|
captainsnap
Houston, TX
|
Scott wrote: I have been crushed by this system and would whole heartedly support it being removed. 4 years ago I received a speeding ticket and although I had insurance the card in the car was expired. I appeared in court and provided my insurance documentation so that portion was dismissed. Fast forward to August of this year when I applied for insurance and was told my license was suspended. Very alarmed I went to DMV and was handed a slip of paper with the Driver Responsibility Surcharge Program number, mind you I had never heard of this and wondered what on earth this could have to do with my suspension. Upon calling I could receive no information regarding the ticket that caused the problem as they didn't have those records and was told to get my driving record from the DMV and it would have that info but they could tell me that I owed 3 years of $260/year as my fine. I did not have my current address on my license and had never received the notifications regarding these fines but was still allowed to enter the payment plan since I had never started or new of my need to pay. After 14 days they had FINALLY entered my payment and sent that info to DMV to lift my suspension. I immediately went to DMV to renew license with current address, since that was the reason I never took care of this in the first place. 6 weeks later I get my New driver's license in the mail thinking my ordeal has ended....but NO! 1 week later I receive a letter from the DPS stating they are aware that I drove during my suspension period, which I never knew had happened, so they intend on suspending my license for 1 year beginning this October 24 if I don't appeal. How they know that I drove you ask...I received a ticket in May and paid it no problem, first ticket in almost 5 years no big deal...well they searched the driving record and found that and are now going to suspend me for a YEAR. The ticket issuing officer did not even alert me to the fact that my license was suspended!!!! I have to be told by my insurance agent yet ignorance or lack of receiving these surcharges will not get me off. Is there anything I can do. I file the appeal next week and not sure when the court date will be but do I have any chance of keeping my license? Thanks,
Scott - kevenscott9@yahoo.com Can you tell me what court you will appear in? Or, did you just appeal to the dps? I haven't been able to find a court of jurisdiction to appear in. The traffic court has nothing to do with "Surcharges". I always thought a person was to get their day in court, but I can't find a court to file in.
|
|
“Fight the TX Driver Respon Law”
Joined: Mar 27, 2008
Comments: 184
Austin, TX
ISP:
Austin, TX
|
Scott wrote: I have been crushed by this system and would whole heartedly support it being removed. 4 years ago I received a speeding ticket and although I had insurance the card in the car was expired. I appeared in court and provided my insurance documentation so that portion was dismissed. Fast forward to August of this year when I applied for insurance and was told my license was suspended. Very alarmed I went to DMV and was handed a slip of paper with the Driver Responsibility Surcharge Program number, mind you I had never heard of this and wondered what on earth this could have to do with my suspension. Upon calling I could receive no information regarding the ticket that caused the problem as they didn't have those records and was told to get my driving record from the DMV and it would have that info but they could tell me that I owed 3 years of $260/year as my fine. I did not have my current address on my license and had never received the notifications regarding these fines but was still allowed to enter the payment plan since I had never started or new of my need to pay. After 14 days they had FINALLY entered my payment and sent that info to DMV to lift my suspension. I immediately went to DMV to renew license with current address, since that was the reason I never took care of this in the first place. 6 weeks later I get my New driver's license in the mail thinking my ordeal has ended....but NO! 1 week later I receive a letter from the DPS stating they are aware that I drove during my suspension period, which I never knew had happened, so they intend on suspending my license for 1 year beginning this October 24 if I don't appeal. How they know that I drove you ask...I received a ticket in May and paid it no problem, first ticket in almost 5 years no big deal...well they searched the driving record and found that and are now going to suspend me for a YEAR. The ticket issuing officer did not even alert me to the fact that my license was suspended!!!! I have to be told by my insurance agent yet ignorance or lack of receiving these surcharges will not get me off. Is there anything I can do. I file the appeal next week and not sure when the court date will be but do I have any chance of keeping my license? Thanks,
Scott - kevenscott9@yahoo.com Hey Scott, I got your e-mail and will send you some good facts to help backup your case
|
|
Clint
|
I have been paying on two surcharge accounts for 2 years now and I'm fed up. One is for no insurance. They sent me a letter two years after I received the ticket saying my license was suspended due to non-payment on my DRP account. I didn't even know what the hell a DRP account was! So, I called DPS and they said it was my problem, and they would not do anything about it. I never received any letters or documents about the account until the second year I was paying on it. I ended up having to pay it in full to get my license reinstated. Then, I had to drive to work with a suspended license for a month because they took their sweet time getting my license status updated. The same thing happened to my friend. He got pulled over and arrested over a suspended drivers license due to an unpaid DRP account that he knew nothing about. His original ticket was from three years prior to his arrest. And the account was not even opened till two and a half years later. I have another surcharge for a DUI. I know I screwed up and it was a stupid thing to do, but we all have to learn the hard way every now and then. I did my time. I have been on probation for almost two years now, taken alcohol awareness classes, madd meetings, alcohol evaluations, aa meetings, community service, sat in jail, I have an ignition interlock in my truck. All together I will have paid over $25,000 not counting time off work. I am fine with all of this. I made my bed, I'll lay in it. But this extra $1000 dollars a year for the hell of it is ridiculous!!!! I made an agreement in court to take care of certain things and no where in that agreement did it say anything about a surcharge fee for three years. I feel like I have been charged four times for the same offense. If there is anything I can do to get in on this and help get rid of this unlawful charge, I am up for it. Whatever it takes. I'm just not sure where to start. It's about time we all stand up for our rights and put an end to this! There is nothing right or just about this.
