Alabama Points Suspension: Hardship License & Insurance
Alabama requires 25/50/25 liability coverage and is an at-fault state.
Get My Point-Reduction Insurance QuoteAlabama at a Glance
25/50/25
Minimum liability limits, in thousands of dollars (per person / per accident / property)
At-fault
The at-fault driver's insurance pays for the damage they cause
Optional
PIP and uninsured motorist coverage are not required by law
$100
State license reinstatement fee
Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026
Minimum Coverage Requirements in Alabama
Alabama operates under a tort liability system, requiring all drivers to carry minimum liability coverage of 25/50/25. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) tracks violation points through the driver license division, and accumulating 12-15 points within two years triggers automatic suspension. During suspension, you must maintain continuous insurance to qualify for hardship driving privileges and eventual reinstatement.
Liability Insurance
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
High-Risk Auto Insurance
SR-22 Certificate
What Drivers Pay in Alabama
$199–$345/mo
Typical monthly rate in Alabama, high-risk drivers after a DUI
Rate data: ValuePenguin and Insurify, 2026
Find Coverage While Your Points Come Down
Get My Point-Reduction Insurance QuoteIf your license is suspended
Hardship Driver License (Class D, limited privileges)
application fee $36.
A coverage lapse is reported
The state can act when your insurance lapses.
Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points suspend your license in Alabama?
Alabama suspends your license at 12-15 points accumulated within a two-year period. First-time offenders face suspension at 12 points, while drivers with prior suspensions trigger suspension at lower thresholds. Points count from the violation date, not the conviction or payment date, and remain on your record for exactly two years from that date.
How long do points stay on my Alabama driving record?
Points remain on your Alabama record for two years from the violation date. After two years, ALEA automatically removes the points, and they no longer count toward suspension thresholds. However, the underlying conviction remains on your record for longer and continues to affect insurance premiums for three to five years depending on the carrier.
Do I need SR-22 for a points suspension in Alabama?
Pure points-threshold suspension does not automatically require SR-22 in Alabama, but many violations that contribute points trigger SR-22 separately. Reckless driving, racing, DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving on a suspended license each mandate three years of SR-22 filing. Check your suspension notice from ALEA to confirm whether SR-22 is listed as a specific reinstatement requirement beyond the points issue.
Coverage Types
Hardship License During Suspension
Alabama allows restricted driving privileges during points suspension for work, school, medical appointments, and court-ordered obligations. You apply through the county probate court where you reside, not through ALEA directly.
Defensive Driving for Point Reduction
Alabama permits one defensive driving course every 12 months to remove up to 2 points from your record. The course must be approved by ALEA and costs $30-$75 depending on the provider.
Multi-Violation Driver Insurance
Non-standard carriers and the Alabama Automobile Insurance Plan serve drivers whose violations exceed voluntary-market underwriting guidelines. Coverage is mandatory during hardship driving and for reinstatement.
Points Expiry and Record Clearance
Alabama removes points from your record two years from the violation date, not the conviction date or payment date. Points contribute to suspension thresholds during their active two-year window.
Reinstatement After Points Suspension
Alabama requires payment of a $100-$200 reinstatement fee, proof of continuous insurance during suspension, and completion of a state-approved defensive driving course to restore full driving privileges after points suspension.