Dowell v. Department of Motor Vehicles

Opinion

GATES, J.

The Department of Motor Vehicles (Department) appeals from the judgment commanding it to set aside its decision suspending Rodney Phillip Dowell’s driver’s license based upon his failure to establish financial responsibility as a driver in an automobile accident which caused substantial property damage. (Veh. Code, § 16070.) It contends that regardless of Dowell’s good faith belief that the automobile in which he was driving was insured, if he, in fact, was not “financially capable,” as defined by section 16021 of the Vehicle Code, 1 his license was properly suspended.

The…