SB 598

Bill Subjects

Abstract

(1) Existing law requires a person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle to be suspended or revoked for a specified period of time if the person has been convicted of violating specified provisions prohibiting driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or drug, or the combined influence of an alcoholic beverage and drug, or with 0.08% or more, by weight, of alcohol in his or her blood, or who is addicted to the use of any drug. Existing law authorizes a person whose privilege is suspended or revoked in that manner to receive a restricted driver's license if specified requirements are met, including, in some instances, the installation of a certified ignition interlock device on the person's vehicle. Existing law requires that a person, convicted of driving under the influence, without bodily injury to another, within 10 years of being convicted of a separate violation of one of specified driving-under-the-influence offenses, be punished by his or her driving privilege being suspended for 2 years. The Department of Motor Vehicles is required to advise the person that he or she may apply for a restricted driver's license after completion of 12 months of the suspension period, which may include credit for a specified concurrent suspension, subject to certain conditions, including, among other things, submitting proof of installation of a certified ignition interlock device, agreeing to maintain the ignition interlock device, and paying certain fees, including, but not limited to, all administrative fees or reissue fees. This bill would instead require the department to advise a person, who was only under the influence of an alcoholic beverage at the time of the violation, that he or she may apply for a restricted driver's license after completion of 90 days of the suspension period, under certain circumstances. (2) Existing law requires that a person convicted of driving under the influence, without bodily injury to another, within 10 years of being convicted of 2 separate violations of specified driving-under-the-influence offenses, be punished by his or her driving privilege being revoked for 3 years. The department is required to advise the person that he or she may apply for a restricted driver's license after completion of 12 months of the revocation period, which may include credit for a specified concurrent suspension, subject to certain conditions, including, among other things, satisfactory completion of 12 months of an 18-month or 30-month driving-under-the-influence program, submitting proof of installation of a certified ignition interlock device, agreeing to maintain the ignition interlock device, and paying certain fees. This bill would instead require the department to advise a person, who was found to be only under the influence of an alcoholic beverage at the time of the violation, of his or her ability to apply for a restricted driver's license after completion of 6 months of the revocation period, subject to certain conditions, including that if the person is convicted of a specified offense that person subsequently satisfactorily provides proof of enrollment in an 18-month or 30-month driving-under-the-influence program, as prescribed. The bill would require the person to pay a fee sufficient to cover the costs of administration, as determined by the department. (3) This bill would require that a person convicted of driving under the influence of any drug or the combined influence of any drug and an alcoholic beverage, without bodily injury to another, within 10 years of being convicted of a separate violation of one of the specified driving-under-the-influence offenses, be punished by his or her driving privilege being revoked for 2 years. This bill would authorize the department to reinstate the privilege provided certain conditions are met. This bill would require the department to advise the person that he or she may apply for a restricted driver's license after completion of 12 months of the suspended period, subject to certain conditions including, among other things, that the person provides proof of enrollment in an 18-month or 30-month driving-under-the-influence program, as prescribed. (4) This bill would also require a person convicted of driving under the influence of any drug or the combined influence of any drug and an alcoholic beverage, without bodily injury to another, within 10 years of being convicted of 2 separate violations of specified driving-under-the-influence offenses, be punished by his or her driving privilege being revoked for 3 years. This bill would authorize the department to reinstate the privilege provided certain conditions are met. This bill would require the department to advise the person that he or she may apply for a restricted driver's license after completion of 12 months of the suspended period, subject to certain conditions, including, among other things, that the person has satisfactorily completed the initial 12 months of an 18-month or 30-month driving-under-the-influence program as prescribed. (5) This bill would make other conforming changes. (6) This bill would become operative on July 1, 2010.