By Jennifer Lindahl, Montgomery Advertiser

As Alabama students head back to school, there’s a new reason to stay out of the principal’s office.

Beginning Aug. 1, school discipline won’t just affect report cards or extracurricular activities. Under Taylor’s Law, certain disciplinary actions can also delay when some teens are eligible to get a learner’s permit or driver’s license.

Here’s what families should know before the new school year begins.

What is Taylor’s Law?

Taylor’s Law establishes a discipline point system for students enrolled in Alabama public and private secondary schools. The law applies to disciplinary infractions committed on school property.

Beginning with the school year, including summer school, in which a student turns 13, discipline points are tracked and accumulated until the student becomes eligible to apply for a learner’s permit or driver’s license.

Each point earned pushes back eligibility by one week.

When does Taylor’s Law take effect?

Taylor’s Law takes effect Aug. 1, meaning the discipline point systems will be in place as Alabama students return to school for the new academic year.

For teenagers approaching driving age, school discipline may now have consequences that extend beyond the classroom, affecting when they can legally get behind the wheel.

Which students are affected by Taylor’s Law?

The law applies to students who are 13 years and older and enrolled in a public or private secondary school in Alabama.

Although Alabama allows teens to obtain a learner’s permit at age 15 and a driver’s license at age 16 if they meet licensing requirements, discipline points begin accumulating years earlier, starting with the school year in which the student turns 13.

How many points does each disciplinary action carry?

Taylor’s Law assigns points based on the type of school discipline:

• In-school suspension (ISS): 1 point for each day.

• Out-of-school suspension (OSS): 2 points for each day.

• Alternative school placement: 6 points.

• Expulsion: 20 points.

Every point adds one week to the age at which a student may receive a learner’s permit, driver’s license or other covered license.

For example, a student who accumulates six points would have to wait an additional six weeks before becoming eligible.

Students don’t automatically receive points for every suspension

The law includes exceptions designed to allow students to improve their behavior.

For in-school suspension:

• The first three days of ISS in a school year do not generate points.

• If a student reaches a fourth day of ISS, then all ISS days from that school year, including the first three, count toward the total.

For out-of-school suspension:

• An initial OSS of two days or fewer does not generate points.

• If the student receives another OSS later that school year, the days from the first suspension are added to the point total.

If the initial OSS exceeds two days, all of those days count.

Can students erase discipline points?

Yes. Taylor’s Law includes provisions that allow students to reduce or eliminate accumulated points through improved behavior.

If a student completes one full school year without receiving additional discipline points, previously accumulated points are reduced by half.

If the student completes two consecutive school years without receiving additional points, all accumulated points are removed from the student’s school record.

Is there a limit to how long a license can be delayed?

Yes.

Even if a student accumulates enough points to create a longer delay, Alabama law says eligibility cannot be extended by more than one year beyond the date the student would otherwise first qualify to apply for a learner’s permit or driver’s license.

Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter in Alabama for USA TODAY’s Deep South Connect Team. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email atjlindahl@usatodayco.com.

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