Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday signed Senate Bill 242, legislation aimed at improving safety on Alabama’s highways by ensuring commercial motor vehicle operators meet federal work authorization and communication standards.
Surrounded by state troopers, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Secretary Hal Taylor and bill sponsors state Sen. Lance Bell and Rep. Steve Clouse, along with Alabama Trucking Association (ATA) President and CEO Mark Colson and board members, Governor Ivey signed SB242 into law in her office.
The legislation requires commercial driver license (CDL) holders operating in Alabama who hold a foreign CDL to possess valid U.S. work authorization and requires all CDL holders to demonstrate English language proficiency, while also making it a criminal offense to present a false foreign CDL during enforcement encounters.
“Alabama’s economy is booming, and our hardworking truckers play a vital role in keeping goods moving across our state and across this country. At the same time, Alabama families travel these same highways every single day, and they deserve to know the rules are being enforced,” said Governor Ivey. “If you cannot read, write and speak English, you do not need to be driving a commercial vehicle on our roads.”
Sen. Lance Bell, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure strengthens safeguards for Alabama motorists while supporting legitimate commercial drivers who follow the rules.
“The Highway Safety and Fairness Act is about protecting Alabama families and ensuring the integrity of our trucking industry,” said Sen. Bell. “By giving law enforcement additional tools to address fraudulent licenses, enforce existing federal standards and hold bad actors accountable, this legislation helps keep our highways safe while supporting the hardworking Alabama truckers who follow the rules every day. I commend my colleagues in the Legislature for supporting this bill and thank Governor Kay Ivey for signing this important measure into law.”
Rep. Steve Clouse, who carried the legislation in the House, affirms the bill ensures accountability across Alabama’s transportation system.
“The passage of the Highway Safety and Fairness Act helps ensure fairness, accountability and safety across Alabama’s transportation system,” said Rep. Clouse. “By establishing clear requirements for commercial drivers and meaningful penalties for those who violate the law, the Legislature has taken decisive action to protect the traveling public. I am grateful to Governor Ivey for her leadership in signing this important bill into law.”
