HB 1645 Summary

• Allows arrest officers to release individuals upon personal recognizance for misdemeanor traffic violations if the person holds a valid driver's license and meets specified conditions, with exceptions for impaired driving, eluding police, and suspended licenses.

• Requires courts to notify the Department of Public Safety and the Nonresident Violator Compact when defendants fail to appear for arraignment, resulting in suspension of driving privileges in Oklahoma or the defendant's home state.

• Establishes specific disqualification periods for commercial driver's license holders who violate out-of-service orders: 90 days for first offense, 1 year for second offense within 10 years, and 3 years for third offense within 10 years (with longer periods for hazardous materials transport).

• Requires the Department of Public Safety to review prior driving records of commercial driver's license applicants and disqualify those with prior convictions for disqualifying offenses that were never previously addressed in other jurisdictions.

• Clarifies driver license photo requirements to show full head and shoulders with prohibited items (hats, scarves, glasses, masks) and requires courts to report convictions of commercial driver's license holders to the Department of Public Safety even for certain drug offenses.