Chambers v. Director of the Department of Public Safety, 414 So. 2d 131 (Ala. Civ. App. 1982) [Procedure to review administrative hearing]
The trial court is empowered under 32-5A-195(q) to conduct a hearing into the decision of the Director to suspend or revoke a driver license. The hearing must be a full hearing where evidence is presented and testimony taken that will allow the court to make a determination of its own. See, Ex parte State ex rel. Sullivan, 262 Ala. 188, 78 So. 2d 322 (1955). It is error for the Circuit Court to merely affirm the Director’s decision without taking evidence to make an independent determination.