Required Car Insurance in Alabama
The Alabama Mandatory Liability Insurance Law requires minimum liability insurance on all self-propelled motor vehicles, including: automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, pickups, and motor homes. Uninsured drivers are prohibited from registering, maintaining, or operating a motor vehicle unless it has the minimum liability insurance policy. As of January 1, 2013, law enforcement officers have been utilizing the State of Alabama Online Insurance Verification System, which will allow officers to immediately verify the insurance status of a vehicle.
Required Minimum Liability Coverage in Alabama:
- $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person.
- $50,000 total for bodily injury or death per accident.
- $25,000 for property damage.
Alabama Penalties for Driving Without Car Insurance
In the state of Alabama, if you are a vehicle owner or operator convicted of violating the Mandatory Liability Insurance Law, the penalties are:
- Fines up to $500 for the first violation and up to $1,000 for any subsequent violations
- Driver’s license suspension for six months
- Vehicle impoundment
Drivers in Alabama do not have to prove they have insurance in order to register their vehicles. However, if you are stopped by a police officer in Alabama and cannot show proof of insurance, you may face fines of up to $1,000, a six-month suspension of your driver’s license, or both. Getting your license reinstated after an insurance-related suspension will cost an extra $200, and you will have to show proof of insurance in order to get your license back.
In addition to the above penalties, if a vehicle is registered or operated without liability insurance, your registration will be suspended and you will be subject to the following:
- First violation: $200 reinstatement fee for registration and driver’s license
- Subsequent violations: $400 reinstatement fee and a mandatory four-month registration suspension
- Evidence of current insurance must also be provided in order to reinstate the vehicle registration
Alabama DUI/DWI Laws and Penalties
Drunk driving is a serious offense that can cost you your car, your freedom and your life. In Alabama, the legal limit of alcohol is a BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) of 0.08. If you are caught driving over this limit, then the penalties for a DUI/DWI could include suspension of your driver’s license and registration, heavy fines, required attendance at DUI school, and prison time.
Alabama DUI penalties are determined by driver’s age and prior DUI offenses. If you have no prior DUI convictions, you could face:
- 90 day driver’s license suspension
- Fines from $500 up to $2,000
- Fine of $100 for Driver Trust Fund
- Mandatory DUI school attendance
- Up to 1 year in prison
Multiple DUI/DWI offenses can result in a maximum of:
- 5 year driver license revocation
- Maximum $10,000 fine
- Fine of $100 for Driver Trust Fund
- Up to 10 years in prison
Alabama’s Teen Driver Graduated Driver’s License Law
An Alabama driver with a graduated license (16-year-old drivers, as well as 17-year-old drivers licensed less than six months) may not:
- Have more than one non-family passenger other than the parent, guardian, or supervising licensed driver at least 21 years of age.
- Operate a vehicle between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., unless:
- accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
- accompanied by a licensed adult 21 years of age or older with parental consent.
- going to or from their regular place of work.
- going to or from a school-sponsored event.
- going to or from a religious-sponsored event.
- driving due to a medical, fire, or law enforcement emergency.
- driving to or from hunting/fishing activities in possession of required licenses.
- Drive while operating any non-essential handheld communication device
Violations will result in an extension of the graduated license period and/or suspension of the license.
Call USAgencies today at 800-420-3712 or request a free Alabama or Louisiana car insurance quote online.