Alabama suspends your license when you accumulate 12 points within a two-year period

Alabama's Department of Public Safety tracks traffic violations using a point system. Each violation carries a set number of points. When your total reaches 12 points within any two-year rolling window, the state automatically suspends your driving privilege for a set period. The suspension is not optional — it happens by law once you hit that threshold.

The two-year window means the state looks backward from today. If you received a violation two years and one month ago, that point no longer counts toward your total. But points from the past two years all add up together, regardless of when they occurred during that span.

Different violations carry different point values. A minor speeding ticket might be 2 points. A reckless driving conviction might be 6 points. A serious violation like driving under the influence (DUI) carries more. The violation type, not the fine amount, determines how many points you receive.

Key Takeaways

  • Twelve points accumulated within any two-year period triggers an automatic license suspension in Alabama.
  • The state uses a rolling two-year window, so violations older than two years no longer count toward your total.
  • Different violations carry different point values, ranging from 2 points for minor infractions to 6 or more for serious violations.
  • Once suspended, you must wait out the suspension period and then request reinstatement through the Department of Public Safety.
  • Some violations, like DUI, can result in suspension even if you have not reached 12 points.

Common Alabama traffic violations and their point values

Alabama assigns points based on the severity and type of violation. Speeding violations typically range from 2 to 4 points depending on how far over the limit you were driving. Speeding 1 to 10 miles per hour over the limit is 2 points. Speeding 11 to 20 miles per hour over the limit is 4 points. Speeding more than 20 miles per hour over the limit is also 4 points.

Reckless driving, improper passing, and failure to yield are each 4 points. Driving with a suspended or revoked license is 6 points. Hit-and-run violations are 6 points. Fleeing or eluding a police officer is 6 points. These higher-point violations move you closer to suspension much faster than minor infractions.

Driving under the influence (DUI) and driving while impaired (DWI) convictions carry 8 points each. However, DUI and DWI also trigger separate, mandatory suspension periods that are not based on the point system — you lose your license when ready upon conviction, separate from whether you have accumulated 12 points.

Violations like improper equipment, broken headlight, or expired registration are typically 2 points each. These minor violations accumulate slowly, but multiple minor violations over two years can still push you toward the 12-point threshold.

How the two-year rolling window affects your point total

Alabama does not use a calendar year. Instead, it looks at any 24-month period going backward from today. If you received a violation on March 15, 2022, and today is March 16, 2024, that violation's points still count. On March 17, 2024, those points drop off automatically because they are now older than two years.

This rolling window means your point total can change without you doing anything. You might have 11 points today, but if a violation from two years ago expires, you drop to 8 points — even if you have not received any new violations. Conversely, if you receive a new violation while you still have older violations on your record, your total can jump quickly.

The Department of Public Safety tracks this automatically. You do not need to request a point review. However, you can contact the department to ask what your current point total is. Knowing your total helps you understand how close you are to suspension.

Suspension length and what happens after you reach 12 points

Once you reach 12 points, the state suspends your license for a specific period. A first suspension is typically 3 months. If you accumulate 12 points again within five years of your first suspension, a second suspension is usually 6 months. A third suspension within five years is typically 12 months.

The suspension becomes effective on the date the Department of Public Safety issues the suspension order. You will receive written notice by mail. The notice tells you the suspension start date, the suspension length, and the date you become may be able to access to request reinstatement.

You cannot drive during the suspension period. Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that carries its own penalties, including jail time and fines. A conviction for driving with a suspended license also adds 6 points to your record, which can trigger another suspension.

How to request license reinstatement after suspension

After your suspension period ends, your license does not automatically come back. You must request reinstatement from the Alabama Department of Public Safety. You can do this in person at a Driver License Examiner's Office, by mail, or online through the department's website.

To request reinstatement, you will need to pay a reinstatement fee. The fee amount varies depending on whether this is your first, second, or third suspension. You will also need to provide proof of financial responsibility, usually in the form of an SR-22 insurance certificate, if your suspension was related to a serious violation like DUI or reckless driving.

Once you submit your reinstatement request and fee, the department processes it. If everything is in order, your license is reinstated and you receive written confirmation. If you have other outstanding violations, fines, or holds on your record, reinstatement may be delayed until those issues are resolved.

Violations that suspend your license outside the point system

Some violations trigger suspension when ready, regardless of your point total. A DUI or DWI conviction suspends your license on the spot. The suspension period for a first DUI offense is typically 90 days to one year, depending on the circumstances and whether you refused a breath test.

Driving with a suspended or revoked license also results in suspension. If you are caught driving during a suspension period, the state may extend your suspension or impose additional penalties. Accumulating multiple suspensions for driving with a suspended license can lead to license revocation, which is more serious than suspension.

Certain drug-related convictions can also trigger suspension. If you are convicted of a drug felony, the state may suspend your license for a set period as part of the sentence. This suspension is separate from the point system and is imposed by the court.

How to check your current point total

You can contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety to find out how many points are on your driving record. Call the Driver License Division at the main department number or visit a Driver License Examiner's Office in person. You will need to provide your driver's license number or full name and date of birth.

Some Driver License Examiner's Offices can print your driving record on the spot. Others may mail it to you. There is usually a small fee for an official driving record, though some offices provide a basic point summary for free.

You can also request your driving record online through the Alabama Department of Public Safety website. The online process requires you to verify your identity and may take a few business days to process. An online record is typically less detailed than an in-person record but will show your current point total.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get points removed from my record before they expire?

Points do not come off your record early. They stay on for the full two years from the violation date. However, some violations can be dismissed or reduced through traffic court if you contest them successfully. If a violation is dismissed, the points associated with that violation do not count.

What happens if I get a violation while my license is suspended?

Driving with a suspended license is a separate criminal offense. You will face additional charges, fines, and possible jail time. The suspension period may also be extended, and you will accumulate more points on your record, which can lead to a longer suspension when you try to reinstate.

Does paying a fine reduce my points?

No. The fine and the points are separate. Paying the fine does not remove or reduce the points. Points stay on your record for two years regardless of whether you paid the fine, contested the violation, or accepted it.

Can I drive to work during a suspension if I get a hardship license?

Alabama does offer a hardship license in some cases, but it is not automatic. You must request one from the court or the Department of Public Safety and show that the suspension causes genuine hardship. A hardship license typically allows driving only for specific purposes like work, school, or medical appointments, not for general driving.

How long do points stay on my record after my suspension ends?

Points stay on your record for two years from the violation date, not from the suspension date. If you were suspended for three months but the violation occurred two years ago, the points drop off even though you are still in your suspension period. However, new violations you receive during suspension will add new points with their own two-year clock.