CHAPTER 246*

MOTOR VEHICLES

*Motor vehicle legislation justified by the police power. 108 C. 337; Id., 377. Cited. 119 C. 569; 158 C. 236. In the event of any conflict between provisions of no-fault insurance law and existing statutes concerning motor vehicles, the latter shall prevail. 169 C. 267. Cited. 225 C. 499.

Cited. 10 CA 18; Id., 22.

General purpose is not to extend to nonresidents reciprocal privilege beyond relieving them from necessity of procuring Connecticut operator's license. 23 CS 26.

Table of Contents


Note: Readers should refer to the 2024 Supplement, revised to January 1, 2024, for updated versions of statutes amended, repealed or added during the 2023 legislative sessions.


Sec. 14-1. Definitions.

Sec. 14-1a. “Authorized emergency vehicle” defined.

Sec. 14-2. Appointment of Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.

Sec. 14-3. Powers and duties of commissioner.

Sec. 14-4. Findings and rulings of commissioner.

Sec. 14-4a. Conduct of hearings and rendering of decisions.

Sec. 14-5. Branch offices.

Sec. 14-5a. Ansonia branch office.

Sec. 14-5b. Discontinuation of branch offices.

Sec. 14-5c. Department closed or unable to perform transactions due to emergency or other reason. Extension of expiration date or period of validity of credentials issued by commissioner.

Sec. 14-6. Coordination of enforcement activities.

Sec. 14-7. Deputy commissioners.

Sec. 14-8. Police authority of commissioner and inspectors.

Sec. 14-9. Oath of office.

Sec. 14-9a. Criminal background checks for applicants for employment with department and certain department employees. Reassignment of employee with disqualifying criminal offense or condition.

Sec. 14-10. Definitions. Records. Disclosure of personal information and highly restricted personal information. Penalty. Regulations.

Sec. 14-11. Employment of legal assistance.

Sec. 14-11a. Exceptional issuance of certificates and licenses for law enforcement activities. Verification by Chief State's Attorney of statements on application for such certificates and licenses.

Sec. 14-11b. Driver training program for persons with disabilities.

Sec. 14-11c. Motor Carrier Advisory Council. Members. Duties.

Sec. 14-11d. Annual safety inspection program for fire department apparatus.

Sec. 14-11e. Annual report re appointments scheduled and transactions available and conducted on department's Internet web site.

Secs. 14-11f to 14-11h. Reserved

Sec. 14-11i. Payment of fees by credit card.

Sec. 14-11j. Blue envelopes for persons with autism spectrum disorder.

Sec. 14-11k. Waiver of fee for license or identity card renewal or duplication for veterans at certain event.

Sec. 14-12. Motor vehicle registration. Application. Issuance by dealers. Misrepresentation. Registration number and certificate. Requirements for registration. Regulations. Temporary registration. Number of registered electric vehicles.

Sec. 14-12a. Registration of certain motor vehicles garaged or operated in Connecticut.

Sec. 14-12b. Presentation of insurance identification card or policy and statement that minimum security will be continuously maintained required for issuance of registration. Investigation of violations.

Sec. 14-12c. Verification of security coverage. Penalties for failure to have or continuously maintain required security or for presentation of fraudulent insurance identification card.

Secs. 14-12d and 14-12e. Notice of voiding or suspension of registration or operator's license; reregistration or reinvestment; proof of financial responsibility. Presumption of failure to file insurer name and policy number; offset of suspension periods.

Sec. 14-12f. Provisions inapplicable to certain vehicles.

Sec. 14-12g. Suspension of motor vehicle registration for violation of mandatory security requirements. Suspension of motor vehicle operator's license. Consent agreements.

Sec. 14-12h. Maintenance and compilation of record of all suspended registrations. Availability. Stop and detain procedures. Removal of plates. Seizure, impoundment and forfeiture of vehicle.

Sec. 14-12i. Restoration fees. Reimbursement to entities returning confiscated registration number plates to the department.

Sec. 14-12j. Agreements with qualified independent contractors to provide consulting and other services.

Sec. 14-12k. Regulations.

Sec. 14-12l. Collection of Social Security numbers and federal employer identification numbers. List of persons to whom motor vehicle registrations issued to be provided to Commissioner of Revenue Services.

Secs. 14-12m and 14-12n. Forfeiture of impounded motor vehicle; proceedings; proceeds from sale. Uninsured motor vehicle forfeiture revolving account.

Sec. 14-12o. Courtesy registration when proof of ownership pending.

Sec. 14-12p. Reserved

Sec. 14-12q. Vehicle identification card.

Sec. 14-12r. Inspection of vehicle identification number.

Sec. 14-12s. Administrative fee.

Sec. 14-12t. Regulations.

Sec. 14-13. Registration certificate and insurance identification card to be carried in vehicle.

Sec. 14-14. Registration of motor vehicles owned by minors. Proof of financial responsibility.

Sec. 14-15. Leasing or renting of motor vehicles. Electronic issuance or transfer of registration. Electronic renewal of registration.

Sec. 14-15a. Registration of vehicles leased or rented for use in Connecticut.

Sec. 14-15b. Motor vehicle rental contracts. Required notice re collision damage waiver. Prohibited sales and advertising practice.

Sec. 14-15c. Repossession of rented motor vehicles by rental companies.

Sec. 14-15d. Electronic issuance of registration or certificate of title.

Sec. 14-16. Transfer of ownership. Designation of beneficiary. Fees. Penalties.

Sec. 14-16a. Inspection of older vehicles before or upon transfer of ownership. Historical or special interest fire apparatus. Antique, rare or special interest motor vehicles. Modified antique or composite motor vehicles.

Sec. 14-16b. Inspection of damaged vehicles.

Sec. 14-16c. Insurance companies', persons', firms' or corporations' duties re totalled vehicles and certificates of title. Operation and inspection of totalled vehicles. Regulations.

Sec. 14-17. Notice of change in appearance or equipment.

Sec. 14-17a. Notice of change in registrant's address.

Sec. 14-17b. Notice from United States Postal Service re change of address. Powers of commissioner.

Sec. 14-18. Display of number plates and stickers. Issuance of sample number plates. Return of number plates to commissioner.

Sec. 14-19. Registration of fire apparatus.

Sec. 14-19a. Regulations re issuance of special number plates to members of qualifying organizations. Issuance and renewal of collegiate special number plates. Discontinuance of special number plates.

Sec. 14-19b. Issuance and renewal of collegiate commemorative number plates. Fees. Establishment of account.

Sec. 14-20. Number plates for antique, rare or special interest motor vehicles. Issuance of number plates corresponding to year of manufacture. Registration. Regulations.

Sec. 14-20a. Number plates for volunteer firefighters.

Sec. 14-20b. Number plates for veterans, members of the armed forces and members of the Hmong Laotian special guerilla units. Return and nonrenewal of number plates.

Sec. 14-20c. Number plates for immediate family of residents killed in action with armed forces.

Sec. 14-20d. Number plates for veterans and members of the armed forces to indicate service during a period of war. Return and nonrenewal of number plates.

Sec. 14-21. Number plates for amateur radio licensees.

Sec. 14-21a. “Foreign consul” registration and number plates.

Sec. 14-21b. Issuance of reflectorized number plates. Display. Infraction.

Sec. 14-21c. Number plates for manufacturers of motor vehicles or automotive equipment.

Sec. 14-21d. Prisoner of war and congressional medal of honor registration and number plate.

Sec. 14-21e. Number plates commemorating Long Island Sound. Voluntary lighthouse preservation donation. Fees. Voluntary habitat restoration donation. Regulations.

Sec. 14-21f. Keep Kids Safe number plates. Fees. Regulations.

Sec. 14-21g. Keep Kids Safe account.

Sec. 14-21h. Number plates for animal population control. Fees. Regulations.

Sec. 14-21i. Greenways commemorative number plates. Fees. Greenways commemorative account. Regulations.

Sec. 14-21j. Amistad commemorative number plates. Fees. Regulations.

Sec. 14-21k. Amistad commemorative account.

Sec. 14-21l. Olympic Spirit commemorative number plates. Fees.

Sec. 14-21m. Olympic Spirit commemorative account.

Sec. 14-21n. State and municipal police officers killed in the line of duty memorial number plates. Fees.

Sec. 14-21o. United We Stand commemorative number plates. Fees. Regulations.

Sec. 14-21p. United We Stand commemorative account.

Sec. 14-21q. Childhood cancer awareness commemorative number plates. Fees. Regulations.

Sec. 14-21r. Childhood cancer awareness account.

Sec. 14-21s. Wildlife conservation commemorative number plates. Fees. Regulations.

Sec. 14-21t. Wildlife conservation account.

Sec. 14-21u. Support Our Troops! commemorative number plates. Fees. Support Our Troops! account.

Sec. 14-21v. Support for nursing profession commemorative number plates. Fees. Nursing account.

Sec. 14-21w. Share the Road commemorative number plates. Fees. Regulations. Share the Road account. Use of image.

Sec. 14-21x. Men's Health commemorative number plates. Fees. Regulations. Men's Health account.

Sec. 14-21y. Hartford Whalers commemorative number plates.

Sec. 14-21z. Save Our Lakes commemorative number plates. Fees.

Sec. 14-21aa. Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation account.

Sec. 14-21bb. Aquatic Invasive Species fee. Requirements for payment of fee.

Sec. 14-22. Expiration and renewal.

Secs. 14-22a to 14-22e. Reserved

Sec. 14-22f. Cancellation of motor vehicle registration in error or failure to maintain accurate record of registration. Remedies.

Sec. 14-23. Refunds on registrations to persons in armed forces.

Sec. 14-24. Heavy duty trailers. Heavy construction equipment. Gross weight of tractor-trailer units.

Sec. 14-25. Registration not required for trailers used as parade floats.

Sec. 14-25a. Identifying registration certificate and marker for certain construction equipment.

Sec. 14-25b. Registration of vehicle as special mobile equipment or special mobile agriculture vehicle.

Sec. 14-25c. Registration of motor vehicle used as a student transportation vehicle. Distinctive marker plates.

Sec. 14-25d. Registration of DUKW or similar amphibious vehicle. Restrictions or prohibitions imposed by traffic authority.

Sec. 14-26. Motor or service buses, taxicabs, school buses, motor vehicles in livery service and school buses used in part in livery service.

Sec. 14-27. Number plates for public service motor vehicles.

Sec. 14-27a. Number plates for vanpool vehicle. Minimum insurance requirements.

Sec. 14-28. Passenger motor vehicle plates for livery cars or taxicabs.

Sec. 14-29. Owners of motor or service buses, taxicabs, school buses, school transportation vehicles and motor vehicles in livery service to furnish insurance or bond.

Sec. 14-29a. Registration of motor vehicles over ten years old as taxicabs prohibited.

Sec. 14-30. Public service motor vehicles registered in another state.

Sec. 14-31. Refund of registration fees for motor vehicles with commercial registration unfit for use.

Sec. 14-32. Commercial motor vehicle in interstate business.

Sec. 14-33. Renewal of registration denied for failure to pay motor vehicle property tax or fines for parking violations. Collection of delinquent property tax by commissioner. Issuance of temporary registrations by city, town, borough or other taxing district.

Sec. 14-33a. Notice to commissioner of tax payment.

Sec. 14-34. Reciprocity of registration.

Sec. 14-34a. Reciprocal agreements apportioning the registration of commercial vehicles.

Sec. 14-35. Transporter's registration.

Sec. 14-35a. Restrictions on owner of motor vehicle with suspended registration. Prohibitions on operation of motor vehicle by motor carrier. Penalties.

Sec. 14-36. Motor vehicle operator's license.

Sec. 14-36a. Classification of operators' licenses. Designations; endorsements. Penalty.

Sec. 14-36b. Renewal.

Sec. 14-36c. Specification of class of license.

Sec. 14-36d. Acquisition and installation of equipment. Renewal and duplication of license or card without personal appearance. Method for issuance, renewal or duplication of license, permit or card. Temporary license, permit or card. Procedures.

Sec. 14-36e. (Formerly Sec. 10-24). Course in motor vehicle operation and highway safety.

Sec. 14-36f. (Formerly Sec. 10-24d). Regulations concerning driver education programs.

Sec. 14-36g. Restrictions on transportation of passengers and hours of operation of vehicle by holders of motor vehicle operator's licenses who are sixteen or seventeen years of age. Exceptions. Regulations. Penalties.

Sec. 14-36h. Contents and features of operator's license and identity card. Issuance to persons on active duty. Veteran status indicated.

Sec. 14-36i. Seizure and forty-eight-hour suspension of operator's license of person who is sixteen or seventeen years of age for certain violations.

Sec. 14-36j. Commissioner to amend regulations re content of safe driving instruction courses. Attendance by parent or guardian.

Sec. 14-36k. Conviction of person under age eighteen for operating motor vehicle without operator's license. Penalty.

Sec. 14-36l. Transmission of registration information to the Selective Service System upon application by person under twenty-six years of age for issuance or renewal of license.

Sec. 14-36m. Issuance of operators' licenses to applicants unable to establish legal presence in the United States and applicants without Social Security numbers.

Sec. 14-37. Limited license on proof of financial responsibility by owner.

Sec. 14-37a. Special operator's permit for purposes of employment, education or medically necessary treatment.

Sec. 14-37b. Applicant without license from any state, United States territory or certain foreign countries. Requirements. Regulations.

Sec. 14-38. Recall, suspension or revocation of minor operator's license.

Sec. 14-38a. Instruction manual printed in Spanish.

Sec. 14-39. Nonresident operators. Reciprocity concerning equipment, marking and inspection of vehicles.

Sec. 14-40. Operation of motor vehicle owned by resident of foreign country.

Sec. 14-40a. Motorcycle endorsement or motorcycle endorsement with three-wheeled restriction. Motorcycle instruction permit. Examination. Military waiver.

Sec. 14-40b. License without examination.

Sec. 14-40c. Hearing upon denial or suspension of operator's license.

Sec. 14-41. Expiration and renewal of operators' licenses and identity cards. Fees. Notice.

Sec. 14-41a. Renewal of license for persons age sixty-five or over.

Sec. 14-41b. Validity of operator's license held by member of the armed forces following separation from service.

Sec. 14-41c. Renewal of operator's licenses and identity cards of incarcerated persons.

Sec. 14-42. Application for or renewal of operator's license or identity card. Anatomical gift.

Sec. 14-42a. Agreement with procurement organizations. Inclusion of information re procurement organizations in driver education programs.

Sec. 14-43. Misrepresentation renders license void.

Sec. 14-44. License endorsement for operators of commercial motor vehicles used for passenger transportation, school buses, student transportation vehicles, taxicabs, motor vehicles in livery service and motor or service buses. Requirements. Hearing. Appeal. Report re persons whose license or endorsement has been withdrawn, suspended or revoked. Penalty.

Sec. 14-44a. Commercial driver's license required for operation of a commercial motor vehicle. Exceptions. Penalty.

Sec. 14-44b. Prohibition re more than one driver's license.

Sec. 14-44c. Application for commercial driver's license or commercial driver's instruction permit. Penalty.

Sec. 14-44d. Information on commercial driver's license. Classifications.

Sec. 14-44e. Limitations on issuance of commercial driver's license. Qualification standards. Waiver of skills test. Requirements for license endorsement to operate vehicle transporting hazardous materials. Commercial driver's instruction permit.

Sec. 14-44f. Penalties for supplying false information to obtain commercial driver's license.

Sec. 14-44g. Driving record information. Notification of commercial driver's license issuance. Expiration of license. License renewal procedures.

Sec. 14-44h. Expiration and renewal of commercial drivers' licenses.

Sec. 14-44i. Fees for commercial driver's license and tests. Waiver.

Sec. 14-44j. Notification of convictions, suspensions, revocations and cancellations by holder of commercial driver's license. Information re previous employment. Penalty.

Sec. 14-44k. Disqualification from operation of commercial motor vehicles. Disqualification offenses. Lifetime disqualification. Mitigation of lifetime disqualification.

Sec. 14-44l. Notification of traffic convictions.

Sec. 14-44m. Authority to enter into agreements with other jurisdictions.

Sec. 14-44n. Notification of violation to licensing authority of another state.

Sec. 14-44o. Transition requirements re motor vehicle operator's licenses and commercial driver's licenses.

Sec. 14-45. Change of address notice by holder of operator's license or identity card. IV-D support cases. Penalty.

Sec. 14-45a. Regulations re standards for licensing of persons with health problems, referrals to medical advisory board, vision standards. Vision screenings or examinations. Issuance of operator's license to person who wears eyeglasses with bioptic lenses.

Sec. 14-46. Report re persons with chronic health or vision problems.

Sec. 14-46a. Motor Vehicle Operator's License Medical Advisory Board: Definitions.

Sec. 14-46b. Establishment of board. Membership. Compensation. Executive session.

Sec. 14-46c. Responsibilities of board; recommendations.

Sec. 14-46d. Confidential use of reports or records. Testimony re reports or records.

Sec. 14-46e. Recommendations of board to be advisory. Operation of motor vehicle on limited basis. Failure to comply with request of commissioner or board.

Sec. 14-46f. Immunity from civil liability.

Sec. 14-46g. Right of appeal.

Sec. 14-47. Fees for registering motor vehicles eligible for commercial registration and tractors.

Sec. 14-48. Fees for registering commercial tractor and semitrailer as a unit or separately.

Sec. 14-48a. Registration of commercial truck-tractor.

Sec. 14-48b. Registration fee of semitrailer drawn by truck-tractor.

Sec. 14-48c. Registration of commercial motor vehicle engaged in seasonal operations.

Sec. 14-48d. Registration of leased motor vehicle. Regulations.

Sec. 14-49. Fees for miscellaneous registration and other fees.

Sec. 14-49a. Fee for registration for six months or less.

Sec. 14-49b. Federal Clean Air Act fee. Passport to the Parks Fee.

Sec. 14-50. Fees for operator's license renewal, passenger endorsement, operator's examination, collection cost and returned check or rejected payment. Waiver of fees.

Sec. 14-50a. Fees for copies, abstracts, duplicates, replacements and searches. Restriction on use of information. Penalty.

Sec. 14-50b. Fee for restoration of operator's license, identity card or registration. School bus seat belt account.

Sec. 14-51. Definitions.

Sec. 14-51a. Civil penalties.

Sec. 14-52. New car dealer's, used car dealer's, repairer's and limited repairer's licenses. Surety bonds. Penalty.

Sec 14-52a. Grounds for refusal to grant or renew a dealer or repairer license.

Sec. 14-52b. Surrender of new car dealer license in event of cancellation, termination or failure to renew franchise by manufacturer. Manufacturer to operate as a dealer on a temporary basis. Issuance of used car dealer's license to entity owned or controlled by a manufacturer. Extension of temporary license.

Sec. 14-53. Location of business to be approved. Section 14-53 is repealed, effective July 1, 2002.

Sec. 14-53a. New car dealers to deliver written statement re Magnuson-Moss Warranty act to purchaser of new motor vehicle.

Sec. 14-54. Location to be approved by local authorities.

Sec. 14-55. Hearing.

Sec. 14-56. Commissioner to decide if requested by local authority.

Sec. 14-57. Appeal.

Sec. 14-58. Application. General registration of motor vehicles. Documents to be issued to drivers. Photostatic copies of registration certificate as proof of ownership. Return of void number plates. Penalty.

Sec. 14-59. Special dealers' plates for trucks or other vehicles with commercial registration.

Sec. 14-60. Use of dealers' and repairers' plates.

Sec. 14-61. Issuance of temporary transfer of registration by dealer. Fee. Return of number plates and registration applications by dealer.

Sec. 14-61a. Dealer to file application for permanent registration and certificate of title by electronic transmission.

Sec. 14-61b. Dealer and repairer records, documents and forms maintained in electronic format. Production in written format. Penalty.

Sec. 14-62. Order and invoice on sale of motor vehicle; information required. Dealer preparation charge. Conveyance or processing fee. Certificate of title on sale of used motor vehicle or sale of motor vehicle at auction. Safety inspection of used motor vehicle. Delivery after sale of used motor vehicle.

Sec. 14-62a. Advertisements of prices of motor vehicles. Penalty.

Sec. 14-62b. Sale of used motor vehicle parts.

Sec. 14-62c. Fee on dealer for processing trade-in.

Sec. 14-63. Regulations. Customer complaints. Stipulation by licensees.

Sec. 14-64. Suspension and revocation of licenses. Civil penalties. Restitution orders.

Sec. 14-65. Auction permit. Exception. Regulations. Penalties. Right to void purchase at wholesale dealer auction.

Sec. 14-65a. Exemption of dealers in certain trailers. Authorized transactions of marine dealers.

Sec. 14-65b. Transferred

Secs. 14-65c and 14-65d. Transferred

Sec. 14-65e. Motor vehicle repairs: Definitions.

Sec. 14-65f. (Formerly Sec. 14-65b). Motor vehicle repairs, written or oral authorizations and written acknowledgments. Estimates. Claims. Penalty.

Sec. 14-65g. Waiver of estimates. Record of authorizations and of required information. Estimate of charges for diagnosis. Penalty.

Sec. 14-65h. (Formerly Sec. 14-65c). Invoice requirements for motor vehicle repair work. Return of replaced parts. Penalty.

Sec. 14-65i. (Formerly Sec. 14-65d). Signs required to be posted in motor vehicle repair shops. Penalty.

Sec. 14-65j. False statements. Charges for repairs not performed. Completion of repairs. Penalty.

Sec. 14-65k. Investigations. Subpoenas. Injunctions.

Sec. 14-65l. Motor vehicle repairs: Notice included in appraisal or estimate.

Sec. 14-65m. Motor vehicle repair shop participating in motor vehicle repair program established by an insurer. Written acknowledgment required.

Sec. 14-66. Wreckers. Towing and transporting. Distinguishing number plates. Penalties.

Sec. 14-66a. Regulations.

Sec. 14-66b. Operators of wrecker services to maintain records.

Sec. 14-66c. Sale or disposal of motorized personal property. Penalty.

Sec. 14-67. Qualifications of licensee; bond; fees. Solicitation of service contracts.

Sec. 14-67a. Application for license. Requirements. Renewal.

Sec. 14-67b. Manufacturer's obligations re warranty.

Sec. 14-67c. Suspension or revocation of manufacturer's license. Civil penalty.

Sec. 14-67d. Manufacturer's registrations. Fees. Financial responsibility.

Secs. 14-67e and 14-67f. Reserved

Sec. 14-67g. (Formerly Sec. 21-15). Definitions.

Sec. 14-67h. “Major component parts” defined.

Sec. 14-67i. (Formerly Sec. 21-16). Certificate of approval of location required. Exemption.

Sec. 14-67j. Intermediate processors. Permit and license required. License required to transport vehicles or parts processed by intermediate processors. Records of vehicles or parts received, dismantled or sold. Inspection. Regulations.

Sec. 14-67k. (Formerly Sec. 21-17). Hearing on application. Fee.

Sec. 14-67l. (Formerly Sec. 21-18). License and fees. General registration of motor vehicles. Documents to be issued to drivers of such motor vehicles. Compliance with environmental statutes and regulations.

Sec. 14-67m. (Formerly Sec. 21-18a). Record of vehicles, major component parts or catalytic converters received, dismantled or sold. Inspection of records, vehicles, parts and premises. Receipt of certificate of title. Penalty.

Sec. 14-67n. (Formerly Sec. 21-19). Use of general registration restricted. Number plates for motor vehicles being towed. Fees.

Sec. 14-67o. (Formerly Sec. 21-20). Revocation of license upon sale or transfer of business.

Sec. 14-67p. (Formerly Sec. 21-21). Suspension or revocation for violation.

Sec. 14-67q. (Formerly Sec. 21-22). Commissioner may impose conditions concerning establishment and maintenance of yards.

Sec. 14-67r. (Formerly Sec. 21-22a). Fencing.

Sec. 14-67s. (Formerly Sec. 21-23). Ordinances creating restricted districts.

Sec. 14-67t. (Formerly Sec. 21-24). Publication of ordinances.

Sec. 14-67u. (Formerly Sec. 21-25). Appeal.

Sec. 14-67v. (Formerly Sec. 21-26). Penalty. Injunction to restrain violation.

Sec. 14-67w. (Formerly Sec. 21-26a). Scrap metal processors exempted. Receipt of motor vehicles. Required information. Inspection of premises and records. Retention of records. Regulations.

Sec. 14-68. Definitions.

Sec. 14-69. License to conduct a drivers' school. Penalty.

Sec. 14-70. Grounds for denial of application.

Sec. 14-71. Schedule of rates to be filed.

Sec. 14-72. Suspension, revocation or refusal to renew school license.

Sec. 14-73. Instructor's license. Master instructor's license. Regulations.

Sec. 14-74. Suspension, revocation or refusal to renew instructor's license or master instructor's license.

Sec. 14-75. Revocation or suspension of license after renewal.

Sec. 14-76. Hearing for reinstatement or renewal. Appeal.

Sec. 14-77. Records of licensee.

Sec. 14-78. Regulations for conduct of drivers' schools and instructor license requirements. Limited license.

Sec. 14-79. Penalty. Suspension, revocation or withdrawal of instructor's license or master instructor's license if imminent threat to public safety or welfare exists.

Sec. 14-80. Mechanical equipment.

Sec. 14-80a. Maximum noise levels. Regulations.

Sec. 14-80b. Ball joints and tie rod ends. Prohibition on certain installations and attachments to.

Secs. 14-80c to 14-80g. Reserved

Sec. 14-80h. Brake equipment of motor vehicles. Compression brake device to be equipped with muffler. Penalties.

Sec. 14-80i. Brake equipment and handlebars of motorcycles.

Sec. 14-81. Brake equipment of trailers.

Sec. 14-81a. Hydraulic brake fluid.

Sec. 14-81b. Restrictions on used brake drums and brake discs.

Sec. 14-82. Free-wheeling devices.

Secs. 14-83 to 14-96. Head and rear lights; spotlights; color of lights; reflectors; turn signals; minimum standards; single-beam, multibeam and alternate road-lighting equipment; number of driving lamps; flashing lights; emergency lighting equipment; etc.

Sec. 14-96a. Lighted lamps and illuminating devices required, when.

Sec. 14-96b. Head lamps.

Sec. 14-96c. Tail lamps. Illumination of rear registration plate.

Sec. 14-96d. Reflectors.

Sec. 14-96e. Stop lamps. Turn signals.

Sec. 14-96f. Special requirements for buses, trucks, trailers, truck tractors.

Sec. 14-96g. Colors of lamps and reflectors. Reflective sheeting on certain vehicles.

Sec. 14-96h. Mounting of reflectors and clearance lamps.

Sec. 14-96i. Visibility of reflectors and clearance, identification and side marker lamps.

Sec. 14-96j. Vehicles operated in combination.

Sec. 14-96k. Projecting loads. Carrying of animals.

Sec. 14-96l. Sufficiency of head and rear lights. Parked vehicles.

Sec. 14-96m. Farm tractors and equipment.

Sec. 14-96n. General lighting requirements.

Sec. 14-96o. Spot lamps. Fog lamps. Auxiliary passing lamps. Auxiliary driving lamps.

Sec. 14-96p. Color of lights. Flashing lights. Intensity of lights.

Sec. 14-96q. Permits for colored or flashing lights. Exceptions. Fee.

Sec. 14-96r. Color of stop lamps. Turn signal lamps.

Sec. 14-96s. Fender, backup and identification lamps. Penalties.

Sec. 14-96t. Multiple-beam road-lighting equipment.

Sec. 14-96u. Use of multiple-beam road-lighting equipment.

Secs. 14-96v and 14-96w. Single-beam road-lighting equipment. Distance forward lights to illuminate.

Sec. 14-96x. Head lamp of motorcycle.

Sec. 14-96y. Number of head lamps. Number in combination with other lamps.

Sec. 14-96z. Intensity of certain lamps. Location of red light.

Sec. 14-96aa. Standards and specifications for lamps for snow-removal and highway maintenance equipment.

Sec. 14-96bb. Operation of motor vehicles without required lighting devices.

Sec. 14-96cc. Regulation of hazardous lighting equipment.

Sec. 14-97. Defrosting devices on school buses and motor vehicles used to transport passengers for hire.

Sec. 14-97a. Emergency lighting or reflecting devices on motor vehicles used to transport passengers for hire and motor vehicles with commercial registration.

Sec. 14-97b. Lift equipment on motor buses.

Sec. 14-98. Tires.

Sec. 14-98a. Tires to be in safe operating condition.

Sec. 14-99. Mirror. Motor vehicles with commercial registration to allow others to pass.

Secs. 14-99a to 14-99e. Reserved

Sec. 14-99f. Windshield. Obstruction of view.

Sec. 14-99g. Definitions. Tinted or reflectorized windows. Obstruction of view prohibited. Exceptions. Sale or delivery of motor vehicles having tinted or reflectorized windows prohibited. Stickers required. Penalty. Window tinting businesses. Regulations.

Sec. 14-99h. Etching of vehicle identification numbers. Marking of component parts. Penalty. Regulations.

Sec. 14-100. Safety glass. Use of plastics.

Sec. 14-100a. Seat safety belts. Child restraint systems. Wheelchair transportation devices.

Sec. 14-100b. Air pollution control devices required on certain passenger motor vehicles.

Sec. 14-100c. Transferred

Sec. 14-101. Turn signals.

Sec. 14-102. View in and exits from motor vehicles used to transport passengers for hire.

Sec. 14-102a. Inspection of student transportation vehicles.

Sec. 14-103. Inspection of motor vehicles.

Sec. 14-103a. Inspection of reassembled, altered or reconstructed vehicles. Composite vehicles. Vehicles made by unlicensed manufacturers.

Sec. 14-103b. High-mileage vehicles, regulations re safety and performance standards.

Sec. 14-103c. Vehicles using liquid propane gas as fuel.

Sec. 14-103d. Vehicles using any pressurized gas as fuel. Regulations. Class C misdemeanor.

Sec. 14-104. Fenders and other wheel protectors.

Sec. 14-105. Television screens or similar devices prohibited. Exceptions.

Sec. 14-106. Air conditioning equipment.

Sec. 14-106a. Tamper-resistant odometer required. Mileage reading required on registration application.

Sec. 14-106b. Properly functioning odometer required. Tampering with odometer prohibited.

Sec. 14-106c. Headerboards required on commercial van-type motor vehicles.

Sec. 14-106d. Sale, offer for sale, manufacture, importation or installation of counterfeit or nonfunctional air bag prohibited. Unfair or deceptive trade practice. Penalty.

Sec. 14-107. Liability of owner, operator, lessee.

Sec. 14-108. Report of accidents.

Sec. 14-108a. Uniform investigation of accident report. Requirements and policy for identifying and notifying person's family or household member of motor vehicle accident in which person was killed.

Secs. 14-108b, 14-108c and 14-109. Statistical information based on reports. Report of accident involving unlicensed operator under instruction. Coroner to investigate fatal motor vehicle accidents.

Sec. 14-110. Oaths and subpoenas. False statements or reports.

Sec. 14-111. Suspension or revocation of registration, license or right to operate.

Sec. 14-111a. Possession of alcoholic liquors in motor vehicles by underage persons.

Sec. 14-111b. Suspension of operator's license following conviction for speeding.

Secs. 14-111c and 14-111d. Driver License Compact. Definitions applicable to Driver License Compact; comparable convictions to be reported; report of suspension or revocation action to department.

Sec. 14-111e. Suspension or delay in issuance of operator's license for person under twenty-one years of age convicted of certain violations.

Sec. 14-111f. Suspension of operator's license for possession of counterfeit or altered license.

Sec. 14-111g. Operator's retraining program.

Sec. 14-111h. Definitions applicable to driver license agreement.

Sec. 14-111i. Entry into driver license agreement. Regulations.

Sec. 14-111j. Findings and declarations re driver license agreement.

Sec. 14-111k. Application for a motor vehicle operator's license from applicants in other member jurisdictions.

Sec. 14-111l. Driver control record. Record of convictions and administrative actions.

Sec. 14-111m. Notice of failure to comply with a citation.

Sec. 14-111n. Reports of comparable convictions. Suspension of operator's license.

Sec. 14-111o. Form and use in evidence of records received from other member jurisdictions. Electronic transmission.

Sec. 14-111p. Validity of reports or records received from members of the Driver License Compact.

Sec. 14-111q. Hearing.

Sec. 14-112. Proof of financial responsibility.

Sec. 14-112a. Online Insurance Verification System.

Secs. 14-113 to 14-115. Financial responsibility of motor vehicle owners and operators required after accident; definitions. Administration by Motor Vehicle Commissioner; hearings; appeals. Abstract of operating record.

Sec. 14-115a. Request for document from motor vehicle record.

Secs. 14-116 to 14-128. Accident reports. Determination of amount of security; suspension of license and registration; exceptions; liability policy or bond. Release in behalf of minor. Exceptions. Duration of suspension. Unlicensed or nonresident operators; reciprocity. Amount of security, reduction. Custody, use and return of deposits. Evidence inadmissible in damage actions. Suspension pending disposition of judgment. Transfer of registration or ownership during suspension. Return of license or registration to commissioner. Governmental and public service vehicles exempt.

Sec. 14-129. Self-insurance.

Sec. 14-130. Transferred

Secs. 14-131 to 14-133. Discharge in bankruptcy not to release judgment debtor. Relief under other statutes. Penalties.

Sec. 14-134. Appeals from commissioner.

Sec. 14-135. Attorney General to act when commissioner is disqualified.

Sec. 14-136. First complaint.

Sec. 14-137. Authority to make regulations and certify or limit the use of devices and equipment.

Sec. 14-137a. Point system for motor vehicle violations.

Sec. 14-138. State police to assist.

Sec. 14-139. Conviction to be endorsed on license.

Sec. 14-140. Release on own recognizance. Report of failure to appear or to pay fine or fee, surcharge or cost. Reciprocal agreements. Opening of judgment.

Sec. 14-140a. Automobile club bail bond certificates, when acceptable as bail.

Sec. 14-141. Courts to report convictions and other dispositions to commissioner.

Sec. 14-142. Proceedings against negligent court clerk.

Sec. 14-143. Expenses in unsuccessful prosecutions by state police.

Sec. 14-144. No fees for arrests for motor vehicle violations.

Sec. 14-145. Towing or removal of motor vehicle from private property. Use of a wheel-locking device. Regulations. Prohibition re issuance of parking citation. Exemption. Penalty.

Sec. 14-145a. Towing, removal or use of wheel-locking device prohibited except upon express instruction of property owner or lessee or for repossession. Rebate prohibited.

Sec. 14-145b. Storage and release of motor vehicles that have been towed or rendered immovable.

Sec. 14-145c. Liability of property owner, lessee or lending institution for improper towing or removal of motor vehicle or use of a wheel-locking device.

Sec. 14-145d. Notification to chief of police required prior to use of wheel-locking device.

Sec. 14-146. Objects not to be thrown at motor vehicles.

Sec. 14-147. Improper use of marker, registration or license.

Sec. 14-147a. Theft or illegal possession of number plate or sticker.

Sec. 14-148. Abandoned markers.

Sec. 14-149. Mutilated or removed vehicle identification, factory or engine number. Discovery of vehicle reported as stolen or of vehicle or major component part with mutilated or missing identification, engine or factory number. Disposition of vehicle or part held in custody. Penalty. Fee.

Sec. 14-149a. Ownership or operation of a chop shop. Penalty.

Sec. 14-150. Abandoned or unregistered motor vehicles and motor vehicles which are a menace to traffic. Notice. Removal. Storage. Hearing. Lien. Affidavit of compliance. Sale. Regulations re title to abandoned motor vehicles and re disposal of motor homes or recreational vehicles abandoned at campgrounds.

Sec. 14-150a. Removal of abandoned motor vehicles by municipalities. Notice.

Sec. 14-150b. Municipal Abandoned Vehicle Trust Fund.

Sec. 14-151. State marshals and constables to enforce law concerning abandoned motor vehicles.

Sec. 14-151a. Report by owner or person in lawful possession of theft of motor vehicle. Regulations re uniform procedure. Report as condition precedent to settling insurance claim.

Sec. 14-152. Report by law enforcement agencies of theft or recovery of motor vehicle.

Sec. 14-153. Renting of motor vehicles.

Sec. 14-153a. Exemption. Penalty.

Sec. 14-153b. Proof of credit.

Sec. 14-154. Liability of owner for damage caused by rented or leased car.

Sec. 14-154a. Liability of owner for damage caused by rented or leased motor vehicle. Exceptions.

Sec. 14-155. Fines and forfeitures to be paid to commissioner.

Sec. 14-156. Receipts of Department of Motor Vehicles to be credited to Special Transportation Fund.

Sec. 14-156a. Payment of State Police Department expenditures from Highway Fund.

Sec. 14-157. Transferred

Sec. 14-158. Fines and forfeitures paid to commissioner to be receipts of General Fund.

Sec. 14-159. Refund of money paid to commissioner.

Sec. 14-160. Reservation of marker plate numbers. Additional fee for low numbers.

Sec. 14-161. Impersonation of inspector or agent.

Sec. 14-162. Ordinances.

Sec. 14-163. Commissioner to provide lists of motor vehicle and snowmobile owners to town assessors. Disclosure by assessor or tax collector prohibited.

Sec. 14-163a. Driving on ice.

Sec. 14-163b. Motor vehicles formerly used as ambulances.

Sec. 14-163c. Motor carrier safety regulations for intrastate or interstate commerce. Variations or exemptions. Enforcement powers of police officers and motor vehicle inspectors.

Sec. 14-163d. Vehicles in intrastate or interstate commerce. Evidence of security requirements or insurance. Suspension of registration.

Sec. 14-163e. Periodic inspection of certain vehicles or combinations.

Sec. 14-163f. Eligibility for commercial motor vehicle services contracts with state or municipalities.

Sec. 14-163g. Transportation of hazardous materials. Applicable federal regulations. Enforcement powers of motor vehicle inspectors and police officers.

Sec. 14-164. General penalty.

Sec. 14-164a. (Formerly Sec. 29-143). Motor vehicle racing.


