Driver privilege cards; authorizes issuance of new cards by DMV. (SB621)

Introduced By

Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Mount Vernon)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Driver privilege cards. Authorizes the issuance of new driver privilege cards by the Department of Motor Vehicles to an individual who has (i) reported income from Virginia sources on an individual tax return filed with the Commonwealth in the preceding 12 months and (ii) is not in violation of the insurance requirements of Article 8 (§ 46.2-705 et seq.) (Registration of Uninsured Motor Vehicles) of Chapter 6 of Title 46.2. The bill provides that driver privilege cards shall confer the same privileges and shall be subject to the same provisions as driver's licenses and permits; however, driver privilege cards shall not (a) confer voting privileges, (b) permit an individual to waive any part of the driver examination, or (c) have their issuance be contingent upon the applicant's ability to produce proof of legal presence in the United States. The bill provides for the term driver's license to consistently refer to all driver's licenses, permits, driver privilege cards, and special identification cards issued by the Commonwealth or the comparable law of another jurisdiction. The bill allows the issuance of a limited-duration driver's license and special identification card to an applicant presenting valid documentary evidence that a federal court or federal agency having jurisdiction over immigration has authorized the applicant to be in the United States for a period of at least 30 days from the date of application. The bill authorizes the Tax Commissioner to provide to the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles information sufficient to verify that an applicant for a driver privilege card or permit reported income from Virginia sources on an individual tax return filed with the Commonwealth in the preceding 12 months. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2019. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/10/2018Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/18 18100395D
01/10/2018Referred to Committee on Transportation
01/17/2018Impact statement from VCSC (SB621)
01/24/2018Passed by indefinitely in Transportation (7-Y 6-N) (see vote tally)
01/26/2018Impact statement from DPB (SB621)

Comments

Laurie writes:

Many localities throughout Virginia have limited access to public transportation and driving is often the only (or most efficient) way to move around.
Enabling individuals, regardless of their immigration status, to get a driver’s license ensures that those who need to drive go through the same screening and driving tests as everyone else, which will make our roads safer for everyone.
This expanded, legal access to driving would improve law enforcement interaction. Drivers would be more likely to stay at the scene of an accident. Accepted ID would make it easier to talk to police.
Emergency and healthcare workers would be able to more quickly and easily identify individuals in case of an accident or other emergency.
Insurance companies will see an increase in revenue as more people become insured, which would likely lead to lower premiums for everyone in the state.
New drivers would mean an increase in car sales, gas sales, (and more people paying taxes associated with those purchases), greater access to shopping districts, and more people paying the fee to obtain licenses.