BMV to Target Reckless Drivers with Points System, Overhaul Commercial Licenses, and Tighten Oversight on Unregistered Vehicles
As part of its $6.4M budget plan, the BMV aims to speed up license suspensions with a retooled points system, address delays in launching commercial driver licenses, and crack down on unregistered vehicles amid rising enforcement concerns.
2025-07-02 14:42:13 - VI News Staff
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles is preparing to crack down on dangerous and negligent driving in the coming fiscal year as work gets underway to “improve on our points system.” That was the testimony of BMV director Barbara Jackson McIntosh when she appeared before the Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance on Tuesday.
For the new fiscal year, the BMV is requesting a budget of $6,486,954, which includes $3,596,365 from the general fund, $1,890,589 from the Personalized License Plate (PLP) Fund and $1 million from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles Fund.
According to McIntosh, the general fund and BMV Fund will cover personnel costs, while the PLP Fund will be used for operating expenses, supplies, utilities, and the like. BMV projects revenue collections in the sum of $10,550,813, with $7,844,179 already collected as of July 1.
The strengthening of the points system is not budgeted against any of these funds. Instead, the BMV is in receipt of a grant from the Office of Highway Safety for the project, valued at $237,089. With internal processes completed, “implementation is currently pending a critical legislative amendment,” said Ms. McIntosh. Under the current law, “a driver who accumulates 12 or more points must have their license suspended through a formal petition to the court by the director of BMV.” If amended, the law will grant the director of the BMV the authority to “administratively suspend the license once the 12 point threshold is reached, eliminating the need for court intervention.”