Chapter 247 - Uniform Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title and Antitheft Act

Sec. 14-166. Exempted vehicles. (a) The acquisition of a certificate of title shall not be required and the issuance of a certificate of title by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall not be required for the following: (1) A vehicle owned by the United States, unless it is registered in this state; (2) a vehicle owned by a manufacturer or dealer and held for sale, even though incidentally moved on the highway or used for purposes of testing or demonstration; or a vehicle used by a manufacturer solely for testing; (3) a vehicle owned by a nonresident of this state and not required by law to be registered in this state; (4) a vehicle regularly engaged in the interstate transportation of persons or property for which a currently effective certificate of title has been issued in another state; (5) a vehicle moved solely by animal power; (6) an implement of husbandry; (7) special mobile equipment; (8) a self-propelled wheel chair or invalid tricycle; (9) any trailer having a gross weight not in excess of three thousand pounds; (10) any vehicle for which a temporary registration has been issued pursuant to section 14-12 for the purpose of permitting a nonresident owner who purchases a vehicle in Connecticut to transport such vehicle to such owner's home state; (11) a motor vehicle owned by the state or any town, city or borough within the state; (12) a motor vehicle registered temporarily for inspection purposes pursuant to section 14-12.

(b) The acquisition of a certificate of title for any motor vehicle older than twenty model years old shall not be required. The commissioner shall issue a certificate of title for a motor vehicle older than twenty model years old at the request of the owner and charge such owner any fees required by section 14-192.

(c) Part III of this chapter does not apply to: (1) A vehicle moved solely by animal power; (2) an implement of husbandry; (3) special mobile equipment; (4) a self-propelled wheel chair or invalid tricycle; (5) any trailer having a gross weight not in excess of three thousand pounds.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 2; 1963, P.A. 379; 1967, P.A. 86; 1971, P.A. 511; P.A. 73-102; 73-125; P.A. 75-258, S. 1, 2; P.A. 80-444, S. 1, 6; P.A. 98-182, S. 6, 22; P.A. 14-130, S. 24; P.A. 16-55, S. 15.)

History: 1963 act added Subdivs. (a)(9) and (b)(5); 1967 act deleted “homemade” with reference to trailers in Subsecs. (a)(9) and (b)(5); 1971 act added Subsec. (a)(10) re vehicles 10 or more years old; P.A. 73-102 added Subsec. (a)(11) re vehicles with temporary registration permitting nonresident to transport vehicle to home state; P.A. 73-125 added Subsec. (a)(12) re vehicles owned by state, town, city or borough; P.A. 75-258 added Subsec. (a)(13) re vehicle temporarily registered for inspection purposes; P.A. 80-444 replaced vehicle “ten or more years old” with vehicle “manufactured prior to 1970” in Subsec. (a)(10); P.A. 98-182 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing the provision that “no certificate of title need be obtained for” with a provision stating that the acquisition of a certificate of title shall not be required and the issuance of a certificate of title by the commission shall not be required, by deleting former Subdiv. (10) exclusion for “vehicles, manufactured prior to 1970, excluding commercial tractors and including, but not limited to, commercial vehicles having a gross weight not in excess of eighteen thousand pounds” and renumbering remaining Subdivs. and by adding provision allowing the commissioner to issue a certificate of title to a vehicle manufactured prior to 1981 at his discretion, effective July 1, 1998; P.A. 14-130 added Subdiv. (13) re motor vehicle older than 20 model years old and deleted provisions re certificate of title for vehicle manufactured prior to 1981; P.A. 16-55 amended Subsec. (a) to delete former Subdiv. (13) re motor vehicle older than 20 model years old, added new Subsec. (b) re issuance of certificate of title for motor vehicle older than 20 model years old by commissioner at request of owner and redesignated existing Subsec. (b) re application of part III of chapter as Subsec. (c).

Sec. 14-167. Certain liens and security interests not affected. This chapter does not apply to or affect: (1) A lien given by statute or rule of law to a supplier of services or materials for the vehicle; (2) a lien given by statute to the United States, this state or any political subdivision of this state; (3) a security interest in a vehicle created by a manufacturer or dealer who holds the vehicle for sale, but a buyer in ordinary course of business, as defined in subdivision (9) of subsection (b) of section 42a-1-201, takes free of the security interest, as stated in section 42a-9-320; or (4) a security interest in a vehicle that is inventory held for sale or lease by a person or leased by that person as lessor and that person is in the business of selling vehicles, as provided in subsection (d) of section 42a-9-311.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 3; 1961, P.A. 573, S. 2; P.A. 01-132, S. 164; P.A. 03-62, S. 18; P.A. 05-109, S. 48.)

History: 1961 act defined buyer in the ordinary course of business and security interest in conformity with Uniform Commercial Code; P.A. 01-132 made a technical change in a statutory reference and replaced reference to Sec. 42a-9-307(1) with Sec. 42a-9-320; P.A. 03-62 replaced alphabetic Subdiv. indicators with numeric Subdiv. indicators and added Subdiv. (4) re a security interest in a vehicle that is inventory held for sale or lease by a person or leased by that person as lessor and that person is in the business of selling vehicles as provided in Sec. 42a-9-311(d); P.A. 05-109 amended Subdiv. (3) by making a technical change and adding reference to “subsection (b)” of Sec. 42a-1-201.

Sec. 14-167a. Vehicle lease with terminal rental adjustment clause; not sale or security interest. Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, in the case of motor vehicles or trailers, a transaction does not create a sale or security interest merely because it provides that the rental price is permitted or required to be adjusted under the agreement either upward or downward by reference to the amount realized upon sale or other disposition of the motor vehicle or trailer.

(P.A. 96-162, S. 1.)

Sec. 14-168. Certificate of origin. When a new vehicle is delivered in this state by the manufacturer to his agent or his franchised dealer, the manufacturer shall execute and deliver to his agent or his franchised dealer a certificate of origin in the form prescribed by the commissioner, and no person shall bring into this state any new vehicle unless he has in his possession the certificate of origin as prescribed by the commissioner. The certificate of origin shall be printed on such safety paper as the commissioner shall prescribe and shall contain the year of manufacture or the model year, the manufacturer's vehicle identification number of the motor vehicle, the name of the manufacturer, number of cylinders, a general description of the body, if any, and the type of model. When a new vehicle is sold in this state, the manufacturer, his agent or his franchised dealer shall execute and deliver to the purchaser, in case of an absolute sale, assignment of the certificate of origin or, if other than absolute sale, assignment of the certificate of origin subject to contract, signed or executed by the manufacturer, his agent or his dealer, with the genuine names and business or residence addresses of both stated thereon, and certified to have been executed with full knowledge of the contents and with the consent of both purchaser and seller.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 4; 1967, P.A. 292; P.A. 83-204.)

History: 1967 act required certificate of origin to contain year of manufacture or model year; P.A. 83-204 required that the certificate of origin be printed on safety paper.

