What the Alabama Graduated Driver License Is
Alabama's Graduated Driver License (GDL) is a three-stage system that gives new drivers more freedom over time as they gain experience. You start with a learner permit, move to an intermediate license with restrictions, and eventually reach an unrestricted license. The system exists because new drivers, especially teenagers, have higher crash rates — the restrictions are designed to reduce risk during the most dangerous learning period.
Each stage has different rules about who can ride with you, what hours you can drive, and whether you can use your phone. You do not move through the stages automatically by age alone — you must meet specific requirements and pass tests to advance.
Key Takeaways
- Alabama's GDL has three stages: learner permit (age 15), intermediate license (age 16), and unrestricted license (age 17 or 18 depending on when you started).
- You must hold each stage for a minimum time period and pass a road test before moving to the next stage.
- Intermediate license holders cannot drive alone between midnight and 5 a.m., cannot use cell phones while driving, and must have a licensed adult in the front seat.
- Violations of GDL restrictions can result in license suspension and fines, and may delay your move to the next stage.
- You can skip the intermediate stage only if you are 18 or older when you first get your learner permit.
Stage One: The Learner Permit
You can get a learner permit at age 15 in Alabama. To get one, you need to pass a written knowledge test at your local Department of Public Safety office. You will also need to provide proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Alabama residency. Bring your birth certificate or passport, a Social Security card or tax return, and a utility bill or lease agreement.
Once you have your learner permit, you must have a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old sitting in the front seat next to you at all times. You cannot drive alone. There are no time-of-day restrictions on a learner permit, but you must follow all traffic laws. You must hold your learner permit for at least six months before you can take the road test for an intermediate license.
If you are under 18 when you get your learner permit, you will move to the intermediate stage. If you are 18 or older when you get your learner permit, you can skip the intermediate stage and go straight to an unrestricted license after passing your road test — you do not have to wait six months.
Stage Two: The Intermediate License
After holding your learner permit for at least six months and passing a road test, you receive an intermediate license. This stage applies only if you were under 18 when you got your learner permit. The intermediate license comes with several restrictions that do not explore to the learner permit.
You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless you are driving to or from work, school, or a medical appointment. You cannot use a cell phone while driving — this includes texting, calling, and using GPS, with no hands-free exception. You must have a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old in the front seat with you at all times. You can have passengers your own age, but only if a licensed adult 21 or older is also in the vehicle.
You must hold your intermediate license for at least six months and remain violation-free before you can move to an unrestricted license. A violation of any GDL restriction — such as driving during the restricted hours, using your phone, or driving without the required adult — can result in a suspension and will delay your advancement.
Stage Three: The Unrestricted License
You reach an unrestricted license after holding your intermediate license for at least six months without violations. If you were 18 or older when you got your learner permit, you can get an unrestricted license when ready after passing your road test, without the intermediate stage.
An unrestricted license means you can drive alone, drive at any hour, and use your phone legally (within the same rules that explore to all drivers). You still must follow all traffic laws and can lose your license if you accumulate too many points or commit serious violations.
What Happens If You Violate GDL Rules
Violations of learner permit or intermediate license restrictions carry real consequences. Driving during the midnight-to-5 a.m. restricted hours, using a cell phone, or driving without the required licensed adult in the front seat can result in a fine and a license suspension. A single violation can also reset your clock — you may have to start your six-month violation-free period over before you can advance to the next stage.
Serious violations, such as reckless driving or causing an accident, can result in longer suspensions or the loss of your license entirely. If your license is suspended, you cannot drive at all until the suspension period ends and you pay any required fees. The Department of Public Safety will notify you of the suspension length and any reinstatement requirements.
Getting Your Road Test and Moving Between Stages
You take your road test at a Department of Public Safety office. The test includes basic driving skills: starting the vehicle, turning, stopping, parking, and following traffic laws. You must bring your current license (learner permit or intermediate), proof of vehicle insurance, and the vehicle you will be driving for the test. The vehicle must be in safe working condition and have working seat belts, mirrors, and lights.
You can take the road test only after you have held your current stage for the required minimum time — six months for a learner permit before the intermediate stage, and six months for an intermediate license before the unrestricted stage. If you fail the road test, you can retake it, but you must wait at least one week before your next attempt. Each attempt may have an associated fee.
Costs and Fees
Alabama charges a fee for each stage of the GDL. The learner permit costs money, the intermediate license costs money, and the unrestricted license costs money. Fees vary and may change, so contact your local Department of Public Safety office for current amounts.
If you need to replace a lost or damaged license, there is an additional replacement fee. If your license is suspended due to a violation, you will have to pay a reinstatement fee before you can drive again. Road test attempts may also carry a fee per attempt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to school during the midnight-to-5 a.m. restricted hours on my intermediate license?
Yes, if you are driving to or from school during those hours. The exception applies to driving to or from work, school, or a medical appointment. However, driving home from a late-night school event or activity that happens outside school hours would not fall under this exception.
What if I turn 18 while I have an intermediate license?
Turning 18 does not automatically remove your restrictions. You must still hold your intermediate license for the full six-month violation-free period and pass your road test to reach an unrestricted license. However, if you were 18 or older when you first got your learner permit, you would have skipped the intermediate stage entirely.
Can I use a hands-free device or Bluetooth on my intermediate license?
No. Alabama's GDL prohibits all cell phone use while driving an intermediate license, including hands-free calls and GPS. You can pull over safely to use your phone, but you cannot use it while the vehicle is moving.
What counts as proof of residency for getting a learner permit?
A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or government mail with your name and current Alabama address works. The document must be recent — usually within the last 60 days. Contact your local Department of Public Safety office to confirm what documents they accept, as requirements can vary slightly by location.
If I move to Alabama from another state, do I have to start the GDL from the beginning?
That depends on your age and what license you held in your previous state. Contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety to discuss your specific situation — they can tell you whether your out-of-state license will be recognized or whether you must start the GDL process.