Driving Rules in USA
Driving Rules and regulations in Alabama (AL)
Traffic light signals
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Steady red light signal - means "Stop" and remain stopped until signal turns to green. Right turn, and in certain instances, left turn movements after stopping are permitted. |
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Steady yellow light signal - means clear the intersection. It follows a green signal. You must not enter the intersection when the red signal comes on |
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Steady green light signal means "Go". You may go straight or turn right or left, yielding to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection. A sign may prohibit a turn or turns. |
 
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The yellow and green arrow indications give the same control to the left turns as the standard traffic light gives to the through movement. Green arrow allows you to proceed in the direction of the arrow while opposing traffic must stop |
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A steady green arrow shown alone or with any other indication means you may enter the intersection to make the movement indicated by the arrow or any other movement permitted by the other indications, yielding to pedestrians and vehicles lawfully using the intersection. |
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Yellow arrow comes after green arrows to indicate that the protected movement indicated by the green arrow is being terminated. If the steady yellow arrow displayed with a circular green means that the previous protected green arrow movement is ending. |
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A steady yellow arrow displayed alone or with a steady circular red is used to clear the previous protected green arrow movement. You may not enter the intersection after the yellow arrow goes out. |
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“Steady red X" means the driver facing this indication shall not drive in the lane over which the signal is located, and this indication shall modify accordingly all other traffic controls present. The driver shall obey all other traffic controls and follow normal safe driving practices. May also be indicated by red light. |
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“Steady green arrow” means the driver facing this indication is permitted to drive in the lane over which the arrow signal is located. The driver shall obey all other traffic controls and follow normal safe driving practices. May also be indicated by green light. |
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"Steady yellow X” means the driver facing this indication is permitted to drive in the lane over which the “X” signal is located using caution. Potentially hazardous conditions exist when the steady yellow “X” is displayed. May also be indicated by a yellow light. |
Speed limits
Standard speed limits for normal driving conditions in Alabama:
| road section | speed limits (miles/hour) |
| urban district | 30 (48 km/h) |
| unpaven road | 35 (56 km/h) |
| country paven road | 45 (72 km\h) |
| 55 (90 km/h) | other locations |
| 70 (113 km/h) | on interstate |
Trucks carrying hazardous materials are obliged do not to exceed 55 mph (89 km/h).
Slower speed of movement is required when you approach or cross a street, highway, or railroad crossing and also when approach flags, flares, or fuses on roads.
Driving around children
Watch for stopped school buses.
Many school buses activate amber flashing lights well in advance of
the stop to warn other drivers.
If a stopped school bus is displaying a flashing, alternating red lamp, a driver of a vehicle meeting or overtaking the stopped bus from either direction (front or back) must stop and wait until the bus moves again or the red light is off. The drivers are obliged to stop and wait for a stopped school bus loading or unloading, so as to protect school children boarding or alighting.
Image source:http://dps.alabama.gov/
You should also stop when meeting or following a school or church bus which is stopped on a four to six lane undivided highway. A stop is not required on a divided highway having four or more lanes which permits at least two lanes of traffic to travel in opposite directions when meeting a school or church bus which is stopped in the opposing roadway or if the school or church bus is stopped in a loading zone which is a part of or adjacent to such highway and where pedestrians are not permitted to cross the roadway.
Driving around pedestrians
Be especially alert for pedestrians:
- On streets where cars are parked
- During the hours of darkness or in case of poor visibility
- At places where people cross - near mailboxes, institutions, churches, play
areas, bus stops, etc.
- During morning and afternoon when children are going to and from
school or at play.
- Be especially alert for older people who move slowly and cannot see or hear
well
The driver is obliged:
- yield the right of way to pedestrians
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do not pass (or overtake)another vehicle stopped for pedestrians in a crosswalk
- stop for school children and school safety patrols directing the movement
of children
- yield to blind pedestrians carrying a white or metallic cane, with or
without a red tip, or using a guide dog when such blind person enters an
intersection of any street, alley or other public highway
- do not block crosswalks when at a stop sign or waiting on a red light
- stop for a school bus displaying an extended stop arm
Railway track crossing
Railway crossing is usually designed by:
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The round railroad warning sign, that means a highway railroad crossing is 750 feet after the sign. |
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Pavement marking - the pavement, in front of the railroad, is marked with large X and two RR (like the railroad warning sign). If there is a yellow line in advance of the crossing - it means "no passing". If there is a white line on each side of the track - this is the line where the driver must stop before. |
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Flashing light red signal - means "no passing". |
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Gates - if the gates being lowered and the red light is flashing it means "Stop" and remain stopped until the gates are raised. |
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Railroad crossbuck - in case of this road sign before the railroad crossing, the driver must slow down and be prepared to stop upon sighting a train. The additional plate, bellow the road sign, indicates the number of tracks. |
Road lane use
Never move from one road lane to another until you make certain that you can do
it so safely. This means watching for safe clearance to the side, ahead and behind
your vehicle. Do not rely solely on your mirror when checking for clearance.
