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Getting a DUI is serious no matter where it happens — but if you’re an Alabama resident who gets arrested for DUI in another state, the situation can become even more complex. You might assume that the out-of-state DUI only affects your driving privileges in the state where it occurred, but in reality, Alabama will almost always find out — and take action.
Thanks to nationwide agreements like the Driver License Compact (DLC), most states — including Alabama — share information about serious driving offenses such as DUI, DWI, and OWI. That means your Alabama driver’s license isn’t shielded just because the arrest happened somewhere else. In most cases, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) will receive notice of your out-of-state conviction and may impose its own set of penalties — even if you’ve already dealt with consequences in the arresting state.
This post explains what happens when you’re charged or convicted of DUI out of state but hold an Alabama license. We’ll cover how interstate DUI reporting works, what Alabama can legally do to penalize you, how license suspensions are handled across state lines, and what you should know about ignition interlock, SR-22 insurance, and future charges.
Whether you were visiting family in Georgia, attending a work event in Florida, or driving through Tennessee on a weekend trip — getting a DUI outside Alabama can still come back to haunt you at home. For a broader understanding, this post connects directly to our full guide on State By State DUI Laws and dives deeper into Why DUI Penalties Vary by State.
Alabama Is Part of the Driver License Compact (DLC)
The most important factor in how out-of-state DUIs are handled is Alabama’s participation in the Driver License Compact (DLC) — an agreement among most U.S. states to share information about serious driving offenses. This means that if you’re convicted of a DUI in nearly any other state, Alabama will be notified.
Here’s how the process works:
- You’re arrested and/or convicted of DUI in another state
- That state reports the conviction to Alabama via the DLC
- Alabama reviews the conviction to determine if the offense would also qualify as a DUI under its own laws
- If it does, Alabama applies administrative penalties, even if the incident happened elsewhere
Alabama treats out-of-state DUIs as if they occurred in-state, meaning you may face:
- License suspension
- Ignition interlock requirements
- SR-22 high-risk insurance filing
- Points or marks on your Alabama driving record
So even though your court dates and fines might be handled in another state, the impact on your Alabama license and record is real — and long-lasting.
Will Alabama Suspend Your License for an Out-of-State DUI?
Yes, in most cases. Alabama law allows the state to suspend or revoke your license if you are convicted of a DUI in another state and that offense would also be a DUI under Alabama law. This is known as reciprocal enforcement.
Key things to know:
- If your out-of-state conviction is reported, ALEA will review it
- Alabama may impose a 90-day suspension for a first offense, 1 year or more for repeat offenses
- If you refused a chemical test in the other state, Alabama can apply penalties based on implied consent laws
- You may need to complete DUI school, even if you’ve already done so elsewhere
- Suspension in the arresting state often leads to suspension in Alabama, even if you’re allowed to drive locally where the DUI occurred
Alabama doesn’t require a court order to suspend your license based on out-of-state actions. Administrative processes allow ALEA to act independently, making license penalties almost automatic once a conviction is recorded.
The bottom line? Even if your license was never taken by the other state, Alabama can suspend it based on the conviction alone.
Will an Out-of-State DUI Count as a Prior Offense in Alabama?
Yes — an out-of-state DUI does count as a prior offense under Alabama law if you’re later arrested for DUI again in Alabama. This has major implications for anyone who receives a second or third DUI in-state after getting one elsewhere.
Here’s how it works:
- Alabama uses a 10-year lookback period for counting prior offenses
- If your out-of-state DUI occurred within the past 10 years, it will be treated as a first, second, or third prior depending on the total number of DUIs
- This affects your criminal classification, mandatory jail time, fines, license penalties, and ignition interlock requirements
For example:
- DUI in Georgia in 2018
- DUI in Alabama in 2024
That Alabama DUI will be charged as a second offense, even though the earlier conviction was out-of-state. You’ll face mandatory jail time, higher fines, and longer license suspensions as a result.
Don’t assume that crossing state lines gives you a clean slate. Alabama takes prior DUIs seriously — no matter where they happened.
Ignition Interlock and SR-22 Insurance After an Out-of-State DUI
If Alabama imposes penalties based on an out-of-state DUI, you may also face ignition interlock and SR-22 insurance requirements — even if the other state didn’t require them.
Ignition Interlock
Alabama mandates ignition interlock installation in certain cases, including:
- BAC over 0.15%
- Refusal of a chemical test
- Repeat offenses
- Conditional license reinstatement
If the DUI you received in another state fits any of these categories, Alabama can require you to install and maintain an ignition interlock device before restoring your driving privileges.
