SB458 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Trip Pittman
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Motor vehicles, truck weights, dump trucks not required to meet axle spacing requirements under certain conditions, Sec. 32-9-20 am'd.
Summary: SB458 loosens axle-spacing rules for certain trucks (like asphalt/concrete mixers and dump trucks) under specific weight limits, and adds a 400-pound idle-reduction (APU) allowance with certification requirements.
What This Bill Does
It amends Alabama's vehicle weight law to let selected vehicle types bypass the axle-spacing requirements if they stay within defined weight caps. Asphalt plant mix trucks and concrete mixing trucks operating within 50 miles of their home base can avoid the axle-spacing rule, provided they do not exceed the maximum gross weight for their axle configuration and have braking on all axles (concrete mixers have a specified 66,000-pound limit for true gross load in some cases). The bill also exempts certain agricultural two- and three-axle farm vehicles from axle-spacing and weight requirements, and adds a 400-pound allowance for vehicles using idle-reduction technology, subject to certification. It becomes effective on the first day of the third month after the governor signs it into law.

Who It Affects
Dump trucks, dump trailers, concrete mixing trucks, fuel oil/gasoline trucks, and other special-use trucks receive exemptions from axle-spacing requirements if they stay within per-axle and total weight limits.
Asphalt plant mix delivery trucks and concrete mixing trucks operating within 50 miles of their home base are not required to conform to the axle-spacing rule, but must adhere to the weight limits for their axle configuration and have brake-equipped axles.
Two- and three-axle agricultural vehicles transporting farm commodities or used for farm operations are exempt from axle-spacing and weight requirements.
Drivers and fleets that use idle-reduction technology may gain an additional 400 pounds in weight limits, with proof/certification required.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 32-9-20 to allow exemptions from the axle-spacing requirements for certain vehicle types (dump trucks, dump trailers, concrete mixing trucks, fuel/oil/gas trucks, asphalt plant delivery trucks, and other special-use vehicles) while keeping per-axle and total weight limits.
Asphalt plant mix trucks and concrete mixers operating within 50 miles of their home base are exempt from the axle-spacing requirements, but must stay under the maximum gross weight for their axle configuration and have brakes on all axles; concrete mixers have a specified true gross load limit (e.g., up to 66,000 pounds) and must have at least three axles.
Maximum weights are governed by a table that sets gross-weight limits based on axle count; no vehicle may exceed the listed gross weights unless a special permit allows otherwise; interstate rules with related tolerances still apply.
Dump trucks, dump trailers, concrete mixing trucks, and similar vehicles must be brake-equipped on all axles, and the legal weight limits apply with allowable scale tolerances as enforcement supports.
Two- and three-axle agricultural vehicles transporting farm commodities are not required to conform to the axle spacing or gross weight requirements for their use on farms.
Adds a 400-pound increase to the gross/axle/bridge formula weight limits for vehicles using an auxiliary power unit (APU) idle-reduction technology, contingent on written proof/certification of the APU weight and its functional status.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Motor Vehicles