I was recently asked to summarize Alabama's Graduated Driver License (GDL) law, which applies to teenagers. The law went into effect in July 2010 and reorganized driver license laws for young drivers.

The GDL law separates a teen's driving status into three stages, each of which has different restrictions and meanings. The law does not apply to drivers age 18 or older; drivers who are 17 or older who have had a valid driver license for six months or longer; or drivers who are 16 or older who are married and considered head of the household.

A Stage I license is commonly known as a “learner's permit”. Under Stage I, the potential teen driver must be 15 or older and must pass a written driver's examination based on information in the Alabama Driver Manual. This manual is available at the local probate office or for download at www.dps.alabama.gov. A Stage I license authorizes teens to drive when accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or licensed driver who is 21 or older and occupying the front passenger seat. Teens may also drive when accompanied by a licensed or certified driving instructor. The Stage I exam fee is $5 and the license fee is $23.50.

A Stage II license is a commonly called a “restricted license.” To obtain a Stage II license, the teenage driver must be 16 or older and must have permission from a parent or legal guardian to drive without supervision. Stage II applicants must complete a road skills examination with a passing grade, again based on the Alabama Driver Manual. Stage II drivers cannot drive between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. unless they are accompanied by a licensed driver age 21 or older (and with a parent's or guardian's permission) traveling to or from an event sponsored by a school or religious organization; going to or from work; or driving because of some type of emergency.

A Stage II teen driver cannot have more than one passenger in the vehicle other than parents, legal guardians or family members and cannot use any handheld communication devices while driving. The Stage II license fee is $23.50.

A Stage III license is a regular license available to drivers age 17 or older who have had a Stage II license for at least six months. Applicants who are 18 who have never had a Stage II license must pass the road skills exam before receiving this license. The Stage III license fee is $18.50 for anyone with a Stage II license, and $23.50 otherwise.

Next week in Part II of this column, I will discuss GDL violations and the resulting punishment alternatives.