Alabama's Point System and When Suspension Happens
Alabama suspends your license when you accumulate 12 or more points within a 24-month period. Points are assigned based on traffic violations — speeding, reckless driving, at-fault accidents, and other moving violations each carry a specific point value. The state does not suspend you when ready when you hit 12 points; instead, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) mails you a notice of suspension, and your license becomes invalid 10 days after you receive that notice.
The point system is designed to track dangerous driving patterns over time. A single violation does not typically result in suspension — it is the accumulation that triggers it. However, certain violations carry higher point values, so a driver can reach 12 points faster depending on what violations they commit.
Once suspended, you cannot legally drive in Alabama or most other states. The suspension remains on your record for the full 24-month period, even if you pay fines or complete traffic school. Understanding which violations carry how many points helps you see how close you are to suspension.
Key Takeaways
- Alabama suspends your license when you reach 12 points within 24 months, and the suspension takes effect 10 days after DPS mails you notice.
- Different violations carry different point values — speeding 1–10 mph over the limit is 2 points, while reckless driving is 6 points.
- Points remain on your record for 24 months from the violation date, and a new violation during that window adds to your total.
- You can request a hearing before the suspension takes effect, but you must do so within 10 days of receiving the notice.
- Completing a defensive driving course can reduce points by up to 3 points, but only once every 12 months and only if you have not had a suspension in the past 5 years.
Point Values for Common Alabama Violations
Alabama assigns points based on the severity and type of violation. Speeding violations carry 2 to 6 points depending on how far over the limit you were driving. Driving 1–10 mph over the limit is 2 points; 11–20 mph over is 4 points; and 21 mph or more over the limit is 6 points. These are among the most common violations drivers receive.
Other frequent violations include at-fault accidents (4 points), reckless driving (6 points), improper passing (4 points), and following too closely (4 points). Violations involving alcohol or drugs carry higher point values — driving under the influence (DUI) is 8 points, and refusing a breath or blood test is also 8 points. Hit-and-run violations carry 6 points.
Less common but serious violations include driving with a suspended or revoked license (6 points), leaving the scene of an accident (6 points), and racing (6 points). If you receive a violation you do not recognize or believe is incorrect, you have the right to contest it in traffic court before points are added to your record.
| Violation Type | Points Assigned |
|---|---|
| Speeding 1–10 mph over limit | 2 |
| Speeding 11–20 mph over limit | 4 |
| Speeding 21+ mph over limit | 6 |
| Reckless driving | 6 |
| At-fault accident | 4 |
| Improper passing | 4 |
| Following too closely | 4 |
| DUI | 8 |
| Refusing breath or blood test | 8 |
| Hit-and-run | 6 |
| Driving with suspended license | 6 |
How the 24-Month Lookback Period Works
Alabama counts points within a rolling 24-month window. This means the state looks back 24 months from today and adds up all violations committed during that period. Once a violation falls outside the 24-month window, its points no longer count toward suspension, but the violation itself remains on your driving record permanently.
For example, if you received a 4-point violation on January 15, 2023, and another 4-point violation on January 20, 2025, both violations would count toward your total because they fall within a 24-month span. However, if your first violation was January 15, 2023, and your second was January 16, 2025, the first violation would no longer count because more than 24 months have passed.
This rolling window means you cannot straightforward wait out a suspension by avoiding new violations. The 24-month period restarts each time you receive a new violation. If you are close to 12 points and receive another violation, the clock resets, and you remain in the 24-month window longer.
What Happens When You Receive a Suspension Notice
When the Alabama Department of Public Safety determines you have reached 12 points, they mail you an official notice of suspension. This notice includes the effective date of your suspension, which is 10 days after the notice is mailed. You have those 10 days to request a hearing if you believe the suspension is incorrect or if you want to present your case to a hearing officer.
If you do not request a hearing within 10 days, your suspension becomes final and your license is no longer valid. You cannot drive legally during the suspension period, and driving with a suspended license is itself a violation that carries 6 points and can result in criminal charges.
