HB4 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tommy Hanes

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Motor vehicles, commercial vehicles with three or more axels, interstate highways and four-lane highways, outside of municipal corporate limits, required to use right lanes under certain conditions, exception for passing, Sec. 32-5A-80 am'd.

Summary

HB 4 would require commercial motor vehicles with three or more axles to stay in the right lanes on interstates and U.S. highways, with limited exceptions for passing and other conditions.

What This Bill Does

The bill amends Section 32-5A-80 to specify lane-use rules for CMVs with 3+ axles on interstates and U.S. highways. It requires these vehicles to travel in the right lane on four-lane, two-direction roadways and restricts using the far left lane to pass (with a two-mile limit unless traffic prevents passing). It also prohibits CMVs from using the far-left lane on roadways with three or more lanes in each direction, and it lists several exceptions (traffic congestion, bad weather, obeying laws, making left turns, paying tolls, or operating within a municipality) as well as general exemptions for emergency vehicles and highway maintenance. The act includes a 60-day warning period after the effective date during which only warnings would be issued for violations.

Who It Affects

• Commercial motor vehicle drivers (vehicles with three or more axles) who would be required to use the right lanes on interstates and U.S. highways and follow the listed exceptions.
• Trucking companies and fleet operators that run CMVs with three or more axles, who would need to train staff and adjust policies to ensure compliance.

Key Provisions

• On four-lane interstates/U.S. highways (two lanes in each direction), CMVs with 3+ axles must travel in the right lane unless passing; cannot stay in the left-most lane to pass for more than two miles unless traffic prevents passing and return to the right.
• On roadways with three or more lanes in each direction, CMVs with 3+ axles may not travel in the far left lane.
• Exceptions: conditions of traffic congestion, inclement weather, legal compliance, making left turns or exits, paying tolls, or operation within municipal corporate limits.
• Exemptions: authorized emergency vehicles and highway maintenance/construction vehicles.
• Enforcement period: for 60 days after the act's effective date, only warning citations may be issued for violations of the right-lane rule.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

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