SR-22 Insurance
You’ll likely need to file SR-22 insurance — a certificate proving you carry high-risk liability coverage — even if the arrest was out of state. Most drivers must:
- Maintain SR-22 filing for 3 to 5 years
- Pay higher premiums throughout that period
- Obtain new coverage if their current provider drops them
These requirements are tied to your Alabama license, so they’ll remain in effect even if you’re allowed to drive in other states.
How to Reinstate Your Alabama License After an Out-of-State DUI
If Alabama suspends your license following an out-of-state DUI, you’ll need to complete a multi-step reinstatement process through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA).
Typical steps include:
- Serving the Suspension Period
- This varies depending on your offense history and circumstances (first offense = 90 days; second = 1 year; etc.)
- DUI Education Program
- Alabama often requires completion of a DUI school or substance abuse course, even if you completed one in another state
- Install Ignition Interlock
- If required, install the device through an ALEA-approved provider and submit proof
- File SR-22 Insurance
- Your insurer must submit proof of high-risk insurance directly to the state
- Pay Reinstatement Fees
- ALEA charges administrative and reinstatement fees that must be paid in full before your license is restored
- Submit Proof of Out-of-State Case Resolution
- You may need to provide documentation that the case is closed and all conditions have been satisfied
Reinstatement isn’t automatic. You must take action with ALEA — ignoring the process can lead to longer suspensions and more complications if you’re pulled over in Alabama while still technically suspended.
Can You Drive in Other States If Alabama Suspends Your License?
No. If Alabama suspends your license, you cannot legally drive in any state, even if the state where the DUI occurred allows you to operate a vehicle.
Here’s why:
- A license suspension in your home state affects your driving privileges nationwide
- Police in other states will see that your Alabama license is suspended during any traffic stop
- Driving during this period is considered driving with a suspended license, which is a criminal offense in Alabama and many other states
In other words, even if you have driving privileges in the state where the DUI occurred, you cannot drive legally anywhere until your Alabama license is reinstated.
This is a common area of confusion for drivers who receive hardship or limited licenses in the state of arrest. Those allowances do not override Alabama’s suspension and can result in new charges if violated.
How Out-of-State DUI Laws Differ — and Why It Matters
Every state has its own DUI laws. Some use terms like DWI, OWI, or OUI instead of DUI. Some have different BAC limits, refusal penalties, and interlock thresholds. These variations can create confusion, especially when you’re being charged in one state but live in another.
Key differences you might encounter:
- BAC thresholds: Some states have lower BAC limits for commercial drivers or underage drivers
- Refusal laws: States like Florida and Arizona impose strict refusal penalties that affect Alabama drivers
- Sentencing guidelines: Jail time, fines, and mandatory programs vary widely
- Interlock requirements: States may have stricter or more lenient interlock rules
Alabama will still impose its own penalties if the out-of-state conviction is equivalent under Alabama law. That’s why it’s critical to understand not just the DUI laws in the state where the arrest occurred, but also how Alabama handles those convictions once notified.
FAQ
Will Alabama find out about my out-of-state DUI?
Yes. Alabama participates in the Driver License Compact, which allows states to share DUI conviction data.
Can Alabama suspend my license for a DUI I got in another state?
Absolutely. If your out-of-state DUI matches Alabama’s definition of the offense, ALEA can and likely will suspend your Alabama license.
Will my out-of-state DUI count as a prior in Alabama?
Yes. If you’re convicted again in Alabama within 10 years, the previous out-of-state DUI will count toward repeat offense sentencing.
Do I need an interlock in Alabama for an out-of-state DUI?
You might. Alabama can require an ignition interlock device if the other state’s conviction involved high BAC, refusal, or repeat offenses.
What if I don’t notify Alabama about the DUI?
The arresting state will notify Alabama automatically. You are not in control of whether the information is shared.
Conclusion
Getting a DUI in another state while living in Alabama doesn’t keep the consequences contained to that one jurisdiction. Thanks to national data-sharing agreements like the Driver License Compact, your Alabama license is at risk, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency will likely impose its own penalties — including suspension, SR-22 insurance requirements, ignition interlock, and more.
Worse, if you get another DUI in Alabama later, the out-of-state conviction will count against you — raising the stakes in sentencing, fines, and mandatory jail time.
The key takeaway? An out-of-state DUI follows you home, and ignoring it or assuming Alabama won’t find out is a mistake. For a full picture of how DUI laws vary nationwide and what to expect if your charges cross state lines, see our complete guide on State By State DUI Laws and explore why DUI Penalties Vary by State for more clarity on how states enforce their own rules — and each other’s.