Sec. 14-168a. Sale of assembled wreckers or other motor vehicles by used car dealers. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of any section of the general statutes, a used car dealer licensed in accordance with the provisions of section 14-52 who enters into a contract with a manufacturer of equipment or parts used in the assembly of a wrecker, including a flatbed wrecker, as defined in section 14-1, or used in the assembly of a special purpose body to a cab and chassis, including a body for a refuse compactor, transit mixer, dump truck, tank truck or other vehicle designed for the transportation of bulk materials or to which machinery is attached, and who purchases from a new car dealer licensed in accordance with the provisions of section 14-52 any new chassis, cab or other portion of an incomplete motor vehicle for such purpose, may sell or offer for sale such wrecker or other motor vehicle as a new motor vehicle provided all parts of any such wrecker or other motor vehicle are new.

(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow any such used car dealer to act as a licensed manufacturer of a motor vehicle.

(P.A. 85-322; P.A. 99-268, S. 30; P.A. 00-169, S. 22; P.A. 04-199, S. 13; 04-217, S. 27.)

History: P.A. 99-268 amended Subsec. (a) by expanding the list of vehicles a used car dealer may sell as new motor vehicles; P.A. 00-169 revised effective date of P.A. 99-268 but without affecting this section; P.A. 04-199, effective July 1, 2004, and P.A. 04-217, effective January 1, 2005, both amended Subsec. (a) to eliminate reference to Sec. 14-1(65).

PART II

CERTIFICATE OF TITLE

Sec. 14-169. When certificate required. (a) Except as provided in section 14-166, the provisions of this chapter shall apply to all motor vehicles at the time of initial registration or when a change of registration is required under the provisions of section 14-16 by reason of a sale for consideration.

(b) The commissioner shall not require an application for a certificate of title upon the renewal of the registration of a vehicle.

(c) The commissioner shall note on the face of the registration of each vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued a statement to that effect.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 5; P.A. 99-268, S. 11; P.A. 00-169, S. 22.)

History: P.A. 99-268 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that provisions of this chapter shall apply to motor vehicles at the time of initial registration in addition to when a change of registration is required; P.A. 00-169 revised effective date of P.A. 99-268 but without affecting this section.

Sec. 14-170. Implement of husbandry or special mobile equipment. The owner of an implement of husbandry or special mobile equipment may apply for and obtain a certificate of title on it. All of the provisions of this part are applicable to a certificate of title so issued, except that a person who receives a transfer of an interest in the vehicle without knowledge of the certificate of title is not prejudiced by reason of the existence of the certificate, and the perfection of a security interest under this chapter is not effective until the lienholder has complied with the provisions of applicable law which otherwise relate to the perfection of security interests in personal property.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 6.)

Sec. 14-171. Application for certificate. (a) The application for a certificate of title of a vehicle in this state shall be on a form prescribed by the commissioner and contain information provided by the owner or acquired through one or more databases used by the commissioner. Such application shall include: (1) The name, residence and mail address of the owner; (2) a description of the vehicle including, so far as the following data exists, its make, model, identification number, type of body, the number of cylinders and whether new or used; (3) the mileage reading at the time of application; (4) the date of purchase by the applicant, the name and address of the person from whom the vehicle was acquired and the names and addresses of any lienholders in the order of their priority and the dates of their security agreements and, if a new vehicle, the application shall be accompanied by a manufacturer's or importer's certificate of origin; and (5) any further information the commissioner reasonably requires to identify the vehicle and to enable the commissioner to determine whether the owner is entitled to a certificate of title and the existence or nonexistence of security interests in the vehicle. Such application shall be accompanied by the most recent Connecticut certificate of title for such vehicle, if any, unless the owner submits a statement on a form prescribed by the commissioner, that the title is lost or destroyed or, despite reasonable efforts cannot be located or obtained from the person or firm last known to have possession of such certificate of title.

(b) If the application refers to a vehicle purchased from a dealer, it shall contain the name and address of any lienholder holding a security interest created or reserved at the time of the sale and the date of such security agreement and be signed by the dealer as well as the owner, and the dealer shall promptly mail or deliver the application to the commissioner.

(c) If the application refers to a vehicle last previously registered in another state or country, or by an Indian tribe recognized by the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs, the application shall contain or be accompanied by: (1) Any certificate of title issued by such other state, country or Indian tribe; (2) any other information and documents the commissioner reasonably requires to establish the ownership of the vehicle and the existence or nonexistence of security interests in it; and (3) evidence that the manufacturer's identification number of the vehicle was verified, by a means acceptable to the commissioner, or inspected by a licensed dealer in accordance with subsection (d) of section 14-99h.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 7; 1967, P.A. 92; P.A. 86-114, S. 3; P.A. 00-169, S. 16; P.A. 02-70, S. 53; P.A. 04-199, S. 3, 38; P.A. 08-150, S. 14; P.A. 17-79, S. 12.)

History: 1967 act made provisions of Subsec. (a) applicable to any certificate of title rather than the first and required that application be accompanied by most recent Connecticut certificate of title; P.A. 86-114 added requirement that mileage reading be shown on application; P.A. 00-169 amended Subsec. (a) to allow an owner to submit a statement that the title is lost, destroyed or, despite best efforts, cannot be located or obtained, in lieu of the title, amended Subsec. (c) by replacing the provision requiring a certificate that the identification number of the vehicle has been inspected and found to conform to the description given in the application or any other proof of identity of the vehicle the commissioner reasonably requires with a provision requiring evidence that such number was inspected at the time of registration, or by a licensed dealer in accordance with Sec. 14-99h(c) and made technical changes for the purpose of gender neutrality; P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (b) to make a technical change for purposes of gender neutrality, effective July 1, 2002; P.A. 04-199 amended Subsec. (c) to replace requirement that application for certificate of title for vehicle previously registered in another state or country contain evidence that manufacturer's identification number had been inspected at time of registration with requirement that such number be verified by means acceptable to commissioner and to change reference to Sec. 14-99h(c) to Sec. 14-99h(d), effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 08-150 amended Subsec. (c) to include vehicle previously registered “by an Indian tribe recognized by the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs” and add reference to “Indian tribe”; P.A. 17-79 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provision re application to contain information provided by owner or acquired through databases and making a technical change, effective July 1, 2017.

Failure of dealer to insert information concerning the lien of an installment contract when he filled out application for a purchaser, made him liable for the loss suffered by bank to whom the dealer assigned the contract when the buyer defrauded the bank lienor. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 491.

Sec. 14-172. Check of identification number. Participation in National Motor Vehicle Title Information System. (a) The commissioner, upon receiving application for a first certificate of title, shall check the identification number of the vehicle shown in the application against the records of vehicles required to be maintained by section 14-173 and against the record of stolen and converted vehicles required to be maintained by section 14-197.

(b) The commissioner may participate in the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, established in accordance with the provisions of Sections 30501 to 30503, inclusive, Title 49, United States Code, and may rely on the information contained in such system as prima facie evidence of the facts upon which the commissioner grants or denies such application for a certificate of title that may be issued, in accordance with the provisions of section 14-174.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 8; P.A. 02-70, S. 4.)

History: P.A. 02-70 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (b) allowing commissioner to participate in the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System and rely on information contained in such system as prima facie evidence of the facts upon which the commissioner grants or denies an application for a title certificate, effective July 1, 2002.

