The Georgia Department of Driver Services released the following information on July 25.

From the week starting July 25, the DDS Regulatory Compliance Division will launch an outreach campaign to inform the over 300 driver training programs throughout the state of statutory changes to their surety bond requirements, which become effective January 1, 2012.

Section 20 of House Bill 269, which was enacted during the 2011-2012 Legislative Session of the Georgia General Assembly, amended O.C.G.A. §43-13-4(4) by increasing the surety bond requirements for driver training schools certified by the DDS from $2,500.00 per school location to $10,000.00 per school location.

It is important to note that this law change not only affects driver training schools that apply to become certified on or after January 1, 2012, but also those programs that are currently certified.

To avoid disruption of services, the DDS strongly encourages that driver training schools presently certified by the DDS begin working with their surety provider now to make the necessary changes to their bond prior to January 1, 2012.

The DDS Regulatory Compliance will assist with any questions schools may have leading up to the January 1, 2012 effective date. Staff members can be reached by phone at 678-413-8745 or by e-mail at [email protected].