Bill Could Let Drivers Do Community Service Instead Of Paying Fines

The Michigan Senate has approved a bill that would let drivers who owe extra "responsibility" fees for certain driving offenses to instead do 10 hours of community service.

This option would apply to drivers owing $400 in fines for not having mandatory auto insurance as well as drivers fined $300 for operating without a valid license.

The extra fines for the offenses went away in 2012, but there are some people who still owe them for past offenses.

The bill has now been sent to Gov. Rick Snyder.

Snyder this year signed a law to lessen and gradually eliminate responsibility fees. Secretary of State Ruth Johnson has said they are a "double penalty" for people who already have to pay fines, court costs, and face higher insurance rates for driving violations.