Sec. 14-173. Issuance of certificate. Records. (a) The commissioner shall file each application received and, when satisfied as to its genuineness and regularity and that the applicant is entitled to the issuance of a certificate of title, shall issue a certificate of title of the vehicle. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, the commissioner may accept, in lieu of an outstanding certificate of title, evidence of vehicle ownership acceptable to him. The certificate of title issued may contain the legend “This vehicle may be subject to an undisclosed lien.”

(b) The commissioner shall maintain at his central office a record of all certificates of title issued by him: (1) Under a distinctive title number assigned to the vehicle; (2) under the identification number of the vehicle; (3) alphabetically, under the name of the owner; and, in the discretion of the commissioner, by any other method he determines.

(c) Records pertaining to certificates of title over four years old may be destroyed in the discretion of the commissioner.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 9; 1969, P.A. 261.)

History: 1969 act allowed evidence of ownership other than title and stated that title may contain legend re undisclosed lien in Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (c) re destruction of records.

Cited. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 496.

Sec. 14-174. Information in certificate. Prima facie evidence. (a) Each certificate of title issued by the commissioner shall contain: (1) The date issued; (2) the name and address of the owner; (3) the names and addresses of any lienholders, in the order of priority as shown on the application or, if the application is based on a certificate of title, as shown on the certificate; (4) the title number assigned to the vehicle; (5) a description of the vehicle including, so far as the following data exists, its make, model, identification number, type of body, number of cylinders, whether new or used, and, if a new vehicle, the date of the first sale of the vehicle for use; (6) the mileage reading as shown on the application; and (7) any other data the commissioner prescribes.

(b) Unless a bond is filed as provided in section 14-176, a distinctive certificate of title shall be issued for a vehicle last previously registered in another state or country the laws of which do not require that lienholders be named on a certificate of title to perfect their security interests. The certificate shall contain the legend “This vehicle may be subject to an undisclosed lien” and may contain any other information the commissioner prescribes. If no notice of a security interest in the vehicle is received by the commissioner within four months from the issuance of the distinctive certificate of title, the commissioner shall, upon application and surrender of the distinctive certificate, issue a certificate of title in ordinary form.

(c) The certificate of title shall contain forms for assignment and warranty of title by the owner and for assignment and warranty of title by a dealer, and may contain forms for applications for a certificate of title by a transferee, the naming of a lienholder and the assignment or release of the security interest of a lienholder.

(d) A certificate of title issued by the commissioner is prima facie evidence of the facts appearing on it. In any criminal proceeding, a certified copy of a certificate of title shall be prima facie evidence as to the ownership of a motor vehicle.

(e) A certificate of title for a vehicle is not subject to garnishment, attachment, execution or other judicial process, but this subsection does not prevent a lawful levy upon the vehicle.

(f) The commissioner shall place a legend on any new or replacement certificate of title in accordance with the requirements of section 14-16c, 14-172, 14-178, 14-179 or 42-179. The commissioner shall place a legend on any new or replacement certificate of title that the commissioner issues concerning the mileage on a motor vehicle in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Odometer Act, Sections 32701 to 32711, inclusive, Title 49, United States Code, and any federal regulation adopted under the authority of said act. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to provide for the placement of additional legends on any certificate of title, concerning the condition of any motor vehicle or the status of the title to any motor vehicle, including legends to indicate that a motor vehicle has been rebuilt or damaged by flood, or that a bond has been posted to obtain the title, as provided in section 14-176. Such regulations, as may be adopted by the commissioner, shall provide for an opportunity for a hearing, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 and section 14-194, for any person aggrieved by any action, omission or decision of the commissioner made pursuant to this subsection.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 10; P.A. 82-460, S. 8; P.A. 86-114, S. 4; P.A. 02-70, S. 5; P.A. 12-81, S. 15; P.A. 14-122, S. 30.)

History: P.A. 82-460 amended Subsec. (d) by making a certificate of title prima facie evidence of the ownership of a vehicle in any criminal proceeding; P.A. 86-114 added requirement that mileage reading as shown on application be shown on certificate of title; P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (b) to make a technical change for purposes of gender neutrality and added Subsec. (f) requiring commissioner to place legends on any new or duplicate certificate of title, authorizing commissioner to adopt regulations for the placement of additional legends on any certificate of title and providing for an opportunity for a hearing for any person aggrieved by any action, omission or decision of the commissioner made pursuant to subsection, effective July 1, 2002; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (f) to substitute “replacement” for “duplicate” re certificate of title, effective January 1, 2013; P.A. 14-122 amended Subsec. (b) to delete “subdivision (b) of” re reference to Sec. 14-176.

Dealer filling out application for a buyer held liable for loss to bank lienholder for failure to enter the information concerning the sales contract dealer made with buyer and assigned to bank. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 491.

Subsec. (d):

Purpose of Subsec. is part of legislature's effort to combat trafficking of stolen automobiles, not to protect used automobile dealers from possibility that they will unwittingly sell a salvaged vehicle. 87 CA 687.

Sec. 14-175. Presentation or mailing of certificate. Maintenance of electronic title record and title file. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the certificate of title may be presented or mailed to the first lienholder named in it or, if none, to the owner. In lieu of the presentation or mailing of the title, the commissioner may maintain a title record in electronic form, and may issue a title upon request of a lienholder or the owner.

(b) The commissioner may maintain an electronic title file for the recording and storage of the evidence of any lienholder's security interest. When the first lienholder's security interest is satisfied and released, the commissioner may present or mail the certificate of title to the owner, unless another security interest has been recorded by the commissioner. In lieu of the presentation or mailing of the title, the commissioner may maintain a title record in electronic form, and may issue a title upon request of the owner.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 11; P.A. 94-189, S. 28, 34; P.A. 02-70, S. 6; P.A. 12-81, S. 16.)

History: P.A. 94-189 amended section by providing that the certificate could be “presented” as well as mailed, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 02-70 designated existing provision as Subsec. (a), adding an exception therein, and added Subsec. (b) authorizing commissioner to maintain an electronic title file for recording and storage of evidence of any lienholder's security interest and requiring commissioner to present or mail title certificate to owner when first lienholder's security interest is satisfied and released, effective July 1, 2002; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (a) to permit, rather than require, presentation or mailing of title certificate and add provision authorizing commissioner in lieu of such presentation or mailing to maintain title record in electronic form and issue title upon request of lienholder or owner and amended Subsec. (b) to permit, rather than require, presentation or mailing of title certificate and add provision authorizing commissioner in lieu of such presentation or mailing to maintain title record in electronic form and issue title upon request of owner, effective July 1, 2012.

Bank not guilty of laches in failing to note it did not receive the certificate of title where the dealer failed to note upon the application for the certificate that the car was subject to bank's lien under an installment contract assigned by the dealer to the bank. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 491.

