driver’s licenses

Legislature

Alabama lawmaker proposes English-only driver’s license exams

Rep. Phillip Pettus proposed barring exams in any language but English, citing fatal crashes and federal policy changes as his call to action.

January 1, 2026

The very strange John Wahl situation

When it comes to the chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, there are a lot of very strange stories.

May 14, 2025

Bill to reduce debt-based driver’s license suspensions faces final hurdle

Thousands of Alabamians have lost their driver's licenses because they failed to pay a traffic ticket.

May 16, 2023

Bill to end debt-based suspension of driver’s license passes Senate

The bill passed the Senate 32-0 and moves to the House of Representatives.

April 26, 2023

Law clears driver’s license fees for homeless youth

The aim of the law is to give homeless youth access to vital documents they need to engage in programs and employment.

April 22, 2022

Alabamians can renew licenses online a second time during 12-year period

Online renewals are normally limited to once every eight years. Gov. Kay Ivey said Tuesday that ALEA is now allowing a second renewal during a 12-year period.

July 21, 2020

ALEA sued for suspending licenses of low-income Alabamians for unpaid tickets

The Southern Poverty Law Center is challenging the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s practice of suspending driver’s licenses for unpaid traffic tickets belonging to low-income Alabamians who are unable to pay them. The SPLC sued ALEA in federal court Monday, calling unconstitutional a law that allows the state to suspend a person’s license without notice and … Continued

November 20, 2018

ACLU sues Alabama over transgender people and driver’s licenses

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Tuesday, the American Civil Liberties Union and ACLU of Alabama filed a lawsuit challenging Alabama’s policy of restricting access to drivers’ licenses for transgender people that accurately reflect their gender identity. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of three people who report that they experienced this discrimination. “Transgender people, … Continued

February 7, 2018

Streamlined process makes it easier for veterans to update their status on driver’s licenses

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter An interim Alabama House committee tasked with making driver’s license offices more accessible and procedures more streamlined has announced a change that will make it easier for military veterans to update their status on their licenses just in time for Veterans Day. State Rep. Randall Shedd, chairman of the … Continued

November 7, 2017

Bentley Meets with Jesse Jackson and Lawmakers over Driver’s License Office Closings

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Wednesday, October 7, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R) met with the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Black lawmakers about the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) decision to close 31 part time driver’s license offices in mostly rural counties. Secretary of State John Merrill (R) was also there to explain how … Continued

October 8, 2015