Chapter 16 | Department of Driver Services¶
CHAPTER 16 Department of Driver Services¶
- 40-16-1. Definitions.
- 40-16-2. Primary responsibilities.
- 40-16-2.1. Annual reports to the General Assembly.
- 40-16-3. Board of Driver Services; commissioner.
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40-16-4. Duties of commissioner; compensation of department employees.
- 40-16-5.1. Use of department vehicles and equipment.
- 40-16-6. Civil monetary penalties.
- 40-16-7. Budget of department.
- 40-16-8. Governor’s Commercial Transportation Advisory Committee.
40-16-1.Definitions.¶
As used in this chapter, the term:
- “Board” means the Board of Driver Services.
- “Commissioner” means the commissioner of driver services.
- “Department” means the Department of Driver Services.
40-16-2.Primary responsibilities.¶
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There is created the Department of Driver Services. The Department of Driver Services shall be a successor agency to and continuation of the former Department of Motor Vehicle Safety. The department shall be the agency primarily responsible for:
- Administration of the laws and regulations relating to drivers’ licenses, as provided for in Chapter 5 of this title;
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Administration of the laws and regulations relating to proof of financial responsibility, as provided for in Chapter 9 of this title;
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Administration of laws relating to ignition interlock devices for use by driving under the influence offenders;
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Administration of laws relating to driver training schools, driver improvement clinics, DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Programs, and commercial driving schools;
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Administration of laws relating to motorcycle safety programs;
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Administration of laws and regulations relating to issuance of limousine chauffeur permits; and
- Administration of any other laws specifically providing for their administration by the department.
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Responsibility for the following functions formerly exercised by the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety is transferred as follows:
- Promulgation of regulations relating to the size and the weights of motor vehicles, trailers, and loads as provided for in Article 2 of Chapter 6 of Title 32 shall be vested in the Department of Transportation; and administrative enforcement of such regulations and the law enforcement function of apprehending and citing violators of such laws and regulations are transferred to the Department of Public Safety, as well as the function of promulgating regulations relative to its enforcement function;
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Enforcement of laws and regulations relating to licensing and fuel tax registration requirements is transferred to the Department of Public Safety;
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Administration of laws and regulations relating to certification of motor carriers and limousine carriers is transferred to the Department of Public Safety and administration of laws and regulations relating to carrier registration and registration and titling of vehicles is transferred to the Department of Revenue;
- Administration of laws relating to motor vehicle franchise practices is transferred to the Department of Revenue;
- Administration of laws relating to handicapped parking permits is transferred to the Department of Revenue;
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Responsibility for establishment of safety standards for motor vehicles and motor vehicle components is generally transferred to the Department of Public Safety except as may be specifically otherwise provided by law;
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Administration of laws relating to hazardous materials carriers is transferred to the Department of Public Safety;
- Enforcement of all state laws on the following properties owned or controlled by the Department of Transportation or the State Road and Tollway Authority is transferred to the Department of Public Safety: rest areas, truck-weighing stations or checkpoints, wayside parks, parking facilities, toll facilities, and any buildings and grounds for public equipment and personnel used for or engaged in administration, construction, or maintenance of the public roads or research pertaining thereto;
- Enforcement of Code Section 16-10-24, relating to obstructing or hindering law enforcement officers is transferred to the Department of Public Safety;
- Enforcement of Code Sections 32-9-4 and 40-6-54, relating to designation of restricted travel lanes is transferred to the Department of Public Safety;
- Enforcement of Code Section 16-11-43, relating to obstructing highways, streets, sidewalks, or other public passages, on any public road which is part of the state highway system is transferred to the Department of Public Safety;
- Enforcement of Code Section 16-7-43, relating to littering public or private property or waters, on any public road which is part of the state highway system is transferred to the Department of Public Safety; and
- Enforcement of Code Section 16-7-24, relating to interference with government property, on any public road which is part of the state highway system is transferred to the Department of Public Safety.
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In the performance of its duties, the department shall be required to comply with all applicable federal laws and rules and regulations and shall certify that the state is in compliance with all provisions and requirements of all applicable federal-aid acts and programs.
