TITLE 31

Motor and Other vehicles

CHAPTER 31-47

Motor Vehicle Reparations Act

SECTION 31-47-9



   § 31-47-9  Penalties. –

(a) Any owner of a motor vehicle registered in this state who shall knowingly

operate the motor vehicle or knowingly permit it to be operated in this state

without having in full force and effect the financial security required by the

provisions of this chapter, and any other person who shall operate in this

state any motor vehicle registered in this state with the knowledge that the

owner of it does not have in full force and effect financial security, except a

person who, at the time of operation of the motor vehicle, had in effect an

operator's policy of liability insurance, as defined in this chapter, with

respect to his or her operation of the vehicle, may be subject to a mandatory

suspension of license and registration as follows:



   (1) For a first offense, a suspension of up to three (3)

months and may be fined one hundred dollars ($100) up to five hundred dollars

($500);



   (2) For a second offense, a suspension of six (6) months; and

may be fined five hundred dollars ($500); and



   (3) For a third and subsequent offense, a suspension of up to

one year. Additionally, any person violating this section a third or subsequent

time shall be punished as a civil violation and may be fined one thousand

dollars ($1,000).



   (b) An order of suspension and impoundment of a license or

registration, or both, shall state that date on or before which the person is

required to surrender the person's license or certificate of registration and

registration plates. The person is deemed to have surrendered the license or

certificate of registration and registration plates, in compliance with the

order, if the person does either of the following:



   (1) On or before the date specified in the order, personally

delivers the license or certificate of registration and registration plates, or

causes the delivery of those items, to the administrator of the division of

motor vehicles or court, whichever issued the order;



   (2) Mails the license or certificate of registration and

registration plates to the administrator of the division of motor vehicles, in

an envelope or container bearing a postmark showing a date no later than the

date specified in the order.



   (c) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall

not restore any operating privileges or registration rights suspended under

this section or return any license, certificate of registration, or

registration plates impounded under this section unless the rights are not

subject to suspension or revocation under any other law and unless the person,

in addition to complying with all other conditions required by law for

reinstatement of operating privileges or registration rights, complies with all

of the following:



   (1) Pays a reinstatement fee of thirty dollars ($30.00). The

reinstatement fee may be increased, upon approval of the administrator of the

division of motor vehicles, up to an amount not exceeding fifty dollars

($50.00).



   (2) Files and maintains proof of financial security. To

facilitate the administration of this chapter the clerk of the courts shall

notify the administrator of the division of motor vehicles of all persons

against whom judgments have been entered arising out of a motor vehicle

collision.



History of Section.

(P.L. 1991, ch. 167, § 1; P.L. 1993, ch. 142, § 2; P.L. 1998, ch.

229, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 440, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 476, § 1; P.L.

2000, ch. 97, § 1.)