A

Accident - Implies an unforseen event that occurs without anyone's fault or negligence.

B

Bond Forfeiture - Something (usually money) given up as punishment for a crime, offense, or breach of contract.

Bulk Requestor - shall mean an entity authorized as a Bulk Requestor by the Department of Driver Services as evidenced by having on site a valid copy of the entity's Bulk Requestor Authorization obtained from the Department of Driver Services. Bulk Requestors can request MVRs only to distribute to other Bulk Users and cannot retain copies of any MVRs requested. The Requestor shall not share, sell or otherwise disseminate any information included in the Motor Vehicle Report to any other person or company except its Users.

Bulk User - shall mean an entity authorized as a Bulk User by the Department of Driver Services as evidenced by having on site a valid copy of the entity's Bulk User Authorization obtained from the Department of Driver Services. Bulk Users can only request MVRs for the User’s exclusive use. The User shall not share, sell or otherwise disseminate any information included in the Motor Vehicle Report to any other person or company.

C

Cancellation - The DDS is authorized to cancel your license if you fail to give the required or correct information needed in your application or if you are otherwise ineligible.  You may reapply once you satisfy the requirements.

Commercial Offense - Any violation that occurs during the operation of a commercial motor vehicle.

Commercial Privilege - Status of licensee's ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle.

Commercial Vehicle Policy - A policy of motor vehicle liability insurance insuring a motor vehicle that is rated or insured as a business use or commercial use vehicle or is licensed by the state as a commercial vehicle, except that such term shall not include any policy insured to a named insured who is a natural person.

Convicted - Found guilty of committing a crime.

Court - A legally established entity that is authorized to hear and dispose of criminal and civil cases and to make rulings on the matter of law; OR, a legally established administrative tribunal given authority to hear and dispose of specifically enumerated aspects of criminal or civil processes and to make rulings on the matter of law.

Credit - One type of MVR purpose as defined by DDS.  This report can be requested and obtained for credit purposes in accordance with the the Fair Credit Reporting Act.  The information for this purpose of request includes name, DOB, address, license number and license status.

D

Denial - A refusal to comply or satisfy a request.  To turndown a request.

Disposition - The adjudication of a criminal offense (including traffic offenses) by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Disqualified - Depriving someone of their driving privileges.

Documents Issued - Any license, permit, or ID issued by the department for purposes of operating a motor vehicle.

Driver's Record - means the record provided by the Department of Driver Services that contains the information specified in O.C.G.A. & 40-5-2(c)(1).  This record will include all applications for licenses granted, a record of the license status, a record of accidents, and abstracts of all court convictions.

E

Employment - One type of MVR purpose as defined by DDS.  A requestor can ascertain copies of driver records for employment purposes.  Each company must have written consent on file from the individual to request the driver record.  The information for this purpose of request includes name, DOB, address, license number, license type/class, endorsements, expiration date, restrictions, status, citation descriptions, suspension descriptions/dates, and other information deemed applicable by DDS.

Endorsements - An authorization required to permit an individual to operate certain types of commercial motor vehicles or commercial motor vehicles with certain types of equipment installed. Georgia has the following license endorsements:

P  Passenger Vehicle (sixteen or more, including driver)
T  Double/ Triple Trailers
N  Tank Vehicles
H  Hazardous Material Haulers
S  School Bus
X  Combination of N and H

F

G

H

Hazardous material - Substance or material including hazardous substance which has been determined by the United States Secretary of Transportation and enumerated by Federal Code or Rule to be capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, or property when transported in commerce and which has been so designated.

I

Insurance - One type of MVR purpose as defined by DDS.  Insurance companies and/or insurance support organizations can request Motor Vehicle Reports for the purposes specified in S.B. 69.  The information for this purpose of request includes name, DOB, address, license number, license type/class, endorsements, expiration date, restrictions, status, citation descriptions, suspension descriptions/dates, and other information deemed applicable by DDS.

J

Jurisdiction - The state or territory where the violation occurred.

K

L

License Class - A Georgia driver's license is classified according to the type and weight of vehicles that may be operated by the person to whom they are issued.

Limited Permit - Driving permit authorizing a qualified licensee who has been suspended to operate a motor vehicle with certain restrictions as required by Georgia law or DDS agency rules.

