Alabama: Cheat Sheet

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Road signs

The manual says the three types of traffic signs, classified by function, are regulatory, warning, and information or guide signs.
The manual says this sign shows a motorist is approaching a one-way highway or ramp from the wrong direction.
The manual says this sign marks a one-way roadway with traffic coming against you, and you must not enter the one-way at that point.
The manual says you may travel only in the direction indicated by the arrow.
The manual says this sign means there is a STOP sign ahead.
The manual says this sign means slippery when wet.
The manual says vehicles or loads higher than the clearance shown cannot go under the structure ahead.

Traffic signals

At a steady circular red you stop and remain stopped until the signal turns to green.
A circular steady yellow means clear the intersection.
On a steady green you may go straight or turn right or left, yielding to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection.
If the traffic light is inoperative, you treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
A flashing red signal means the same as a STOP sign.
You must yield to other traffic and pedestrians lawfully proceeding through the intersection.

Right-of-way and turning

The manual says to signal at least 100 feet before making the turn.
The manual says vehicles should leave the stop signs in the same order in which they arrived.
The manual says that when more than one vehicle arrives at the same time, the vehicle furthest to the right leaves first.
The driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield to the vehicle on the right.
A driver turning left must yield to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction within the intersection or so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.
Motorists must enter from the right and yield to traffic already in the roundabout.

Speed and following distance

The statutory list gives 30 miles per hour in an urban district.
The list gives 70 miles per hour where posted on an interstate.
The manual introduces the "two-second rule" as the newer formula for following distance.
In poor road or weather conditions the manual says to increase following distance to a four or five second count.
The basic speed law prohibits driving at a speed faster than reasonable under existing conditions.
The manual states that most rear-end collisions are caused by following too closely.

Alcohol and drugs

Alabama law makes it unlawful to drive with .08 percent or more alcohol in the blood.
The manual lists persons under 21 years of age whose blood alcohol content is .02% or more.
The manual lists commercial vehicle operators whose blood alcohol content is .04% or more.
The implied consent law deems drivers to have consented to chemical tests of blood, breath or urine to determine blood alcohol content.
The manual says the license will be suspended for 90 days after a first conviction.
The manual says they might wake you but will not sober you.

Licensing basics

The manual says any person 15 years of age may obtain a restricted Learner License.
The manual says the license expires four years after it is issued.
The manual says the Learner License must have been held for six months or until the 18th birthday.
The student may not drive between 12 midnight and 6 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian or an exception applies.
The first restriction says the driver may not have more than 1 nonfamily passenger.

Sharing the road

You remain stopped until the stop signal is retracted and the red lights are turned off.
The manual says state law requires a distance of not less than three feet when passing a person on a bicycle.
The manual says that if you cannot see the driver's face in the side-view mirror, the driver cannot see you.
You should also stop for a stopped bus on a four to six lane undivided highway.

Sign shapes and colors

The manual’s sign shapes chart shows the STOP sign as a red octagon.
The shapes chart labels the downward-pointing triangle as the yield right of way sign.
The shapes chart labels the yellow circle as the railroad warning sign.
The shapes chart labels the orange diamond as the construction sign.

Pavement markings

The manual says centerlines are painted yellow on two-lane highways.
If the solid yellow line is on your side of the centerline, you may not pass.
Crossing the center line is permitted only as part of a left turn maneuver where passing is prohibited both ways.
Same-direction lanes are divided by broken white lines, which may be crossed when passing.

Emergencies

You must stop at once and aid any injured persons, calling for medical help if necessary.
Hold tight, steer straight, ease off the accelerator and do not brake until in control.
The first step is to pump the pedal to build up pressure.

Railroad crossings

When lights begin to flash, you must always stop until it is safe to proceed.
The manual says you must stop within 15 to 50 feet of the crossing.
If the gates are down, stay in place; it is against the law to go around gates.

Pedestrians

A driver must stop at all crosswalks occupied by pedestrians if there are no controlling signals.
The law requires you to stop and give right of way to a blind person carrying a white cane tipped with red or using a guide dog.
The manual states that pedestrians have the right of way over the motor vehicle.

Seat belts and child safety

Alabama's safety belt law requires that each occupant, regardless of age, be restrained.
The child restraint law requires children through age 15 to be restrained in motor vehicles.
The law requires rear-facing use until the infant is at least 1 year of age or 20 pounds.

Distracted driving

The law prohibits using a wireless device to write, send or read a text message, instant message or e-mail while operating a motor vehicle.
A first conviction carries a $50 fine and 1 point.
The manual says to stop driving when drowsy and not to try to fight it.

Emergency vehicles and work zones

You must pull over to the curb or side of the road and come to a complete stop.
Under the Move-Over law, motorists on roadways with four or more lanes must vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle or wrecker.
A complete stop is required when ordered to stop by a flagman at a construction site or at any time directed by a police officer.

Signals and vehicle controls

State law requires headlights from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise, and parking lights alone are not enough.
The law requires dimmed headlights within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle.
The manual lists hand and arm extended downward as the stop or decrease speed signal.

Freeway driving

You increase speed to match the vehicles in the through lanes, if possible.
The manual says to park entirely off the traveled portion.
You must not stop, back up or turn around; proceed to the next exit and come back.

Parking rules

Facing downhill, turn the wheels toward the curb and shift into reverse gear or PARK.
Parking is not allowed within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
Parking is not allowed within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing.

Driving record and points

The suspension schedule sets 60 days for 12-14 points in a 2-year period.
Convictions keep their point value for two years from the date of conviction, though they remain on the driver's record.
The point table on this page lists 2 points for this offense.

Insurance and crash reports

The minimum is $25,000 for death or bodily injury to one person.
The minimum is $50,000 for death or bodily injury to two or more persons.