PART I

DEFINITIONS

Sec. 14-1. Definitions. Terms used in this chapter shall be construed as follows, unless another construction is clearly apparent from the language or context in which the term is used or unless the construction is inconsistent with the manifest intention of the General Assembly:

(1) “Activity vehicle” means a student transportation vehicle that is used to transport students in connection with school-sponsored events and activities, but is not used to transport students to and from school;

(2) “Agricultural tractor” means a tractor or other form of nonmuscular motive power used for transporting, hauling, plowing, cultivating, planting, harvesting, reaping or other agricultural purposes on any farm or other private property, or used for the purpose of transporting, from one farm to another, agricultural implements and farm products, provided the agricultural tractor is not used on any highway for transporting a pay load or for some other commercial purpose;

(3) “Antique, rare or special interest motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle twenty years old or older which is being preserved because of historic interest and which is not altered or modified from the original manufacturer's specifications;

(4) “Apparent candle power” means an illumination equal to the normal illumination in foot candles produced by any lamp or lamps, divided by the square of the distance in feet between the lamp or lamps and the point at which the measurement is made;

(5) “Authorized emergency vehicle” means (A) a fire department vehicle, (B) a police vehicle, or (C) an authorized emergency medical services vehicle, as defined in section 19a-175;

(6) “Autocycle” means a motor vehicle that meets the requirements of a motorcycle under 49 CFR Part 571, and (A) does not have more than three wheels in contact with the ground, (B) is designed to be controlled with a steering mechanism and foot pedals for acceleration, braking or shifting, (C) has a seat or seats that are fully or partially enclosed and in which the occupants sit with their legs forward, and (D) is equipped with safety belts, in accordance with section 14-100a, for all occupants;

(7) “Auxiliary driving lamp” means an additional lighting device on a motor vehicle used primarily to supplement the general illumination in front of a motor vehicle provided by the motor vehicle's head lamps;

(8) “Bulb” means a light source consisting of a glass bulb containing a filament or substance capable of being electrically maintained at incandescence;

(9) “Camp trailer” includes any trailer designed for living or sleeping purposes and used exclusively for camping or recreational purposes;

(10) “Camp trailer registration” means the type of registration issued to any trailer that is for nonbusiness use and is limited to camp trailers and utility trailers;

(11) “Camp vehicle” means any motor vehicle that is regularly used to transport persons under eighteen years of age in connection with the activities of any youth camp, as defined in section 19a-420;

(12) “Camper” means any motor vehicle designed or permanently altered in such a way as to provide temporary living quarters for travel, camping or recreational purposes;

(13) “Class 1 electric bicycle” means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that engages only when the rider operates the electric bicycle's foot pedals, and disengages when the rider stops pedaling or such electric bicycle reaches the speed of twenty miles per hour;

(14) “Class 2 electric bicycle” means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the electric bicycle, and disengages when the brakes are applied or such electric bicycle reaches the speed of twenty miles per hour;

(15) “Class 3 electric bicycle” means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that engages only when the rider operates the electric bicycle's foot pedals, and disengages when the rider stops pedaling or such electric bicycle reaches the speed of twenty-eight miles per hour;

(16) “Combination registration” means the type of registration issued to a motor vehicle used for both private passenger and commercial purposes if such vehicle does not have a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of twelve thousand five hundred pounds;

(17) “Commercial driver's license” or “CDL” means a license issued to an individual in accordance with the provisions of sections 14-44a to 14-44m, inclusive, which authorizes such individual to drive a commercial motor vehicle;

(18) “Commercial driver's license information system” or “CDLIS” means the national database of holders of commercial driver's licenses established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration pursuant to Section 12007 of the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986;

(19) “Commercial motor vehicle” means a vehicle designed or used to transport passengers or property, except a vehicle used for farming purposes in accordance with 49 CFR 383.3(d), fire fighting apparatus or an emergency vehicle, as defined in section 14-283, or a recreational vehicle in private use, which (A) has a gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand and one pounds or more, or a gross combination weight rating of twenty-six thousand and one pounds or more, inclusive of a towed unit or units with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than ten thousand pounds; (B) is designed to transport sixteen or more passengers, including the driver, or is designed to transport more than ten passengers, including the driver, and is used to transport students under the age of twenty-one years to and from school; or (C) is transporting hazardous materials and is required to be placarded in accordance with 49 CFR 172, Subpart F, as amended, or any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR Part 73;

(20) “Commercial registration” means the type of registration required for any motor vehicle designed or used to transport merchandise, freight or persons in connection with any business enterprise, unless a more specific type of registration is authorized and issued by the commissioner for such class of vehicle;

(21) “Commercial trailer” means a trailer used in the conduct of a business to transport freight, materials or equipment whether or not permanently affixed to the bed of the trailer;

(22) “Commercial trailer registration” means the type of registration issued to any commercial trailer;

(23) “Commissioner” includes the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and any assistant to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles who is designated and authorized by, and who is acting for, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles under a designation; except that the deputy commissioners of motor vehicles and the Attorney General are deemed, unless the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles otherwise provides, to be designated and authorized by, and acting for, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles under a designation;

(24) “Controlled substance” has the same meaning as provided in section 21a-240 and the federal laws and regulations incorporated in chapter 420b;

(25) “Conviction” means an unvacated adjudication of guilt, or a determination that a person has violated or failed to comply with the law in a court of original jurisdiction or an authorized administrative tribunal, an unvacated forfeiture of bail or collateral deposited to secure the person's appearance in court, the payment of a fine or court cost, or violation of a condition of release without bail, regardless of whether or not the penalty is rebated, suspended or probated;

(26) “Dealer” includes any person actively engaged in buying, selling or exchanging motor vehicles or trailers who has an established place of business in this state and who may, incidental to such business, repair motor vehicles or trailers, or cause them to be repaired by persons in his or her employ;

(27) “Disqualification” means a withdrawal of the privilege to drive a commercial motor vehicle, which occurs as a result of (A) any suspension, revocation, or cancellation by the commissioner of the privilege to operate a motor vehicle; (B) a determination by the Federal Highway Administration, under the rules of practice for motor carrier safety contained in 49 CFR 386, as amended from time to time, that a person is no longer qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle under the standards set forth in 49 CFR 391, as amended from time to time; or (C) the loss of qualification which follows any of the convictions or administrative actions specified in section 14-44k;

(28) “Drive” means to drive, operate or be in physical control of a motor vehicle, including a motor vehicle being towed by another;

(29) “Driver” means any person who drives, operates or is in physical control of a commercial motor vehicle, or who is required to hold a commercial driver's license;

(30) “Driver's license” or “operator's license” means a valid Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license or a license issued by another state or foreign jurisdiction authorizing the holder thereof to operate a motor vehicle on the highways;

(31) “Electric bicycle” means a bicycle equipped with operable foot pedals and an electric motor of fewer than seven hundred fifty watts of power that is either a class 1, class 2 or class 3 bicycle. “Electric bicycle” does not include a dirt bike or an all-terrain vehicle;

(32) “Electric foot scooter” means a device (A) that weighs not more than seventy-five pounds, (B) that has two or three wheels, handlebars and a floorboard that can be stood upon while riding, (C) that is powered by an electric motor and human power, and (D) whose maximum speed, with or without human propulsion on a paved level surface, is not more than twenty miles per hour;

(33) “Employee” means any operator of a commercial motor vehicle, including full-time, regularly employed drivers, casual, intermittent or occasional drivers, drivers under contract and independent owner-operator contractors, who, while in the course of operating a commercial motor vehicle, are either directly employed by, or are under contract to, an employer;

(34) “Employer” means any person, including the United States, a state or any political subdivision thereof, who owns or leases a commercial motor vehicle, or assigns a person to drive a commercial motor vehicle;

(35) “Farm implement” means a vehicle designed and adapted exclusively for agricultural, horticultural or livestock-raising operations and which is not operated on a highway for transporting a pay load or for any other commercial purpose;

(36) “Felony” means any offense, as defined in section 53a-25 and includes any offense designated as a felony under federal law;

(37) “Fatality” means the death of a person as a result of a motor vehicle accident;

(38) “Foreign jurisdiction” means any jurisdiction other than a state of the United States;

(39) “Fuels” means (A) all products commonly or commercially known or sold as gasoline, including casinghead and absorption or natural gasoline, regardless of their classification or uses, (B) any liquid prepared, advertised, offered for sale or sold for use, or commonly and commercially used, as a fuel in internal combustion engines, which, when subjected to distillation in accordance with the standard method of test for distillation of gasoline, naphtha, kerosene and similar petroleum products by “American Society for Testing Materials Method D-86”, shows not less than ten per cent distilled (recovered) below 347° Fahrenheit (175° Centigrade) and not less than ninety-five per cent distilled (recovered) below 464° Fahrenheit (240° Centigrade); provided the term “fuels” does not include commercial solvents or naphthas which distill, by “American Society for Testing Materials Method D-86”, not more than nine per cent at 176° Fahrenheit and which have a distillation range of 150° Fahrenheit, or less, or liquefied gases which would not exist as liquids at a temperature of 60° Fahrenheit and a pressure of 14.7 pounds per square inch absolute, and (C) any liquid commonly referred to as “gasohol” which is prepared, advertised, offered for sale or sold for use, or commonly and commercially used, as a fuel in internal combustion engines, consisting of a blend of gasoline and a minimum of ten per cent by volume of ethyl or methyl alcohol;

(40) “Garage” includes every place of business where motor vehicles are, for compensation, received for housing, storage or repair;

(41) “Gross vehicle weight rating” or “GVWR” means the value specified by the manufacturer as the maximum loaded weight of a single or a combination (articulated) vehicle. The GVWR of a combination (articulated) vehicle commonly referred to as the “gross combination weight rating” or GCWR is the GVWR of the power unit plus the GVWR of the towed unit or units;

(42) “Gross weight” means the light weight of a vehicle plus the weight of any load on the vehicle, provided, in the case of a tractor-trailer unit, “gross weight” means the light weight of the tractor plus the light weight of the trailer or semitrailer plus the weight of the load on the vehicle;

(43) “Hazardous materials” has the same meaning as provided in 49 CFR 383.5;

(44) “Head lamp” means a lighting device affixed to the front of a motor vehicle projecting a high intensity beam which lights the road in front of the vehicle so that it can proceed safely during the hours of darkness;

(45) “High-mileage vehicle” means a motor vehicle having the following characteristics: (A) Not less than three wheels in contact with the ground; (B) a completely enclosed seat on which the driver sits; (C) a single or two cylinder, gasoline or diesel engine or an electric-powered engine; and (D) efficient fuel consumption;

(46) “Highway” includes any state or other public highway, road, street, avenue, alley, driveway, parkway, place or dedicated roadway for bus rapid transit service, under the control of the state or any political subdivision of the state, dedicated, appropriated or opened to public travel or other use;

(47) “Imminent hazard” means the existence of a condition that presents a substantial likelihood that death, serious illness, severe personal injury or a substantial endangerment to health, property, or the environment may occur before the reasonably foreseeable completion date of a formal proceeding begun to lessen the risk of that death, illness, injury or endangerment;

(48) “Intersecting highway” includes any public highway which joins another at an angle whether or not it crosses the other;

(49) “Light weight” means the weight of an unloaded motor vehicle as ordinarily equipped and ready for use, exclusive of the weight of the operator of the motor vehicle;

(50) “Limited access highway” means a state highway so designated under the provisions of section 13b-27;

(51) “Local authorities” includes the board of aldermen, common council, chief of police, warden and burgesses, board of selectmen or other officials having authority for the enactment or enforcement of traffic regulations within their respective towns, cities or boroughs;

(52) “Maintenance vehicle” means any vehicle in use by the state or by any town, city, borough or district, any state bridge or parkway authority or any public service company, as defined in section 16-1, in the maintenance of public highways or bridges and facilities located within the limits of public highways or bridges;

(53) “Manufacturer” means (A) a person, whether a resident or nonresident, engaged in the business of constructing or assembling new motor vehicles of a type required to be registered by the commissioner, for operation upon any highway, except a utility trailer, which are offered for sale in this state, or (B) a person who distributes new motor vehicles to new car dealers licensed in this state;

(54) “Median divider” means an intervening space or physical barrier or clearly indicated dividing section separating traffic lanes provided for vehicles proceeding in opposite directions;

(55) “Modified antique motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle twenty years old or older which has been modified for safe road use, including, but not limited to, modifications to the drive train, suspension, braking system and safety or comfort apparatus;

(56) “Motor bus” includes any motor vehicle, except a taxicab, as defined in section 13b-95, operated in whole or in part on any street or highway in a manner affording a means of transportation by indiscriminately receiving or discharging passengers, or running on a regular route or over any portion of a regular route or between fixed termini;

(57) “Motor home” means a vehicular unit designed to provide living quarters and necessary amenities which are built into an integral part of, or permanently attached to, a truck or van chassis;

(58) “Motor-driven cycle” means any of the following vehicles that have a seat height of not less than twenty-six inches and a motor having a capacity of less than fifty cubic centimeters piston displacement: (A) A motorcycle, other than an autocycle; (B) a motor scooter; or (C) a bicycle with attached motor, except an electric bicycle;

(59) “Motor vehicle” means any vehicle propelled or drawn by any nonmuscular power, except aircraft, motor boats, road rollers, baggage trucks used about railroad stations or other mass transit facilities, electric battery-operated wheel chairs when operated by persons with physical disabilities at speeds not exceeding fifteen miles per hour, golf carts operated on highways solely for the purpose of crossing from one part of the golf course to another, golf-cart-type vehicles operated on roads or highways on the grounds of state institutions by state employees, agricultural tractors, farm implements, such vehicles as run only on rails or tracks, self-propelled snow plows, snow blowers and lawn mowers, when used for the purposes for which they were designed and operated at speeds not exceeding four miles per hour, whether or not the operator rides on or walks behind such equipment, motor-driven cycles, as defined in section 14-286, special mobile equipment, as defined in section 14-165, mini-motorcycles, as defined in section 14-289j, electric bicycles, electric foot scooters and any other vehicle not suitable for operation on a highway;

(60) “Motorcycle” means (A) an autocycle, as defined in this section, or (B) a motor vehicle, with or without a side car, that has (i) not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, (ii) a saddle or seat which the rider straddles or a platform on which the rider stands, and (iii) handlebars with which the rider controls the movement of the vehicle. “Motorcycle” does not include a motor-driven cycle, an electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter;

(61) “National Driver Registry” or “NDR” means the licensing information system and database operated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and established pursuant to the National Driver Registry Act of 1982, as amended;

(62) “New motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle, the equitable or legal title to which has never been transferred by a manufacturer, distributor or dealer to an ultimate consumer;

(63) “Nonresident” means any person whose legal residence is in a state other than Connecticut or in a foreign country;

(64) “Nonresident commercial driver's license” or “nonresident CDL” means a commercial driver's license issued by a state to an individual who resides in a foreign jurisdiction;

(65) “Nonskid device” means any device applied to the tires, wheels, axles or frame of a motor vehicle for the purpose of increasing the traction of the motor vehicle;

(66) “Number plate” means any sign or marker furnished by the commissioner on which is displayed the registration number assigned to a motor vehicle by the commissioner;

(67) “Officer” includes any constable, state marshal, inspector of motor vehicles, state policeman or other official authorized to make arrests or to serve process, provided the officer is in uniform or displays the officer's badge of office in a conspicuous place when making an arrest;

(68) “Operator” means any person who operates a motor vehicle or who steers or directs the course of a motor vehicle being towed by another motor vehicle and includes a driver;

(69) “Out-of-service order” means an order (A) issued by a person having inspection authority, as defined in regulations adopted by the commissioner pursuant to section 14-163c, or by an authorized official of the United States Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration pursuant to any provision of federal law, to prohibit any motor vehicle specified in subsection (a) of section 14-163c from being operated on any highway, or to prohibit a driver from operating any such motor vehicle, or (B) issued by the United States Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, pursuant to any provision of federal law, to prohibit any motor carrier, as defined in Section 386.2 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, from engaging in commercial motor vehicle operations;

(70) “Owner” means any person holding title to a motor vehicle, or having the legal right to register the same, including purchasers under conditional bills of sale;

(71) “Parked vehicle” means a motor vehicle in a stationary position within the limits of a public highway;

(72) “Passenger and commercial motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle used for private passenger and commercial purposes which is eligible for combination registration;

(73) “Passenger motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle used for the private transportation of persons and their personal belongings, designed to carry occupants in comfort and safety, with a capacity of carrying not more than ten passengers including the operator thereof;

(74) “Passenger registration” means the type of registration issued to a passenger motor vehicle unless a more specific type of registration is authorized and issued by the commissioner for such class of vehicle;

(75) “Person” includes any individual, corporation, limited liability company, association, copartnership, company, firm, business trust or other aggregation of individuals but does not include the state or any political subdivision thereof, unless the context clearly states or requires;

(76) “Pick-up truck” means a motor vehicle with an enclosed forward passenger compartment and an open rearward compartment used for the transportation of property;

(77) “Pneumatic tires” means tires inflated or inflatable with air;

(78) “Pole trailer” means a trailer which is (A) intended for transporting long or irregularly shaped loads such as poles, logs, pipes or structural members, which loads are capable of sustaining themselves as beams between supporting connections, and (B) designed to be drawn by a motor vehicle and attached or secured directly to the motor vehicle by any means including a reach, pole or boom;

(79) “Public passenger endorsement” means an endorsement issued to an individual, which authorizes such individual to transport passengers, including, but not limited to, passengers who are students in accordance with subsection (b) or (c) of section 14-36a;

(80) “Recreational vehicle” includes the camper, camp trailer and motor home classes of vehicles;

(81) “Registration” includes the certificate of motor vehicle registration and the number plate or plates used in connection with such registration;

(82) “Registration number” means the identifying number or letters, or both, assigned by the commissioner to a motor vehicle;

(83) “Resident”, for the purpose of registering motor vehicles, includes any person who is a legal resident of this state, as the commissioner may presume from the fact that such person occupies a place of dwelling in this state for more than six months in a year, or any person, firm or corporation owning or leasing a motor vehicle used or operated in intrastate business in this state, or a firm or corporation having its principal office or place of business in this state;

(84) “School bus” means any school bus, as defined in section 14-275, including a commercial motor vehicle used to transport preschool, elementary school or secondary school students from home to school, from school to home, or to and from school-sponsored events, but does not include a bus used as a common carrier;

(85) “Second” violation or “subsequent” violation means an offense committed not more than three years after the date of an arrest which resulted in a previous conviction for a violation of the same statutory provision, except in the case of a violation of section 14-215, 14-224, 14-227a or 14-227m, “second” violation or “subsequent” violation means an offense committed not more than ten years after the date of an arrest which resulted in a previous conviction for a violation of the same statutory provision;

(86) “Semitrailer” means any trailer type vehicle designed and used in conjunction with a motor vehicle so that some part of its own weight and load rests on or is carried by another vehicle;

(87) “Serious traffic violation” means a conviction of any of the following offenses: (A) Excessive speeding, involving a single offense in which the speed is fifteen miles per hour or more above the posted speed limit, in violation of section 14-218a or 14-219; (B) reckless driving in violation of section 14-222; (C) following too closely in violation of section 14-240 or 14-240a; (D) improper or erratic lane changes, in violation of section 14-236; (E) using a hand-held mobile telephone or other electronic device or typing, reading or sending text or a text message with or from a mobile telephone or mobile electronic device in violation of subsection (e) of section 14-296aa while operating a commercial motor vehicle; (F) driving a commercial motor vehicle without a valid commercial driver's license in violation of section 14-36a or 14-44a; (G) failure to carry a commercial driver's license in violation of section 14-44a; (H) failure to have the proper class of license or endorsement, or violation of a license restriction in violation of section 14-44a; or (I) a violation of any provision of chapter 248, by an operator who holds a commercial driver's license or instruction permit that results in the death of another person;

(88) “Service bus” includes any vehicle except a vanpool vehicle or a school bus designed and regularly used to carry ten or more passengers when used in private service for the transportation of persons without charge to the individual;

(89) “Service car” means any motor vehicle used by a manufacturer, dealer or repairer for emergency motor vehicle repairs on the highways of this state, for towing or for the transportation of necessary persons, tools and materials to and from the scene of such emergency repairs or towing;

(90) “Shoulder” means that portion of a highway immediately adjacent and contiguous to the travel lanes or main traveled portion of the roadway;

(91) “Solid tires” means tires of rubber, or other elastic material approved by the Commissioner of Transportation, which do not depend on confined air for the support of the load;

(92) “Spot lamp” or “spot light” means a lighting device projecting a high intensity beam, the direction of which can be readily controlled for special or emergency lighting as distinguished from ordinary road illumination;

(93) “State” means any state of the United States and the District of Columbia unless the context indicates a more specific reference to the state of Connecticut;

(94) “Stop” means complete cessation of movement;

(95) “Student” means any person under the age of twenty-one years who is attending a preprimary, primary or secondary school program of education;

(96) “Tail lamp” means a lighting device affixed to the rear of a motor vehicle showing a red light to the rear and indicating the presence of the motor vehicle when viewed from behind;

(97) “Tank vehicle” means any commercial motor vehicle designed to transport any liquid or gaseous material within a tank that is either permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle or its chassis, which includes, but is not limited to, a cargo tank and portable tank, as defined in 49 CFR 383.5, as amended, provided it does not include a portable tank with a rated capacity not to exceed one thousand gallons;

(98) “Tractor” or “truck tractor” means a motor vehicle designed and used for drawing a semitrailer;

(99) “Tractor-trailer unit” means a combination of a tractor and a trailer or a combination of a tractor and a semitrailer;

(100) “Trailer” means any rubber-tired vehicle without motive power drawn or propelled by a motor vehicle;

(101) “Truck” means a motor vehicle designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property;

(102) “Ultimate consumer” means, with respect to a motor vehicle, the first person, other than a dealer, who in good faith purchases the motor vehicle for purposes other than resale;

(103) “United States” means the fifty states and the District of Columbia;

(104) “Used motor vehicle” includes any motor vehicle which has been previously separately registered by an ultimate consumer;

(105) “Utility trailer” means a trailer designed and used to transport personal property, materials or equipment, whether or not permanently affixed to the bed of the trailer;

(106) “Vanpool vehicle” includes all motor vehicles, the primary purpose of which is the daily transportation, on a prearranged nonprofit basis, of individuals between home and work, and which: (A) If owned by or leased to a person, or to an employee of the person, or to an employee of a local, state or federal government unit or agency located in Connecticut, are manufactured and equipped in such manner as to provide a seating capacity of at least seven but not more than fifteen individuals, or (B) if owned by or leased to a regional ride-sharing organization in the state recognized by the Commissioner of Transportation, are manufactured and equipped in such manner as to provide a seating capacity of at least six but not more than nineteen individuals;

(107) “Vehicle” includes any device suitable for the conveyance, drawing or other transportation of persons or property, whether operated on wheels, runners, a cushion of air or by any other means. The term does not include devices propelled or drawn by human power or devices used exclusively on tracks;

(108) “Vehicle identification number” or “VIN” means a series of Arabic numbers and Roman letters that is assigned to each new motor vehicle that is manufactured within or imported into the United States, in accordance with the provisions of 49 CFR 565, unless another sequence of numbers and letters has been assigned to a motor vehicle by the commissioner, in accordance with the provisions of section 14-149;

(109) “Wrecker” means a vehicle which is registered, designed, equipped and used for the purposes of towing or transporting wrecked or disabled motor vehicles for compensation or for related purposes by a person, firm or corporation licensed in accordance with the provisions of subpart (D) of part III of this chapter or a vehicle contracted for the consensual towing or transporting of one or more motor vehicles to or from a place of sale, purchase, salvage or repair.

(1949 Rev., S. 2350; 1953, S. 1278d, 1281d; 1955, S. 1279d, 1280d; 1959, P.A. 162; 283, S. 1; 1961, P.A. 233, S. 10; 1963, P.A. 560; February, 1965, P.A. 414, S. 1; 448, S. 1, 2, 3; 1967, P.A. 454, S. 1; 799; 821; 1969, P.A. 189; 569, S. 1; 1971, P.A. 355, S. 1, 2; 416, S. 2; 629; 740, S. 1; 848, S. 1, 2; 1972, P.A. 255, S. 1; P.A. 73-676, S. 1; P.A. 75-253, S. 1, 2; P.A. 76-250, S. 2, 3, 4; P.A. 77-67; P.A. 79-25, S. 1; 79-175, S. 2, 3; 79-244, S. 1, 5, 6; 79-627, S. 5, 6; P.A. 80-466, S. 2, 25; P.A. 81-394, S. 1; P.A. 82-460, S. 1, 2, 9; 82-472, S. 39, 183; P.A. 83-224, S. 1, 2; 83-278; 83-431, S. 2; 83-587, S. 67, 96; P.A. 84-429, S. 1; 84-546, S. 37, 173; P.A. 86-383, S. 1, 6; P.A. 88-245, S. 1, 7; P.A. 90-263, S. 1, 74; P.A. 91-272, S. 5, 8; P.A. 93-341, S. 1, 38; P.A. 95-79, S. 39, 189; 95-314, S. 4; P.A. 97-236, S. 23, 27; P.A. 99-268, S. 1, 2, 29; P.A. 00-35, S. 1; 00-99, S. 44, 154; 00-169, S. 22, 35; P.A. 02-70, S. 1, 17; P.A. 03-265, S. 5; P.A. 04-199, S. 7; 04-217, S. 1; P.A. 05-218, S. 2, 3, 15, 16, 42, 43; P.A. 06-130, S. 15; P.A. 07-167, S. 13, 38; P.A. 08-150, S. 1; P.A. 09-187, S. 34, 41, 49, 54; P.A. 10-32, S. 46; 10-110, S. 37; P.A. 11-213, S. 51, 52, 61; P.A. 12-81, S. 26; P.A. 13-271, S. 35; 13-277, S. 8; P.A. 14-130, S. 2; P.A. 15-46, S. 1; P.A. 16-55, S. 13; 16-126, S. 6; P.A. 17-202, S. 42; P.A. 18-165, S. 3; P.A. 19-119, S. 21; 19-162, S. 1; P.A. 21-106, S. 35; P.A. 22-44, S. 13, 22; 22-58, S. 22.)

History: 1959 acts added Subsecs. (21) and (51); 1961 act redefined “used or secondhand motor vehicle” in and added definitions of “new motor vehicle” and “ultimate consumer” to Subsec. (55); 1963 act redefined “second” or “subsequent” violation in Subsec. (44); 1965 acts added snow and lawn machines to Subsec. (26), “driver” to Subsec. (32) and Subsecs. (6), (14), (23), (39), (48) and (54); 1967 acts added Subsecs. (57) and (58) defining “tractor” or “truck tractor” and “wrecker” or “wrecker vehicle” and redefined “resident” in Subsec. (42) to delete persons carrying on business or engaged in occupation for more than six months a year; 1969 acts redefined “motor vehicle” in Subsec. (26) to exclude golf carts and added Subsec. (59) defining “farm implements”; 1971 acts redefined “gross weight” in Subsec. (14) to include special provision re tractor-trailer units, redefined “officer” in Subsec. (31) to include sheriffs and deputy sheriffs, redefined “manufacturer” in Subsec. (22), redefined “vehicle” in Subsec. (56) to include vehicles operated on cushions of air and to delete requirement that machine be suitable for use on highways and added Subsecs. (60) and (61) defining “tractor-trailer unit” and “limited access highway”; 1972 act redefined “manufacturer” in Subsec. (22) to include distributor of vehicles to new car dealers; P.A. 73-676 added Subsec. (62) defining “minibike” or “minicycle”; P.A. 75-253 redefined “motorcycle” to exclude vehicles with wholly or partially enclosed drivers' seat with motor outside enclosed area; P.A. 76-250 excluded bicycles with helper motors in Subsecs. (25) defining “motorcycle” and Subsec. (26) defining “motor vehicle”; P.A. 77-67 redefined “motor vehicles” in Subsec. (26) to delete requirement that vehicle be suitable for operation on a highway, to exclude vehicles used at mass transit facilities other than railroads and vehicles not suitable for operation on highway; P.A. 79-25 added Subsecs. (63) and (64) defining “antique, rare or special interest motor vehicle” and “modified antique motor vehicle”; P.A. 79-175 added Subsec. (65) defining “vanpool vehicle”; P.A. 79-244 also added Subsec. (65) re vanpool vehicles and excluded vanpool vehicles from definitions of “public service motor vehicle” and “service bus” in Subsecs. (40) and (46); P.A. 79-627 included gasohol in Subsec. (12) defining “fuels”, effective July 1, 1979, and applicable to fuel sold on or after that date; P.A. 80-466 amended definition of “motor vehicle registration” in Subsec. (27) to reflect use of single license plate; P.A. 81-394 added Subdiv. (66) defining “high-mileage vehicle”; P.A. 82-460 redefined “passenger motor vehicle” to specify applicability to vehicles capable of carrying not more than ten passengers, redefined “commercial motor vehicle”, deleting limitations re use in business of registrant and propulsion method and redefined “passenger and commercial motor vehicle”, deleting requirement that vehicles be “designed for use” for passenger and commercial purposes; P.A. 82-472 made technical corrections in definition of “high-mileage vehicle”; P.A. 83-224 amended Subdiv. (26) to exclude from the definition of a motor vehicle, golf cart type vehicles operated by state employees on state institution grounds; P.A. 83-278 amended Subdiv. (65) to include in definition of “vanpool vehicle” certain vehicles owned by or leased to recognized regional ride-sharing organizations; P.A. 83-431 amended Subdiv. (26) to exclude from the definition of a motor vehicle, special mobile equipment as defined in Sec. 14-165 (i); P.A. 83-587 made technical change in Subdiv. (12); P.A. 84-429 deleted the definition of “curb” in Subsec. (9), “distributor” in Subsec. (11), “head light” in Subsec. (15), “intersection” in Subsec. (18), “motor vehicle registration” in Subsec. (27), “rotary traffic island” in Subsec. (43), “secondhand motor vehicle” in Subsec. (55) and “wrecker vehicle” in Subsec. (58), transferred definition of “head lamp” from Subsec. (15) to (16), “registration” from Subsec. (27) to (45), “used motor vehicle” from Subsec. (55) to (62), “new motor vehicle” from Subsec. (55) to (31), “ultimate consumer” from Subsec. (55) to (61) and “wrecker” from Subsec. (58) to (65), added Subsec. (4) from Sec. 14-1a, renumbered the remaining Subsecs. as follows: (2) to (3), (3) to (5), (4) to (6), (5) to (7), (6) to (8), (7) to (9), (8) to (10), (10) to (11), (12) to (13), (13) to (14), (14) to (15), (16) to (18), (17) to (19), (19) to (20), (20) to (22), (21) to (23), (22) to (24), (23) to (25), (24) to (28), (25) to (29), (26) to (30), (28) to (32), (29) to (33), (30) to (34), (31) to (35), (32) to (36), (33) to (37), (34) to (38), (35) to (40), (36) to (39), (37) to (41), (38) to (42), (39) to (43), (40) to (44), (41) to (46), (42) to (47), (44) to (48), (45) to (49), (46) to (50), (47) to (51), (48) to (52), (49) to (53), (50) to (54), (51) to (55), (52) to (56), (53) to (59), (54) to (60), (56) to (64), (59) to (12), (60) to (58), (61) to (21), (62) to (2), (63) to (27), (64) to (63) and (66) to (17), and rephrased renumbered Subsec. (10) re definition of “commissioner”; P.A. 84-546 redefined “commissioner” to include deputy commissioner of motor vehicles, attorney general and any assistant to motor vehicles commissioner, but did not take effect, P.A. 84-429 having taken precedence; P.A. 86-383 redefined “commercial motor vehicle” in Subdiv. (9) to include vehicles transporting other passengers with their necessary personal belongings; P.A. 88-245 made technical change to definition of “commissioner” in Subsec. (10); P.A. 90-263 subdivided the section into Subsecs. (a) and (b), in Subsec (a) amending Subdiv. (7) to substitute recreational for pleasure purposes and to delete phrase “used for the purpose of transporting personal property of the owner”, amending Subdiv. (8) to redefine “camper” as any motor vehicle designed or permanently altered in such a way as to provide temporary living quarters for travel, camping or recreational purposes, amending Subdiv. (9) to delete definition of “commercial motor vehicle” and insert definition of “combination registration”, adding new definitions of “commercial driver's license” in Subdiv. (10), “commercial motor vehicle” in Subdiv. (11), “commercial registration” in Subdiv. (12), “commercial trailer” in Subdiv. (13), “controlled substance” in Subdiv. (15), “conviction” in Subdiv. (16), “disqualification” in Subdiv. (18), “drive” in Subdiv. (19), “driver” in Subdiv. (20), “driver's license” in Subdiv. (21), “employee” in Subdiv. (22), “employer” in Subdiv. (23), “felony” in Subdiv. (25), “foreign jurisdiction” in Subdiv. (26), “gross weight rating” in Subdiv. (29), “hazardous materials” in Subdiv. (31), “motor home” in Subdiv. (45), “nonresident commercial driver's license” in Subdiv. (50), “out-of-service order” in Subdiv. (55), “passenger registration” in Subdiv. (60), “recreational vehicle” in Subdiv. (64), “serious traffic violation” in Subdiv. (70), “state” in Subdiv. (76), “tank vehicle” in Subdiv. (79), “United States” in Subdiv. (85), and “utility trailer” in Subdiv. (87) and renumbering the other Subdivs. accordingly, amending definition of “motor bus” in Subdiv. (44), formerly Subdiv. (28), to include any motor vehicle, except a taxicab, deleting reference to public service motor vehicle, amending definition of “operator” in Subdiv. (54), formerly Subdiv. (36), to include a driver, amending definition of “passenger and commercial motor vehicle” in Subdiv. (58), formerly Subdiv. (39), to include vehicles eligible for combination registration, amending definition of “passenger motor vehicle” in Subdiv. (59), formerly Subdiv. (40), to delete former provisions and insert new provisions concerning use, design and capacity, amending definition of “person” in Subdiv. (61), formerly Subdiv. (41), to specifically exclude the state or any political subdivision thereof, amending definition of “pole trailer” in Subdiv. (63), formerly Subdiv. (43), to delete reference to commercial motor vehicle, and deleting definition of “public service motor vehicle” in Subdiv. (44), and inserting new language in Subsec. (b) re meaning of term “public passenger transportation permit”; P.A. 91-272 amended exception to definition of “commercial motor vehicle” in Subsec. (a)(11)(B) to include vehicles designed to transport “more than” 10 passengers and used to transport students under 21 to and from school; P.A. 93-341 amended definition of “commercial driver's license” by deleting the reference to a “Class 1” license and reference to Sec. 14-36a, redefined “commercial motor vehicle” to exclude vehicles used “within one hundred fifty miles of a farm in connection with the operation of such farm” and recreational vehicles “in private use”, redefined “serious traffic violation” to add a new Subpara. (E) re accident resulting in death, redefined “service bus” to include “school bus” and added definition of “school bus”, renumbering previously existing Subdivs. of Subsec. (a) as necessary and made technical change in Subsec. (b), effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 95-79 amended Subsec. (a)(61) by redefining “person” to include a limited liability company, effective May 31, 1995; P.A. 95-314 amended Subsec. (a)(69) to provide that a “second” or “subsequent” violation is one committed within “three” years after date of arrest resulting in a previous conviction for the same offense, in lieu of 5 years, and to redefine term in the case of a violation of Sec. 14-215, 14-224 or 14-227a(a); P.A. 97-236 redefined “service bus” to require that school bus be “regularly used” to carry 8 or more persons, effective June 24, 1997; P.A. 99-268 redefined “motorcycle” in Subsec. (a)(46) to exclude a vehicle “designed to have” a completely enclosed driver's seat in lieu of a vehicle having a completely “or partially” enclosed driver's seat, redefined “serious traffic violation” in Subsec. (a)(71) by changing from a violation of “sections 14-230 to 14-237, inclusive” to a violation of “section 14-236” in Subpara. (D) and redefined “service bus” in Subsec. (a)(72) to increase the minimum number of persons such vehicle may carry from “eight or more persons” to “ten or more passengers”; P.A. 00-35 redefined “wrecker” in Subsec. (a)(91) to delete “exclusively” following “equipped and used” and to add “by a person, firm or corporation licensed in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (D) of part III of this chapter”; P.A. 00-99 replaced reference to sheriff and deputy sheriff in Subsec. (a)(53) with state marshal, effective December 1, 2000; P.A. 00-169 redefined “person” in Subsec. (a)(61) to include a business trust and revised effective date of P.A. 99-268 but without affecting this section; P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (a)(9) to add “rating”, substituted “place of residence” for “legal residence” and provide that such residence be occupied for more than six months in a year in Subdiv. (67), added new Subdiv. (91) re definition of “vehicle identification number” or “VIN”, redesignated existing Subdiv. (91) as Subdiv. (92) and made technical changes in Subdivs. (4), (17), (40), (53) and (55), effective July 1, 2002, and amended Subsec. (a)(40) to add “new” and replace “under section 14-12, who offers the motor vehicles” with “by the commissioner, for operation upon any highway, which are offered” in Subpara. (A) and to make a technical change in Subpara. (B) (Revisor's note: The reference in Subsec. (a)(92) to “subdivision (D)” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “subpart (D)” for clarity of reference); P.A. 03-265 redefined “passenger motor vehicle” in Subdiv. (59); P.A. 04-199 defined “pick-up truck”, made technical changes and renumbered subdivs. in Subsec. (a), effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-217 defined “activity vehicle”, “commercial driver's license information system”, “fatality”, “imminent hazard” and “National Driver Registry”, redefined “disqualification”, “school bus” and “serious traffic violation”, made technical changes and renumbered subdivs. in Subsec. (a), effective January 1, 2005; P.A. 05-218 amended Subsec. (a)(10) by substituting “twelve thousand five hundred” for “ten thousand” and amended Subsec. (a)(67) by deleting “and having a gross vehicle weight rating of less than ten thousand pounds” and, effective July 1, 2005, amended Subsec. (a)(3) by changing “twenty-five” to “twenty”, amended Subsec. (a)(44) by adding “except a utility trailer”, amended Subsec. (a)(47) by changing “twenty-five” to “twenty” and making a technical change, and added Subsec. (a)(99) defining “camp vehicle”; P.A. 06-130 amended Subsec. (a) by redefining “commercial motor vehicle” in Subdiv. (13), redefining “gross vehicle weight rating” in Subdiv. (32), redefining “hazardous materials” in Subdiv. (34), deleting former Subdiv. (46) re definition of “minibike or minicycle”, renumbering Subdivs. (47) to (50) as (46) to (49), inclusive, adding “mini-motorcycle” to definition of “motor vehicle” and renumbering it as Subdiv. (50), renumbering Subdivs. (52) to (97) as (51) to (96), inclusive, redefining “wrecker” and renumbering it as Subdiv. (97) and renumbering Subdiv. (99) as (98), effective June 2, 2006; P.A. 07-167 made technical changes in Subsec. (a)(13), (24) and (50), effective June 25, 2007, and deleted Subsec. (a) designator and former Subsec. (b) re definition of “public passenger transportation permit”, effective July 1, 2007; P.A. 08-150 redefined “camp trailer” in Subdiv. (8), added new Subdiv. (9) defining “camp trailer registration”, added new Subdiv. (18) defining “commercial trailer registration”, added new Subdiv. (52) defining “motor-driven cycle”, redefined “motorcycle” in existing Subdiv. (49) and renumbered said definition as new Subdiv. (54), redefined “resident” in existing Subdiv. (72) and renumbered said definition as new Subdiv. (76), added new Subdiv. (88) defining “student”, renumbered existing Subdiv. (98) defining “camp vehicle” as new Subdiv. (10) and renumbered remaining Subdivs. and internal references accordingly; P.A. 09-187 amended Subdiv. (53) to replace “bicycles with helper motors” with “motor-driven cycles” in definition of “motor vehicle”, Subdiv. (63) to redefine “out-of-service order”, Subdiv. (80)(A) to replace “Speeding in excess of fifteen miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit” with “Excessive speeding, involving a single offense in which the speed is fifteen miles per hour or more above the posted speed limit” in definition of “serious traffic violation”, and Subdiv. (98) to delete “with a manufacturer's GVWR of ten thousand pounds or less” in definition of “utility trailer”; P.A. 10-32 made a technical change in Subdiv. (53), effective May 10, 2010; P.A. 10-110 deleted former Subdiv. (1) re definition of “activity vehicle” and redesignated existing Subdivs. (2) to (102) as Subdivs. (1) to (101), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-213 changed effective date of P.A. 10-110, S. 37, from July 1, 2011, to July 1, 2012, and redefined “serious traffic violation” in Subdiv. (79) of section as amended by P.A. 10-110, effective July 1, 2011, and redefined “serious traffic violation” in Subdiv. (80) of present section, effective July 13, 2011; P.A. 12-81 added new Subdiv. (1) restoring definition of “activity vehicle”, redesignated existing Subdivs. (1) to (101) as Subdivs. (2) to (102) and made a technical change in Subdiv. (62), effective July 1, 2012 (Revisor's note: In Subdiv. (53), a reference to “subsection (i) of section 14-165” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “section 14-165” to conform with a change made to the prior version of section by P.A. 10-32, S. 46); P.A. 13-271 amended Subdiv. (52) to redefine “motor-driven cycle” by replacing reference to motor horsepower with reference to motor capacity, amended Subdiv. (63) to redefine “out-of-service order” by replacing provision re orders issued by police or motor vehicle inspector with provision re orders issued by persons having inspection authority, replacing reference to commercial motor vehicle with reference to motor vehicle specified in Sec. 14-163c(a) and making technical changes, and amended Subdiv. (80) to redefine “serious traffic violation” by adding provision re use of hand-held mobile telephone or other electronic device in Subpara. (E) and replacing “while operating a commercial motor vehicle” with “by an operator who holds a commercial driver's license or instruction permit” in Subpara. (I), effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 13-277 amended Subdiv. (40) to redefine “highway” by adding reference to dedicated roadway for bus rapid transit service, effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 14-130 added Subdiv. (103) defining “public passenger endorsement”, effective June 6, 2014; P.A. 15-46 added new Subdiv. (6) defining “autocycle”, redesignated existing Subdivs. (6) to (103) as Subdivs. (7) to (104), amended redesignated Subdiv. (53) to redefine “motor-driven cycle”, and amended redesignated Subdiv. (55) to redefine “motorcycle”, effective July 1, 2015; P.A. 16-55 redesignated existing Subdiv. (104) re public passenger endorsement as Subdiv. (74) and redesignated existing Subdivs. (74) to (103) as Subdivs. (75) to (104), effective May 31, 2016; P.A. 16-126 amended Subdiv. (79) by replacing reference to Sec. 14-227a(a) with reference to Sec. 14-227a and by adding reference to Sec. 14-227m; P.A. 17-202 amended Subdiv. (54) to replace “physically handicapped persons” with “persons with physical disabilities”; P.A. 18-165 added “sections 14-289k and 14-289l and this section” to introductory language, added new Subdiv. (13) defining “class 1 electric bicycle”, new Subdiv. (14) defining “class 2 electric bicycle” and new Subdiv. (15) defining “class 3 electric bicycle”, redesignated existing Subdivs. (13) to (27) as Subdivs. (16) to (30), added new Subdiv. (31) defining “electric bicycle”, redesignated existing Subdivs. (28) to (104) as (32) to (108), amended redesignated Subdiv. (57) redefining “motor-driven cycle”, redesignated Subdiv. (58) redefining “motor vehicle” and redesignated Subdiv. (59) redefining “motorcycle”, and made a conforming change; P.A. 19-119 amended Subdiv. (27) to make technical changes, effective July 1, 2019; P.A. 19-162 deleted “, sections 14-289k and 14-289l and this section” in introductory language, added new Subdiv. (32) defining “electric foot scooter”, redesignated existing Subdivs. (32) to (108) as Subdivs. (33) to (109), amended redesignated Subdiv. (39) to replace “shall not include” with “does not include”, amended redesignated Subdiv. (59) to add reference to electric foot scooters, amended redesignated Subdiv. (60) to add reference to electric foot scooter and made technical changes; P.A. 21-106 amended Subdiv. (5)(C) to replace reference to public service company or municipal department ambulance or emergency vehicle authorized by commissioner with reference to ambulance, effective June 30, 2021; P.A. 22-44 amended Subdiv. (6) redefining “autocycle”, effective October 1, 2022, and amended Subdiv. (38) to make a technical change, effective July 1, 2022; P.A. 22-58 amended Subdiv. (5)(C) to replace reference to ambulance with reference to authorized emergency medical services vehicle, effective May 23, 2022.