Glance over your shoulder to check the “blind spot” your mirror does not
cover. You should show your intentions to other drivers by using turn signals
or hand signals, but remember that a signal does not grant the right to change
lanes. Whether you are changing to the next lane or, as may be necessary on
multiple lane roadways, to some other lane, you must wait until it is safe to do
so.
Be sure your intentions are known. Signals should be continued until you
are ready to make the actual turn.
Road marking meanings
There are several bas type of road markings, as:
Centerlines - it is in the center of the road, which separates traffic proceeding in opposite directions. The centerlines is painted in yellow (on two lane highways) and white (on multi-lane highways and one way streets).
Broken lines (dashed lines) - are used in areas where there are no restrictions on passing when safe to do so. In those areas where passing is not allowed, a solid yellow line is painted alongside the broken line. If the solid
yellow line is on your side of the centerline, you may not pass. If passing is not allowed for traffic in both directions, the centerlines is
two solid yellow lines.
Lane dividers - it white dashed line (or 2 dashed lines) and is used to divide the road lanes in one direction. These broken lines may be crossed when passing.
Edge striping - in many areas, the right and/or left edges of the highway are marked with a solid white line. This line indicates the outside edge of
the traffic lane, and may be crossed only by traffic moving to or from the shoulder. Occasionally yellow lines are used for left edgelines on divided roadways where traffic cannot pull entirely off the roadway, for marking of
obstructions and islands, which must be passed on the right.
White solid line - it is used to delineate the edge of a travel lane where travel in the same direction is permitted on both sides of the line but crossing the line is discouraged. It is also used for emphasis where crossing requires unusual care.
Double solid white lines - it is used to delineate a travel lane where travel is the same direction and is permitted on both sides of the line, but crossing the double lines is prohibited.
Crosswalks - it is white solid lines and are used to denote pedestrian crosswalks at intersections and, in some situations, between intersections. A driver must stop at all crosswalks which are occupied by pedestrians if there are no controlling signals.
Pavement messages - they are used to warn of conditions ahead, such as SCHOOL ZONE, RR CROSSING, etc. Such messages are lettered on the road surface in white paint.
Toll rates
Toll roads in Alabama State:
Joe Mallisham Parkway - I-20/I-59 – Tuscaloosa и US 82 – Northport
Emerald Mountain Expressway
Foley Beach Express
Montgomery Expressway
Radar detector use
It is legal to own and use a radar detector or laser jammers in Alabama, in all passenger vehicles.
But it is prohibited for use by commercial vehicles.
Fines for traffic violations
Traffic fines in Alabama may vary by county court, the specific traffic violation and the age of the driver.
Driving Record Points
If the driver is convicted of a traffic violation, points will be added to his/her AL driving record. Points often result in an increase the driver auto insurance rates or a driver's license suspension/revocation.
Suspension of driving license in Alabama
More often reasons to lose the driving license are:
- Frequent convictions of serious traffic offenses.
- Habitual reckless or negligent driving.
- Inability to drive for any reason, e.g., health issues.
- Using or permitting the use of your license in an illegal matter, including fraud.
- Committing an offense in another state that is grounds for suspension in Alabama.
- Conviction of hit-and-run.
- Conviction of racing on highways.
- Failure to appear in court.
- Failure to pay your court fine.
- Non-payment of child support.
Other reason is Point-Based Suspensions:
The length of the suspension depends on the amount of points the diver has accumulated in a 2-year period:
12 – 14 points: 60-day suspension.
15 -17 points: 90-day suspension.
18 - 20 points: 120-day suspension.
21 - 23 points: 180-day suspension.
24 points (or more): 365-day suspension.
More information at Alabama DMV Point System.
All driving license reinstatements comes with fees.
The fees for reinstatement depend on the type of suspension or revocation.
Blood alcohol limits
The maximum permissible blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08. But for the drivers under age of 21 the maximum permissible BAC is 0.02.
The maximum allowed BAC for other categories are:
0.02% or more for school bus or daycare drivers.
0.04% or more for anyone operating a commercial vehicle.
In case of first conviction, the penalty is the imprisonment in the county or municipal jail for up to 1 year, or by fine from $600 to $2,100, or both a fine and imprisonment.
In addition, the driver's license will be convicted for a period of 90 days. The 90-day suspension shall be stayed if the offender elects to have an approved ignition interlock device installed and operating on the designated motor vehicle driven by the offender for six months.
