61-5-206. Authority of department to suspend license or driving privilege or issue probationary license. (1) The department may suspend the driver's license or driving privilege of a driver without preliminary hearing upon a showing by its records or other sufficient evidence that the licensee:
     (a) has been involved as a driver in any accident resulting in the death or personal injury of another or serious property damage;
     (b) has been convicted with such frequency of serious offenses against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles as to indicate a disrespect for traffic laws and a disregard for the safety of other persons on the highways;
     (c) is an habitually reckless or negligent driver of a motor vehicle;
     (d) is incompetent to drive a motor vehicle;
     (e) has committed or permitted an unlawful or fraudulent use of the license as specified in 61-5-302;
     (f) has committed an offense in another state which if committed in this state would be grounds for suspension or revocation;
     (g) has falsified the licensee's date of birth on the application for a driver's license;
     (h) is under 21 years of age and has altered the licensee's or another's driver's license or identification card to obtain alcohol; or
     (i) has authorized another to use the licensee's driver's license or identification card to obtain alcohol.
     (2) However, the department may, in its discretion and in lieu of suspending the license or driving privilege, issue a probationary license to a driver, without preliminary hearing, upon a showing by its records or other sufficient evidence that the licensee's driving record is such as would authorize suspension as provided in subsection (1). Upon issuance of a probationary license, the licensee is subject to the restrictions set forth in the probationary license. The licensee's driving privilege may be suspended upon conviction or forfeiture of bail not vacated of any traffic violation during the period of probation. The licensee shall surrender to the department all driver's licenses that have been issued to the licensee before the probationary license may be issued. The licensee's refusal or neglect to surrender the licenses upon demand is grounds for suspending all licenses. Probationary licenses may be issued for a period not to exceed 12 months.
     (3) Upon suspending the license of any person or upon placing the person on probation, as authorized in this section, the department shall immediately notify the licensee in writing and upon the licensee's request shall afford the licensee an opportunity for a hearing as early as practical within not to exceed 20 days after receipt of the request in the county in which the licensee resides unless the department and the licensee agree that the hearing may be held in some other county. At the hearing the department through its authorized agent may administer oaths and may issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant books and papers and may require a reexamination of the licensee. At the hearing, the department shall either rescind its order of suspension or probation, or, for good cause, may affirm, reduce, or extend the period of probation or suspension of the license.

     History: En. Sec. 31, Ch. 267, L. 1947; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 101, L. 1961; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 137, L. 1969; R.C.M. 1947, 31-147; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 503, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 244, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 23, Ch. 443, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 471, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 18, Ch. 195, L. 1993.