Alabama permit test cheat sheet

Alabama-specific rules from our question bank, condensed to one line each with the handbook page. Read it the night before; don’t use it instead of practicing.

Study sheet for before your test. Notes aren’t allowed in the DMV test room. See the study sheets to print.

Test format
Not published
Passing score
Not published
Permit and test fees
$41.25 total
Minimum age for a permit
15 years
Supervised driving
50 hours
Hold your permit
6 months minimum

Permits & licensing

  • Alabama lets anyone 15 years old get a restricted learner license after passing the knowledge test. p. 11
  • The "Y" restriction on a 15-year-old's learner license allows driving only with a licensed driver who is 21 or older, or a licensed or certified driving instructor, in the seat beside the driver. p. 11
  • An Alabama Stage I learner license lets you drive only with a parent, legal guardian, a licensed driver age 21 or older, or a licensed or certified driving instructor in the front seat beside you. source
  • A driver aged 16 or 17 must hold a learner license for six months, or until their 18th birthday, before the road test. p. 12
  • Under Alabama's graduated license law, a 16-year-old (or a 17-year-old licensed less than 6 months) may carry no more than one non-family passenger, other than a parent, guardian or supervising licensed driver at least 21. p. 86
  • A 16-year-old (or a 17-year-old licensed less than 6 months) may not drive between 12 midnight and 6 a.m. unless with a parent or legal guardian, or under an exception such as driving to or from work or a school or religious event. p. 86
  • Breaking a GDL restriction keeps you in the restricted stage longer: the restricted period is extended by 6 months or until you turn 18. p. 86
  • To move from the learner stage to a Stage II restricted license, a teen must hold the learner license at least 6 months and either log 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice or complete a driver education course approved by the State Department of Education. source

Laws, points & insurance

  • Alabama's Mandatory Liability Insurance Law requires at least $25,000 for injury or death of one person, $50,000 for two or more people, and $25,000 for property damage. p. 70
  • A first mandatory liability insurance violation can bring a fine of up to $500, and a second or later violation up to $1,000. p. 70
  • When a crash causes injury, death, or $500 or more in damage and the at-fault party was uninsured, a written SR-31 form must be sent within 30 days. p. 40
  • Alabama suspends licenses on a sliding scale: 12-14 points in two years brings 60 days, 15-17 points 90 days, and so on up to 365 days for 24 or more. p. 21
  • For a GDL driver, a conviction for offenses such as reckless driving, illegal passing, driving on the wrong side of the road, or any offense worth four or more points brings an automatic 60-day suspension. p. 86
  • Anyone whose license was canceled, suspended, revoked or disqualified must pay a reinstatement fee of at least $100, plus meet other legal requirements. p. 19
  • After you change your address within Alabama, you have 30 days to notify the Driver License Division. p. 16