SB121: SB121 Uninsured Motorist Coverage; minimum required under motor vehicle liability policies for a individual convicted of driving under the influence or reckless driving; increase

Right now, Georgia law sets one minimum level of liability insurance for all drivers under O.C.G.A. § 33-7-11. This bill creates a special, higher minimum for anyone convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391 or an equivalent out-of-state law. A first-time DUI conviction would require coverage of at least $50,000 for injury or death of one person, $100,000 for injury or death of multiple people, and $50,000 for property damage. A second or later DUI conviction would raise those minimums to $100,000, $300,000, and $100,000. Drivers subject to these higher minimums must keep that coverage in place, without a lapse, for three years from the date of conviction, and must be able to show proof of it, on paper or electronically, whenever they drive. The bill defines conviction to include a guilty verdict, a guilty plea, or a no-contest plea. It took effect once signed by the Governor and applies to convictions on or after that date.

• Creates a new Georgia insurance law (O.C.G.A. § 33-7-16) setting higher minimum liability insurance for anyone convicted of DUI under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391 or a similar out-of-state law.
• Sets first-offense minimums at $50,000 per injured or killed person, $100,000 total per accident, and $50,000 for property damage.
• Sets second-or-later-offense minimums at $100,000 per injured or killed person, $300,000 total per accident, and $100,000 for property damage.
• Requires drivers subject to these higher minimums to keep that coverage continuously in place for three years from the conviction date.
• Amends Georgia's driving insurance requirement law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-10) to require these drivers to carry proof of the coverage, in paper or electronic form, while driving.
• Defines conviction to include a jury finding of guilt, a guilty plea, or a plea of no contest (nolo contendere).

Georgia drivers convicted of DUI, whether under Georgia's DUI law or an equivalent law in another state, including repeat offenders who face steeper requirements. Auto insurers operating in Georgia and law enforcement officers who check proof of insurance during traffic stops are also affected.

Drivers with a DUI conviction would need to buy and maintain significantly more insurance coverage than the state's general minimum for three full years, likely raising their insurance costs, and could face consequences for driving without proof of that coverage on hand.

• Section 1 adds O.C.G.A. § 33-7-16, setting first-offense minimum coverage at $50,000/$100,000/$50,000 for injury, total injury, and property damage.
• Section 1 sets second-or-subsequent-offense minimums at $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 and requires three years of uninterrupted coverage from the conviction date.
• Section 1 specifies these higher minimums replace, rather than add to, the general minimum coverage required under O.C.G.A. § 33-7-11.
• Section 1 defines 'conviction' to include guilty verdicts, guilty pleas, and no-contest pleas.
• Section 2 amends O.C.G.A. § 40-6-10 to require drivers with the increased coverage to carry proof of it, allowing paper or electronic (mobile device) formats.
• Section 3 makes the Act effective upon the Governor's signature (or becoming law without signature) and applies it to convictions on or after that date.

1. 2025-05-14Effective Date 2025-05-14
2. 2025-05-14Act 287
3. 2025-05-14Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senate)
4. 2025-04-07Senate Sent to Governor (Senate)
5. 2025-03-31Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub (Senate)
6. 2025-03-31House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
7. 2025-03-31House Third Readers (House)
8. 2025-03-13House Committee Favorably Reported (House)

• Marty Harbin (R, SD-016)Primary sponsor
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• Max Burns (R, SD-023)
• John Albers (R, SD-056)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• Mike Hodges (R, SD-003)
• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)
• Sam Watson (R, SD-011)
• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)
• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Ed Setzler (R, SD-037)
• Brandon Beach (R, SD-021)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)
• Eddie Lumsden (R, HD-012)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 6, 2025

   53 yea, 2 nay (1 not voting, 0 absent)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #210

2. PassedHouse voteMarch 31, 2025

   157 yea, 11 nay (5 not voting, 7 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #347

3. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2025

   51 yea, 2 nay (0 not voting, 3 absent)

   Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #371

• DUI penalties
• car insurance requirements
• motor vehicle law
• driving under the influence