SB 121: Uninsured Motorist Coverage; minimum required under motor vehicle liability policies for a individual convicted of driving under the influence or reckless driving; increase

Currently, Georgia drivers are required to carry a base level of motor vehicle liability insurance under O.C.G.A. § 33-7-11. This bill creates a new, higher insurance floor for anyone convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391, or an equivalent law in another state. For a first DUI conviction, the driver would need coverage of at least $50,000 for injury or death of one person, $100,000 for injury or death of multiple people in one accident, and $50,000 for property damage. For a second or later DUI conviction, those minimums rise to $100,000, $300,000, and $100,000 respectively. Drivers would have to maintain this higher coverage without a lapse for three years from their conviction date, and carry proof of it, on paper or electronically, whenever they drive. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it and would apply to convictions on or after that date.

• Creates a new Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 33-7-16) setting higher minimum insurance coverage requirements specifically for drivers convicted of DUI.
• Sets first-offense DUI minimum coverage at $50,000 per person injured or killed, $100,000 per accident, and $50,000 for property damage.
• Sets second-or-later DUI offense minimum coverage at $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident, and $100,000 for property damage.
• Requires DUI offenders to keep this higher coverage in place without interruption for three years starting from the conviction date.
• Requires drivers subject to the higher coverage to carry proof of insurance, which can be shown on paper or on a phone, while driving.
• Defines 'conviction' to include a guilty verdict, a guilty plea, or a no-contest plea.

Georgia drivers convicted of DUI, including repeat offenders, who must buy and maintain higher insurance coverage than other motorists. Auto insurance companies operating in Georgia and law enforcement officers who check proof of insurance during traffic stops are also affected.

Georgians convicted of DUI would face higher insurance costs and a three-year requirement to keep that coverage without any lapse, on top of existing penalties. This could raise the financial cost of a DUI conviction and give police and courts a clearer insurance standard to enforce.

• Section 1 adds new Code Section 33-7-16, setting the higher liability coverage minimums for first and repeat DUI convictions.
• Section 1(c) requires the higher coverage to be maintained without interruption for three years from the date of conviction.
• Section 1(d) specifies that these higher minimums replace, rather than add to, the general minimum coverage required under existing law (O.C.G.A. § 33-7-11).
• Section 1(e) defines 'conviction' to include guilty verdicts, guilty pleas, and no-contest pleas.
• Section 2 amends O.C.G.A. § 40-6-10 to require affected drivers to carry proof of their increased coverage, in paper or electronic form, while driving.
• Section 3 makes the law effective immediately upon the Governor's signature and applies it to convictions occurring on or after that date.

1. 2025-05-14Effective Date
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-16)Primary sponsor
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-29)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-50)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-45)
• Max Burns (R, SD-23)
• John Albers (R, SD-56)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-42)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-4)
• Mike Hodges (R, SD-3)
• Carden Summers (R, SD-13)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-8)
• Sam Watson (R, SD-11)
• Rick Williams (R, SD-25)
• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-30)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-31)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-54)
• Ed Setzler (R, SD-37)
• Brandon Beach (R, SD-21)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-24)
• Eddie Lumsden (R, HD-12)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 6, 2025

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

   PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE: Senate Vote #210

2. PassedHouse voteMarch 31, 2025

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

   PASSAGE: House Vote #347

3. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2025

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

   AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE: Senate Vote #371

• DUI penalties
• auto insurance requirements
• uninsured motorist coverage
• traffic law
• insurance minimums