Alabama Teen License Stages

Alabama runs a three-stage graduated driver licensing program: a learner's permit at 15, a Class D Restricted (Stage II) license at 16 with passenger and curfew limits, and a full unrestricted Class D license at 17 (or after six months of clean Stage II driving). Each step has separate eligibility, restrictions, and supervised-driving requirements.

Stage 1: Learner's Permit (age 15)

Every Alabama teen starts with a learner's permit, available at age 15 with parental consent and an approved 30-hour driver-education course. The permit allows supervised driving only, between 6 a.m. and midnight, with a licensed adult age 21+ in the front seat. Full eligibility, fees, and document checklist are on the Alabama learner's permit page.

Stage 2: Class D Restricted (age 16)

At age 16, with the learner's permit held for at least 6 months and the 50-hour supervised driving log completed, the teen can apply for the Class D Restricted license — Alabama's Stage II credential. The Stage II license lets the teen drive unsupervised but with active restrictions:

• No driving between midnight and 6 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, or licensed adult age 21+, or unless driving to/from work, school, or a religious activity.
• No more than one passenger under 21 in the vehicle, unless the additional passengers are family members.
• No cell-phone use, including hands-free, while driving (medical and emergency exceptions).
• The Stage II holder must remain conviction-free for 6 months before advancing to a full Class D.

Violations of the Stage II restrictions can extend the holder's time at this stage, add points under Alabama's point system, or result in a separate suspension.

Stage 3: Full Class D License (age 17)

The teen advances to a full unrestricted Class D license at age 17, provided they have held the Stage II license for at least 6 months without a major violation. The full Class D license has no curfew or passenger restrictions and is otherwise identical to the adult driver's license described on the Alabama driver's license page.

Document checklist for each stage

For each stage upgrade, bring:

• The current permit or restricted license.
• The completed 50-hour supervised-driving log signed by a parent or guardian.
• Driver-education completion certificate (if not already on file with ALEA).
• Proof of school enrollment or graduation (Alabama enforces school attendance through these stages).
• Parental consent affidavit signed in front of the ALEA examiner.
• Application fee — typically $5 to $36 depending on stage.

Insurance for new teen drivers

Alabama law requires every household to add a teen driver to the family's auto policy once the teen begins driving on a permit, Stage II, or full Class D license. Alabama liability minimums are 25/50/25 — see Alabama car insurance. Alabama insurance carriers also coordinate with the Alabama Online Insurance Verification System (AOIVS), which checks coverage in real time.

Most insurers offer a "good student" discount for teens carrying a 3.0 GPA or higher, as well as discounts for completing an approved driver-education program. The household's overall premium will rise meaningfully when a teen is added — often 50-100% — but staying on the parent's policy is almost always cheaper than a separate teen policy.

Common pitfalls

• Stage II teens driving a non-family classmate after midnight — a clear violation of both the curfew and the passenger restriction.
• Logged hours that aren't on the official Alabama log form — ALEA prefers the standard log; alternative documentation may be rejected.
• Cell-phone use that's flagged in a crash report — Alabama's prohibition for under-18 drivers is strict.
• School attendance lapses that delay each stage of advancement.

For the national context on graduated licensing, see our national driver's license guide.