SB266 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

William “Bill” M. BeasleySenator

Democrat

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

SB266 would lower the minimum time Alabama can issue licenses to foreign nationals and update the licensing language.

What This Bill Does

It would reduce the minimum period for which a license may be issued to a foreign national (currently at least 160 days) to a shorter period. It adds requirements on applications, such as including the applicant's country of origin and the expiration date of the immigration documentation, and limits processing to DPS-designated driver license offices. Licenses issued to foreign nationals would include a designation of foreign-national status and distinguish between permanent residents and temporary stays, and would expire on the immigration document’s expiration date. Renewal would require going through the licensing process again like a first-time applicant. The Department of Public Safety would also set rules to enforce these provisions. The act would take effect on the first day of the third month after it becomes law.

Who It Affects

• Foreign nationals applying for Alabama driver licenses, non-driver ID cards, or vessel licenses; their licenses may be issued for a shorter minimum period and will include a status designation and expiration tied to their immigration documents.
• Alabama Department of Public Safety and designated driver license offices; they would process foreign-national applications, issue designated licenses, and enforce the new rules.

Key Provisions

• Defines 'foreign national' and 'license' for purposes of the section.
• Requires the application for a foreign-national license/ID/vessel license to include country of origin and immigration documentation expiration date.
• Processes foreign-national license applications only at DPS-designated driver license offices.
• Licenses issued to foreign nationals must include a designation of foreign-national status and differentiate between lawful permanent residents and temporary stays.
• Licenses must expire on the date the immigration documentation expires.
• To renew, applicants must re-initiate licensing process as a first-time applicant.
• The department cannot issue a license for a period shorter than the new minimum.
• The DPS Director will establish rules and regulations to enforce the section.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

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 foreign national's licenses