SB 320 seeks to ament Title 40 of the O.C.G.A. relating to motor vehicles and revises provisions relating to the regulation of transportation for hire.

            Revisions to Code Section 40-1-154 include the removal of subsections (a), (b), and (c).

            New Code Section 40-1-193.1 is added to mandate that each taxi service operating or doing business in Georgia must register with the department. Upon receipt of such application, the department shall issue a license to such taxi service which shall be renewed on an annual basis. The fee for such license and registration shall not exceed $100.00. The service must maintain a current list of all drivers and shall be made available for inspection by law enforcement officers and representatives of other government agencies upon request to ascertain compliance with this title. It further specifies steps the taxi services must take to oversee its drivers and the safety of its services.

            Paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of Code Section 40-5-21 is revised to remove code mandating a valid international driving permit for nonresident driver’s from out of the county and to add that such law enforcement may consult such person’s passport or visa to satisfy the validity of the international license. 

            Subsection (b) of Code Section 40-5-39 is revised through the removal of paragraph (6) which the substantiation of proof of liability insurance in such amounts as provided by law for the class of motor vehicle being operated.

            Subsection (d) of Code Section 40-5-81 is revised through the addition to preexisting penalties, any person convicted of a second or subsequent offense shall have his or her license to operate a driver improvement clinic or DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program revoked.

            This Act shall become effective on January 1, 2017.