Alabama speed limits and key traffic laws

By the end of this topic you can

• You can state Alabama's statutory speed limits for each type of road.
• You can apply the basic speed law when conditions are poor.
• You can decide when you must stop for a school bus.
• You can follow the Move Over law near stopped emergency, wrecker, utility and road work vehicles.
• You can say when it is illegal to pass on a two-lane road.

What you need to know and understand

• Unless signs say otherwise: 30 mph in urban districts, 35 mph on unpaved roads, 45 mph on paved county roads and 55 mph elsewhere.
• Up to 65 mph is allowed where posted, and up to 70 mph where posted on interstates.
• Going below a posted minimum speed in normal conditions is also unlawful.
• You must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus showing flashing red lights and an extended stop arm.
• You may not cross the center line to pass on a hill or curve where you cannot see at least 500 feet ahead.
• Headlights must be on when your wipers are in use because of rain, sleet or snow.

Speed limits and the basic speed law

Alabama's statutory limits apply wherever no other limit is posted. Posted limits in school zones, work zones and cities override them. School zone limits apply during the hours shown and may be marked by flashing amber lights. Even when you are under the limit, think about the road, the weather, your car and how you feel. On snow or ice it can take three to twelve times as far to stop as on dry pavement.

Speeding carries points: 2 points for 1 to 25 mph over the limit and 5 points for 26 mph or more over. Failing to obey construction zone markers adds 3 points.

School and church buses

Amber flashing lights warn that a bus is about to stop. In rural areas they come on at least 300 feet before the stop and in towns at least 100 feet before. When the red lights flash and the stop arm is out, traffic in both directions must stop at least 20 feet away and stay stopped until the arm is pulled in and the lights go off. You must also stop on a four to six lane road with no median. The one exception is a divided highway of four or more lanes, where traffic on the opposite side of the divider does not have to stop.

The Move Over law

1. Watch for stopped police and emergency vehicles with flashing lights, wreckers with flashing amber lights, utility and road work vehicles with flashing lights, and garbage trucks collecting at the roadside.
2. On a road with four or more lanes, move out of the lane nearest the vehicle if it is safe.
3. If you cannot change lanes safely, slow to at least 15 mph below the posted limit.
4. On a two-lane road, move as far away as you can within your lane and slow to 15 mph below the limit, or to 10 mph where the limit is 20 mph or less.
5. Fines start at $200 for a first violation, and a third violation leads to a license suspension of at least 90 days.

Other laws worth knowing

• Passing on the right is allowed only on one-way roads and roads with two or more lanes in your direction. Never use the shoulder to pass.
• Only vehicles on official business may follow within 500 feet of an emergency vehicle on a call.
• Do not drive over an unprotected fire hose unless an officer or fire official tells you to.
• Side and rear windows on passenger cars must let through at least 32 percent of light. Only the top 6 inches of the windshield may be tinted.

Common mistakes

• Treating the speed limit as a target in rain or fog. The basic speed law still applies.
• Driving past a stopped school bus on an undivided four-lane road. You must stop there too.
• Staying in the lane next to a stopped trooper on the interstate. Move over or slow down by at least 15 mph.
• Passing just before the crest of a hill where you cannot see 500 feet ahead.

Test yourself: Alabama speed limits and key traffic laws

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• What to Expect at an Alabama Traffic Stop
• Alabama 50 Hours Driving
• Alabama GDL Law