SB 473: Motor Vehicles and Traffic; submission of proof of completion of certified DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Programs by certain applicants to obtain limited driving permits; require

Georgia law lets certain drivers whose licenses are suspended apply for a limited driving permit that lets them drive to work, school, or treatment. This bill changes the rules for drivers whose suspension stems from a DUI-related administrative suspension under O.C.G.A. § 40-5-67.2: they would now have to submit proof they finished a certified DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program before getting the permit. Completing that program would then count toward other reinstatement requirements tied to related DUI suspension laws. The bill also updates how DUI program records are handled, allowing written consent for releasing those records to be collected and transferred electronically. It raises the fee driver improvement clinics can charge for a defensive driving course from $95 to $125, replaces the separate $100 assessment and $235 intervention fees for DUI risk reduction programs with a single $380 fee, caps the materials fee at $15, and lowers the state administration fee programs must pay per offender from $30 to $15. It also changes how clinical evaluations and risk assessments are conducted and allows some instruction through remote platforms. These changes would take effect July 1, 2026, and apply to offenses committed on or after that date.

• Requires drivers seeking a limited driving permit after a suspension under O.C.G.A. § 40-5-67.2 to first submit proof of completing a certified DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program.
• Credits completion of that DUI program toward reinstatement requirements under three related Code sections (40-5-57.1, 40-5-63, and 40-5-67.2).
• Allows written consent for releasing confidential DUI program records to be obtained and transferred electronically instead of only on paper.
• Raises the fee driver improvement clinics charge for a defensive driving course from $95 to $125.
• Replaces the separate $100 assessment fee and $235 intervention fee for DUI risk reduction programs with a single combined $380 fee, and caps the student materials fee at $15.
• Lowers the per-offender state administration fee that DUI programs must pay from $30 to $15, and sets a new $15 fee the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities may collect per assessment.

Drivers applying for limited driving permits after a DUI-related license suspension, driver improvement clinics and DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Programs, the Department of Driver Services, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, and licensed clinical evaluators who conduct DUI risk assessments.

Drivers seeking limited driving privileges after certain DUI suspensions would face a new completion requirement before they can drive, while also getting credit toward other reinstatement steps. Meanwhile, the fees clinics and DUI programs charge, and the fees they owe the state, would shift, changing costs for offenders and revenue for agencies.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 40-5-64(a)(1)(E) to require proof of completing a certified DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program before issuing a limited driving permit tied to a 40-5-67.2 suspension.
• Section 1 adds new subsection (e.1) crediting a completed DUI program toward reinstatement requirements under O.C.G.A. §§ 40-5-57.1, 40-5-63, and 40-5-67.2.
• Section 2 amends O.C.G.A. § 40-5-82(d) to allow electronic collection and transfer of written consent for releasing DUI program records, and authorizes a $15.00 fee per offender assessed for the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.
• Section 3 amends O.C.G.A. § 40-5-83(a) to raise the driver improvement clinic defensive driving course fee from $95.00 to $125.00.
• Section 3 amends O.C.G.A. § 40-5-83(e) to require clinical evaluation and risk assessment be conducted simultaneously by qualified licensed evaluators, and permits instruction via remote platforms with in-person instruction providers.
• Section 3 replaces the separate $100 assessment fee and $235 intervention fee for DUI risk reduction programs with one combined fee of $380.00, and caps the program materials fee at $15.00.
• Section 3 lowers the state administration fee DUI programs must pay per offender assessed from $30.00 to $15.00.
• Section 4 sets the effective date as July 1, 2026, applying to offenses committed on or after that date.

1. 2026-03-06Senate Tabled (Senate)
2. 2026-03-03Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
3. 2026-02-26Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)
4. 2026-02-09Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
5. 2026-02-06Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Randy Robertson (R, SD-029)Primary sponsor
• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)
• Jason Anavitarte (R, SD-031)
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
• Bill Cowsert (R, SD-046)
• Matt Brass (R, SD-006)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-051)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Chuck Hufstetler (R, SD-052)
• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
• Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
• Larry Walker (R, SD-020)

• DUI laws
• driver's license suspension
• limited driving permits
• driver improvement programs
• traffic law fees