driver responsibility program
DESCRIPTION
DRIVER RESPONSIBILITY PROGRAM. Today’s goals. Discuss purpose of DRP Describe difference between DRP & other driver license enforcement actions Explain how points are calculated and the amount of surcharges assessed Include changes from SB 1723 - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
DRIVER RESPONSIBILITY PROGRAM
Today’s goals Discuss purpose of DRP Describe difference between DRP & other
driver license enforcement actions Explain how points are calculated and the
amount of surcharges assessed Include changes from SB 1723 Create a list of resources available for courts
relating to DRP
Traffic Safety Moving violations/Serious traffic
offenses
Accidents
Cause Injury
Improve driver behavior
$$$ Money $$$ Surcharges to help offset cost of
Trauma Center operations
To provide money to the Trauma Center Fund and Texas Mobility Fund
Nuts & Bolts Who-Texas Legislature passed law
during the 78th Legislative Session as HB 3588, created Chapter 708, TRC
When-Effective 9/1/2003 Why-Enhance traffic safety & gain $ for
Trauma Center and Mobility Funds Effective 9/1/2005, General Revenue
Fund replaced Texas Mobility Fund unless collections exceed $250 million annually
What is the DRP? Surcharge Assessment- based on driver
record history Failure to pay results in a suspension of
driving privileges Two methods used to decide who meets
the criteria: Points and Serious Convictions
Requires payment for three years Surcharge is in addition to any other fees Effective 9/1/2005, a statement is
required to be printed on a citation about the surcharge program
Point System Each traffic conviction is assigned 2
points A traffic conviction which resulted in an
accident will be assigned 3 points A surcharge of $100 will be assessed
when a driver has accumulated 6 points in three years; Additional $25 per point for every point over 6
The fees are cumulative and are assessed for up to three years or more
Moving Violation Conviction TAC Title 37, Part 1 Rule 15.89 Does not include seatbelt
violations-does include child safety seat effective 9/1/2005
Only includes speeding that is 10% over the posted limit (code 3586) or speeding in a school zone
Serious Convictions Do not count toward point accumulation
and stands alone to create a surcharge
Driving While Intoxicated Intox Manslaughter and Assault
Subsequent DWI in three years DWI = or > .16 BAC Driving While License Invalid No Liability Insurance Driving Without a Valid License
No DL, No CDL or Expired DL Endorsement Violation
$1000$1500$2000$ 250$ 250$ 100
Service Fees DPS contracted with a third party
vendor for collection and allows a service fee charge
Vendor awarded the contract for DRP was Municipal Services Bureau (MSB)
MSB charges 4% service fee in addition to the required surchargeFirst DWI surcharge would be $1040
Other fees apply for credit cards, installment plan and electronic checks
Process Conviction reported by court
Includes Texas/out-of-state convictions
Exception: No Insurance, DWLI & No DL for OOS convictions
Conviction is applied to driver history for a DL or ID
If no record is found, an unlicensed record is created
Vendor generates Surcharge notice on modified DPS letterhead and mailed to address on record
DRP Notice includes Amount owed and payment options
Outlines the installment plan and fees Mailed to address of record w/DPS
Vendor will research the Post Office database for a National Change of Address (NCOA), and subsequent letters are mailed to NCOA address if located.
Warning that suspension will occur if driver does not comply in 30 days
A 1-800 telephone number; an mailing and email address; web address
Additional Letters… Monthly reminders are mailed to
drivers in the installment plan Includes minimum amount due, full
amount remaining, and payment voucher; due date being added
If they default on IA or do not pay, suspension notice is mailed
4 Point letter mailed to drivers with either four or five points on record
Additional Contacts… SB 1723 allows alternate
collection methods, amended current vendor contract If individual is in default status six
months after initial notice, an additional notice will be mailed
Skip tracing will be allowedOutbound telephone contacts
Will begin summer 2008
What happens next……. Failure to pay the required
surcharge and applicable service fees, driving privilege is suspended No hearing, automatic suspension
Suspension remains in effect until the fee is paid or an installment agreement is established
Surcharge is not a reinstatement fee
Compliance May pay in full or driver may enter into
an installment agreement plan, TAC Rule 15.162Previously, if default on IA, statute
required payment in full SB 1723 allowed reestablishment of
defaulted IA, rule for one-time only Will begin summer 2008
If default occurs twice, can continue to make payments, but compliance will not be reported until paid in full
Compliance cont… Rule to allow one-time change of due date
to more convenient time of month Will begin summer 2008
Personal check, money order, cashier check, electronic check (checking/ savings/ money market), Western Union, Money Gram or credit card/debit online; posted within 48 hours
May pay with exact cash at MSB Lobby; posted same day (Lobby hours are M-F from 7:30am to 7:00pm)
Amnesty Programs SB 1723 allowed Amnesty, Incentive and
Indigency programs by rule, TAC Rule 15.163
Amnesty applies to No Insurance and No DL surcharges Reduction to 75% of original balance Requires maintaining valid insurance or valid
DL to receive reduction If insurance/DL is not maintained, or if
installment plan defaults, the reduction will be voided
Incentive Programs Incentive applies to Intoxication,
DWLI and Point surcharges If first year surcharge is in compliance,
and no additional convictions subject to surcharge
Automatic reduction to 90% of original balance for second year
Automatic reduction to 80% of original balance for third year
Annual Assessment DPS will review the record
annually If record still meets criteria,
another Surcharge Notice will be mailed
Dollar amount of surcharge may change based on record at time of review
Handouts FAQs
Available at www.txdps.state.tx.us Moving violation list
Available at www.sos.state.tx.us, TAC Phone numbers
MSB 1-800-688-6882, IVR 1-866-440-3736 Email address
[email protected] Correction form
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