A Guide to Birmingham Alabama Licensing Procedures and Online Driver Education
Congratulations on starting the process of applying for your Birmingham Alabama learner's permit or first Birmingham Alabama driver license. We understand that learning to drive can be both exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. We’ve provided this fact sheet on the Birmingham Alabama graduated driver license program for Birmingham Alabama drivers ages 15-18 in order to help make sure that applying for your Birmingham Alabama driving license goes as smoothly as possible. So let's jump right in.
Birmingham Alabama Learner Permit
The process begins with your Birmingham Alabama restricted learner’s permit, which you can apply for once you turn 15. You'll need to bring the following with you to the DMV:
- your birth certificate
- a $5 testing fee and $23 for your license
- If you're 16, you'll need two forms of identification, one with a picture ID, as well
- social security card
- proof of school enrollment or graduation
Once you pass the written exam (Don’t worry: the Birmingham Alabama's driver's manual is the only study guide you’ll need!), you'll receive a "D" Birmingham Alabama driver license. This Birmingham Alabama driver's license carries a "Y" restriction, which means that you'll be required to have someone 21 years or older in the seat next to you as you practice driving. However, when you turn 16, you can use your Birmingham Alabama learner's permit to drive with any other Birmingham Alabama licensed driver--just remember that they have to be sitting next to you! Keep in mind that an Birmingham Alabama restricted learner's license is valid for up to 4 years and can only be renewed once.
Birmingham Alabama Teen Driver's License
If you’re 16 years old, you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when taking the Birmingham Alabama driver's license road test. In order to take the test, you must complete at least 30 driving hours (signed by a parent, legal guardian, or certified driving instructor) or an approved Birmingham Alabama driver education course. You can find the required form at the Birmingham Alabama Department of Public Safety, and you can schedule your Birmingham Alabama road test at the Birmingham Alabama Department of Motor Safety website. You’re ready to take the dreaded road test once you’ve had your Birmingham Alabama learner’s permit for 6 months or you turn 18, whichever comes first.
For the Birmingham Alabama road test, you must provide your own vehicle.The test will consist of making right and left turns, signaling properly, backing up, making a quick stop, parking, using marked and unmarked traffic lanes, and successfully performing a three-point turn. Before the test, an examiner will inspect your car to make sure it is in safe operating condition with the necessary equipment.
Restrictions on Birmingham Alabama Teen Driver Licenses
Being in possession of an Birmingham Alabama driver’s license carries many responsibilities. There are several restrictions you need to keep in mind regarding your Birmingham Alabama learner's license or Birmingham Alabama driver's license.
If you have your Birmingham Alabama learner's permit, the following restrictions apply:
- You must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or person over 21.
- The person who is supervising you must sit in the front passenger seat.
- We know it can be tempting to ride around with friends, but you cannot drive with more than four people in the car (including yourself) while driving with an Birmingham Alabama learner's license.
If you are 16 years old, or 17 (with your license for less than six months), you cannot drive a vehicle between midnight and 6AM unless you:
- have a parent, legal guardian with you
- are accompanied by someone 21 or older who has the consent of your parent
- are going to or from your workplace, a school sponsored or religious event.
- are driving due to a medical, fire, or law enforcement related emergency.
In addition, you are limited to just 4 people in the vehicle excluding your parent or legal guardian.
If you are convicted of any of the above violations, expect your Birmingham Alabama learner's permit or Birmingham Alabama driver's license to be fined accordingly. If you are convicted of a second moving violation, you will face suspension of your Birmingham Alabama driver’s license for up to 60 days.
Birmingham Alabama Drunk Driving, Cell Phone, and Text Messaging Laws
As a younger driver, we care about your safety above all. Thus, we expect you to learn the Birmingham Alabama drunk driving, cell phone, and text messaging laws.
Currently, there are no Birmingham Alabama laws that prohibit driving while texting or talking on cell phones. Still, we strongly suggest you keep cell phone use to a minimum. Studies repeatedly show that a distracted driver is a dangerous driver!
Drinking and driving is another matter. Upon your first conviction of an Birmingham Alabama DUI, you face:
- a fine of $600-$2,100
- imprisonment up to 1 year
- suspension of your license for up to 90 days.
Further Birmingham Alabama DUI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and Birmingham Alabama license suspension or even Birmingham Alabama license revocation.
Birmingham Alabama Auto Insurance Birmingham Alabama Financial Responsibility Laws
Once you receive your Birmingham Alabama drivers license, there’s one more crucial ingredient for safe, responsible driving: insurance. Any vehicle registered in Birmingham Alabama must be covered by liability insurance. The minimum coverage is $20,000 for personal injury and $40,000 for two or more people, and $10,000 for property damage. You could be fined up to $500 plus court costs if you are ever caught driving without Birmingham Alabama mandatory liability insurance.
Birmingham Alabama Online Driver Education
We’ve already said that any 16 year old applicants who wish to apply for an Birmingham Alabama driver license must have completed at least 30 driving hours (signed by a parent, legal guardian, or certified driving instructor). However, you also have the option of taking an approved Birmingham Alabama online driver education course. A list of approved online Birmingham Alabama driver education courses can be found at the Birmingham Alabama Department of Public Safety.
If you are required to attend an Birmingham Alabama driver education classroom, you can find more information on the Birmingham Alabama Department of Public Safety website.