See Sec. 14-51 for definitions applicable with respect to dealers' and repairers' licenses.

See Sec. 14-68 for definitions applicable with respect to drivers' schools.

See Sec. 14-100(b) for definition of “safety glass”.

“Operation” defined. 90 C. 414; 96 C. 391. “Owner” defined. 92 C. 252; 100 C. 120; 104 C. 169. “Intersecting highway” defined. 101 C. 443. “Nonresident” defined. 107 C. 140. “Guest” defined. 108 C. 630. Cited. 114 C. 408. Defendant, who had seized wheel while instructing another, was “operator”. 119 C. 563. Cited. 124 C. 552; 131 C. 714; 139 C. 707; 141 C. 539. Former provision defining “parked vehicle” must be construed and interpreted together with Sec. 14-251. 142 C. 592. No distinction made between cars that are occupied and those that are not. 145 C. 141. Definition of “intersection” (former Subdiv. (18)) includes area embraced within prolongation of the lateral curb lines of two or more highways which join one another at an angle whether or not one such highway crosses the other. 152 C. 219. Where court rendered judgment on a stipulation of facts that portion of former Subdiv. (47) defining the phrase “ultimate consumer” is unconstitutional, held that judgment did not include any determination of validity of statute as it remained after definition was held invalid and the judgment was clearly inadequate in that it did not conform to the pleadings, issues and prayers for relief. Id., 645. Cited. 163 C. 369; 165 C. 422; 168 C. 587; 171 C. 255. Operation of a motor vehicle relates to the driving or movement of the vehicle itself or a circumstance resulting from movement of the vehicle; hydraulic hoist on a truck was not suitable for operation on a highway and was not a motor vehicle; the use of any mechanical or electrical device not an integral part of a motor vehicle not considered “operation of a motor vehicle”. 180 C. 469. Cited. 189 C. 354; Id., 550; 194 C. 129; 203 C. 45, 56; 215 C. 55; 221 C. 356; 223 C. 127. Motorcycles are not passenger motor vehicles within meaning of section. 239 C. 1.

Cited. 1 CA 517, 518; 2 CA 523; 3 CA 246; 7 CA 575; 8 CA 125; 9 CA 221; Id., 686; 10 CA 18; Id., 22; 25 CA 492; judgment reversed, see 222 C. 744; 30 CA 108; Id., 263; 41 CA 664. Analysis of vehicle eligibility for commercial registration. 69 CA 482. “Mobile home” as commonly understood does not encompass “motor homes”. 70 CA 86. A payloader is the same type of equipment as a bucket loader, as defined in Sec. 14-165, and therefore not a motor vehicle under this section or Sec. 31-293a. 156 CA 727.

Cited. 24 CS 365. Policy of motor vehicle department to register fork lifts indicates they are “suitable for operation on a highway”. 36 CS 101. Cited. Id., 586; 40 CS 156, 157; 41 CS 326. All-terrain vehicle qualifies for uninsured motorist coverage under the policy definition. 45 CS 144. Only purpose of golf cart exception is to allow the vehicle to be operated on highway for very limited purposes. 46 CS 24.

Definition of “used” car not restricted to former Subdiv. (55). 2 Conn. Cir. Ct. 90. Cited. Id., 662. Road maintained by the town qualifies as public highway within statutory definition of a “highway”. 3 Conn. Cir. Ct. 513. State is not limited to proving a vehicle a registered school bus by a certified copy of the registration prepared by Commissioner of Motor Vehicles; it could prove this element by such other evidence as it sees fit. 4 Conn. Cir. Ct. 5, 6. A standing machine affixed to and operated by the motor of a highway truck held a motor vehicle. Id., 116. A motorcycle is included in the overall definition of a motor vehicle for general application of the motor vehicle statutes. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 219. Cited. Id., 221.

Sec. 14-1a. “Authorized emergency vehicle” defined. Section 14-1a is repealed.

(1967, P.A. 832, S. 1; P.A. 84-429, S. 78.)

PART II

DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES

Sec. 14-2. Appointment of Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. There shall be a Commissioner of Motor Vehicles appointed in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-5 to 4-8, inclusive.

(1949 Rev., S. 2351.)

See Sec. 4-12 re removal of officers and commissioners for misconduct, incompetence or neglect of duty.

Annotations to former statute:

Failure of Senate to act on nomination did not create vacancy which Governor was authorized to fill; incumbent held over de jure. 132 C. 518. Cited. 133 C. 43; 136 C. 317.

Cited. 13 CS 343.

Sec. 14-3. Powers and duties of commissioner. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall enforce the provisions of the statutes concerning motor vehicles and the operators of such vehicles. The commissioner shall administer, coordinate and control the operations of the department and shall be responsible for the overall supervision and direction of all facilities and activities of the department. The commissioner shall have the authority to contract for such services, programs and facilities other than the purchase or lease of real property as may be necessary to carry out the commissioner's responsibilities under and for the orderly administration of this chapter and chapters 247 to 255, inclusive. The commissioner may retain and employ consultants and assistants on a contract or other basis for rendering professional, fiscal, engineering, technical or other assistance and advice. The commissioner may enter into one or more agreements with independent contractors authorizing such contractors to provide programs and services on behalf of the department, provided any such agreement shall specify that the contractor may charge the department's customer a reasonable service fee, as established by the commissioner, from which the contractor shall be compensated. The commissioner shall submit to the Governor an annual report of his official acts, as provided in section 4-60. Said commissioner shall keep a record of proceedings and orders pertaining to the matters under his jurisdiction and of all licenses and certificates granted, refused, suspended or revoked by the commissioner and of all reports sent to the commissioner's office. The commissioner shall furnish without charge, for official use only, certified copies of certificates and licenses and documents relating thereto to officials of the state or any municipality therein, to officials of any other state or to any court in this state. Any certified copy of any document or record of the commissioner, attested as a true copy by the commissioner, any deputy commissioner or chief of a division, shall be competent evidence in any court of this state of the facts therein contained.

(1949 Rev., S. 2352; September, 1957, P.A. 11, S. 13; P.A. 73-661, S. 1; P.A. 88-245, S. 2, 7; P.A. 96-180, S. 36, 166; P.A. 11-213, S. 4.)

History: P.A. 73-661 expanded duties of commissioner re administration of department, contracts and employment of personnel; P.A. 88-245 made minor change in wording; P.A. 96-180 substituted “The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles” for “Said commissioner”, effective June 3, 1996; P.A. 11-213 authorized commissioner to enter into agreements with independent contractors and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2011.

Statute will not provide alternative method of proving prior motor vehicle conviction. 151 C. 213. Commissioner was required to keep a record of previous warnings and violations as related to plaintiff and may act upon facts known to him even though they are not produced at the hearing. 165 C. 559. Cited. 225 C. 499.

Cited. 24 CS 364; 36 CS 586; 38 CS 384; 39 CS 381.

Cited. 2 Conn. Cir. Ct. 693; 3 Conn. Cir. Ct. 112; Id., 586.

Sec. 14-4. Findings and rulings of commissioner. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may, upon his initiative and after notice and hearing, make a finding of fact and issue a ruling thereon concerning any misfeasance or nonfeasance on the part of any officer for failure to enforce or for improperly enforcing any provision of this chapter relating to motor vehicles. Upon the presentation of such finding to him, the state's attorney of the judicial district wherein lies the jurisdiction of the accused shall apply to the superior court for said judicial district for a bench warrant for such accused. Such finding shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of official duty by the person named therein, and, upon conviction thereof, such officer shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars.

(1949 Rev., S. 2353; P.A. 78-280, S. 2, 127; P.A. 96-180, S. 37, 166.)

History: P.A. 78-280 substituted “judicial district” for “county”; P.A. 96-180 substituted “The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles” for “Said commissioner”, effective June 3, 1996.

Sec. 14-4a. Conduct of hearings and rendering of decisions. In any case where a hearing is required or authorized under the provisions of any statute dealing with the Department of Motor Vehicles such hearing may be conducted by and the decision rendered therein by the commissioner or by any person or persons designated by him.

(1971, P.A. 755, S. 4.)

History: (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).

Cited. 168 C. 587.

Cited. 39 CS 285; 40 CS 505; 42 CS 602.

Sec. 14-5. Branch offices. The commissioner shall have exclusive charge of the control and maintenance of the branch offices of the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the expense of leasing and maintaining the same shall be paid out of the appropriation for said department.

(1949 Rev., S. 2354.)

History: (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. 14-5a. Ansonia branch office. Section 14-5a is repealed.

(P.A. 80-444, S. 4, 6; P.A. 81-460, S. 3, 4.)

Sec. 14-5b. Discontinuation of branch offices. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall take steps to discontinue the operation and use of Department of Motor Vehicles branch offices to operate within the department's budget.

(P.A. 81-460, S. 2, 4.)

History: (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. 14-5c. Department closed or unable to perform transactions due to emergency or other reason. Extension of expiration date or period of validity of credentials issued by commissioner. In the case of any emergency situation described by the provisions of section 3-6a or 28-1 or any other reason for which the Department of Motor Vehicles is closed or is unable to perform transactions with the public in an effective or secure manner, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, with the approval of the Governor, may extend the expiration date or the period of validity of any registration, license, permit, certificate or other form or credential issued by said commissioner in accordance with any provision of the general statutes. In any such case in which the commissioner exercises the authority granted by this section, the commissioner shall take such actions, as said commissioner deems necessary or appropriate, to inform the public and all law enforcement agencies of the extension of such expiration date or period of validity.

(P.A. 08-150, S. 18.)

Sec. 14-6. Coordination of enforcement activities. The commissioner shall endeavor to coordinate motor vehicle enforcement throughout the state by calling conferences of officials and officers connected with enforcement, as may appear to him advantageous or desirable. He shall, whenever deemed advisable, bring to the attention of such officials and officers statistics in connection with enforcement and shall urge the desirability and necessity of uniformity. He shall endeavor to coordinate and unify volunteer effort for highway traffic safety and may, if he is so requested, initiate a program for uniform effort and may call upon such organizations as are working in the field of traffic safety to carry out the same.

(1949 Rev., S. 2355; P.A. 84-546, S. 38, 173.)

History: P.A. 84-546 made technical change, amending section to restore language inadvertently deleted.

Sec. 14-7. Deputy commissioners. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may, as provided in section 4-8, appoint not more than three deputy commissioners of motor vehicles, who shall, under the direction of the commissioner, assist in the administration of the business of the department, and, when so directed by said commissioner, shall hear and determine questions that may come before the department.

(1949 Rev., S. 2356; P.A. 88-245, S. 3, 7; P.A. 96-180, S. 38, 166.)

History: P.A. 88-245 authorized commissioner to appoint not more than three deputy commissioners, where previously limited to one; P.A. 96-180 substituted “The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles” for “Said commissioner”, effective June 3, 1996.

Section does not authorize delegation of the authority of deputy commissioner to any other assistant. 151 C. 679.

Sec. 14-8. Police authority of commissioner and inspectors. (a) The commissioner, each deputy commissioner and any salaried inspector of motor vehicles designated by the commissioner, when engaged in the discharge of the duties of his office, shall have, in any part of the state, the same authority to make arrests or issue citations for violation of any statute or regulation relating to motor vehicles and to enforce said statutes and regulations as policemen or state policemen have in their respective jurisdictions.

(b) The commissioner, each deputy commissioner and any salaried inspector of motor vehicles designated by the commissioner, when engaged in the discharge of the duties of his office, may issue a summons to any person to appear at any hearing before the commissioner which may result in the imposition of administrative sanctions. Any salaried inspector of motor vehicles designated by the commissioner, when engaged in the discharge of the duties of his office, shall have the same authority to declare a commercial motor vehicle and its driver out of service in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Federal Regulations Title 49, Sections 392.5 and 396.9, as from time to time amended, as policemen and state policemen have.

(c) Said commissioner shall issue to each such deputy commissioner or inspector credentials showing his authority of arrest, which credentials shall be carried upon the person of such deputy commissioner or inspector while in the discharge of his duties.

(1949 Rev., S. 2357; June, 1955, S. 1282d; P.A. 88-245, S. 4, 7; P.A. 89-199; P.A. 90-263, S. 57, 74; P.A. 93-341, S. 30, 38.)

History: P.A. 88-245 made a technical change; P.A. 89-199 divided the section into Subsecs., authorizing commissioner, deputy commissioner and inspector to issue citations for violations of any motor vehicle statute or regulation, and to issue a summons to compel attendance at administrative hearings, also authorized inspectors to declare a commercial motor vehicle out of service and required commissioner to issue credentials showing arrest authority to each deputy commissioner; P.A. 90-263 amended Subsec. (b) to delete reference to “commercial” motor vehicle; P.A. 93-341 amended Subsec. (b) to limit inspectors' authority to declare motor vehicles out of service to “commercial” vehicles and extended authority to the drivers of such vehicles, effective July 1, 1993.

Sec. 14-9. Oath of office. The commissioner and each deputy commissioner shall take the oath provided by law for public officers.

(1949 Rev., S. 2358; June, 1955, S. 1283d; P.A. 88-245, S. 5, 7.)

History: P.A. 88-245 made a technical change.

See Sec. 1-25 re forms of oaths.

Cited. 240 C. 10.

Sec. 14-9a. Criminal background checks for applicants for employment with department and certain department employees. Reassignment of employee with disqualifying criminal offense or condition. (a) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall, subject to the provisions of section 31-51i, require each external applicant for a position of employment with the department (1) to state whether the applicant has ever been convicted of a crime, to state whether criminal charges are pending against the applicant at the time of the application and, if so, to identify the charges and court in which they are pending, and (2) if offered employment with the department, to be fingerprinted and to submit to state and national criminal history records checks. The criminal history records checks required by this section shall be in accordance with section 29-17a.

(b) The Department of Motor Vehicles, subject to the provisions of section 31-51i and the standards set forth in 6 CFR Section 37.45, shall require each employee who is involved in the manufacture or production of drivers' licenses or identity cards or who has the ability to affect the identity information that appears on a driver's license or an identity card to submit to a background check that includes name-based and fingerprint-based criminal history records checks of federal and state repository records. Upon receipt of the criminal history record of any such employee, the department shall evaluate such record by applying the criteria set forth in 6 CFR Section 37.45(b)(1). The department shall not employ any such employee with a disqualifying criminal offense, as set forth in 6 CFR Section 37.45(b)(1)(i) or 37.45(b)(1)(ii), in a position described in this subsection, and shall not employ any such employee with a disqualifying condition, as set forth in 6 CFR Section 37.45(b)(1)(iii) or 37.45(b)(1)(iv), in such a position, until such condition is no longer applicable. The department shall reassign any such person to a different position in the department.

(c) In accordance with 49 CFR 384.228 and subject to the provisions of section 31-51i, the Department of Motor Vehicles shall require any person who is to be employed as a knowledge or skills test examiner for commercial driver's license applicants to submit to a nation-wide criminal background check prior to the department certifying such person to administer any such test. Each such background check shall include name-based and fingerprint-based criminal history records checks of federal and state repository records. The department shall maintain a record of the results of such criminal background checks and shall not certify any examiner to administer commercial driver's license tests who: (1) Was convicted of a felony within the past ten years; or (2) was convicted of any crime involving fraudulent activities.

(P.A. 07-167, S. 13; P.A. 10-110, S. 26; P.A. 13-271, S. 6.)

History: P.A. 10-110 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (b) re background check of employees involved in manufacture or production of licenses or identity cards and reassignment of employee with disqualifying criminal offense or condition; P.A. 13-271 added Subsec. (c) re background check of persons to be employed as knowledge or skills test examiners for commercial driver's license applicants.

Sec. 14-10. Definitions. Records. Disclosure of personal information and highly restricted personal information. Penalty. Regulations. (a) For the purposes of this section:

(1) “Disclose” means to engage in any practice or conduct to make available and make known, by any means of communication, personal information or highly restricted personal information contained in a motor vehicle record pertaining to an individual to any other individual, organization or entity;

(2) “Motor vehicle record” means any record that pertains to an operator's license, instruction permit, identity card, registration, certificate of title or any other document issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. “Motor vehicle record” does not include any record relating to vessels and certificates of title for vessels, as provided in section 15-210;

(3) “Personal information” means information that identifies an individual and includes an individual's photograph or computerized image, Social Security number, operator's license number, name, address other than the zip code, telephone number, electronic mail address, or medical or disability information, but does not include information on motor vehicle accidents or violations, or information relative to the status of an operator's license, registration or insurance coverage;

(4) “Highly restricted personal information” means an individual's photograph or computerized image, Social Security number or medical or disability information; and

(5) “Express consent” means an affirmative agreement given by the individual who is the subject of personal information that specifically grants permission to the department to release such information to the requesting party. Such agreement shall (A) be in writing or such other form as the commissioner may determine in regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, and (B) specify a procedure for the individual to withdraw such consent, as provided in regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.

(b) A number shall be assigned to each motor vehicle registration and operator's license and a record of all applications for motor vehicle registrations and operators' licenses issued shall be kept by the commissioner at the main office of the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(c) (1) All records of the Department of Motor Vehicles pertaining to the application for registration, and the registration, of motor vehicles of the current or previous three years shall be maintained by the commissioner at the main office of the department. Any such records over three years old may be destroyed at the discretion of the commissioner. (2) Before disclosing personal information pertaining to an applicant or registrant from such motor vehicle records or allowing the inspection of any such record containing such personal information in the course of any transaction conducted at such main office, the commissioner shall ascertain whether such disclosure is authorized under subsection (f) of this section, and require the person or entity making the request to (A) complete an application that shall be on a form prescribed by the commissioner, and (B) provide personal identification satisfactory to the commissioner. An attorney-at-law admitted to practice in this state may provide his or her juris number to the commissioner in lieu of the requirements of subparagraph (B) of this subdivision. The commissioner may disclose such personal information or permit the inspection of such record containing such information only if such disclosure is authorized under subsection (f) of this section.

(d) The commissioner may disclose personal information from a motor vehicle record pertaining to an operator's license or a driving history or permit the inspection or copying of any such record or history containing such information in the course of any transaction conducted at the main office of the department only if such disclosure is authorized under subsection (f) of this section. Any such records over five years old may be destroyed at the discretion of the commissioner.

(e) In the event (1) a federal court judge, federal court magistrate or judge of the Superior Court, Appellate Court or Supreme Court of the state, (2) a police officer, as defined in section 7-294a, or a member of the Division of State Police within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, (3) an employee of the Department of Correction, (4) an attorney-at-law who represents or has represented the state in a criminal prosecution, (5) a member or employee of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, (6) a judicial branch employee regularly engaged in court-ordered enforcement or investigatory activities, (7) an inspector employed by the Division of Criminal Justice, (8) a federal law enforcement officer who works and resides in this state, (9) a state referee under section 52-434, (10) a lake patrolman appointed pursuant to subsection (a) of section 7-151b engaged in boating law enforcement, or (11) a state marshal, submits a written request and furnishes such individual's business address to the commissioner, such business address only shall be disclosed or available for public inspection to the extent authorized by this section.

(f) The commissioner may disclose personal information from a motor vehicle record to:

(1) Any federal, state or local government agency in carrying out its functions or to any individual or entity acting on behalf of any such agency, or

(2) Any individual, organization or entity that signs and files with the commissioner, under penalty of false statement as provided in section 53a-157b, a statement on a form approved by the commissioner, together with such supporting documentation or information as the commissioner may require, that such information will be used for any of the following purposes:

(A) In connection with matters of motor vehicle or driver safety and theft, motor vehicle emissions, motor vehicle product alterations, recalls or advisories, performance monitoring of motor vehicles and dealers by motor vehicle manufacturers, motor vehicle market research activities including survey research, motor vehicle product and service communications and removal of nonowner records from the original owner records of motor vehicle manufacturers to implement the provisions of the federal Automobile Information Disclosure Act, 15 USC 1231 et seq., the Clean Air Act, 42 USC 7401 et seq., and 49 USC Chapters 301, 305 and 321 to 331, inclusive, as amended from time to time, and any provision of the general statutes enacted to attain compliance with said federal provisions;

(B) In the normal course of business by the requesting party, but only to confirm the accuracy of personal information submitted by the individual to the requesting party;

(C) In connection with any civil, criminal, administrative or arbitral proceeding in any court or government agency or before any self-regulatory body, including the service of process, an investigation in anticipation of litigation by an attorney-at-law or any individual acting on behalf of an attorney-at-law and the execution or enforcement of judgments and orders, or pursuant to an order of any court provided the requesting party is a party in interest to such proceeding;

(D) In connection with matters of motor vehicle or driver safety and theft, motor vehicle emissions, motor vehicle product alterations, recalls or advisories, performance monitoring of motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and dealers, producing statistical reports and removal of nonowner records from the original owner records of motor vehicle manufacturers, provided the personal information is not published, disclosed or used to contact individuals except as permitted under subparagraph (A) of this subdivision;

(E) By any insurer or insurance support organization or by a self-insured entity or its agents, employees or contractors, in connection with the investigation of claims arising under insurance policies, antifraud activities, rating or underwriting;

(F) In providing any notice required by law to owners or lienholders named in the certificate of title of towed, abandoned or impounded motor vehicles;

(G) By an employer or its agent or insurer to obtain or verify information relating to a holder of a passenger endorsement or commercial driver's license required under 49 USC Chapter 313, and sections 14-44 to 14-44m, inclusive;

(H) In connection with any lawful purpose of a labor organization, as defined in section 31-77, provided (i) such organization has entered into a contract with the commissioner, on such terms and conditions as the commissioner may require, and (ii) the information will be used only for the purposes specified in the contract other than campaign or political purposes;

(I) For bulk distribution for surveys, marketing or solicitations provided the commissioner has obtained the express consent of the individual to whom such personal information pertains;

(J) For the purpose of preventing fraud by verifying the accuracy of personal information contained in a motor vehicle record, including an individual's photograph or computerized image, as submitted by an individual to a legitimate business or an agent, employee or contractor of a legitimate business, provided the individual has provided express consent in accordance with subdivision (5) of subsection (a) of this section;

(K) Inclusion of personal information about persons who have indicated consent to become organ and tissue donors in a donor registry established by a procurement organization, as defined in section 19a-289a;

(L) By any private detective or private detective licensed in accordance with the provisions of chapter 534, in connection with an investigation involving matters concerning motor vehicles;

(M) By a state marshal, for use in the performance of duties under the provisions of section 6-38a. Such information may be requested by facsimile transmission, or by such other means as the commissioner may require, and shall be provided by facsimile transmission, or by such other means, within a reasonable time.

(g) Any person receiving personal information or highly restricted personal information from a motor vehicle record pursuant to subsection (f) of this section shall be entitled to use such information for any of the purposes set forth in said subsection for which such information may be disclosed by the commissioner. No such person may resell or redisclose the information for any purpose that is not set forth in subsection (f) of this section, or reasonably related to any such purpose.

(h) Notwithstanding any provision of this section, the disclosure of personal information from a motor vehicle record pursuant to subsection (f) of this section shall be subject to the provisions of section 14-50a concerning (1) the fees that shall be charged for copies of or information pertaining to motor vehicle records and (2) the authority of the commissioner to establish fees for information furnished on a volume basis in accordance with such terms and conditions regarding the use and distribution of such information as the commissioner may prescribe.

(i) Notwithstanding any provision of this section that restricts or prohibits the disclosure of personal information from a motor vehicle record, the commissioner may disclose personal information contained in any such record to any individual who is the subject of such personal information or to any person who certifies under penalty of false statement that such person has obtained the express consent of the subject of such personal information.

(j) Notwithstanding any provision of this section that permits the disclosure of personal information from a motor vehicle record, the commissioner may disclose highly restricted personal information contained in any such record only in accordance with the provisions of 18 USC 2721 et seq., as amended.

(k) Any person, including any officer, employee, agent or contractor of the Department of Motor Vehicles, who sells, transfers or otherwise discloses personal information or highly restricted personal information obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles for any purpose not authorized by the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

(l) The commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 to implement the provisions of this section.

(1949 Rev., S. 2359; P.A. 76-263, S. 2, 9; 76-402, S. 2, 3; P.A. 84-429, S. 2; P.A. 89-228; P.A. 90-230, S. 20, 101; P.A. 94-206, S. 1; P.A. 97-266, S. 1, 2; P.A. 99-77, S. 2; 99-232, S. 1; 99-268, S. 28; P.A. 00-169, S. 22, 33, 36; P.A. 02-70, S. 49; P.A. 03-265, S. 6, 7; P.A. 04-122, S. 2; 04-143, S. 17; 04-199, S. 28; 04-234, S. 2; 04-257, S. 115; P.A. 05-108, S. 3; P.A. 07-167, S. 6, 36; June Sp. Sess. 07-5, S. 30; P.A. 08-135, S. 1; 08-150, S. 3; P.A. 10-110, S. 28, 29; 10-123, S. 26; P.A. 11-48, S. 28; 11-51, S. 134; 11-213, S. 5; P.A. 12-81, S. 36; P.A. 14-63, S. 33; P.A. 22-26, S. 57.)

History: P.A. 76-263 removed operator's licenses from former provisions and removed provision re confidentiality of records and created new Subsecs. (b) and (c) re operator's licenses and confidentiality of records; P.A. 76-402 deleted Subsec. (c) re confidentiality of records; P.A. 84-429 added new Subsec. (a) re number assignments and records from Subsec. (a) of Sec. 14-42, relettered Subsecs. and made other technical changes; P.A. 89-228 added a new Subsec. (d), restricting public access to the residential address of a judge, magistrate or policeman; P.A. 90-230 made technical corrections to Subsec. (d); P.A. 94-206 added extensive provisions to Subsec. (b) concerning procedure for disclosure of motor vehicle department records, added provisions in Subsec. (c) detailing to whom operator license or driver history may be disclosed, added Subsec. (d)(3) and (4) and made some technical changes in order to conform the Subsec. to the revised language of the section, and added a new Subsec. (e) re inapplicability of section's provisions; (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. 97-266 inserted new language in Subsec. (a), defining “disclose”, “motor vehicle record”, “personal information” and “consent”; relettered former Subsec. (a) as (b) and added provision requiring notice re disclosure of personal information to be included on each form for issuance or renewal of registration, operator's license and identity card; relettered former Subsec. (b) as (c), deleted requirement in Subdiv. (1) that records re registration be open to public inspection at main office during office hours, substituting provision that such records be maintained by the commissioner at main office, restated provisions of Subdiv. (2), substituting “personal information” for name, address or registration number, requiring in the course of any transaction conducted at main office that commissioner ascertain whether individual who is the subject of request has elected to allow disclosure, eliminating requirement that commissioner mail notice of application to individual who is the subject of the request and make disclosure or permit inspection at least seven days after receipt of completed application, eliminating exemption from provisions of Subdiv. for federal, state or local agency, adding provision allowing commissioner to disclose personal information or permit inspection of such record only if individual who is the subject of the request has elected to allow disclosure and making technical changes; relettered former Subsec. (c) as (d) and restated provisions of Subsec., allowing commissioner to disclose personal information from a record re operator's license or driving history or permit inspection or copying in the course of any transaction conducted at main office only if individual who is the subject of the request has elected to allow disclosure, deleting Subdivs. (1) to (3), inclusive, and making technical changes; relettered former Subsec. (d) as (e), eliminating phrase “Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (b) and (c) of this section” and making a technical change; deleted former Subsec. (e), added Subsecs. (f) to (i), inclusive, re disclosure and use of personal information and added Subsec. (j), authorizing the adoption of regulations, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 99-77 added Subsec. (e)(5) permitting a member or employee of the Board of Parole to request that only his business address be disclosed or available for public inspection; P.A. 99-232 amended Subsec. (b) to delete requirement that not later than July 1, 1998, each form for issuance or renewal of a motor vehicle registration, operator's license or identity card contain the specified notice and consent form re disclosure of personal information and to delete such notice and consent form, amended Subsecs. (c) and (d) to substitute “such disclosure is authorized under subsection (f) of this section” for “the individual who is the subject of the request has elected to allow disclosure”, amended Subsec. (f) to delete language notwithstanding the provisions of Subsecs. (c) and (d), to delete reference to any person contracting with the department, and to amend Subdiv. (2)(D) to reference “motor vehicle product and service communications”, and throughout section made provisions gender neutral and substituted “that” for “which”; P.A. 99-268 added new Subsec. (i) prohibiting sale of photographs or computerized images on or before June 30, 2000, and relettered existing Subsecs. (i) and (j) as Subsecs. (j) and (k), respectively; P.A. 00-169 deleted the definition of “consent” in Subdiv. (a)(4) and replaced it with “express consent”, defined to mean “an affirmative agreement”, and required that such agreement be in writing, and prescribed the procedure for withdrawal of such consent, replaced the provision in Subdiv. (h)(I) that an individual be required to prohibit personal information from being distributed with a provision requiring an individual to give express consent for personal information to be distributed, added Subdiv. (h)(J) re prevention of fraud, deleted Subsec. (i) re prohibition on the sale of photographs or computerized images, relettered Subsecs. (j) and (k) as (i) and (j), respectively, and in Subsec. (i), required express consent from the subject of such personal information, effective June 1, 2000, and revised effective date of P.A. 99-268 but without affecting this section; P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (a)(1) to add “highly restricted personal information” within definition of “disclose”, added new Subdiv. (4) defining “highly restricted personal information” and redesignated existing Subdiv. (4) as Subdiv. (5), amended Subsec. (c)(2) to make a technical change for purposes of gender neutrality, added new Subsec. (j) authorizing commissioner to disclose highly restricted personal information contained in a motor vehicle record only in accordance with 18 USC 2721 et seq. and redesignated existing Subsec. (j) as Subsec. (k), effective June 3, 2002; P.A. 03-265 amended Subsec. (c)(2) to delete former Subpara. (C) re payment of fee to commissioner for disclosure of personal information from motor vehicle records, and, effective July 1, 2003, amended Subsec. (f)(2)(A) to change references to federal acts, amended Subsec. (f)(2)(C) to limit commissioner's disclosure of personal information from motor vehicle record in connection with investigation in anticipation of litigation to attorney-at-law or individual acting on behalf of attorney-at-law, amended Subsec. (f)(2)(G) to change reference to federal act, and made a technical change in Subsec. (f)(2)(J); P.A. 04-122 added Subsec. (f)(2)(K) allowing disclosure of personal information to procurement organizations; P.A. 04-143 made a technical change in Subsec. (f)(2)(A), effective May 21, 2004; P.A. 04-199 amended Subsec. (f)(2) to transfer “motor vehicle market research activities including survey research, motor vehicle product and service communications” from Subpara. (D) to Subpara. (A) and to include “producing statistical reports” in Subpara. (D), effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-234 replaced Board of Parole with Board of Pardons and Paroles in Subsec. (e)(5), effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-257 amended Subsec. (e)(5) to delete reference to an “employee” of the Board of Parole, effective June 14, 2004; P.A. 05-108 amended Subsec. (e)(5) to restore reference to an “employee” of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, effective June 7, 2005; P.A. 07-167 amended Subsec. (e) by adding Subdivs. (6) to (8) re business address of judicial branch employee regularly engaged in court-ordered enforcement or investigatory activities, federal law enforcement officer who works and resides in this state, and state referee and added Subsec. (f)(2)(L) re use of information by private detective in connection with investigation re motor vehicle matters; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-5 made technical changes in Subsec. (e)(8); P.A. 08-135 amended Subsec. (e) to add new Subdiv. (7) re inspector employed by Division of Criminal Justice and renumber existing Subdivs. (7) and (8) as new Subdivs. (8) and (9), effective June 5, 2008; P.A. 08-150 amended Subsec. (g) to make provisions applicable to the receipt of “highly restricted personal information”, limit the use of information for any of the purposes “for which such information may be disclosed by the commissioner” and add provision re prohibition on reselling or redisclosing information, added new Subsec. (k) re penalty for selling, transferring or otherwise disclosing information for unauthorized purpose, and redesignated existing Subsec. (k) as Subsec. (l); P.A. 10-110 amended Subsec. (e) to add Subdiv. (10) permitting lake patrolman engaged in boating law enforcement to request that only such patrolman's business address be disclosed or available for inspection and amended Subsec. (f)(2) by adding Subpara. (M) re disclosure of personal information from a motor vehicle record to a state marshal; P.A. 10-123 amended Subsec. (f)(2)(K) by replacing reference to Sec. 19a-279a with Sec. 19a-289a; P.A. 11-48 amended Subsec. (a)(3) by redefining “personal information” to include electronic mail address, effective July 1, 2011; pursuant to P.A. 11-51, “Department of Public Safety” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection” in Subsec. (e)(2), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-213 amended Subsec. (c)(2)(B) to replace requirement for 2 forms of acceptable identification with requirement for personal identification satisfactory to commissioner, and amended Subsec. (e)(2) to replace “member of a municipal police department” with “police officer, as defined in section 7-294a”, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (a)(2) to replace “learner's permit” with “instruction permit” in definition of “motor vehicle record”, effective January 1, 2013; P.A. 14-63 redefined “motor vehicle record” in Subsec. (a)(2), effective January 1, 2016; P.A. 22-26 amended Subsec. (e) to add Subdiv. (11) permitting a state marshal to request that only such marshal's business address be disclosed or available for inspection, effective July 1, 2022.

Cited. 240 C. 10.

Statute does not prohibit municipal tax assessor from disclosing information contained in records received from Department of Motor Vehicles or the motor vehicle grand lists compiled from such records; Freedom of Information Commission correctly concluded that assessor violated Sec. 1-210(a) by failing to provide complainant with access to requested motor vehicle grand lists. 47 CS 309.

Sec. 14-11. Employment of legal assistance. The commissioner may employ any attorney-at-law for assistance in the prosecution of cases and fix compensation for such services.

(1949 Rev., S. 2360.)

Sec. 14-11a. Exceptional issuance of certificates and licenses for law enforcement activities. Verification by Chief State's Attorney of statements on application for such certificates and licenses. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall not issue a registration certificate in a name other than that of the owner of the vehicle or issue an operator's license in a name other than that of the applicant for such license, except when the statements made on the application for such certificate or license have been verified by the office of the Chief State's Attorney and such certificate or license is issued for the purposes of law enforcement activities in accordance with regulations adopted by the commissioner pursuant to chapter 54. The office of the Chief State's Attorney shall establish and transmit to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to judiciary the proposed criteria to be used by the office of the Chief State's Attorney in such verification. Before such criteria shall be employed by the office of the Chief State's Attorney, said committee shall approve the same in writing. The commissioner is authorized to waive the fee for any registration certificate or operator's license issued in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(P.A. 74-117; P.A. 80-444, S. 2, 6; P.A. 08-150, S. 40.)

History: P.A. 80-444 required verification of statements on certificate or license application to be issued in name other than applicants by office of chief state's attorney and required approval of criteria for verification by judiciary committee; P.A. 08-150 added provision authorizing commissioner to waive fee.

Sec. 14-11b. Driver training program for persons with disabilities. (a) There shall be within the Department of Aging and Disability Services a unit for the purpose of evaluating and training persons with disabilities in the operation of motor vehicles. There shall be assigned to the driver training unit for persons with disabilities such staff as is necessary for the orderly administration of the driver training program for persons with disabilities. The personnel assigned to the driver training unit for persons with disabilities shall, while engaged in the evaluation or instruction of a person with disabilities, have the authority and immunities with respect to such activities as are granted under the general statutes to motor vehicle inspectors. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may permit a person whose license has been withdrawn as a result of a condition that makes such person eligible for evaluation and training under this section to operate a motor vehicle while accompanied by personnel assigned to the driver training unit for persons with disabilities. When a person with disabilities has successfully completed the driver training program for persons with disabilities, the Department of Aging and Disability Services shall certify such completion in writing to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and shall recommend any license restrictions or limitations to be placed on the license of such person. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may accept such certification in lieu of the driving skills portion of the examination prescribed under subsection (e) of section 14-36. If such person with disabilities has met all other requirements for obtaining a license, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue a license with such restrictions recommended by the Department of Aging and Disability Services.

(b) Any resident of this state who has a serious physical or mental disability which does not render the resident incapable of operating a motor vehicle and who must utilize special equipment in order to operate a motor vehicle and who cannot obtain instruction in the operation of a motor vehicle through any alternate program, including, but not limited to, other state, federal or privately operated drivers' schools shall be eligible for instruction under the Department of Aging and Disability Services driver training program for persons with disabilities.

(P.A. 76-283, S. 1, 2; P.A. 77-93; P.A. 11-44, S. 46; 11-61, S. 120; P.A. 12-81, S. 33; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 63; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 196; P.A. 19-157, S. 36.)

History: P.A. 77-93 added to requirements in Subsec. (b) for eligibility for instruction by motor vehicles department by specifying that person must be one who needs to use special equipment and cannot obtain instruction through alternate program; P.A. 11-44 changed program name from “handicapped driver training program” to “driver training program for persons with disabilities”, replaced “Department of Motor Vehicles” with “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” and made conforming and technical changes, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-61 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting provision re assignment of driver consultant for persons with disabilities to unit and deleting reference to driver consultant re authority and immunities, and amended Subsec. (b) by making a technical change, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (a) to delete reference to driver training unit personnel being engaged in “examination” of person with disabilities and add provisions requiring bureau to certify to commissioner successful completion of program by person with disabilities and recommend any license restrictions or limitations, authorizing commissioner to accept such certification in lieu of driving skills portion of examination and requiring commissioner to issue license with such restrictions as recommended by bureau if person has met all other license requirements, effective June 6, 2012; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 replaced “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” and “bureau” with “Department of Rehabilitation Services” and “department”, respectively, effective July 1, 2012; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provision re person with withdrawn license may operate a motor vehicle while accompanied by driver training unit personnel and making technical changes, effective June 30, 2015; P.A. 19-157 replaced “Department of Rehabilitation Services” with “Department of Aging and Disability Services”.

Sec. 14-11c. Motor Carrier Advisory Council. Members. Duties. (a) There is established a Motor Carrier Advisory Council, which shall serve as a forum for representatives of the motor carrier industry to meet with representatives of various state agencies responsible for the oversight, enforcement and regulation of the commercial transportation industry. The council shall: (1) Make recommendations to eliminate the duplication of work among various state agencies; (2) make recommendations to promote uniformity of enforcement policies; (3) encourage the consolidation of the state's efforts to regulate and oversee the operation of commercial motor vehicles in the state by reviewing the feasibility of consolidating the issuing of the forms, decals, permits, registrations, licenses and approvals required for the operation of commercial motor vehicles in the state from a central location; (4) consider the intrastate and interstate effects of state policies on the ability of Connecticut motor carriers to compete with motor carriers based in other states; and (5) consider and make recommendations concerning any other matter deemed relevant by the council.

(b) The Motor Carrier Advisory Council shall consist of the following voting members: The Commissioners of Transportation, Motor Vehicles, Emergency Services and Public Protection, Revenue Services, Economic and Community Development and Energy and Environmental Protection, or their designees, and any other commissioner of a state agency, or such commissioner's designee, invited to participate. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or the commissioner's designee shall organize and serve as chairperson of the council. The council shall only make recommendations or take actions by a unanimous vote of all members present and voting. The council may make recommendations as the council deems appropriate to the United States Congress, the Governor or the General Assembly.

(c) The chairperson of the council shall convene a regular meeting semiannually, for the following purposes: (1) After the commencement of each regular session of the General Assembly, the council shall meet concerning legislative proposals of the various state agencies and the representatives of the motor carrier industry; and (2) after the close of each regular session of the General Assembly, the council shall meet concerning the impacts and implementation of any legislation affecting the motor carrier industry. Additional meetings may be convened at the call of the chairperson.

(d) The council shall solicit input from representatives of motor-carrier-related industries. Such representatives shall include, but not be limited to, the Connecticut Motor Transport Association, the Connecticut Construction Industries Association, the Connecticut Bus Association, the Connecticut Food Store Association and the Connecticut School Transportation Association.

