AB 2145: Driving privilege: suspension.

Existing law authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles, under specified circumstances, to require the surrender of a persons driving privilege to operate a motor vehicle. Existing law requires a persons privilege to operate a motor vehicle to be suspended upon notification by a bank or financial institution that a check has been dishonored when that check was presented to the department for payment of specified fines or fees.

Existing law authorizes the department to cancel a drivers license certificate or endorsement under specified circumstances, including when the holder has failed to meet any requirements for issuance or retention of the certificate or endorsement. With respect to a drivers license, existing law defines cancellation as the termination of a drivers license certificate without prejudice and requires the holder to surrender the certificate.

Prior to canceling the privilege for a dishonored check, this bill would require the department to provide a 30-day notice to a person that their privilege to operate a motor vehicle will be canceled because of the dishonored check. The bill would require the notice to include the date on which the privilege will be suspended if the fees are unpaid. The bill would authorize the person to pay any fees due within the 30-day period to avoid the cancellation or surrender the drivers license.