Alabama Department of Revenue (ADOR)
Motor Vehicle Division
50 North Ripley Street
Montgomery, AL 36132-7123
(334) 242-9000 | www.revenue.alabama.gov/motorvehicle/index.html
Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Highway Patrol Division
301 South Ripley Street
Montgomery, AL 36104-4425
(334) 242-4395 | http://dps.alabama.gov
Alabama Department of Transportation
(ADOT) 1409 Coliseum Boulevard
Montgomery, AL 36110
(334) 242-6358 | www.dot.state.al.us
Application is made to ADOR for 1975 and all subsequent year motor vehicles.
All applications contain certification from designated agent verifying (1) physical inspection of vehicle; (2) accuracy of vehicle identification number and descriptive data; and (3) identification of person signing application.
Application for certificate of title must contain (1) owner’s name, current residence, and mailing address; (2) description of vehicle; (3) date of purchase; (4) name and address of person vehicle acquired from; and (5) lienholder information, if relevant. First certificates other than for new vehicles must contain either copy of notarized bill of sale or certified copies of license tags and tax receipts from previous 2 years, in lieu of manufacturer statement of origin.
If vehicle purchased from dealer, must contain (1) name and address of lienholder; (2) date of security agreement; and (3) signature of dealer and owner.
If application for new vehicle, must contain manufacturer’s statement of origin.
If application refers to vehicle registered in another state or country, application must contain certificate of title issued by state or country, and information reasonably required to establish ownership.
If owner transfers interest in vehicle, except by creation of security interest, may execute assignment and warranty of title at time of vehicle delivery.
If dealer buys car to resell and obtains certificate of title within 15 days of vehicle delivery, must execute assignment and warranty of title upon vehicle transfer to another person, unless transfer by security interest.
If owner interest is terminated or vehicle sold under security agreement by lienholder, application must contain last certificate of title, assignment of title, and affidavit certifying that vehicle is repossessed and that interest lawfully terminated or sold pursuant to security agreement.
Application is made to ADOR for 1990 and all subsequent year mobile homes and travel trailers.
If mobile home is affixed to real property, and ownership of mobile home and real property is identical, owner may obtain cancellation of title to mobile home provided mobile home title; (2) certified copy of deed or conveyance instruments of real property; (3) affidavit certifying ownership interests; and (4) lien release forms are sent to ADOR.
1990 and subsequent year mobile homes and travel trailers are required to be titled. Utility trailers not exceeding 16 feet in length, excluding the tongue and the hitch and with not more than 1 axle, are exempt from titling.
Upon acquiring motor vehicle, registration with probate judge or county official must occur within 20 calendar days from purchase date.
Non-residents must register vehicle in Alabama within 30 days from date of entry, or expiration of previous tag, whichever comes first. Must have title application; certificate of title; or certification from the previous state that titles were not issued in that year. Then previous state registration must be produced. Vehicles must be inspected by the state unless owner is a college student or in the military. Vehicle must be in state.
Staggered — first letter of individual’s last name determines month of registration. If last name begins with A or D, registration is in January; if B=February; if C or E=March; if F, G, or N=April; if H or O=May; if M or I=June; if P or L=July; if J, K, or R=August; if Q, S, or T=September; if U, V, W, X, Y, or Z=October.
License plate expires on last day of month preceding month assigned for registration of vehicle.
Truck, mobile home, and commercial and fleet vehicle registration is in October and November.
No statewide emissions inspections required.
No statewide safety inspections required. Cities may provide for inspection of motor vehicles operated on its streets, alleys, or highways.
| Automobile | Motorcycle | Duplicates | ||||||
| Title Fee | Registration Fee | Title Fee | Registration Fee | Plate Fee | Registration Fee | Driver’s License Fee | Title Fee | Special Plates |
| $18.00 | $23.00 + issuance fee (may differ by county) | $18.00 | $15.00 | $26.19 | n/a | $18.50 | $15.00 | $50.00 |
License plates for automobiles and pickup trucks with 2 axles and a gross weight not greater than 12,000 lbs. are valid for 5 years.
During the 5-year license period, tabs, stamps, or devices as determined by ADOR must be affixed to the vehicle to indicate expiration.
Person changing county residence must purchase new license plate upon expiration of previous license plate or at return of old license plate.
All plates shall be treated with reflective material.
The color scheme for license plates is red and blue.
One license plate is issued and must be placed at rear of vehicle.
