SB222 • 2026

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

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Allen (G)
Last action: 2026-04-01
Official status: Read Second Time in Second House
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details about penalties or future technological impacts.

Prohibiting Oversized Vehicles with Automated Driving Systems

This bill stops oversized vehicles that use automated driving systems from getting permits to drive on roads if they exceed standard size limits.

What This Bill Does

Adds a new rule saying oversized vehicles can't be driven by automated driving systems if they need special permission due to their weight, width, length, or height.

Who It Names or Affects

People who own or operate oversized vehicles with automated driving systems.
State and local governments responsible for issuing permits for oversized vehicles.

Terms To Know

Automated Driving Systems (ADS): Systems that control a vehicle without direct human input, often called self-driving cars or autonomous vehicles.
Oversized Vehicles: Vehicles that are larger than the standard size limits for roads and bridges.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if an oversized vehicle with ADS is already on the road when the law takes effect.
It's unclear how this will affect future technological advancements in automated driving systems.
Doesn't provide details about penalties for violating these new rules.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

MSN861H-1

Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure

Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure 1st Substitute

Plain English: MSN861H-1 03/31/2026 CMH (L)CMH 2025-2069 SUB SB222 TRANSPORTATION, UTILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE SUBSTITUTE TO SB222 OFFERED BY REPRESENTATIVE MARQUES Page 1 SYNOPSIS: Under existing law, vehicles and combinations of vehicles, including any load on the vehicle, may not exceed a total outside width of 102 inches, with an exception for mirrors or other safety equipment.

MSN861H-1 03/31/2026 CMH (L)CMH 2025-2069 SUB SB222 TRANSPORTATION, UTILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE SUBSTITUTE TO SB222 OFFERED BY REPRESENTATIVE MARQUES Page 1 SYNOPSIS: Under existing law, vehicles and combinations of vehicles, including any load on the vehicle, may not exceed a total outside width of 102 inches, with an exception for mirrors or other safety equipment.
This bill would include within this exception equipment that is an integral part of an automated driving system, including sensors, cameras, and lighting equipment, provided the total outside width does not exceed 122 inches.
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 authorize the department to issue an oversized vehicle permit for a vehicle equipped with an automated driving system (ADS).

This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.

Bill History

2026-04-01 House
Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
2026-04-01 House
Reported Out of Committee Second House
2026-04-01 House
Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure 1st Substitute
2026-02-24 Senate
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 572 (Yeas 33, Nays 0)
2026-02-24 Senate
Third Reading in House of Origin (Yeas 33, Nays 0)
2026-02-24 House
Pending Committee Action in Second House
2026-02-24 House
Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure
2026-02-24 Senate
Carried Over to the Call of the Chair
2026-02-05 Senate
Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
2026-02-04 Senate
Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
2026-01-29 Senate
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
2026-01-29 Senate
Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation and Energy

Official Summary Text

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

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SB222 INTRODUCED
Page 0
SB222
XD964Z7-1
By Senator Allen
RFD: Transportation and Energy
First Read: 29-Jan-26
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XD964Z7-1 08/05/2024 CMH (L)bm 2025-2069
Page 1
First Read: 29-Jan-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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SB222 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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SB222 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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