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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 79
BY REPRESENTATIVE JEFFERSON
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request 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.
WHEREAS, the reinstatement process for a holder of a commercial driver's license
following a disqualification related to driving while under the influence charge is currently
a convoluted and confusing process for many citizens; and
WHEREAS, both federal law and state law, R.S. 32:414.2, provide that the holder
of a commercial driver's license shall be disqualified from operating a commercial motor
vehicle for a period of one year following a driving while under the influence related
offense, including all of the following: a first reported submission to a chemical test in
connection with an arrest while operating a commercial motor vehicle or a noncommercial
motor vehicle, operating under the influence of alcohol, or operating with an alcohol
concentration of 0.08 percent or more; and
WHEREAS, after the one-year disqualification is over, there is no clear process for
the commercial driver's license holder to have their license reinstated; and
WHEREAS, holders of commercial drivers' licenses are held to much higher
standards than the general public as evidenced by the tougher laws that apply, including a
disqualified license; and
WHEREAS, many of the commercial drivers who have had their license disqualified
simply want to get back on the road as soon as possible so they can continue to make a living
and support themselves and their families; and
WHEREAS, without a concise and easily understood process for the reinstatement
of their license, holders of commercial drivers' licenses are forced to turn to other avenues
so that they may earn an income; and ENROLLEDHR NO. 79
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WHEREAS, as holders of commercial drivers' licenses are held to higher standards,
and their inability to get back on the road and earn an honest living leads to many societal
and economic problems, the simplification and clarification of the reinstatement process for
their licenses would be welcomed by stakeholders and affected groups across the board.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request 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 driving while
under the influence, to report their findings to the Louisiana House of Representatives at
least thirty days prior to the convening of the 2015 Regular Session of the Legislature of
Louisiana, and to make the findings easily visible and accessible to all commercial drivers'
license holders.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections and the commissioner of the
office of motor vehicles.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES