The Driver Responsibility law (in House bill 3588) establishes a system that assigns points to moving violations classified as Class C misdemeanors and applies surcharges to offenders, based on the type of offense and the time period in which the citation was received. For each conviction, DPS will assign points to a person’s license as follows:
Two points for a moving violation conviction in Texas or that of another state.
Points will not be assigned for speeding less than 10% over the posted limit or seat belt convictions.
Three points for a moving violation conviction in Texas or another state that resulted in a vehicle crash.
Points remain on the driver record for a period of three years. Additionally, a conviction that becomes final before September 1, 2003, will not apply to the assessment of points under the program. This program does not replace other administrative suspension, revocations or cancellation actions that result from these same convictions.
Driver surcharges
DPS will assess a surcharge when the driver accumulates a total of six points or more on their record during a three-year period. The driver must pay a $100 surcharge for the first six points and $25 for each additional point.
Annual surcharges for certain convictions
Drivers who receive a conviction for DWI or a DWI-related offense, failure to maintain financial responsibility or driving while license invalid will pay an annual surcharge for a period of three years. No points are placed on driver records for these offenses because the fine is automatic on the first offense.
A first-time DWI results in a $1,000 surcharge, paid annually for three years. A second-time DWI results in a $1,500 surcharge, paid annually for three years. The charges are cumulative. For example a driver could pay $1,000 as a result of their first DWI and an additional $1,500 for their second DWI, paying a total of $2,500 annually.
A conviction for driving while license is invalid or failure to maintain financial responsibility results in a surcharge of $250, paid annually for three years. A driver who is convicted of driving without a valid license receives a $100 per year surcharge for three years.
The surcharge assessed for this program is in addition to other reinstatement fees required for other administrative actions.
Driver notification of surcharge and license revocation
DPS will notify the offending driver of the assessment of a surcharge on their license, via first-class mail. The notice will state the surcharge must be paid. Drivers who do not pay their surcharge within 30 days after the notice is sent will have their driving privileges revoked. The license will remain revoked until the person pays all surcharges and related costs, such as service/collection fees.
Who receives money from the surcharges
Each surcharge collected by the department under this law will be remitted to the Comptroller, on a monthly basis. Trauma centers and county and regional emergency medical services will receive 49.5 percent of the collected money, and the Texas Mobility fund will receive 49.5 percent of the collected money. The money that goes to trauma centers will be handled by the Texas Department of Health, while the Texas Department of Transportation will handle money going to the Mobility fund, which funds highway projects, including the TransTexas Corridor. The remaining one percent of the collected money will go to DPS for operation of the Driver Responsibility program.
__________________
Truck: A big green shiny thing with lots of scratches and big tires that sounds loud and crawls over things.
Things That Have Been Broken Off-roading: Front right axle snapped (twice), turned the front diff into a metal milkshake (twice), CV Boots (lost count), Power Steering Rack.... thank god my service writer likes me!
California doubles the registration fees, Texas pulls hardcore cash out of kids. Sounds like the stereotypes for the two dumbest states are proving true.
And before you Texans get all surly on me , I'm from Cali so I'm not talking down.
__________________
Truck: A big green shiny thing with lots of scratches and big tires that sounds loud and crawls over things.
Things That Have Been Broken Off-roading: Front right axle snapped (twice), turned the front diff into a metal milkshake (twice), CV Boots (lost count), Power Steering Rack.... thank god my service writer likes me!
It had to come to this sometime. Texas is in a cash crunch and INSTEAD of raising taxes THIS is just ONE of the ways it plans to make up the shortfall. Geeeesh "read my lips, no new taxes" but we are gonna really jack up the value of your house so we will collect just as much money as we would if we raised your taxes.
BTW I have heard there is more to it than what is posted below. I heard the MINIMUM speeding ticket you can recieve is something like $320 (not positive on that amount). That is for going 4mph over a posted limit.
I think I need to move to Montana or wherever that is that theres no speed limit.
I really feel sorry for you California guys.
__________________ SATundra
2001 Limited, V8, 2wd, TRD, Metallic Silver Sky MODS:
TIRES: Michelin LTX M/S LT265/75/R16 load C rated
SUSPENSION: front - red/blu 4x4 HD Bilsteins shocks & HD TRD 4x4 coils providing 1.75" lift, rear - TRD add-a-leafs, Hellwig swaybar, yell/blu 4x4 Bilsteins INTERIOR: CB-Ham/Scanner/150W linear amp in custom console, 10 disc CD player, Donnelly comp/temp mirror, Toyota All Weather floormats, tinted windows, radar detector, backseat angle mod, EXTERIOR: Grizzly SS brushguard, Better Built alum toolbox w/lights, Weatherflector Ventvisors, chrome step tubes, UTR bedliner, hitch, SteelHorse Bull Rings, Mobil 1 oils, 2 TS stickers, 2 TS license frames, 2 www.TundraSolutions.com stickers, ELECTRICAL: 55W undercarriage entry lights, extra set 55W reverse lights, 55W underhood lights, DEI alarm, 12V Acc plug/engine compartment, 400watt power inverter, foglight/cargolight/acc plug/maplight mod
Originally posted by SATundra I think I need to move to Montana or wherever that is that theres no speed limit.
