Special Plates for Drunk Driving Offenders

September 2009

Summaries of Current Special Plate Laws

Georgia: Plates bearing a special series of numbers or letters may be issued in limited circumstances. (Georgia Code §40-2-136)

Iowa:  Repealed in 1995.  If a member of the household has a valid license, they were permitted to apply for special license plates, which contained a "Z" in the series of numbers. (Iowa Code §321J.4A)

Minnesota: Special plates may be issued if family member of the offender has a valid license. The plates would bear a special series of numbers. (Minnesota Statutes §§168.041 & 168.042)

Ohio: Plates on vehicles impounded for drunk driving are different from regular state plates, in red and yellow colors. Use of the plates became mandatory in 2004. (Ohio statutes §§4507.02(F)(2) and 4503.231)

Oregon: Pilot program ended 12/31/94. A special sticker was placed on vehicle license plates at the time of the offense to indicate that the operator of the vehicle was charged or convicted on drunk driving charges. (Oregon Code following §809.110)

Summaries of Special License Legislation Introduced in 2009

Maryland HB853: Sponsored by Del. Marvin E. Holmes (D)

Requires the Motor Vehicle Administration to issue special license plates to identify a vehicle that is owned by an individual who has been convicted of specified drunk or drugged driving offenses three or more times; requires the special registration plates to be distinctive and to include the letters "DUI"; requires the Administration to recall the registration plates of all vehicles owned by an individual who has been convicted of specified drunk and drugged driving.

Last Action: Failed. From House Committee on Judiciary: Reported unfavorably.

Virginia HB 128: Sponsored by Del. Lionell Spruill (D)

Requires any person convicted a third or subsequent time of a drunk driving violation who has a motor vehicle registered in his name in the Commonwealth shall display, on any and all such registered motor vehicles, license plates with red numerals and letters on a yellow background, issued by the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Such license plates shall be displayed for five years following the restoration of the person's driving privilege.

Last Action: Failed. Left in House Committee on Courts of Justice.

Summaries of Special License Legislation Introduced in 2008

Iowa HB 2337:  Sponsored by Rep. Jeff Kaufmann (R)

An Act relating to restricted driver motor vehicle registration plates to identify persons driving under a temporary restricted driver's license following a second or subsequent revocation for operating while intoxicated and providing penalties.

Last Action:  In House Transportation Committee.

Maryland HB 504:  Sponsored by Delegate Marvin E. Holmes (D)

Requiring the Motor Vehicle Administration to issue special license plates to identify a vehicle that is owned by an individual who has been convicted of specified drunk or drugged driving offenses three or more times; requiring the special registration plates to be distinctive and to include the letters "DUI"; requiring the Administration to recall the registration plates of all vehicles owned by an individual who has been convicted of specified drunk and drugged driving offenses three or more times; etc.

Last Action:  Reported from House Judiciary Committee unfavorably.

New York AB 4394/ SB 5051:  Sponsored by Assembly Rules Committee

Requires persons who have been convicted of an alcohol offense under the Vehicle and Traffic Law on 3 or more occasions in a 5 year period of time on 5 or more occasions in a 10 year period of time to surrender their regular registration and number plates and, in turn, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue such person distinctive license plate for persistent alcohol offenders.

Last Action:  In Assembly Transportation

Virginia HB 1281:  Sponsored by Delegate Lionell Spruill, Sr. (D)

Requires persons convicted of drunk driving a third or subsequent time who have registered motor vehicles in Virginia to use yellow license plates with red letters and numbers for a five-year period.

Last Action:  In House.  Continued to 2009 in Courts of Justice by voice vote

Washington SB 6402:  Sponsored by Senator Mike Carrell (R)

Requiring the issuance and installation of fluorescent yellow license plates for persons convicted of certain DUI-related offenses.

Last Action:  From Senate Committee on Judiciary: Do pass as substituted.

Sources:  NHTSA, 2008; NCSL, 2008.

Sources: Digest of State Alcohol Highway Traffic Safety Related Legislation, US Dept. of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; and Westlaw searches.