Limited Rating Information - One type of MVR purpose as defined by DDS.  Only insurance agents can request the limited rating report.  The information for this purpose of request includes name, DOB, license number, and status.  A LRI report also consists of a summary of the number of violations relating to driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicating substances, and the number and type of other moving traffic violations which were committed by the proposed insured driver or drivers.

M

Mandatory Revocation - (1) Any third conviction of a suspendable offense within 5 years.  (2) Refusal to submit a reexamination of driving skill or knowledge of driving rules after receiving notice giving reasonable grounds for such a request.  (3) Sufficient evidence of incompetence or unfitness to drive, due to incapabilities by reason of disease, mental or physical disability, or by alcohol or drug addiction.

Mandatory Suspension - (1) Homicide by vehicle.  (2) A conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  (3) Any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used.  (4) Using a motor vehicle in fleeing or attempting to elude an officer.  (5) Fraudulent or fictitious use of, or application for a license.  (6) Hit and run, or leaving the scene of an accident.  (7) Racing.  (8) Failure to maintain minimum liability insurance coverage (No Fault).  (9) If you refuse to take a chemical test for intoxication, then your license will be suspended for 12 months.  (10) Failure to maintain minimum liability coverage of any automobile which you may own or operate.  (11) Conviction for driving without insurance is a 60/90 day suspension.  (12) If you're caught driving while your license is suspended, revoked or canceled, your drivers license will be suspended or an additional six months.  (13) Failure to appear in court or respond to a citation, your license may be suspended indefinitely.  (14) Conviction of possession, distribution, manufacture, cultivation, sale or transfer of a controlled substance or marijuana.  (15) Accumulation of 15 points within 24 months under the points system, including violations committed in other states.

MVR or Motor Vehicle Record or Record - shall mean the applicable abstract of an individual Driver's Record licensed to Requestor under the agreement between the requestor and DDS. Pursuant to O.C.G.A. & 40-5-2, the contents of the abstract will vary according to the use for which the abstract is requested.

N

Nolo Contendere - A plea made by a defendant in a criminal action that is equivalent to an admission of guilt and subjects him to punishment but leaves open the possibility for him to deny the alleged facts in other proceedings.  Not disputing the charges.

Non commercial Privilege - Status of licensee's ability to operate a non-commercial vehicle.

O

P

Personal Information - Any information that identifies a person, including but not limited to an individual's fingerprint, photograph, or computerized image, social security number, driver identification number, name, address (other than five-digit ZIP code), telephone number, and medical or disability information.

Plead Guilty - When an individual admits to committing a crime.

Points - (a) Reckless Driving -- 4 points.  (b) Unlawful passing school bus -- 6 points.  (c) Improper passing on a hill or curve -- 4 points.  (d) Speeding: more than 15 mph but less than 19 mph -- 2 points; 19 mph or more but less than 24 mph -- 3 points; 24 mph or more but less than 34 mph -- 4 points; 34 mph or more -- 6 points.  (e) Disobedience of any traffic-control device or traffic officer -- 3 points.  (f) Possessing an open container of an alcoholic beverage while driving -- 2 points.  (g) Failure to adequately secure a load -- 2 points.  (h) All other moving violations -- 2 points.  (i) Child restraint: 1st offense -- 1 point.  (j) Child restraint: 2nd offense -- 2 points. 

Q

R

Reinstatement Date - Date upon which the license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle is restored.

Rental Car Agency - Agencies that maintain their own insurance division can ascertain MVR's for insurance purposes.  These insurance divisions are certified by the Insurance Commissioner to insure their vehicles and handle their own claims.

Restrictions - Limitations imposed on licensee by the department in order to assure the safe operation of a motor vehicle.

Revocations - When your license is revoked your driving privileges are terminated and withdrawn until the end of the period of time prescribed by the formal action of the Department.  At the expiration of the revocation period, you may apply for a new license.

S

Suspension - When your license is suspended, your driving privilege is temporarily withdrawn for a specific period of time.

T

Terminate or Termination - The actual cessation of insurance coverage for any reason, including without limitation cancellation, non renewal, or nonpayment of premium, and without regard to whether such cessation was preceded by any extension or grace period allowed by the insurer.

U

V

Violation Date - Date of the traffic offense or incident occurred.

W

Withdrawal - A formal action by the department to cancel, revoke, or suspend a driver's license or privilege.

X

Y

Z