40-16-2.1.Annual reports to the General Assembly.¶
Annual reports shall be provided to the General Assembly by the affected departments with respect to the reorganization provided for in Code Section 40-16-2 and with respect to other activities of the departments as follows:
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The Department of Driver Services shall provide an annual report which shall include, together with other information deemed pertinent by the department, service metrics clearly indicating the department’s ability to meet public demand for its services; and
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The Department of Public Safety shall provide an annual report which shall include, together with other information deemed pertinent by the department, the records of the department with respect to safety inspections and citations issued.
40-16-3.Board of Driver Services; commissioner.¶
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The department shall be under the direction, control, and management of the Board of Driver Services and the commissioner of driver services. The commissioner shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the board.
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The Board of Driver Services shall be a successor to and continuation of the Board of Motor Vehicle Safety and shall consist of nine members. Five members shall be appointed by the Governor and their terms shall expire as follows: two members on June 30, 2003, and June 30 of each sixth year thereafter; two members on June 30, 2005, and June 30 of each sixth year thereafter; and one member on June 30, 2007, and June 30 of each sixth year thereafter. Two members shall be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor and their terms shall expire as follows: one member on June 30, 2003, and June 30 of each sixth year thereafter and one member on June 30, 2006, and June 30 of each sixth year thereafter. Two members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House and their terms shall expire as follows: one member on June 30, 2003, and June 30 of each sixth year thereafter and one member on June 30, 2006, and June 30 of each sixth year thereafter. All members except for the initial appointees shall serve for terms of six years and until their successors are appointed and qualified.
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All members serving on the Board of Motor Vehicle Safety as of May 2, 2005, shall continue to serve as members of the Board of Driver Services for the remainder of their original terms of office and shall if necessary hold over beyond the end of those terms until successors are appointed and qualified.
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The Governor shall designate a member to serve as chairperson of the board. The chairperson’s term as chairperson shall expire on June 30, 2003, and June 30 of each second year thereafter. The board may elect other officers from among its membership and may establish bylaws for the conduct of its business.
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The members of the board shall receive no salary for their service on the board but any member who is not otherwise a state officer or employee shall receive a per diem expense allowance as provided in subsection (b) of Code Section 45-7-21.
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The board shall be the general policy-making body for the Department of Driver Services; and the commissioner shall be the chief executive officer of the department, subject to the policies established by the board. All rules and regulations promulgated by the commissioner must be approved by the board before they take effect.
- The commissioner shall receive an annual salary to be set by the board which shall be his or her total compensation for services as commissioner. The commissioner shall be reimbursed for all actual and necessary expenses incurred by him or her in carrying out his or her official duties.
- The commissioner shall take and subscribe before the board an oath to discharge faithfully and impartially the duties of such office, which oath shall be in addition to the oath required of all civil officers.
40-16-4.Duties of commissioner; compensation of department employees.¶
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The commissioner shall establish such units within the department as he or she deems proper for its administration and shall designate persons to be directors and assistant directors of such units to exercise such authority as he or she may delegate to them in writing.
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The commissioner shall have the authority to employ as many persons as he or she deems necessary for the administration of the department and for the discharge of the duties of his or her office. He or she shall issue all necessary directions, instructions, orders, and rules applicable to such persons. He or she shall have authority, as he or she deems proper, to employ, assign, compensate, and discharge employees of the department within the limitations of the department’s appropriation and the restrictions set forth by law.
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All employees of the department shall be compensated upon a fixed salary basis and no person shall be compensated for services to the department on a commission or contingent fee basis.
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Neither the commissioner nor any officer or employee of the department shall be given or receive any fee, compensation, loan, gift, or other thing of value in addition to the compensation and expense allowance provided by law for any service or pretended service either rendered or to be rendered as commissioner or as an officer or employee of the department.
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The commissioner shall have the authority to appoint and employ 30 investigators who shall be certified peace officers pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 8 of Title 35, the “Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Act.”
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The investigators of the department shall have jurisdiction throughout this state with such duties and powers as are prescribed by law.
