Liability Insurance Act remain unchanged; restitution authority remains.
• Section 5: Effective date October 1, 2023.

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