Section 32-7A-9Suspension of registration - Grounds; penalties.
(a) The department shall suspend the vehicle registration of any motor vehicle determined to be in violation of Section 32-7A-4, including any motor vehicle operated in violation of Section 32-7A-16 by an operator other than the owner of the vehicle. Neither the fact that, subsequent to the date of verification or violation, the owner acquired the required liability insurance policy nor the fact that the owner terminated ownership of the motor vehicle shall have any bearing upon the required suspension.
(b) The registration of any motor vehicle registered in this state shall be suspended upon the department receiving notice of the conviction of the operator of the motor vehicle in another state of an offense which, if committed in this state, would constitute a violation of Section 32-7A-4. Until it is terminated, any suspension under this chapter shall remain in force even if the registration is renewed or a new registration is acquired for the motor vehicle contrary to Section 32-7A-10.
(c) In the case of a first violation, the department shall terminate the suspension upon payment by the owner of a reinstatement fee of one hundred dollars ($100) in certified funds and submission of proof of insurance as prescribed by the department. Upon a first violation, the owner's name and identifying information shall be provided to the director by the department, for the purpose of requiring the owner to purchase and maintain insurance pursuant to Section 32-7-13 or Section 32-7-31, or both, for a period of one year.
(d) In the case of a second or subsequent violation by a person having ownership interest in a motor vehicle or vehicles within the preceding four years, or a violation of Section 32-7A-16(3), the department shall terminate the suspension four months after its effective date upon payment by the owner of a reinstatement fee of two hundred dollars ($200) in certified funds and submission of proof of insurance as prescribed by the department. In the case of a second or subsequent violation, the owner's name and identifying information shall be provided to the director by the department, for the purpose of the director requiring the owner to purchase and maintain insurance pursuant to Section 32-7-13, or Section 32-7-31, or both, for a period of three years. Upon conviction of a second offense the violator shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.
(e) All fees collected under this section shall be retained by the department for use in the administration of this chapter. Refunds of reinstatement fees shall be granted in cases of duplicate payment, or as approved by the department. Anyone who is denied a refund of the reinstatement fee may appeal the denial to the administrative law judge pursuant to Section 40-2A-8.
(Act 2000-554, p. 1005, §1; Act 2001-344, p. 446, §1.)
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