HLS 14RS-2794 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 79
BY REPRESENTATIVE JEFFERSON
MTR VEHICLE/COMMERCIAL: Urges and requests the office of motor vehicles to
simplify and clarify the process for the holder of a commercial driver's license to
have their license reinstated
A RESOLUTION1
To urge and request the office of motor vehicles to simplify and clarify the process for the2
holder of a commercial driver's license to have their license reinstated.3
WHEREAS, the reinstatement process for a holder of a commercial driver's license4
following a disqualification related to driving while intoxicated (DWI) charge is currently5
a convoluted and confusing process for many citizens; and6
WHEREAS, both federal law and state law, R.S. 32:414.2, provide that the holder7
of a commercial driver's license shall be disqualified from operating a commercial motor8
vehicle for a period of one year following a DWI related offense, including all of the9
following: a first reported submission to a chemical test in connection with an arrest while10
operating a commercial motor vehicle or a noncommercial motor vehicle, operating under11
the influence of alcohol, or operating with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more;12
and13
WHEREAS, after the one-year disqualification is over, there is no clear process for14
the commercial driver's license holder to have their license reinstated; and15
WHEREAS, holders of commercial drivers' licenses are held to much higher16
standards than the general public as evidenced by the tougher laws that apply, including a17
disqualified license; and18 HLS 14RS-2794 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 79
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WHEREAS, many of the commercial drivers who have had their license disqualified1
simply want to get back on the road as soon as possible so they can continue to make a living2
and support themselves and their families; and3
WHEREAS, without a concise and easily understood process for the reinstatement4
of their license, holders of commercial drivers' licenses are forced to turn to other avenues5
so that they may earn an income; and6
WHEREAS, as holders of commercial drivers' licenses are held to higher standards,7
and their inability to get back on the road and earn an honest living leads to many societal8
and economic problems, the simplification and clarification of the reinstatement process for9
their licenses would be welcomed by stakeholders and affected groups across the board.10
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the11
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the office of motor vehicles to study12
the current process for the holder of a commercial driver's license to have their license13
reinstated following a one-year disqualification related to a first-time offense DWI, to report14
their findings to the Louisiana House of Representatives at least thirty days prior to the15
convening of the 2015 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana, and to make the16
findings easily visible and accessible to all commercial drivers' license holders.17
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the18
secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections and the executive director of19
the office of motor vehicles.20
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)]
Jefferson HR No. 79
Urges and requests the office of motor vehicles to study the current process for the holder
of a commercial driver's license to have their license reinstated following a one-year
disqualification related to a first-time offense DWI.