Distinctive license plate and placard provided for handicapped individual if medical proof submitted.
When motor vehicle is sold or otherwise disposed of, license plate must be removed and may be transferred to a newly acquired vehicle of same class if transfer fees and other regular fees and taxes due on vehicle are paid.
All persons applying for original driver’s license must take a written, vision (20/40 acuity required in each eye), and driving examination.
State has a system of graduated licensing for teen drivers.
At 15, teens are eligible for a learner’s/instruction permit. Learner’s/instruction permit holders may drive with parent, legal guardian, or licensed passenger 21 or older in the front passenger seat.
At 16, teens are eligible for an intermediate license. Intermediate license holders are restricted from driving between midnight and 6 a.m., and may not drive with more than 1 passenger (except family members or licensed drivers age 21 or older).
At 17, and with 6 months of driving experience with no violations, teens are eligible for an unrestricted license.
Driver’s license is required before driving motor vehicle in state.
New residents must obtain driver’s license within 30 days of establishing residence.
Foreign nationals seeking driver licenses and other issued state identification must come to a district driver license office for service, with all immigration documents.
License shall contain licensee’s assigned number, class of license, color photograph, name, birth date, address, personal description, and signature.
At issuance, oath administered and color photograph taken by the driver license examiner at designated driver license office.
License shall not be issued to habitual drug or alcohol user.
A person 16 years of age or older, having met all state requirements, is eligible to obtain a driver’s license pursuant to conditions of the graduated driver license law.
All licenses are good for 4 years, except for CDL learner’s permit, which is good for 1 year.
Renewal license issued after the expiration of original license does not require examination if renewed within 3 years of expiration.
After original license expires, subsequent renewals are required 4 years from the expiration date of the original license, regardless of when the preceding license is issued. Exception: CDL permits are not renewable.
Renewal notice mailed to each licensee 30 days after expiration date of license, if not yet renewed.
Grace period of 60 days granted after the expiration of license for purpose of renewal, and license is valid during this period.
Renewal of license may occur from 60 days prior to expiration to 3 years after date; afterwards, applicant required to take and pass examination.
Any valid driver license in the possession of a person on active duty with the U.S. Armed Forces, their dependents, or any person temporarily out of Alabama at time of license renewal may be eligible to renew by mail. Military personnel may renew up to 1 year prior to the license expiration date. Upon return to the state, the licensee should apply for a duplicate license with photo at the office of the license commissioner.
A valid home state license of military personnel and their dependents is honored while based in state.
Class A, B, C, D, M, and V licenses valid for 4 years. CDL permit valid for 1 year.
Class A is valid for driver with combination of vehicles with Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,001 lbs. or more, if vehicle is towing an excess of 10,000 lbs.
Class B is valid for single vehicle with GVWR of 26,001 lbs. or more, and vehicle is not towing an excess of 10,000 lbs. GVWR.
Class C is valid for single vehicle with GVWR of less than 26,001 lbs. or vehicle towing another vehicle that has a GVWR that does not exceed 10,000 lbs., which includes vehicles designed to carry 16 or more passengers with the driver, and vehicles used to transport hazardous materials.
Class M is valid for motorcycle and motor-driven cycles.
Class V is valid for motorized watercraft.
Texting while driving is prohibited. Teens with intermediate licenses are prohibited from using a handheld communication device while driving. Handheld cell phone use is prohibited in Montgomery. Texting while driving is prohibited in Adamsville, Athens, Birmingham, Daphne, Decatur, Elberta, Fairhope, Florence, Gadsden, Hanceville, Huntsville, Jacksonville, Lipscomb, Madison, Midfield, Prattville, Roanoke, Scottsboro, Spanish Fort, Springville, and Vestavia Hills.
Emergency phone number is 911 or *HP (*47).
Citizen band radio channel 9 is monitored in some areas for emergency calls.
No prohibition on wearing of headsets while driving.
State law requires drivers approaching stationary emergency vehicles that are displaying flashing lights, including wreckers, traveling in the same direction, to vacate the lane closest if safe and possible to do so, or to slow to at least 15mph less than the posted speed limit.
Seat belts are required for the driver and front seat passengers age 15 and older.
The seat belt law is standard enforcement.
Riding in the back of an unenclosed pickup truck is permitted.
Children ages 6 until 15 are required to wear a seat belt in all seats.
Booster seats or child safety seats are required until age 6.
