What Is the Legal Driving Age in Alabama?
Driving is a rite of passage for most teenagers, so many families with teens wonder what the legal driving age is in Alabama. There is really no single driving age since Alabama follows a graduated driver’s license system.
Teens get different driving privileges at different ages, and understanding all the details is key to making sure that your teen follows the law and stays safe on the road. Keep reading below from our experienced car accident lawyers to learn more about the legal driving age in Alabama.
The Basics of Alabama’s Graduated Driver License System
Alabama’s graduated driver license system has three distinct phases. Each phase has its own requirements, and each phase also has its own rules and restrictions. In Alabama, these are the three phases of the graduated driver’s license system.
Phase I – Learner’s Permit
Teens in Alabama can start to drive as early as 15 years old. You can get a learner’s permit if you:
- Are at least 15 years old
- Complete and pass a written exam
Getting a learner’s permit does not give 15-year-olds unrestricted driving privileges. Instead, those holding a learner’s permit must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or licensed driver who is 21 or older in the front passenger seat.
Phase II – Restricted License
Drivers have an opportunity to drive on their own once they reach 16 years of age. In order to obtain a restricted license, you must:
- Be at least 16 years old
- Have a Stage I learner’s permit for at least 6 months if you are under 18
- Have permission from a parent or legal guardian
- Complete a road skills test
- Complete at least 50 hours of supervised behind-the-wheel practice or an approved driver education course
Upon obtaining a restricted license, a 16-year-old can operate a motor vehicle completely on their own. However, there are still some restrictions that apply. Those with a restricted license cannot:
- Drive between midnight and 6:00 am, unless accompanied by a parent, driving to a school or religious event, or driving to or from work
- Have more than one passenger in the vehicle other than family members
- Use a cell phone or handheld communications device while driving
The restricted license is the last step prior to getting a full, unrestricted license.
Phase III – Unrestricted License
Finally, drivers who are at least 17 years old may obtain an unrestricted or regular license. Drivers who are 17 must have held a Phase II restricted license for at least six months. Drivers who are at least 18 may apply directly for the unrestricted license.
This regular license has no restrictions on driving times or passengers.
Why Does Alabama Follow a Graduated Driver’s License System?
Teen drivers have accident rates that are four times higher than those of adults. Their lack of driving experience makes them much more likely to get into an accident. Alabama’s graduated license system is meant to reduce risks and allow teens to get more driving experience before being allowed unrestricted driving privileges.
The graduated license system helps prevent accidents by:
- Limiting distractions through passenger limits
- Preventing nighttime driving
- Removing distractions from young drivers
- Encouraging safe driving habits
The graduated license system is not meant to be a punishment for younger drivers. Instead, it is meant to reduce risk for teen drivers and others on the road. Remember that at-fault drivers in Alabama can be held legally responsible for a victim’s economic damages and non-economic damages after an accident.
What Are the Penalties for Driving Illegally?
Drivers who violate the restrictions of the graduated license system can face some serious penalties. If a driver violates the rules, their restrictive period will be extended by six months or until the licensee reaches age 18.
However, it is important to know that drivers cannot be issued a citation simply for violating these restrictions. Instead, the driver must be stopped for a separate violation. If the driver is issued a citation for a separate violation, then they can also be issued a citation for a violation of the driving restrictions.
Contact Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers To Schedule a Free Consultation With an Alabama Car Accident Attorney
Teens as young as 15 may obtain a learner’s permit in Alabama, but full unrestricted driving privileges are not available until age 17. If you have questions or need help after an accident, contact Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with an Alabama car accident lawyer.
We can answer all your questions and help you understand your legal rights if you get into an accident with a teen driver.
We serve Shelby County, Madison County, Montgomery County in Alabama, and its surrounding areas. We are located in Birmingham, Huntsville & Montgomery.
Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers – Birmingham Office
880 Montclair Road, Ste 300,
Birmingham, AL 35213
(205) 973-6417
Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers – Huntsville Office
116 Jefferson St. Suite 207
Huntsville, AL, 35801
(256) 781-9242
Or find us with our GeoCoordinates: 34.73159361945047, -86.58690898412395
Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers – Montgomery Office
7 Clayton St, Suite 200,
Montgomery, AL 36104
(334) 518-6098
Or find us with our GeoCoordinates: 32.373594220209505, -86.3092041262694