SB47 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Motor vehicles, autonomous vehicles, defined, operation by remote human operator, duties after accident, Transportation Dept to have jurisdiction over

Summary

Alabama enacts a framework to authorize and regulate autonomous and tele-operated commercial vehicles, with the Department of Transportation as the main regulator and safety and insurance requirements.

What This Bill Does

It creates definitions for automated commercial vehicles, autonomous driving systems, remote drivers, and teleoperation systems. It designates the Department of Transportation as the sole regulator and bars local agencies from imposing extra rules. It allows operating without a conventional driver if the vehicle is properly registered, federally certified, insured for at least $2 million, can reach a minimal risk condition, and complies with traffic laws. It also sets rules for accident reporting and treats remote drivers as the vehicle's operator for legal purposes, including licensing and impairment testing.

Who It Affects

• Owners or lessees of automated commercial motor vehicles and teleoperation systems must ensure registration, certification, insurance, and safety requirements and may operate without a driver if all criteria are met.
• Remote drivers and the companies employing teleoperation systems (and the insurers) must hold appropriate licenses, be treated as the vehicle operator for traffic and liability purposes, and comply with accident-related testing and reporting.

Key Provisions

• Defines key terms: automated commercial motor vehicle, automated driving system, remote driver, teleoperation system, dynamic driving task, minimal risk condition, and operational design domain.
• Declares the Department of Transportation as the exclusive regulator for ACMVs and teleoperation systems and prohibits other state or local rules specific to teleoperation or automation.
• Allows operation of automated commercial vehicles without a conventional driver if criteria are met: traffic law compliance, Alabama registration, federal safety certification, minimal risk capability, and at least $2 million liability coverage.
• Owner or lessee is treated as the vehicle operator for traffic law compliance; the automated driving system is considered licensed to operate the vehicle.
• Accident procedures require staying at the scene and prompt contact with law enforcement and required information; remote drivers must be reachable and cooperate with authorities.
• Teleoperation-enabled vehicles may operate with a remote driver; the remote driver is the operator for legal purposes and must hold the proper license; impairment testing is possible after incidents.
• State-registered teleoperation vehicles must meet federal standards, be properly certified, comply with state traffic laws (including railroad crossings), carry at least $2 million in liability insurance, and be able to stop safely if the system fails.
• The act does not repeal existing liability laws; it becomes effective immediately after 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