(P.A. 92-136, S. 1; P.A. 08-150, S. 41; P.A. 10-110, S. 42; P.A. 21-106, S. 3.)

History: (Revisor's note: In 2003 the reference in Subsec. (b) to Commissioner of “Economic Development” was changed editorially by the Revisors to refer to Commissioner of “Economic and Community Development” for accuracy); P.A. 08-150 amended Subsec. (b) to make technical changes and amended Subsec. (c) to revise provisions re required semiannual meeting and purposes and re additional meetings at the call of the chairperson, and to make technical changes, effective July 1, 2008; P.A. 10-110 amended Subsec. (c)(1) to replace “Prior to” with “After” re commencement of regular session, effective June 5, 2010; P.A. 21-106 amended Subsec. (b) to replace “Public Safety” with “Emergency Services and Public Protection” and change “Environmental Protection” to “Energy and Environmental Protection”, effective July 1, 2021.

Sec. 14-11d. Annual safety inspection program for fire department apparatus. (a) The Department of Motor Vehicles, within available appropriations, shall establish an annual safety inspection program for fire department apparatus.

(b) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section.

(P.A. 00-202.)

Sec. 14-11e. Annual report re appointments scheduled and transactions available and conducted on department's Internet web site. On or before February 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation. Such annual report shall include the following information from the preceding year: (1) The average amount of time a person spends at the Department of Motor Vehicles for an appointment that was scheduled on the department's Internet web site, (2) a list of the transactions that were available to be conducted by scheduling an appointment on the department's Internet web site, (3) a list of the transactions that were available to be conducted on the department's Internet web site, (4) the number of transactions conducted on the department's Internet web site, and (5) a summary of the department's efforts to increase the types of transactions available to be conducted on the department's Internet web site.

(P.A. 16-55, S. 23; P.A. 21-106, S. 48; P.A. 22-44, S. 36.)

History: P.A. 16-55 effective May 31, 2016; P.A. 21-106 amended Subsec. (a) to delete Subsec. designator, replace reference to January 15, 2017 with reference to February 1, 2022, replace “Department” with “Commissioner” and “the Department of Motor Vehicles” with “transportation”, replace former Subdivs. (1) to (3) re goals included in annual report with new Subdivs. (1) to (5) re information re appointments scheduled and transactions available and conducted on department's Internet web site included in annual report, and delete provision re hearing, and delete former Subsec. (b) re monthly reports, effective June 30, 2021; P.A. 22-44 replaced reference to February 1, 2022, with reference to February 1, 2023, and amended Subdiv. (1) to replace provision re number of days between date a person scheduled an appointment on department's Internet web site and date of appointment with provision re amount of time person spends at department for appointment scheduled on department's Internet web site, effective July 1, 2022.

Secs. 14-11f to 14-11h. Reserved for future use.

Sec. 14-11i. Payment of fees by credit card. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may allow the payment of any fee specified in this chapter or chapter 247 by means of a credit card and shall charge each payor a service fee for any payment made by means of a credit card. The fee shall not exceed any charge by the credit card issuer or by its authorized agent, including any discount rate. Payments by credit card shall be made under such conditions as the commissioner may prescribe, except that the commissioner shall determine the rate or amount of the service fee for any such credit card in accordance with subsection (c) of section 1-1j. Such service fee may be waived by the commissioner for a category of fee if such waiver has been approved by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management pursuant to subsection (b) of section 1-1j. If any charge with respect to payment of a fee by means of a credit card is not authorized by such issuer or its authorized agent, the commissioner shall assess the payor the fee specified in subsection (f) of section 14-50.

(P.A. 97-236, S. 20, 27; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2, S. 440.)

History: P.A. 97-236 effective June 24, 1997; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-2 amended section to add provision re charging a service fee, add provision re rate or amount of service fee and waiver approval, and make technical changes, effective July 1, 2022.

Sec. 14-11j. Blue envelopes for persons with autism spectrum disorder. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, in consultation with the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association and at least one organization that advocates for persons with autism spectrum disorder, shall design and make available blue envelopes that (1) provide written information and guidance on the outside of the envelopes regarding ways to enhance effective communication between a police officer and a person with autism spectrum disorder, and (2) are capable of holding a person's motor vehicle operator's license, registration and insurance identification card. On and after January 1, 2020, upon request by a person with autism spectrum disorder or, if such person is a minor, such person's parent or guardian, the commissioner shall provide a blue envelope designed pursuant to this section to such person, parent or guardian.

(P.A. 19-161, S. 39; P.A. 21-40, S. 14.)

History: P.A. 19-161 effective July 12, 2019; P.A. 21-40 made a technical change.

Sec. 14-11k. Waiver of fee for license or identity card renewal or duplication for veterans at certain event. (a) As used in this section, “veteran” means a veteran, as defined in section 14-36h, who has verification from the Department of Veteran Affairs that such person or member is a veteran.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of section 1-1h, subsection (a) of section 14-41 and subsection (a) of section 14-50a concerning fees, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may waive the fee for a motor vehicle operator's license or an identity card renewal or duplication for any applicant who is a veteran while attending a one-day event that offers services, supplies or assistance to veterans and is hosted by the Department of Veteran Affairs.

(P.A. 21-106, S. 50.)

History: P.A. 21-106 effective June 30, 2021.

PART III*

REGISTRATION AND LICENSES

*For decisions construing former statute which denied recovery of damages in a negligence action involving an improperly registered car or a car operated by an unlicensed operator, see: Plaintiff owner must allege and prove that the car was registered and its operator licensed. 96 C. 393. The act bars the owner from recovering, but not the operator, though unlicensed; 97 C. 147; nor a passenger. 100 C. 122; 103 C. 35. The carrying of improper markers does not make the car “unregistered”, nor bar its owner from recovery; 97 C. 579; nor is an operator “unlicensed” because he neglected to carry; 93 C. 457; or to endorse, his license. 104 C. 487. A car is unregistered if the title has been transferred and the registration not changed; 100 C. 114; or if it is registered under a false name. 90 C. 412. A conditional vendee; 92 C. 254; or a mortgagee of the car can register it, and recover as owner for injury to it. 104 C. 169. A car parked at the curb during a stop in the course of a trip is in “operation”; 90 C. 414; but not a disabled car being towed. 96 C. 391. Whether registration is invalidated by failure of the owner to register his trade name, quaere. 106 C. 258. A resident of this state, driving her own car registered only in Massachusetts, cannot recover for an injury. 107 C. 142. That the licensed operator was under age does not ipso facto make him an “unlicensed person”. 107 C. 213. As to one operating under instruction, see 107 C. 478. The owner of an unregistered vehicle may now recover damages for a tortious injury. 82 C. 661; 96 C. 666.

(A)*

REGISTRATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

*See Sec. 20-427a re commissioner's duty to deny registration for commercial motor vehicle of contractor who is in violation of provisions of Sec. 20-420 or 20-432.

Sec. 14-12. Motor vehicle registration. Application. Issuance by dealers. Misrepresentation. Registration number and certificate. Requirements for registration. Regulations. Temporary registration. Number of registered electric vehicles. (a) No motor vehicle shall be operated, towed or parked on any highway, except as otherwise expressly provided, unless it is registered with the commissioner, provided any motor vehicle may be towed for repairs or necessary work if it bears the number plates of a licensed and registered dealer, manufacturer or repairer and provided any motor vehicle which is validly registered in another state may, for a period of ninety days following establishment by the owner of residence in this state, be operated on any highway without first being registered with the commissioner. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, (1) a person commits an infraction if such person (A) registers a motor vehicle he or she does not own, or (B) operates, allows the operation of, parks or allows the parking of an unregistered motor vehicle on any highway, or (2) a resident of this state who operates or parks a motor vehicle such resident owns with number plates issued by another state on any highway shall be fined two hundred fifty dollars, except that the fine shall be suspended for a first time violator who presents proof of registration for the motor vehicle subsequent to the violation but prior to the imposition of a fine. If the owner of a motor vehicle previously registered with the commissioner, the registration of which expired not more than thirty days previously, operates, allows the operation of, parks or allows that parking of such a motor vehicle, such owner shall be fined the amount designated for the infraction of failure to renew a registration, but the right to retain his or her operator's license shall not be affected. No operator other than the owner shall be subject to penalty for the operation or parking of such a previously registered motor vehicle. As used in this subsection, the term “unregistered motor vehicle” includes any vehicle that is not eligible for registration by the commissioner due to the absence of necessary equipment or other characteristics of the vehicle that make it unsuitable for highway operation, unless the operation of such vehicle is expressly permitted by another provision of this chapter or chapter 248.

(b) To obtain a motor vehicle registration, except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the owner shall submit to the commissioner an application signed by such owner and containing such information and proof of ownership as the commissioner may require. The application shall be made in such form and contain such provisions and information as the commissioner may determine.

(c) (1) The commissioner may, for the more efficient administration of the commissioner's duties, appoint licensed dealers meeting qualifications established by the commissioner pursuant to regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to (A) issue new registrations for passenger motor vehicles, motorcycles, campers, camp trailers, commercial trailers, service buses, school buses, trucks or other vehicle types as determined by the commissioner, and (B) renew such registrations for such vehicle types. A person registering or renewing the registration of a motor vehicle or other vehicle type as determined by the commissioner from a dealer so appointed shall file an application with the dealer and pay, to the dealer, the registration fee in accordance with the provisions of section 14-49 and any other applicable fees. The commissioner may authorize such dealer to retain a service fee paid by the person registering or renewing the registration of a motor vehicle under this subsection. The commissioner shall establish the maximum service fee that such dealer may charge and prescribe the time and manner in which the application and fees, other than the service fee, shall be transmitted to the commissioner.

(2) The commissioner shall permit a licensed dealer appointed pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection to electronically register a motor vehicle that has a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of twenty-six thousand pounds and is used or operated in intrastate commerce. Such dealer shall pay all applicable registration and title fees for each such registration.

(d) A motor vehicle registration certificate issued upon an application containing any material false statement is void from the date of its issue and shall be surrendered, upon demand, with any number plate or plates, to the commissioner. Any money paid for the registration certificate shall be forfeited to the state. No person shall obtain or attempt to obtain any registration for another by misrepresentation or impersonation and any registration so obtained shall be void. The commissioner may require each applicant for a motor vehicle registration to furnish personal identification satisfactory to the commissioner and may require any applicant who has established residence in this state for more than thirty days to obtain a motor vehicle operator's license, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of section 14-36, or an identification card issued pursuant to section 1-1h. Any person who violates any provision of this subsection and any person who fails to surrender a falsely obtained motor vehicle registration or number plate or plates upon the demand of the commissioner shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars.

(e) The commissioner may register any motor vehicle under the provisions of this chapter, may assign a distinguishing registration number to the registered motor vehicle and may then issue a certificate of registration to the owner. A certificate of registration shall contain the registration number assigned to the motor vehicle and its vehicle identification number and shall be in such form and contain such further information as the commissioner determines.

(f) (1) The commissioner may refuse to register or issue a certificate of title for a motor vehicle or class of motor vehicles if the commissioner determines that the characteristics of the motor vehicle or class of motor vehicles make it unsafe for highway operation. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this subsection and the provisions of subsection (h) of this section.

(2) The commissioner shall not register a motor vehicle if the commissioner knows that the motor vehicle's equipment fails to comply with the provisions of this chapter, provided nothing contained in this section shall preclude the commissioner from issuing one or more temporary registrations for a motor vehicle not previously registered in this state or from issuing a temporary registration for a motor vehicle under a trade name without a certified copy of the notice required by section 35-1.

(3) The commissioner shall not register any motor vehicle, except a platform truck the motive power of which is electricity, or a tractor equipped with solid tires, if it is not equipped with lighting devices as prescribed by this chapter. The registration of any motor vehicle which is not equipped with such prescribed lighting devices is void and money paid for the registration shall be forfeited to the state. Nothing in this subdivision shall prevent the commissioner, at the commissioner's discretion, from registering a motor vehicle not equipped with certain lighting devices if the operation of the vehicle is restricted to daylight use.

(4) The commissioner shall not register any motor vehicle or a combination of a motor vehicle and a trailer or semitrailer that exceeds the limits specified in section 14-267a.

(5) No motor vehicle registration shall be issued by the commissioner for any motorcycle unless the application for registration is accompanied by sufficient proof, as determined by the commissioner, that the motorcycle is insured for the amounts required by section 14-289f.

(6) The commissioner shall not register any motor vehicle which is subject to the federal heavy vehicle use tax imposed under Section 4481 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended, if the applicant fails to furnish proof of payment of such tax, in a form prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States.

(g) The commissioner may elect not to register any motor vehicle which is ten or more model years old and which has not been previously registered in this state until the same has been presented, as directed by the commissioner, at the main office or a branch office of the Department of Motor Vehicles or to any designated official emissions inspection station or other business or firm, authorized by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to conduct safety inspections, and has passed the inspection as to its safety features as required by the commissioner. When a motor vehicle owned by a resident of this state is garaged in another jurisdiction and cannot be conveniently presented at an office of the Department of Motor Vehicles, an authorized emissions inspection station or other facility, the commissioner may accept an inspection made by authorities in such other jurisdiction or by appropriate military authorities, provided the commissioner determines that such inspection is comparable to that conducted by the Department of Motor Vehicles. If the commissioner authorizes the contractor that operates the system of official emissions inspection stations or other business or firm to conduct the safety inspections required by this subsection, the commissioner may authorize the contractor or other business or firm to charge a fee, not to exceed fifteen dollars, for each such inspection. The commissioner may authorize any motor vehicle dealer or repairer, licensed in accordance with section 14-52 and meeting qualifications established by the commissioner, to perform an inspection required by this section or to make repairs to any motor vehicle that has failed an initial safety inspection and to certify to the commissioner that the motor vehicle is in compliance with the safety and equipment standards for registration. No such authorized dealer or repairer shall charge any additional fee to make such certification to the commissioner. If the commissioner authorizes any such dealer or repairer to conduct safety inspections, such licensee may provide written certification to the commissioner, in such form and manner as the commissioner prescribes, as to compliance of any motor vehicle in its inventory with safety and equipment standards and such certification may be accepted by the commissioner as meeting the inspection requirements of this subsection.

(h) The commissioner shall not register any motor vehicle unless it meets the equipment related registration requirements contained in sections 14-80, 14-100, 14-100a, 14-100b, 14-106a and 14-275.

(i) The commissioner or any city, town, borough or other taxing district authorized under subsection (f) of section 14-33 may issue a temporary registration to the owner of a motor vehicle. The application for a temporary registration shall conform to the provisions of this section. A temporary registration may be issued for a period of time determined by the commissioner and may be renewed from time to time at the discretion of the commissioner. The fee for a temporary registration or any renewal thereof shall be as provided in subsection (n) of section 14-49.

(j) The commissioner may issue a special use registration to the owner of a motor vehicle for a period not to exceed thirty days for the sole purpose of driving such vehicle to another state in which the vehicle is to be registered and exclusively used. The application for such registration shall conform to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section. The commissioner may issue special use certificates and plates in such form as the commissioner may determine. The special use certificate shall state such limitation on the operation of such vehicle and shall be carried in the vehicle at all times when it is being operated on any highway.

(k) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a), (b) and (e) of this section, the commissioner shall issue to a municipality, as defined in section 7-245, or a regional solid waste authority comprised of several municipalities, upon receipt of an application by the municipality or regional solid waste authority, a general distinguishing number plate for use on a motor vehicle owned or leased by such municipality or regional solid waste authority.

(l) Not later than January 1, 2018, the Department of Motor Vehicles shall record the number of electric vehicles, as defined in section 16-19eee, registered in the state. This data shall be publicly available on the department's Internet web site and shall include (1) the number of electric vehicles registered in the state each year, and (2) the total number of electric vehicles registered in the state. The department shall update this information every six months.

(1949 Rev., S. 2361; 1957, P.A. 190; 1961, P.A. 233, S. 1; 581, S. 1; 1963, P.A. 520; 550, S. 1; 1967, P.A. 205; 858; 1969, P.A. 701, S. 1; 1971, P.A. 535; 1972, P.A. 284; P.A. 73-134; P.A. 75-577, S. 11, 126; P.A. 79-188, S. 4, 10; P.A. 83-489, S. 1, 17; P.A. 84-254, S. 22, 62; 84-291, S. 2; 84-429, S. 3; P.A. 85-128; 85-181; 85-214; 85-613, S. 145, 154; P.A. 86-157, S. 1; P.A. 88-270, S. 5, 8; P.A. 89-211, S. 27; P.A. 91-355, S. 2; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-13, S. 4, 21; P.A. 93-341, S. 2; P.A. 94-189, S. 2; P.A. 95-260, S. 16, 24; P.A. 98-33, S. 1; P.A. 99-287, S. 1, 9; P.A. 00-169, S. 1; P.A. 01-24, S. 2, 5; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 52, 131; P.A. 02-70, S. 70, 71; P.A. 04-199, S. 26; P.A. 05-218, S. 4; P.A. 08-150, S. 4; P.A. 09-187, S. 12; P.A. 11-6, S. 112; 11-48, S. 25; 11-213, S. 6; P.A. 12-81, S. 1; P.A. 16-135, S. 2; P.A. 17-79, S. 22, 24; P.A. 19-165, S. 12; P.A. 21-106, S. 30.)

History: 1961 acts amended provision prohibiting registration of vehicle exceeding limits in Sec. 14-268, previous section having read “the sum of the light weight and carrying capacity of which exceeds,” increased the inspection fee in the last sentence from $1 and deleted provision re not registering a vehicle previously reported as sold for junk and requiring maintenance of records of such sales for 2 years; 1963 acts added provisions re operation of vehicle registered in another state for 60 days and providing for operation where registration expired less than 30 days prior to operation on highway; 1967 acts added provision allowing commissioner to issue temporary 10-day registration without regard to inspection requirements, substituted “is” for “was” in provision re vehicles registered in another state and specified that vehicle “which has been registered on an annual basis” is allowed 30-day grace period; 1969 act added provision allowing temporary registration for motor vehicles not previously registered in state and allowed issuance of more than one temporary registration; 1971 act added provision allowing commissioner to refuse registration or title for motor vehicle or class of vehicles when he determines the vehicle or class to be unsafe for highway operation; 1972 act added Subsec. (b) re issuance of new registrations by motor vehicle dealers; P.A. 73-134 specified that proof of ownership necessary for registration, and added provision allowing acceptance of inspection made in another jurisdiction or by military authorities in certain instances; P.A. 75-577 replaced provisions re fines for violation of registration procedures with references to commission of infraction and payment of amount not specified; P.A. 79-188 substituted Sec. 14-267a for reference to repealed Sec. 14-268; P.A. 83-489 amended Subsec. (a) to increase inspection fee from $2 to $7; P.A. 84-254 amended Subsec. (a) (now Subsec. (g)) to periodically increase the existing $7 motor vehicle safety features inspection fee to $25 as of July 1, 1993; P.A. 84-291 amended Subsec. (a) (now Subsec. (f)) to prohibit the issuance of a motorcycle registration without proof of liability insurance, which provision was editorially designated as Subdiv. (5) of Subsec. (f) in keeping with the technical revision of the section under P.A. 84-429; P.A. 84-429 relettered Subsecs., rephrased provisions, transferred provision concerning certificates of title to Sec. 14-16(f), added provisions re applications to Subsec. (b) from Sec. 14-42(a), added provisions re false statements to Subsec. (d) from Sec. 14-43, added provisions re registration certificates to Subsec. (e) from Sec. 14-13(a), added provisions re temporary registrations to Subsec. (i) from Sec. 14-13(c), and made other technical changes; P.A. 85-128 added Subsec. (f)(6), requiring commissioner not to register any vehicle subject to the federal heavy vehicle use tax if applicant fails to furnish proof of tax payment; P.A. 85-181 added Subsec. (j), permitting the issuance of municipal license plates for use on vehicles owned or leased by municipalities; P.A. 85-214 amended Subsec. (c) to permit commissioner to appoint licensed dealers to issue new registrations for motorcycles when sold; P.A. 85-613 amended Subsec. (j) by changing “may issue” to “shall issue” and adding “as defined in section 7-245, upon receipt of an application by the municipality”; P.A. 86-157 inserted new Subsec. (j), authorizing the issuance of special use registrations, relettering former Subsec. accordingly; P.A. 88-270 amended Subsec. (e) to require the registration certificate to contain the vehicle identification number; P.A. 89-211 clarified reference to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; P.A. 91-355 amended Subsec. (g) to provide for conduct of inspections at authorized official emissions inspection stations and to require inspection fees collected at such inspection stations to be deposited in separate safety inspection account within emissions inspection fund; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-13 added fee for each book of twenty-five new dealer issue forms; P.A. 93-341 amended Subsec. (k) to apply provisions to regional solid waste authorities comprised of several municipalities; P.A. 94-189 amended Subsec. (g) by adding to the exception “a motor vehicle which has affixed to it a current, valid safety inspection decal issued by any other state that conducts a safety inspection program which meets the approval of the commissioner” and deleting obsolete inspection fee schedule of increases; P.A. 95-260 amended Subsec. (g) to provide for conduct of safety inspections at other facilities authorized by commissioner, effective June 13, 1995; P.A. 98-33 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing “repairman” with “repairer” and establishing a fine of not less than $150 nor more than $300 for a resident of this state operating a motor vehicle he owns with marker plates issued by another state; P.A. 99-287 amended Subsec. (g) by limiting motor vehicles required to have safety inspections prior to registration to those 10 or more model years old and deleting provisions re new motor vehicles or motor vehicles with a valid safety inspection decal, by deleting provision re presenting motor vehicle during business hours and adding provision re presenting same as directed by the commissioner, by allowing a “designated” official emissions inspection station or other “business or firm, except a licensee of the department”, to conduct safety inspections, by deleting provision requiring a $25 fee to be charged for a safety inspection and deposited into a safety inspection account within the Emissions Inspection Fund, by adding provisions re authorization of entities to conduct safety inspections, charge an inspection fee and repair vehicles failing such inspections, and by making technical changes, effective July 1, 1999; P.A. 00-169 amended Subsec. (c) to allow licensed dealers to issue new registrations for campers, camp trailers or trucks with a gross vehicle weight up to and including 26,000 pounds and made technical changes for the purposes of gender neutrality; P.A. 01-24 amended Subsec. (g) by changing “shall not” to “may elect not to” re registration of motor vehicles which are 10 or more model years old and which have not been previously registered in this state, deleting provision authorizing a licensee of the department to conduct safety inspections on such motor vehicles, allowing certain motor vehicle dealers and repairers to perform inspections required by section, deleting provision re the commissioner's issuing temporary registrations without regard to the inspection requirements of the general statutes, and adding provision re licensee's submission of written certification of compliance of any motor vehicle in its inventory with safety and equipment standards, effective May 15, 2001; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9 amended Subsec. (c) to increase the fee for a new dealer issue form from $10 for a book of 25 to $10 for each form, effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (f)(5) to eliminate requirement that proof of insurance be submitted for renewal of a motorcycle registration and amended Subsec. (f)(6) to make a technical change and substitute Internal Revenue Code of “1954” for “1986”, effective July 1, 2002; P.A. 04-199 amended Subsec. (i) to eliminate provision permitting commissioner to require deposit from applicant for temporary registration, to permit temporary registration to be issued for time determined by commissioner and to establish fee for temporary registration or renewal as provided in Sec. 14-49(n), effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 05-218 amended Subsec. (d) by adding provision authorizing commissioner to require identification for applicant for registration and resident in state for 30 days to obtain an operator's license or identification card, effective July 1, 2005; P.A. 08-150 amended Subsec. (a) to add definition of “unregistered motor vehicle”; P.A. 09-187 amended Subsec. (f)(1) to authorize adoption of regulations for purposes of Subsecs. (f) and (h), effective July 8, 2009; P.A. 11-6 amended Subsec. (a) to make technical changes and, in Subdiv. (2), to increase fine from not less than $150 or more than $300 to $1,000, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-48 amended Subsec. (i) by adding provision re issuance of temporary registration by authorized city, town, borough or other taxing district, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-213 amended Subsec. (c) to include issuance of registration for commercial trailers, service buses and school buses, require vehicles to be sold by licensed dealer, delete gross vehicle weight limit of 26,000 pounds and make technical changes, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (c) to authorize licensed dealers to issue new registrations for “other vehicle types as determined by the commissioner” and make conforming changes, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 16-135 added Subsec. (l) re number of registered electric vehicles, effective July 1, 2016; P.A. 17-79 amended Subsec. (a) to add provisions re parked motor vehicles, designate existing provisions re infraction as Subparas. (A) and (B) in Subdiv. (1), and make technical and conforming changes; P.A. 17-79 amended Subsec. (c) to make a technical change; P.A. 19-165 amended Subsec. (a) to replace “on an annual or biennial basis” with “with the commissioner”, effective January 1, 2020; P.A. 21-106 amended Subsec. (a) to replace 60 days with 90 days re period following establishment of residency, to decrease fine from $1,000 to $250, and to add provision re suspension of fine for first time violator in Subdiv. (2), amended Subsec. (c) to designate existing provisions as Subdiv. (1) and amended same to add Subpara. (A) designator and delete provision re $10 fee, to add Subpara. (B) re renewal of registrations, to add provision re service fee, and to add Subdiv. (2) re electronic registration of motor vehicle with gross vehicle weight rating in excess of 26,000 pounds, amended Subsec. (f)(5) to delete “On or after October 1, 1984, no” and made technical and conforming changes.

See chapter 368d re emergency medical services.

See Sec. 12-430 re required proof of paid-up taxes as condition for registration of vehicles.

See Secs. 14-12b, 14-12c re insurance requirements for registration of vehicle.

See Sec. 14-16a re required inspection of older vehicles, antique, rare or special interest vehicles on transfer of ownership.

See Sec. 14-43 re voiding of license for misrepresentation.

See Sec. 14-45 re required notice of change of address.

See Sec. 14-111(h) re licensing and registration penalties imposed against out-of-state violators.

See Sec. 14-215 re penalty for operation of vehicle when registration or license is refused, suspended or revoked.

See Sec. 14-289f re insurance requirements for operation of motorcycles.

See Sec. 20-427a re commissioner's duty to deny registration for commercial motor vehicle of contractor who is in violation of provisions of Sec. 20-420 or 20-432.

Registration certificate is for the purpose of identification and revenue. 90 C. 414; 97 C. 145; 104 C. 168; 107 C. 141; 114 C. 264. Conditional vendee or chattel mortgagee may register a car as owner. 92 C. 254; 104 C. 169. Certificate is prima facie evidence that the statutory requirements were fulfilled. 106 C. 257. Whether registration is invalidated by failure of owner to register trade name, quaere. Id., 258. Purpose of direction to refuse registration to improperly equipped vehicle is to assure protection to other users of highway. 114 C. 265. Mere operation of unregistered vehicle is not negligence nor nuisance. Id., 266.

Cited. 30 CA 263.

1939 amendment unconstitutional. 7 CS 332. Legislature did not intend to make commissioner liable for failure to comply with the regulations of this and similar statutes. 19 CS 171. Cited. 29 CS 155.

Cited. 4 Conn. Cir. Ct. 390; 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 73.

Subsec. (a):

Does not govern registration of commercial vehicles. 177 C. 588.

Cited. 23 CA 50; 30 CA 742.

Cited. 37 CS 693.

Sec. 14-12a. Registration of certain motor vehicles garaged or operated in Connecticut. (a) Any motor vehicle eligible for commercial registration as defined in section 14-1, unless exempted under the provisions of section 14-34, shall be registered in this state if: (1) It is most frequently garaged in this state, or, if not garaged at any fixed location, most frequently leaves from and returns to one or more points within this state in the normal course of operations. In the case of an owner-operator of the vehicle in question, registration hereunder shall be required only if the owner-operator has, within this state, one or more employees, agents or representatives engaged in activities directly related to the physical movement of the vehicle, or if the owner-operator is himself engaged in such activities; or (2) it receives and discharges the same cargo or passengers within this state; provided, for the purposes of this section, the transfer of items of cargo or passengers from one vehicle engaged in an interstate journey to another vehicle engaged in an interstate journey shall not be considered receipt and discharge within this state if the cargo or passengers involved are being transported on a through bill or ticket.

(b) (1) For the purposes of this section, a declaration of the person registering a motor vehicle, made in such form as the Department of Motor Vehicles may prescribe, shall be prima facie evidence of the facts relevant to the application of subsection (a) of this section. (2) Consistent with the provisions of this section, the Department of Motor Vehicles shall have power to enter into agreements with the appropriate authorities of other states pursuant to which uncertainties as to the proper state of registration for motor vehicles may be determined and allocations of vehicles for purposes of registration made.

(c) Residence or domicile of the owner, lessor or lessee of the motor vehicle, or the place where the owner, lessor or lessee is incorporated or organized, shall not be a factor in determining the necessity for registration of the vehicle in this state.

(d) A vehicle registered in this state pursuant to this section shall be registered in the name of the owner; provided, if the vehicle is being operated, or is to be operated, pursuant to a lease or other arrangement by a person other than the owner or his employees, the name of the owner shall appear on the registration followed by the term “lessor”. A copy of any current lease pursuant to which the vehicle is being operated shall be carried in the vehicle at all times. The absence of a current lease in the vehicle shall be considered prima facie evidence that the vehicle is being operated by the owner.

(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the registration of any motor vehicle in this state, if such vehicle is eligible for registration pursuant to any law of this state, and the person registering the vehicle desires such registration.

(f) A person failing to register a motor vehicle in accordance with this section shall be fined not less than one hundred fifty dollars nor more than three hundred dollars.

(1967, P.A. 684, S. 15; 1971, P.A. 612, S. 1; P.A. 75-577, S. 12, 126; P.A. 90-263, S. 2, 74; P.A. 98-33, S. 2; P.A. 10-32, S. 47.)

History: 1971 act substituted “commercial” for “self-propelled” motor vehicle in requirement for registration in Subsec. (a) and deleted references to repealed Secs. 14-30 and 14-32; P.A. 75-577 added Subsec. (f); P.A. 90-263 amended Subsec. (a) to substitute motor vehicle eligible for commercial registration for commercial motor vehicle, other than a private passenger vehicle; (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. 98-33 amended Subsec. (f) by replacing the penalty of an infraction with a penalty of a fine not less than $150 nor more than $300; P.A. 10-32 made a technical change in Subsec. (b)(1), effective May 10, 2010.

Registration of commercial vehicles governed by this statute, not Sec. 14-12(a). 177 C. 588. Cited. 200 C. 102.

Cited. 20 CA 336. Enforcement not prohibited by federal law. 69 CA 482.

Sec. 14-12b. Presentation of insurance identification card or policy and statement that minimum security will be continuously maintained required for issuance of registration. Investigation of violations. (a) No motor vehicle registration shall be issued by the commissioner for any private passenger motor vehicle, as defined in subsection (e) of section 38a-363, or a vehicle with a commercial registration, as defined in section 14-1, unless (1) the application for registration is accompanied by a current automobile insurance identification card containing the information required in section 38a-364 or a copy of a current insurance policy or endorsement issued by a company licensed to issue such insurance in this state or an approved self-insurer or issued pursuant to the plan established under section 38a-329, verifying that the applicant has the required security coverage, and (2) the applicant signs and files with the commissioner, under penalty of false statement as provided for in section 53a-157b, a statement on a form approved by the commissioner that the owner of the vehicle has provided and will continuously maintain throughout the registration period the minimum security required by section 38a-371. In the case of an owner with a vehicle located outside of the United States or Canada, the commissioner may accept in lieu of the insurance identification card required to be presented for issuance of the registration, an affidavit, in such form as the commissioner shall require, executed by the owner and stating that the vehicle will not be operated in the United States or Canada. In the case of a special use registration issued pursuant to subsection (j) of section 14-12, the commissioner may, in lieu of proof of insurance as otherwise required by this section, accept proof, satisfactory to the commissioner, of substantially equivalent or similar insurance issued by an insurer licensed to transact business in the state in which the motor vehicle is to be registered. The commissioner may require an applicant for renewal of a motor vehicle registration for any private passenger motor vehicle or vehicle with a commercial registration to sign and file with the commissioner, under penalty of false statement as provided for in section 53a-157b, a statement on a form approved by the commissioner that the owner of the vehicle will continuously maintain throughout the registration period the minimum security required by said section 38a-371. Such form shall call for and contain the name of the applicant's insurance company and policy number.

(b) For the purposes of this title, the requirement that a person present an automobile insurance identification card to the commissioner or a law enforcement officer may be satisfied by electronic means, including by an in-person display of an electronic image on a cellular mobile telephone or other electronic device. If a person presents such insurance identification card by display of an electronic image on a cellular mobile telephone or other electronic device, the commissioner or law enforcement officer may not view, and offering such display shall not be construed to be consent for the commissioner or law enforcement officer to view, any content on such telephone or electronic device other than the insurance identification card. Neither the state nor a municipality, nor any agency or employee of the state or a municipality, shall be liable for any damage to or destruction of a cellular mobile telephone or other electronic device provided to the commissioner or a law enforcement officer for the purpose of displaying an electronic image of an automobile insurance identification card.

(c) For the purposes of this section and sections 14-12c, 14-213b, 14-217 and 38a-364, a false statement includes presentation of a false or fraudulent insurance identification card to the commissioner or to a law enforcement officer. For purposes of this section, the term “current automobile insurance identification card” includes a permanent card with a future effective date provided the word “renewal” appears in close proximity to the effective date on the card.

(d) A person presenting an insurance identification card to the commissioner or to a law enforcement officer is deemed to have full knowledge and understanding that presentation of the card means the owner of the vehicle so registered has provided and will continuously maintain throughout the registration period the minimum security required by section 38a-371.

(e) The commissioner shall, upon receiving prima facie evidence of a violation of this section, immediately forward the information to an appropriate prosecuting official of the state of Connecticut.

(P.A. 75-545, S. 1; P.A. 79-577, S. 2, 8; P.A. 80-483, S. 62, 186; P.A. 81-217, S. 2; 81-394, S. 2; P.A. 84-429, S. 4; P.A. 85-76; P.A. 88-73, S. 1; P.A. 90-143, S. 4; P.A. 93-297, S. 5, 29; P.A. 94-243, S. 1; P.A. 96-167, S. 45, 49; P.A. 00-196, S. 9; P.A. 04-217, S. 23; P.A. 05-218, S. 19; P.A. 13-271, S. 7; P.A. 18-108, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 79-577 added provisions re requirement for no-fault automobile insurance identification cards, effective January 1, 1980, including new Subsecs. (b) and (c); P.A. 80-483 deleted reference to Sec. 38-327 in Subsec. (c); P.A. 81-217 provided that owners of vehicles located outside of United States or Canada may execute an affidavit in lieu of presenting the insurance identification card and defined “current no-fault automobile insurance identification card”; P.A. 81-394 made no substantive change; P.A. 84-429 deleted obsolete provision, subdivided Subsec. (a) into Subdivs. and made other technical changes; P.A. 85-76 amended Subsec. (a) to allow copy of current insurance policy or endorsement verifying coverage as proof of insurance for registration process; P.A. 88-73 amended Subsec. (a)(1) to require that the card, policy or endorsement be issued by a licensed insurer, self-insurer or pursuant to the plan under Sec. 38-185l; P.A. 90-143 amended Subsec. (a) to prohibit renewal of registration of private passenger motor vehicle unless applicant files statement that owner will maintain minimum security required by Sec. 38-327 (now 38a-371) and to delete requirement of presentation of no-fault identification card or policy at time of renewal; P.A. 93-297 deleted term “no-fault” where appearing in description of insurance identification card, amended Subsec. (a) to make technical change and replace “the minimum security required by section 38a-371 for payment of basic reparations benefits and the liabilities covered under residual liability insurance required by sections 38a-19 and 38a-363 to 38a-388, inclusive” with “the minimum security required by section 38a-371” and amended Subsec. (c) to replace “the minimum security required by sections 38a-19 and 38a-363 to 38a-388, inclusive” with “the minimum security required by section 38a-371”, effective January 1, 1994, and applicable to acts or omissions occurring on or after said date (Revisor's note: A reference in Subsec. (b) to Sec. “14-21d”, was deleted editorially by the Revisors to reflect the repeal of that section by P.A. 93-298, S. 10); P.A. 94-243 amended Subsec. (a) to apply to vehicles with commercial registrations; P.A. 96-167 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that commissioner may require applicant for renewal of registration of private passenger motor vehicle to file statement that owner will maintain minimum security required by Sec. 38a-371 and to delete prohibition re renewal of registration unless applicant files such statement, effective July 1, 1996; P.A. 00-196 made technical changes in Subsec. (a); P.A. 04-217 amended Subsec. (a) to eliminate reference to Subdiv. (12) of Sec. 14-1, effective January 1, 2005; P.A. 05-218 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provision re special use registration where the commissioner may, in lieu of proof of insurance required by section, accept proof of substantially equivalent or similar insurance; P.A. 13-271 amended Subsec. (a) to add provision re insurance identification card containing information required in Sec. 38a-364; P.A. 18-108 added new Subsec. (b) re electronic presentation of automobile insurance identification card and redesignated existing Subsecs. (b) to (d) as Subsecs. (c) to (e).

See Sec. 14-12f re exempt vehicles.

Cited. 223 C. 31; 225 C. 257.

Cited. 45 CA 630.

Cited. 36 CS 561.

Sec. 14-12c. Verification of security coverage. Penalties for failure to have or continuously maintain required security or for presentation of fraudulent insurance identification card. The commissioner may at any time require any owner of a private passenger motor vehicle or a vehicle with a commercial registration, as defined in section 14-1, to submit further information to verify the required security coverage within the time specified by the commissioner. If the commissioner is unable to verify the insurance information furnished, the commissioner shall, unless such registrant has been reported as cancelled or issued in accordance with this section and sections 14-12f to 14-12i, inclusive, 38a-343 and 38a-343a, afford such owner an opportunity for a hearing in accordance with chapter 54 to determine whether such owner's application for registration contains a material false statement or whether such owner has failed to continuously maintain the security required under section 38a-371. If the commissioner finds that such owner did not have the required security in effect on the date of registration, or that such owner presented a false or fraudulent insurance identification card to the commissioner, the application for registration shall be deemed to contain a material false statement. Any registration issued as a result of such application shall be void from the date of issue and the registration number plates shall be surrendered to the commissioner or the commissioner shall issue a notice of suspension of the registration in accordance with the provisions of section 14-12g. If the commissioner finds that the owner had the required security in effect at the time such application was submitted but failed to maintain it continuously during the registration period, the commissioner shall issue a notice of the suspension of the registration in accordance with the provisions of section 14-12g. The commissioner may use information contained in the Online Insurance Verification System established in accordance with section 14-112a to verify or enforce security coverage requirements or impose sanctions in accordance with any provision in this chapter or chapter 700.

(P.A. 75-545, S. 2; P.A. 79-577, S. 3, 8; P.A. 81-217, S. 3; P.A. 93-298, S. 6, 11; P.A. 94-243, S. 2; P.A. 04-217, S. 24; P.A. 05-282, S. 1; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 230; P.A. 18-108, S. 3.)

History: P.A. 79-577 included presentation of false or fraudulent no-fault insurance card as false statement, added penalty option of fine from $100 to $1,000 and added same penalty options for failure to maintain required security continuously as for false statement; P.A. 81-217 eliminated fines imposed by the commissioner for failure to have or maintain continuously required security; P.A. 93-298 replaced provisions which had authorized commissioner to suspend driver's license and vehicle registration for up to one year with new provisions re the cancellation of a registration and the surrender of the registration number plates to the commissioner, effective January 1, 1994; P.A. 94-243 applied provisions of section to vehicles with commercial registrations; P.A. 04-217 eliminated reference to Subdiv. (12) of Sec. 14-1, effective January 1, 2005; P.A. 05-282 eliminated provisions re confiscation and cancellation of registration and number plates in accordance with Sec. 14-12h, added provision requiring commissioner to issue a notice of suspension of registration in accordance with Sec. 14-12g and made a technical change; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 added provision re commissioner's use of information in the Online Insurance Verification System and made technical changes, effective June 30, 2015; P.A. 18-108 added “or issued” re opportunity for hearing.

Secs. 14-12d and 14-12e. Notice of voiding or suspension of registration or operator's license; reregistration or reinvestment; proof of financial responsibility. Presumption of failure to file insurer name and policy number; offset of suspension periods. Sections 14-12d and 14-12e are repealed, effective January 1, 1994.

(P.A. 75-545, S. 3, 4; P.A. 79-577, S. 4, 8; P.A. 81-172, S. 1; 81-217, S. 4; P.A. 90-143, S. 2; P.A. 93-298, S. 10, 11.)

Sec. 14-12f. Provisions inapplicable to certain vehicles. The provisions of sections 14-12b, 14-12c, 14-213b and 38a-364 shall not apply to any private passenger motor vehicle registered to the federal government or any state or municipality or any such vehicle bearing dealer, repairer, manufacturer, transporter, experimental or junk number plates.

