New law reduces driving penalties

Plain Dealer

A new state law cuts the penalties for driving without a license and most instances of driving with a suspended license.

Although criminal penalties — jail time and fines — remain unchanged, the law cuts the number of points tacked onto violators’ driving records from six to two for most people.

It does not apply to suspensions stemming from drunken driving.

Insurance companies charge higher rates against drivers based partly on the number of points they have on their licenses.

Other reasons for license suspensions include not having insurance, failing to pay child support, drug convictions and leaving the scene of an accident.

The points assessed for each of these drops from six to two.

Before the new law, which took effect Sept. 23, drivers who forgot their licenses at home received two points, but no longer includes points.

Officials hope the changes will decrease the number of people prohibited from driving and make it less expensive for offenders to regain their driving privileges.

“Getting a driving- under-suspension charge when you’re poor puts you between a rock and a hard place,” said Cleveland Municipal Presiding Judge Ronald Adrine.

Statewide, more than 960,000 people had their licenses revoked last year.

Many had multiple suspensions, pushing the number of suspensions above 2.7 million, according to Bureau of Motor Vehicle records.