Alabama (AL) Teen Auto Insurance Laws, Rates & Requirements

In the state of Alabama, only 6 percent of driver’s on the road are teenagers. Sadly, teen drivers are responsible for roughly 15 percent of all highway deaths in the state. Of the 1,100 fatal accidents that occurred within Alabama state lines in 2007, around 165 involved teens. In an effort to reduce the number of fatal traffic accidents involving teens, the state of Alabama has its own version of Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL), as well as automatic restrictions on teen driver licenses. Continue reading to learn more about Alabama’s teen driving laws and the consequences for violating them.

Alabama Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) and Driver License Requirements

Alabama Graduated Licensing (GDL) applies to teen’s ages 15-17. In order to operate a motor vehicle, 15 year olds must have a valid learner license and they must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, driver instructor or a person that is 21 years of age or older with a valid driver’s license. The person must occupy the seat next to the driver at all times.

16-17 year olds must have parental or legal guardian permission to receive a license and to drive without supervision. In addition, the teen, must have a verification form provided by the Department of Public Safety (DPS), signed by a parent, legal guardian, or certified driving instructor verifying that the applicant has completed a minimum of 30 hours of behind-the-wheel (BTW) practice or the teen must submit a completion form supplied by the Alabama State Department of Education (SDE), which verifies that the applicant has completed an SDE approved Driver Education course.

To obtain a learner license, you must be at least 15 years of age and provide the following documentation to the Alabama Department of Motor Vehicles:

•    Two forms of identification, including one picture ID (16-17 year olds)
•    Social Security card or proof of Social Security number
•    Proof of school enrollment or graduation
•    $5 testing fee (cash)
•    $23 to purchase the license (cash)

If you are 15 years of age, you will also be required to show your certified U.S. birth certificates. Copies will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Graduated Driving Laws do not apply to individuals:

•    18 years of age or older
•    17 years or older who have had a valid license for 6 months or longer
•    16 years of age or older who is married or head of household
•    that have been legally relieved of minority status (state or period of being below the legal age)

Alabama Teen Driving Laws and Enforcement

In the state of Alabama, drivers under the age of 18 cannot operate a motor vehicle between midnight and 6 a.m. unless he or she is accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or person 21 years of age or older who has the consent of the licensee’s parent or legal guardian. The teen can drive unaccompanied if he or she is driving:

•    To and from work
•    To or from a school sponsored event
•    Going to or from a religious sponsored event
•    For the purpose of a medical, fire, or law enforcement related emergency

Teens under 18 may not have more than 4 additional occupants in the car at a time. This includes, the driver, three friends, and the parent. If the driver violates any of the above restrictions, the restrictive period will be extended for six months or until the driver reaches 18 years of age.

If the driver violates the above restrictions a second time or if he is convicted of racing, driving on the wrong side of the road, failure to give information, illegal passing, reckless driving, or attempting to elude a law enforcement official, his license ill be suspended for 60 days or until the age of 18, whichever comes first.

Alabama Cell Phone Use/Texting While Driving Laws

In the state of Alabama, it is still legal to talk on your cell phone or text while driving. A bill, HB 282, is in the works that would ban all 16 year olds from using any audio hands-free or and-held device that is not required for operation of the vehicle. The ban would also apply to 17 year olds who have been driving for less than six months. HB 157 would ban drivers from texting while driving. The House has approved it. Fees would total $25 for a first offense, $50 for the second, and $75 for the third. The violation would also add points to your driver’s license. In the state of Alabama if you accumulate a certain amount of points during a two year period, your license will be suspended for anywhere from 60 days up to a year.

Alabama Teen DUI Laws

In the state of Alabama, it is a crime for a teen to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration level (BAC) of 0.02% or higher. A BAC of 0.02% is as little as one beer, one glass of wine or one mixed drink for most people. It can be even less for some.
Proof of a BAC of 0.02% is all that is needed to convict an Alabama teen of DUI. If you get caught driving with a BAC of 0.02% or higher, your license will be suspended or revoked on the spot. For a first offense, your license will be suspended for a mandatory 30 days up to 90 days. You may also have to do community service and complete an alcohol treatment program.

For a second offense, your license will be suspended for up to one year. You may also have to do community service and complete an alcohol treatment program. For a third DUI offense, your license will be suspended for three years, you will have to do community service, and you will have to complete an alcohol treatment program. All Alabama teen DUI offenses are subject to standard zero tolerance fines of up to $1,500. If you are a juvenile (under the age of 18), you will have to pay an additional juvenile fine of $250.

Alabama Teen Auto Insurance Requirements

It doesn’t matter if a vehicle is registered in the teens name or the parent’s name, in the state of Alabama, you must carry minimum liability coverage of at least 25/50/25. This means you must carry $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for all bodily injuries, and at least $25,000 for property damage. Because the risk of an auto collision is significantly higher during the first year teens are able to drive, Alabama auto insurance companies recommend purchasing higher amounts of coverage than the legal limits. If you plan to add a teen driver to your policy, keep in mind that your annual rate will increase anywhere from $1,200 to $4,900 a year - or an average of $2,171 a year.

Although auto insurance premiums will increase if you add a teen to your policy or purchasing teen auto insurance will always be pricier than other policies, there are ways to qualify for discounts on teen auto insurance. Auto insurance companies offer discounts ranging from 10-15% or more for:

•    Maintaining at least a B average
•    Successful completion of a state approved safe driver course

You can also lower your premiums on teen auto insurance if you avoid purchasing sports and luxury cars for your teen, if you opt for a higher deductible, or if you combine insurance policies into one (i.e. life, home, health, renter’s, etc.).