Contents of Licenses; Photo Specifications; Invisible Medical Conditions; Fees

(a) Each driver license issued by the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), except temporary permits or other special circumstances as determined by the Secretary of the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, shall contain a distinguishing number assigned to the licensee and a color photograph of the licensee, the name, birthdate, address, and a description of the licensee. For the purpose of identification and as a condition precedent to the validity of the license, immediately upon receipt of the license, the licensee shall endorse his or her usual or regular signature upon the license in the space provided, unless a facsimile of the licensee’s signature appears on the license. (b) A photo driver license and photo nondriver identification card as provided in Section 32-6-4 shall have a photo core that meets the minimum width and length dimensions specified in ANSI standards X4.13-1971 and ANSI standard CR80, plus or minus 1/4 inch. In addition to all current and existing fees, ALEA may charge an additional fee to recover the cost of producing and issuing photo driver licenses and photo nondriver identification cards. The fee may not exceed ten cents ($0.10) over the actual cost of producing and issuing the license or card, including the cost of materials, labor costs, telecommunications costs, computer costs, postage, and any other costs incurred in producing and issuing a license or card. (c)(1) ALEA shall provide a method for an individual to voluntarily designate on his or her driver license or nondriver identification card that the individual has been diagnosed with an invisible medical condition. ALEA shall create a discrete designation or mark to place on the license or card of the individual requesting the designation. ALEA may not charge a fee solely for the designation. (2) To receive the designation, the individual shall provide proof of the diagnosis from a physician licensed to practice medicine in this state. (d) A driver license issued to a qualifying student described in Section 16-28-40(b) shall be exempt from any fees under this section. (e) Revenues collected under this section shall be used by ALEA for the sole purpose of this program, and any excess shall revert to the State General Fund at the end of each fiscal year. (f) For the purposes of this section, the term “invisible medical condition” means a physical or mental condition that may interfere with an individual’s ability to communicate with a first responder, including: (1) A communication impediment; (2) Autism spectrum disorder; (3) Traumatic brain injury; (4) Epilepsy; (5) Schizophrenia; or (6) A cognitive disability. (Acts 1975, No. 539, §1; Acts 1984, No. 84-305, p. 678; Act 2009-762, p. 2308, §1; Act 2022-300, §1; Act 2026-101, §2.)