License laws may tighten
Senate bills give tougher penalties for driving without a license and outlaw so-called "sanctuary" cities.
Dave Williams

ATLANTA — The Senate approved legislation Thursday that would stiffen penalties for motorists caught repeatedly driving without a valid Georgia license.

The bill, which passed 38-13 and now goes to the House, would make the crime a felony on the fourth offense within five years. Violators would face one to five years in prison and a fine of $2,500 to $5,000.

This is the second year in a row Georgia lawmakers have debated the measure.

It was criticized last year as a thinly veiled attempt to target illegal immigrants. Then, after the General Assembly passed the bill, Gov. Sonny Perdue vetoed it over concerns that it could affect newcomers to Georgia who don’t get their driver’s licenses within 30 days of moving into the state.

But the bill’s sponsors worked with the governor’s staff on a rewrite that addresses that issue, said Sen. John Wiles, R-Marietta, who introduced it in 2007 and again this year.

Under the new version of the legislation, first-time violators could have the charge dropped upon showing the court hearing the case proof of a valid Georgia driver’s license.

“If you have the ability to get a Georgia license, we’re not going to punish you,â€