As Alabama families prepare for the new school year, parents and students should understand Taylor’s Law, the state’s disciplinary point system connecting certain school disciplinary actions with eligibility for a learner’s permit or driver’s license.
Under Alabama law, students over age 12 who are enrolled in public or private secondary schools can accumulate disciplinary points for qualifying infractions committed on school property. Points begin accumulating during the school year—including summer school—in which a student turns 13. Each accumulated point adds one week to the date the student becomes eligible for a learner’s permit or driver’s license.
How the Point System Works
The number of points depends on the disciplinary action. One day of in-school suspension equals one point, one day of out-of-school suspension equals two points, alternative school placement equals six points, and expulsion equals 20 points.
The law also provides grace periods. The first three days of in-school suspension during a school year generally do not accrue points. However, if a fourth day is reached, all of those days count. An initial out-of-school suspension of two days or fewer also generally does not accrue points immediately; additional suspension can cause those earlier days to be counted.
The total delay in license or permit eligibility under the disciplinary point system is capped at one year. The law also provides a path for points to decrease: accumulated points are reduced by half after a school year without additional points, and the record is cleared after two years without additional points.
Firearms Carry Additional Consequences
Separate provisions establish significant consequences for certain firearm offenses. An individual over age 14 convicted of possessing a pistol on public school premises or a public school bus can be denied issuance of a learner’s permit or driver’s license for 180 days. If the individual already has a driver’s license, the law provides for a 180-day suspension, subject to the statutory notice and review procedures.
Why Families Should Pay Attention
For teenagers, earning a driver’s license can represent much more than independence. Transportation can affect a young person’s ability to reach school, participate in extracurricular activities, attend workforce training, and eventually travel to a job.
Taylor’s Law gives parents another reason to discuss school attendance, behavior, conflict resolution, and the long-term consequences of disciplinary decisions with their children.
Community Action Agencies can also play an important role by connecting families with mentoring, youth development, educational support, behavioral health resources, and other services that help young people remain engaged in school and prepare for successful adulthood.
An Important Note About HB33
There is an important legislative distinction for families to understand. Taylor’s Law itself is codified at Alabama Code §32-6-7.4; it should not simply be described as “HB33.” The 2026 HB33 is separate legislation concerning driver-license and learner-permit requirements. The introduced bill proposed changes to school enrollment and attendance requirements, while retaining the separate firearm-related provisions in the section it sought to amend.
For parents and students, the message is straightforward: understanding the rules now can help prevent unexpected consequences later. Families should consult their school system and appropriate Alabama state agencies for guidance about an individual student’s disciplinary record and license eligibility.