If, the driver refuses to provide a blood alcohol concentration or if a child under the age of 14 years was a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the offense or if someone else besides the offender was injured at the time of the offense, the driver's license will suspended for a period of 90 days and the driver shall be required to have an ignition interlock device installed and operating on the designated motor vehicle driven by the offender for a period of two years from the date of issuance of a driver's license indicating that the person's driving privileges are subject to the condition of the installation and use of a certified ignition interlock device on a motor vehicle.
In case of a second conviction within a 5-year period, the penalty is a fine from $1,100 to $5,100 and imprisonment, which may include hard labor in the county or municipal jail for up to 1 year. In addition, the driver's license of the person convicted for a period of one year and the offender shall be required to have an ignition interlock device installed and operating on the designated motor vehicle driven by the offender for a period of two years from the date of issuance of a driver's license indicating that the person's driving privileges are subject to the condition of the installation and use of a certified ignition interlock device on a motor vehicle.
In case of a third conviction, the penalty is a fine from $2,100 to $10,100 and imprisonment, which may include hard labor, in the county or municipal jail from 60 days to 1 year, that will include a minimum of 60 days served in the county or municipal jail and cannot be probated or suspended. In addition the driver's license will be suspended for a period of 3 years and the offender shall be required to have an ignition interlock device installed and operating on the designated motor vehicle driven by the offender for a period of three years from the date of issuance of a driver's license indicating that the person's driving privileges are subject to the condition of the installation and use of a certified ignition interlock device on a motor vehicle.
In case of a fourth or subsequent conviction the penalty is a fine from $4,100to $10,100 and imprisonment from 1 to 10 years. Any term of imprisonment may include hard labor for the county or state, and where imprisonment does not exceed three years confinement may be in the county jail. In addition driver's license will be suspended for a period of 5 years and the offender shall be required to have an ignition interlock device installed and operating on the designated motor vehicle driven by the offender for a period of five years from the date of issuance of a driver's license indicating that the person's driving privileges are subject to the condition of the installation and use of a certified ignition interlock device on a motor vehicle.
More information at Code of Alabama
or
http://www.dmv.org
Vehicle tires requirements
Every motor carrier, motor vehicle, truck, semitrailer, and trailer shall be equipped with pneumatic tires of sufficient traction surface in accordance with the capacity of the motor carrier or motor vehicle.The minimum tires tread depth is 2/32 inch or .15875 centimeters measured in any two adjacent tread grooves at three equally spaced intervals around the circumference of the tire.
Studded tires are prohibited in Alabama.
Tire chains or snow tires may be used by any vehicle when required for safety due to snow, rain, or other slippery conditions
Kids passengers safety
All front-seat passengers must wear safety belts. Children up to age 15 must use safety belts in front and back seats. Infants and toddlers must be in appropriate child safety seats. Children must use booster seats are required until age five or until they reach a minimum of 4'9". The front seat is is not allowed for children up to 12 years. It is prohibited to place a child safety seat on the front seat, if the air bag is not deactivated.
Driving license
Alabama state recognize foreign driver's licenses. If your international license is up-to-date, it will be valid for up to one year after the date you enter the USA. Your foreign license is valid if accompanied by your passport.
For more information consult the DMV.
Getting a new driver's license in Alabama or want to renew your existed one - check in DMV.
Vehicle windows tint
Vehicle window tinting is illegal in Alabama, except for certain exceptions that are described in the Code 32 of Alabama.
No person shall operate a motor vehicle which has a windshield, sidewing, or rear window which has tinting to the extent or manufactured in such a way that occupants of the vehicle cannot be easily identified or recognized through the sidewing or rear windows from outside the motor vehicle.
More information on Alabama vehicle code
Driver hand signs
| hand signal | meaning |
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STOP - left arm extended straight down |
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TURNING LEFT - left arm extended horizontally to the side |
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TURNING RIGHT - left arm extended straight up |
More information at https://www.dmv.ca.gov
Vehicle safety belt
All passengers on the front seat (including the driver) are obliged to have a safety belt properly fastened about their body at all times when the vehicle is in motion.
This requirements shall not apply to:
- a child passenger, who is required to use a child passenger restraint system.
- a passenger who possesses a written statement from a licensed physician that he/she is unable for medical reasons to wear a safety belt
Any person violating the safety belt usage requirements will be fined up to $25.00.
Road signs
Mobile Phone use
It is prohibited to use the mobile phone, while driving in Alabama, if you are not equipped with a hands free device.
It is also prohibited to use a wireless device to write, send or read
a text message, instant message or e-mail while operating a motor vehicle.
The fine for violating the law is $25 for a first-time offense, $50 for a
second offense and $75 for a third or subsequent offense, and 3 points violation will be placed to the driver's record.