Sec. 14-176. Withholding of certificate. Bond requirement. If the commissioner is not satisfied as to the ownership of the vehicle or that there are no undisclosed security interests in it, the commissioner may register the vehicle but shall either: (1) Withhold issuance of a certificate of title until the applicant presents documents reasonably sufficient to satisfy the commissioner as to the applicant's ownership of the vehicle and that there are no undisclosed security interests in it; or (2) as a condition of issuing a certificate of title, require the applicant to file with the commissioner a bond in the form prescribed by the commissioner and executed by the applicant, and either accompanied by the deposit of cash with the commissioner or also executed by a person authorized to conduct a surety business in this state. The bond shall be in an amount equal to twice the value of the vehicle as determined by the commissioner and conditioned to indemnify any prior owner and lienholder and any subsequent purchaser of the vehicle or person acquiring any security interest in it, and their respective successors in interest, against any expense, loss or damage, including reasonable attorney's fees, by reason of the issuance of the certificate of title of the vehicle or on account of any defect in or undisclosed security interest upon the right, title and interest of the applicant in and to the vehicle. Any such interested person has a right of action to recover on the bond for any breach of its conditions, but the aggregate liability of the surety to all persons shall not exceed the amount of the bond. The bond, and any deposit accompanying it, shall be returned at the end of five years or prior thereto if the vehicle is no longer registered in this state and the currently valid certificate of title is surrendered to the commissioner, unless the commissioner has been notified of the pendency of an action to recover on the bond.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 12; P.A. 02-70, S. 7.)

History: P.A. 02-70 made technical changes, increased the bond amount to twice the value of the vehicle, in lieu of one and one-half times such value, and required that the bond and any deposit accompanying it be returned at end of five years, in lieu of three years, effective July 1, 2002.

Sec. 14-177. Refusal of certificate. The commissioner shall refuse issuance of a certificate of title if any required fee is not paid or if he has reasonable grounds to believe that: (a) The applicant is not the owner of the vehicle; (b) the application contains a false or fraudulent statement; or (c) the applicant fails to furnish required information or documents or any additional information the commissioner reasonably requires.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 13.)

Sec. 14-178. Replacement certificate of title. (a) If a certificate of title is lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed or becomes illegible, the first lienholder or, if none, the owner or legal representative of the owner named in the certificate, as shown by the records of the commissioner, shall promptly make application for and may obtain a replacement upon furnishing information, including personal identification acceptable and satisfactory to the commissioner. The replacement certificate of title shall contain the legend “This is a replacement title and may be subject to the rights of a person under the original certificate.” Except as provided in subsection (b) of section 14-175, the commissioner shall present or mail the replacement certificate to the first lienholder named in the replacement certificate or, if none, to the owner.

(b) A person recovering an original certificate of title for which a replacement has been issued shall promptly surrender the original certificate to the commissioner.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 14; P.A. 94-189, S. 29, 34; P.A. 02-70, S. 8; P.A. 12-81, S. 17; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 216.)

History: P.A. 94-189 amended Subsec. (a) by providing that the duplicate certificate, in addition to being mailed, could be “presented” to the first lienholder or owner, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that information shall include personal identification acceptable to the commissioner, to add “Except as provided in subsection (b) of section 14-175, the commissioner” and to make technical changes, effective July 1, 2002; P.A. 12-81 substituted “replacement” for “duplicate”, effective January 1, 2013; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing “replacement certificate” with “replacement title”, deleted former Subsec. (b) re waiting period prior to issuance of certificate of title to transferee and redesignated existing Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (b), effective June 30, 2015.

Sec. 14-179. Transfer of interest in vehicle. (a) If an owner transfers his interest in a vehicle, other than by the creation of a security interest, he shall, at the time of delivery of the vehicle, execute an assignment and warranty of title to the transferee, showing the name and address of the transferee, in the space provided therefor on the certificate or as the commissioner prescribes, and cause the certificate and assignment to be mailed or delivered to the transferee or to the commissioner, provided no person, firm, corporation or business shall transfer any salvaged motor vehicle or any part of such vehicle unless such transferor has possession of the certificate of title or salvage vehicle certificate at the time of such transfer. The top of the certificate shall contain the following words in block letters, “NO SELLER SHALL ASSIGN TITLE OF A VEHICLE WITHOUT INSERTING THE BUYER'S NAME AND ADDRESS ON THE ASSIGNMENT AND WARRANTY OF TITLE.”

(b) Upon request of the owner or transferee, a lienholder in possession of the certificate of title shall, unless the transfer was a breach of his security agreement, either deliver the certificate to the transferee for delivery to the commissioner or, upon receipt from the transferee of the owner's assignment, the transferee's application for a new certificate and the required fee, mail or deliver them to the commissioner. The delivery of the certificate does not affect the rights of the lienholder under his security agreement.

(c) If a security interest is reserved or created at the time of the transfer, the certificate of title shall be retained by or delivered to the person who becomes the lienholder, and the parties shall comply with the provisions of section 14-186.

(d) Except as provided in section 14-180 and as between the parties, a transfer by an owner is not effective until the provisions of this section and section 14-182 have been complied with; however, an owner who has delivered possession of the vehicle of the transferee and has complied with the provisions of this section and section 14-182 requiring action by him is not liable as owner for any damages thereafter resulting from operation of the vehicle.

(e) If a certificate of title issued by the commissioner identifies two or more persons as joint owners of a motor vehicle, any such person may, unless otherwise precluded by law, effect a transfer of ownership of the motor vehicle to such person individually, or to any other person or persons, in the manner provided by subsection (a) of this section. The commissioner may presume that a person is a joint owner empowered to transfer ownership of such motor vehicle if the person's name appears on the certificates of title and registration.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 15; P.A. 80-444, S. 3, 6; 80-457, S. 1; P.A. 05-218, S. 12.)

History: P.A. 80-444 prohibited transfer of salvaged vehicle or parts without title or salvage vehicle certificate in Subsec. (a); P.A. 80-457 required assignment and warranty of title to contain name and address of transferee in Subsec. (a) and added requirement re statement at top of certificate; P.A. 05-218 added new Subsec. (e) re title as joint owners of motor vehicle, transfer of ownership and presumption of commissioner, effective July 1, 2005.

Sec. 14-179a. Assignment and warranty of title. Buyer's name and address not required. When. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 14-179, an assignment and warranty of title may be sent to an insurance company without bearing the buyer's name and address if it is being sent to the insurance company pursuant to an insurance policy issued under the provisions of part II of chapter 700.

(P.A. 93-272, S. 5.)

Sec. 14-180. Resale by a dealer. A dealer who buys a motor vehicle and holds such vehicle for resale shall complete, as the buyer, (1) the certificate of title from the owner or the lienholder, or (2) a statement on a form prescribed by the commissioner that the title of such vehicle is lost or destroyed in accordance with subsection (a) of section 14-171. Upon transferring such vehicle to another person other than by the creation of a security interest, such dealer shall promptly execute the assignment and warranty of title by a dealer, showing the names and addresses of the transferee and of any lienholder holding a security interest created or reserved at the time of the resale and the date of such lienholder's security agreement, in the spaces provided on such certificate or on an ownership transfer document approved by the commissioner, and mail or deliver such certificate, or such statement and ownership transfer document, to the commissioner with the transferee's application for a new certificate. This section shall not apply to any motor vehicle that is not required to have a certificate of title and for which the commissioner has not issued a certificate of title.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 16; P.A. 00-169, S. 17; P.A. 18-164, S. 17.)

