Alabama · Handbook chapter 6 · 6 min read

Alabama's basic speed law and statutory speed limits, when you must stop, school buses, right-of-way rules, passing, pedestrians, emergency vehicles, backing, lane changes, hand signals, loads, traffic stops, insurance, window tint and the move-over law.

Why this chapter matters

This chapter holds most of the rules of the road that the test checks: speed limits, school bus stops, right of way and passing. Many of them carry points if broken.

Speed

• Basic speed law: never drive faster than is reasonable for the road, weather, traffic, your vehicle and your own condition.
• Limits that both the manual and ALEA's speed limit page list: 70 mph on interstates where posted, 55 mph on other roads unless marked, 45 mph on county paved roads and 35 mph on unpaved roads.
• The manual also lists 30 mph in urban districts and 65 mph where posted. ALEA's Highway Patrol page instead lists 65 mph on roads with four or more lanes, 25 mph in residential areas and 15 mph in school zones. Always obey the posted sign.
• Where a minimum speed is posted, driving slower is unlawful in normal conditions. Very slow drivers cause crashes too.
• Slow down near intersections, railroad crossings, hilltops, curves and flares.

When you must stop

• At a STOP sign: at the stop line, or before the crosswalk, or where you can see cross traffic if there is neither.
• Coming out of an alley, driveway or building: stop before the sidewalk.
• For a school patrol flag in the STOP position, a flagger, or a police officer.
• At a red light. You may turn right after stopping if in the proper lane, and left only from a one-way street onto a one-way street with traffic moving right to left. Yield in both cases. If the signal is dark, treat it as a four-way stop.
• At a flashing red signal, as at a STOP sign.
• When an emergency vehicle with flashing red or blue lights and siren approaches: pull to the side and stop.

School and church buses

• Stop when a bus has its stop arm out and red lights flashing, whether you are following or meeting it, and stay stopped until the arm is pulled in and the lights go off. Stop at least 20 feet from the bus.
• You should also stop on a four to six lane undivided highway.
• You need not stop on a divided highway of four or more lanes when the bus is on the other roadway, or when it is in a loading zone where pedestrians may not cross.
• Amber lights warn that the bus is about to stop: at least 300 feet before the stop in rural areas and 100 feet in towns.
• Most children hurt in pupil transportation are struck outside the bus, in the area the manual calls the Death Zone.

Right of way

• At an uncontrolled intersection, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. Entering at an unlawful speed loses any right of way.
• Turning left, yield to oncoming vehicles that are close enough to be a hazard.
• Coming from a driveway or private road, stop and yield to traffic on the public road.
• Stop for a blind person with a white cane tipped with red, or with a guide dog.
• Vehicles on green arrows still yield to traffic lawfully in the intersection.

Passing

• On a two-lane road, pass on the left only if you can finish without speeding. Signal left before passing and right before returning.
• Return only when you see the passed car's whole front in your inside mirror. When being passed, stay in your lane and do not speed up.
• Do not cross the center line on a curve or hill without 500 feet of clear view, at an intersection, when meeting oncoming traffic, or where signs or a solid yellow line on your side forbid it.
• Passing on the right is allowed on one-way roads and roads with two or more lanes your way. Driving on the shoulder to pass is unlawful except in emergencies.

Pedestrians and emergency vehicles

• Stop for school children and safety patrols; do not block crosswalks while waiting.
• Pedestrians crossing outside crosswalks must yield to vehicles. Pedestrians on a road should walk on the left, facing traffic.
• Do not follow within 500 feet of an emergency vehicle on a run unless on official business. Do not drive over a fire hose without permission.

Backing, lanes and signals

• Walk around the car before backing, look over your right shoulder while backing, and do not depend on the mirror. Backing on freeways is prohibited.
• Before changing lanes, check mirrors and glance over your shoulder at the blind spot. A signal does not give you the right to move over.
• Hand signals: left turn, arm straight out; right turn, arm up; stop or slow, arm down.

Loads and passengers

• More than three people in the front seat is unlawful if they block the driver's view or control.
• A load may not extend more than 5 feet past the front or rear. A load sticking out 4 feet or more at the back needs a red flag at least 12 inches square by day and a red light visible from 200 feet at night.

Traffic stops, insurance and tint

• When stopped, pull over safely, turn off the engine and radio, keep hands on the wheel, stay inside, and tell the officer about any weapons. Turn on the interior light at night.
• Carry your license, proof of insurance and registration.
• Liability insurance minimums: $25,000 for one person's injury or death, $50,000 for two or more people, $25,000 for property. A violation can bring a fine of up to $500 for a first offense.
• Only the upper 6 inches of the windshield may be tinted; car side and rear windows must let through at least 32 percent of light.

Move-over law

• On a multi-lane road, move out of the lane next to a stopped emergency vehicle, wrecker or other covered vehicle with flashing lights, or slow to at least 15 mph below the limit if you cannot move over safely. The manual says this applies on roads of four or more lanes; the newer law on ALEA's Move Over Act page covers highways with two or more lanes in your direction and adds utility, road work and garbage vehicles.
• On a two-lane road, move as far away as you can within your lane and slow to 15 mph below the limit, or to 10 mph where the limit is 20 mph or less.