DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of
the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of
the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Talbot HB No. 851
Abstract: Increases penalties for operating a vehicle without the required liability insurance.
Present law requires a fine not to exceed $1,000 for violation of the Motor Vehicle Safety
Responsibility law.
Proposed law retains present law and additionally requires a minimum fine of $500.
Present law provides that the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) may suspend,
revoke, or cancel the driver's license of a driver who violates the Motor Vehicle Safety
Responsibility law.
Present law requires that DPS&C revoke the registration, impound, or cancel the vehicle license
plate of a vehicle not covered by security as required by the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility
law.
Proposed law requires that DPS&C revoke the registration, and impound the vehicle, or cancel
the vehicle license plate of a vehicle not covered by security as required by the Motor Vehicle
Safety Responsibility law.
Present law requires that DPS&C revoke the registration, impound the vehicle, and cancel the
vehicle license plate of a vehicle for period of not less than 6 months nor longer than 18 months
when the owner submitted false information that the vehicle was covered by the required security
in his application for registration or in his application for inspection.
Proposed law retains present law but requires that DPS&C revoke the registration, impound the
vehicle, and cancel the vehicle license plate of a vehicle for a period of not less than 12 months.
Present law requires that DPS&C impose a reinstatement fee of $25 if a vehicle was not covered
by the required security for a period of 1 to 31 days, a fee of $100 for a period of 31 to 90 days,
and a fee of $200 for a period in excess of 90 days.
Proposed law increases the required reinstatement fee to $100 if a vehicle was not covered by the
required security for a period of 1 to 31 days, to $250 for a period of 31 to 90 days, and to $500
for a period in excess of 90 days.
Present law requires that DPS&C impose a reinstatement fee of $25 if a vehicle was not covered by the required security for a period of 1 to 31 days, a fee of $100 for a period of 31 to 90 days,
and a fee of $200 for a period in excess of 90 days when the registration has been revoked
because the owner submitted false information that the vehicle was covered by the required
security in his application for registration or in his application for inspection.
Proposed law increases the required reinstatement fee to $250 if a vehicle was not covered by the
required security for a period of 1 to 31 days, to $500 for a period of 31 to 90 days, and to $1,000
for a period in excess of 90 days.
Present law provides that if a person has multiple violations at the time of reinstatement, the total
amount of fees shall not exceed $500 for a person under 65 years old, and $200 for a person 65
years or older.
Proposed law removes the maximum amount of fees that can be owed by any person at the time
of reinstatement.
Present law provides that DPS&C shall waive the sanctions and reinstatement fees for failure to
maintain the required security when the owner furnishes evidence to DPS&C that the vehicle is
currently covered by the required security.
Proposed law retains present law but requires that the required security have been continuous
without lapse.
Present law requires a fine of $50 for a first offense and a fine of $150 for a second offense when
the operator of a vehicle registered in another state is involved in an accident in La. and is unable
to provide documentation that the vehicle is in compliance with the Motor Vehicle Safety
Responsibility law. Proposed law increases the fine to $100 for a first offense and to $250 for a second offense.
Present law requires a fine of not more than $125 for the submission of false information that a
vehicle was covered by the required security in an application for registration or an application
for inspection.
Proposed law retains present law but requires a minimum fine of $500 and a maximum fine of
$1,000.
Present law requires a fine of not more than $500 for knowingly operating a vehicle or allowing
to be operated without the required security.
Proposed law retains present law but requires a minimum fine of $500 and a maximum fine of
$1,000.
Present law requires a fine of not more than $500, revocation of vehicle registration for 60 days,
and suspension of driving privileges for 60 days imposed upon the owner of a vehicle involved in
an accident in La. when not covered by the required security.
Proposed law retains present law but requires a minimum fine of $500 and a maximum fine of
$1,000, increases the revocation of the vehicle registration to 180 days, and suspension of driving
privileges to 180 days.
Effective February 1, 2015.
(Amends R.S. 32:862(G)(4), 863(A)(1), (3)(a), and (B)(2)(b), 863.1(I)(3), 864, and 865(A) and
(B)(1))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Transportation, Highways and
Public Works to the original bill.
1. Made technical changes.
2. Removed increases in the reinstatement fee.
3. Removed changes to the notification of cancellation or issuance of security and
penalties.
4. Added the effective date of Feb. 1, 2015.