(a) Any person who drives a commercial motor vehicle while in violation of the provisions of Code Section 40-5-143 or any employer who knowingly allows, permits, or authorizes a driver to drive a commercial motor vehicle in violation of the provisions of subsection (b) of Code Section 40-5-145 shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as follows:

(1) By a civil penalty of $2,500.00 for each offense; and

(2) By a fine of $5,000.00, imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both, for each offense.

(b) Any employer who reports fraudulent information to the department regarding an employee's employment or experience as required under 49 C.F.R. Part 383 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $500.00.

(c) Any person who drives a commercial motor vehicle while in violation of the provisions mandated under Code Section 40-5-146 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $500.00. The department shall suspend the commercial driver's license or commercial driving privilege of such driver for a period of six months.