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AlabamaSB2422026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Commercial driver licenses; possession of United States work authorization for certain commercial driver license holders required, proficiency in the English language for commercial motor vehicle required, procedures for impoundment provided for, offense of presenting a false foreign commercial driver license established, offense of operating a commercial motor vehicle without proper documentation established, penalties provided for

Sponsored By: Lance Bell (Republican)

Enacted

Motor Vehicles & Traffic

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.

Foreign-licensed drivers face missing-document penalties

Beginning October 1, 2026, knowingly driving a commercial vehicle with a valid foreign commercial license without carrying required entry documents is a Class D felony. These are the documents required by 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(b)(4). The offense becomes a Class A misdemeanor if the driver proves it is more likely than not that the documents had been issued. The violation also requires vehicle impoundment, a $1,000 driver fine, and a $2,000 carrier fine.

Commercial drivers face English proficiency penalties

Beginning October 1, 2026, Alabama commercial drivers must read and speak English well enough to meet 49 C.F.R. § 391.11. Failure to demonstrate that proficiency is a traffic violation. First-violation fines can reach $1,000 for the driver and $2,000 for the carrier. The vehicle is impounded on a first violation if the driver or vehicle is found to threaten public safety. Later violations require impoundment and allow fines up to $2,000 for the driver and $4,000 for the carrier.

Tighter license rules for commercial drivers

Beginning October 1, 2026, Alabama requires commercial drivers to hold a qualifying commercial license or learner permit meeting federal standards. Credentials from U.S. states, territories, possessions, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico qualify. Canadian, Mexican, and other foreign credentials require a federally recognized waiver or exemption plus entry documents required by federal immigration rules. Credentials cannot be suspended, revoked, or canceled; drivers cannot be disqualified or under an out-of-service order. Alabama's law enforcement agency must treat out-of-state convictions like Alabama convictions when applying sanctions under these rules.

New safeguards against false foreign licenses

Beginning October 1, 2026, Alabama creates a Class D felony for knowingly making, presenting, or using false public documents as foreign commercial driving credentials. The person must represent the document as a valid foreign-government commercial license or learner permit. The person must also know it is false and intend it to be accepted as genuine.

Commercial vehicle owners pay impoundment fees

Beginning October 1, 2026, officers must send vehicles impounded under the English-proficiency rules to an approved towing service. That service takes the vehicle to a garage, storage lot, or another safe place and keeps custody. The registered owner or authorized agent must pay all reasonable and customary towing and storage fees to reclaim it. The towing company's claim for payment is secured by the vehicle, but earlier secured claims come first. Holders of earlier claims must receive formal legal notice at least 15 days before a sale or related proceeding.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Lance Bell

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 356 • No: 0

House vote • 3/5/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 760

Yes: 84 • No: 0 • Other: 21

Senate vote • 3/5/2026

Gudger Concur In and Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 729

Yes: 32 • No: 0

House vote • 3/5/2026

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 759

Yes: 85 • No: 0 • Other: 18

House vote • 3/5/2026

Third Reading in Second House

Yes: 87 • No: 0 • Other: 18

Senate vote • 2/17/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 434

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/17/2026

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Enacted

    3/11/2026Senate

  2. Third Reading in Second House

    3/5/2026House

  3. Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure Engrossed Substitute Offered

    3/5/2026House

  4. Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 759

    3/5/2026House

  5. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 760

    3/5/2026House

  6. Gudger Concur In and Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 729

    3/5/2026Senate

  7. Ready to Enroll

    3/5/2026Senate

  8. Enrolled

    3/5/2026Senate

  9. Signature Requested

    3/5/2026House

  10. Delivered to Governor

    3/5/2026Senate

  11. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    2/25/2026House

  12. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    2/25/2026House

  13. Third Reading in House of Origin

    2/17/2026Senate

  14. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 434

    2/17/2026Senate

  15. Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure

    2/17/2026House

  16. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    2/17/2026House

  17. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    2/12/2026Senate

  18. Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

    2/11/2026Senate

  19. Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

    2/3/2026Senate

  20. Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

    2/3/2026Senate

Bill Text

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