HB560 • 2026

Motor vehicles; operation of oversized vehicles operated by automate driving systems, prohibited

Taxes Technology

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Lawrence
Last action: 2026-03-03
Official status: Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official metadata lists conflicting status labels ('Passed Legislature' vs. 'Pending Committee Action'), but the bill text itself includes an effective date of October 1, 2026.

Ban on Self-Driving Oversized Vehicles

This bill prohibits using automated driving systems in vehicles that are too big or heavy to travel without a special permit.

What This Bill Does

Prohibits the use of automated driving systems in oversized or overweight vehicles if their operation requires a state permit.
States that laws allowing self-driving cars do not force the government to upgrade roads, bridges, or other transportation parts for them.
Confirms that this specific chapter is the only law controlling how self-driving vehicles operate on Alabama roads.
Prevents cities and counties from creating new rules, taxes, or performance standards specifically for these automated systems.

Who It Names or Affects

Companies or drivers who want to use self-driving technology in large trucks or special loads that need permits.
State and local governments regarding their ability to tax or regulate these specific vehicles.

Terms To Know

Automated Driving System (ADS): Technology used by a vehicle to drive itself, as defined in the bill text.
Oversized Vehicle: A vehicle whose weight, width, length, or height exceeds legal limits and requires a permit from the Department of Transportation.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not explain how this rule will be enforced if someone breaks it.
This restriction only applies to vehicles that need a special permit for their size or weight, not all self-driving cars.
The official text states the law becomes effective on October 1, 2026.

Bill History

2026-03-03 House
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
2026-03-03 House
Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure

Official Summary Text

Motor vehicles; operation of oversized vehicles operated by automate driving systems, prohibited

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB560 INTRODUCED
Page 0
HB560
KH7S8A5-1
By Representative Lawrence
RFD: Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure
First Read: 03-Mar-26
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KH7S8A5-1 02/04/2026 CMH (L)bm 2026-699
Page 1
First Read: 03-Mar-26
SYNOPSIS:
Under existing law, the Department of
Transportation may issue a permit to authorize an
applicant to operate a vehicle whose weight, width,
length, or height, or combination thereof, exceeds the
statutory maximum limits.
This bill would provide that if an oversized
vehicle is otherwise required to be permitted due to
its weight, width, length, or height, the vehicle may
not be operated by an automated driving system.
This bill would also provide that the statutory
authorization for the operation of ADS-equipped
vehicles does not impose any legal duty to upgrade any
part of the state or local transportation network to
accommodate such ADS-equipped vehicles.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to motor vehicles; to add Section 32-9C-12 to
the Code of Alabama 1975, to provide restrictions on the use
of oversized or overweight vehicles operated by automated
driving systems; and to amend Section 32-9C-6, Code of Alabama
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HB560 INTRODUCED
Page 2
driving systems; and to amend Section 32-9C-6, Code of Alabama
1975, to further provide for the relation of ADS-equipped
vehicles to other laws and requirements.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. Section 32-9C-12 is added to Chapter 9C of
Title 32, Code of Alabama 1975, to read as follows:
§32-9C-12
Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the
contrary, the use of ADS-equipped vehicles and automated
driving systems is prohibited if the operation of the vehicle
otherwise requires a permit pursuant to Article 2 of Chapter
9, relating to the movement of oversized vehicles or loads.
Section 2. Section 32-9C-6, Code of Alabama 1975 , is
amended to read as follows:
"§32-9C-6
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter or in
Chapter 9B and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
operation of ADS-equipped vehicles and automated driving
systems is governed exclusively by this chapter.
(b) No state or local entity may impose requirements,
including performance standards, specific to the operation of
ADS-equipped vehicles, automated driving systems, or automated
commercial motor vehicles as defined in Section 32-9B-1,
except as specifically authorized by this chapter. Nothing in
this section shall be construed to repeal or in any way modify
Section 32-9-29.
(c) No municipality or other local or state entity may
impose a tax on, or impose requirements on ADS-equipped
vehicles or automated driving systems, where the tax or other
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HB560 INTRODUCED
Page 3
vehicles or automated driving systems, where the tax or other
requirement relates specifically to the operation of
ADS-equipped vehicles .
(d) Nothing in this chapter creates a legal duty or
otherwise requires the state or any county or municipality to
upgrade any part of its transportation network to accommodate
the operation of ADS-equipped vehicles or automated driving
systems ."
Section 3. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2026.
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