History: P.A. 00-169 deleted the requirement that a dealer send the commissioner a certificate of title within ten days after delivery to him of a vehicle if such dealer buys and holds the vehicle for resale, added a provision that a dealer need not send the certificate to the commissioner if such dealer submits a statement on a form prescribed by the commissioner in accordance with Sec. 14-171(a), and made technical changes for the purposes of gender neutrality; P.A. 18-164 designated existing provision re certificate of title from owner or lienholder as Subdiv. (1) and designated existing provision re statement on form as Subdiv. (2), added provisions re ownership transfer document and re section not applicable to motor vehicle not required to have certificate of title or for which certificate of title not issued, and made technical and conforming changes, effective July 1, 2018.

Sec. 14-181. Involuntary transfers. (a) If the interest of an owner in a vehicle passes to another other than by voluntary transfer, the transferee shall, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, promptly mail or deliver to the commissioner the last certificate of title, if available, proof of the transfer, and his application for a new certificate in the form the commissioner prescribes.

(b) If the interest of the owner is terminated or the vehicle is sold under a security agreement by a lienholder named in the certificate of title, the transferee shall promptly mail or deliver to the commissioner the last certificate of title, his application for a new certificate in the form the commissioner prescribes, and an affidavit made by or on behalf of the lienholder that the vehicle was repossessed and that the interest of the owner was lawfully terminated or sold pursuant to the terms of the security agreement. If the lienholder succeeds to the interest of the owner and holds the vehicle for resale, he need not secure a new certificate of title but, upon transfer to another person, shall promptly mail or deliver to the transferee or to the commissioner the certificate, affidavit and other documents required to be sent to the commissioner by the transferee.

(c) A person holding a certificate of title whose interest in the vehicle has been extinguished or transferred other than by voluntary transfer shall mail or deliver the certificate to the commissioner upon request of the commissioner. The delivery of the certificate pursuant to the request of the commissioner does not affect the rights of the person surrendering the certificate, and the action of the commissioner issuing a new certificate of title as provided herein is not conclusive upon the rights of an owner or lienholder named in the old certificate.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 17; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-2, S. 59.)

History: June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-2 made a technical change in Subsec. (a).

Sec. 14-182. Fee to accompany applications. (a) An application for a certificate of title shall be accompanied by the required fee when mailed or delivered to the commissioner.

(b) An application for the naming of a lienholder or his assignee on a certificate of title shall be accompanied by the required fee when mailed or delivered to the commissioner.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 18.)

Sec. 14-183. Issuance of new certificate. (a) The commissioner, upon receipt of a properly assigned certificate of title, with an application for a new certificate of title, the required fee and any other documents required by law, shall issue a new certificate of title in the name of the transferee as owner and, except as provided in subsection (b) of section 14-175, present or mail the new certificate of title to the first lienholder named in the new certificate of title or, if none, to the owner.

(b) The commissioner, upon receipt of an application for a new certificate of title by a transferee other than by voluntary transfer, with proof of the transfer, the required fee and any other documents required by law, shall issue a new certificate of title in the name of the transferee as owner. If the outstanding certificate of title is not delivered to him, the commissioner shall make demand therefor from the holder thereof.

(c) The commissioner shall file and retain for five years every surrendered certificate of title, the file to be maintained so as to permit the tracing of title of the vehicle designated therein.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 19; P.A. 94-189, S. 30, 34; P.A. 02-70, S. 9.)

History: P.A. 94-189 amended Subsec. (a) by providing that in addition to being mailed, the certificate could be presented to the first lienholder or owner, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (a) to require commissioner to present or mail new certificate of title, except as provided in Sec. 14-175(b), and to make technical changes, effective July 1, 2002.

Cited. 38 CS 712.

Sec. 14-184. Scrapping, dismantling or destruction of vehicle. Any person who scraps, dismantles or destroys a vehicle or who purchases a vehicle as scrap or to be dismantled or destroyed shall, if the vehicle's certificate of title is in such person's possession, mail or deliver it to the commissioner for cancellation. A certificate of title of the vehicle shall not again be issued.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 20; P.A. 80-292, S. 6.)

History: P.A. 80-292 replaced “owner” with “person” and required mailing or delivery of title to commissioner “if” it is in his possession, allowing for possibility that it may not be in his possession, previously no such concession was made.

Sec. 14-185. Perfecting of security interest. (a) Unless excepted by section 14-167, a security interest in a vehicle of a type for which a certificate of title is required is perfected by the delivery to the commissioner of the existing certificate of title, if any, an application for a certificate of title containing the name and address of the lienholder and the date of the security agreement and the required fee. It is perfected as of the time when it attached if such delivery is completed within twenty days thereafter, and without regard to the limitations expressed in section 42a-9-317; otherwise it is perfected as of the time of such delivery.

(b) An unperfected security interest is subordinate to the rights of the persons described in sections 42a-9-317 and 42a-9-323.

(c) The rules of priority stated in sections 42a-9-322 to 42a-9-324, inclusive, and the other sections therein referred to, shall, to the extent appropriate, apply to conflicting security interests in a vehicle of a type for which a certificate of title is required. A security interest perfected under this section is a security interest perfected otherwise than by filing for the purposes of sections 42a-9-322 to 42a-9-324, inclusive.

(d) If a vehicle is subject to a security interest when brought into this state, section 42a-9-316, states the rules which apply to determine the validity and perfection of the security interest in this state.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 21; 1961, P.A. 573, S. 3; February, 1965, P.A. 335; P.A. 77-604, S. 46, 84; P.A. 01-132, S. 165; P.A. 02-70, S. 10.)

History: 1961 act redrafted section to conform with Uniform Commercial Code; 1965 act changed time of perfection from time of its creation and increased time limitation in delivery proviso from ten days in Subsec. (a); P.A. 77-604 replaced reference to Subsecs. (2), (3) and (4) of Sec. 42a-9-103 with reference to Subsecs. (1), (2) and (3) of Sec. 42a-9-103a in Subsec. (d); P.A. 01-132 amended Subsec. (a) to replace reference to Sec. 42a-9-301(2) with Sec. 42a-9-317 and make a technical change for purposes of gender neutrality, amended Subsec. (b) to replace reference to Sec. 42a-9-301 with Secs. 42a-9-317 and 42a-9-323, amended Subsec. (c) to replace references to Sec. 42a-9-312 with Secs. 42a-9-322 to 42a-9-324, inclusive, and amended Subsec. (d) to replace reference to Subsecs. (1), (2) and (3) of Sec. 42a-9-103a with Sec. 42a-9-316; P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (c) to eliminate references to a “previously registered vehicle”, as defined in Sec. 14-201 and a security interest perfected under Sec. 14-201, effective July 1, 2002.

Subsec. (d):

Makes automobiles subject to Sec. 42a-9-103(2), (3) and (4). 6 Conn. Cir. Ct. 502.

Sec. 14-186. Duties on creation of security interest. If an owner creates a security interest in a vehicle:

(a) The owner shall immediately execute the application, in the space provided therefor on the certificate of title or on a separate form the commissioner prescribes, to name the lienholder on the certificate, showing the name and address of the lienholder and the date of his security agreement, and cause the certificate, the application and the required fee to be delivered to the lienholder.