|
|
captainsnap
Houston, TX
|
What's being done to get rid of this horrible injustice? Is anyone in Austin fighting this "law"
and trying to eliminate this back breaking, never ending stain on the working people of Texas.
People that have never been through it don't understand the problems this law creates for poor
HONEST people. This giant gorilla just won't die and go away. Someone has to stop this in Austin. Is any of our Reps. in Austin work on this? If so tell me and I'll contact them. WE NEED ACTION NOW!
|
|
JAB
Spring, TX
|
Texass Driver responsibility program is Highway Robbery!!!!!!!!!!
It is a sad, sad program and really has a mortifying effect on poorer and middle class.
|
|
anna
Wichita Falls, TX
|
Judged:
1
if you obeyed the rules you would not have a surcharge to pay! Sorry about your bad luck
|
|
Dee
|
I was convicted of driving without insurance in 2006, and because I was unable to pay the fines my license has been suspended. I am a full time college student and any extra money I have always goes to my tuition and books. I graduate next semester and can't apply for any jobs in my field because they all require a valid driver's license. I don't know when I will be able to pay off that $750.
|
|
Clint
|
anna wrote: if you obeyed the rules you would not have a surcharge to pay! Sorry about your bad luck Everybody has broken rules! If they say they haven't they are full of it! I guarantee you would be pissed if you were charged a fine for something, then found out you were gonna be charged 3 more times over the next 3 years. Its unconstitutional and it is so ignorant for you to even try to back it up. Why don't you learn a little before you get on here mouthing off! If you disagree with our rights why don't you pack your ass up and leave! It is "Double Jeopardy" ,which is against our constitutional rights.DOUBLE JEOPARDY - Being tried twice for the same offense; prohibited by the 5th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The Double Jeopardy Clause protects against three distinct abuses:[1] a second prosecution for the same offense after acquittal; [2] a second prosecution for the same offense after conviction; and [3] multiple punishments for the same offense.' U.S. v. Halper
|
|
|
sspain
San Antonio, TX
|
I really cant believe something like this has gone on for so long. This is bullshit.
|
|
Kareem McClain
|
Hi my name is kareem & I also having am having difficulties with paying the high surcharges.I went to school for HVAC,finished with honors in February 2009 and bc $$$ has been so tight with the bills ect,I havent any $$$ to get myself on track to help booste our great nation.. I have 4 great kids & a loving fianc'e ,in wich stands firm by my side,but Im want to stand firm on my own but we need "HELP"... IM not out looking for handouts, I just need to handle these high surcharges so that I may get on the right track with my career...krmc31@yahoo.com
|
|
Kareem
|
I feel alot of people are down and out physiclly as well as emotionally bc of these high surcharges> There are alot that work each & everyday with suspended licenses, but still have to do what they have to do to provide. You would think our great nation would be able to do something bc, I feel that if we are in it together,"we are in this together"... Lets solve this bad issue.
|
|
Kim Crew
United States
|
I believe that it is just another way for them to get money from us. Like all of you, I have paid all of my tickets, and got hit with these ridiculous charges.This is my second year paying.I would like to know where that money goes.
|
|
Blake
United States
|
I luckily have not personally been affected by this surcharge, however, I know many people who have. Sign me up for the petition. My roommate has been paying this off and has been pulled over and ticketed many times for driving with a suspended licence because it takes the processing center in Austin weeks to get your account updated.
|
|
Rokirakun
|
Tamera,
Has this issue been dropped? Is the petition still alive? I am in full agreement with you sentiments; this amounts to double jeopardy. My son got a ticket for no insurance. He spend a few nights in jail and then paid a large fine. Six months later he finds out he has 3 years of additional payments into this fund.
I have no issues with the state raising money for emergency equipment but as I will be a potential benefactor of such expenditures I see no reason to penalize my son or others who have already fulfilled thier rightful obligation to the law.
Rick
|
|
anthony dallas
Irving, TX
|
this is alot of crap i recently found out about this surcharge thing and found out i have 2184 in these charges. i dont understand it at all i got no letter or notice indicating any fees to pay. what is this all about any feedback will help thanks.
|
|
|
Judge it!
Search the Victoria Forum:
Aquarius
