Alabama suspends your license when you reach 12 points within a 24-month period
In Alabama, the Department of Public Safety tracks violations on your driving record using a point system. When your total reaches 12 points in any 24-month window, your license is automatically suspended. The suspension lasts 60 days for a first offense, though you can request a hearing to contest it.
Points stay on your record for two years from the violation date. This means a ticket from January 2023 stops counting toward suspension in January 2025, even if you still see it on your record. The state counts only points accumulated within the rolling 24-month period, not your lifetime total.
You will receive a notice in the mail before suspension takes effect, giving you time to request a hearing if you believe the points were assessed incorrectly. The notice includes the date your suspension begins and instructions for requesting that hearing.
Key Takeaways
- Your Alabama license suspends automatically when you accumulate 12 points within any 24-month period.
- A first suspension lasts 60 days, and you can request a hearing to challenge the suspension before it takes effect.
- Points expire two years from the violation date, so older tickets stop counting toward suspension once they age out.
- Common violations carry between 2 and 6 points each, so even a few serious tickets can push you toward suspension.
How points are assigned for different violations
Alabama assigns points based on the severity of the violation. Speeding 1 to 10 miles per hour over the limit costs 2 points. Speeding 11 to 20 miles per hour over the limit costs 4 points. Speeding more than 20 miles per hour over the limit costs 6 points.
Other common violations carry these point values: reckless driving (6 points), following too closely (4 points), improper lane change (3 points), failure to yield (3 points), and running a red light or stop sign (4 points). Driving without a valid license, driving with a suspended license, and hit-and-run carry 6 points each.
Minor violations like parking tickets or equipment violations do not add points to your driving record. Only moving violations — things you did while driving — count toward suspension.
What happens when you reach 12 points
The Department of Public Safety sends you a suspension notice by mail. This notice tells you the suspension date, the reason (accumulated points), and how long the suspension will last. For a first suspension, you have 10 days from the notice date to request a hearing if you want to contest it.
If you do not request a hearing, your suspension begins on the date stated in the notice. You cannot legally drive during this period. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that carries its own penalties, including jail time and additional fines.
After the 60-day suspension ends, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the Department of Public Safety before your license becomes active again. The fee amount varies, so contact your local driver's license office for the current amount.
How to request a hearing before suspension takes effect
Your suspension notice includes instructions for requesting a hearing. You typically have 10 days from the notice date to submit your request. You can request a hearing by mail, in person at your local driver's license office, or online through the Department of Public Safety website.
At the hearing, you can present evidence that the points were assessed incorrectly — for example, if you paid a ticket and it was dismissed, or if you believe the violation was recorded under the wrong point value. You can bring documents, witness statements, or your own testimony.
The hearing officer will review your case and decide whether to uphold the suspension or reduce your points. If the officer finds in your favor, your suspension may be cancelled or delayed. If the officer upholds the suspension, it will begin on the date originally stated in the notice.
Points that expire and how to check your record
Points expire exactly two years from the date of the violation, not from the date you received the ticket or paid the fine. Once a point expires, it no longer counts toward suspension, though it may still appear on your driving record for informational purposes.
You can check your current point total by visiting the Alabama Department of Public Safety website or visiting a driver's license office in person. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. The record shows each violation, the date it occurred, the points assigned, and the date those points will expire.
Knowing your current point total helps you avoid reaching 12 points. If you are close to suspension, you may want to be extra cautious about traffic violations until older points expire.
Suspension length and reinstatement requirements
A first suspension lasts 60 days. If your license is suspended a second time within five years, the suspension lasts 120 days. A third suspension within five years lasts 180 days. Each suspension requires a separate reinstatement fee.
To reinstate your license after suspension, you must pay the reinstatement fee at your local driver's license office or online through the Department of Public Safety. You cannot drive legally until you have paid this fee and your license status has been updated in the system. This usually happens the same day you pay in person, or within one business day if you pay online.
Some people are required to carry an SR-22 insurance form after suspension, though this depends on the reason for suspension and your driving history. Your insurance company can tell you whether you need one.
Reducing points through defensive driving courses
Alabama allows you to reduce points on your record by completing an approved defensive driving course. You can reduce up to 4 points per course, and you can take one course every 12 months. This means you could potentially take a course before reaching 12 points and avoid suspension altogether.
The course must be approved by the Alabama Department of Public Safety. Many are offered online and take 4 to 6 hours to complete. You pay a course fee, which varies by provider, and receive a certificate of completion that you submit to the Department of Public Safety.
The 4-point reduction applies to your record within 30 days of submitting your certificate. If you are close to 12 points, taking a course can buy you time for older violations to expire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to work during a suspension?
No. Alabama does not issue restricted licenses that allow you to drive for work, school, or medical appointments during a suspension. You cannot legally drive for any reason during the suspension period. Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense with separate penalties.
Do points from other states count toward Alabama suspension?
Yes. Alabama participates in the Driver License Compact, which shares violation information between states. Points from violations in other states are added to your Alabama record and count toward the 12-point suspension threshold.
What if I pay a ticket — does that remove the points?
No. Paying a ticket does not remove points from your record. Points are assigned based on the violation itself, not on whether you pay the fine. The only ways to remove points are to wait two years for them to expire or to complete a defensive driving course.
Can I get points removed by going to traffic school?
Only if you take an approved defensive driving course, which can reduce up to 4 points. This is different from traffic school ordered by a judge as part of a sentence. Check with the Alabama Department of Public Safety to confirm a course is approved before enrolling.
What happens if I get suspended while my license is already suspended?
The new suspension period begins after the current one ends. If you accumulate 12 more points during your first suspension, you will face a second suspension of 120 days once the first one is over. This is why it is important to avoid driving during suspension.