MONTGOMERY — With spring break season’s arrival comes heavier than usual traffic. The
Alabama Department of Public Safety strongly encourages motorists — particularly young drivers
and their parents — to make highway safety a priority.
“Parents, let’s be proactive this spring break. Take time to sit down with your young drivers to
discuss safety before heading to the beach or other spring break destinations, especially if your
teens will be traveling with friends,” said Col. Hugh B. McCall, director of the Department of
Public Safety and the state’s highest-ranking state trooper. “Let’s remind them to buckle up, to
focus on the road, to avoid such distractions as texting while driving and to obey speed limits
and other traffic laws.”
McCall said parents with teen drivers also should review Alabama’s Graduated Driver License
law, a three-stage licensing process that places certain restrictions on young drivers to ensure they
acquire experience behind the wheel before driving without supervision or restrictions.
Stage I (learner’s permit): A 15- to 17-year-old is authorized to drive when accompanied by a
parent, legal guardian or licensed driver age 21 or older who is occupying the front passenger
seat.
Stage II (restricted license): A 16- to 17-year-old who has passed the road skills test may drive
without supervision, but he or she must not have more than one passenger in the vehicle other
than parents, legal guardians or family members; must not use any handheld communication
devices while driving; must not drive between midnight and 6 a.m. unless accompanied by a
parent, legal guardian or licensed driver age 21 or older with parent or legal guardian’s consent.
(Exceptions on time restriction include driving to or from an event sponsored by a school or
religious organization and going to or from a place of employment.)
Stage III (unrestricted license): A 17-year-old who has held a Stage II license for six months or
longer may obtain an unrestricted license. Anyone who is age 18 or older may bypass the first
two stages and obtain a Stage III license after passing the road skills test.
Additional Information on the Graduated Driver License law and more can be found at
dps.alabama.gov.
