HEA 1059 Summary

• Adds definition of "registration" to include license plates issued in connection with vehicle registration, effective January 1, 2015.

• Non-vehicle owners seeking only to reinstate suspended driver's licenses are exempt from proving financial responsibility; operator's liability insurance satisfies proof requirements for others.

• Operating a vehicle without financial responsibility is a Class A infraction, elevated to Class C misdemeanor if the person has a prior unrelated conviction under this section.

• Courts must recommend driving privilege suspension for 90 days to 1 year for first offense, or 1 year for repeat offenses within 5 years; repeat offenders must also have vehicle registration suspended.

• Increases driver's license reinstatement fees effective January 1, 2015: first suspension from $150 to $250, second suspension from $225 to $500, third or subsequent suspension from $300 to $1,000; portions deposited in financial responsibility compliance verification fund.