Motor vehicles; Alabama Squat Truck Law; prohibitions on the alteration of the height of the fender of a vehicle, provided

Plain English Breakdown

The official status indicates the bill passed both chambers, but the effective date of October 1, 2026, is explicitly stated in Section 2.

Alabama Squat Truck Law

This law makes it illegal to drive a passenger car or truck on Alabama highways if the front fender is raised four inches or more higher than the rear fender by altering the suspension, frame, or chassis.

What This Bill Does

• Creates the Alabama Squat Truck Law for motor vehicles on state highways.
• Prohibits operating a passenger car or truck where alteration of the suspension, frame, or chassis raises the front fender four inches or more higher than the rear fender.
• Defines vehicle height as a vertical measurement from the ground through the centerline of the wheel to the bottom of the fender.
• Sets fines for breaking the rule: up to $50 for a first offense, up to $100 for a second, and $250 for third or later offenses.
• Counts only past convictions from within five years when deciding penalty levels.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who operate passenger cars or trucks on Alabama highways.
• Vehicle owners who modify suspension, frames, or chassis to change fender height.
• Courts that handle violations and determine fines based on past offenses within five years.

Terms To Know

Fender

The part of a vehicle body above the wheel well; this law measures its distance from the ground through the centerline of the wheel to the bottom of the fender.

Bona fide commercial or agricultural purposes

Real business or farming uses that are allowed as exceptions to the height rule.

Limits and Unknowns

• The law does not apply if vehicle changes are made for bona fide commercial or agricultural purposes.
• This act becomes effective on October 1, 2026; it is not in force before that date.
• The text defines how to measure height but does not list specific tools inspectors must use.

Official Summary Text

Motor vehicles; Alabama Squat Truck Law; prohibitions on the alteration of the height of the fender of a vehicle, provided

Current Bill Text

HB35 INTRODUCED
Page 0
HB35
HGHYP38-1
By Representative Bolton
RFD: Public Safety and Homeland Security
First Read: 13-Jan-26
PFD: 14-Aug-25
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HGHYP38-1 07/29/2025 CMH (L)CMH 2025-2346
Page 1
PFD: 14-Aug-25
SYNOPSIS:
This bill would create the Alabama Squat Truck
Law, would prohibit the alteration of a motor vehicle
in such a manner that the height of the front fender is
raised four or more inches greater than the height of
the accompanying rear fender, and would provide
penalties for a violation.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to motor vehicles; to create the Alabama Squat
Truck Law; to prohibit the alteration of the height of the
fender of a motor vehicle; to provide penalties for a
violation; and to provide exceptions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. (a) Except as otherwise provided in
subsection (b), it shall be unlawful for any person to operate
a passenger car or truck, as defined under Section 32-1-1.1,
Code of Alabama 1975, on the highways of this state if, by
alteration of the suspension, frame, or chassis, the height of
the front fender is raised four or more inches greater than
the height of the accompanying rear fender. For purposes of
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HB35 INTRODUCED
Page 2
the height of the accompanying rear fender. For purposes of
this section, the height of the fender shall be a vertical
measurement from and perpendicular to the ground, through the
centerline of the wheel, and to the bottom of the fender.
(b) This section does not apply to any vehicle
modification or alteration made for bona fide commercial or
agricultural purposes.
(c) A person who violates this section shall be guilty
of a violation and shall be punished as follows:
(1) On a first conviction, a fine of not more than
fifty dollars ($50).
(2) On a second conviction, a fine of not more than one
hundred dollars ($100).
(3) On a third or subsequent conviction, a fine of two
hundred fifty dollars ($250).
(d) For purposes of determining whether a prior
conviction has occurred under this section, the court shall
only consider offenses that occurred within the preceding five
years of the current offense.
Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2026.
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