{"id":19769,"date":"2022-02-15T15:18:38","date_gmt":"2022-02-15T15:18:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.etags.com\/blog\/?page_id=19769"},"modified":"2022-04-21T17:20:09","modified_gmt":"2022-04-21T17:20:09","slug":"alabama-dui-dwi-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.etags.com\/blog\/dui-fines-penalties-by-state-driving-under-the-influence-laws\/alabama-dui-dwi-laws\/","title":{"rendered":"Alabama DUI & DWI Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Heart of Dixie State is known for its Southern culture and its place in the American Civil Rights Movement. But did you know that since the 90\u2019s, Alabama is also recognized for automotive manufacturing? In fact, the southern state ranks fourth in America\u2019s vehicle exports! Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, and Toyota all have manufacturing plant in Alabama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Yet there are just a little over four million drivers in the Heart of Dixie State, and a tad over two million vehicle registrations processed in 2020. But even with such a low amount of license plates on the road, Alabama ranked 5th<\/sup>-highest in the nation for drunk-driving fatalities in 2017 according to NHTSA data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Alabama Dept. of commerce named Mercedes-Benz International top auto exporter in 2018, accounting for about $5 billion vehicle shipments per year including SUVS and cars in Tuscaloosa County<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AL has criminal charges plus administrative penalties<\/span><\/strong>
Just like with any state in the nation, Alabama has various DUI laws depending on whether it\u2019s a driver\u2019s first, second, or more offense of being caught driving drunk or intoxicated. Driving under the influence in AL means rigid consequences from both AL courts and the Alabama Dept. of Public Safety (DPS) in case you\u2019re arrested. This means you can get both criminal penalties and administrative ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does driving under the influence mean in AL<\/strong>
<\/span>In Alabama, you don\u2019t have to actually be driving to get a DUI. That\u2019s right, the car doesn\u2019t have to be in motion. It can even be parked! Like all other states except for Utah, a blood alcohol concentration (or BAC) of 0.08% or more defines a DUI. If you\u2019re under 21 years old, that BAC is 0.02%. Of course, you can also be caught driving while intoxicated (DWI) while under the influence of drugs or any impairing substance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you drive a commercial vehicle in AL, a DUI is defined as a BAC of 0.04% or more<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Alabama administrative penalties for DUI<\/span><\/strong>
If you refuse to a chemical test (or breathalyzer test) in AL, the DPS can suspend your driver\u2019s license whether you\u2019re arrested or not. If it\u2019s your first offense (and you\u2019re over 21), they can suspend your license for three months (90 days). If it\u2019s your second, you can expect a year of suspension. A third offence is three years, fourth and more leaves you without a driver\u2019s license for five years. The DPS can also decide to have you install an ignition interlock on your car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Alabama, 9 out of every 100,000 21\u201334-year-olds were killed in an alcohol impaired crash compared to 6.2 for every 100k nationally (CDC data 2009-2018)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AL criminal penalties for DUI<\/span>
<\/strong>Criminal charges for driving drunk or intoxicated in Alabama are in addition to the DPS\u2019 administrative penalties (see above). You may go to jail, or pay a fine, or have do both. Community service and driver license revocation can also be part of the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a first time DUI in AL, you may get up to one year of jail time and\/or pay up anywhere from $600 to $2,100 depending on severity and circumstances of the DUI situation which include various factors. Was there an accident? Was someone injured? Was there a child in the vehicle? BAC level? And so on. You may also have to install an ignition interlock device or IID for six months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you get a DUI, with BAC of .15% or more, a passenger under 14 years old, cause an injury in accident, or refuse to take a breathalyzer test, you must install a IID for two years<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A second-time DUI in Alabama within 10 years may get you anywhere from 5 days to a year in jail or a minimum of 30 days of community service. Imprisonment includes the five mandatory days, which aren\u2019t subject to suspension or probation. You may also have to pay a fine between of $1,100 to $5,100. A second offense also means your driver\u2019s license gets revoked for a year and you must install an IID for two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A small part of an Alabama DUI fine accounts for a fee for the Impaired Drivers Trust Fund<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A third DUI conviction in Alabama (within 10 years), imprisonment is no less than 60 days (mandatory) and up to 12 months. And\/or a fine between $2,100-$10,000. A third DUI offense in AL includes a three-year driver\u2019s license revocation, plus an IID for three years. A fourth or subsequent conviction results in a one year and one day up to 10 years of jail time. The possible fine starts at $4,100 and goes all the way up to $10,100. License is revoked for five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reinstating your driver\u2019s license in AL typically results in higher car insurance premiums<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your AL driver\u2019s license was suspended\/revoked, you must reinstate it<\/span>
<\/strong>Once you complete all the requirements imposed through your DUI or DWI, your driver\u2019s license must be reinstated with DPS. Depending on your situation, you may have specifics on your sentence, but you\u2019ll probably have to pay a driver\u2019s license reinstatement fee of at least $275. You\u2019ll have to show AL car insurance or proof of financial responsibility. You may have to complete some kind of alcohol\/drug treatment or education, and pass any DPS written or road test.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Heart of Dixie State is known for its Southern culture and its place in the American Civil Rights Movement. 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