Key points
Reinstatement after cancellation, suspension or revocation costs at least $100.
Source: Handbook p. 17
“Any person whose driver license has been canceled, suspended, revoked, or disqualified must pay a reinstatement fee of not less than $100”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 17Not surrendering your license on time adds $50, and drug related convictions add $25.
Source: Handbook p. 17
“will result in an additional $50 fee. Reinstatement resulting from drug related convictions require an additional $25 fee.”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 17Your license must be revoked for manslaughter or homicide resulting from driving.
Source: Handbook p. 17
“Manslaughter or homicide resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle.”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 17Three reckless driving convictions within 12 months brings revocation.
Source: Handbook p. 17
“Three reckless driving convictions within 12 months.”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 1712 to 14 points in a 2 year period brings a 60 day suspension.
Source: Handbook p. 19
“12-14 Points in a 2-year period 60 days”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 19Alabama's hands free law: holding a device while driving improperly brings $50 and 1 point for a first conviction.
Source: Handbook p. 16
“First conviction, $50 fine and 1 point; second conviction, $100 fine and 2 points; third conviction, $150 and 3 points”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 16Texting while driving is illegal: $25 for a first offense, $50 for a second and $75 after that.
Source: Handbook p. 32
“The fine for violating the law is $25 for a first-time offense, $50 for a second offense and $75 for a third or subsequent offense.”
Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 32
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| $100 | minimum reinstatement fee | Handbook p. 17 |
| $50; $25 | extra fees for late surrender and for drug related convictions | Handbook p. 17 |
| 3 in 12 months | reckless driving convictions that bring revocation | Handbook p. 17 |
| 12 to 14 points in 2 years: 60 days | first point suspension level | Handbook p. 19 |
| 24 points: 365 days | suspension for 24 or more points in 2 years | Handbook p. 19 |
| $50 and 1; $100 and 2; $150 and 3 | hands free law fines and points for first, second and third convictions | Handbook p. 16 |
| $25, $50, $75 | texting fines for first, second and later offenses | Handbook p. 32 |
3 questions from the Alabama practice test
1. What extra reinstatement fee does Alabama charge after a drug related conviction?
- An additional $500
- No extra fee
- An additional $25
- An additional $1,000
Show answer
An additional $25. Reinstatement resulting from drug related convictions requires an additional $25 fee, and suspensions for non payment of child support require an additional $50 fee when reinstating the license. Failing to surrender the license within the time allowed after a cancellation, revocation or suspension also adds a $50 fee. These are added to the standard reinstatement fee, so the total depends on the reason for the suspension.
2. What is the penalty for a first Alabama Hands-Free Law conviction?
- A $100 fine and 2 points
- A $50 fine and 1 point
- A $150 fine and 3 points
- A warning with no points
Show answer
A $50 fine and 1 point. A first conviction under Alabama’s Hands-Free Law carries a $50 fine and 1 point on the driver’s record. The $100 and 2 point penalty belongs to a second conviction, while $150 and 3 points applies to a third conviction within the stated period. A warning with no points is not the listed first offense consequence. Keep the sequence tied to the conviction count: first, second, and third have increasing fines and points over a 24-month period.
3. An Alabama driver accumulates 12 to 14 points in a 2-year period. How long is the suspension?
- 90 days
- 120 days
- 60 days
- 365 days
Show answer
60 days. Alabama's point suspension schedule starts at 12 to 14 points in a 2-year period, which brings a 60 day suspension. It then climbs to 90 days for 15 to 17 points, 120 days for 18 to 20, 180 days for 21 to 23, and 365 days for 24 or more. So 90, 120 and 365 days belong to higher point totals. The driver may request a pre-suspension or administrative hearing.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with laws and paperwork questions from the free Alabama practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the Alabama Driver Manual, Chapter 2: You May Lose Your License. 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.