From The Capital

• Act 2011-205, Creates License Plate for Low Speed Mini-trucks
• Act 2011-535, Requires Demonstration of U.S. Citizenship For Tags or Titles
• Act 2011-540, Allows Wreckers to Register at a Lower Weight
• Act 2011-554, Places New Restrictions on Dealer License Plates
• Act 2011-688, Permits Online Verification of Mandatory Liability Insurance
• Act 2010-710, Creates A New Distinctive Retired Fire Fighter License Plate
• Act 2010-510, New Military Distinctive License Plates
• Act 2010-582, Provides For Eligibility Changes For The Fire Fighter License Plate
• Act 2010-748, Allows A Vehicle Owner To Restore His/Her Salvage Vehicle 
• Act 2009-281, Removes Utility Trailers From Title Certificate Requirements
• Act 2009-618, Volunteer Fire Fighter Fee Exemption
• Act 2009-623, New Commemorative Military License Plates for Veterans Serving in Iraq and Afghanistan
• Act 2009-644, Changes To FOP Distinctive License Plates
• Act 2009-743, Permits Retired Military License Plate For Spouses Of Qualified Registrants
• Act 2009-639, Increases Vietnam Veteran License Plate Fee
• Act 2008-393, New Minimum Limits For Auto Insurance
• Act 2008-336, Creates State Exemptions For Farmers From Federal Motor Carrier Act
• Alabama Department of Revenue Allows New Search Feature For Tracking Motor Vehicle Title Issuance
• Online Appointments Now Available for Road Skills Testing in Huntsville DPS Office

Act 2011-205, Creates License Plate for Low Speed Mini-trucks

Beginning January, 2012, a restricted license plate becomes available for mini-trucks to operate on public roads (not interstate highways). The license fee for the distinctive tag will be the same as private passenger vehicles yet such vehicles are exempt from the provisions of the Alabama title law. 

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Act 2011-535, Requires Demonstration of U.S. Citizenship For Tags or Titles

Individuals are required to show citizenship or lawful presence in the U.S. before he/she may conduct a business transaction with the state or a political subdivision of the state. Business transactions include, but are not limited to , the renewing or applying for vehicle and boat registration, renewing or applying for a business license, and applying for an Alabama certificate of title.

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Act 2011-540, Allows Wreckers to Register at a Lower Weight

Tow trucks will receive vehicle registration at the gross vehicle weight of the wrecker only, without consideration for the weight of the attached vehicle being towed. This change will allow wreckers to register at a lower weight which will incur a lower license fee.

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Act 2011-554, Places New Restrictions on Dealer License Plates

New and used licensed dealers will be limited to the number of dealer license plates beginning October, 2011 to 25 and 10 plates respectively. The law creates a dealer transit plate for use by wholesalers, reconditioners and rebuilders. A limit of 10 dealer transit plates is available for dealers. The law adds an increased penalty for second and subsequent violations ($500) and a civil penalty totaling $1,000 for willful misstatements or filing erroneous documents in order to acquire dealer license plates.

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Act 2011-688, Permits Online Verification of Mandatory Liability Insurance

The Alabama Department of Revenue and law enforcement officers are permitted to verify liability insurance policy on motor vehicles with an online insurance verification in real time. Beginning January 1, 2013, county licensing officials will verify insurance prior to the issuance of vehicle registrations. The law also increased reinstatement fees effective June 14, 2011 to $200 for the first violation and $400 for the second violation.

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Act 2010-710, Creates A New Distinctive Retired Fire Fighter License Plate

Vehicle owners who retired from a paid or part-paid fire department may qualify for the distinctive Retired Fire Fighter license plate beginning January 1, 2012. By December 1 each year, the Fire Fighter's Personnel Standards and Education Commission will forward to county licensing officials lists of eligible retired fire fighters and eligible fire departments. Retirees from volunteer fire departments do not qualify to receive this plate.

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Act 2010-510, New Military Distinctive License Plates

Beginning January 1, 2011, five (5) new distinctive license plates related to each branch of the military will be available for qualified Alabama vehicle owners. The tags will have a designation for Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines. An additional fee of $3.00 is collected when the license plate is issued for the first time.

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Act 2010-582, Provides For Eligibility Changes For The Fire Fighter License Plate

Beginning December, 2010, the Alabama Forestry Commission and the Fire Fighter's Personnel Standards and Education Commission will prepare and provide lists to county licensing officials of volunteer and paid fire fighters to support eligibility of the distinctive Fire Fighter license plate. New members added during the calendar year may also obtain plates by presenting a certificate signed by the chief of the local fire department to the county licensing official. The legislative act also designated the widow or widower of a paid, part-paid, or volunteer fire fighter who dies in the line of duty as a qualified recipient of one (1) Fire Fighter distinctive license plate.

