Del. Brian J. Moran is introducing a bill in the 2008 General Assembly to repeal bad-driver fees.

A likely Democratic candidate for governor in 2009 not only wants to dump bad-driver fees but provide refunds to motorists who have paid them.

Del. Brian J. Moran of Alexandria, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, is introducing a bill in the 2008 General Assembly to repeal the pricey penalties.

In a written statement yesterday, Moran said his legislation also would allow refunds to "those drivers unfairly taxed."

Moran and other foes of the fees have described them as a hidden tax, imposed by police and collected by courts, to pay for road improvements.

Arguing for repeal, Moran cited a report by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission that said the fees would fall short as a cash source.

The fees, part of a multibillion-dollar transportation fix passed this year, were projected to annually generate just over $65 million.

-- Jeff E. Schapiro