Children must be in forward-facing seats or convertible seats until age 5 or 40 lbs. Infant seats and convertible seats are required to be rear-facing until passenger is at least 1 year old or 20 lbs. in weight.
All child restraint laws are standard enforcement.
Driver shall keep to the right half of highway at railroad crossing unless area is obstructed or impassable.
School buses, vehicles carrying explosives, and buses or trucks carrying passengers must stop at all railroad crossings.
Upon meeting or overtaking in either direction a school bus receiving or discharging children, or a church bus receiving or discharging passengers, driver must stop and not proceed until bus resumes movement or visual signals are no longer actuated. Does not apply to traffic on a 4-lane divided highway moving in the opposite direction.
Modification of original vehicle bumper height is permitted.
Headlights are required to be on when wipers are in use or visibility is less than 500 feet, as well as 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise.
The use of hazard lights is permitted unless otherwise posted.
Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.
Studded tires are permitted at all times with rubber studs. Metal studs are permitted only during bad weather.
Tinting of front windshield glass to reduce light transmission is not permitted, except for the upper 6 inches of the windshield.
For side windows or rear windshield, glass tinting that reduces light transmission to less than 32% or increases light reflectance to more than 20% is not permitted. For SUVs, vans and trucks, the limit is 32% for the driver’s window and the front passenger window only.
No television screen shall be located in front of driver’s seat or in a way to obstruct driver’s field of vision.
Radar detectors are prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
No person may operate motor vehicle with sign, poster, or other non-transparent material that obstructs visibility.
Motor-driven cycle includes every motorcycle that, when equipped, weighs less than 200 lbs., motor scooters, and bicycles with a motor attached.
Motor-driven cycle shall have brakes adequate to control movement and stopping of vehicle.
Motorcycle carrying passengers, except in sidecar or enclosed cab, shall have footrests for passenger.
No person shall operate motorcycle with handlebars more than 15 inches in height above seat.
Protective headgear and shoes required for motorcycle operators and passengers.
No parent or legal guardian of juvenile shall knowingly permit or allow juvenile to operate or ride motorcycle without protective headgear or shoes.
A driver’s license issued pursuant to state law suffices to operate a motor-driven cycle.
A person 14 years of age or older may obtain an operator’s license for motor-driven cycle and must register with the Director of Public Safety.
No statewide motorcycle noise limit laws.
Registration and license plate are required.
Minimum age to ride a moped is 14.
The following safety equipment is required: headlamp, tail lamp, stop lamp, side and rear reflectors, brakes, mirrors, horn, muffler, helmet, and shoes.
Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: 40 feet (includes bumpers); width: 96 inches (102 inches allowed on designated roads); height: 13 feet 6 inches.
Independent braking system required over 3,000 lbs.
Drawbar or connection between vehicles must not exceed 15 feet in length; a red flag, other signal, or cloth not less than 12 inches in length and width must be used.
Trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or vehicle drawn by another vehicle must be equipped with at least 1 tail lamp on rear that emits red light from a distance of 500 feet and the lamp height must be no more than 60 inches but not less than 20 inches.
Trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer with a gross weight of 3,000 lbs. or less must have 2 reflectors on the rear with 1 placed on each side.
If load or trailer obscures stop light view of towing vehicle, stop light must be placed on towed vehicle.
Rearview mirrors required on both sides.
Must be reasonable and proper.
Maximum of 1 boat or general utility trailer may be towed behind passenger or pleasure vehicles.
Riding in towed trailer not permitted.
House trailers more than 40 feet long or 8 feet wide excluded without state permit.
Crashes are required to be reported when property damage exceeds $250.00.
The deadline to file a (safety responsibility) report is 30 days.
Maximum amount not to exceed sum of $300.
State has security-type law applicable in event of accident causing property damage in excess of $250 or personal injury or death. Minimum required coverage is $25,000 for bodily injury or death of 1 person in 1 accident; $50,000 for 2 or more persons in any 1 accident; and $25,000 for injury or destruction of property in 1 accident.
State has non-resident service of process law and guest suit law.
An officer may require the measuring or weighing of truck or trailer.
Measurement may be conducted by portable or stationary scales.
Officer may order truck or trailer to stationary scales if within a distance of 5 miles.
Bicycle helmets are required for all riders under age 16.
Drivers passing a bicycle rider traveling in the same direction must pass on the left at a safe distance.
Alabama is party to the Non-Resident Violator Compact.
