HB411 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tammy Irons

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Barry MaskSteve ClouseJim BartonJim McClendonSteve McMillanJoe FaustHarry ShiverJoe HubbardDuwayne BridgesHoward SanderfordWarren BeckRichard J. LairdAllen TreadawaySpencer CollierRobert BentleyMicky HammonPhil WilliamsDavid GrimesGerald H. AllenDickie DrakeCraig FordJeremy OdenJohnny Mack MorrowJames C. FieldsHenry A. WhiteSteve HurstJody LetsonTerry SpicerTodd GreesonRandy DavisJack WilliamsMike BallJay LovePat MooreGregory CanfieldMac McCutcheonMike HillH. Mac GipsonMary Sue McClurkin

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Motor vehicles, driving without license or insurance or proof of legal entry into the United States, motor vehicle may be impounded, Secs. 32-6-18, 32-7A-4 am'd.

Summary

HB411 would allow police to impound a vehicle if the driver lacks a license or proof of U.S. entry, or if there is no proof of insurance, and it sets related penalties, verification rules, and notification requirements.

What This Bill Does

It creates a misdemeanor for driving on public highways without a driver’s license and adds a $50 penalty that applies in many cases. It authorizes impounding of a vehicle when the driver cannot show a license, insurance, or proof of legal entry into the U.S., but requires verification by the officer and provides an exception if the license is expired within the last 90 days. If a vehicle is impounded, lien holders must be notified within 72 hours, and storage charges may be limited if notice is not provided; the bill also requires minimum liability insurance or a bond/deposit for operation of a vehicle and outlines where fines go and how they are distributed.

Who It Affects

• Drivers who do not have a valid driver’s license, cannot show proof of legal entry into the United States, or cannot show proof of insurance (their vehicles could be impounded).
• Vehicle owners, lien holders, lessees, insurers, and private tow/storage operators (notification requirements, storage-charge limits, and insurance/bond/deposit provisions).

Key Provisions

• Imposes a misdemeanor penalty for driving on public highways without a license, with fines of $10 to $100 plus an additional $50 penalty in all criminal and quasi-criminal cases.
• Authorizes impoundment of a vehicle when the driver lacks a license, lacks proof of insurance, or cannot show valid U.S. entry documents; allows impoundment until a hearing on the violation.
• Requires officers to attempt to verify license status by other means and provides an exception if the license has expired within the prior 90 days; vehicle cannot be impounded if such verification shows proper licensing.
• If impounded, requires lien holders, lessees, lessors, and owners to be notified within 72 hours; storage charges may be limited if notice is not provided.
• Adds insurance requirements: vehicles must be insured or have a bond or cash deposit; sets minimum coverage for bodily injury/death and property destruction and requires a bond of at least $50,000 or a cash deposit of at least $50,000.
• Requires private insurance to be issued by an insurer authorized to do business in Alabama and allows policy defenses under common law.
• Outlines distribution of the $50 penalty and the handling of fines and penalties collected under the act (including specific funds and municipal versus district/circuit court handling).
• Makes the act subject to constitutional provisions on local funds, but states it falls within exceptions that avoid a 2/3 vote requirement for local expenditures.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage and the Governor’s approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles