Senate Bill 303 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Keith KelleySenator

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Motor vehicles; off-road vehicles, operation requirements for use on public roads, provided

Summary

SB303 would allow certain off-road vehicles to be driven on specific public county roads in Alabama with safety certification, tagging, and insurance requirements, starting in 2027.

What This Bill Does

The bill creates a process for operating off-road vehicles on public roads by requiring dealers to certify that each vehicle has specified safety equipment. If certified and insured, the owner can get a restricted-use tag from a local licensing official after paying fees. Operators must be at least 16 years old and hold a valid driver’s license, and they must follow standard driving duties on the road, with operation limited to unincorporated county roads up to 45 mph and not on interstates or inside municipalities. It also sets crossing rules, exemptions for private property and certain government uses, directs the Department of Revenue to adopt implementing rules, and requires ALEA to collect and report crash data within the first 24 months.

Who It Affects

• Off-road vehicle owners and operators: can operate on designated public county roads if they meet certification, licensing, and insurance requirements and display a restricted-use tag.
• Local licensing officials and counties: responsible for certifying vehicles, issuing restricted-use tags, collecting fees, enforcing the new rules, and implementing the Department of Revenue's regulations.

Key Provisions

• Certification requirement: Department of Revenue must establish a dealer certification form and require off-road vehicle dealers to certify that each vehicle includes brakes; headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals; a horn; seat belts for all passengers; a roll bar; a spark arrester; a properly working muffler connected to the exhaust; a windshield; and tires meeting Alabama standards.
• Registration and tag: if a vehicle is certified and insured, the local licensing official must register it and issue a restricted-use tag.
• Operator and license: operators must be at least 16 years old and hold a valid state or equivalent license; they must follow standard duties of private vehicle operators.
• Road limits: operation allowed only on unincorporated county roads with a maximum speed limit of 45 mph; not on interstate highways or within municipalities.
• Crossing rules: crossing between areas is allowed if done at a 90-degree angle, all traffic controls are observed, the vehicle stops fully before crossing, and headlights/taillights are on when required.
• Exemptions: operation on private property with owner consent, for agricultural purposes, wildlife management, law enforcement, emergency services, or other government uses is exempt from certification requirements.
• Fees: annual license tax and registration fee for off-road vehicles are the same as those for private passenger cars.
• Liability and enforcement: violations are punishable under motor vehicle laws; county officials and their employees are protected from liability for injuries or damages arising from operating under this section; no requirement to alter road construction or maintenance to accommodate these vehicles.
• Rules and administration: Department of Revenue will adopt rules to implement the section, including the off-road vehicle certification form.
• Data collection: ALEA must collect crash data involving off-road vehicles for the first 24 months and report findings to the Joint Transportation Committee before the 2029 legislative session.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective January 1, 2027.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Feb 19, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles & Traffic