(b) The lienholder shall immediately cause the certificate, the application and the required fee to be mailed or delivered to the commissioner.

(c) Upon request of the owner or subordinate lienholder, a lienholder in possession of the certificate of title shall either mail or deliver the certificate to the subordinate lienholder for delivery to the commissioner or, upon receipt from the subordinate lienholder of the owner's application and the required fee, mail or deliver them to the commissioner with the certificate. The delivery of the certificate does not affect the rights of the first lienholder under his security agreement.

(d) Upon receipt of the certificate of title, the application and the required fee, the commissioner shall either endorse the certificate or issue a new certificate containing the name and address of the new lienholder, and, except as provided in subsection (b) of section 14-175, mail the certificate to the first lienholder named in it.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 22; P.A. 02-70, S. 11; P.A. 03-278, S. 46.)

History: P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (d) to add an exception from the requirement of mailing certificate to the first lienholder, effective July 1, 2002; P.A. 03-278 made a technical change in Subsec. (d), effective July 9, 2003.

Sec. 14-187. Assignment of security interest. (a) A lienholder may assign, absolutely or otherwise, his security interest in the vehicle to a person other than the owner without affecting the interest of the owner or the validity of the security interest, but any person without notice of the assignment is protected in dealing with the lienholder as the holder of the security interest and the lienholder remains liable for any obligations as lienholder until the assignee is named as lienholder on the certificate.

(b) The assignee may, but need not to perfect the assignment, have the certificate of title endorsed or issued with the assignee named as lienholder, upon delivering to the commissioner the certificate and an assignment by the lienholder of record in the form the commissioner prescribes. If the security interest of the lienholder is maintained in the electronic title file pursuant to subsection (b) of section 14-175, the lienholder may submit evidence of the assignment of the security interest, in such form and manner as the commissioner directs, and may request the commissioner to issue a certificate of title with the assignee named as lienholder.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 23; P.A. 02-70, S. 12.)

History: P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (b) to substitute lienholder “of record” for “named in the certificate” and to allow lienholder to submit evidence of assignment of the security interest and request commissioner to issue a certificate of title if the security interest of lienholder is maintained in electronic title file pursuant to Sec. 14-175(b), effective July 1, 2002.

Sec. 14-188. Release of security interest. (a) Upon the satisfaction of a security interest in a vehicle for which the certificate of title is in the possession of the lienholder, the lienholder shall, within ten days after demand and, in any event, within thirty days, execute a release of the security interest, in the space provided therefor on the certificate or as the commissioner prescribes, and mail or deliver the certificate and release to the next lienholder named therein, or, if none, to the owner or any person who delivers to the lienholder an authorization from the owner to receive the certificate. The commissioner may require such lienholder to electronically transmit to the Department of Motor Vehicles a release of its security interest in a vehicle.

(b) If the security interest of the lienholder is maintained in the electronic title file pursuant to subsection (b) of section 14-175, such lienholder shall, upon the satisfaction of such security interest, execute a release of such security interest, and mail, deliver or electronically transmit such release to the next lienholder or, if none, to the owner or to any person who delivers or electronically transmits to the lienholder, an authorization from the owner to receive a certificate of title. Such release shall be provided in not more than ten days and shall be in such form and manner, and contain such information necessary to evidence the release of the lien and to identify the motor vehicle and the record of the certificate of title, as the commissioner may prescribe. The commissioner may require the lienholder to electronically transmit to the Department of Motor Vehicles information pertaining to the release of a security interest in a vehicle.

(c) Upon the satisfaction of a security interest in a vehicle for which the certificate of title is in the possession of a prior lienholder, the lienholder whose security interest is satisfied shall within ten days after demand and, in any event, within thirty days execute a release in the form the commissioner prescribes and deliver the release to the owner or any person who delivers to the lienholder an authorization from the owner to receive it, and shall deliver or electronically transmit such release to the prior lienholder. The lienholder in possession of the certificate of title shall deliver the certificate to the owner or the person authorized by the owner to receive such title. The commissioner may require a subordinate lienholder to electronically transmit to the Department of Motor Vehicles information pertaining to the release of its security interest in a motor vehicle.

(d) A lienholder who does not comply with subsection (b) or (c) of this section and who has disappeared and cannot be located by the debtor shall be deemed for purposes of this section only to have released such security interest, if evidence satisfactory to the commissioner is filed concerning the disappearance of the lienholder, and the commissioner shall so note on the records of the department.

(e) Any security interest in a vehicle that was originally perfected by a financial institution or other institution that (1) is no longer in existence, and (2) did not execute a release of such security interest, in accordance with subsections (a) to (c), inclusive, of this section, shall be deemed to be dissolved not earlier than ten years after such security interest was perfected if the debtor's records cannot be located by any successor institution to such financial or other institution.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 24; 1967, P.A. 796; P.A. 02-70, S. 13; P.A. 08-150, S. 22; P.A. 11-213, S. 34; P.A. 13-271, S. 31.)

History: 1967 act added Subsec. (c) re release of security interest; P.A. 02-70 made technical changes in Subsec. (a) for purposes of gender neutrality, inserted new Subsec. (b) to require lienholder, upon satisfaction of security interest, to notify commissioner within ten days of such satisfaction if the security interest of lienholder is maintained in electronic title file pursuant to Sec. 14-175(b) and to provide for the form and manner of such notification, and redesignated existing Subsecs. (b) and (c) as Subsecs. (c) and (d), making technical changes therein, effective July 1, 2002; P.A. 08-150 amended Subsec. (b) to replace provisions requiring lienholder to notify commissioner within 10 days of satisfaction with provisions requiring lienholder to execute release of security interest and mail, deliver or electronically transmit such release, in not more than 10 days, to next lienholder or, if none, to owner or any person who delivers or electronically transmits to lienholder an authorization from owner to receive a certificate of title, and amended Subsec. (d) to include lienholder who does not comply with Subsec. (b); P.A. 11-213 amended Subsecs. (a) to (c) to delete requirements that documents be mailed or delivered to commissioner and that commissioner release lienholder's rights or issue new certificate, and to authorize commissioner to require lienholder to electronically transmit release, or information pertaining to release, to department, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 13-271 added Subsec. (e) re dissolved security interest when successor institution cannot locate debtor's records, effective July 1, 2013.

Sec. 14-189. Lienholder to furnish information concerning the security agreement. A lienholder named in a certificate of title, or whose security interest is maintained in the electronic title file pursuant to subsection (b) of section 14-175, shall, upon written request of the owner or of another lienholder named on the certificate or having a recorded interest, disclose any pertinent information as to such lienholder's security agreement and the indebtedness secured by it.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 25; P.A. 02-70, S. 14.)

History: P.A. 02-70 required lienholder whose security interest is maintained in the electronic title file to disclose such information and made a technical change for purposes of gender neutrality, effective July 1, 2002.

Sec. 14-190. Method of perfecting interest exclusive. The method provided in this chapter of perfecting and giving notice of security interests subject to this chapter is exclusive. Security interests subject to this chapter are hereby exempted from the provisions of law which otherwise require or relate to the filing of instruments creating or evidencing security interests.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 26.)

