DPS announces Indigency Rule for Driver Responsibility Program, Improves Online Access to DRP Customer Accounts 030510

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This is forwarded to you by the State of Texas State Operations Center (SOC).

March 5, 2010

DPS announces indigency rule for Driver Responsibility Program,

improves online access to DRP customer accounts

The Texas Department of Public Safety has published proposed new rules for the

Driver Responsibility Program (DRP) to address the program's financial impact on

low-income individuals who are living at or below the poverty level.

The Driver Responsibility law, passed during the 78th Texas Legislature,

established a system to assess surcharges based on certain traffic offenses that

occurred on or after September 1, 2003.

The 81st Texas Legislature amended the law to require a reduction for indigent

individuals.

Surcharges due every year for three years include convictions for:

* Failure to maintain insurance and driving while license invalid-$250 per year

* Driving without a valid license-$100 per year

* DWI-related offense

$1,000 per year for first offense

$2,000 per year if the court reports an alcohol concentration of .16 or more

$1,500 per year for a subsequent conviction within the three-year period

All charges are cumulative.

The newly proposed rule would:

* Set DRP indigency at 125% of the poverty level.

* Allow electronic application online or by telephone.

* Require applicants to submit supporting documentation.

* Allow the Department to contract with a third party for application

verification.

* Mandate a letter of approval or denial be mailed to any applicant.

* Provide applicants 90 days to pay the reduced fee, in full, and provide

proof of insurance.

The Public Safety Commission voted to repeal the existing administrative rule

(Subchapter J, §15.163), and replace it with the proposed indigency reductions.

The proposed rule was published in the Texas Register on March 5, 2010

(http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/index.shtml), and the Department will accept

comments on the proposed rule for 30 days. The Texas Register posting includes

information on how to submit comments.

In addition to accepting public comments, the Department will conduct a public

hearing on the proposed rule at a later date.

Account Information Now Available Online

The DRP website has added new features that allow customers online access to

their account information. The website has provided online payment options and

information about surcharges, but several updates now provide customers with

immediate access to their information 24 hours a day:

* Account information is available for all surcharges assessed a customer.

* The convenience fee for credit and debit card payments has been lowered.

* The format of the home page and Frequently Asked Questions is more

user-friendly.

Customers can visit www.txsurchargeonline.com to access the new online services.

### (PIO 2010-27)