SB 160: Reckless Stunt Driving; a motor vehicle involved in a second offense of reckless stunt driving; replace the forfeiture penalty

Under current Georgia law, a person convicted of reckless stunt driving (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-390.1) has their license suspended, and after a waiting period could apply for early reinstatement. This bill removes that early reinstatement option for first and second offenses and instead lets eligible drivers apply for a new 'intelligent speed assistance device limited driving permit,' which requires installing a monitoring device that prevents the car from exceeding a set speed. The bill lays out who can and cannot get this permit, the fees involved ($32 for issuance and renewal), grounds for revoking the permit, and a right to a hearing if a permit is denied or revoked. It also expands the state's existing ignition interlock device law to cover these new speed devices, renaming it the 'Intelligent Speed Assistance Device and Ignition Interlock Device Providers Act,' and requires companies that install and monitor the devices to be licensed by the Department of Driver Services. It also updates probation monitoring definitions to include these devices. The changes take effect July 1, 2028.

• Removes the current option for early reinstatement of a suspended license after 120 days (first offense) or 18 months (second offense) for reckless stunt driving convictions.
• Creates a new 'intelligent speed assistance device limited driving permit' that lets eligible suspended drivers keep driving if a speed-limiting device is installed in their vehicle.
• Sets eligibility rules that bar the permit for drivers under 21, commercial license holders, and those suspended for accidents causing injury or death.
• Requires companies that install and monitor these devices ('provider centers') to be licensed by the Department of Driver Services, similar to existing ignition interlock device rules.
• Allows the Department of Driver Services to revoke the new permit for traffic violations, tampering with the device, or missing required monitoring, with a right to a hearing.
• Adds a penalty allowing a one-year driving privilege revocation if a court finds someone violated the terms of their permit while on probation.

People convicted of reckless stunt driving whose licenses are suspended, companies that install and monitor ignition interlock and speed-limiting devices ('provider centers'), county and municipal governments that may buy or lease these devices, probation officers, and the Department of Driver Services, which will run the new permit and licensing systems.

Drivers convicted of reckless stunt driving would lose the option to get their license back early through a waiting period, but could instead drive legally sooner by installing a monitored speed-limiting device, at a cost of fees for the permit and the device itself. Companies that provide these devices would face new state licensing and background check requirements.

• Section 1 defines 'intelligent speed assistance device' and 'provider center' in the driver's license definitions section (O.C.G.A. § 40-5-1).
• Section 2 removes early reinstatement options for first and second reckless stunt driving convictions and replaces them with eligibility for the new limited permit, keeping restoration fees of $210 (first offense) and $310 (second offense).
• Section 3 creates a new Code section (40-5-64.2) setting permit eligibility, a $32 issuance and renewal fee, one-year validity, revocation grounds, hearing rights, and electronic notice procedures.
• Section 5 adds a new article to Title 42 letting counties, municipalities, or private entities buy or lease the devices, sets installation fee rules, bars officials from steering people to specific provider centers, and creates a misdemeanor for tampering with a device.
• Section 6 revises Chapter 12A of Title 43 to rename it the 'Intelligent Speed Assistance Device and Ignition Interlock Device Providers Act' and extends existing licensing, bonding, insurance, and background check requirements to speed-device providers.
• Section 7 sets the effective date as July 1, 2028.

1. 2026-05-06Effective Date 2028-07-01
2. 2026-05-06Act 418
3. 2026-05-06Senate Date Signed by Governor (Senate)
4. 2026-04-10Senate Sent to Governor (Senate)
5. 2026-03-25Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub (Senate)
6. 2026-03-16House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
7. 2026-03-16House Third Readers (House)
8. 2026-02-24House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)

• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)Primary sponsor
• John Albers (R, SD-056)
• Emanuel Jones (D, SD-010)
• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-051)
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Bill Cowsert (R, SD-046)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• John Kennedy (R, SD-018)
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)
• Josh McLaurin (D, SD-014)
• Sam Watson (R, SD-011)
• Jason Esteves (D, SD-035)
• Alan Powell (R, HD-033)

1. PassedSenate voteMarch 4, 2025

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

   Passage: Senate Vote #148

2. PassedHouse voteMarch 16, 2026

   130 yea, 26 nay (5 not voting, 15 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #708

3. PassedSenate voteMarch 25, 2026

   49 yea, 0 nay (1 not voting, 4 absent)

   Agree To House Substitute: Senate Vote #818

• reckless stunt driving
• driver's license suspension
• speed limiting devices
• ignition interlock providers
• traffic safety