Sec. 14-191. Suspension or revocation of certificate. (a) The commissioner shall suspend or revoke a certificate of title, upon notice and reasonable opportunity to be heard in accordance with section 14-194, if he finds: (1) The certificate of title was fraudulently procured or erroneously issued, or (2) the vehicle has been scrapped, dismantled or destroyed, or (3) the owner or lienholder of record on the certificate of title failed to reply to a notice of a scheduled hearing within thirty days after the notice was mailed by certified bulk mail to his last address of record on file with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(b) Suspension or revocation of a certificate of title does not, in itself, affect the validity of a security interest noted on it.

(c) When the commissioner suspends or revokes a certificate of title, the owner or person in possession of it shall, immediately upon receiving notice of the suspension or revocation, mail or deliver the certificate to the commissioner.

(d) The commissioner may seize and impound any certificate of title which has been suspended or revoked.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 27; 1967, P.A. 96; P.A. 81-172, S. 12.)

History: 1967 act added Subsec. (a)(3) re suspension or revocation of title upon failure to reply to notice of hearing; P.A. 81-172 permitted the notices to be sent by bulk certified mail, rather than by “certified or registered” mail; (Revisor's note: In 1997 references throughout the general statutes to “Motor Vehicle(s) Commissioner” and “Motor Vehicle(s) Department” were replaced editorially by the Revisors with “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles” or “Department of Motor Vehicles”, as the case may be, for consistency with customary statutory usage).

Sec. 14-192. Fees. (a) The commissioner shall be paid the following fees: (1) For filing an application for a certificate of title, twenty-five dollars; (2) for each security interest noted upon a certificate of title or maintained in the electronic title file pursuant to subsection (b) of section 14-175, ten dollars; (3) for each record copy search, twenty dollars; (4) for each assignment of a security interest noted upon a certificate of title or maintained in the electronic title file, ten dollars; (5) for an application for a replacement certificate of title, twenty-five dollars, provided such fee shall not be required for any such replacement certificate of title (A) which is requested on a form prepared and signed by the assessor in any town for purposes of such proof of ownership of a motor vehicle as may be required in accordance with section 12-71b, or (B) in connection with an application submitted by a licensed dealer in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of section 14-12 or section 14-61; (6) for an ordinary certificate of title issued upon surrender of a distinctive certificate, ten dollars; (7) for filing a notice of security interest, ten dollars; (8) for a certificate of search of the records of the Department of Motor Vehicles, for each name or identification number searched against, twenty dollars; (9) for filing an assignment of security interest, ten dollars; (10) for search of a motor vehicle certificate of title record, requested by a person other than the owner of such motor vehicle, twenty dollars; and (11) for a bond filing under section 14-176, twenty-five dollars.

(b) If an application, certificate of title or other document required to be mailed or delivered to the commissioner under any provision of this chapter is not delivered to the commissioner within ten days from the time it is required to be mailed or delivered, the commissioner shall collect, as a penalty, an amount equal to the fee required for the transaction.

(c) Motor vehicles leased to an agency of this state and motor vehicles owned by the state, an agency of the state, or a municipality, as defined in section 7-245, shall be exempt from the fees imposed by this section.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 28; 1967, P.A. 187; P.A. 75-213, S. 49, 53; P.A. 76-280; P.A. 78-348, S. 3, 6; P.A. 82-382, S. 3, 4; P.A. 83-448; 83-489, S. 12, 17; P.A. 84-254, S. 51, 62; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-13, S. 15, 21; P.A. 92-177, S. 5, 12; P. A. 02-70, S. 15; P.A. 04-182, S. 12; P.A. 08-150, S. 15; P.A. 12-81, S. 18.)

History: 1967 act raised fee for duplicate of title certificate from $1 to $3; P.A. 75-213 raised fee for first certificate application from $2 to $5; P.A. 76-280 deleted “first” in Subsec. (a)(1) and made $2 fee in Subsec. (a)(3) applicable to record copy searches rather than to certificates of title after transfers; P.A. 78-348 waived charge for duplicate title certificate when requested by town assessors, effective October 1, 1978, and applicable with respect to any motor vehicle on the assessment list of any town as of that date and any motor vehicle registered or in use in this state thereafter; P.A. 82-382 added Subsec. (c) exempting motor vehicles leased to an agency of the state from the fees imposed by this section; P.A. 83-448 provided that motor vehicles owned by the state or an agency thereof shall be exempt from the title fees specified in Subsecs. (a) and (b); P.A. 83-489 amended Subsec. (a) to increase fees as follows: For filing an application for a certificate of title, from $5 to $7, and for each security interest noted upon a certificate of title, from $1 to $2; P.A. 84-254 amended Subsec. (a) to increase periodically the fees, scheduling the increases to take effect on July first of 1985, 1989, 1991 and 1993; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-13 amended Subsec. (a) by raising fees for filing a security interest on a certificate of title to $10, for a duplicate certificate of title to $15, established a fee of $10 for searching for certificate of title record for any one other than the owner, designated editorially as Subdiv. (10), and made technical changes, deleting obsolete fee increases; P.A. 92-177 amended Subsec. (a) to increase fee for duplicate certificate of title from $15 to $25; (Revisor's note: In 1997 references throughout the general statutes to “Motor Vehicle(s) Commissioner” and “Motor Vehicle(s) Department” were replaced editorially by the Revisors with “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles” or “Department of Motor Vehicles”, as the case may be, for consistency with customary statutory usage); P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (a) to eliminate provisions re fees applicable prior to July 1, 1993, to add in Subdivs. (2) and (4) language re security interests maintained in the electronic title file, to add in Subdiv. (5) language re applications submitted by a licensed dealer in accordance with Sec. 14-12(c) or Sec. 14-61, and to add Subdiv. (11) re fee for a bond filing under Sec. 14-176, and amended Subsec. (c) to make a technical change, effective July 1, 2002; P.A. 04-182 amended Subsec. (a) to increase fee from $7 to $20 in Subdiv. (3), increase fee from $3.50 to $10 in Subdivs. (4),(6), (7), and (9), increase fee from $17.50 to $20 in Subdiv. (8), and increase fee from $10 to $20 in Subdiv. (10), effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 08-150 amended Subsec. (c) to exempt motor vehicles owned by a municipality as defined in Sec. 7-245; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (a)(5) to substitute “replacement” for “duplicate”, effective January 1, 2013.

Sec. 14-193. Powers and duties of commissioner. (a) The commissioner shall prescribe and provide suitable forms of applications, certificates of title, notices of security interests and all other notices and forms necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

(b) The commissioner may: (1) Make necessary investigations to procure information required to carry out the provisions of this chapter; (2) adopt and enforce reasonable rules to carry out the provisions of this chapter; (3) assign a new identification number to a vehicle if it has none, or its identification number is destroyed or obliterated, or its motor is changed, and shall either issue a new certificate of title showing the new identification number or make an appropriate endorsement on the original certificate; (4) require each manufacturer or assembler of a vehicle sold in this state to provide such vehicle with a vehicle identification number and, upon the request of the commissioner, to inform him concerning the location or locations of every vehicle identification number on such vehicle. The commissioner may refuse to register a vehicle made by a manufacturer or assembler who fails to comply with this section.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 29; 1967, P.A. 102.)

