SB 455

This bill provides that a person whose operating privilege has been permanently revoked for having four or more convictions of certain offenses related to drunken driving or driving under the influence of an intoxicant or other drug (OWI offenses) is eligible for an occupational license after the first 180 days of the revocation period have elapsed. The bill requires that the occupational license restrict the applicant’s operation under the occupational license to vehicles that are equipped with a functioning ignition interlock device.

Under current law, the Department of Transportation may revoke or suspend a person’s operating privilege if the person commits certain traffic offenses or crimes, including operating a vehicle while intoxicated. The period of revocation varies depending on the reason for the revocation. Courts may also order suspensions of operating privileges as part of the adjudication of an underlying criminal or traffic offense. A person whose operating privilege is suspended or revoked may apply for an occupational license, which restricts when and where the person is allowed to drive. There is a waiting period before a person is eligible for an occupational license, the length of which depends on the underlying violation.

Current law requires DOT to permanently revoke the operating privilege of a person who has committed four or more OWI offenses. A person whose operating privilege has been revoked under these circumstances is not eligible for an occupational license.