How to learn about your Alabama license is suspended right now
The Alabama Department of Public Safety maintains a database of all suspended licenses. You can check your status in three ways: online through the ALERS system (Alabama License and Permit System), by phone, or in person at a driver license office.
The fastest method is the online check. Go to alers.dps.alabama.gov, enter your driver license number and date of birth, and the system will tell you when ready whether your license is active, suspended, or revoked. You do not need to create an account. If you cannot find your license number, you can search by name and Social Security number instead.
If you prefer to call, contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety at 334-242-4437. Have your driver license number ready. They can confirm your status and tell you the reason for suspension and what you need to do to restore it. If you are in a city with a driver license office, you can also walk in and ask them to check your record.
Key Takeaways
- Check your license status online at alers.dps.alabama.gov using your license number and date of birth, or call 334-242-4437 to speak with someone.
- A suspension means your license is temporarily invalid; you cannot legally drive until it is lifted, and driving on a suspended license carries criminal penalties.
- The reason for suspension determines what you must do to restore it — paying a fine, completing a program, or clearing a court hold.
- Some suspensions lift automatically after a set period; others require you to take action before the state will reinstate your license.
- If you discover your license is suspended and you have been driving, stop when ready and contact the court or agency that suspended it to understand your options.
Common reasons Alabama suspends licenses and what each one means
Alabama suspends licenses for many reasons, and the cause determines how you fix it. The most common are unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, and medical suspension (when a doctor reports you as unsafe to drive).
If your suspension is for unpaid fines or court costs, you must pay what you owe to the court that issued the ticket. Contact the court directly — the ALERS system will show which court suspended you. Some courts offer payment plans if you cannot pay in full at once.
Failure to appear suspensions happen when you miss a court date. You must return to court, resolve the underlying charge, and ask the judge to lift the suspension. Ignoring this only extends the problem.
Child support suspensions are handled by the Alabama Department of Human Resources. If you owe back support, you must set up a payment plan or prove you are current before the state will reinstate your license. This is separate from the court system.
What happens if you drive on a suspended license in Alabama
Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense in Alabama, not just a traffic violation. A first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $100 to $500 and up to 30 days in jail. A second offense within five years carries a fine of $200 to $1,000 and up to 60 days in jail.
If you are stopped by police, your vehicle can be impounded, and you will face arrest. You will also accumulate additional court costs and fines on top of the original suspension reason. Your insurance company may also drop you or refuse to renew your policy if they learn you drove illegally.
If you have been driving on a suspended license without knowing it, stop when ready and contact the court or agency that suspended you. Explain the situation and ask what steps you need to take. Some courts are willing to work with people who self-report and take action to fix the problem.
Steps to restore your license after suspension
The restoration process depends on why your license was suspended. Start by confirming the reason through ALERS or by calling the Department of Public Safety.
If the suspension is for unpaid fines or court costs, pay the court. Once the court processes your payment, they notify the Department of Public Safety, which usually lifts the suspension within one to three business days. You do not need to visit a driver license office.
If the suspension is for failure to appear, go to the court listed in ALERS, resolve the case (plead guilty, negotiate a settlement, or have the charge dismissed), and ask the judge to lift the suspension as part of the resolution. Bring proof of payment if fines are involved.
If the suspension is medical, you must visit a doctor, have them complete the form the Department of Public Safety requires, and submit it to the department. The doctor's clearance is what lifts the suspension — the state does not make the decision on its own.
If the suspension is for child support, contact the Alabama Department of Human Resources or the child support enforcement office in your county. They will tell you the amount owed and what payment arrangement they will accept. Once you are current or have a payment plan in place, they notify the Department of Public Safety to reinstate your license.
How long suspensions typically last in Alabama
Some suspensions are automatic and lift after a set time; others stay in place until you take action. The length depends on the reason.
Administrative suspensions for unpaid fines or failure to appear typically last until you resolve the underlying issue — there is no automatic end date. The suspension stays active until you pay or go to court.
Medical suspensions usually last until a doctor clears you. The state does not set a time limit; it depends on your condition and your doctor's judgment.
Child support suspensions remain in effect until you are current on payments or have a court-ordered payment plan in place.
Some suspensions for minor violations may lift after 30, 60, or 90 days if no further action is taken, but this is rare. Most suspensions require you to do something before they end. Do not assume your suspension will disappear on its own.
What to do if you think your license was suspended by mistake
If ALERS shows your license is suspended but you believe there is an error, contact the Department of Public Safety at 334-242-4437 and ask them to review your record. They can tell you which agency or court initiated the suspension.
If the suspension came from a court, contact that court directly. Bring documentation showing you paid a fine, appeared in court, or resolved the charge. Courts can request the Department of Public Safety to lift a suspension if they confirm the reason no longer applies.
If the suspension is related to child support and you believe you are current, contact the child support enforcement office in your county with proof of payment. They can verify your account and request reinstatement if you are correct.
If you believe the suspension is completely erroneous — for example, you were never charged with the violation that triggered it — ask the Department of Public Safety for a formal review. This process takes longer but creates a record of your dispute.
Insurance and driving after your license is reinstated
Once your suspension is lifted, your license is valid again, but your insurance situation may be complicated. If your policy lapsed while your license was suspended, you will need to contact your insurance company to reinstate coverage before you drive.
Some insurers will straightforward reactivate your policy; others may require you to pay a reinstatement fee or may refuse to cover you at all. If your suspension was for a serious violation like driving under the influence, your insurer may have already dropped you and you will need to find a new company.
High-risk insurers in Alabama will cover drivers with suspended licenses in their history, but they charge higher premiums. Shop around after your license is reinstated — rates vary significantly between companies.
Do not drive without insurance, even if your license is now valid. Driving uninsured is illegal in Alabama and carries fines and potential license suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a hardship license while my license is suspended in Alabama?
Alabama does not issue hardship or restricted licenses for most suspensions. However, if your suspension is for unpaid fines or child support, you may be able to negotiate a payment plan with the court or child support office, which could lead to reinstatement. Contact the relevant agency to ask about your options.
Will my suspension show up on a background check?
A license suspension is a public record and may appear on background checks depending on the reason. Criminal suspensions (like driving on a suspended license) will show up. Administrative suspensions for unpaid fines or child support may also appear. Once your license is reinstated, the suspension remains part of your record but is no longer active.
How much does it cost to reinstate a suspended license in Alabama?
There is no reinstatement fee charged by the Department of Public Safety. However, you must pay whatever caused the suspension — court fines, child support arrears, or other court costs. The amount varies depending on your case. Contact the court or agency that suspended your license to learn the exact amount you owe.
What if I moved out of Alabama after my license was suspended?
Your Alabama suspension follows you. If you move to another state and try to get a license there, most states will discover the Alabama suspension through the National Driver Register and will not issue you a license until it is cleared. You must resolve the Alabama suspension before you can legally drive in any state.
Can I appeal a license suspension in Alabama?
The process depends on the reason. If the suspension came from a court, you can appeal the underlying case through the court system. If it came from the Department of Public Safety for a medical reason, you can request a review and provide new medical evidence. Contact the Department of Public Safety or the court that suspended your license to learn about the appeal process for your specific situation.