Driver Fees

VFBF Position

We support efforts to repeal the minor offenses included in the 2007 Abusive Driver Fee law and apply the provisions of the law to out-of-state residents.

Background

During the 2007 General Assembly Session, a comprehensive transportation bill, HB3202, was passed. In this bill, there were increases in many fines called “abusive driver fees” directed at driving offenses. Much has been published about the “abusive driver fees” since they went into effect July 1. While Virginia Farm Bureau does not condone driving offenses, we do feel some of the fees are extreme for the offense. In addition, we feel that any increases or new laws applied to the highways of the Commonwealth should also apply to non-Virginia residents.

We encourage the General Assembly to reconsider the “abusive driver fees” as contained in HB3202 from the 2007 General Assembly session, and remove the increases to the minor offenses, and also make the law apply to non-residents.

Reasons for Position

1. The fine should fit the crime: hefty “abusive driver fees” for minor driving offenses are excessive. Though they are not technically called “fines,” they still are just that, and should fit the crime.

2. The law potentially violates the U.S. Constitution by treating Virginia’s abusive drivers differently than out-of-state abusive drivers. It is argued that, Virginia’s program violates the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which guarantees Americans equal protection under the law.