Alabama DPS Points System: What is It? How does it Work?
The Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) point system will determine when your driver’s license gets suspended. The Alabama DPS point system equates traffic infractions to points. Less severe citations result in fewer points. More severe violations accumulate more points. If a large number of points is received in a short period, your Alabama driver’s license can be suspended, revoked, or canceled.
Alabama DPS Point System
Common violations in Alabama is usually moving violations. Such violation results in two points added to your Alabama driving records. The points on your record can stay up to three years. Others can stay even longer.
Penalties that will result in two points are:
- Driving up to 25 mph above the speed limit
- Not using your turning signal
- Making an illegal turn
- Driving in the wrong lane
Penalties that earn you six points:
- Reckless driving
- Driving under the influence (DUI) or while intoxicated (DWI)
Alabama DPS Point System & Suspensions
When you plead guilty or convicted of a serious offense, points will be added to your Alabama driving records. When you accumulate these points within a period, your license will get suspended for a duration of time. If you are a repeated offender, your driver’s license is suspended for a longer time.
So, if you get points added within two years, this will happen to your driver’s license:
- 12-14 points: 60-day suspension
- 15-17 points: 90-day suspension
- 18-20 points: 120-day suspension
- 21-23 points: 180-days suspension
- 24 or higher: 1-year suspension
Alabama Points Chart
Alabama DPS Point Reduction
The Alabama DPS will remove some points from your driving records. Only points obtained from less severe violations can be removed.
To remove points, you must complete a driving safety course approved by the DPS. Once you complete the program, you can submit the completion certificate and pay any fines associated with the suspension and reinstatement. With approval, you may get your driving privilege reinstated fully or with conditions. Regardless, you will be able to be on the road again.
Alabama Driving Records
Anyone can request your Alabama driving records. Insurance companies, employers, and the government can request a copy of your driving records.
Insurance companies use your Alabama driving records to determine your car insurance premium. If you have points on your driving records, you will have a higher premium than someone without points.
Employers who are conducting a background check will request a copy of your Alabama driving records. If the job entails driving the company vehicle, a clean driving record is a necessity.
The court or government agencies can also request a copy of your driving records from the DPS. In any circumstance when your record is required, it is always better to have one without points.