The suspension period itself varies. A first suspension typically lasts 3 months. A second suspension within 5 years lasts 6 months. A third or subsequent suspension within 5 years lasts 12 months. These periods are mandatory — you cannot shorten them by paying a fee or completing a course.
Requesting a Hearing Before Suspension Takes Effect
You have the right to request a hearing within 10 days of receiving your suspension notice. To request a hearing, contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety's Driver License Division. You can request a hearing by mail, phone, or in person at a DPS office. The notice itself will include instructions and contact information.
At the hearing, you can present evidence that the violations were incorrect, that points were miscalculated, or that there are circumstances the hearing officer should consider. However, the hearing is not an opportunity to dispute the violations themselves — that must be done in traffic court before the violation is recorded. The hearing officer reviews whether the suspension was properly applied based on the violations already on your record.
If you request a hearing, your suspension is delayed until after the hearing takes place. If the hearing officer upholds the suspension, it becomes effective when ready after the hearing. If the officer finds an error, the suspension may be cancelled or delayed further.
Reducing Points Through Defensive Driving Course
Alabama allows you to reduce your points by up to 3 points by completing an approved defensive driving course. However, this option has strict conditions: you can only use it once every 12 months, and you cannot have had a suspension in the past 5 years. If you are currently suspended, you are not may be able to access to take the course until your suspension ends.
The course must be approved by the Alabama Department of Public Safety. Many courses are offered online and can be completed in a few hours. After you complete the course, you receive a certificate that you must send to the DPS Driver License Division. The 3-point reduction is applied to your record, but it does not remove the violations themselves — it only reduces the point total.
If you are close to 12 points but have not yet been suspended, taking a defensive driving course can prevent suspension. However, if you are already suspended, you must wait until the suspension ends before you can take the course. The course does not shorten your suspension period.
Reinstating Your License After Suspension Ends
When your suspension period ends, your license is not automatically reinstated. You must take action to restore your driving privileges. You will need to visit an Alabama Department of Public Safety Driver License office in person with a valid form of identification and proof of residence. There is a reinstatement fee, which varies but is typically between $20 and $50.
Before you can be reinstated, you must also may support that you have no other suspensions or holds on your license. If you have unpaid traffic fines, child support obligations, or other issues flagged by the state, your reinstatement will be delayed until those are resolved. You can contact the DPS Driver License Division before your suspension ends to confirm you are may be able to access for reinstatement.
Once reinstated, your license is valid again, but the violations and points remain on your driving record. If you accumulate 12 more points within 24 months of your reinstatement, you will be suspended again. The point system continues to track your driving history indefinitely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive during the 10 days after I receive a suspension notice?
Yes, you can drive legally during those 10 days. Your license does not become invalid until 10 days after the notice is mailed. If you request a hearing within that window, your suspension is delayed further until after the hearing takes place.
Do points from out-of-state violations count toward Alabama suspension?
Yes, Alabama counts violations from other states if they are reported to the Alabama Department of Public Safety through the National Driver Register. Most states report serious violations, but not all violations are shared between states. Contact the DPS Driver License Division if you are unsure whether an out-of-state violation has been recorded in Alabama.
What happens if I drive with a suspended license?
Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense in Alabama. It adds 6 points to your record, results in a fine, and can lead to jail time. If you are caught driving while suspended, you will face additional charges on top of your existing suspension.
Can I get a hardship license while suspended?
Alabama does not issue hardship licenses for point-based suspensions. However, if your suspension is for other reasons (such as unpaid child support), you may be able to request a limited license for work or medical purposes. Contact the DPS Driver License Division to learn whether you may have access to.
How long do violations stay on my driving record?
Violations remain on your driving record permanently in Alabama. However, points only count toward suspension if the violation occurred within the past 24 months. After 24 months, the points no longer affect your suspension risk, but the violation itself is still visible on your record to insurance companies and law enforcement.