Alabama Law Enforcement Agency clarifies driver‑license rules under Taylor’s Law

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) issued a clarification that the state’s driver‑license eligibility requirements for students subject to school disciplinary points remain unchanged. A proposed House Bill 33, which would have lowered the age threshold for eligibility from 19 to 17, passed the Alabama House of Representatives but was not approved by the Senate, so no amendment to Section 32‑6‑7.4 of the Code of Alabama (known as “Taylor’s Law”) took effect on Aug. 1, 2026.

Under Taylor’s Law, public and private secondary schools assign disciplinary points for actions such as in‑school suspension, out‑of‑school suspension, alternative‑school placement, and expulsion. Accumulated points can delay a student’s ability to apply for a learner’s permit or driver’s license. ALEA’s Driver License Division relies on the DL‑193 form certified by schools to verify eligibility and compliance with Act 93‑368, which requires attendance or graduation standards before issuing a license to anyone under 19. ALEA does not set school disciplinary policies or modify the statutory requirements.