(P.A. 81-217, S. 6; P.A. 93-298, S. 7, 11.)

History: P.A. 93-298 deleted the obsolete reference to Sec. 14-12d, repealed elsewhere in the same act, effective January 1, 1994.

Sec. 14-12g. Suspension of motor vehicle registration for violation of mandatory security requirements. Suspension of motor vehicle operator's license. Consent agreements. (a) When a private passenger motor vehicle liability insurance policy has been cancelled and the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles determines that the owner of a registered motor vehicle is in violation of the mandatory security requirements of sections 14-12c and 38a-371, the commissioner shall issue to such owner a notice of suspension of the registration involved, provided the commissioner may decline to issue such notice if the registration of the motor vehicle is cancelled or if the commissioner cannot establish that such violation occurred for a period of more than fourteen days.

(b) If a registered owner to whom notice of suspension was issued pursuant to subsection (a) of this section does not contest the determination that he or she has failed to maintain mandatory security, the commissioner may enter into a consent agreement with the owner, provided the owner presents satisfactory evidence of mandatory security and pays a civil penalty of two hundred dollars. The consent agreement shall provide that the registration of the motor vehicle shall not be suspended, or that any suspension imposed previously, pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, shall be rescinded, unless (1) the commissioner determines that on or after the effective date of the consent agreement the owner failed to continuously maintain the required security, and (2) the owner cannot establish to the satisfaction of the commissioner that the owner continuously maintained the required security after said effective date. A registered owner who presents satisfactory evidence of mandatory security and pays such civil penalty shall be deemed to have waived the opportunity to contest the determination that such owner has failed to maintain the mandatory security, whether or not such owner has signed the consent agreement contemporaneously with the payment of such penalty. Thereafter, all terms and conditions of such consent agreement shall apply to such owner. Such consent agreement shall not operate to prevent the commissioner from cancelling, suspending or revoking a registration pursuant to any other provision of the general statutes.

(c) The commissioner may suspend the motor vehicle operator's license of any person whose registration has been suspended in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, or section 14-12c and who, not later than thirty days after the date of such suspension, has not entered into a consent agreement, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, cancelled the registration or transferred ownership of the motor vehicle. Any person aggrieved by the decision of the commissioner to suspend his license under this subsection shall, prior to the effective date of such suspension, be afforded an opportunity for a hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.

(P.A. 93-298, S. 3, 11; P.A. 95-260, S. 14, 24; P.A. 98-215, S. 1; P.A. 05-282, S. 2; P.A. 08-150, S. 42; P.A. 14-130, S. 3.)

History: P.A. 93-298 effective January 1, 1994; P.A. 95-260 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a), inserting as Subsec. (b) language authorizing commissioner to suspend operator's license of person whose registration has been cancelled under Subsec. (a) and who has not returned number plates and registration certificate or obtained a new registration for or transferred ownership of vehicle and affording an opportunity for a hearing for any person aggrieved by decision to suspend his license, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 98-215 amended Subsec. (a) to require notice to include statement re seizure, impoundment, forfeiture and option for owner to return registration plates and certificate, and made technical changes, inserted new Subsec. (b) re consent agreements and redesignated former Subsec. (b) as (c); P.A. 05-282 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing “cancellation” with “suspension” and deleting provisions re notice, return of number plates and registration to avoid suspension of operator's license and hearing re cancellation and mandatory security requirement, amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “cancellation” with “suspension”, making technical changes and increasing civil penalty from $100 to $200, and amended Subsec. (c) by replacing references to “canceled” and “cancellation” with “suspended” and “suspension”, making technical changes, deleting provision re return of number plates and registration or obtaining new registration and adding provision re consent agreement in accordance with Subsec. (b); P.A. 08-150 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that commissioner may decline to issue notice of suspension if registration of motor vehicle is cancelled or commissioner cannot establish that violation occurred for a period of more than fourteen days, effective July 1, 2008; P.A. 14-130 amended Subsec. (b) to add provision re waiver of opportunity to contest determination of failure to maintain mandatory security, effective July 1, 2014.

See Sec. 38a-343a re requirement that insurance companies notify the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles of the cancellation of private passenger motor vehicle liability insurance policies.

Sec. 14-12h. Maintenance and compilation of record of all suspended registrations. Availability. Stop and detain procedures. Removal of plates. Seizure, impoundment and forfeiture of vehicle. (a) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall compile and maintain a record of all registrations suspended in accordance with the provisions of sections 14-12c and 14-12g. The commissioner shall update the information contained in such record not less than once per week and shall make available to all law enforcement agencies in this state a list of all registration number plates for vehicles whose registration has been suspended. Such list shall contain the number plate numbers, letters or number and letter combinations and the address at which the vehicle was registered. The commissioner may make available the entire list or a portion thereof and may utilize one or more formats for presenting the information contained therein to facilitate its use.

(b) (1) If any police officer observes a motor vehicle being operated upon the public highway, and such motor vehicle is displaying registration number plates identified as suspended on the list made available by the commissioner, such police officer may (A) stop or detain such vehicle and its occupants, (B) issue to the operator a complaint for operating an unregistered motor vehicle, or expired registration if the vehicle is not being operated, in violation of section 14-12, and (C) remove the registration number plates from the vehicle and return them to any branch office of the Department of Motor Vehicles. If any police officer, motor vehicle inspector or constable observes a motor vehicle parked in any parking area, as defined in section 14-212, and such motor vehicle is displaying registration number plates identified as suspended on the list made available by the commissioner, such police officer, motor vehicle inspector or constable is authorized to remove the registration number plates from the vehicle and to return them to any branch office of the Department of Motor Vehicles. If a number plate is identified as suspended on the list provided by the commissioner and such identification is in error, the state shall indemnify any police officer, motor vehicle inspector or constable for any claim for damages made against that individual as a result of such individual's good faith reliance on the accuracy of the list provided by the commissioner regarding the confiscation of number plates.

(2) If any police officer observes a motor vehicle being operated upon the public highway or parked in any parking area, as defined in section 14-212, displaying registration number plates identified on the list made available by the commissioner as being suspended, such police officer may seize and impound the vehicle. If a police officer seizes and impounds a vehicle pursuant to this subdivision, such officer shall give notice to the commissioner in such form as the commissioner may require. The police officer shall give such notice not later than three days after seizing and impounding the vehicle.

(c) Any motor vehicle that has been impounded in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section shall not be released to the owner or person otherwise entitled to possession of the vehicle unless such owner or person presents a valid registration and a current automobile insurance identification card. Any such impounded motor vehicle that is not reclaimed by the owner of such motor vehicle within forty-five days after impounding shall be subject to forfeiture to the state.

(P.A. 93-298, S. 4, 11; P.A. 97-226, S. 1; P.A. 98-215, S. 2; P.A. 99-232, S. 2; P.A. 00-99, S. 45, 154; P.A. 01-195, S. 18, 181; P.A. 05-282, S. 3; P.A. 06-196, S. 280; P.A. 07-167, S. 15; P.A. 10-7, S. 6.)

History: P.A. 93-298 effective January 1, 1994; P.A. 97-226 amended Subsec. (c) to require confiscation fee remitted to governmental entity to be deposited in Asset Forfeiture Fund and if there is no such fund, in the general fund of such entity; P.A. 98-215 amended Subsec. (b) to make technical changes, insert Subdiv. and Subpara. designators and add new language as Subdiv. (b)(2) re seizure, impoundment and notice to commissioner, amended Subdiv. (c)(4) to increase restoration fee from $100 to $250 for first 31 days of cancellation, and $5 per additional day up to 90 days or $545, and to allow commissioner to reduce fee to $100 if he finds that vehicle was not operated, and added new Subsec. (d) re owner's ability to regain possession and re forfeiture for vehicle impounded more than 45 days (Revisor's note: In Subsec. (c) the phrase “... if the number plates of the vehicle whose registration was cancelled has been confiscated, ...” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “... if the number plates of the vehicle whose registration was cancelled have been confiscated, ...”); P.A. 99-232 deleted Subsec. (c)(3) re requirement that owner furnish proof of financial responsibility for not less than one year, in accordance with Sec. 14-112, redesignating former Subdiv. (4) as (3), and substituted “the owner's name” for “his name” and “the owner” for “such owner”; P.A. 00-99 deleted references to sheriff and deputy sheriff in Subsecs. (b) and (c), effective December 1, 2000; P.A. 01-195 made technical changes in Subsec. (b) for the purposes of gender neutrality, effective July 11, 2001; P.A. 05-282 changed “cancelled” to “suspended” throughout, amended Subsec. (a) by replacing reference to Secs. 14-12f to 14-12k, 38a-343 and 38a-343a with reference to Sec. 14-12g, amended Subsec. (b)(1)(B) by deleting “an infractions” and amended Subsec. (c) by deleting provisions re procedure for acquiring new or renewal registration after cancellation; P.A. 06-196 made technical changes in Subsec. (c), effective June 7, 2006; P.A. 07-167 deleted former Subsec. (c) re confiscation fee, redesignated existing Subsec. (d) as new Subsec. (c) and amended same by replacing provisions re compliance with former Subsec. (c) with provision re reclamation of vehicle within 45 days after impounding and making conforming changes; P.A. 10-7 amended Subsec. (c) to require owner or person entitled to possession of impounded motor vehicle to present valid registration and current automobile insurance identification card before such vehicle can be released and to make technical changes.

See Sec. 38a-343a re requirement that insurance companies notify the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles of the cancellation of private passenger motor vehicle liability insurance policies.

Sec. 14-12i. Restoration fees. Reimbursement to entities returning confiscated registration number plates to the department. (a) Except as provided in subsection (c) of section 14-50b, all restoration fees imposed due to the suspension of the registration for violation of the mandatory security requirements of sections 14-12c and 38a-371 or suspension of a motor vehicle operator's license pursuant to subsection (c) of section 14-12g or section 14-213b shall be deposited into the Special Transportation Fund.

(b) In addition to other purposes authorized for the expenditure of moneys in the Special Transportation Fund to administer the program established by sections 14-12c and 14-12f to 14-12k, inclusive, 14-112, 14-213b, 38a-343 and 38a-343a, the Insurance Commissioner, in consultation with the Office of Policy and Management and the Treasurer, may establish a plan or develop a procedure to provide for the reimbursement of municipalities for the necessary expenses incurred in enforcing the provisions of section 14-12h regarding the confiscation and return to the Department of Motor Vehicles of registration number plates.

(P.A. 93-298, S. 5; P.A. 95-260, S. 3, 24; P.A. 97-236, S. 2, 27; P.A. 98-215, S. 7; P.A. 99-181, S. 9; P.A. 00-99, S. 46, 154; P.A. 05-282, S. 4.)

History: P.A. 95-260 amended Subsec. (a) to substitute Automobile Insurance Enforcement Fund for account, to provide that fund may be used by commissioner to administer provisions of sections 14-112 and 14-213b and to eliminate provisions requiring moneys to be invested by State Treasurer in accordance with established investment practices and interest earned by investments to be returned to account, amended Subsec. (b) to add Secs. 14-112 and 14-213b to the listing of other statutory sections, amended Subsec. (c) to require the deposit into the fund of restoration fees imposed due to suspension of a motor vehicle operator's license pursuant to Subsec. (b) of Sec. 14-12g, and amended Subsec. (d) to make technical changes and to add Secs. 14-112 and 14-213b to the listing of other statutory sections, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 97-236 amended Subsec. (c) to require the deposit into the fund of restoration fees imposed due to suspension of a motor vehicle operator's license pursuant to Sec. 14-213b, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 98-215 substituted reference to Subsec. (c) of Sec. 14-12g for reference to Subsec. (b) of said section; P.A. 99-181 deleted former Subsecs. (a) and (b) re establishment of the Automobile Insurance Enforcement Fund and authority of the Insurance Commissioner to assess a special fee to be paid by private passenger motor vehicle liability insurance companies, relettered the remaining Subsecs. and replaced references to the Automobile Insurance Enforcement Fund with references to the Special Transportation Fund; P.A. 00-99 deleted reference to sheriff and deputy sheriff in Subsec. (b), effective December 1, 2000; P.A. 05-282 amended Subsec. (a) by adding “Except as provided in subsection (c) of section 14-50b” and changing “cancellation” to “suspension”.

Sec. 14-12j. Agreements with qualified independent contractors to provide consulting and other services. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may enter into a negotiated agreement or agreements, notwithstanding chapter 58, with one or more qualified independent contractors to provide consulting and such other services as may be necessary for the implementation of the provisions of sections 14-12c and 14-12f to 14-12k, inclusive, 38a-343 and 38a-343a.

(P.A. 93-298, S. 8.)

Sec. 14-12k. Regulations. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 to carry out the provisions of sections 14-12c and 14-12f to 14-12j, inclusive, 38a-343 and 38a-343a.

(P.A. 93-298, S. 9.)

Sec. 14-12l. Collection of Social Security numbers and federal employer identification numbers. List of persons to whom motor vehicle registrations issued to be provided to Commissioner of Revenue Services. Section 14-12l is repealed, effective August 20, 2003, and applicable as of July 1, 2003.

(P.A. 97-309, S. 19, 23; 97-322, S. 7, 9; P.A. 99-268, S. 20; P.A. 00-169, S. 22; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 54, 131; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 95.)

Secs. 14-12m and 14-12n. Forfeiture of impounded motor vehicle; proceedings; proceeds from sale. Uninsured motor vehicle forfeiture revolving account. Sections 14-12m and 14-12n are repealed, effective June 3, 2004.

(P.A. 98-215, S. 5, 6; P.A. 99-181, S. 10; P.A. 00-99, S. 47, 154; 04-199, S. 41.)

Sec. 14-12o. Courtesy registration when proof of ownership pending. (a) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may issue a registration, limited to six months in duration, for any motor vehicle for which adequate proof of ownership is pending, including a motor vehicle previously registered in another state that is awaiting the out-of-state title or title lien release required for obtaining a permanent registration in this state. Such registration shall be known as a courtesy registration and in no case shall such registration be issued without proper sale documents in the name of the person seeking to obtain such registration and without meeting all other requirements for the registration of the motor vehicle.

(b) For six months or any part thereof, the fee for a courtesy registration shall be one-sixth of the amount specified for a three-year permanent registration, one-quarter of the amount specified for a two-year permanent registration and one-half of the amount specified for a one-year permanent registration. The owner of a motor vehicle with a courtesy registration may receive a permanent registration upon presentation of documents to the commissioner demonstrating proof of ownership. No part of the fee paid for a courtesy registration shall be refunded or applied to the fee for the permanent registration of the motor vehicle.

(P.A. 12-81, S. 21; P.A. 19-165, S. 4.)

History: P.A. 19-165 amended Subsec. (b) to add “one-sixth of the amount specified for a three-year permanent registration,”, effective January 1, 2020.

Sec. 14-12p. Reserved for future use.

Sec. 14-12q. Vehicle identification card. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may issue to each registered owner of a motor vehicle an identification card which contains electronically encrypted information concerning the vehicle description and identification number and registration and title history of such motor vehicle. Each such vehicle identification card issued shall be carried in the motor vehicle. When any motor vehicle is sold or transferred, the seller or transferor shall deliver possession of the vehicle identification card to the buyer or transferee. If any vehicle identification card is lost, stolen or destroyed, the commissioner shall, upon request and application made by the registered owner, issue a replacement identification card. The commissioner may charge a fee to cover the cost of issuance and replacement of such identification card.

(P.A. 96-167, S. 2.)

Sec. 14-12r. Inspection of vehicle identification number. Before issuing registration for any motor vehicle that has not been previously registered in this state, except a new motor vehicle, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may require an inspection of the manufacturer's vehicle identification number. Such an inspection may be performed at any designated official emissions inspection station or by any other business or firm authorized by the commissioner to perform safety inspections in accordance with sections 14-12 and 14-16a or by any motor vehicle dealer or repairer, licensed in accordance with section 14-52 and meeting qualifications established by the commissioner. If the inspection is performed by a licensed dealer or repairer, and is not performed in connection with an official emissions inspection, such dealer or repairer may charge a fee to the owner in an amount not to exceed twenty dollars, provided an affidavit relating to such inspection is furnished to the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of section 14-99h.

(P.A. 99-287, S. 3, 9; P.A. 04-199, S. 37; P.A. 07-212, S. 2.)

History: P.A. 99-287 effective July 1, 1999; P.A. 04-199 changed reference to Sec. 14-99h(c) to Sec. 14-99h(d), effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 07-212 added provisions re fee not to exceed $20 for inspection by licensed dealer or repairer not performed in connection with official emissions inspection and re affidavit relating to such inspection.

Sec. 14-12s. Administrative fee. For each motor vehicle transaction that involves an electronic inspection of a manufacturer's vehicle identification number, the commissioner shall charge an administrative fee of ten dollars, in addition to any fee prescribed for such transaction.

(P.A. 99-287, S. 4, 9; P.A. 11-6, S. 136.)

History: P.A. 99-287 effective July 1, 1999; P.A. 11-6 applied administrative fee to any transaction involving electronic inspection of a vehicle identification number, rather than to the registration of a motor vehicle that passed inspection, effective July 1, 2011.

Sec. 14-12t. Regulations. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the provisions of subsection (g) of section 13b-59, subsection (g) of section 14-12 and sections 14-12r, 14-12s and 14-16a. The regulations shall include the qualifications to be met by any dealer or repairer authorized by the commissioner to conduct inspections in accordance with subsection (g) of section 14-12 and sections 14-12r and 14-16a.

(P.A. 99-287, S. 6, 9; P.A. 19-165, S. 16.)

History: P.A. 99-287 effective July 1, 1999; P.A. 19-165 deleted reference to Sec. 14-41(a) and made technical changes, effective January 1, 2020.

Sec. 14-13. Registration certificate and insurance identification card to be carried in vehicle. (a) The certificate of registration and any automobile insurance identification card for the vehicle issued pursuant to section 38a-364 shall be carried in the motor vehicle at all times when it is being operated on a public highway, except as otherwise provided by statute. If a vehicle is registered in the name of a lessor licensed under section 14-15, a legible photostatic copy of the certificate of registration or a rental or lease contract which shall include the vehicle identification number of such vehicle registered in this state may be carried in lieu of the original certificate, provided the original certificate shall be available at all times for inspection at the lessor's usual place of business in the state if the motor vehicle is registered in this state. If a vehicle is registered as a school bus as defined in section 14-275, such copy may be carried in lieu of the original certificate, provided such certificate shall be available at all times for inspection at the school bus owner's usual place of business in the state.

(b) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be deemed to have committed an infraction and be fined fifty dollars.

(1949 Rev., S. 2362; 1961, P.A. 233, S. 2; P.A. 76-124; P.A. 79-577, S. 6, 8; P.A. 80-466, S. 3, 25; P.A. 82-223, S. 5; 82-460, S. 4; P.A. 83-577, S. 11; P.A. 84-429, S. 5; P.A. 86-47, S. 1, 2; 86-85, S. 1, 3; P.A. 93-297, S. 6, 29; P.A. 10-3, S. 54.)

History: 1961 act removed provision for payment of one-half registration fee when registration applied for after September thirtieth; P.A. 76-124 allowed maintenance of photocopy of registration in car registered to lessor in Subsec. (b); P.A. 79-577 included no-fault insurance identification card in Subsec. (b); P.A. 80-466 deleted reference to “yearly” registration and included reference to single license plate in Subsec. (c) reflecting switch to biennial registration and single plate; P.A. 82-223 amended Subsec. (d) to specify that a first offense constituted the commission of an infraction and increased the fine therefor from maximum of $3 to $25; P.A. 82-460 amended Subsec. (b) by clarifying that the certificate and identification card only need be carried in a motor vehicle while it is being operated; P.A. 83-577 amended Subsec. (d) to increase the fine for a first offense from $25 to $35; P.A. 84-429 transferred provisions in Subsec. (a) re registration certificates to Sec. 14-12(e), transferred provisions in Subsec. (c) re temporary registrations to Sec. 14-12(i), relettered the remaining Subsecs. and made other technical changes; P.A. 86-47 permitted the carrying of a rental or lease contract in lieu of original registration certificate in vehicles registered by lessors; P.A. 86-85 permitted the carrying of a copy of a registration certificate in lieu of original in vehicles registered as school buses; P.A. 93-297 amended Subsec. (a) to delete term “no-fault” in description of insurance identification card, effective January 1, 1994, and applicable to acts or omissions occurring on or after said date; P.A. 10-3 amended Subsec. (b) to replace fine of $35 for first offense and not more than $50 for subsequent offense with fine of $50, effective April 14, 2010.

See Sec. 14-107 re liability of owner, operator or lessee in prosecutions for violation of this section.

As to the effect of failure to carry the certificate in the car, see the analogous ruling as to operator's license. 93 C. 457. Cited. 110 C. 148.

Cited. 11 CA 644.

Cited. 4 Conn. Cir. Ct. 385; Id., 390.

Sec. 14-14. Registration of motor vehicles owned by minors. Proof of financial responsibility. The commissioner shall not register any motor vehicle owned by any person under sixteen years of age and shall not register any motor vehicle owned by any person between sixteen and eighteen years of age unless such person files proof of financial responsibility in accordance with the provisions of section 14-112, together with a certificate signed by the spouse, being eighteen years of age, of a married minor applicant, or by either or both of the parents, as the commissioner may require, or the legal guardian of such person, approving or requesting the registration of such vehicle, except that no proof of financial responsibility shall be required for the registration of a private passenger motor vehicle, as defined in subsection (e) of section 38a-363, owned by any such person.

(1949 Rev., S. 2363; 1963, P.A. 171; 1972, P.A. 127, S. 12; P.A. 80-466, S. 4, 25; P.A. 81-394, S. 3; P.A. 93-297, S. 7, 29.)

History: 1963 act permitted signing of certificate by spouse of married applicant as well as parent or guardian; 1972 act changed age of majority from 21 to 18 years; P.A. 80-466 added exception to requirement for proof of financial responsibility in cases where vehicle to be registered is private passenger vehicle; P.A. 81-394 made no substantive changes; P.A. 93-297 made technical change in section reference, effective January 1, 1994, and applicable to acts or omissions occurring on or after said date.

Where a minor's vehicle is registered in the name of the father for the purpose of evading financial responsibility, the registered owner of the vehicle is estopped to deny not only ownership of the vehicle but also that the minor-owner was acting in furtherance of the business of the father when the tort occurred. 3 Conn. Cir. Ct. 591, 598.

Sec. 14-15. Leasing or renting of motor vehicles. Electronic issuance or transfer of registration. Electronic renewal of registration. (a) Any person, firm or corporation before engaging in the business of leasing or renting motor vehicles without drivers in this state and any person, firm or corporation which is the lessor of or rents any vehicle required to be registered under the provisions of section 14-15a shall make a sworn application to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for a license to engage in such leasing or renting. Each such application and each application for renewal shall be accompanied by a fee of three hundred dollars. Each such license shall be renewed biennially according to renewal schedules established by the commissioner so as to effect staggered renewal of all such licenses. If the adoption of a staggered system results in the expiration of any license more or less than one year from its issuance, the commissioner may charge a prorated amount for such license fee. Not less than forty-five days prior to the date of expiration of each such license, the commissioner shall send or transmit to each licensee, in such manner as the commissioner determines, an application for renewal. An application for renewal filed with the commissioner after the date of expiration shall be accompanied by a late fee of one hundred dollars provided the commissioner shall not renew any license under this subsection that has expired for more than forty-five days. No such license shall be transferred. Such licensee shall furnish proof of financial responsibility satisfactory to the commissioner specifying that coverage is for all owned vehicles, as provided by section 14-112 or 14-129, regardless of the duration of the lease or rental period. Each application for such license shall contain the name and address of the owner and shall be accompanied by a surety bond as required pursuant to section 14-52. Each application for registration of a motor vehicle to be leased for a period of more than thirty days shall contain the name and address of the owner and the lessee of such vehicle. The owner of such vehicle shall disclose the name and address of any subsequent lessee of such vehicle to the commissioner in such manner as the commissioner may require. The commissioner shall ensure that such information relative to the lessee is available to the Connecticut on-line law enforcement communications teleprocessing system. Each person, firm or corporation licensed under the provisions of this subsection shall keep such books, records and accounts as the commissioner may require provided each licensee shall retain a copy of each rental or lease contract for a period of three years, which shall be subject to inspection by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee at all reasonable times. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any person, firm or corporation which, incidental to the conduct of its principal business, leases or rents any motor vehicle without a driver to other persons, firms or corporations whose principal business is the same as that of the lessor. Violation of any provision of this subsection shall be an infraction.

(b) Each person, firm or corporation licensed under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section or by another state, who in the opinion of the commissioner is qualified, may electronically register or transfer the registration of a motor vehicle used in connection with its business. The licensee, within ten days from the electronic issuance of such registration or transfer, shall submit to the commissioner an application together with all necessary documents to register or transfer the registration of the vehicle with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Any such licensee that registers or transfers registration shall be required to register or transfer registrations electronically if the commissioner determines that such licensee files with such department, on average, seven or more such registrations or transfers each month. The commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to implement the provisions of this subsection.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 14-22, the commissioner may require any person, firm or corporation licensed under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section or by another state, who in the opinion of the commissioner is qualified and who holds a current registration certificate for a motor vehicle used in connection with its business, to renew such registration electronically if the commissioner determines that the licensee renews with the Department of Motor Vehicles, on average, seven or more such registrations each month. The commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to implement the provisions of this subsection.

(1955, S. 1286d; 1957, P.A. 413; 1967, P.A. 822; 1969, P.A. 747, S. 1; P.A. 75-577, S. 13, 126; P.A. 84-254, S. 23, 62; P.A. 87-329, S. 1; P.A. 88-340, S. 1; P.A. 90-285, S. 1, 3; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-13, S. 5, 21; P.A. 93-164, S. 1; P.A. 95-260, S. 4, 24; P.A. 96-167, S. 3; P.A. 00-169, S. 3; P.A. 02-70, S. 18, 56; P.A. 11-213, S. 7; P.A. 13-271, S. 8; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 197; P.A. 16-55, S. 11; P.A. 18-164, S. 1.)

History: 1967 act clarified applicability of provisions and required that books, records and accounts be kept as required by commissioner and that they be open to inspection by commissioner or designee; 1969 act restated applicability provision to specify persons, firms and corporations leasing or renting cars without drivers and lessors of vehicles required to be registered under Sec. 14-15a and increased application fee from $25 to $50; P.A. 75-577 excluded leasing of cars by one corporation to another having the same principal business and added provision re violation of provisions; P.A. 84-254 periodically increased the existing $50 fee to $100 as of July 1, 1992; P.A. 87-329 maintained the fee at the level existing on and after July 1, 1986, and decreased the fee effective July 1, 1992, to the level formerly existing on and after July 1, 1988; P.A. 88-340 required licensee to retain copy of rental or lease contract for three years; P.A. 90-285 added Subsec. (b), authorizing licensees to issue 20-day temporary transfers of registration; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-13 increased fee from $78 to $150 and removed increase scheduled for July 1, 1992; P.A. 93-164 added a requirement in Subsec. (a) that applications be accompanied by a surety bond; P.A. 95-260 amended Subsec. (a) to make technical changes and to require that each application for registration of a motor vehicle to be leased for a period of more than 30 days contain the name and address of the owner and lessee of the vehicle, that the owner of such vehicle disclose name and address of any subsequent lessee of such vehicle to commissioner in such manner as he may require and that commissioner ensure that information re lessee is available to COLLECT system; P.A. 96-167 amended Subsec. (b) to make a technical change, to authorize issuance of 45-day temporary transfers in lieu of 20-day transfers and to require submission of application for permanent registration within 7 days from issuance of temporary registration instead of 5 days and added Subsec. (c), allowing commissioner to authorize licensees to renew registration by means of an electronic data processing system; P.A. 00-169 amended Subsec. (b) to replace a 45-day with a 60-day temporary transfer of a registration, and changed the period of time within which a licensee shall submit an application to the commissioner for a permanent registration from 7 to 5 days; P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (a) to require biennial in lieu of annual license renewal, to provide for a license fee of $300 in lieu of $150, to require renewal according to schedules established by the commissioner to effect staggered renewal of licenses, to impose a late fee of $100 for an application for renewal filed after the date of expiration, to provide that no license that has expired for more than 45 days shall be renewed, and to make technical changes for purposes of gender neutrality, and, effective July 1, 2002, amended Subsec. (b) to make technical changes; P.A. 11-213 amended Subsec. (a) to replace requirement re mailing of renewal application with requirement re sending or transmitting renewal application in such manner as commissioner determines, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 13-271 amended Subsec. (a) to delete provision allowing licensee to furnish proof of financial responsibility separately with respect to each vehicle or group of vehicles leased to a single lessee and to add provision requiring licensee to specify that coverage is for all owned vehicles regardless of duration of lease or rental period, effective July 1, 2013; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (b) to delete reference to official stamp, effective June 30, 2015; P.A. 16-55 amended Subsec. (b) by adding reference to person, firm or corporation licensed by another state, replacing provision re issuance of temporary transfer with provision re electronic registration or transfer of registration and adding provision requiring licensee to register or transfer registrations electronically if licensee files an average of 7 or more registrations or transfers each month, amended Subsec. (c) by adding provision requiring licensee to renew registration electronically if licensee renews an average of 7 or more registrations each month, and made conforming changes, effective July 1, 2016; P.A. 18-164 amended Subsec. (b) by increasing period of time for licensee to submit registration application to commissioner from 5 days to 10 days, effective July 1, 2018.

See Sec. 14-52 re cash bond or surety bond requirements.

See Secs. 14-153 and 14-153a for similar provisions re renting of vehicles.

Cited. 203 C. 667.

Sec. 14-15a. Registration of vehicles leased or rented for use in Connecticut. (a) Each passenger motor vehicle, as defined in section 14-1, which is leased or rented for a period of more than thirty days in a calendar year primarily for use in this state shall be registered in this state in accordance with the provisions of section 14-12. For the purpose of this section, such period shall include all times during which such vehicle may be absent from the state while being used on a daily round-trip basis.

(b) (1) If the commissioner finds, upon investigation, that any motor vehicle available for lease or rental in this state has been registered in another state for the purpose of evading, or the effect of which is the avoidance of, the motor vehicle laws of this state, for the purposes of paying a lower registration fee or evading the payment of any tax levied by this state or any Connecticut municipality, said commissioner may, in said commissioner's discretion, (A) prohibit the lease or rental of any such motor vehicle in this state, (B) require that such motor vehicle be registered in this state in accordance with the provisions of section 14-12, (C) suspend or revoke a license to engage in such leasing or renting issued under the provisions of section 14-15, or (D) require a licensee to furnish a bond in the amount of one thousand dollars for each vehicle registered in another state. (2) If the commissioner finds, upon investigation, that any licensee has failed to satisfy its obligations for payment of municipal property taxes, the commissioner may, thirty days after the issuance of notice to such licensee, and after notice and an opportunity for a hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, suspend such license until all such obligations are satisfied.

(c) On and after January 1, 1996, the commissioner may transfer any special registration issued pursuant to the provisions of section 14-19a, 14-20, 14-20a, 14-21, 14-21c, 14-21d, 14-21e, subsection (s) of section 14-49, section 14-160, 14-253a or 14-254 to any motor vehicle leased for a period of at least one year by a person to whom such special registration was issued. Any such motor vehicle may display the special number plates issued pursuant to the provisions of any of said sections. The commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 to implement the provisions of this subsection.

(d) Any person who fails to register any motor vehicle under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall be fined one thousand dollars for each such vehicle.

(1967, P.A. 820, S. 1, 2; P.A. 75-577, S. 15, 126; P.A. 88-340, S. 2; P.A. 95-260, S. 5, 24; P.A. 02-70, S. 19; P.A. 04-217, S. 25.)

History: P.A. 75-577 added Subsec. (c); P.A. 88-340 amended Subsec. (a) to require the registration of each “passenger” motor vehicle, as defined in Sec. 14-1, leased for more than 30 days in a calendar year for use in this state, added Subsec. (b)(3) and (4), authorizing commissioner to suspend or revoke licenses and require licensees to furnish a bond for each vehicle registered in another state, and amended Subsec. (c) to increase fine from an infraction to $1,000 for each unregistered vehicle; P.A. 95-260 inserted new Subsec. (c) allowing commissioner, on and after January 1, 1996, to transfer special registrations to any motor vehicle leased for a period of at least one year by a person to whom such special registration was issued, permitting such motor vehicle to display special number plates and requiring commissioner to adopt regulations to implement provisions of subsection, and relettered former Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (d), making a technical change within, effective June 13, 1995; P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (b) by designating existing provisions as Subdiv. (1), changing internal designators and making technical changes for purposes of gender neutrality therein, and by adding Subdiv. (2) authorizing suspension of license if the commissioner finds that any licensee has failed to satisfy its obligations for payment of municipal property taxes; P.A. 04-217 amended Subsec. (a) to eliminate reference to Sec. 14-1(40), effective January 1, 2005.

Sec. 14-15b. Motor vehicle rental contracts. Required notice re collision damage waiver. Prohibited sales and advertising practice. (a) “Collision damage waiver” means any contractual provision whereby a lessor of rental motor vehicles agrees for a charge to waive any claims against a lessee for any damages to a rental motor vehicle during the term of the rental agreement.

(b) “Rental motor vehicle” means a private passenger motor vehicle as defined in subsection (e) of section 38a-363, which is not the subject of a lease with the option to purchase where the lessee has the right to possession.

(c) Any motor vehicle rental contract incorporating a provision for collision damage waiver shall comply with chapter 742 and shall provide conspicuous notice that the lessee's personal automobile insurance policy may cover collision damage, fire and theft damage and personal injury incurred while using a rental motor vehicle, and of the annualized rate for the collision damage waiver and any liability provisions. Any such contract shall detail the full extent of its coverage.

(d) No person, firm or corporation leasing or renting to another any motor vehicle shall: Make any false or misleading statements either orally or in writing, in connection with the sale, offer to sell, or advertisement of a collision damage waiver; omit any material statement in connection with the sale, offer to sell or advertisement of such waiver; or make any statement that the purchase of a collision damage waiver is mandatory.

(e) A violation of any of the provisions of this section shall be deemed an unfair deceptive trade practice under chapter 735a.

(P.A. 88-157, S. 2; P.A. 99-145, S. 1, 23.)

History: P.A. 99-145 amended Subsec. (b) to substitute “subsection (e) of section 38a-363” for “subsection (g) of section 38a-363”, effective June 8, 1999.

Sec. 14-15c. Repossession of rented motor vehicles by rental companies. (a) Upon expiration of a motor vehicle rental contract between a lessee and a rental company, the rental company has the right to take possession of the rental motor vehicle pursuant to this section if: (1) The term of the expired rental contract was for thirty days or less; and (2) not less than seventy-two hours have elapsed from the time the vehicle should have been returned in accordance with the provisions of the rental contract, during which time the lessee and the rental company did not agree to extend the rental contract. For the purposes of this section, “lessee” and “rental company” have the same meaning as provided in section 12-692 and “rental motor vehicle” has the same meaning as provided in section 14-15b.

(b) In taking possession of the rental motor vehicle pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the rental company may proceed (1) pursuant to judicial process, or (2) without judicial process, if it proceeds without breach of the peace.

(P.A. 01-200, S. 1; P.A. 03-19, S. 26.)

History: P.A. 03-19 made technical changes in Subsec. (a), effective May 12, 2003.

Sec. 14-15d. Electronic issuance of registration or certificate of title. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may require any person, firm or corporation, who in the opinion of the commissioner is qualified and who is engaged in the business of filing applications for the issuance of a certificate of registration or a certificate of title for motor vehicles with the Department of Motor Vehicles, to file such applications electronically if the commissioner determines that such person, firm or corporation files, on average, seven or more such applications each month. A qualified person, firm or corporation shall, not later than ten days after the electronic issuance of such registration, submit to the commissioner an application together with all necessary documents required to register the vehicle with the department. Any such person, firm or corporation that fails or refuses to file such application electronically upon the request of the commissioner shall pay a twenty-five-dollar fee to the commissioner for each application submitted. The commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to implement the provisions of this section.

(P.A. 16-55, S. 12; P.A. 18-164, S. 2; P.A. 21-106, S. 4.)

History: P.A. 16-55 effective July 1, 2016; P.A. 18-164 increased period of time to submit registration application to commissioner from 5 days to 10 days, effective July 1, 2018; P.A. 21-106 added provision re $25 fee for failure or refusal to electronically file application and made a technical change, effective July 1, 2021.

Sec. 14-16. Transfer of ownership. Designation of beneficiary. Fees. Penalties. (a) A motor vehicle registration expires upon transfer of ownership of the motor vehicle. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall enter such expiration in the records of the Department of Motor Vehicles only when the transferor cancels his or her registration for such motor vehicle in accordance with procedures established by the commissioner or when the transferee reregisters such motor vehicle with the department, whichever occurs first.

(b) If a motor vehicle is owned by one owner who is a natural person, such owner may designate, in writing in a space provided on the certificate of registration for such motor vehicle, a beneficiary who shall assume ownership of such motor vehicle after the death of the owner and upon the making of an application pursuant to this subsection. The owner making such designation shall have all rights of ownership of such motor vehicle during the owner's life and the beneficiary shall have no rights in such motor vehicle until such time as the owner dies and an application is made pursuant to this subsection. Not later than sixty days after the death of the owner, the beneficiary may make application to the commissioner for the issuance of a certificate of title and a certificate of registration for such motor vehicle in the beneficiary's name. Such application shall be accompanied by: (1) The original certificate of registration in which the beneficiary is designated pursuant to this subsection; (2) a death certificate for the deceased owner; (3) such proof of the beneficiary's identity as the commissioner may require; (4) the transfer fee required by subsection (c) of this section; and (5) any applicable fees for registration, title and number plates as required under this chapter and chapter 247. If the beneficiary fails to make such application within the time period specified in this subsection, the beneficiary shall have no right to obtain ownership of and title to such motor vehicle under this subsection after the expiration of such time period. The right of the beneficiary to obtain ownership of and title to such motor vehicle under this subsection shall be subordinate to the rights of each lienholder whose security interest in such motor vehicle is duly recorded pursuant to chapter 247. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this subsection.

(c) If the owner of a registered motor vehicle dies, the registration for the vehicle shall, unless the vehicle is destroyed, continue in force as a valid registration until the end of the registration period unless: (1) Ownership of the vehicle is transferred pursuant to subsection (b) of this section or by the deceased owner's executor, administrator, legatee or distributee prior to the end of the registration period, in which case the registration shall continue in force until the time of the transfer; or (2) ownership of the vehicle is transferred to the brother, sister, father, mother, child or spouse of the owner, in which case the registration shall, upon the payment of a fee of twenty dollars, continue in force until the end of the registration period or until the ownership is sooner transferred to a person other than such a relative. If at the end of the registration period the relative has not transferred ownership of the vehicle and the relative applies for registration of the vehicle, the registration shall not be subject to the provisions of subsection (a) of section 12-71b.

(d) If a motor vehicle is transferred in connection with the organization, reorganization or dissolution, or because of the partial liquidation, of an incorporated or unincorporated business in which gain or loss to the transferor is not recognized for federal income tax purposes under the Internal Revenue Code and Treasury regulations and rulings issued thereunder, the registration of the vehicle shall, upon the payment of a fee of twenty dollars, continue in force until the end of the registration period or until the registration is sooner transferred to anyone outside the original business organization. If the transferee of the motor vehicle has not transferred ownership of the motor vehicle to anyone outside the original business organization at the end of the registration period and the transferee applies for a registration for the vehicle, the registration shall not be subject to the provisions of subsection (a) of section 12-71b.

(e) A person who transfers ownership of a registered motor vehicle to another may have registered in his name, upon the filing of a new application and the payment of the fee required by subsection (i) of section 14-49, another motor vehicle for the remainder of the registration period if the gross weight of the other motor vehicle is the same or less than that of the transferred motor vehicle and the registration of the transferred motor vehicle has been surrendered. If the gross weight of the other motor vehicle is greater than the gross weight of the motor vehicle the registration of which has been surrendered, the applicant shall pay, in addition to such fee, the difference between the fee paid by him for the surrendered registration and the fee for the registration of the motor vehicle of greater gross weight. The minimum fee for any such transfer shall be twenty dollars.

(f) Any person may transfer an unexpired registration of a motor vehicle such person owns or leases for a period of one year or more, to another motor vehicle owned or so leased by such person upon payment of the fee required by subsection (i) of section 14-49. Any person transferring such a leased motor vehicle shall provide the commissioner with evidence that the lessor has granted permission for such transfer. If a transfer is made to a motor vehicle of greater gross weight or from one class of registration to another, credit shall be given toward the new registration in accordance with schedules established by the commissioner. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this subsection.

