The AL licensing action explained
After a DUI arrest in Alabama, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Driver License Division (alea.gov) opens its own case against your driving privilege. It is administrative, it moves faster than the criminal case, and it is decided regardless of what the court later does with the charge.
The request for an administrative hearing is due within 10 days of arrest. Miss it and the suspension usually takes effect automatically.
Hearing requests, suspension notices, reinstatement fees and interlock paperwork.
Deadlines, forms and how the hearing is conducted.
How the AL agency runs the licence case
- A DUI arrest and conviction triggers suspension or revocation processed by ALEA's Driver License Division under Ala. Code §§ 32-5A-304 to 32-5A-312.
- A driver may request an administrative hearing under Ala. Code § 32-5A-307 to contest the suspension.
- Reinstatement requires ALEA's Request for Reinstatement Requirements (Form DI-46A).
- Ignition interlock is administered under the Alabama Ignition Interlock Act, Ala. Code § 32-5A-191.4.
- Reinstatement fees are set by ALEA and vary with the violation type and number of prior offenses.
Alabama licence facts
Alabama DUI law at a glance
Sourced from the Alabama code and state agency sites. Verify current text before relying on it.
- Offense name
- DUI (Alabama)
- Controlling statute
- Ala. Code § 32-5A-191
- Implied consent
- Ala. Code § 32-5-192
- Per se BAC limit
- 0.08 (0.04 CDL, 0.02 or lower under 21)
- Licence hearing deadline
- 10 days after arrest
- Prior-offense lookback
- 5 years
- First-offense fine
- $600–$2,100
- First-offense jail exposure
- up to 1 year
- Licence suspension
- 3 months
- Ignition interlock
- Required on a first offense in most cases
- Trial court
- the District Court
- High-risk filing
- SR-22 for 3 years
A first offense is a misdemeanor, and ignition interlock is required in most cases.
Getting the licence back
- Serve the full suspension or hard-suspension period the agency sets.
- Complete any ordered assessment, education or treatment programme.
- Install an approved ignition interlock device — Alabama requires one in most first-offense cases.
- Alabama requires a SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility for 3 years before a licence is reinstated after a DUI conviction.
- Pay the reinstatement fee and any licence-issuance fee in full.
Fees and processing times change; confirm the current amounts on alea.gov before you travel to an office.
Alabama ZIP codes covered
These Alabama ZIP-code pages carry the local court, filing and licensing detail for the area, and each one links back to this resource page.
- 35031 — Blountsville
- 35046 — Zcta 35046
- 35049 — Cleveland
- 35071 — Gardendale
- 35080 — Helena
- 35540 — Addison
- 35587 — Townley
- 35774 — Trenton
- 35805 — Huntsville
- 35978 — Henagar
- 35979 — Higdon
- 35989 — Valley head
- 36033 — Georgiana
- 36071 — Rutledge
- 36318 — Coffee springs
- 36525 — Creola
- 36576 — Silverhill
- 36761 — Boys ranch
- 36912 — Lisman
Counties and cities using these Alabama resources
Counties
Other Alabama official resources
Frequently asked questions
- How long do I have to challenge a Alabama licence suspension?
- The administrative hearing request is due within 10 days of arrest. Confirm the current deadline and filing method with the AL licensing agency at alea.gov before relying on it.
- How long is a first-offense suspension in Alabama?
- A first DUI offense generally carries a 3 months suspension in Alabama. Reinstatement conditions, fees and any interlock requirement are set by the licensing agency.