SB54 Summary

• Judges may only suspend a driver license for failure to appear in court in two specific circumstances: violating a written bond to appear for an initial court date, or failing to appear two or more times for post-adjudication compliance reviews of traffic violation conditions.

• Courts may not suspend a driver license for failure to pay traffic fines, fees, or court costs unless the individual fails to make half or more of required payments within one year or fails to make any additional payments one year after the court's order.

• The Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency shall add points to a driver license upon final conviction for any traffic violation, with points assessed before completion of any payment plan.

• "Final conviction" includes a judicial finding of guilt, plea of guilty, or failure to appear in court to dispute a traffic violation; courts must forward conviction records to the State Law Enforcement Agency within specified timeframes.

• The act becomes effective October 1, 2023, and does not alter Motor Vehicle Responsibility Act or Mandatory Liability Insurance Act provisions regarding restitution authority.