GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1989

S	1 

SENATE BILL 317*

Short Title:  Special Tags/DWI Limited Privilege.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Senator Simpson.
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Referred to:  Judiciary I.
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March 1, 1989

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO REQUIRE THAT ANY PERSON RECEIVING A LIMITED DRIVING PRIVILEGE UPON CONVICTION OF DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED SHALL SURRENDER THE LICENSE REGISTRATION PLATE FROM ANY VEHICLE HE INTENDS TO DRIVE AND OBTAIN A DISTINGUISHING PLATE FOR SUCH VEHICLE.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  Chapter 20 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 20-63.2.  Distinguishing plate required for limited privilege; notification of law enforcement.
(a)	Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 20-63, the Commissioner shall, not later than January 1, 1990, and upon surrender of his current plate, issue to any person who receives a limited driving privilege pursuant to the provisions of G.S. 20-179.3, a special registration plate.  This plate shall be readily distinguishable from other registration plates by letters, numbers, color or any combination of these so that law enforcement officials can determine that the owner or an authorized operator of the vehicle has a limited driving privilege.  The Commissioner, prior to issuing the plate, shall require a fee of up to twenty-five dollars ($25.00) and a certification that the person requesting the plate and the person possessing the limited privilege both have liability insurance in force and effect and that the insurance company has been notified of the driving while impaired conviction.
(b)	The Commissioner shall, at least annually, notify law enforcement agencies of the distinguishing pattern of letters, numbers, or color that these plates will bear.
(c)	A holder of a limited driving privilege may obtain a non-distinguishing plate upon reinstatement of his driver's license by applying to the Commissioner for such a plate."
Sec. 2.  G.S. 20-179.3 is amended by adding a new subsection (h1) to read as follows:
"( h1)	Vehicle specified; special tag required. – In all limited driving privileges, the judge must also include a restriction specifying the vehicle or vehicles which the applicant may operate.  Other than a vehicle owned by the applicant's employer, every vehicle authorized to be operated by the applicant must be registered in accordance with G.S. 20-63.2.  Prior to receipt of a limited driving privilege, the applicant must present proof that he has complied with the provisions of G.S. 20-63.2.  Operation of any vehicle, required to be so registered, without the distinguishing plate as specified in G.S. 20-63.2 shall constitute a violation of a restriction of his limited privilege."
Sec. 3.  This act shall become effective January 1, 1990, and shall apply to any limited driving privilege issued on or after that effective date.