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The department shall have the authority to contract and make cooperative and rental agreements with the United States government; any county, municipality, or local government, or any combination thereof; any public or private corporation or firm; or any public authority, agency, commission, or institution, including agencies of state government, for the purpose of obtaining goods, materials, and services needed to perform any of the duties, responsibilities, or functions vested in the department.
40-16-5.Authority of commissioner; previous action by department; background checks; debt collection.¶
- Subject to approval by the board, the commissioner shall have the power to make and publish in print or electronically reasonable rules and regulations not inconsistent with this title or other laws or with the Constitution of this state or of the United States for the administration of this chapter or any law which it is his or her duty to administer.
- The commissioner may prescribe forms as he or she deems necessary for the administration and enforcement of this chapter or any law which it is his or her duty to administer.
- The authority granted to the commissioner pursuant to this Code section shall be exercised at all times in conformity with Chapter 13 of Title 50, the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act”; provided, however, that regulations governing commercial driver licensing may be adopted by administrative order referencing compatible federal regulations or standards without compliance with the procedural requirements of Chapter 13 of Title 50; provided, further, that such compatible federal regulations or standards shall be maintained on file by the department and made available for inspection and copying by the public, by means including but limited to posting on the department’s computer Internet site.
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Rules and regulations previously adopted which relate to functions performed by the Department of Driver Services shall remain of full force and effect as rules and regulations of the Department of Driver Services until amended, repealed, or superseded by rules or regulations adopted by the commissioner of driver services. The following rules and regulations shall remain of full force and effect as rules and regulations of the referenced department until amended, repealed, or superseded by rules or regulations adopted by the referenced department:
- All rules and regulations previously adopted which relate to functions transferred under this chapter to the Department of Transportation from the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety;
- All rules and regulations previously adopted which relate to functions transferred under this chapter to the Public Service Commission from the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety;
- All rules and regulations previously adopted which relate to functions transferred under this chapter to the Department of Public Safety from the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety;
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All rules and regulations previously adopted which relate to functions transferred under this chapter to the Department of Revenue from the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety; and
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All rules and regulations previously adopted which relate to functions transferred under this chapter from the Department of Human Resources (now known as the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities for these purposes) to the Department of Driver Services.
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All valid licenses, permits, certificates, and similar authorizations previously issued by any department or agency with respect to any function transferred as provided in this chapter shall continue in effect until the same expire by their terms unless they are suspended, revoked, or otherwise made ineffective as provided by law.
- Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the commissioner is authorized to promulgate regulations allowing for background investigations of applicants for credentials in any of the industries regulated by the department by means other than classifiable electronically recorded fingerprints in instances in which an applicant attempts to comply with the applicable statutory language mandating such background investigation, but his or her fingerprints cannot be captured electronically for reasons that are beyond the applicant’s control.
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The commissioner may contract with a debt collection agency or attorney doing business within or outside this state for the collection of delinquent fees owed to the department pursuant to this title. Such contract may provide for the rate of payment and the manner in which compensation for debt collection services shall be paid. The compensation, fees, and expenses for such debt collection may be added to the amount of the delinquent fees owed and may be collected directly by the contractor from the debtor. The commissioner is authorized to provide such contractor with the necessary information regarding the delinquent fees and debtor for the collection of the fees owed.
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No delinquent fees may be collected pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection from a person not subject to a license suspension or cancellation pursuant to this title.
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The commissioner may adopt rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this subsection.
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40-16-5.1.Use of department vehicles and equipment.¶
- Except as otherwise provided in this Code section, no department motor vehicles shall be used by any investigators employed by the department except in the discharge of official duties. Any other equipment shall be used only with the express written approval of the commissioner.
- The commissioner may adopt rules and regulations governing the use of equipment. The commissioner may adopt rules and regulations pursuant to which investigators employed by the department may use a department motor vehicle while working an approved off-duty job, provided that any such use shall comply with such conditions as may be imposed by the commissioner, which conditions shall include but shall not be limited to a finding of public benefit and reimbursement to the department by the employer or employee for use of the vehicle.
