Bill Overview
Title: Driving for Opportunity Act of 2021
Description: 1 This bill authorizes the Department of Justice to make grants to states that do not suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a driver's license of an individual based on such individual's failure to pay a civil or criminal fine or fee. Grants shall be awarded to (1) cover the costs incurred by a state to reinstate driver's licenses previously suspended for unpaid fines and fees; (2) maximize the number of individuals with suspended driver's licenses eligible to have driving privileges reinstated or regained; (3) provide assistance to individuals living in areas where public transportation options are limited; and (4) ease the burden on states where the state or local law that permitted the suspension or revocation of, or refusal to renew, driver's licenses or the registration of a motor vehicle based on the failure to pay civil or criminal fines or fees was in effect during the three year period ending on the date on which a state applies for or receives a grant under this bill. The Government Accountability Office must study the implementation of the grant program authorized by this bill, including the known effects of repealing state laws that have permitted the suspension, revocation, or refusal of a driver's license or motor vehicle registration based on the failure to pay civil or criminal fines or fees.
Sponsors: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Target Audience
Population: People with suspended driver's licenses due to unpaid fines or fees (and their families)
Estimated Size: 11000000
- The Act is designed to help individuals who have had their driver's license suspended, revoked, or not renewed due to the inability to pay civil or criminal fines or fees.
- This population likely includes individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, who tend not to have disposable income to pay fines and fees.
- States that rely on license suspension for unpaid fines have variable numbers of affected individuals, largely dependent on their respective policies.
- The legislation also targets individuals who live in areas with limited public transportation, as having a driver's license is critical for mobility and employment opportunities.
- The bill will indirectly affect family members of those getting their licenses reinstated, as it could alleviate household stress and improve economic opportunities.
Reasoning
- Given the budget constraints, the policy should first target areas with the highest number of individuals with suspended licenses due to unpaid fines or lack of payment capability.
- It is crucial to incorporate both rural and urban assessments, focusing on areas with limited public transportation which are severely affected by license suspensions.
- The target population includes low-income individuals who cannot pay fines; this may include single parents, people in rural communities, or individuals in unstable employment conditions.
- Those affected tend to experience stress and diminished mobility, impacting job opportunities and overall well-being.
- Not all states suspended licenses at the same rate; hence, states with higher suspension rates should be prioritized to maximize policy impact.
Simulated Interviews
Factory Worker (Rural Kentucky)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could change my life. I can't get to better job opportunities without a license.
- Restoring my license would reduce daily stress significantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Retail Worker (Suburban Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Getting my license back allows me to take on a second job.
- I hope the local policy complies quickly with this federal directive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Freelance Designer (Urban New York)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It'd be nice to have my license back, but it's not crucial for me.
- The public transport here is quite reliable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Small Business Owner (Rural Ohio)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having my license restored means I can expand my business reach.
- I think rural areas like mine will benefit greatly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Student (Suburban California)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is essential for students like me who need to balance work and classes.
- I hope it moves quickly; I'm in real need of my license.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Unemployed (Rural South Dakota)
Age: 39 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Getting a license back improves my chance to find work.
- There are virtually no buses or trains here.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
Office Worker (Urban Arizona)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a helpful policy but not critical for me.
- I already rely on public transit.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Healthcare Assistant (Suburban Florida)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This initiative would greatly alleviate my financial stress.
- I need to drive to keep my job.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Retired (Rural Montana)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I miss being able to visit my grandchildren and friends.
- This policy would let me regain some independence.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Tech Support Specialist (Urban Illinois)
Age: 36 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My license suspension doesn't affect me much day-to-day.
- For others, it might be a game changer.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $60000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $70000000)
Year 2: $60000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $70000000)
Year 3: $60000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $70000000)
Year 5: $60000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $70000000)
Year 10: $60000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $70000000)
Year 100: $60000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $70000000)
Key Considerations
- The effectiveness of federal incentives in changing entrenched state-level policies.
- Potential for large variability in costs depending on state participation and the volume of reinstatements.
- States retain significant autonomy in how they manage driver's license suspensions, even with federal incentives.