History: 1967 act added Subsec. (a)(4) re vehicle identification numbers.

See Sec. 14-149 re procedure when stolen vehicle or vehicle or part with mutilated or missing identification, engine or factory number is recovered.

Sec. 14-194. Hearing. A person aggrieved by an act or omission to act of the commissioner under this chapter is entitled, upon request, to a hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 30; P.A. 02-70, S. 16.)

History: P.A. 02-70 provided that hearings be conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 in lieu of “subsection (e) of section 14-111”, effective July 1, 2002.

Sec. 14-195. Appeal. A person aggrieved by an act or omission to act of the commissioner under this chapter may appeal therefrom in accordance with the provisions of section 4-183, except venue for such appeal shall be in the judicial district of New Britain.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 31; 1971, P.A. 870, S. 40; P.A. 76-436, S. 347, 681; P.A. 77-603, S. 37, 125; P.A. 78-280, S. 5, 127; P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; P.A. 95-220, S. 4–6; P.A. 99-215, S. 24, 29.)

History: 1971 act replaced superior court with court of common pleas, effective September 1, 1971, except that courts with cases pending retain jurisdiction unless pending matters deemed transferable; P.A. 76-436 replaced court of common pleas with superior court, effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 77-603 revised appeal language to conform with usage elsewhere re Sec. 4-183; P.A. 78-280 replaced Hartford county with judicial district of Hartford-New Britain; P.A. 88-230 replaced “judicial district of Hartford-New Britain” with “judicial district of Hartford”, effective September 1, 1991; P.A. 90-98 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1991, to September 1, 1993; P.A. 93-142 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1993, to September 1, 1996, effective June 14, 1993; P.A. 95-220 changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1996, to September 1, 1998, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 99-215 replaced “judicial district of Hartford” with “judicial district of New Britain”, effective June 29, 1999.

Cited. 148 C. 456.

PART III

OFFENSES AND ANTITHEFT PROVISIONS

Sec. 14-196. Penalties. (a) A person who, with fraudulent intent: (1) Alters, forges or counterfeits a certificate of title; (2) alters or forges an assignment of a certificate of title, or an assignment or release of a security interest, on a certificate of title or a form the commissioner prescribes; (3) has possession of or uses a certificate of title knowing it to have been altered, forged or counterfeited; or (4) uses a false or fictitious name or address, or makes a material false statement, or fails to disclose a security interest, or conceals any other material fact, in an application for a certificate of title, shall be guilty of a class D felony.

(b) A person who: (1) With fraudulent intent, permits another, not entitled thereto, to use or have possession of a certificate of title; (2) wilfully fails to mail or deliver a certificate of title or application therefor to the commissioner within ten days after the time required by this chapter; (3) wilfully fails to deliver to his transferee a certificate of title within ten days after the time required by this chapter; or (4) wilfully violates any provision of this chapter, except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, shall be fined not more than three thousand five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 32; P.A. 80-292, S. 7; P.A. 05-288, S. 59; P.A. 13-258, S. 11.)

History: P.A. 80-292 increased fine in Subsec. (b) from $500 to $1,000 and imprisonment from six months to two years; P.A. 05-288 made technical changes in Subsec. (b), effective July 13, 2005; P.A. 13-258 amended Subsec. (a) to replace fine of not less than $500 or more than $1,000 and imprisonment of not less than 1 year or more than 5 years with class D felony, and amended Subsec. (b) to change maximum fine from $1,000 to $3,500.

Cited. 9 CA 686.

Sec. 14-197. Report of stolen, recovered, unclaimed or abandoned vehicle. (a) A police officer or constable who learns of the theft of a vehicle not since recovered, or of the recovery of a vehicle the theft or conversion of which such officer or constable knows or has reason to believe has been reported to the commissioner, shall forthwith report the theft or recovery to the commissioner.

(b) An owner or a lienholder may report the theft of a vehicle, or its conversion if a crime, to the commissioner, but the commissioner may disregard the report of a conversion unless a warrant has been issued for the arrest of a person charged with the conversion. A person who has so reported the theft or conversion of a vehicle shall, forthwith after learning of its recovery, report the recovery to the commissioner.

(c) An operator of a place of business for garaging, repairing, parking or storing vehicles for the public, in which there is stored an abandoned or unclaimed vehicle for a period of thirty days, shall, within five days after the expiration of that period, report the vehicle as unclaimed or abandoned to the commissioner. A vehicle left by its owner whose name and address are known to the operator or his employee is not considered unclaimed. A person who fails to report a vehicle as unclaimed or abandoned in accordance with this subsection forfeits all claims and liens for its garaging, parking, towing or storing. The commissioner may, after notice and hearing, impose a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five dollars for each day the failure to report continues.

(d) The commissioner shall maintain and appropriately index weekly and cumulative public records of stolen, converted, recovered, abandoned and unclaimed vehicles reported to him pursuant to this section. The commissioner may make and distribute copies of the weekly records so maintained to police officers upon request without fee and to others for the fee, if any, the commissioner prescribes.

(e) The commissioner may suspend the registration of a vehicle the theft or conversion of which is reported to the commissioner pursuant to this section. Until the commissioner learns of its recovery or that the report of its theft or conversion was erroneous, the commissioner shall not issue a certificate of title for the vehicle.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 33; P.A. 75-394; P.A. 81-206, S. 3; P.A. 00-99, S. 50, 154; P.A. 02-70, S. 54; P.A. 06-196, S. 283.)

History: P.A. 75-394 included abandoned vehicles in provisions of Subsecs. (c) and (d); P.A. 81-206 converted the criminal fines provided for in Subsec. (c) to civil penalties imposed by the commissioner; P.A. 00-99 deleted reference to sheriff in Subsec. (a), effective December 1, 2000; P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (a) to make technical changes, effective July 1, 2002; P.A. 06-196 made technical changes in Subsec. (e), effective June 7, 2006.

See Sec. 14-150 re abandoned or unregistered motor vehicles and re vehicles which pose a menace to traffic.

Sec. 14-198. False report. A person who knowingly makes a false report of the theft or conversion of a vehicle to a police officer or to the commissioner shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than six months or both.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 34.)

Cited. 198 C. 348.

Sec. 14-199. Impeachment of credibility of defendant. In a prosecution for a crime specified in this chapter, a certified copy of a conviction under subsection (a) of section 14-196 is admissible to impeach the credibility of the defendant.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 35.)

Sec. 14-200. Penalties additional to other statutes. The penal provisions of this chapter in no way repeal or modify any existing provision of criminal law but are additional and supplementary thereto.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 36.)

Cited. 9 CA 686.

PART IV

PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED VEHICLES

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 37–45; P.A. 02-70, S. 87; S.A. 02-12, S. 1.)

PART V

INTERPRETATION. SHORT TITLE

Sec. 14-210. Interpretation. This chapter shall be so interpreted and construed as to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law of those states which enact it.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 46.)

Sec. 14-211. Short title: Uniform Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title and Antitheft Act. This chapter may be cited as the “Uniform Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title and Antitheft Act”.

(1957, P.A. 607, S. 47.)

Cited. 9 CA 686; 31 CA 797.