SB258 Enrolled is a comprehensive bill that revises Alabama's laws concerning commercial driver licenses (CDLs) and the operation of commercial motor vehicles. The bill removes the requirement for drivers to report certain violations to the Department of Public Safety and repeals the steel coil transport certification requirement. It updates CDL qualification standards, including the testing process and issuance limitations, to comply with federal standards. The bill introduces a lifetime disqualification for individuals convicted of using a vehicle in the commission of a felony involving severe forms of trafficking in persons, with provisions for reducing this disqualification under certain conditions. It also revises disqualification periods for various offenses, mandates timely updates to records, and establishes penalties for failing to report or disclose required information.

The bill also modifies the fees for issuing CDLs and learner's permits, aligning them with fees for a Class D driver license and adding additional fees for Class A and B licenses. It changes the validity period for CDLs to four years and learner's permits to one year. The bill removes the certification requirement for the transport of metal coils and outlines training requirements for law enforcement officers enforcing federal motor carrier safety regulations. It provides for exemptions and waivers related to hours of service regulations and allows for the arrest or citation of commercial motor vehicle drivers without a warrant in certain situations. Furthermore, the bill defines the state's planting and harvesting season for agricultural transport exemptions and sets penalties for various offenses related to commercial vehicle operation, with fines and potential imprisonment for non-compliance. The act is set to become effective on October 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 32-6-49, 32-6-49, 32-6-49, 32-6-49, 32-6-49, 32-9A-2, 32-9A-4
Engrossed: 32-6-49, 32-6-49, 32-6-49, 32-6-49, 32-6-49, 32-9A-2, 32-9A-4
Enrolled: 32-6-49, 32-6-49, 32-6-49, 32-6-49, 32-6-49, 32-9A-2, 32-9A-4