- At no time will an off-duty employee be allowed use of a department motor vehicle at any political function of any kind.
40-16-6.Civil monetary penalties.¶
- To the extent specifically authorized by law, the commissioner may pursuant to rule or regulation specify and impose civil monetary penalties for violations of laws, rules, and regulations administered by the commissioner. Except as may be hereafter authorized by law, the maximum amount of any such monetary penalty shall not exceed the maximum penalty authorized by law or rule or regulation for the same violation immediately prior to July 1, 2005.
- All proceedings for the imposition of civil monetary penalties by the commissioner and other contested cases to be decided by or under authority of the commissioner shall be subject to Chapter 13 of Title 50, the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act.” All such administrative proceedings which are pending on July 1, 2005, under laws the administration of which is transferred from the commissioner of motor vehicle safety to another enforcement agency shall be transferred to the jurisdiction of such other enforcement agency as of July 1, 2005.
- The amendment of this chapter and the Act by which it is amended shall not affect or abate the status as a crime of any act or omission which occurred prior to July 1, 2005, nor shall the prosecution of such crime be abated as a result of such amendment.
40-16-7.Budget of department.¶
- The department shall be a budget unit to which funds may be appropriated as provided in the “Budget Act,” Part 1 of Article 4 of Chapter 12 of Title 45. The department shall be an independent and distinct department of state government. The duties of the department shall be performed by that department and not by any other agency of state government, and the department shall not perform the duties of any other agency of state government. The position of commissioner of driver services shall be a separate and distinct position from any other position in state government. The duties of the commissioner shall be performed by the commissioner and not by any other officer of state government, and the commissioner shall not perform the duties of any other officer of state government.
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Appropriations for functions transferred to and from the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety and other departments may be transferred to and from such departments as provided for in Code Section 45-12-90, relating to disposition of appropriations for duties, purposes, and objects which have been transferred. Personnel, equipment, and facilities previously employed for such transferred functions shall likewise be transferred to the appropriate departments. Contracts relating to functions transferred to and from the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety and other departments, and any rights of renewal under such contracts, shall also be transferred to the appropriate departments. Any disagreement between such departments as to any such transfers shall be determined by the Governor.
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Except as specifically provided otherwise by law, all fines and bond forfeitures collected for criminal violations cited by the department’s investigators shall, after deduction from the total fine or bond forfeiture of the amounts due the Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund and the Sheriffs’ Retirement Fund of Georgia and any other deductions specified by law, be paid by the clerk of the court into the fine and bond forfeiture fund of the county treasurer in the same manner and subject to the same rules of distribution as other fines and bond forfeitures.
40-16-8.Governor’s Commercial Transportation Advisory Committee.¶
- There shall be established, within the department, the Governor’s Commercial Transportation Advisory Committee. The purpose of this committee is to advise the Governor on all laws, regulations, rules, and other matters related to the operation within this state of motor carriers, including private carriers, as defined in Code Section 46-1-1. The committee shall also serve as a forum for representatives of the motor carrier industry to meet with representatives of the various state agencies responsible for the oversight, enforcement, taxation, and regulation of the commercial transportation industry.
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The committee shall consist of the following members:
- The commissioner of driver services or his or her designee;
- The commissioner of public safety or his or her designee;
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The commissioner of transportation or his or her designee;
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The state revenue commissioner or his or her designee;
- The Speaker of the House or his or her designee;
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The chairperson of the House Transportation Committee, who shall chair the committee;
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The President Pro Tempore of the Senate or his or her designee;
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The chairperson of the Senate Transportation Committee;
- The president of the Georgia Motor Trucking Association or his or her designee;
- Five industry representatives appointed by the Governor; and
- The Governor or his or her designee who shall serve ex officio.
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Each member of the committee shall serve until replaced. All members of the committee shall have equal voting privileges on all matters brought before the committee. The committee shall meet at least three times per year at a date and time set by the chairperson. The chairperson shall prepare an agenda for each meeting and shall distribute the agenda for each meeting at least 20 days prior to the date of the meeting.