(g) Any person who sells any motor vehicle, other than a new motor vehicle, for which a certificate of title has not been issued and which is not registered under the provisions of subsections (e) or (g) of section 14-12, shall, within forty-eight hours of the sale, certify under oath to the commissioner, on blanks provided by him, such information as the commissioner may require. Until the commissioner receives the certification under oath required by this subsection, he shall not issue a registration other than for a new motor vehicle and shall not renew a registration other than for the same owner.

(h) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this section shall be subject to the penalty provided for false statement. Any person who violates any provision of subsection (g) of this section shall, for a first offense, be deemed to have committed an infraction, and, for a subsequent offense, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or both.

(1949 Rev., S. 2364; 1951, 1953, S. 1287d; 1957, P.A. 301; 1959, P.A. 181, S. 1; 1961, P.A. 233, S. 3; 581, S. 2, 3; 1969, P.A. 759, S. 1; 1971, P.A. 871, S. 84; P.A. 75-213, S. 3, 53; P.A. 76-338, S. 6, 8; P.A. 80-466, S. 5, 25; P.A. 82-223, S. 6; P.A. 83-577, S. 12; P.A. 84-429, S. 6; P.A. 85-525, S. 1, 6; P.A. 86-271, S. 1, 2; P.A. 99-268, S. 14, 46; P.A. 00-169, S. 22; P.A. 02-105, S. 1; P.A. 04-182, S. 13; P.A. 18-164, S. 3.)

History: 1959 act included proviso in Subsec. (a) re organization, reorganization, dissolution etc. of business; 1961 acts increased fees in Subsec. (a) from $1, increased minimum fee in Subsec. (b) from $1, removed references in Subsec. (b) to light weight and removed provision for proration of the additional fee payable under Subsec. (b) where transfer was made on or after October first; 1969 act increased minimum fees in Subsecs. (a) and (b) from $2 to $3; 1971 act substituted “false statement” for “perjury” and replaced $25 fine for violation of Subsec. (a) with reference to penalty for false statement in Subsec. (e); P.A. 75-213 increased minimum fees in Subsecs. (a) and (b) to $5; P.A. 76-338 amended Subsec. (a) to exclude recipients of transferred motor vehicle from payment of property tax when initially registering car; P.A. 80-466 included reference to single license plate; P.A. 82-223 amended Subsec. (e) to specify that the commission of a first offense constituted an infraction and established a minimum fine of $25 and lowered the maximum fine from $100 to $90 for such first offense; P.A. 83-577 amended Subsec. (e) by deleting the provision specifying minimum and maximum fines for an infraction; P.A. 84-429 added provisions re oath requirements to Subsec. (f) from Sec. 14-12, relettered Subsecs., rephrased provisions and made other technical changes; P.A. 85-525 amended Subsec. (d) by adding provision increasing transfer fee periodically from $7.50 as of July 1, 1985, to $12 as of July 1, 1992; P.A. 86-271 amended Subsecs. (b) and (c), increasing fees for continuation of registration, scheduling increases to take effect as of July first of 1986, 1988 and 1992; P.A. 99-268 amended Subsec. (e) to include a motor vehicle leased for a period of one year or more, to require evidence of lessor approval for the transfer of a leased motor vehicle and to allow the commissioner to adopt regulations implementing the provisions of the Subsec., effective January 1, 2000; P.A. 00-169 revised effective date of P.A. 99-268 but without affecting this section; P.A. 02-105 added new Subsec. (b) re designation of beneficiary, redesignated existing Subsecs. (b) to (g) as Subsecs. (c) to (h) and revised internal references accordingly, effective January 1, 2003; P.A. 04-182 amended Subsec. (c)(2) to increase fee to $20 for continuation of registration after death of owner and pending transfer of ownership of vehicle to designated relative, amended Subsec. (d) to increase fee to $20 to continue registration of vehicle upon transfer of vehicle after organization, reorganization, dissolution or partial dissolution of business and amended Subsec. (e) to increase minimum fee for transfer to $20, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 18-164 amended Subsec. (a) to replace provisions re transfer of ownership with provision re commissioner entering expiration of registration in department's records, effective July 1, 2018.

A partnership car, taken by one of the partners on dissolution, must be reregistered. 100 C. 119. Cited. 110 C. 281.

Cited. 9 CA 686.

The leaving of a license plate belonging to defendant in or on the car which facilitates its use by another who causes injury could constitute negligence on the part of defendant. 40 CS 149.

Sec. 14-16a. Inspection of older vehicles before or upon transfer of ownership. Historical or special interest fire apparatus. Antique, rare or special interest motor vehicles. Modified antique or composite motor vehicles. (a) The commissioner may require that each motor vehicle registered in this state which is ten model years old or older shall, within thirty days before transfer of ownership or upon such transfer, be presented for inspection, as directed by the commissioner, at any Department of Motor Vehicles office or any official emissions inspection station or other facility authorized by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to conduct such inspection. The vehicle shall be inspected to determine whether it is properly equipped and in good mechanical condition before registration is issued to the new owner of the vehicle. If the commissioner authorizes the contractor that operates the system of official emissions inspection stations or other business or firm, to conduct the safety inspections required by this subsection, the commissioner may authorize the contractor or other business or firm to charge a fee, not to exceed fifteen dollars, for each such inspection. The commissioner may authorize any motor vehicle dealer or repairer, licensed in accordance with section 14-52 and meeting qualifications established by the commissioner, to perform an inspection required by this section or to make repairs to any motor vehicle that has failed an initial safety inspection and to certify to the commissioner that the motor vehicle is in compliance with the safety and equipment standards for registration. No such authorized dealer or repairer shall charge any additional fee to make such certification to the commissioner. If the commissioner authorizes any such dealer or repairer to conduct safety inspections, such licensee may provide written certification to the commissioner, in such form and manner as the commissioner prescribes, as to compliance of any motor vehicle in its inventory with safety and equipment standards, and such certification may be accepted by the commissioner as meeting the inspection requirements of this subsection.

(b) The following vehicles, upon transfer of ownership, shall be presented for inspection, as directed by the commissioner, at any Department of Motor Vehicles office or any official emissions inspection station authorized by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to conduct such inspection: (1) All motor vehicles ten model years old or older which are registered in this state and which were originally used or designed as fire apparatus and which are of historical or special interest as determined by the commissioner, (2) all antique, rare or special interest motor vehicles, and (3) all modified antique motor vehicles. Any such vehicle shall be inspected to determine whether it is in good mechanical condition before registration can be issued to the new owner of such vehicle. The determination of the mechanical condition of a vehicle described in subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection shall be made by inspecting only the vehicle's original equipment and parts or the functional reproductions of the original equipment and parts. The mechanical condition of modified antique motor vehicles shall be determined by inspecting the original equipment and any functioning replacements of such equipment. The model year designation for the purpose of registration of a modified antique motor vehicle or a composite motor vehicle shall be the model year that the body of such vehicle most closely resembles. If the commissioner authorizes the contractor that operates the system of official emissions inspection stations or other business or firm, except a licensee of the department, to conduct the safety inspections required by this subsection, the commissioner may authorize the contractor or other business or firm to charge a fee, not to exceed fifteen dollars, for each such inspection. The commissioner may authorize any motor vehicle dealer or repairer, licensed in accordance with section 14-52 and meeting qualifications established by the commissioner, to make repairs to any motor vehicle that has failed an initial safety inspection and to certify to the commissioner that the motor vehicle is in compliance with the safety and equipment standards for registration. No such authorized dealer or repairer shall charge any additional fee to make such certification to the commissioner.

(1963, P.A. 506; P.A. 77-150; P.A. 79-25, S. 2; P.A. 84-254, S. 24, 62; 84-429, S. 7; 84-462; P.A. 91-355, S. 1; P.A. 94-189, S. 3; P.A. 95-260, S. 17, 24; P.A. 97-236, S. 3, 27; P.A. 99-287, S. 2, 9; P.A. 00-169, S. 24; P.A. 01-24, S. 3, 5; P.A. 03-278, S. 36; P.A. 08-150, S. 5; P.A. 09-187, S. 30.)

History: P.A. 77-150 added Subsec. (b) re motor vehicles more than 10 years old used or designed as fire apparatus; P.A. 79-25 included all antique, rare or special interest vehicles and all modified antique motor vehicles in Subsec. (b); P.A. 84-254 increased the fees in Subsecs. (a) and (b), scheduling the increases to take effect on July 1 of 1984, 1985, 1989, 1991 and 1993 respectively; P.A. 84-429 rephrased provisions and made other technical changes; P.A. 84-462 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b), increasing the inspection fees from $2 to $7, the same increase as incorporated in P.A. 84-254; P.A. 91-355 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) to provide for conduct of inspections at authorized official emissions inspection stations, to require inspection fees collected at such inspection stations to be deposited in separate safety inspection account within emissions inspection fund and to delete obsolete provisions re fees; P.A. 94-189 amended section by deleting obsolete language re inspection fee increases; P.A. 95-260 amended Subsec. (a) to provide for conduct of inspections at other facilities authorized by commissioner, effective June 13, 1995; (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. 97-236 amended Subsec. (a) to allow motor vehicles 10 model years old or older to be inspected within 30 days before transfer of ownership and amended Subsec. (b) to substitute “model years” for “years”, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 99-287 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) by providing for inspection “as directed by the commissioner”, by deleting provisions requiring a $25 fee to be charged for a safety inspection and deposited into a safety inspection account within the Emissions Inspection Fund and by adding provisions re authorization of entities to conduct safety inspections, inspection fees and repair of vehicles failing such inspections, and amended Subsec. (b) by deleting regulation-making authority, effective July 1, 1999; P.A. 00-169 amended Subsec. (b) by making a technical correction; P.A. 01-24 amended Subsec. (a) by changing authority provision from “Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section” to “The commissioner may require that”, allowing certain motor vehicle dealers or repairers to perform inspections required by section and adding provision re the requirement of such dealers or repairers to provide written certification as to compliance of any motor vehicle in their inventory with safety and equipment standards, effective May 15, 2001; P.A. 03-278 made a technical change in Subsecs. (a) and (b), effective July 9, 2003; P.A. 08-150 amended Subsec. (b) to add provision re model year designation of a modified antique motor vehicle is model year that the body of vehicle most closely resembles; P.A. 09-187 amended Subsec. (b) to provide for model year designation of composite motor vehicle.

Sec. 14-16b. Inspection of damaged vehicles. Section 14-16b is repealed.

(P.A. 75-338; P.A. 77-376, S. 2, 3; P.A. 80-292, S. 15.)

Sec. 14-16c. Insurance companies', persons', firms' or corporations' duties re totalled vehicles and certificates of title. Operation and inspection of totalled vehicles. Regulations. (a)(1)(A) Any insurance company that takes possession of a motor vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued in this state, that has been declared a total loss and that is offered for sale in this state by such insurance company or its agent as a result of the settlement of a claim for damage or theft, shall stamp the word “SALVAGE” in one-inch-high letters not to exceed three inches in length on the vehicle's certificate of title and shall attach to such certificate of title a copy of the appraiser's damage report for such totalled motor vehicle, except that if the insurance company determines that such motor vehicle has ten or more major component parts that are damaged beyond repair and must be replaced, the insurance company shall stamp the words “SALVAGE PARTS ONLY” in one-inch-high letters not to exceed three inches in length on the vehicle's certificate of title. A copy of such certificate shall be sent by the insurance company to the Department of Motor Vehicles. If the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles determines that salvage information required to be reported by an insurance company to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System under 49 USC Sections 30501 to 30505, inclusive, and 28 CFR Sections 25.51 to 25.57, inclusive, is available to the department on a regular basis from the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, the commissioner may discontinue the requirement that an insurance company submit a copy of such certificate to the department. (B) Any insurance company that takes possession of a motor vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued in any state other than this state that has been declared a total loss and that is offered for sale in this state by such insurance company or its agent as a result of the settlement of a claim for damage or theft, shall attach to such certificate of title a copy of the appraiser's damage report for such totalled motor vehicle.

(2) (A) Any person, firm or corporation that is a self-insurer and owns a motor vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued in this state, that has been declared a total loss and that is offered for sale in this state by such self-insurer or its agent, shall stamp the word “SALVAGE” in one-inch-high letters not to exceed three inches in length on the vehicle's certificate of title and shall attach to such certificate of title a copy of the appraiser's damage report for such totalled motor vehicle, except that if such self-insurer determines that such motor vehicle has ten or more major component parts that are damaged beyond repair and must be replaced, the self-insurer shall stamp the words “SALVAGE PARTS ONLY” in one-inch-high letters not to exceed three inches in length on the motor vehicle's certificate of title. Any person, firm or corporation that is insured other than by means of self-insurance and owns such a motor vehicle, shall forward the vehicle's certificate of title to the company insuring such vehicle or the company paying the totalled claim. Such insurer shall stamp the word “SALVAGE” in one-inch-high letters not to exceed three inches in length on the certificate of title except that if the insurance company determines that such motor vehicle has ten or more major component parts that are damaged beyond repair and must be replaced, the insurer taking possession of such motor vehicle shall stamp the words “SALVAGE PARTS ONLY” in one-inch-high letters not to exceed three inches in length on the motor vehicle's certificate of title and shall return such certificate to such person, firm or corporation. A copy of such certificate shall be sent by the person, firm or corporation to the Department of Motor Vehicles. If the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles determines that salvage information required to be reported by a self-insurer to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System under 49 USC Sections 30501 to 30505, inclusive, and 28 CFR Sections 25.51 to 25.57, inclusive, is available to the department on a regular basis from the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, the commissioner may discontinue the requirement that a self-insurer submit a copy of such certificate to the department. (B) Any person, firm or corporation that is a self-insurer and owns a motor vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued in any state other than this state that has been declared a total loss and that is offered for sale in this state by such self-insurer or its agent, shall attach to such certificate of title a copy of the appraiser's damage report for such totalled motor vehicle.

(3) For purposes of this subsection, “major component part” has the same meaning as provided in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-149a.

(b) Any insurance company or its agent taking possession of a motor vehicle in accordance with subsection (a) of this section or any person, firm or corporation that owns such motor vehicle shall copy the certificate and give the original of such certificate, with a copy of the appraiser's damage report attached thereto, to any subsequent purchaser of the motor vehicle that has been declared a total loss. The name and address of any such purchaser shall be recorded on the original and the copy, as provided on the certificate. The copy shall serve only as a record of transfers of the total loss motor vehicle.

(c) Any insurance company that takes possession of a motor vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued in this state, as a result of a full settlement of a claim for damage or theft, but is unable to obtain the title to the vehicle from the insured or any lienholder of record for the vehicle may apply to the department for a certificate of title, SALVAGE title or SALVAGE-PARTS ONLY title, as described in subsection (a) of this section. The application for a certificate of title pursuant to this subsection shall (1) be on a form prescribed by the commissioner, (2) include documents as required by the commissioner in lieu of the documents required under subsection (a) of this section, and (3) include evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that the insurance company (A) provided at least two notices by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the insured and any lienholder of record for the vehicle indicating the insurance company's intention to apply for a certificate of title as the owner of the vehicle, and (B) made payment to the insured or any lienholder of record in full settlement of the claim involving the vehicle. The commissioner may issue a certificate of title pursuant to this subsection only in the name of the insurance company not earlier than thirty days after the date of the payment described in subparagraph (B) of subdivision (3) of this section is made.

(d) The person, firm, company or corporation required to stamp “SALVAGE” on the certificate of title shall stamp the following statement on the face of any original or copy of such certificate issued in accordance with this section: “WARNING: ALL PURCHASERS OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE DESCRIBED HEREIN MUST RECORD THEIR NAME AND ADDRESS ON THE REVERSE SIDE. THIS VEHICLE CANNOT BE REGISTERED OR RETITLED WITHOUT PASSING INSPECTION UNDER SECTION 14-103a. THIS DOCUMENT MUST BE SUBMITTED AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION.”

(e) No motor vehicle for which a copy of a certificate of title has been made in accordance with this section may be operated upon any highway in this state, except that an owner of any such motor vehicle who is a motor vehicle dealer or repairer licensed under the provisions of section 14-52 may operate such vehicle for the purpose of presenting the vehicle for inspection pursuant to section 14-103a. If such vehicle fails to comply with the minimum standards, it shall be transported from the site of such inspection. If any such motor vehicle is rebuilt for sale or use, the owner shall apply to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for an original certificate of title and present the vehicle for inspection pursuant to section 14-103a. The certificate of title issued in accordance with this section must be presented at the time of inspection, unless waived by the commissioner for good cause.

(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a motor vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued in this state, that has been declared a total loss in settlement of a claim for theft, having no damage to a major component part or having damage not exceeding (1) fifteen per cent of the retail value of such motor vehicle, as determined in accordance with the provisions of section 38a-353, or (2) one thousand dollars as evidenced by an insurance adjuster's damage appraisal report, shall not be required to have its certificate of title stamped in accordance with the provisions of this section provided proof of such damage or lack of damage to a major component part, is attached to such certificate.

(g) No insurance company and no firm or corporation that is a self-insurer may sell or transfer any totalled or salvaged motor vehicle, major component parts or any other parts of a motor vehicle to any person, firm or corporation that is not licensed under the provisions of subparts (D) or (H) of part III of this chapter. No person, firm or corporation licensed as a new or used car dealer who holds a permit pursuant to the provisions of section 14-65 may sell or transfer any totalled or salvaged motor vehicle with a certificate of title stamped “SALVAGE PARTS ONLY” or any motor vehicle that has ten or more major component parts damaged beyond repair and in need of replacement to any person, firm or corporation which is not licensed under the provisions of subpart (H) of this part or under a similar provision of law of any other state. Any sale or transfer in violation of the provisions of this section shall constitute an unfair method of competition and an unfair or deceptive act or practice, as defined by section 42-110b.

(h) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1-350b and the requirements of section 1-350d that a signature on a power of attorney executed in this state be witnessed by two witnesses and acknowledged by a notary public, a commissioner of the Superior Court or other individual authorized by law to take acknowledgments, a power of attorney used to support an application for or transfer of a certificate of title by an insurance company or its agent shall only require the signature or electronic signature of the insured who has received or is to receive a total loss settlement of a claim for damage or theft from the insurance company.

(i) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section.

(P.A. 80-292, S. 11; P.A. 81-172, S. 2; 81-174, S. 1, 5; P.A. 83-290; P.A. 84-359, S. 1; P.A. 85-237; P.A. 89-244, S. 3; P.A. 93-272, S. 1; P.A. 94-188, S. 26; May 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1, S. 70, 130; P.A. 95-260, S. 6, 24; P.A. 99-268, S. 15; P.A. 00-169, S. 22; P.A. 03-265, S. 8; P.A. 04-143, S. 18; P.A. 10-110, S. 9; P.A. 14-122, S. 104; P.A. 21-106, S. 39.)

History: P.A. 81-172 reduced the required height of the word “salvage” required to be stamped on certificates of title under Subsec. (a) from two inches to one inch and imposed length restriction; P.A. 81-174 provided that the original of the stamped certificate be given to the subsequent purchaser of the totalled motor vehicle and that the copy of the certificate be sent to the department of motor vehicles and changed required wording of title in Subsec. (c); P.A. 83-290 required that self-insured persons, firms or corporations which own totalled motor vehicles stamp “SALVAGE” on the title certificate, that persons, firms or corporations insured other than by means of self-insurance send the vehicle's title certificate to its insurer, which shall stamp “SALVAGE” on the certificate and return it to such owner, and that the person or entity responsible for stamping “SALVAGE” stamp a warning on the title certificate; P.A. 84-359 amended Subsec. (a) to require forwarding of title to company paying totalled claim, amended Subsec. (d), requiring the original certificate of title, rather than a copy, to be presented at time of inspection and inserted new language as Subsec. (e), prohibiting insurance companies and firms or corporations which are self-insurers from selling totalled or salvaged motor vehicles or parts to anyone not licensed as a dealer, repairer or junk yard or junk business, relettering former Subsec. (e) as (f); P.A. 85-237 inserted new Subsec. (e) exempting certain vehicles declared a total loss in settlement for a theft claim from stamping of title certificate and relettered former Subsecs. (e) and (f) accordingly; P.A. 89-244 amended Subsec. (d) to permit licensed motor vehicle dealers or repairers to operate totalled and subsequently rebuilt motor vehicles they own on any highway for purpose of presenting vehicles for inspection under Sec. 14-103a; P.A. 93-272 amended Subsec. (a)(1) by providing that if the insurance company determines that the motor vehicle has ten or more major component parts that are damaged beyond repair and must be replaced, the certificate of title must be stamped with the words “SALVAGE PARTS ONLY”, amended Subsec. (a)(2) by providing that self-insurers and any other person, firm or corporation which is insured other than by means of self-insurance must stamp the certificate of title with the words “SALVAGE PARTS ONLY” if the motor vehicle has ten or more major component parts which are damaged beyond repair and must be replaced, added a new Subsec. (a)(3) listing what parts constitute “major component parts”, amended Subsec. (e) by providing that the value of motor vehicle shall be “determined in accordance with the provisions of section 38a-353” rather than as “stated in the National Automobile Dealers Association Used Car Guide, Eastern Edition” and amended Subsec. (f) to prohibit new or used car dealers who hold auction permits pursuant to Sec. 14-65 from selling totalled or salvaged motor vehicles with certificates of title stamped “SALVAGE PARTS ONLY” to anyone other than a motor vehicle junk yard, motor vehicle junk business or intermediate processor; P.A. 94-188 amended Subsec. (e) to include vehicles having no damage to a major component part; May 25 Sp. Sess. P.A. 94-1 amended Subsec. (a) by making technical change, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 95-260 amended Subsec. (f) to prohibit a new or used car dealer who holds an auction permit from selling any motor vehicle with ten or more major component parts damaged beyond repair and in need of replacement to any person, firm or corporation not licensed under subpart. (H) of part III of this chapter or under a similar provision of law of another state; P.A. 99-268 redefined “major component parts” in Subsec. (a)(3) to have the same meaning as provided in Sec. 14-149a(a)(2); P.A. 00-169 revised effective date of P.A. 99-268 but without affecting this section; (Revisor's note: In 2003 the references in Subsec. (f) to “subdivisions (D) or (H)” and “subdivision (H)” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “subparts (D) or (H)” and “subpart (H)”, respectively, for clarity of reference); P.A. 03-265 amended Subsecs. (a)(1) and (a)(2) by, in both cases, designating existing provisions as Subpara. (A), adding requirement that motor vehicle be offered for sale in this state for provisions of subparagraph to apply, adding requirement that copy of appraiser's damage report be attached to certificate of title and adding Subpara. (B) re requirements where certificate of title issued in another state, amended Subsec. (b) to include insurance company “or its agent”, to require that copy of appraiser's damage report be attached to certificate of title given to subsequent purchaser of motor vehicle declared a total loss from insurance company or agent, to change “must” to “shall” re recording of purchaser's name and address on original and copy of certificate, and to require that name and address be recorded on certificate “as provided on the certificate”, and amended Subsec. (f) to make subsection applicable to sale “or transfer” and to make a technical change, effective January 1, 2004; P.A. 04-143 made a technical change in Subsec. (g), effective May 21, 2004; P.A. 10-110 amended Subsec. (a)(1)(A) and (2)(A) to provide that if commissioner determines salvage information required to be reported is regularly available to department, commissioner may discontinue requirement re submission of copy of certificate to department; P.A. 14-122 made a technical change in Subsec. (a)(3); P.A. 21-106 added new Subsec. (c) re application for certificate of title, SALVAGE title or SALVAGE-PARTS ONLY title by insurance company, redesignated existing Subsecs. (c) to (f) as Subsecs. (d) to (g), added Subsec. (h) re power of attorney used to support application, redesignated existing Subsec. (g) as Subsec. (i) and amended same to replace “shall” with “may”, and made technical changes.

See Sec. 38a-356 re insurance companies' duty to release information relative to investigations concerning a motor vehicle's loss or potential loss.

Cited. 231 C. 707.

Sec. 14-17. Notice of change in appearance or equipment. (a) A person holding a certificate of registration for a motor vehicle who substantially changes the appearance or mechanical equipment of the motor vehicle so that the motor vehicle no longer conforms to the description contained in the application for, or certificate of, registration shall notify the commissioner of the change within forty-eight hours of the change. Notice is unnecessary if (1) the intent to make the change is specified in the original registration, or (2) in the case of a motor vehicle registered as a motor bus and having a seating capacity in excess of sixteen passengers, or in the case of a truck having a carrying capacity of two thousand pounds or more, and if the change is solely in regard to the motor, and, in case of the substitution of a motor, the motor so substituted has been registered with the commissioner. The commissioner may register such motor upon written application by the owner thereof setting forth such information as the commissioner may require. The fee for such registration shall be ten dollars.

(b) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be deemed to have committed an infraction and be fined fifty dollars for each offense.

(1949 Rev., S. 2365; P.A. 82-223, S. 7; P.A. 83-577, S. 13; P.A. 84-429, S. 8; P.A. 90-263, S. 44, 74; P.A. 10-3, S. 55.)

History: P.A. 82-223 specified that violation of the section constituted an infraction and increased the fine from maximum of $10 to $25; P.A. 83-577 increased the fine from $25 to $35; P.A. 84-429 rephrased provisions, divided section into Subsecs. and made other technical changes; P.A. 90-263 amended Subsec. (a)(2) to delete reference to public service motor vehicle and to substitute truck for commercial motor vehicle; P.A. 10-3 amended Subsec. (b) to increase fine from $35 to $50, effective April 14, 2010.

Cited. 177 C. 93.

Sec. 14-17a. Notice of change in registrant's address. (a) A person holding a certificate of registration for a motor vehicle issued by the commissioner shall notify the commissioner within forty-eight hours of any change of his address. The notification shall include his old address and his new address.

(b) Failure to give the notice required by this section shall be an infraction.

(P.A. 84-429, S. 9.)

Cited. 22 CA 207.

Sec. 14-17b. Notice from United States Postal Service re change of address. Powers of commissioner. If the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles receives notification from the United States Postal Service that a person who holds (1) a license for the operation of a motor vehicle, (2) an identity card issued under section 1-1h, or (3) a certificate of registration for a motor vehicle, snowmobile or vessel, has changed his or her address on file with the United States Postal Service, and the commissioner determines that such person has not notified the commissioner of such change of address in accordance with sections 14-17a, 14-45 and 15-146, the commissioner may send any mail concerning such person's operator's license, identity card or certificate of registration for such motor vehicle, snowmobile or vessel to the address on file with the United States Postal Service and may change such person's motor vehicle records to reflect such address.

(P.A. 10-110, S. 48.)

History: P.A. 10-110 effective July 1, 2010.

Sec. 14-18. Display of number plates and stickers. Issuance of sample number plates. Return of number plates to commissioner. (a)(1) Each motor vehicle for which one number plate has been issued shall, while in use or operation upon any public highway, display in a conspicuous place at the rear of such vehicle the number plate. The commissioner may issue a sticker denoting the expiration date of the registration. Such sticker shall be displayed in such place on the vehicle as the commissioner may direct. Such sticker may contain the corresponding letters and numbers of the registration and number plate issued by the commissioner.

(2) Each motor vehicle for which two number plates have been issued shall, while in use or operation upon any public highway, display in a conspicuous place at the front and the rear of such vehicle the number plates. The commissioner may issue a sticker denoting the expiration date of the registration. Such sticker shall be displayed in such place on the vehicle as the commissioner may direct. Such sticker may contain the corresponding letters and numbers of the number plate issued by the commissioner.

(b) Repealed by 1969, P.A. 247, S. 1.

(c) Official number plates when displayed upon motor vehicles shall be entirely unobscured and the numerals and letters thereon shall be plainly legible at all times. Such number plates shall be horizontal, and shall be fastened so as not to swing and, during the time when a motor vehicle is required to display lights, the rear number plate shall be so illuminated as to be legible at a distance of fifty feet. Nothing may be affixed to a motor vehicle or to the official number plates displayed on such vehicle that obscures or impairs the visibility of any information on such number plates. Not more than one number plate shall be displayed on the front or rear of any motor vehicle in operation upon the public highways of the state; provided any motor vehicle may, upon permission of the commissioner, display more than one number plate in front or rear, subject to such conditions as the commissioner prescribes. If any number plate supplied by the commissioner is lost, or if the registered number thereon becomes mutilated or illegible, the owner of or the person in control of the motor vehicle for which such number plate was furnished shall immediately place a temporary number plate bearing said registration number upon such motor vehicle, which temporary number plate shall conform to the regular number plate and shall be displayed as nearly as possible as herein provided for such regular number plate; and such owner shall, within forty-eight hours after such loss or mutilation of the number plate, give notice thereof to the commissioner and apply for a new number plate. The commissioner may issue a permit to operate with such temporary plate and shall supply new number plates upon payment of the fee therefor as provided in section 14-50a. Upon receipt of such new number plates and new certificate, the remaining old number plate, if any, and certificate shall be surrendered to the commissioner.

(d) All number plates shall be the property of the state and no title therein shall pass to any person registering a motor vehicle under the provisions of this chapter. The owner of any registered motor vehicle which is not reregistered at the end of a registration period shall, within ten days, cancel such registration in accordance with procedures established by the commissioner and may return the number plates to the commissioner. Any person who sells a motor vehicle pursuant to section 14-150 or 49-61 shall, within ten days of such sale, return to the commissioner any number plates displayed on the vehicle or which come into such person's possession in connection with such sale. When the commissioner issues a new type of number plate for use by all persons registering motor vehicles, the obsolete number plates shall become the property of the registrant upon the expiration date.

(e) The commissioner may issue a number plate inscribed with the legend “SAMPLE”. Such number plate shall not be displayed on any motor vehicle or used as official registration marker plates. The commissioner may impose a fee for the issuance of such number plate. Such fee shall be sufficient to cover the cost of manufacturing and issuing such number plate.

(f) No person shall wilfully damage or destroy any number plate.

(g) Violation of any provision of subsection (a), (c), (d), (e) or (f) of this section shall be an infraction.

(1949 Rev., S. 2366; 1955, S. 1291d; 1957, P.A. 10; 145; 1959, P.A. 657, S. 1; 1963, P.A. 236; 1967, P.A. 832, S. 3; 1969, P.A. 247, S. 1; 1971, P.A. 324, S. 1; 649, S. 1; P.A. 74-26, S. 1; P.A. 75-577, S. 16, 126; P.A. 76-435, S. 52, 82; P.A. 80-47; 80-466, S. 6, 25; P.A. 85-252, S. 1; P.A. 86-388, S. 23, 31; P.A. 87-80, S. 1, 2; P.A. 90-106, S. 1, 3; P.A. 91-407, S. 5, 42; P.A. 93-341, S. 31, 38; P.A. 94-189, S. 26, 34; P.A. 98-182, S. 1, 22; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 99-1, S. 26, 51; P.A. 01-191, S. 1; P.A. 09-187, S. 65; P.A. 10-110, S. 23; 10-179, S. 26; P.A. 18-164, S. 4.)

History: 1959 act removed provisions in Subsec. (a) rendered obsolete by staggered system of registration renewal; 1963 act amended Subsec. (a) to require display of inserts or stickers as well as plates; 1967 act amended Subsec. (c) to regulate attachments to number plate holders and to forbid any attachments to the plates themselves; 1969 act repealed Subsec. (b) which had required commissioner to furnish individually registered vehicles with one set of plates and to furnish dealers, manufacturers or repairers with a maximum of twenty-four sets; 1971 acts amended Subsec. (c) to allow attachment of toll station markers to license plates and amended Subsec. (a) to include vehicles displaying a general distinguishing number or mark; P.A. 74-26 amended Subsec. (a) to include reference to Sec. 14-35; P.A. 75-577 amended Subsec. (f) to replace $50 fine with reference to violation as infraction; P.A. 76-435 amended Subsec. (c) to replace reference to repealed Sec. 14-49(r) with reference to Sec. 14-50a; P.A. 80-47 amended Subsec. (d) to require return of plates within ten days by person selling vehicle pursuant to Sec. 14-150 or 49-61; P.A. 80-466 amended Subsec. (a) to refer to single plate, insert or sticker and to delete obsolete reference to single plate, sticker or insert previously applicable to motorcycles, trailers, etc.; P.A. 85-252 amended Subsec. (a), requiring that inserts or stickers be affixed only to lower right corner of number plate commencing with registrations issued on and after October 1, 1985; P.A. 86-388 subdivided Subsec. (a) into three Subdivs., requiring in (1) the display of one number plate on each motor vehicle until July 1, 1993, and in (2) the display of two number plates on and after July 1, 1993, on each motor vehicle except motorcycles, camp trailers, commercial trailers or vehicles displaying a general distinguishing number; P.A. 87-80 amended Subsec. (a)(2) and (3) to require the display of one sticker affixed to the rear plate, and its placement only on the upper right corner of such plate in the case of plates issued on and after July 1, 1987; P.A. 90-106 amended Subsec. (a)(1) and (2) to substitute “1995” for “1993”; P.A. 91-407 amended Subsec. (c) by removing provision re toll station registration marker; P.A. 93-341 amended Subsec. (a)(1) and (2) by deleting the exception for fire department apparatus not registered under the provisions of Sec. 14-19 and by applying Subdiv. (1) to motor vehicles for which one number plate has been issued and Subdiv. (2) to motor vehicles for which two number plates have been issued, deleting provisions concerning motorcycles, camp trailers, commercial trailers and certain other vehicles and amended Subsec. (a)(3) by replacing existing language re sticker placement with new language, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 94-189 amended Subsec. (a)(1) and (2) by deleting references to the display of an insert or sticker denoting the expiration month and year of the registration, replacing them with directives concerning the display of a sticker on the number plate or elsewhere on the vehicle denoting the expiration date of the registration and deleted Sub. (a)(3), effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 98-182 added Subsec. (e) providing for the issuance of number plates inscribed with the legend “SAMPLE” and redesignated former Subsecs. (e) and (f) as (f) and (g), effective July 1, 1998; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 99-1 amended Subsec. (c) to delete provisions re plates, devices or attachments affixed to the number plate holder, to add provision that no plates, devices or attachments may be covering the number plates and to make technical changes, effective July 1, 1999; P.A. 01-191 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provisions allowing the sticker denoting the expiration date of registration to contain the corresponding letters and numbers of the registration and number plate; P.A. 09-187 amended Subsec. (c) to replace prohibition re plates, devices or attachments affixed to or covering official number plates with prohibition re anything affixed to motor vehicle or to official number plates displayed thereon that obscures or impairs visibility of information on plates and to make a technical change; P.A. 10-110 amended Subsec. (a) to replace requirements that motor vehicle display sticker denoting registration expiration date on number plate or elsewhere as directed by commissioner with provisions making issuance of such sticker by commissioner discretionary and to make technical changes, effective June 5, 2010; P.A. 10-179 amended Subsec. (a) to make the same changes as made by P.A. 10-110, effective May 7, 2010; P.A. 18-164 amended Subsec. (d) to add provision re cancelation of registration in accordance with procedures and to permit return of number plates, effective July 1, 2018.

See Sec. 14-107 re liability of owner, operator or lessee of vehicle in prosecutions for violation of this section.

Cited. 181 C. 299.

Sec. 14-19. Registration of fire apparatus. The commissioner shall, at the request of the chief of any regular or volunteer fire department or the person in charge of any organized civil preparedness auxiliary fire company, register, without charge, any motor vehicle used as fire apparatus by such department or company and shall issue a certificate of registration and number plates bearing the words “fire apparatus” therefor.

(1955, S. 1290d; 1963, P.A. 410; P.A. 73-544, S. 22.)

History: 1963 act added provision that plates bear words “fire apparatus”; P.A. 73-544 substituted “civil preparedness” for “civil defense”.

Sec. 14-19a. Regulations re issuance of special number plates to members of qualifying organizations. Issuance and renewal of collegiate special number plates. Discontinuance of special number plates. (a) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to establish (1) standards for the issuance of a special certificate of registration and special number plates to a member of an organization which qualifies for issuance, (2) qualifications of organizations whose members wish to apply for such special registrations, (3) procedures for application for such special registration, and (4) a fee for such special number plates which shall cover at least the entire cost of making the plates and which shall be in addition to the fee for registration of the motor vehicle. The regulations shall provide that a labor union shall be a qualifying organization.

(b) The Department of Motor Vehicles, in consultation with the Board of Regents for Higher Education, shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish standards for the issuance and renewal of collegiate special number plates with the logos or emblems of Connecticut public and independent institutions of higher education.

(c) On or after July 1, 2004, the commissioner may issue special certificates of registration and special number plates in accordance with the regulations adopted under subsection (a) of this section provided the commissioner may not issue a set of special number plates bearing the same numerals as any other plate issued by the department. The commissioner may discontinue the issuance of any such special number plates issued for a qualified organization, or special plates issued in accordance with the provisions of sections 14-19b and 14-21f to 14-21p, inclusive, at any time, upon written notice to the organization if, in the opinion of the commissioner, the demand for such plates is insufficient to support the costs of production.

(P.A. 90-236, S. 1, 2; P.A. 91-275; P.A. 93-341, S. 3; P.A. 97-236, S. 4, 27; P.A. 04-199, S. 5; P.A. 09-187, S. 58; P.A. 11-48, S. 282.)

History: P.A. 91-275 inserted new Subdiv. (b) requiring the department to adopt regulations for the issuance of special number plates with the logos or emblems or Connecticut public and independent institutions of higher education, relettered former Subsec. (b) as (c) and restated its provisions; P.A. 93-341 amended Subsec. (b) by providing for the renewal of collegiate special number plates and by providing that the plates may be obtained by any “individuals who meet the requirements established by the regulations adopted pursuant to this subsection”, amended Subdiv. (2) by requiring $50 donation to a scholarship fund or scholarship account at the institution of higher education prior to each issuance and renewal of plates and specifying that renewal would occur when motor vehicle's registration was renewed; P.A. 97-236 amended Subsec. (a) to require that regulations provide that a labor union be a qualifying organization, effective June 24, 1997; P.A. 04-199 amended Subsec. (c) to change from mandatory to permissive issuance of special certificates of registration and special number plates and to permit commissioner to discontinue issuance of special number plates if demand insufficient to support costs to produce, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 09-187 amended Subsec. (b) to delete provision re issuance of special number plates to individuals meeting requirements established by regulations, to delete specific requirements re regulations and to delete provision re contributions to scholarship fund or account distributed on basis of financial need, and amended Subsec. (c) to insert reference to Sec. 14-19b and make a technical change; P.A. 11-48 amended Subsec. (b) to replace “Board of Governors of the Department of Higher Education” with “Board of Regents for Higher Education”, effective July 1, 2011.

Sec. 14-19b. Issuance and renewal of collegiate commemorative number plates. Fees. Establishment of account. (a) On or after October 1, 2009, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, within available appropriations, may issue a collegiate commemorative number plate with a design containing the logo or emblem of an institution of higher education as determined by such institution of higher education, if such institution of higher education requests that a collegiate commemorative number plate be issued and demonstrates that there is a demand for at least four hundred collegiate commemorative number plates with a design containing the logo or emblem of such institution of higher education.

(b) If the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles establishes a collegiate commemorative number plate for an institution of higher education pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the commissioner shall charge a fee of fifty-five dollars for such collegiate commemorative number plates in addition to the regular fee or fees prescribed for the registration of the motor vehicle. Fifteen dollars of such fee shall be deposited in an account controlled by the Department of Motor Vehicles to be used for the cost of producing, issuing, renewing and replacing such number plates, and forty dollars of such fee shall be deposited in the account established under subsection (d) of this section. No transfer fee shall be charged for the transfer of an existing registration to or from a registration with collegiate commemorative number plates. Such number plates shall have letters and numbers selected by the commissioner. The commissioner may establish a higher fee for number plates: (1) That contain the numbers and letters from a previously issued number plate; (2) that contain any combination of letters or numbers requested by the registrant as authorized by section 14-49, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for plates issued under said section; and (3) that are low number plates, issued in accordance with section 14-160, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for plates issued under said section. All fees established and collected pursuant to this section, except the amount deposited in the account controlled by the Department of Motor Vehicles, shall be deposited in the account established under subsection (d) of this section. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish standards and procedures for the issuance, renewal and replacement of collegiate commemorative number plates.

(c) A renewal fee of fifty-five dollars shall be charged for renewal of registration of a motor vehicle bearing a collegiate commemorative number plate, in addition to the regular fee or fees prescribed for renewal of registration of a motor vehicle. Five dollars of the renewal fee shall be deposited in an account controlled by the Department of Motor Vehicles to be used for the cost of producing, issuing, renewing and replacing collegiate commemorative number plates.

(d) The Comptroller shall establish an account for each institution of higher education for which the commissioner has established a commemorative number plate pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. Each such account shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund. Such account shall contain any moneys required to be deposited in the account pursuant to this section. The moneys in each such account shall be distributed quarterly by the commissioner to the institution of higher education for which the account is established. Such institutions of higher education shall expend funds received from such accounts to provide funding for scholarships on the basis of financial need and for alumni outreach efforts.

