LANSING (WTVB) - A new state law authored by State Senator Bruce Caswell goes into effect Monday. Secretary of State Ruth Johnson thanked Caswell for pushing for the bill and praised the measure which eliminates Driver Responsibility Fees for lesser driving offenses. According to Johnson, these fees have been a costly burden on Michigan residents, adding that citizens already have to pay court fines and usually see higher insurance rates for violations. Johnson said these extra fees made things tougher for many families Public Act 255 does away with $150 driver responsibility fees, charged for two consecutive years, for the following violations, committed on or after Oct. 1:

            ▪ Operating a motor vehicle with an expired operator’s or chauffer’s license

            ▪ Operating without a valid license

            ▪ Having more than one license

            ▪ Failing to surrender licenses from other states

The law also eliminates $200 driver responsibility fees, charged for two consecutive years, for these violations, committed on or after Oct. 1:

            ▪ Failing to have mandatory motor vehicle insurance coverage

            ▪ Failure to produce proof of insurance

            ▪ Knowingly providing false evidence of insurance

Drivers who owe these fees for offenses committed before Oct. 1 still will be responsible for paying them. Other driver responsibility fees of $500 and $1,000 for two consecutive years for a variety of more serious motor vehicle offenses, including alcohol-related, controlled substance and reckless driving violations, remain in place.