HB37 Alabama 2022 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Charlotte Meadows
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2022
Title: Motor vehicles, autocycles, equipment required for operation, further provided, Secs. 32-6A-1, 32-5A-245 am'd.
Summary: HB37 creates autocycles in Alabama, sets their safety and licensing rules, and exempts them from some helmet and footwear requirements while treating them like motorcycles for registration.
What This Bill Does
It defines an autocycle (three wheels, steering, roll cage, seat belts, FMVSS 122 brakes, non-straddling seating) and requires compliance with federal motorcycle safety standards by a registered manufacturer. It allows autocycle operators to use a regular driver's license (no Class M) and treats autocycles as motorcycles for registration, taxation, titling, and Title 40. It exempts autocycles from certain helmet and protective headgear/shoe requirements, while giving the Director of Public Safety authority to approve protective headgear and publish approved lists; it also imposes age-based operating hours and suspensions for riders 17 and younger. The act becomes law on the first day of the third month after it passes.

Who It Affects
Autocycle operators and owners, who must meet safety standards, operate with a regular driver's license (no Class M), and register/tax/titling them like motorcycles.
Automobile and motorcycle manufacturers and retailers, who must ensure autocycles meet federal safety standards and comply with licensing/registration treatment.
Law enforcement and the Department of Public Safety, which gains authority to approve protective headgear standards and maintain a list of approved gear.
Minors (17 years old or younger), who would be subject to operating hours and suspension rules specific to autocycles.
Helmet and protective gear sellers, who must ensure helmets sold meet the approved standards even though autocycles are exempt from helmet/shoe requirements.

Key Provisions
Autocycle defined as a three-wheeled motor vehicle with a steering mechanism, roll cage, seat belts for all occupants, FMVSS 122 brakes, non-straddling seating, and manufactured to comply with applicable federal motorcycle safety standards (49 C.F.R. Part 571) by a registered manufacturer.
Operators may hold a regular driver's license and are not required to display or hold a Class M motorcycle license to operate an autocycle.
Autocycles must be equipped with a seat belt and are subject to seat belt laws; the helmet and protective gear requirements for motorcycles do not apply to autocycles, but other helmet standards remain under DPS authority.
Autocycles are registered, taxed, and titled in the same manner as motorcycles and are considered motorcycles for Title 40 purposes.
Individuals 17 years old or younger operating autocycles are subject to the operating hours, exceptions, and suspensions in Section 32-6-7.2.
DPS (Secretary of the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency) may approve or disapprove protective headgear and publish lists of approved headgear; sellers must comply with standards for helmets sold.
Effective date: the act takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Motor Vehicles