Key points
First DUI: a $600 to $2,100 fine, up to one year in jail or both, and a 90 day suspension.
Source: Handbook p. 33
“Penalty for a first conviction is a fine of $600 to $2,100, up to one year in jail or by both fine and imprisonment. In addition, the driver license will be suspended for 90 days.”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 33Second DUI in 10 years: a $1,100 to $5,100 fine and up to one year in jail.
Source: Handbook p. 33
“For a second conviction in 10 years the fine ranges from $1,100 to $5,100, a jail sentence of up to one year, or both fine and imprisonment.”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 33A second conviction also requires mandatory jail time or community service, and a one year revocation.
Source: Handbook p. 33
“A mandatory 48 hours jail or 20 days community service and one-year revocation of driver license is required after a second conviction.”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 33Third DUI: a $2,100 to $10,100 fine and a three year revocation.
Source: Handbook p. 34
“For a third conviction, the fine ranges from $2,100 to $10,100, and the driver license will be revoked for three years.”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 34A fourth or later DUI is a Class C felony with a five year revocation.
Source: Handbook p. 34
“A fourth conviction or subsequent conviction is a Class C felony. Fines range from $4,100 to $10,100, with a five-year revocation of driver license.”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 34By driving on Alabama highways, you consent to a chemical test of blood, breath or urine.
Source: Handbook p. 34
“Any person who operates a motor vehicle upon the public highways of this state shall be deemed to have given his consent to a chemical test or tests of his blood, breath, or urine to determine blood alcohol content.”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 34A driver under DUI arrest who refuses a directed breath test will have the license suspended.
Source: Handbook p. 34
“A driver under arrest for Driving Under the Influence, who refuses to submit to chemical breath tests when directed by an officer, shall have his driver license suspended.”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 34
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| $600 to $2,100; 1 year; 90 days | first DUI fine, maximum jail and suspension | Handbook p. 33 |
| $1,100 to $5,100 in 10 years | second DUI fine range | Handbook p. 33 |
| 1 year | second DUI revocation, with mandatory jail or community service | Handbook p. 33 |
| $2,100 to $10,100; 3 years | third DUI fine and revocation | Handbook p. 34 |
| 60 days | mandatory minimum jail for a third DUI | Handbook p. 34 |
| $4,100 to $10,100; 5 years | fourth DUI fine range and revocation, a Class C felony | Handbook p. 34 |
3 questions from the Alabama practice test
1. What penalty does Alabama list for a first DUI conviction?
- A $100 fine
- A warning and a class
- A five year revocation
- A fine of $600 to $2,100, up to one year in jail or both, plus a 90 day license suspension
Show answer
A fine of $600 to $2,100, up to one year in jail or both, plus a 90 day license suspension. The penalty for a first DUI conviction is a fine of $600 to $2,100, up to one year in jail, or both, and the driver license is suspended for 90 days. Under Section 32-5A-191, that suspension can be stayed if the offender elects to use an approved ignition interlock device for 90 days. Later convictions bring larger fines and license revocation rather than a short suspension, so a five year revocation belongs to a much later offense level. A $100 fine or a simple warning badly understates the first offense.
2. What happens when a driver under arrest for DUI refuses a directed chemical breath test in Alabama?
- The license is renewed automatically
- The vehicle registration is canceled
- The driver receives only a parking citation
- The driver license is suspended
Show answer
The driver license is suspended. A driver under arrest for Driving Under the Influence who refuses to submit to chemical breath tests when directed by an officer will have the driver license suspended. The rule concerns the license, not cancellation of vehicle registration or a routine parking citation. Automatic renewal is the opposite of the stated consequence. The same implied consent passage explains that anyone who drives on Alabama public highways has already given consent to a chemical test of blood, breath, or urine for blood alcohol content.
3. What does a fourth or subsequent Alabama DUI conviction bring?
- A $600 fine and 90 day suspension
- A misdemeanor with community service
- A Class C felony with fines of $4,100 to $10,100, a five year revocation, and one year and one day to 10 years in prison
- A one year revocation
Show answer
A Class C felony with fines of $4,100 to $10,100, a five year revocation, and one year and one day to 10 years in prison. A fourth or subsequent DUI conviction is a Class C felony. Fines range from $4,100 to $10,100 with a five year revocation of the driver license, and the offender may be imprisoned for not less than one year and one day and up to 10 years. A third conviction carries a three year revocation and a mandatory minimum of 60 days in jail that cannot be probated.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with alcohol and dui questions from the free Alabama practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the Alabama Driver Manual, Chapter 4: The Driver. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.