Drivers in danger of having their licenses suspended will now be given more leeway if they miss an installment on their payment plan or a court date after Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill giving such drivers more flexibility.

Ivey signed SB154 on Thursday, which allows drivers to miss up to three payments on a payment plan for fines and fees before a judge could suspend their license. It also allows up to one missed court date, outside of an initial date.

The law does not excuse tickets or dangerous drivers.

Judges are not required to suspend licenses if someone exceeds the missed payment limit or fails to appear in court multiple times, but often use the punishment to enforce traffic violations.

Advocates said the extended grace for drivers will allow more people to keep driving to work, school and family obligations.