Alabama Driver's License Practice Test 2025

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) was created in 2015 by consolidating multiple Alabama law enforcement and public safety agencies under one umbrella. Driver licensing, which was previously under the Alabama Department of Public Safety, was brought under ALEA because licensing is closely tied to law enforcement functions: license suspension for DUI, traffic enforcement, commercial vehicle compliance, and identity verification. ALEA's Driver License Division (alea.gov/driver-license) handles all licensing functions. There is no separate 'Alabama DMV' — ALEA driver license examining offices are the equivalent.

First-offense DUI in Alabama (BAC ≥ 0.08%): up to 1 year in jail (minimum 24 hours if BAC ≥ 0.15%), $600–$2,100 fine plus court costs, 90-day license suspension, mandatory completion of the Alabama DUI school (ADECA program), and possible ignition interlock device (IID) requirement. If the BAC is 0.15% or higher, or if a minor was in the vehicle, penalties escalate including mandatory minimum jail time. DUI school completion is non-negotiable — reinstatement requires documentary proof of completion regardless of other conditions being met.

Alabama's Hands-Free Act (Act 2023-382, effective January 1, 2024) is primary enforcement — law enforcement can stop and cite a driver solely for violating the hands-free law, without needing another traffic violation as a basis. Fines: $50 first offense, $100 second offense, $150 for third and subsequent violations. The law applies to all drivers of all ages. Hands-free Bluetooth, dashboard-mounted navigation, and vehicle integrated systems are all permitted. Manual interaction with a held device is what's prohibited — holding the phone in your hand while touching the screen or speaking into it.

Alabama's DUI law for drivers under 21 sets a BAC threshold of 0.02% — effectively creating a near-zero-tolerance standard. A reading of 0.02%–0.079% results in: 30-day license suspension (first offense), mandatory DUI school, and possible additional conditions. If the BAC is 0.08% or higher, the driver is charged under the standard DUI statute, not the underage provision — the full adult DUI penalties apply including the 90-day suspension. Multiple DUI convictions as a minor carry forward into adulthood and count toward the Habitual Offender threshold.

Alabama uses a REAL ID documentation system. Required documents: (1) proof of identity — a certified birth certificate (not a photocopy) or U.S. passport; (2) proof of Social Security Number; (3) two proofs of Alabama residency (utility bills, bank statements, school records within 90 days); (4) parental or guardian consent form if under 18; (5) proof of legal presence for non-citizens. All documents must be originals or certified copies. Alabama ALEA offices can verify documents digitally at the point of service at many locations. Visit alea.gov for current documentation requirements.

Alabama's Habitual Offender law (Code of Ala. 1975 § 32-5A-195) provides for license revocation for drivers who accumulate a certain number of serious convictions within 5 years. Three major violations (DUI, reckless driving causing injury, leaving the scene) within 5 years triggers Habitual Offender revocation of at least 5 years. Three DUI convictions in 10 years results in a Class C felony. The Habitual Offender designation typically requires a reinstatement hearing with ALEA and may require proof of treatment completion, IID installation, and SR-22 insurance for extended periods after reinstatement.

Yes. After passing the knowledge test and holding a learner's permit for the required period, applicants must pass a road skills test administered by an ALEA examiner. The road skills test evaluates: vehicle control, lane changing, turning, parking (parallel and angle), observing traffic signs and signals, and overall safety behaviors. The test is conducted in the applicant's own vehicle, which must be properly registered and insured. Applicants under 18 must complete at least 30 hours of supervised driving (including 10 hours at night) before taking the road test, per Alabama law.

Alabama requires minimum liability coverage of 25/50/25: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 property damage per accident. Proof of insurance must be carried in the vehicle and presented to law enforcement upon request. Alabama participates in the Insurance Verification System (IVS), which allows real-time insurance status checks. Driving without insurance is a traffic violation with fines and potential license suspension. Alabama does not require uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, though it is highly recommended given the financial risk of being struck by an uninsured driver.

Alabama participates in the Driver License Compact (DLC) and the Non-Resident Violator Compact. Out-of-state traffic convictions are reported to Alabama ALEA and added to the Alabama driving record. Alabama assigns its own point values — the equivalent Alabama violation points apply, not the other state's points. DUI convictions from other states count toward Alabama's DUI escalation thresholds (second offense, felony third, Habitual Offender). Alabama ALEA also tracks out-of-state license suspensions through the DLC — a driver suspended in another state may face Alabama license action as well.

Alabama's point system (Code of Ala. 1975 § 32-5A-195) assigns demerit points for moving violations. Examples: speeding 1–25 mph over = 2 points; speeding 26+ mph over = 5 points; reckless driving = 6 points; DUI = 6 points (in addition to criminal penalties). Accumulating 12–14 points in 2 years = 60-day suspension; 15–17 points = 90 days; 18–20 points = 120 days; 21–23 points = 180 days; 24+ points = 1-year suspension. A driver may avoid suspension by completing a defensive driving course (once every 3 years to remove 3 points). Points remain on record for 2 years from the conviction date.