DMV’s $50 refunds go to 889 Nevadans

Wednesday, July 1, 1998 | 11:58 a.m.

Tuesday was the deadline for motorists who paid $50 fines because of a well-intentioned but problematic insurance verification program to obtain the refund.

As of Tuesday, 889 Nevadans had received the refund as a result of a mandate by the 1997 Legislature, leaving the state $44,450 poorer.

The agency estimated that 3,173 motorists were eligible for the refund, and all were were sent refund applications. Public notices about the availability of the refund were also set up at agency offices. A total of 1,100 people applied for a refund. Of those, 211 weren't approved because they didn't meet the criteria.

Motorists eligible for the refund paid a $50 "nonresponse" fine between Oct. 1, 1995, and July 5, 1997. The fine was levied if a letter requesting auto insurance information wasn't returned within 10 days. Many motorists who had coverage ignored the letters, which resulted in the fine.

A public outcry over the process caused the Legislature to enact a measure authorizing the refunds.

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