MONTGOMERY, AL — The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is clarifying state requirements governing driver license eligibility for students following recent confusion over whether changes to Alabama’s so-called “Taylor’s Law” took effect this month.
Taylor’s Law, formally Section 32-6-7.4 of the Code of Alabama, was enacted by the Alabama Legislature in 2009. The law establishes a disciplinary point system that can affect when certain students are eligible to apply for a learner’s permit, driver license or other operator credential.
According to ALEA, the law has not changed despite legislation considered during the 2026 Regular Legislative Session.
House Bill 33 proposed lowering an age threshold connected to certain driver license eligibility provisions from 19 to 17. The Alabama House of Representatives approved the legislation, but the bill did not pass the Alabama Senate and therefore did not become law.
As a result, ALEA said no changes to Section 32-6-7.4 took effect Aug. 1, 2026, and the agency continues to administer the existing requirements.
Under Taylor’s Law, public and private secondary schools assess disciplinary points for certain actions involving students. Those actions can include in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, placement in an alternative school and expulsion.
Accumulating disciplinary points can delay the age at which an otherwise eligible student may apply for a learner’s permit, driver license or other applicable driving credential.
Schools and local education agencies, rather than ALEA, are responsible for maintaining disciplinary records, assessing points and reporting the required information.
When a student applies for a license, ALEA’s Driver License Division uses information provided on a DL-193 form certified by the appropriate educational authorities to determine eligibility under state law.
The form also verifies compliance with separate Alabama requirements involving school attendance or graduation standards for individuals younger than 19 seeking a learner license or driver license.
ALEA emphasized that the agency does not create school disciplinary policies, determine disciplinary points or change the eligibility requirements established by state law. Its Driver License Division is responsible for applying the requirements enacted by the Alabama Legislature.
The agency issued the clarification to address questions surrounding the unsuccessful 2026 legislation and to confirm that Alabama’s existing student driver license eligibility requirements remain in effect.
