SB379 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Holtzclaw

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Motor vehicles, autonomous vehicles, operation of authorized, testing required, certain amount of insurance required

Summary

This bill would allow driverless autonomous vehicles to be tested on Alabama roads at approved sites, with licensing, insurance, safety data sharing, and oversight by local governments.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes autonomous vehicles to operate on public and private roads only at municipalities' or counties' approved testing sites, after the technology has been tested and approved. Testing vehicles must be licensed for testing, stay within defined site boundaries, and travel under 35 mph; the operator in autonomous mode is considered the driver. Vehicles must carry at least $5 million in liability insurance, provide various vehicle and safety details, have a remote operator link, and be subject to safety data sharing by their operators. Local governments can suspend or revoke testing licenses for safety or compliance issues and must require data collection, including accident reporting within 10 days and an annual safety data report.

Who It Affects

• Testing entities/companies developing or testing autonomous vehicles – must obtain licenses, carry required insurance, provide safety data, and comply with testing site rules.
• Municipalities and counties – oversee testing sites, issue licenses, collect safety data, enforce rules, and can suspend or revoke licenses for noncompliance or safety concerns.
• Road users and the general public – may encounter testing of autonomous vehicles in controlled areas; safety measures include signage, speed limits, and operating restrictions.
• Vehicle manufacturers/technology providers – must identify vehicles, demonstrate compliance with standards or exemptions, ensure remote operator communication, and disclose testing details.
• Insurance providers – must supply the required $5 million liability coverage for testing autonomous vehicles.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes testing of autonomous vehicles on public and private roads at approved testing sites; operation allowed only after testing and approval of the technology.
• Requires each autonomous vehicle used in testing to be licensed for testing; must operate within defined site boundaries and at speeds under 35 mph; the operator in autonomous mode is the driver.
• Municipalities/counties must designate testing sites with signage; vehicles must have safety redundancies and insurance of at least $5,000,000; testing vehicles must be properly labeled as testing.
• License applications must include pre-testing safety certification, geographic operation limits, compliance with NHTSA guidance, proof of $5,000,000 insurance/bond/deposit, vehicle identification details, exterior testing indicators, a remote-operator communication link, and a law enforcement interaction plan.
• Data collection is required, including accident reporting within 10 days, an annual safety data report, and other information as deemed necessary by the local authority.
• Entities operating autonomous technology must share certain safety data with authorities.
• Local governments may suspend, revoke, deny, or refuse to renew licenses for safety or compliance reasons; appeals are allowed within 30 days.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

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