4/3/06-Gov. Bob Riley has signed a bill that establishes a permanent plate for trailers in the state. Once issued, a plate will stay with a trailer until it is resold or placed out-of-service.
Prior to heading to the governor’s desk, the bill – HB154 – won unanimous support in the House and passed the Senate 35-20.
Existing Alabama law requires trailers to be retagged annually. State law subjects trailers to an annual $20 registration fee. The new rule, which takes effect Oct. 1, provides for trailer registrants to obtain a permanent plate for $60.
Sponsored by Rep. Ronald Johnson, R-Sylacauga, it also provides for a multi-year tractor tag for tractor-trailer combinations registered under the International Registration Plan. The multi-year tag will be good for up to five years.
In addition, Johnson’s effort increases the annual registration fee for vehicles with a gross weight between 73,281 and 80,000 pounds by $35 – from $780 to $815. Vehicles with a gross weight more than 80,000 pounds will see the fee increase $45 – from $845 to $890.

3/29/06-The Senate voted 35-20 to approve a bill that would establish a permanent trailer plate in Alabama. The plate would stay with the vehicle until the trailer was resold or placed out-of-service.
HB154 has been sent to Gov. Bob Riley’s desk for his signature. It already won unanimous approval in the House.
Existing state law requires trailers to be retagged annually. Trailers are subject to an annual $20 registration fee. The bill would provide for trailer registrants to obtain a permanent plate for $60.
Sponsored by Rep. Ronald Johnson, R-Sylacauga, the bill also would provide for a multi-year tractor tag for tractor-trailer combinations registered under the International Registration Plan. The multi-year tag would be good for up to five years.
In addition, the bill would increase the annual registration fee for vehicles with a gross weight between 73,281 and 80,000 pounds by $35 – from $780 to $815. Vehicles with a gross weight more than 80,000 pounds would see the fee increase $45 – from $845 to $890.
For bill status, call (334) 242-7627. In Alabama, call 1-800-499-3052.

2/14/06-The House unanimously approved a bill this month that would establish a permanent trailer plate in the state. The plate would stay with the vehicle until the trailer is resold or placed out-of-service.
Existing Alabama law doesn’t allow owners to purchase a permanent trailer plate when registering trailers. Trailers must be retagged annually.
Sponsored by Rep. Ronald Johnson, R-Sylacauga, HB154 also would provide for a multi-year tractor tag for tractor-trailer combinations registered under the International Registration Plan. The multi-year tag would be good for up to five years.
State law subjects trailers to an annual $20 registration fee. The bill would provide for trailer registrants to obtain a permanent plate for $60.
In addition, the bill would increase the annual registration fee for vehicles with a gross weight between 73,281 and 80,000 pounds by $35 – from $780 to $815. Vehicles with a gross weight more than 80,000 pounds would see the fee increase $45 – from $845 to $890.
The bill has been sent to the Senate for further consideration.
For House bill status, call (334) 242-7627. In Alabama, call 1-800-499-3052.