Senate Bill 45 Alabama 2026 Session

Updated Feb 17, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Chris ElliottSenator
Republican
Session: 2026 Regular Session
Title: Driver licenses; certain classes of driver licenses invalidated
Summary: SB45 would invalidate certain driver licenses issued to people who did not provide proof of lawful presence, restrict exemptions for those nonresidents, and require enforcement and new state signage, with an effective date of October 1, 2026.
What This Bill Does
It invalidates any driver license that explicitly shows the holder did not provide proof of lawful presence in the United States. It also prevents nonresidents with such licenses from qualifying for exemptions to the Alabama license requirement. The bill requires law enforcement to issue citations for driving without a valid license and directs state agencies to publish notices and install warning signs about the rule. It adds two specific nonresident exemptions to Alabama’s license rules, but notes these exemptions do not apply if the license is invalid under Section 1. The act becomes effective October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects
Nonresident drivers who hold a home-state or home-country license that indicates they did not provide proof of lawful presence; such licenses would be considered invalid in Alabama and could not be used to drive or qualify for exemptions.
Law enforcement, transportation agencies, and the general traveling public in Alabama who will enforce or encounter the new notices, citations, and signage related to the rule.

Key Provisions
Invalidates driver licenses issued to individuals who did not exercise the option of providing proof of lawful presence when obtaining the license, making those licenses not valid for operating a motor vehicle in Alabama.
Nonresidents with such invalid licenses cannot qualify for exemptions from the Alabama driver license requirement.
If a driver is found operating with an invalid license, law enforcement must issue a citation for driving without a license.
The Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency must publish a webpage summary of the section and design road signs to warn drivers about the rule; the Department of Transportation must install these signs at Welcome locations statewide.
Amends Section 32-6-2 to preserve exemptions for (3) nonresidents 16+ with a valid license from their home state/country, provided the license is not invalid under Section 1, and (4) nonresidents 16+ from states that do not require licensing for up to 90 days if the vehicle is registered in their home state/country.
Effective date: October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Motor Vehicles & Traffic