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Act 2010-748, Allows A Vehicle Owner To Restore His/Her Salvage Vehicle

Beginning June 1, 2010, a vehicle owner is allowed to provide evidence that he or she was the owner prior to the event which caused the salvage title to be issued in lieu of them being required to be a license rebuilder in order to apply for inspection of the salvage vehicle with the Alabama Department of Revenue, Inspections Division. The inspection and review of repairs leads to the restoration of the Alabama title from the distinctive legend "SALVAGE TITLE" to the distinctive legend "REBUILT TITLE."  Evidence of ownership could include a registration receipt, title or title application.

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Act 2009-281, Removes Utility Trailers From Title Certificate Requirements

Effective July 1, 2009, no certificate of title will be issued for a utility trailer, other than folding or collapsible camping trailers with model years beginning 1990. This change will enhance the existing registration requirements for utility trailers by removing the many issues regarding the titling of the trailers with incomplete or missing documents. This law change will also simplify the registration of a trailer with a utility trailer license plate by removing any length, weight or axle requirements from consideration. If the trailer is designed to be pulled or towed by a passenger car or pickup truck by attaching the trailer tongue to the rear bumper hitch, then the trailer will be exempt from titling and will receive a utility trailer license plate upon the payment of the proper fees and taxes.

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Act 2009-618, Volunteer Fire Fighter Fee Exemption

Volunteer fire fighters who are entitled to a distinctive Fire Fighter license plate after August 1, 2009 will receive one (1) registration fee exemption. Qualified registrants may receive additional license plates at regular fees. The exemption will only apply to the distinctive Fire Fighter license plate.

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Act 2009-623, New Commemorative Military License Plates for Veterans Serving in Iraq and Afghanistan

Lawmakers expanded Alabama's commemorative military license plates by adding two new categories for veterans of the two military campaigns, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan. Both plates will maintain standard license fees with an additional $3.00 in the year of initial issuance of the plate. A certification form will come from the local Department of Veteran Affairs as a prerequisite for the new license categories. Both tags are available for personalization with the additional fee of $50.00.  

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Act 2009-644, Changes To FOP Distinctive License Plates

The annual additional fee for the Fraternal Order of Police distinctive license plate increases from $20.00 to $30.00. The new law also creates a new license plate for FOP members who own a motorcycle. Both license plates are for active FOP members only.

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Act 2009-743, Permits Retired Military License Plate For Spouses Of Qualified Registrants

Alabama law was amended and allows the spouse of a retired military member or reservist to receive the Retired Military license plate. Further, upon the death of a qualified license plate recipient, the surviving spouse may retain one (1) Retired Military plate for lifetime or until remarriage. Regular registration fees and taxes will apply.

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Act 2009-639, Increases Vietnam Veteran License Plate Fee

Beginning September 1, 2009 the license fee for the Vietnam Veteran distinctive license plate increases by $3.00 during registration renewal years. The additional fee remains $6.00 during the first registration with the issuance of the metal plate. The additional fees are assigned to the Vietnam Veterans of America Inc., Alabama State Council.

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Act 2008-393, New Minimum Limits For Auto Insurance

In May, 2008, Governor Riley signed new legislation that increases the auto liability insurance minimum limits. In Alabama the minimum car insurance limits increase to $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury or death and $25,000 for property damage liability. The previous limits were 20/40/10.

The new limits will take effect on or after August 30, 2008 for new business and on or after November 28, 2008 for policy renewals.

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Act 2008-336, Creates State Exemptions For Farmers From Federal Motor Carrier Act

The Alabama legislature granted exemption to farm vehicles operating in Alabama from intrastate federal regulations related to the Motor Carrier Act. The exemption expanded the limit of GVWR or Gross Combination Weight Ratings from 10,000 pounds to 26,000 pounds or less for straight farm trucks and farm trucks with trailers.

Farm-owned vehicles operating within 150 miles of the farm will not be required to display DOT marking or DOT registration.

For additional information view the presentation from the Alabama Department of Public Safety at dps.alabama.gov/mc.

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New Online Search Feature For Alabama Title Applications

A new search feature is available for all title applications that are sent to the Alabama Department of Revenue through the new Web-based electronic title application processing system called ETAPS, which began use in this office December, 2007.

Motor vehicle owners, lienholders and other designated title agents may track the processing status of Alabama title applications anytime they choose by logging onto the web site at ADOR - Motor Vehicle Division and following the prompts provided on the title search feature. Search results will indicate whether the title application has been received by ADOR and is currently reviewed, whether the title has been approved, or whether the title application has been rejected for additional information or action.

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Schedule Your Road Skills Test In Huntsville

The Alabama Department of Public Safety is now accepting appointments for road skill tests for their office locations in Montgomery, Mobile and now, Huntsville.

Appointments will be scheduled up to two weeks in advance and may be requested by phone during regular business hours or by e-mail.

An e-mail confirmation will be sent once an appointment has been approved.

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