Photo: S.MacMillen, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Alabama’s hands-free law makes it an offense to hold a phone or other wireless device while driving in a distracted way. Fines are $50, $100 and $150 for the first, second and third conviction, adding 1, 2 and 3 points to your record. Points feed Alabama’s suspension system, where 12 points in 2 years costs you your license for 60 days. This explainer covers both, with what they mean for new drivers.
Key facts (as of November 2026)
- Hands-free law: SB301 of the 2023 Regular Session (the Representative K.L. Brown Act), which added section 32-5A-350.1 to the Code of Alabama. The manual dates the law June 2024.
- Fines (within a 24-month period): $50 first, $100 second, $150 third or later conviction. No court costs.
- Points: 1, 2 and 3 for the first, second and third conviction.
- Suspension starts at 12 to 14 points in 2 years: 60 days.
- GDL drivers (16, or 17 with a license under 6 months) may not use any handheld communication device.
What does Alabama’s hands-free law ban?
Under the act, you drive in a distracted manner if you are seen crossing in and out of a lane without signaling, swerving or otherwise driving in an impaired manner while doing any of these:
- Physically holding a wireless telecommunications device (phone, tablet, GPS receiver and similar)
- Holding or supporting a stand-alone electronic device (for example a media player) with any part of your body
- Writing, sending or reading texts, instant messages, e-mail or internet data (voice-to-text and navigation excepted)
- Watching a video other than navigation data
- Recording or broadcasting video (continuous dash cameras excepted)
- Using more than one button press or swipe to start or end a call
- Reaching for a device in a way that takes you out of a seated, belted driving position
The manual summarizes it the same way: holding a device is a violation when the driver is seen crossing lanes without a signal, swerving or otherwise driving improperly.
What is still allowed
- Calling for emergency help
- Using a phone while parked on the shoulder
- Following GPS directions (but typing in a destination while driving is a violation)
- Earpieces, steering-wheel controls, speakerphone, voice commands, or a phone mounted on the dash, console or windshield for hands-free calls
- Dash cameras and backup cameras
- Drivers 18 or older only: one swipe or tap on a mounted phone that does not block the view, and does not open camera, video or games
Hands-free law penalties in Alabama
| Conviction within 24 months | Fine (maximum) | Points |
|---|---|---|
| First | $50 | 1 |
| Second | $100 | 2 |
| Third or later | $150 | 3 |
The act also says you cannot be taken into custody solely for this offense. On a first charge for holding a device, the charge is not a conviction if you show the court a hands-free device, or proof you bought one. You can use that only once.
Note: the manual’s Chapter 4 still describes an older texting law ($25, $50, $75 and 2 points). SB301 repealed that section (32-5A-350), so the hands-free penalties above replace it. Check the current wording with ALEA.
Stricter phone rule for GDL drivers
If you are 16, or 17 with a license held under 6 months, the GDL law bans any handheld communication device while driving, with no one-tap exception. Breaking it extends your restricted period by 6 months or until 18. See Alabama GDL rules for 16 and 17 year olds.
How the Alabama point system works
Points are added for convictions in Alabama or elsewhere. A conviction stops counting toward suspension after 2 years, but it stays on your driving record.
| Offense | Points |
|---|---|
| Alcohol-related driving conviction not requiring mandatory revocation | 6 |
| Reckless driving or reckless endangerment involving a vehicle | 6 |
| Admin per se | 6 |
| Speeding 26 mph or more over the limit | 5 |
| Failure to yield right of way | 5 |
| Passing a stopped school bus | 5 |
| Wrong side of road or illegal passing | 4 |
| Following too closely | 3 |
| Disregarding a traffic control device (stop sign, traffic light) | 3 |
| Ignoring construction or maintenance zone markers, flaggers or police | 3 |
| Speeding 1 to 25 mph over the limit | 2 |
| Improper lane, improper turn, failure to signal, inability to control vehicle, unsafe operation, emergency vehicle violation | 2 each |
| All other moving violations | 2 |
How many points before your license is suspended in Alabama?
| Points in a 2-year period | Suspension |
|---|---|
| 12 to 14 | 60 days |
| 15 to 17 | 90 days |
| 18 to 20 | 120 days |
| 21 to 23 | 180 days |
| 24 or more | 365 days |
When you are notified of a suspension, you can ask ALEA for a pre-suspension or administrative hearing in your county of residence. Requests can be made in writing or online.
Other ways to lose your license
- GDL drivers: a second moving violation, or any offense of 4 or more points, means an automatic 60-day suspension. The manual’s suspension list also cites “4 or more points” on a driving record.
- Revocation is mandatory for offenses such as vehicular homicide, a second DUI, a felony using a vehicle, leaving the scene of an injury or fatal crash, or 3 reckless driving convictions in 12 months.
- Reinstatement after any suspension, revocation or cancellation costs at least $100, plus $50 if you did not surrender your license on time.
Common questions
Can you hold your phone at a red light in Alabama?
The act’s exception is for a vehicle parked on the shoulder. A red light is not listed. Use a mount and voice controls.
Is texting while driving still illegal in Alabama?
Writing, sending or reading texts is one of the actions the hands-free law covers, when you are seen driving in a distracted way while doing it. Voice-to-text and navigation are excepted. The old stand-alone texting section was repealed.
Can I use Google Maps on my phone while driving?
Yes, for directions, ideally mounted. Typing a destination in while driving is a violation.
How long do points stay on your Alabama license?
They count toward suspension for 2 years from the conviction date, then stop counting but stay on your record.
How many points is a speeding ticket in Alabama?
2 points for 1 to 25 mph over, 5 points for 26 mph or more over.
Do GDL violations add points?
No. Breaking a GDL restriction adds no points, but it extends your restricted period.
Related: learning to drive in Alabama, hands-free and texting laws by state and US points systems explained.
Sources
- Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, “Alabama Driver Manual” (November 2024) (alea.gov)
- Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, “Driver License Point System” (alea.gov)
- Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, “Graduated Driver License” (alea.gov)
- Alabama Legislature, “SB301 Enrolled, 2023 Regular Session” (legislature.state.al.us)