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Driving for Opportunity Act of 2021

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 260.

Official summary

Version 25 · Reported to Senate · Feb 3, 2022

Driving for Opportunity Act of 2021

This bill authorizes the Department of Justice to make grants to states that do not suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a driver's license of an individual based on such individual's failure to pay a civil or criminal fine or fee.

Grants shall be awarded to (1) cover the costs incurred by a state to reinstate driver's licenses previously suspended for unpaid fines and fees; (2) maximize the number of individuals with suspended driver's licenses eligible to have driving privileges reinstated or regained; (3) provide assistance to individuals living in areas where public transportation options are limited; and (4) ease the burden on states where the state or local law that permitted the suspension or revocation of, or refusal to renew, driver's licenses or the registration of a motor vehicle based on the failure to pay civil or criminal fines or fees was in effect during the three year period ending on the date on which a state applies for or receives a grant under this bill.

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The Government Accountability Office must study the implementation of the grant program authorized by this bill, including the known effects of repealing state laws that have permitted the suspension, revocation, or refusal of a driver's license or motor vehicle registration based on the failure to pay civil or criminal fines or fees.

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Who introduced it

Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE] · D–DE

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
13 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 260.

  2. Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Durbin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

  3. Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Durbin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

  4. Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

  5. Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

  6. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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