Taylor's Law Information

What is Taylor's Law?

Taylor's Law states that a student's school disciplinary record starting at age 13 can impact when a student is eligible to apply for a learner's permit, motor cycle license, driver's license, or any other license required by the State of Alabama for the operation of a motor vehicle or vessel. This law applies to both public and private school student discipline. The law applies a "point system" to school disciplinary action. The amount of disciplinary points a student accumulates starting at age 13 during the school year (including summer school) will determine how much of a delay the student will face in acquiring a permit or license.

What disciplinary actions cause points to be added?

One day of in-school suspension = 1 point

One day of out-of-school suspension = 2 points

Alternative school placement = 6 points

Expulsion = 20 points

Points accumulate on a yearly basis beginning at age 13.

How do points impact when a license may be obtained?

Each accumulated point shall add one additional week to the age at which the student is eligible to be issued a learner's permit, motor cycle license, or driver's license by the State of Alabama.

Additional information about Taylor's Law in Alabama (Act 2009-713, p. 2095, §1):

The points shall accumulate on a yearly basis, beginning with the school year (including summer school) in which the student turns 13, and accumulate each year until the student is eligible to apply for a driver's license under the imposed point system.
Notwithstanding subdivision (1), the age at which a student may apply for a license or permit shall not be extended by Act 2009-713 beyond one year from the date the student initially applies for a learner's permit, motor cycle license, driver's license, or any license required by the State of Alabama for the operation of a motor vehicle or vessel.
Points shall be accrued on a school-year basis.
Points may not accrue for the first three days of in-school suspension in any school year; however, beginning with the fourth day of suspension in any school year, all days, including the first three, of in-school suspension shall be counted in determining points.
Points may not accrue for an initial out-of-school suspension of two days or less in any school year; however, the days of the initial suspension shall be used to determine the points after a second out-of-school suspension in any school year or all days will be used to determine points if the initial suspension exceeds two days.
Accumulated points shall be reduced by one-half if the student has not received additional accumulated points for one school year. If no additional points are received for two years, all records of the accumulated points shall be removed from the student's records at school .

These subdivisions are contingent upon the technical capability of the student data management system to track, manage, and coordinate data.

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