SB359 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Clyde ChamblissSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Motor vehicles, mandatory liability insurance, second or subsequent violation, time period decreased for increased penalty, min. suspension period removed, Sec. 32-7A-12 am'd.

Summary

SB 359 limits penalties for lapses in auto liability insurance to the prior 24 months and updates how registrations are suspended or revoked when coverage can't be verified.

What This Bill Does

If the Department cannot verify liability insurance, it must send a notice within 30 days and require proof of continuous coverage for the period it specifies. The registration will be suspended unless the registrant shows no lapse in coverage within the prior 24 months, or proves the vehicle was not operated after the registration date due to storage or being unused, in which case the registration is revoked for the remainder of the period (with a chance to obtain a new registration later if the vehicle is used). If the registrant later provides proof of current coverage during the current registration, the registration is reinstated. Operators with revoked registrations can be cited by law enforcement.

Who It Affects

• Vehicle registrants in Alabama who may have had lapses in liability insurance and must prove coverage within a 24-month lookback or face suspension/revocation.
• Alabama Department of Revenue (motor vehicle division) and law enforcement, who administer notices, suspensions, revocations, and reinstatements and enforce citations for revoked registrations.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 32-7A-11 to limit the penalty lookback period for lapses in liability insurance to the preceding 24 months.
• If the department cannot verify insurance, it must notify the registrant within 30 days and require evidence of continuous coverage for the period the department designates.
• Registration will be suspended unless the registrant proves no lapse in coverage within the past 24 months or proves the vehicle was not operated after the registration date due to storage/being unused, in which case the registration is revoked for the remainder of the period.
• If the vehicle later has current liability coverage during the current registration period, the registration is reinstated.
• Operators of vehicles with revoked registrations may be cited by law enforcement.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor.

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