(P.A. 09-187, S. 59.)

Sec. 14-20. Number plates for antique, rare or special interest motor vehicles. Issuance of number plates corresponding to year of manufacture. Registration. Regulations. (a) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may issue special number plates for antique, rare or special interest motor vehicles, including antique, rare or special interest motor vehicles that have been modified, such special number plates to be issued on a permanent basis. The commissioner shall charge a fee for such plates which shall cover the entire cost of making the same. An owner of such antique, rare or special interest motor vehicle may use such owner's own porcelain number plate in place of the plates issued by the commissioner provided (1) such plate was originally issued by the department, and (2) such owner files with the commissioner a description and the number of such plate and any additional information the commissioner may require.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, section 14-18 and section 14-21b, the owner of such antique, rare or special interest motor vehicle may be authorized by the commissioner to display a number plate originally issued by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles corresponding to the year of manufacture of such antique, rare or special interest motor vehicle. The commissioner shall issue a certificate of registration, as provided in section 14-12. Such registration shall be valid, subject to renewal, as long as the commissioner permits. Thereafter, the registration number and number plates, if any, which were assigned to such motor vehicle before such registration and number plates were issued under this section, shall be in effect. Each such number plate authorized for use by the commissioner shall be displayed in a conspicuous place at the rear of such motor vehicle at all times while the vehicle is in use or operation upon any public highway. A sticker shall be affixed to each such number plate to denote the expiration date of the registration, unless the commissioner authorizes the sticker, or other evidence of the period of the registration, to be placed elsewhere or carried in such motor vehicle. Such sticker may contain the corresponding letters and numbers of the registration and number plate. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section.

(1951, 1955, S. 1288d; 1957, P.A. 533; P.A. 79-25, S. 3; P.A. 80-42; P.A. 83-515, S. 1; P.A. 84-429, S. 53; P.A. 00-169, S. 21; P.A. 01-191, S. 2; P.A. 02-70, S. 50; P.A. 09-187, S. 28.)

History: P.A. 79-25 replaced “automobiles manufactured at least twenty-five years prior to the date such number plates are issued” with reference to antique, rare or special interest motor vehicles and deleted requirement that special plates be issued only to vehicles to be used in exhibitions, parades etc. and not for general transportation; P.A. 80-42 deleted requirement that plates conform as much as possible to plates used at time of vehicles manufacture and made technical correction; P.A. 83-515 eliminated the requirement of issuing number plates in addition to special number plates and permitted an owner of an antique, rare or special interest motor vehicle to substitute a porcelain number plate for the special number plates; P.A. 84-429 made technical change for statutory consistency; P.A. 00-169 designated existing section as Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (b) authorizing the display on antique, rare or special interest motor vehicles of a number plate originally issued by the commissioner corresponding to the year of manufacture of such antique, rare or special interest motor vehicle, provided for the registration of such vehicles, authorized the adoption of regulations, and made a technical change for the purpose of gender neutrality; P.A. 01-191 amended Subsec. (b) by adding provision allowing the sticker denoting the expiration date of registration to contain the corresponding letters and numbers of the registration and number plate; P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (b) to make a technical change, effective July 1, 2002; P.A. 09-187 amended Subsec. (a) to include modified antique, rare or special interest motor vehicles, amended Subsec. (b) to authorize adoption of regulations to implement section and made technical changes.

Sec. 14-20a. Number plates for volunteer firefighters. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, at the request of any chief executive officer of a volunteer fire department or company, shall register any passenger motor vehicle, motor vehicle used for commercial purposes or passenger and commercial motor vehicle owned by a volunteer firefighter in such department or company and shall issue a special certificate of registration and a set of number plates which shall bear the international fire department symbol. The plates shall expire and be renewed as provided in section 14-22. The commissioner shall charge a fee for such plates which shall cover the entire cost of making the same. The plates shall be returned to the commissioner upon termination of the firefighter's membership in the volunteer fire department or company.

(P.A. 87-304, S. 5; P.A. 90-263, S. 58, 74.)

History: P.A. 90-263 substituted motor vehicle used for commercial purposes for commercial motor vehicle.

Sec. 14-20b. Number plates for veterans, members of the armed forces and members of the Hmong Laotian special guerilla units. Return and nonrenewal of number plates. (a) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, at the request of any veteran or member of the armed forces or the surviving spouse of such veteran or member, shall register any motor vehicle owned or leased for a period of at least one year by such person and shall issue a special certificate of registration and a set of number plates for each such motor vehicle, including a special certificate of registration and a set of number plates for any motor vehicle used exclusively for farming purposes by any such veteran or member of the armed forces, or the surviving spouse of such veteran or member, who is engaged in agricultural production as a trade or business. The plates shall expire and be renewed as provided in section 14-22. The commissioner shall charge a fee for such plates, which fee shall cover the entire cost of making such plates and shall be in addition to the fee for registration of such motor vehicle. The commissioner shall charge a fee of fifteen dollars to replace such plates that become mutilated or illegible. As used in this subsection, “veteran” and “armed forces” have the same meanings as provided in section 27-103.

(b) (1) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, at the request of any person who was a member of the Hmong Laotian special guerilla units, which units served in the United States secret war in the Kingdom of Laos during the Vietnam War, or the surviving spouse of such person, and after verification from the Department of Veterans Affairs as provided under subdivision (2) of this subsection, shall register any motor vehicle owned or leased for a period of at least one year by such person and shall issue a special certificate of registration and a set of number plates for each such motor vehicle, including a special certificate of registration and a set of number plates for any motor vehicle used exclusively for farming purposes by any such person, or the surviving spouse of such person, who is engaged in agricultural production as a trade or business. The plates shall expire and be renewed as provided in section 14-22. The commissioner shall charge a fee for such plates, which fee shall cover the entire cost of making such plates and shall be in addition to the fee for registration of such motor vehicle.

(2) Any person who was a member of the Hmong Laotian special guerilla units, or the surviving spouse of such person, may submit a request to the Department of Veterans Affairs to be listed as a veteran, based on such service, for the purpose of obtaining a special certificate of registration and a set of number plates under subdivision (1) of this subsection. Such person, or the surviving spouse of such person, shall provide to said department (A) an affidavit stating (i) when such person served, (ii) where such person served, (iii) the unit in which such person served, and (iv) the capacity in which such person served; (B) any available corroborating witness affidavits; (C) any available official documentation of service; and (D) any other documents supporting such person's or such surviving spouse's affidavit. Said department shall, not later than thirty days after receipt of such request, verify whether such person was a member of the Hmong Laotian special guerilla units and, if so, notify the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles of such request and verification.

(c) Any such member of the armed forces who is dishonorably discharged shall return such plates to the commissioner not later than thirty days after such discharge. The commissioner shall not renew such plates for any motor vehicle owned or leased by any such member of the armed forces who is dishonorably discharged.

(P.A. 97-236, S. 1; P.A. 98-182, S. 7, 22; P.A. 11-56, S. 1; P.A. 17-148, S. 1; P.A. 18-47, S. 15; P.A. 21-51, S. 1; 21-79, S. 21; 21-106, S. 40.)

History: P.A. 98-182 expanded the category of vehicles eligible for number plates for veterans from passenger motor vehicles to all motor vehicles, effective July 1, 1998; P.A. 11-56 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and amended same to add references to member of the armed forces and added Subsec. (b) re return and nonrenewal of number plates for dishonorably discharged member of armed forces, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 17-148 amended Subsec. (a) to add provision re motor vehicles used for farming purposes and to make technical changes, effective July 1, 2017; P.A. 18-47 amended Subsec. (a) to define “member of the armed forces” and “veteran”; P.A. 21-51 made technical changes in Subsec. (a), added new Subsec. (b) re members of Hmong Laotian special guerilla units, and redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (c); P.A. 21-79 amended Subsec. (a) to redefine “veteran” and make a technical change; P.A. 21-106 amended Subsec. (a) to add provision re $15 replacement fee for mutilated or illegible plates, effective July 1, 2021.

Sec. 14-20c. Number plates for immediate family of residents killed in action with armed forces. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, at the request of any immediate family member, shall issue a special certificate of registration and a set of number plates memorializing residents of this state who were killed in action while performing active military duty with the armed forces, as defined in section 27-103. Such registration and number plates shall be available for any motor vehicle owned or leased for a period of at least one year. Such number plates shall expire and be renewed as provided in section 14-22. No fee shall be charged for such plates. Such plates shall bear the words “Gold Star Family”, and the design of such plates shall be approved by a committee established by the commissioner. For the purposes of this section, “immediate family member” includes a spouse, mother, father, brother, sister, child, grandmother or grandfather of a resident of this state who was killed in action while performing active military duty with the armed forces, as defined in section 27-103.

(P.A. 07-167, S. 24; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-5, S. 32; P.A. 08-104, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 07-167 effective June 25, 2007; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-5 made technical changes, deleted provision re Connecticut service members and added provisions re state residents killed in action while performing active military duty with armed forces, effective October 6, 2007; P.A. 08-104 eliminated fee for Gold Star Family number plates, effective May 27, 2008.

Sec. 14-20d. Number plates for veterans and members of the armed forces to indicate service during a period of war. Return and nonrenewal of number plates. (a) For the purposes of this section, “veteran”, “armed forces” and “period of war” have the same meanings as provided in section 27-103.

(b) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall, at the request of any veteran or member of the armed forces who received a campaign medal, issue special registration number plates to indicate service during a period of war. Such plates shall bear the words “(Name of War) Veteran” and shall be designed in consultation with the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs. The plates shall expire and be renewed as provided in section 14-22. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall charge a fee for such plates, which fee shall cover the entire cost of making such plates and shall be in addition to the fee for registration of such motor vehicle. No use shall be made of such plates except as official registration number plates.

(c) A request made under subsection (b) of this section shall be accompanied by proof from the Department of Veterans Affairs that the person making a specific request served in the armed forces during such period of war.

(d) The surviving spouse of a veteran or member of the armed forces issued special registration number plates under subsection (b) of this section may retain any such plates for his or her lifetime or until such time as he or she remarries.

(e) Any such member of the armed forces who is dishonorably discharged shall return such plates to the commissioner not later than thirty days after such discharge. The commissioner shall not renew such plates for any motor vehicle owned or leased by any such member of the armed forces who is dishonorably discharged.

(P.A. 21-106, S. 49; P.A. 22-34, S. 1; 22-44, S. 34.)

History: P.A. 21-106 effective January 1, 2022; P.A. 22-34 redefined “veteran” in Subsec. (a) and made a technical change in Subsec. (b); P.A. 22-44 amended Subsecs. (b) and (d) to replace “marker” with “number”, effective July 1, 2022.

Sec. 14-21. Number plates for amateur radio licensees. The commissioner shall, upon request, upon the registration of a passenger motor vehicle, motorcycle, camper, motor vehicle used for commercial purposes or passenger and commercial motor vehicle owned by any holder of an amateur radio station license issued by the Federal Communications Commission, issue special number plates bearing the official call letters of such radio station as assigned by the Federal Communications Commission. Each application for such special number plates shall be accompanied by proof satisfactory to the commissioner that the applicant currently holds such a license.

(1955, S. 1289d; P.A. 80-38; P.A. 90-263, S. 59, 74.)

History: P.A. 80-38 included plates for motorcycles, campers, commercial or passenger and commercial vehicles in provisions; P.A. 90-263 substituted motor vehicle used for commercial purposes for commercial motor vehicle.

Sec. 14-21a. “Foreign consul” registration and number plates. Section 14-21a is repealed.

(1967, P.A. 501, S. 1; P.A. 85-81.)

Sec. 14-21b. Issuance of reflectorized number plates. Display. Infraction. (a) The commissioner shall issue fully reflectorized safety number plates for new registrations and renewal registrations issued on and after January 1, 2000, for passenger, combination and commercial registrations and other registrations as the commissioner deems feasible within funds and personnel available. Each plate shall bear the words “Constitution State” and “Connecticut”. The commissioner shall issue two fully reflectorized safety number plates in accordance with a schedule established by the commissioner in such quantities as the commissioner deems feasible within the funds and personnel available. No safety fee shall be charged for the issuance of the replacement number plates for such renewals.

(b) No additional charge shall be made for the issuance of such new or replacement fully reflectorized plates, except for the safety fee provided for in subsection (w) of section 14-49.

(c) The owner or lessee of each registered motor vehicle who is issued two fully reflectorized safety number plates by the commissioner shall display such plates on such motor vehicle as provided in section 14-18. A violation of this subsection shall be an infraction.

(P.A. 73-454, S. 1, 3, 4; P.A. 75-294, S. 1, 2; P.A. 77-88; P.A. 80-466, S. 7, 25; P.A. 83-489, S. 2, 17; P.A. 84-429, S. 10; P.A. 86-383, S. 5, 6; 86-388, S. 24, 31; P.A. 87-362, S. 1; P.A. 90-106, S. 2, 3; P.A. 93-341, S. 32, 38; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 99-1, S. 25, 51; P.A. 01-24, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 75-294 revised statement re reflectorized plates in Subsec. (a); P.A. 77-88 deleted reference to January 1, 1974, as beginning date for issuance of reflectorized plates in Subsec. (a), replaced former Subsec. (b) with new provisions re replacement plates and required that all new plates be reflectorized and removed from Subsec. (c) requirement that all nonreflectorized plates be replaced by January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-466 amended Subsec. (b) to reflect change to single license plate; P.A. 83-489 amended Subsec. (c) to change reference to safety fee of $1 to $2, reflecting increase in safety fee in Sec. 14-49(w); P.A. 84-429 rephrased provisions, relettered Subsecs. and made other technical changes; P.A. 86-383 amended Subsec. (a) (as amended by substitute senate bill 428 of the 1986 regular session, i.e. P.A. 86-388) to delete provisions of that Subsec., as amended, re reflectorized and nonreflectorized portions of license plates; P.A. 86-388 required the commissioner to issue two reflectorized number plates for new registrations issued on and after July 1, 1987 and for renewals occurring on and after July 1, 1991, specified that plate display reflectorized white borders and letters or numerals with nonreflectorized blue background and words “Constitution State” and “Connecticut”, and required plates to be displayed in a conspicuous place; P.A. 87-362 amended Subsec. (a) to prohibit the assessment of the safety fee for issuance of replacement plates for renewals occurring on and after July 1, 1991; P.A. 90-106 amended Subsec. (a) to require commissioner to issue two number plates for registrations issued during the five-year period ending June 30, 1995, in quantities as he deems feasible within funds and personnel available; P.A. 93-341 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting the cutoff date of June 30, 1995, for the issuance of two reflectorized safety number plates by the commissioner and by deleting provision re display of plates at the front and the rear of vehicles, effective July 1, 1993; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 99-1 amended Subsec. (a) to require the issuance of fully reflectorized number plates for certain new and renewal registrations issued on and after January 1, 2000, and to make technical changes, and amended Subsec. (b) to prohibit any additional charge for the issuance of fully reflectorized number plates, effective July 1, 1999; P.A. 01-24 added Subsec. (c) re requirement to display two fully reflectorized safety number plates issued by the commissioner.

Sec. 14-21c. Number plates for manufacturers of motor vehicles or automotive equipment. (a) Upon the application of a person engaged in the manufacturing of motor vehicles or automotive equipment, the commissioner may issue interchangeable special number plates for motor vehicles used by the manufacturer in the experimental testing of such motor vehicles or automotive equipment, provided the application shall contain (1) information on the motor vehicle or motor vehicle parts manufactured, (2) a statement on the need for highway testing, (3) an affidavit stating that the special plates shall be used only in experimental testing, and (4) any other information the commissioner deems pertinent.

(b) The commissioner shall charge an annual fee of seventy dollars for the issuance of registration and plates for any such experimental test motor vehicle. Such registration shall expire one year following the date of issuance and shall not be renewed.

(c) No registration and marker plate shall be issued pursuant to this section unless the applicant has furnished financial responsibility satisfactory to the commissioner as defined in section 14-112.

(P.A. 75-386, S. 1, 2; P.A. 83-494; P.A. 84-254, S. 25, 62; 84-429, S. 11; P.A. 11-213, S. 8; P.A. 12-81, S. 3.)

History: P.A. 83-494 increased the registration fee for experimental test motor vehicles from $15 to $20 and required manufacturers to furnish proof of financial responsibility prior to being issued a registration and plates; P.A. 84-254 periodically increased the existing $20 fee to $70 as of July 1, 1993; P.A. 84-429 divided section into Subsecs., rephrased provisions and made other technical changes; P.A. 11-213 amended Subsec. (a) to include manufacture and testing of motor vehicles, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (b) to delete obsolete fee increase provisions, replace expiration date of “the last day of March each year” with “one year following the date of issuance” and prohibit the renewal of a registration.

Sec. 14-21d. Prisoner of war and congressional medal of honor registration and number plate. (a) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, at the request of any member or former member of the armed forces, as defined in section 27-103, who is a former prisoner of war, shall register, without charge, any passenger motor vehicle, camper or passenger and commercial motor vehicle owned or leased by such person, provided no more than two such registrations may be issued to any such person. The commissioner shall issue a special certificate of registration and a number plate or set of number plates in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of section 14-21b for each such vehicle. Each application for such special registration and number plate shall be accompanied by proof from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that such person is a former prisoner of war. The surviving spouse of a former prisoner of war issued such special registration may retain any such registration and number plates without charge for his or her lifetime or until such time as he or she remarries.

(b) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, at the request of any recipient of the congressional medal of honor, shall register, without charge, any passenger motor vehicle, camper or passenger and commercial motor vehicle owned or leased by such person, provided no more than two such registrations may be issued to any such person. The commissioner shall issue a special certificate of registration and a number plate or set of number plates in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of section 14-21b for each such vehicle. The surviving spouse of a recipient of the congressional medal of honor issued such special registration may retain any such registration and number plates without charge for his or her lifetime or until such time as he or she remarries.

(P.A. 82-405, S. 13; P.A. 83-303; P.A. 86-388, S. 25, 31; P.A. 89-313, S. 4, 5; P.A. 91-408, S. 9, 18; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-11, S. 1, 70; P.A. 97-236, S. 5, 27; P.A. 18-72, S. 25.)

History: P.A. 83-303 permitted the commissioner to register, without charge, at the request of a former prisoner of war or a congressional medal of honor recipient, in addition to a passenger motor vehicle, a camper or passenger and commercial motor vehicle, provided a maximum of two free registrations may be issued; P.A. 86-388 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b), including reference to issuance of a set of number plates in accordance with provisions of Sec. 14-21b(a); P.A. 89-313 amended Subsec. (a) to permit the surviving spouse of a former prisoner of war to retain the prisoner of war registration without charge for lifetime or until remarriage; P.A. 91-408 amended Subsec. (b) to permit the surviving spouse of a recipient of the congressional medal of honor to retain the special registration without charge for lifetime or until remarriage; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-11 made technical changes by rephrasing language; P.A. 97-236 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) to extend provisions to leased vehicles, effective June 24, 1997; P.A. 18-72 amended Subsec. (a) to replace reference to Veterans' Administration with reference to United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Sec. 14-21e. Number plates commemorating Long Island Sound. Voluntary lighthouse preservation donation. Fees. Voluntary habitat restoration donation. Regulations. (a) On and after January 1, 1993, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue Long Island Sound commemorative number plates of a design to enhance public awareness of the state's effort to restore and protect Long Island Sound. Said design shall be determined by agreement between the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. No use shall be made of such plates except as official registration marker plates.

(b) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall establish, by regulations adopted in accordance with chapter 54, a fee to be charged for Long Island Sound commemorative number plates in addition to the regular fee or fees prescribed for the registration of a motor vehicle. The fee shall be for such number plates with letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may establish a higher fee for: (1) Such number plates which contain letters in place of numbers as authorized by section 14-49, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for plates issued under said section; and (2) such number plates which are low number plates, in accordance with section 14-160, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for plates issued under said section. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall establish, by regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, an additional voluntary lighthouse preservation donation which shall be deposited in the Connecticut Lighthouse Preservation account established under section 22a-27n*. All fees established and collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the Long Island Sound account established pursuant to section 22a-27v.

(c) Except as provided by subsection (d) of this section, no additional renewal fee shall be charged for renewal of registration for any motor vehicle bearing Long Island Sound commemorative number plates which contain letters in place of numbers, or low number plates, in excess of the renewal fee for Long Island Sound commemorative number plates with letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. No transfer fee shall be charged for transfer of an existing registration to or from a registration with Long Island Sound commemorative number plates.

(d) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may request an additional voluntary donation of fifteen dollars at the time of registration renewal for any motor vehicle bearing a Long Island Sound commemorative number plate. Five dollars of the donation may be dedicated to the administrative costs of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Ten dollars of such donation shall be deposited in the habitat restoration matching subaccount, established pursuant to section 22a-27v.

(e) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, in consultation with the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish standards and procedures for the issuance, renewal and replacement of Long Island Sound commemorative number plates.

(P.A. 92-133, S. 4, 9; P.A. 97-221, S. 2; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3, S. 392; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-7, S. 187; P.A. 11-80, S. 1; 11-246, S. 1.)

*Note: Section 22a-27n was repealed effective October 1, 2009, by section 513 of public act 09-3 of the June special session.

History: P.A. 97-221 amended Subsec. (b) to add provision re voluntary lighthouse preservation donation; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3 amended Subsec. (b) to require deposit of fees in General Fund, rather than Long Island Sound account; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-7 amended Subsec. (b) to require deposit of fees into Long Island Sound account established pursuant to Sec. 22a-27v, rather than General Fund, effective October 5, 2009; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Commissioner of Environmental Protection” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection” in Subsecs. (a) and (b), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-246 amended Subsec. (c) to add exception re new Subsec. (d), added new Subsec. (d) re voluntary habitat restoration donation and redesignated existing Subsec. (d) as Subsec. (e), effective July 13, 2011.

Sec. 14-21f. Keep Kids Safe number plates. Fees. Regulations. (a) On and after January 1, 1996, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue Keep Kids Safe number plates of a design to enhance public awareness of the state's effort to protect the safety of children. Said design may be determined by a contest coordinated by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. No use shall be made of such plates except as official registration marker plates.

(b) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall establish, by regulations adopted in accordance with chapter 54, a fee to be charged for Keep Kids Safe number plates in addition to the regular fee or fees prescribed for the registration of a motor vehicle. The fee shall be for such number plates with letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may establish a higher fee for: (1) Such number plates which contain letters in place of numbers as authorized by section 14-49, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for plates issued under said section; and (2) such number plates which are low number plates, in accordance with section 14-160, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for plates issued under said section. Each fee established pursuant to this subsection for Keep Kids Safe number plates shall not exceed the fee established for corresponding Long Island Sound commemorative number plates issued pursuant to section 14-21e. All fees established and collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the Keep Kids Safe account established pursuant to section 14-21g.

(c) No additional renewal fee shall be charged for renewal of registration for any motor vehicle bearing Keep Kids Safe number plates which contain letters in place of numbers, or low number plates, in excess of the renewal fee for Keep Kids Safe number plates with letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.

(d) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to establish standards and procedures for the issuance, renewal and replacement of Keep Kids Safe number plates.

(P.A. 95-275, S. 1, 3.)

History: P.A. 95-275 effective July 6, 1995.

Sec. 14-21g. Keep Kids Safe account. (a) There is established an account to be known as the “Keep Kids Safe account” which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund. The account shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the account.

(b) The moneys in said account shall be expended by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management for the purposes of (1) innovative community programs to further the goal of protecting the safety of children, including, but not limited to, a bicycle helmet campaign, a child occupant protection program, a child drowning prevention program, a scald burn prevention program and a residential fire detection program; (2) allocation of grants to agencies, institutions or persons to conduct research, provide public education, establish outreach programs and enhance public awareness of safety issues with regard to children; and (3) reimbursement of the Department of Motor Vehicles for the cost of producing, issuing, renewing and replacing Keep Kids Safe number plates, including administrative expenses, pursuant to section 14-21f.

(c) The secretary may receive private donations to said account and any such receipts shall be deposited in the account.

(d) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may provide for the reproduction and marketing of the Keep Kids Safe number plate image for use on clothing, recreational equipment, posters, mementoes, or other products or programs deemed by the commissioner to be suitable as a means of supporting the Keep Kids Safe account. Any moneys received by the commissioner from such marketing shall be deposited in said account.

(P.A. 95-275, S. 2, 3.)

History: P.A. 95-275 effective July 6, 1995.

Sec. 14-21h. Number plates for animal population control. Fees. Regulations. (a) On and after the effective date of the regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue animal population control program commemorative number plates of a design to enhance public awareness of pet overpopulation and the state's effort to provide for the low-cost spaying and neutering of unsterilized dogs and cats adopted from municipal pounds. Said design shall be determined by agreement between the Commissioner of Agriculture and the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. No use may be made of such plates except as official motor vehicle registration marker plates.

(b) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, which provide for a one-time fee of fifty dollars to be charged for animal population control program commemorative number plates in addition to the regular fee or fees prescribed for the registration of a motor vehicle. Fifteen dollars of such one-time fee shall be deposited in an account controlled by the Department of Motor Vehicles to be used for administrative costs of carrying out the provisions of this subsection. Such number plates shall have letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may establish a higher fee for: (1) Such number plates which contain letters in place of numbers as authorized by section 14-49, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for plates issued under said section; and (2) such number plates which are low number plates, in accordance with section 14-160, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for plates issued under said section.

(c) The biennial renewal fee for the registration certificate of a motor vehicle for which an animal population control program commemorative number plate has been issued shall include, in each renewal year subsequent to the year of issuance, an animal population control program commemorative number plate fee in the amount of fifteen dollars, of which five dollars shall be allocated for administrative costs to the Department of Motor Vehicles, which shall be in addition to the fee for the renewal of the registration certificate. No additional renewal fee shall be charged for renewal of registration for any motor vehicle bearing animal population control program commemorative number plates which contain letters in place of numbers, or low number plates, in excess of the renewal fee for animal population control program commemorative number plates with letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. No additional fee shall be charged for transfer of an existing registration to or from a registration with animal population control program commemorative number plates.

(d) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, in consultation with the Commissioner of Agriculture, shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish procedures for the issuance, renewal and replacement of animal population control program commemorative number plates.

(e) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall notify eligible motorists of the opportunity to obtain animal population control program commemorative number plates by including a notice with all motor vehicle registration renewals and by posting appropriate posters or signs in all division facilities and offices. The notices, posters and signs shall be designed by the Commissioner of Agriculture in consultation with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.

(f) All fees established and collected pursuant to this section other than those moneys designated for administrative costs of the Department of Motor Vehicles, shall be deposited in the animal population control program account established under section 22-380g.

(P.A. 97-187, S. 3, 4; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146(e); P.A. 04-189, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 97-187 effective July 1, 1997; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 replaced Commissioner of Agriculture with Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-189 repealed Sec. 146 of June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, thereby reversing the merger of the Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective June 1, 2004.

Sec. 14-21i. Greenways commemorative number plates. Fees. Greenways commemorative account. Regulations. (a) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue greenways commemorative number plates of a design to enhance public awareness of, and provide funding for, state and local efforts to preserve, restore and protect greenways. The design shall be determined by agreement between the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. No use shall be made of such plates except as official registration marker plates.

(b) (1) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall charge a fee of fifty dollars for a greenways commemorative number plate, with letters and numbers selected by the commissioner, in addition to the regular fee or fees prescribed for the registration of a motor vehicle. The commissioner shall deposit fifteen dollars of such fee into an account controlled by the Department of Motor Vehicles to be used for the cost of producing, issuing, renewing and replacing such commemorative number plates, and thirty-five dollars of such fee into the greenways commemorative account established pursuant to subsection (d) of this section.

(2) The commissioner shall charge a fee of seventy dollars for a greenways commemorative number plate that (A) contains letters in place of numbers as authorized by section 14-49, or (B) is a low number plate in accordance with section 14-160, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for plates issued under said sections. The commissioner shall deposit fifteen dollars of such fee into an account controlled by the Department of Motor Vehicles to be used for the cost of producing, issuing, renewing and replacing such commemorative number plates, and fifty-five dollars of such fee into the greenways commemorative account.

(c) No additional renewal fee shall be charged for renewal of registration for any motor vehicle bearing greenways commemorative number plates which contain letters in place of numbers, or low number plates, in excess of the renewal fee for greenways commemorative number plates with letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. No transfer fee shall be charged for transfer of an existing registration to or from a registration with greenways commemorative number plates.

(d) There is established an account to be known as the “greenways commemorative account” which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund. The account shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the account. The funds in the account shall be expended by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to fund the greenways capital grant program established pursuant to section 23-101 and the bikeway, pedestrian walkway, recreational trail and greenway grant program described in section 23-103.

(e) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish standards and procedures for the issuance, renewal and replacement of greenways commemorative number plates.

(P.A. 97-236, S. 18, 27; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3, S. 478; P.A. 11-80, S. 1; P.A. 21-28, S. 14.)

History: P.A. 97-236 effective July 1, 1997; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3 amended Subsec. (d) to delete provision re fees established and collected pursuant to section shall be deposited in greenways account of Conservation Fund; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Commissioner of Environmental Protection” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection” in Subsecs. (a) and (d), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 21-28 amended Subsec. (a) to delete “On and after January 1, 1998, the”, add “and provide funding for,” and make conforming changes, amended Subsec. (b) to designate existing provisions as Subdiv. (1) and amend same to add provisions re $50 fee and depositing such fees, delete provisions re adoption of regulations and authorization for commissioner to establish higher fee and make technical changes, and add Subdiv. (2) re $70 fee and depositing such fees, added new Subsec. (d) re greenways commemorative account and redesignated existing Subsec. (d) as Subsec. (e) and amend same to delete provision re consultation with Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection and replace “shall” with “may”.

Sec. 14-21j. Amistad commemorative number plates. Fees. Regulations. (a) On and after January 1, 1999, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue Amistad commemorative number plates of a design to enhance public awareness of the 1839 uprising against the crew of the Spanish slave schooner, The Amistad. Said design shall be determined by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. No use shall be made of such plates except as official registration marker plates.

(b) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, which shall provide for a one-time fee of fifty dollars to be charged for Amistad commemorative number plates, in addition to the regular fee or fees prescribed for the registration of a motor vehicle. Fifteen dollars of such one-time fee shall be deposited in an account controlled by the Department of Motor Vehicles to be used for administrative costs of carrying out the provisions of this subsection. Such number plates shall have letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may establish a higher fee for: (1) Such number plates which contain letters in place of numbers as authorized by section 14-49 in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for plates issued under said section 14-49; and (2) such number plates which are low number plates, in accordance with section 14-160, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for plates issued under said section 14-160. All fees established and collected pursuant to this section, except moneys designated for administrative costs of the Department of Motor Vehicles, shall be deposited in the Amistad commemorative account established pursuant to section 14-21k.

(c) No additional renewal fee shall be charged for renewal of registration for any motor vehicle bearing Amistad commemorative number plates which contain letters in place of numbers, or low number plates, in excess of the renewal fee for Amistad commemorative number plates with letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. No transfer fee shall be charged for transfer of an existing registration to or from a registration with Amistad commemorative number plates.

(d) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish standards and procedures for the issuance, renewal and replacement of Amistad commemorative number plates.

(P.A. 98-182, S. 9, 22.)

History: P.A. 98-182 effective July 1, 1998.

Sec. 14-21k. Amistad commemorative account. (a) There is established an account to be known as the “Amistad commemorative account” which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund. The account shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the account.

(b) The moneys in said account shall be expended by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management for the purposes of: (1) Innovative community programs to further the goal of informing the public of the 1839 uprising against the crew of the Spanish slave schooner, The Amistad, and the United States Supreme Court case that arose from such uprising; (2) allocation of grants to agencies, institutions or persons to conduct research, provide public education, establish outreach programs and enhance public awareness of the Amistad uprising and its place in Connecticut's history; and (3) reimbursement to the Department of Motor Vehicles for the cost of producing, issuing, renewing and replacing Amistad commemorative number plates, including administrative expenses, pursuant to section 14-21j.

(c) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management may receive private donations to said account and any such receipts shall be deposited in said account.

(d) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may provide for the reproduction and marketing of the Amistad commemorative number plate image for use on clothing, recreational equipment, posters, mementoes or other products or programs deemed by the commissioner to be suitable as a means of supporting the Amistad commemorative account. Any moneys received by the commissioner from such marketing shall be deposited in said account.

(P.A. 98-182, S. 10, 22.)

History: P.A. 98-182 effective July 1, 1998.

Sec. 14-21l. Olympic Spirit commemorative number plates. Fees. (a) On and after January 1, 2000, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue Olympic Spirit commemorative number plates. The design of the number plates shall be determined by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles in consultation with the Connecticut membership of the United States Olympic Committee. No use shall be made of such plates except as official registration marker plates.

(b) A fee of seventy dollars shall be charged for Olympic Spirit commemorative number plates, in addition to the regular fee or fees prescribed for the registration of a motor vehicle. Fifteen dollars of such fee shall be deposited in an account controlled by the Department of Motor Vehicles to be used for administrative costs of carrying out the provisions of this subsection. No additional fee shall be charged in connection with the renewal of such number plates. No transfer fee shall be charged for the transfer of an existing registration to or from a registration with Olympic Spirit commemorative number plates. Such number plates shall have letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may establish a higher fee for: (1) Number plates which contain letters in place of numbers as authorized by section 14-49, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for registration under said section; and (2) number plates which are low number plates, issued in accordance with section 14-160, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for registration under said section. All fees established and collected pursuant to this section, except moneys designated for administrative costs of the Department of Motor Vehicles, shall be deposited in the Olympic Spirit commemorative account established pursuant to section 14-21m.

(P.A. 99-268, S. 36; P.A. 00-169, S. 22.)

History: (Revisor's note: In codifying section 36 of public act 99-268, the Revisors deemed a reference at the end of Subsec. (b) to “section 36 of this act.” to be a reference to “section 37 of this act.” since said section 37, codified as Sec. 14-21m, established the Olympic Spirit commemorative account); P.A. 00-169 revised effective date of P.A. 99-268 but without affecting this section.

Sec. 14-21m. Olympic Spirit commemorative account. (a) There is established an account to be known as the “Olympic Spirit commemorative account” which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund. The account shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the account.

(b) The moneys in said account shall be distributed quarterly by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management to the United States Olympic Committee, a nonprofit entity. Said moneys shall be expended by the United States Olympic Committee on efforts dedicated to providing athletes with support and training, and preparing athletes for sports competition.

(c) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management may receive private donations to said account and any such receipts shall be deposited in said account.

(P.A. 99-268, S. 37; P.A. 00-169, S. 22.)

History: P.A. 00-169 revised effective date of P.A. 99-268 but without affecting this section.

Sec. 14-21n. State and municipal police officers killed in the line of duty memorial number plates. Fees. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, at the request of any person, shall issue a special certificate of registration and a set of number plates memorializing state and municipal police officers and other employees who are killed in the line of duty. Said registration and number plates shall be available for any motor vehicle (1) owned, or (2) leased for a period of at least one year. Said number plates shall expire and be renewed as provided in section 14-22. The commissioner shall charge a fee for such plates which shall cover the entire cost of making the same and which shall be in addition to the fee for registration of such motor vehicle. The design of such plates shall be approved by a committee established by the commissioner. The committee shall include a representative of the Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc., the Connecticut State Police Union, the Connecticut Council of Police, and the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities. The first one thousand plates shall be reserved for spouses, parents, children of state troopers killed in the line of duty or municipal police officers.

(P.A. 01-198.)

Sec. 14-21o. United We Stand commemorative number plates. Fees. Regulations. (a) On and after January 1, 2003, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue United We Stand commemorative number plates of a design to enhance public solidarity following the acts of terrorism committed on September 11, 2001. Such plates shall bear the words “United We Stand” and the image of the American flag. Said design may be determined by a contest coordinated by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. No use shall be made of such plates except as official registration marker plates.

(b) A fee of fifty dollars shall be charged for United We Stand commemorative number plates, in addition to the regular fee or fees prescribed for the registration of a motor vehicle. Fifteen dollars of such fee shall be deposited in an account controlled by the Department of Motor Vehicles to be used for the cost of producing, issuing, renewing and replacing such number plates and thirty-five dollars of such fee shall be deposited in an account controlled by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management for purposes of section 14-21p. No additional fee shall be charged in connection with the renewal of such number plates. No transfer fee shall be charged for the transfer of an existing registration to or from a registration with United We Stand commemorative number plates. Such number plates shall have letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may establish a higher fee for: (1) Number plates which contain the numbers and letters from a previously issued number plate; (2) number plates which contain letters in place of numbers as authorized by section 14-49, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for registration under said section; and (3) number plates which are low number plates issued in accordance with section 14-160, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for registration under said section. All fees established and collected pursuant to this section, except moneys designated for administrative costs of the Department of Motor Vehicles, shall be deposited in the United We Stand commemorative account established pursuant to section 14-21p.

(c) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish standards and procedures for the issuance, renewal and replacement of United We Stand commemorative number plates.

(P.A. 02-126, S. 2.)

History: P.A. 02-126 effective July 1, 2002.

Sec. 14-21p. United We Stand commemorative account. (a) There is established an account to be known as the “United We Stand commemorative account” which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund. The account shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the account.

(b) The moneys in said account shall be transferred to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management for the purposes of (1) reimbursing boards of trustees or regents for the waiver of tuition and fees pursuant to subsection (e) of section 10a-105, subsection (d) of section 10a-99 and subsection (d) of section 10a-77, and (2) establishing a nonlapsing account within the General Fund to provide financial support for civil preparedness and related training activities, and for the purchase of supplies and equipment in support of emergency personnel.

(c) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management may receive private donations to said account and any such receipts shall be deposited in said account.

(P.A. 02-126, S. 3; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 24.)

History: P.A. 02-126 effective July 1, 2002; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting requirement that 50% of moneys in the account be distributed to U.S. Department of State Rewards for Justice Fund and used solely to apprehend terrorists and, in Subdiv. (1), by adding “or regents” re recipients of tuition waiver reimbursements, effective July 1, 2012.

Sec. 14-21q. Childhood cancer awareness commemorative number plates. Fees. Regulations. (a) On and after January 1, 2004, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue childhood cancer awareness commemorative number plates of a design to enhance public awareness of state efforts to treat and cure childhood cancer. The design shall be determined by agreement between the Commissioner of Public Health and the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. No use shall be made of such plates except as official registration marker plates.

(b) A fee of fifty dollars shall be charged for childhood cancer awareness commemorative number plates, in addition to the regular fee or fees prescribed for the registration of a motor vehicle. Fifteen dollars of such fee shall be deposited in an account controlled by the Department of Motor Vehicles to be used for the cost of producing, issuing, renewing and replacing such number plates and thirty-five dollars of such fee shall be deposited in an account controlled by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management for purposes of section 14-21r. Such number plates shall have letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. The commissioner may establish a higher fee for: (1) Number plates that contain the numbers and letters from a previously issued number plate; (2) number plates that contain letters in place of numbers as authorized by section 14-49, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for registration under said section; and (3) number plates that are low number plates issued in accordance with section 14-160, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for registration under said section. All fees established and collected pursuant to this section, except moneys designated for administrative costs of the Department of Motor Vehicles, shall be deposited in the childhood cancer awareness account established pursuant to section 14-21r.

(c) A renewal fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for renewal of registration of a motor vehicle bearing childhood cancer awareness commemorative number plates, in addition to the regular fee or fees prescribed for renewal of registration of a motor vehicle. Five dollars of the renewal fee shall be designated for administrative costs of the Department of Motor Vehicles. No additional renewal fee shall be charged for renewal of registration for any motor vehicle bearing childhood cancer awareness commemorative number plates which contain letters in place of numbers, or low number plates, in excess of the renewal fee for childhood cancer awareness commemorative number plates with letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. No transfer fee shall be charged for transfer of an existing registration to or from a registration with childhood cancer awareness commemorative number plates.

(d) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, in consultation with the Commissioner of Public Health, may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish standards and procedures for the issuance, renewal and replacement of childhood cancer awareness commemorative number plates.

(P.A. 03-265, S. 13; P.A. 12-81, S. 31; P.A. 14-122, S. 19.)

History: P.A. 12-81 amended Subsecs. (b) and (c) to make technical changes; P.A. 14-122 amended Subsec. (b) to make technical changes.

Sec. 14-21r. Childhood cancer awareness account. (a) There is established an account to be known as the “childhood cancer awareness account” which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund. The account shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the account.

(b) The moneys in said account shall be expended by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management for the purposes of: (1) Providing funding to the pediatric oncology units at Connecticut Children's Medical Center and Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital, and (2) reimbursement of the Department of Motor Vehicles for the cost of producing, issuing, renewing and replacing childhood cancer awareness number plates, including administrative expenses, pursuant to section 14-21f.

