Posted: | January 23, 2013 11:55 AM |
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From: | Representative Jim Marshall |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Fines For Lasped Auto Insurance |
I soon will introduce legislation that will permit those individuals who have had their driver’s license and registration suspended by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation because of a lapse of required automobile insurance coverage to pay a civil penalty of $500 to the Department in lieu of serving the imposed suspension. Under current law, vehicle registration and operating privileges are suspended for three months when PennDOT determines that required financial responsibility (auto insurance) for that vehicle is not secured and in place. The Department does not restore the registration and operating privilege until the suspension is served and the vehicle owner furnishes proof of financial responsibility. My legislation gives affected vehicle owners the option of avoiding the obstacle of not being able to drive their vehicle for three months by paying a civil penalty of $500. In addition, the vehicle owner still will have to pay the restoration fee and furnish proof of financial responsibility before the registration and operating privilege is restored. This alternative allows individuals who made a mistake by letting their auto insurance lapse to rectify and resolve the offense in a more expedited fashion. This alternative also generates additional revenue for PennDOT at a time when funding for transportation infrastructure is desperately needed. Thank you and I hope you will consider joining me in support of this legislation. |
Introduced as HB667