Oklahoma Senate Proposal Tackles Uninsured Drivers with DUIs

Oklahoma Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, filed legislation to address the state’s high number of uninsured motorists, especially those with DUI convictions.

Senate Bill 260 would require an individual convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) to have valid auto insurance on file with the Department of Public Safety for at least one year after the conviction, Sharp’s announcement stated.

“We have a problem with people convicted of DUIs having no auto insurance. They have found a loophole in our law whereby they can buy auto insurance to get their tag renewed and then cancel the policy after one month. Others simply go purchase a new car and auto insurance under another name,” Sharp said in his announcement.

Under SB 260, the offender’s insurance company would be responsible for informing the DPS if the individual was convicted in Oklahoma or another state. If the individual drops their coverage, the insurance company must notify the DPS.

If the individual has canceled their insurance policy, public safety officials will notify the person that he or she has 10 days to demonstrate proof of continuous vehicle insurance or request a hearing to demonstrate insurance coverage. If the individual cannot show proof of insurance for the vehicle in question, their registration will be revoked and their driving privileges suspended.

The suspension or revocation will continue until the individual provides satisfactory proof of insurance. The individual will also be required to pay a reinstatement fee of $100. If someone’s registration is revoked within one year of a prior revocation, a $300 reinstatement fee will be required.

If a vehicle’s registration has been revoked for lack of insurance, the measure would make it illegal for it to be reregistered in the name of the owner, the owner’s spouse, parent or child, or any member of the same household until the owner obtains insurance.

The bill makes it a misdemeanor violation if an owner of a vehicle that is registered or required to be registered in Oklahoma is found driving or allowing someone else to drive the vehicle without insurance.

Any person, firm or corporation that gives false information to the DPS concerning someone’s vehicle insurance would also be guilty of a misdemeanor, under the bill’s provisions.

SB 260, if passed, would become effective Nov. 1, 2015.