At age 16 he does not need his mother (parent) to be his supervised licensed driver that sits with him when he drives, other licensed drivers can now supervise his driving.

According to the Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) and AL driver's manual any person in this state 15 years of age may obtain a restricted Learner’s License for the purpose of learning to safely and effectively operate a motor vehicle. Upon passing the required examination, the applicant will be issued a Class D Alabama driver license with a “Y” restriction.

The “Y” restriction indicates that the holder may operate a motor vehicle while accompanied by a person who is 21 years of age or older and, who is duly licensed in this state or a licensed or certified driving instructor occupying the seat beside the operator. After the holder’s sixteenth birthday, the holder may operate a motor vehicle with any licensed driver occupying the seat beside the driver. This Learner’s License is valid for four years, and can be renewed once.

So while the relative was 15 he had to have a parent, guardian or other license driver over the age of 21 in the passenger seat as the supervising driver but once he turned 16 he can now operate a vehicle with any licensed driver sitting by him in the front passenger seat. Thus his mother does not need to be the supervising driver; others can now be the licensed driver in the car to supervise him operating the vehicle. The driver's manual doesn't state that for 16 years old permit holder that the licensed supervising driver must be 21 years of age or older but that is typically the case in most states, so check with the AL DPS to clarify this point.

After your relative has held his learner's permit for at least 6 months and is ready he can take the road test to get a driver's license. The DPS notes that any person 16 years of age but under 18 years of age who has held a Learner’s license for six months or until their 18th birthday and has developed the necessary skills to safely operate a motor vehicle may present himself to his local driver license examiner for the road test. He must surrender his Learners License at the time of the road test. Upon passing the road test, the applicant will be issued a new regular license with the “Y” restriction removed for the remainder of the four year period.

In Alabama drivers who are 16 and 17 years old who have had their license less than six months cannot operate a vehicle between midnight and 6 a.m. unless:

1. Accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
2. Accompanied by a person 21 years of age or older who is duly licensed and has the consent of the licensee’s parents or legal guardian.
3. Going to or from their regular workplace.
4. Going to or from a school sponsored event.
5. Going to or from a religious sponsored event.
6. Driving for the purpose of a medical fire or law enforcement related emergency.

Also a newly licensed AL driver may not have more than 4 occupants in the vehicle, excluding a parent or legal guardian of licensee. So 3 friends, driver and parent would be the maximum limit one could have in the car according to the passenger restriction.

For more questions about the Alabama graduated drivers licensing (GDL) system contact the AL DPS. For low cost Alabama car insurance click here for a quote from an auto insurance specialist.