Alabama Trucking Regulations

Alabama follows the federal 80,000 lbs GVW limit on interstate highways. The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) manages oversize/overweight permits through its Oversize/Overweight Permit Office. Single-trip permits start at $50 and can be obtained online or by calling ALDOT's permit office in Montgomery. Alabama allows up to 84,000 lbs on certain state routes under the state's grandfather clause for specific highways. Superloads exceeding 200,000 lbs require route surveys and ALDOT engineering approval, typically taking 5-10 business days. Alabama enforces weight limits at approximately 20 permanent weigh stations and mobile units operated by ALEA (Alabama Law Enforcement Agency). Overweight fines are calculated at $0.05 per pound over the limit, making a 10,000 lb overweight violation a $500 fine plus possible out-of-service orders.

Alabama follows federal HOS regulations without additional state-specific rules. ALEA's Motor Carrier Safety Unit conducts roadside inspections at weigh stations along I-65, I-20/59, and I-10. The state performs approximately 60,000 commercial vehicle inspections annually. Alabama participates in CVSA International Roadcheck events and Operation Safe Driver enforcement blitzes. ELD compliance is checked during all Level I and Level III inspections. Alabama has no state-specific short-haul exemptions beyond the federal 150 air-mile radius provision. The state's agricultural exemption mirrors federal rules, allowing farm vehicles within 150 miles of the farm to operate without CDL or HOS logs during planting and harvest seasons. Drivers should note that I-65 from Mobile to Montgomery sees frequent enforcement activity.

Alabama requires intrastate motor carriers to register with the Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC). The PSC issues motor carrier certificates for for-hire carriers and permits for contract carriers operating solely within the state. Registration fees are $100 for new applications. Interstate carriers must display valid USDOT numbers and comply with UCR requirements. Alabama enforces IFTA decal requirements at weigh stations — operating without valid IFTA credentials can result in purchasing a temporary trip permit at the weigh station for $50. The state requires all CMVs to have mud flaps extending within 8 inches of the road surface. Alabama's CMV regulations are found in the Code of Alabama Title 32, Chapter 9.

Alabama follows federal FMCSA hazmat regulations with some additional state-level requirements. The Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) must be notified for certain radioactive material shipments. The state prohibits hazmat vehicles from using the George Wallace Tunnel and the Bankhead Tunnel in Mobile — these vehicles must use the Cochrane-Africatown Bridge. Alabama requires hazmat carriers to carry state-specific placards when transporting explosives through populated areas. The state participates in the Cooperative Hazardous Materials Enforcement Development (COHMED) program. Hazmat route restrictions exist around the Anniston Army Depot and Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. Alabama imposes additional permitting for oversized hazmat loads, requiring ALDOT and AEMA coordination for route approval.