AB 491

Current law prohibits a person from driving or operating a motor vehicle with

a prohibited concentration of alcohol or a detectable amount of a controlled substance

or while under the influence of an intoxicant (OWI). If a chemical test given to the

person on suspicion of, or subsequent to arrest for, OWI indicates that the person has

committed an OWI, the law enforcement officer seizes the person's driver's license,

informs the person that his or her operating privilege is administratively suspended

for six months, and provides the person with a written explanation of his or her right

to request a review of the administrative suspension.

The written explanation of the person's right to review serves as a 30-day

temporary license. The person may, within ten days, submit a written request for

the Department of Transportation (DOT) to review his or her administrative

suspension. Current law requires DOT to hold the review hearing in the county

where the alleged offense took place within 30 days of the date the person received

the written explanation of his or her right to review.

This bill allows the person to attend the review hearing in person or by

telephone or to submit his or her objections to the administrative suspension in

writing.