And no emmissions either. That means headers to pipe. No cat back, no muffler.
__________________
Truck: A big green shiny thing with lots of scratches and big tires that sounds loud and crawls over things.
Things That Have Been Broken Off-roading: Front right axle snapped (twice), turned the front diff into a metal milkshake (twice), CV Boots (lost count), Power Steering Rack.... thank god my service writer likes me!
Here's what concerns me about the new Texas 'points' laws:
1. SATundra is correct. It's simply a scheme for the State to increase revenues and still say the lawmakers didn't raise taxes;
2. 18% of all Texas drivers already avoid liability insurance laws. If our legislators were, indeed, serious about safety and driver responsibility, they'd remove license plates and impound vehicles if a driver is caught driving an unlicensed vehicle, regardless of vehicle ownership, asssuming the vehicle had not been previously reported stolen...and impose a very high fine to 'unimpound' said vehicle; and
3. The driver license surcharges are the worst part of the law. This will likely generate precious little revenue for the state, but a lot of revenue for defense lawyers AND it will assuredly result in a LOT more unlicensed drivers, exactly what Texas does not need.
I thought I'd NEVER say this, but I wish the Democrats were back in charge of Texas.
The only thing that's keeping us from being the laughingstock of the nation is...California. Joe Davis is even worse than Rick Perry.
Originally posted by DW Joe Davis is even worse than Rick Perry.
Gray Davis. And I have a feeling Ahnold is gunna rip apart the state and build it back up. I'm still a registered voter in Cali, I'm votin' for him!!! Or Gary Coleman, I haven't decided.
__________________
Truck: A big green shiny thing with lots of scratches and big tires that sounds loud and crawls over things.
Things That Have Been Broken Off-roading: Front right axle snapped (twice), turned the front diff into a metal milkshake (twice), CV Boots (lost count), Power Steering Rack.... thank god my service writer likes me!
I have to tell ya'll that having spent 28 of my 30 years in So-Cal (San Diego) it's not even possible to compare this state to California.
California was always a little wacky, but when Davis was elected and there was no Governor veto to hold the assembly back anymore things took a huge nosedive. High taxes, Byzantine regulations, bloated bureaucracy and a total lack of regard for the rights of its citizens pretty much sums CA up now. The state bears no resemblance to the wonderful place I was born and raised in. I've been out just under 2 years now but I would never go back under any circumstances. Don’t forget, they also have a state government that meets pretty much all year every year, which gives them that much more time to mess things up.
Businesses are fleeing the high regulation and huge taxes and infrastructure costs. The only thing the state has going for it IMHO anymore is nature. CA still is an off road mecca (until they close everything off) and there are few places with more diversity and beauty.
Texas is having problems, but they are childs play compared to CA. But heck, if you want additional taxes, regulations and further government control over your lives, vote the Democrats back in. Most of the time it’s not choosing the good over the bad, but choosing the devil that bites less. Either way, I wake up every day and am thankful I live in TX, regardless of the problems.
Maybe I'm crazy, but I'm actually in favor of something like this. Sure, it may seem Draconian, but it's really simple to avoid--don't break the law. If you ask me, the surcharge fine for DWI/DUI should be tripled. Maybe then some people would get the point--it's supposed to hurt and it's supposed to be a deterrent.
Originally posted by X-0 Maybe I'm crazy, but I'm actually in favor of something like this. Sure, it may seem Draconian, but it's really simple to avoid--don't break the law. If you ask me, the surcharge fine for DWI/DUI should be tripled. Maybe then some people would get the point--it's supposed to hurt and it's supposed to be a deterrent.
With insurance costs, lawyers, fines, classes, etc, etc, etc.... DUI's already cost $10,000 in the long run. If that doesn't get your attention, nothing will. Nobody decides to drive drunk when they are sober.
__________________
Truck: A big green shiny thing with lots of scratches and big tires that sounds loud and crawls over things.
Things That Have Been Broken Off-roading: Front right axle snapped (twice), turned the front diff into a metal milkshake (twice), CV Boots (lost count), Power Steering Rack.... thank god my service writer likes me!
NOT crazy! I DO favor what they're attempting to do; I just do NOT favor their motivation (money for the treasury) NOR do I believe it will accomplish the objective you and I BOTH seek to see achieved. These surcharges will simply result in more people driving with no DL's, in my opinion...and with no liability insurance. IF the State lawmakers were really serious, they would look at something that would really hurt...like impounding and/or removing license plates for 'X' amount of time...and the last stats I've seen show some 18% of TX drivers have no liability AND DWI death rates in Texas are horrendous. I do know a little bit about this issue...I'm a chief probation officer in West Texas. No sir! You are not crazy. You are correct!
The new Texas Point System
, I'm from Cali so I'm not talking down. 
"read my lips, no new taxes" but we are gonna really jack up the value of your house so we will collect just as much money as we would if we raised your taxes. 
Linear Mode
