Signed by Governor Sonny Perdue

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that makes it a felony upon the fourth or subsequent violation within a five year period of driving without a valid driver's license, punishable by one to five years' imprisonment and a possible fine of $2,500 to $5,000.

Highlights:

- Grants first-time offenders the opportunity to present to the court proof of a valid driver's license issued by the state of Georgia in order to have the charge dropped [sec. 3 (a)]. - Requires jails to make a reasonable effort to determine the nationality of an individual convicted of driving without a valid driver's license (Sec. 4). - Requires offenders be fingerprinted upon the first conviction of driving without a valid driver's license. The fingerprints will be transferred to the Georgia Crime Information Center where an identification number will be assigned to the individual for the purpose of tracking any future violations [sec. 3 (a)]. - Requires any court that has jurisdiction over traffic violations to report to the Department of Drivers Services the name and other identifying information of any individual convicted of driving without a valid driver's license (Sec. 2). - Establishes the effective date of this Act as July 1, 2008 (Sec. 5). - This is a substitute bill sponsored by the House Judiciary committee (Non-Civil).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that makes it a felony upon the fourth or subsequent violation within a five year period of driving without a valid driver's license, punishable by one to five years' imprisonment and a possible fine of $2,500 to $5,000.

Highlights:

- Grants first-time offenders the opportunity to present to the court proof of a valid driver's license issued by the state of Georgia in order to have the charge dropped [sec. 2 (a)]. - Requires jails to make a reasonable effort to determine the nationality of an individual convicted of driving without a valid driver's license (Sec. 3). - Requires offenders be fingerprinted upon the first conviction of driving without a valid driver's license [sec. 2 (a)]. - Establishes the effective date of this Act as July 1, 2008 (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text