Bill would make it illegal to raise the front of a truck higher than the rear of the truck

December 28, 2024 – MONTGOMERY, AL - the Alabama Legislature will soon be back in session and one of the issues that they will have to confront is whether or not to pass legislation to ban modifying trucks so that the height of the front bender is four inches or more higher than the height of the rear fenders.

House Bill 17 is sponsored by State Representative Ron Bolton (R-Northport).

"This bill would create the Alabama Squat Truck Law," the bill synopsis says.

This legislation would prohibit the alteration of a motor vehicle in such a manner that the height of the front fender is raised four or more inches greater than the height of the accompanying rear fender.

The Alabama Squat Truck Law would make it unlawful for any person to operate a passenger car or truck," "on the highways of this state if, by alteration of the suspension, frame, or chassis, the height of alteration of the suspension, frame, or chassis, the height of the front fender is raised four or more inches greater than the height of the accompanying rear fender."

Under this proposed law, "The height of the fender shall be a vertical measurement from and perpendicular to the ground, through the centerline of the wheel, and to the bottom of the fender."

There would be an exemption for any vehicle modification or alteration made for bona fide commercial or agricultural purposes.

On the first offense, the violator would have to pay a fine of not more than fifty dollars. That goes to $100 on the second offense. A third or subsequent conviction would result in a fine of $250.

In addition, the court shall send notice of the conviction to the Secretary of the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, who shall enter the conviction on the driving record of the defendant as a two-point violation.

For purposes of determining whether a prior conviction has occurred under this section, the court shall only consider offenses that occurred within the preceding five years of the current offense.

If passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor the Alabama Squat Truck Law would become effective October 1, 2025. This bill has been referred to the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.

Rep. Bolton brought a similar bill in 2024; but it failed to make it through the Senate before the session ended. The stated reason for the legislation is that sloped vehicles like this obstruct the driver's vision thus are a safety concern.

The 2025 Alabama regular legislative session begins on February 4, 2025. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) will make her eighth annual state of the state speech to a special joint session of both Houses of the Legislature that evening.

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