Graduated license restrictions — Alabama Permit Test

A person under 18 may not get an unrestricted driver license until they have held a learner license for at least six months with no violations of its restrictions, and must be 17.

Six clean months of supervised driving show the new driver can follow the rules before they drive with fewer limits.

A person under the age of 18 may not apply for an unrestricted driver license until that person has held a learner license for at least a six-month period with no violations of the restrictions. (Must be 17.)

A 16-year-old, or a 17-year-old licensed for less than 6 months, may not have more than one non-family passenger other than the parent, guardian or a supervising licensed driver at least 21.

Each extra friend in the car adds distraction, and crash risk for teen drivers rises with every passenger.

May not have more than 1 nonfamily passenger other than the parent, guardian or supervising licensed driver at least 21 years of age.

A restricted driver may not drive between 12 midnight and 6 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or a licensee 21 or older with parental consent, or driving to or from work, a school or religious event, or an emergency.

Late-night driving is when tired, inexperienced and impaired drivers meet on the road.

The student may not operate a vehicle between 12 midnight and 6 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian unless:

A 16-year-old may drive between midnight and 6 a.m. when going to or from their regular workplace.

The law makes room for a teen who works a late shift.

Going to or from their regular workplace.

A 16-year-old may drive between midnight and 6 a.m. when going to or from a school-sponsored or religious-sponsored event.

Those events are supervised and planned, unlike a late night out.

Going to or from a school sponsored event.

A restricted driver may not drive while operating any handheld communication device, and violations extend the graduated license period and may bring suspension.

New drivers have the least attention to spare for a phone.

Drive while operating any handheld communication device.

Violating any of the GDL restrictions extends the restrictive period by 6 months or until the driver reaches 18.

Breaking the rules shows more time with limits is needed.

Violation of any of the above restrictions will result in the restrictive period being extended by 6 months or until the driver reaches 18 years of age.

A GDL licensee convicted of a second moving traffic violation, or of failing to give information or render aid, racing, fleeing police, reckless driving, illegal passing, driving on the wrong side, or any offense of four or more points, has the license automatically suspended for 60 days.

Serious or repeated violations by a new driver show the limits are not enough.

driving, illegal passing, driving on the wrong side of the road, or any other offense where four or more points are assessed, their license will automatically be suspended for 60 days.

Violating a GDL restriction is a traffic violation but carries no criminal penalties or court costs, and no points are assessed for it.

The penalty for breaking a GDL rule is more time under the rules, not a criminal record.

No points will be assessed for violation of the above restrictions.

No citation is issued for violating a GDL restriction unless the driver is stopped for a separate violation and cited for it.

An officer cannot pull a teen over just for having a friend in the car; there must be another reason.

No citation will be issued for a traffic violation unless the licensee is stopped for a separate violation of the law and issued a citation or warrant for the separate violation.

The GDL restrictions do not apply to anyone 18 or older, to a 17-year-old who has held a license for 6 months or longer, to a 16-year-old or older who is married or head of household, or to anyone legally relieved of minority status.

The rules are aimed at young, newly licensed drivers, and drop away as age and experience come.

Does not apply to individuals 17 years of age or older who have had a valid drivers license for 6 months or longer.

A 16-year-old must have a parent's or legal guardian's permission to receive a license and to drive without supervision.

Parents decide when their teen is ready to drive alone.

16 year olds must have parental or legal guardian’s permission to receive a license and to drive without supervision.

GDL restrictions do not apply to a person 16 or older who is married or the head of a household.

A teen who is married or runs a household has taken on adult duties the law recognizes.

Does not apply to individuals who are 16 years of age or older who are married or the head of household.

Besides six months on a learner license, what does the GDL summary require of that period before an unrestricted license?

No violations of its restrictions. Six clean months of supervised driving show the new driver can follow the rules before they drive with fewer limits. Alabama Driver Manual, p.84: “A person under the age of 18 may not apply for an unrestricted driver license until that person has held a learner license for at least a six-month period with no violations of the restrictions. (Must be 17.)”