(c) The secretary may receive private donations to said account and any such receipts shall be deposited in the account.

(d) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may provide for the reproduction and marketing of the childhood cancer awareness number plate image for use on clothing, recreational equipment, posters, mementoes, or other products or programs deemed by the commissioner to be suitable as a means of supporting the childhood cancer awareness account. Any moneys received by the commissioner from such marketing shall be deposited in said account.

(P.A. 03-265, S. 14.)

Sec. 14-21s. Wildlife conservation commemorative number plates. Fees. Regulations. (a) On and after January 1, 2004, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue wildlife conservation commemorative number plates of a design to enhance public awareness of state efforts to conserve wildlife species and their habitats in Connecticut. The design shall be determined by agreement between the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. No use shall be made of such plates except as official registration marker plates.

(b) A fee of fifty dollars shall be charged for wildlife conservation commemorative number plates, in addition to the regular fee or fees prescribed for the registration of a motor vehicle. Fifteen dollars of such fee shall be deposited in an account controlled by the Department of Motor Vehicles to be used for the cost of producing, issuing, renewing and replacing such number plates. Such number plates shall have letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. The commissioner may establish a higher fee for: (1) Number plates that contain the numbers and letters from a previously issued number plate; (2) number plates that contain letters in place of numbers as authorized by section 14-49, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for registration under said section; and (3) number plates that are low number plates issued in accordance with section 14-160, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for registration under said section.

(c) A renewal fee of fifteen dollars shall be charged for renewal of registration of a motor vehicle bearing a wildlife conservation commemorative number plate, in addition to the regular fee or fees prescribed for renewal of registration of a motor vehicle. Five dollars of the renewal fee shall be designated for administrative costs of the Department of Motor Vehicles. No additional renewal fee shall be charged for renewal of registration for any motor vehicle bearing a wildlife conservation commemorative number plate which contain letters in place of numbers, or low number plates, in excess of the renewal fee for wildlife conservation commemorative number plates with letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. No transfer fee shall be charged for transfer of an existing registration to or from a registration with wildlife conservation commemorative number plates.

(d) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, in consultation with the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish standards and procedures for the issuance, renewal and replacement of wildlife conservation commemorative number plates.

(e) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may notify eligible motorists of the opportunity to obtain wildlife conservation program commemorative number plates by including a notice with motor vehicle registration renewals and by posting appropriate posters or signs in all division facilities and offices. The notices, posters and signs shall be designed by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection in consultation with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.

(P.A. 03-265, S. 15; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3, S. 482; P.A. 11-80, S. 1.)

History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3 amended Subsec. (b) to delete provision re $35 of fee for number plates shall be deposited in account established for purposes of Sec. 14-21t; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Commissioner of Environmental Protection” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection” in Subsecs. (a), (d) and (e), effective July 1, 2011.

Sec. 14-21t. Wildlife conservation account. Section 14-21t is repealed, effective October 1, 2009.

(P.A. 03-265, S. 16; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3, S. 513.)

Sec. 14-21u. Support Our Troops! commemorative number plates. Fees. Support Our Troops! account. (a) On and after January 1, 2009, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue Support Our Troops! commemorative number plates to express support for our troops. Such plates shall bear the words “Support Our Troops!” and the image adopted by the national association, Support Our Troops, Inc. No use shall be made of such plates, except as official registration marker plates.

(b) A fee of sixty dollars shall be charged for Support Our Troops! commemorative number plates, in addition to the regular fee or fees prescribed for the registration of a motor vehicle. Fifteen dollars of such fee shall be deposited in an account controlled by the Department of Motor Vehicles to be used for the cost of producing, issuing, renewing and replacing such number plates, and forty-five dollars of such fee shall be deposited in an account to be used by Connecticut Support Our Troops, Inc. for the purposes of subsection (c) of this section. No additional fee shall be charged in connection with the renewal of such number plates. No transfer fee shall be charged for the transfer of an existing registration to or from a registration with Support Our Troops! commemorative number plates. Such number plates shall have letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may establish a higher fee for number plates: (1) Which contain the numbers and letters from a previously issued number plate; (2) which contain letters in place of numbers, as authorized by section 14-49, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for registration under said section; and (3) which are low number plates, issued in accordance with section 14-160, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for registration under said section. All fees established and collected pursuant to this section, except the amount deposited in the account controlled by the Department of Motor Vehicles, shall be deposited in the “Support Our Troops!” commemorative account, established pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish standards and procedures for the issuance, renewal and replacement of Support Our Troops! commemorative number plates.

(c) There is established the “Support Our Troops!” commemorative account which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund. The account shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the account. The funds in said account shall be used by Connecticut Support Our Troops, Inc. for programs to assist troops, families of troops, and veterans. Connecticut Support Our Troops, Inc. may receive private donations to said account and any such donations shall be deposited in said account.

(d) The funds in the account shall be distributed quarterly by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management to Connecticut Support Our Troops, Inc.

(P.A. 08-150, S. 24.)

Sec. 14-21v. Support for nursing profession commemorative number plates. Fees. Nursing account. (a) On and after January 1, 2009, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue commemorative number plates of a design to express support for the nursing profession, raise awareness of the nursing shortage and provide scholarships for nursing education and training. Such design shall be determined by the Connecticut Nurses Foundation, with the approval of the commissioner. No use shall be made of such plates, except as official registration marker plates.

(b) A fee of sixty dollars shall be charged for such number plates, in addition to the regular fee or fees prescribed for the registration of a motor vehicle. Fifteen dollars of such fee shall be deposited in an account controlled by the Department of Motor Vehicles to be used for the cost of producing, issuing, renewing and replacing such number plates, and forty-five dollars of such fee shall be deposited in the account established under subsection (c) of this section. No additional fee shall be charged in connection with the renewal of such number plates. No transfer fee shall be charged for the transfer of an existing registration to or from a registration with commemorative nursing number plates. Such number plates shall have letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may establish a higher fee for number plates: (1) Which contain the numbers and letters from a previously issued number plate; (2) which contain letters in place of numbers as authorized by section 14-49, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for registration under said section; and (3) which are low number plates issued in accordance with section 14-160, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for registration under said section. All fees established and collected pursuant to this section, except the amount deposited in the account controlled by the department, shall be deposited in the “Nursing” commemorative account established pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish standards and procedures for the issuance, renewal and replacement of commemorative nursing number plates.

(c) There is established the “Nursing” commemorative account which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund. The account shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the account. The funds in the account shall be used by the Connecticut Nurses Foundation to provide scholarships for nursing education and training. The foundation may receive private donations to the account and any such donations shall be deposited in the account.

(d) The funds in the account shall be distributed quarterly by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management to the Connecticut Nurses Foundation.

(P.A. 08-150, S. 25; P.A. 09-187, S. 25.)

History: P.A. 09-187 added Subsec. (d) requiring quarterly distribution of funds in account, effective July 8, 2009.

Sec. 14-21w. Share the Road commemorative number plates. Fees. Regulations. Share the Road account. Use of image. (a) On and after January 1, 2010, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may issue, within available appropriations, Share the Road commemorative number plates of a design to enhance public awareness of the rights and responsibilities of both motorists and bicyclists while jointly using the highways of this state. The design shall be determined by agreement between the Department of Transportation and the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, in consultation with an organization advocating on behalf of bicyclists. No use shall be made of such plates except as official registration marker plates.

(b) A fee of sixty dollars shall be charged for Share the Road commemorative number plates, in addition to the regular fee or fees prescribed for the registration of a motor vehicle. Fifteen dollars of such fee shall be deposited in an account controlled by the Department of Motor Vehicles to be used for the cost of producing, issuing, renewing and replacing such number plates and forty-five dollars of such fee shall be deposited in the account established under subsection (d) of this section. No additional fee shall be charged in connection with the renewal of such number plates. No transfer fee shall be charged for transfer of an existing registration to or from a registration with Share the Road commemorative number plates. Such number plates shall have letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. The commissioner may establish a higher fee for: (1) Number plates that contain the numbers and letters from a previously issued number plate; (2) number plates that contain letters in place of numbers as authorized by section 14-49, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for registration under said section; and (3) number plates that are low number plates issued in accordance with section 14-160, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for registration under said section. All fees established and collected pursuant to this section, except the amount deposited in the account controlled by the department, shall be deposited in the Share the Road account established under subsection (d) of this section.

(c) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, in consultation with the Commissioner of Transportation, may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish standards and procedures for the issuance, renewal and replacement of Share the Road commemorative number plates.

(d) There is established a Share the Road account which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund. The account shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the account. The funds in the account shall be expended by the Department of Transportation to enhance public awareness of the rights and responsibilities of bicyclists and motorists while jointly using the highways of this state and to promote bicycle use and safety in this state. The Commissioner of Transportation may receive private donations to said account and any such receipts shall be deposited in said account.

(e) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may provide for the reproduction and marketing of the Share the Road commemorative number plate image for use on clothing, recreational equipment, posters, mementoes or other products or programs deemed by the commissioner to be suitable as a means of supporting the Share the Road account established under subsection (d) of this section. Any moneys received by the commissioner from such marketing shall be deposited in said account.

(P.A. 09-187, S. 60.)

History: P.A. 09-187 effective July 1, 2009.

Sec. 14-21x. Men's Health commemorative number plates. Fees. Regulations. Men's Health account. (a) On and after January 1, 2016, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may issue, within available appropriations, Men's Health commemorative number plates of a design to enhance public awareness of efforts to treat and cure prostate cancer. The design shall be determined by agreement between the Commissioner of Public Health and the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. No use shall be made of such plates except as official registration marker plates.

(b) A fee of sixty dollars shall be charged for Men's Health commemorative number plates, in addition to the regular fee or fees prescribed for the registration of a motor vehicle. Fifteen dollars of such fee shall be deposited in an account controlled by the Department of Motor Vehicles to be used for the cost of producing, issuing, renewing and replacing such number plates and forty-five dollars of such fee shall be deposited in the account established under subsection (d) of this section. No additional fee shall be charged in connection with the renewal of such number plates. No transfer fee shall be charged for transfer of an existing registration to or from a registration with Men's Health commemorative number plates. Such number plates shall have letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. The commissioner may establish a higher fee for: (1) Number plates that contain the numbers and letters from a previously issued number plate; (2) number plates that contain letters in place of numbers, as authorized by section 14-49, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for registration under said section; and (3) number plates that are low number plates issued in accordance with section 14-160, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for registration under said section. All fees established and collected pursuant to this section, except moneys designated for administrative costs of the Department of Motor Vehicles, shall be deposited in the Men's Health account established under subsection (d) of this section.

(c) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, in consultation with the Commissioner of Public Health, may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish standards and procedures for the issuance, renewal and replacement of Men's Health commemorative number plates.

(d) There is established a Men's Health account which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund. The account shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the account. The funds in the account shall be expended by the Department of Public Health to enhance public awareness of efforts to treat and cure prostate cancer and to support research into treatment for prostate cancer. The Commissioner of Public Health may receive private donations to the account and any such receipts shall be deposited in the account.

(e) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may provide for the reproduction and marketing of the Men's Health commemorative number plate image for use on clothing, recreational equipment, posters, mementoes or other products or programs deemed by the commissioner to be suitable as a means of supporting the Men's Health account established under subsection (d) of this section. Any moneys received by the commissioner from such marketing shall be deposited in said account.

(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 228.)

History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 effective June 30, 2015.

Sec. 14-21y. Hartford Whalers commemorative number plates. (a) On and after January 1, 2018, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue Hartford Whalers commemorative number plates of a design to commemorate the Hartford Whalers and to provide funding to the Connecticut Children's Medical Center. The design shall be determined by the commissioner. No use shall be made of such plates except as official registration marker plates.

(b) A fee of sixty dollars shall be charged for Hartford Whalers commemorative number plates, in addition to the regular fee or fees prescribed for the registration of a motor vehicle. Fifteen dollars of such fee shall be deposited in an account controlled by the Department of Motor Vehicles to be used for the cost of producing, issuing, renewing and replacing such number plates and forty-five dollars of such fee shall be deposited in the Hartford Whalers commemorative account established under subsection (d) of this section. No additional fee shall be charged in connection with the renewal of such number plates. No transfer fee shall be charged for transfer of an existing registration to or from a registration with Hartford Whalers commemorative number plates. Such number plates shall have letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. The commissioner may establish a higher fee for number plates: (1) That contain the numbers and letters from a previously issued number plate; (2) that contain letters in place of numbers, as authorized by section 14-49, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for registration under said section; and (3) that are low number plates issued in accordance with section 14-160, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for registration under said section. All fees established and collected pursuant to this section, except moneys designated for administrative costs of the Department of Motor Vehicles, shall be deposited in the Hartford Whalers commemorative account.

(c) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish standards and procedures for the issuance, renewal and replacement of Hartford Whalers commemorative number plates.

(d) There is established an account to be known as the “Hartford Whalers commemorative account” which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund. The account shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the account. Moneys in the account shall be expended by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management to provide funding to the Connecticut Children's Medical Center. The secretary may receive private donations to the account and any such receipts shall be deposited in the account.

(e) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may provide for the reproduction and marking of the Hartford Whalers commemorative number plates image for use on clothing, recreational equipment, posters, mementoes or other products or programs deemed by the commissioner to be suitable as a means of supporting the Hartford Whalers commemorative account. Any moneys received by the commissioner from such marketing shall be deposited in the account.

(P.A. 17-79, S. 21.)

History: P.A. 17-79 effective June 27, 2017.

Sec. 14-21z. Save Our Lakes commemorative number plates. Fees. (a) On and after July 1, 2021, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue Save Our Lakes commemorative number plates of a design to enhance public awareness of the state's effort to preserve and protect the state's lakes, rivers and ponds from aquatic invasive species and cyanobacteria blooms. Said design shall be determined by agreement between the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. No use shall be made of such plates except as official registration marker plates.

(b) (1) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall charge a fee of sixty dollars for a Save Our Lakes commemorative number plate, with letters and numbers selected by the commissioner, in addition to the regular fee or fees prescribed for the registration of a motor vehicle. The commissioner shall deposit fifteen dollars of such fee into an account controlled by the Department of Motor Vehicles to be used for the cost of producing, issuing, renewing and replacing such commemorative number plates, and forty-five dollars of such fee into the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation account established under section 14-21aa.

(2) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall charge a fee of eighty dollars for a Save Our Lakes commemorative number plate that (A) contains any combination of letters or numbers as requested by the registrant as authorized by section 14-49, or (B) is a low number plate in accordance with section 14-160, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for number plates issued under said sections. The commissioner shall deposit fifteen dollars of such fee into an account controlled by the Department of Motor Vehicles to be used for the cost of producing, issuing, renewing and replacing such commemorative number plates, and sixty-five dollars of such fee into the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation account.

(c) Except as provided by subsection (d) of this section, no additional renewal fee shall be charged for renewal of registration for any motor vehicle bearing Save Our Lakes commemorative number plates which contain letters in place of numbers, or low number plates, in excess of the renewal fee for Save Our Lakes commemorative number plates with letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. No transfer fee shall be charged for transfer of an existing registration to or from a registration with Save Our Lakes commemorative number plates.

(d) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may request an additional voluntary donation of fifteen dollars at the time of registration renewal for any motor vehicle bearing a Save Our Lakes commemorative number plate. Five dollars of the donation may be dedicated to the administrative costs of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Ten dollars of such donation shall be deposited in the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation account established under section 14-21aa.

(P.A. 18-101, S. 1; P.A. 21-106, S. 5.)

History: P.A. 21-106 amended Subsec. (a) to replace “January 1, 2020” with “July 1, 2021” and add “, rivers”, amended Subsec. (b) to designate existing provisions as Subdiv. (1) and amend same to add provisions re $60 fee and depositing such fees, delete provisions re adoption of regulations authorization for commissioner to establish higher fee and make technical changes, and add Subdiv. (2) re $80 fee and depositing such fees, and amended Subsec. (d) to add “, Rivers” and delete provision re adoption of regulations, effective July 1, 2021.

Sec. 14-21aa. Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation account. (a) There is established an account to be known as the “Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation account”. The Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation account shall be a separate, nonlapsing account of the General Fund. Any moneys required by law to be deposited in the account shall be deposited in and credited to the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation account. The account shall be available to the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection for (1) restoration and rehabilitation of lakes, rivers and ponds in the state; (2) programs of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection for the eradication of aquatic invasive species and cyanobacteria blooms; (3) education and public outreach programs to enhance the public's understanding of the need to protect and preserve the state's lakes, rivers and ponds; (4) allocation of grants to state and municipal agencies and not-for-profit organizations to conduct research and to provide public education and public awareness to enhance understanding and management of the natural resources of the state's lakes, rivers and ponds; (5) provision of funds for all services that support the protection and conservation of the state's lakes, rivers and ponds; and (6) reimbursement of the Department of Motor Vehicles for the cost of producing, issuing, renewing and replacing Save Our Lakes commemorative number plates, including administrative expenses, pursuant to section 14-21z.

(b) The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection may receive private donations to the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation account and any such receipts shall be deposited in the account.

(c) The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection may provide for the reproduction and marketing of the Save Our Lakes commemorative number plate image for use on clothing, recreational equipment, posters, mementoes, or other products or programs deemed by the commissioner to be suitable as a means of supporting the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation account. Any funds received by the commissioner from such marketing shall be deposited in the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation account.

(d) Notwithstanding any provision of this section, not less than eighty per cent of any funds deposited into the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation account pursuant to section 14-21bb shall be utilized for the purposes described in subdivisions (2) to (4), inclusive, of subsection (a) of this section.

(P.A. 18-101, S. 2; P.A. 19-190, S. 2; P.A. 21-106, S. 6.)

History: P.A. 19-190 changed the name of the account from the “Connecticut Lakes and Ponds Preservation account” to the “Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation account”, added Subsec. (d) re not less than 80 per cent of funds deposited into account to be utilized for certain purposes, and added references to rivers, effective January 1, 2020; P.A. 21-106 amended Subsecs. (b) and (c) to replace “commissioner” with “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection”, effective July 1, 2021.

Sec. 14-21bb. Aquatic Invasive Species fee. Requirements for payment of fee. (a) Any person who registers a vessel or renews a vessel registration pursuant to section 15-144 and who intends to operate or allow such vessel to be operated on the waters of the state shall concomitantly, in addition to the remittance of any fee required pursuant to section 15-144, pay an Aquatic Invasive Species fee of five dollars. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall cause all revenues collected pursuant to this section to be deposited in the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation account established in section 14-21aa.

(b) Any person who intends to operate or allow a vessel to be operated on the inland waters of the state that is registered in another state shall, prior to such operation, pay an Aquatic Invasive Species fee of twenty dollars to the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection. Such fees shall be paid annually and such payment shall be valid until the last day of December of such year. The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall cause all revenues collected pursuant to this subsection to be deposited in the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation account established in section 14-21aa. Any person who operates a vessel on the inland waters of the state in violation of the provisions of this subsection shall have committed an infraction and shall be fined not more than eighty-five dollars.

(P.A. 19-190, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 19-190 effective January 1, 2020.

Sec. 14-22. Expiration and renewal. (a) Except as otherwise provided in the general statutes, a motor vehicle registration issued pursuant to this chapter shall expire either two or three years from the date of issuance, at the discretion of the commissioner and in accordance with schedules established by the commissioner. Such schedules may include staggered renewal of registrations. If the expiration date of the registration of the motor vehicle, except the registration of a motor vehicle used to transport passengers for hire, falls on any day when the offices of the commissioner are closed for business, the registration shall be deemed valid for the operation of the motor vehicle until midnight of the next day on which the offices of the commissioner are open for business. The commissioner shall prescribe the date and manner of renewing registrations. Not less than thirty days prior to the expiration of any valid registration, the department shall send or transmit, in such manner as the commissioner determines, an application for renewal to the registrant. In the case of a motor vehicle registered to a leasing company licensed pursuant to section 14-15, the department may send or transmit, in such manner as the commissioner determines, an application for renewal of a leased vehicle to the lessee of such vehicle. If a registrant is prohibited from renewing a registration for failing to comply with one or more provisions of law or owes fines or fees to the department related to any motor vehicle owned or leased by the registrant or pursuant to subsection (f) of section 14-50, the department may send or transmit, in lieu of a renewal application, a notice that (1) describes the compliance issue or the type and amount of any fee or fine owed, and (2) states that the registrant's registration will not be renewed until the compliance issue is resolved or the fee or fine is paid in full. The commissioner shall not be required to send or transmit a registrant's or lessee's application or notice by mail if the United States Postal Service has determined that mail is undeliverable to such person at the address for such person that is in the records of the department. Except for the processing of such application at an official emissions inspection station as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the commissioner may require that the application be returned electronically or by mail in order to be processed and approved, with only such exceptions, on a hardship basis, as shall be established by the commissioner in regulations adopted pursuant to chapter 54.

(b) The commissioner may provide for the renewal of passenger registrations at official emissions inspection stations established pursuant to chapter 246a in accordance with schedules established by the commissioner. The commissioner may employ the services of the independent contractor which operates the system of official emissions inspection stations to process such applications for renewal in accordance with standards and procedures established by the commissioner.

(c) The registration fee for a registration that expires two years from the date of issuance shall be a prorated amount of the fee for a triennial registration. If the adoption of a staggered system results in the expiration of any registration more than two or three years from its issuance, a prorated amount of the registration fee paid shall be charged in addition to the registration fee.

(1949 Rev., S. 2367; 1955, S. 1292d; November, 1955, S. N163; 1957, P.A. 255; 1959, P.A. 657, S. 2; 1961, P.A. 233, S. 4; 286; February, 1965, P.A. 561; 1971, P.A. 522; P.A. 73-101; P.A. 76-338, S. 2, 8; P.A. 77-343, S. 3, 5; P.A. 80-466, S. 8, 9, 25; P.A. 84-429, S. 12; P.A. 85-115; 85-613, S. 135, 154; P.A. 87-329, S. 22, 23; P.A. 90-263, S. 45, 74; P.A. 92-156, S. 1, 7; P.A. 93-341, S. 4, 38; P.A. 95-260, S. 7, 24; P.A. 10-110, S. 5; P.A. 11-213, S. 9; P.A. 18-164, S. 21; P.A. 19-119, S. 1; 19-165, S. 5.)

History: 1959 act changed expiration of registrations from uniform date to staggered system; 1961 acts added Subsec. (b) and made technical changes in Subsec. (a); 1965 act added end-of-month requirement to expiration schedules; 1971 act added proviso in Subsec. (a) continuing registrations which expire on Saturday, Sunday or holiday to next open business day of state offices; P.A. 73-101 clarified proviso by replacing reference to weekends and holidays with “any day when offices of the commissioner are closed for business” and replacing reference to next open day of state offices with next open day of “offices of the commissioner”, reflecting fact that motor vehicles offices maintain different operating schedule; P.A. 76-338 replaced “July” with “August” and “August” with “September” in Subsec. (b) and added Subsec. (c) re property tax validation; P.A. 77-343 deleted Subsec. (c); P.A. 80-466 amended Subsec. (a) to include reference to single plate and to biennial rather than annual registrations; P.A. 84-429 rephrased provisions and made other technical changes; P.A. 85-115 amended Subsec. (b), providing that a service bus registration issued before September first is valid August fifteenth or the date of issue, whichever is later; P.A. 85-613 changed effective date of P.A. 85-115 from October 1, 1985, to July 1, 1985; P.A. 87-329 amended Subsec. (a) to permit motor vehicle registrations to expire on the fifteenth day of the month indicated on the sticker, effective July 1, 1988; P.A. 90-263 amended Subsec. (a) to substitute phrase motor vehicle used to transport passengers for hire for public service motor vehicle; P.A. 92-156 amended Subsec. (a) to eliminate requirement that schedules established by the commissioner provide that expirations occur on fifteenth or last day of month indicated on sticker, to require renewal applications to be mailed not less than 45 days prior to expiration, to permit commissioner to require that applications be returned by mail, with exceptions based on hardship established in regulations, and to authorize commissioner to provide for registration renewal at emissions inspection stations; P.A. 93-341 deleted Subsec. (b) re expiration and issuance dates for service buses, amending Subsec. (a) to delete reference to Subsec. (b), effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 95-260 divided the section into Subsecs., amended Subsec. (a) to add an exception to return of renewal application by mail for processing of such application at an emissions inspection station or by telephone, amended Subsec. (b) to make technical changes and to allow commissioner to employ the services of the independent contractor which operates emissions inspection stations to process applications for passenger registration renewal in accordance with established procedures and inserted new language as Subsec. (c) allowing commissioner to provide for renewal of registration of any motor vehicle by telephone request and order and to charge service fee of $5 for such renewal and specifying administrative procedures for such renewal, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 10-110 amended Subsec. (a) to authorize department to mail renewal application to lessee of leased vehicle registered to leasing company and make a technical change, effective July 1, 2010; P.A. 11-213 amended Subsec. (a) to replace provisions re mailing of renewal applications with provisions re sending or transmittal of renewal applications in such manner as commissioner determines, authorize electronic return requirement and exempt commissioner from sending application by mail if mail is undeliverable, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 18-164 amended Subsec. (a) to decrease amount of time renewal applications to be mailed prior to expiration from not less than 45 days to not less than 30 days, effective July 1, 2018; P.A. 19-119 amended Subsec. (a) to add provision re notice in lieu of renewal application and make technical changes, effective July 1, 2019; P.A. 19-165 amended Subsec. (a) to add provisions re registration to expire 2 or 3 years from issuance at discretion of commissioner and re staggered renewals and delete reference to former Subsec. (c), amended Subsec. (b) to delete provision re expiration of registration and emission stickers to occur on same date, deleted former Subsec. (c) re renewal of registration by telephone, and redesignated existing Subsec. (d) as new Subsec. (c) and amended same to add provision re fee for two-year registration and made technical and conforming changes, effective January 1, 2020.

Secs. 14-22a to 14-22e. Reserved for future use.

Sec. 14-22f. Cancellation of motor vehicle registration in error or failure to maintain accurate record of registration. Remedies. In the event the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles cancels any motor vehicle registration in error on or after January 1, 1996, or fails to maintain an accurate record of any such registration which has been issued or renewed on or after said date, and as a result of such error, a registrant has been issued a summons by a law enforcement officer for a violation of section 14-12, 14-12a or 14-13, the commissioner, upon confirmation of such error, shall (1) correct the registration records of the Department of Motor Vehicles, (2) notify the appropriate prosecuting authority of such error, (3) waive any fee provided in this part or in section 14-192 as may be necessary to evidence a valid registration or certificate of title, and (4) reimburse the registrant for any towing and storage charges and any other actual and reasonable expenses incurred by such registrant as a result of such error upon receipt of a written request for reimbursement.

(P.A. 96-167, S. 47, 49.)

History: P.A. 96-167 effective May 31, 1996.

Sec. 14-23. Refunds on registrations to persons in armed forces. The commissioner may make application to the Comptroller for a refund when any person surrenders his or her registration or number plate or plates on any noncommercial motor vehicle and is inducted into the armed forces, as defined in section 27-103, during the then current registration period, such refund to be figured on a quarterly prorated basis but not to exceed three-quarters of the registration fee. The Comptroller, upon application of the commissioner and with the approval of the Attorney General, shall draw an order on the Treasurer in favor of any person who has been inducted into the armed forces for a refund of money paid for the registration of a motor vehicle.

(1949 Rev., S. 2368; 1957, P.A. 163, S. 28; 1961, P.A. 233, S. 5; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 136; P.A. 80-466, S. 10, 25; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-6, S. 9, 85; P.A. 18-72, S. 9.)

History: 1961 act made technical changes in method of figuring refund to conform to new staggered system of registration; 1969 act replaced highway department with department of transportation; P.A. 80-466 included reference to single plate and deleted reference to annual fee; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-6 deleted former provision which charged any refund against funds credited to the Department of Transportation and made technical changes for purposes of gender neutrality, effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 18-72 made a technical change.

Sec. 14-24. Heavy duty trailers. Heavy construction equipment. Gross weight of tractor-trailer units. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may, if in the commissioner's opinion it is equitable, grant a special registration and furnish a special set of number plates or markers, limited or unlimited as the commissioner deems advisable, for the operation of heavy duty trailers for the transportation of heavy construction equipment, of cranes or other heavy construction equipment upon the streets and highways of this state from the railroad station or the storage yard to the construction job, or from one construction job to another. Each movement of such trailer, when loaded, crane or other heavy construction equipment shall require a limited or unlimited written permit from the Commissioner of Transportation, unless it is operating with an annual permit and a confirmation number furnished by said commissioner pursuant to section 14-270. The Commissioner of Transportation shall issue for each such vehicle operating with such an annual permit a document which identifies the vehicle and states the date of issue and date of expiration. The original document, as furnished by the Commissioner of Transportation, shall be carried in the vehicle. The markers or number plates furnished by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall be displayed in a prominent place on the rear of the vehicle. Such registration may be revoked or suspended at the discretion of the commissioner. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the commissioner from issuing temporary registrations for vehicles of this class. The commissioner may, upon receipt of a certified copy of a permit granted under the provisions of section 13a-117, grant to the person named in the permit a special registration and furnish a special set of number plates or markers, limited or unlimited, as specified in the permit, which permit shall be a part of such registration. The registered gross weight of any tractor-trailer unit, where the trailer is registered as a heavy duty trailer, shall be the light weight of the tractor plus the gross weight of the heavy duty trailer.

(1949 Rev., S. 2369; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 137; 1971, P.A. 355, S. 3; P.A. 73-98; P.A. 95-325, S. 4, 16; P.A. 17-230, S. 7.)

History: 1969 act replaced highway commissioner with commissioner of transportation; 1971 act added provision for determining “registered gross weight” of tractor-trailer units; P.A. 73-98 deleted requirement that copy of permit be filed with motor vehicles commissioner; P.A. 95-325 deleted provision re temporary markers and required a written permit for movement of a trailer unless it is operating with an oversize-overweight account code number and a confirmation number furnished by commissioner and issuance of a document which identifies vehicle and states dates of issue and expiration for each vehicle operating with such an account code number, and that the original document to be carried in vehicle, and that markers or number plates be displayed in a prominent place on vehicle; P.A. 17-230 replaced “oversize-overweight account code number” with “annual permit”, added “pursuant to section 14-270”, added “the rear of” re place markers or number plates to be displayed on vehicle, and made technical and conforming changes.

Sec. 14-25. Registration not required for trailers used as parade floats. No trailer vehicle when used as a float in a parade shall be required to be registered under the provisions of this chapter.

(1957, P.A. 233; February, 1965, P.A. 448, S. 5.)

History: 1965 act deleted provision exempting floats from traffic regulations, and added the word “when.”

Sec. 14-25a. Identifying registration certificate and marker for certain construction equipment. (a) Registration under section 14-12 is unnecessary for equipment used on a construction project if: (1) The equipment is operated on that part of a highway closed by the Commissioner of Transportation under title 13a, or closed by any comparable authority of a municipality or public corporation, for the purpose of construction or reconstruction of a public highway, or appurtenances thereto, pursuant to a contract with the state, a municipality or a public corporation, or is operated within the area defined by such a construction contract; (2) an identifying registration certificate and number plate are obtained from the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles; and (3) the state does not suffer any loss of revenues granted or to be granted from any agency or department of the federal government. An annual fee of ten dollars shall be charged for the identifying registration certificate and marker. On and after July 1, 1992, the fee shall be twelve dollars.

(b) Each identifying registration certificate issued under subsection (a) of this section shall be valid for a period of not longer than one year, and shall expire on the last day of April following its issuance.

(c) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall direct how the number plate shall be affixed to the equipment.

(1967, P.A. 432, S. 1, 2; 1969, P.A. 768, S. 138; P.A. 75-213, S. 6, 53; P.A. 84-254, S. 26, 62; 84-429, S. 13; P.A. 87-329, S. 2.)

History: 1969 act replaced highway commissioner with commissioner of transportation; P.A. 75-213 raised fee from $5 to $6.50; P.A. 84-254 amended Subsec. (a), effective July 1, 1984, to periodically increase the fee from $6.50 to $13 as of July 1, 1992; P.A. 84-429 relettered Subsecs., rephrased provisions and made other technical changes; P.A. 87-329 amended Subsec. (a), maintaining the annual fee at the level existing on and after July 1, 1986, and decreasing the fee effective July 1, 1992, to the level formerly existing on and after July 1, 1988.

Sec. 14-25b. Registration of vehicle as special mobile equipment or special mobile agriculture vehicle. (a) The commissioner may register any vehicle operated upon any public highway as special mobile equipment as defined in section 14-165 and may issue a special number plate which shall be displayed in a conspicuous place at the rear of such vehicle. The commissioner may issue a registration containing any limitation on the operation of any such vehicle which the commissioner deems necessary for its safe operation, provided such vehicle's movement on a highway shall be restricted from its place of storage to the construction site or from one construction site to another. No such vehicle shall be operated upon or across any highway during the times when lights are required as specified in section 14-96a unless it displays the lighted lamps required by sections 14-96b and 14-96c. Such vehicle shall not be used for the transportation of passengers or a payload when operating upon a highway, except that while operating on a highway construction project or on a construction project of any kind which requires the crossing of a highway, such vehicle may carry passengers or a payload to the extent required by the project. A vehicle registered as special mobile equipment shall be exempt from the equipment requirements specified in sections 14-80 to 14-106, inclusive. The commissioner may require that a vehicle for which an application for special mobile equipment registration is submitted pass an inspection prior to the issuance of such registration and at such times as the commissioner deems necessary for the safe operation of such equipment. The commissioner shall charge an annual fee for such registration equal to one-half of the commercial registration fee for a vehicle having the same gross weight.

(b) The commissioner may register any vehicle operated upon any public highway as a special mobile agriculture vehicle, as defined in section 14-165, and may issue a special number plate which shall be displayed in a conspicuous place at the rear of such vehicle. The commissioner may issue a registration containing any limitation on the operation of any such vehicle which he deems necessary for its safe operation, provided such vehicle's operation upon or across a highway shall be restricted as follows: (1) To or from its place of storage, (2) to or from an agriculture location, or (3) from one agriculture location to another. No such vehicle shall be operated upon or across any highway during any time when lights are required pursuant to section 14-96a. Such vehicle shall not be used for the transportation of passengers when operating upon or across a highway. A vehicle registered as a special mobile agriculture vehicle shall be exempt from the equipment requirements set forth in sections 14-80 to 14-106, inclusive, and the provisions of section 14-262. The commissioner may require any vehicle, for which an application for registration as a special mobile agriculture vehicle is submitted, to pass an inspection prior to the issuance of such registration and at such times as he deems necessary for the safe operation of such vehicle. The commissioner shall charge an annual fee of four hundred dollars for the registration of such vehicle.

(P.A. 83-431, S. 1; P.A. 84-546, S. 39, 173; P.A. 08-150, S. 27; P.A. 10-32, S. 48.)

History: P.A. 84-546 made technical changes; P.A. 08-150 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (b) re registration of special mobile agriculture vehicles, effective June 12, 2008; P.A. 10-32 made technical changes in Subsec. (a), effective May 10, 2010.

Cited. 41 CS 326.

Sec. 14-25c. Registration of motor vehicle used as a student transportation vehicle. Distinctive marker plates. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue distinctive registration marker plates to each motor vehicle, except a taxicab or motor vehicle in livery service, that is used as a student transportation vehicle, as defined in section 14-212. Each such registration of a student transportation vehicle shall be issued for a period of one year and, subject to the provisions of subsection (d) of section 14-103, may be renewed by the owner, in accordance with schedules established by the commissioner. The fee for such registration or for any renewal thereof shall be determined as follows: (1) In the case of any such motor vehicle designed as a service bus, the fee shall be one-half of the fee prescribed for the registration of a service bus, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (p) of section 14-49, and (2) in the case of any such motor vehicle designed as a passenger motor vehicle, the fee shall be one-half of the fee prescribed for the biennial combination registration of a passenger motor vehicle or one-third of the fee prescribed for the triennial combination registration of a passenger motor vehicle, in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection (e) of section 14-49.

(P.A. 05-218, S. 13; P.A. 19-165, S. 6; P.A. 21-106, S. 7.)

History: P.A. 05-218 effective July 1, 2005; P.A. 19-165 amended Subdiv. (2) by adding provision re fee for triennial registration of passenger motor vehicle and made a conforming change, effective January 1, 2020; P.A. 21-106 amended Subdiv. (2) to add “combination” and replace reference to Sec. 14-49(a) with reference to Sec. 14-49(e)(1), effective July 1, 2021.

Sec. 14-25d. Registration of DUKW or similar amphibious vehicle. Restrictions or prohibitions imposed by traffic authority. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may register a DUKW amphibious vehicle, manufactured by General Motors Corporation during the years 1942 to 1945, inclusive, or similar amphibious vehicle as an antique, rare or special interest motor vehicle, in accordance with the provisions of section 14-20, unless such amphibious vehicle has been modified by the addition of seats to transport passengers for hire, in which case the commissioner may issue to the owner of such amphibious vehicle registration for a motor bus, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of section 14-49. No such registration shall be issued until such amphibious vehicle has passed a safety inspection conducted by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(b) Any traffic authority, as defined in section 14-297, may impose restrictions or prohibitions concerning the use and operation of any such amphibious vehicle registered as a motor bus, on any highway or bridge under its jurisdiction as such traffic authority determines to be necessary for the protection of the passengers of such amphibious vehicle and highway users.

(P.A. 07-167, S. 39; P.A. 21-61, S. 3.)

History: P.A. 21-61 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing reference to Sec. 14-297(6) with reference to Sec. 14-297.

Sec. 14-26. Motor or service buses, taxicabs, school buses, motor vehicles in livery service and school buses used in part in livery service. (a) Each owner or lessee of a motor bus, service bus, taxicab, school bus or motor vehicle in livery service shall file in the office of the commissioner a special application, containing his name, residence and post-office address and a description of the motor vehicle owned or leased by him, which shall include the name of the maker and such other information as the commissioner may require. The commissioner may register such motor vehicle as a motor bus or as a service bus or as a taxicab or as a school bus or as a motor vehicle in livery service or as a school bus used in part in livery service; but no such registration shall be issued to the owner or lessee of any such motor vehicle unless it is in suitable condition for carrying passengers and is equipped as required by law. The registration number and certificate of registration of each such vehicle shall be special, and such certificate of registration shall contain such information as the commissioner may require. No registration shall be issued to the owner or lessee of a motor bus who has not obtained a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Department of Transportation, in accordance with the provisions of section 13b-80. No registration shall be issued to the owner or lessee of a taxicab who has not obtained a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Department of Transportation in accordance with the provisions of section 13b-97. No such vehicle shall be registered unless the owner thereof has complied with the provisions of section 14-29, and no such vehicle shall be operated upon any highway without first being registered in accordance with the provisions of section 14-49. The commissioner may issue, to an applicant for registration of more than one motor bus, a certificate or certificates of registration containing a general distinguishing number and mark assigned to such applicant upon application to him therefor, which application shall be made in such form and contain such information as the commissioner may determine. Each motor bus included in such registration shall be regarded as registered under and having assigned to it such general distinguishing number and mark. The commissioner may impose upon the issuance and use of each such general registration such conditions, limitations and restrictions as he may determine. Such motor bus owners shall not be required to carry such certificates upon the vehicles registered under the provisions of this section, but shall keep a record of each person operating any motor bus so registered in sufficient detail to promptly identify such person at any specified time, which record shall be subject to the inspection of any officer designated by the commissioner. If any such registrant fails to keep such record or to produce it for inspection as hereinbefore provided, such failure shall be sufficient cause for the commissioner to cancel or suspend such registration. The commissioner may require of such registrant a bond satisfactory to him in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars, conditioned upon compliance with the laws of the state and the regulations of the commissioner concerning the use of such registration, number and mark, or otherwise conditioned as he may direct, which bond shall be forfeited for any violation of the conditions thereof. The commissioner may issue to the holder of any such general motor bus or interstate registration one or more registrations and number plates for motor vehicles in livery service which may be used interchangeably with such motor bus or interstate registration in accordance with such conditions and regulations as he may impose, provided the number of interstate registrations and number plates issued shall not exceed the number of intrastate registrations and number plates authorized by the Department of Transportation.

(b) The certificate of registration of a motor bus, service bus, taxicab, school bus and motor vehicle in livery service shall, at all times, be carried upon such motor vehicle and shall be subject to examination upon demand by any person authorized by law.

(c) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall have committed an infraction. Any person who violates any provision of subsection (b) of this section shall be fined fifty dollars.

(1949 Rev., S. 2370; P.A. 75-486, S. 38, 69; 75-577, S. 17, 126; P.A. 77-614, S. 162, 610; P.A. 79-610, S. 5; P.A. 82-223, S. 8; P.A. 83-577, S. 14; P.A. 90-263, S. 3, 74; P.A. 93-341 S. 5, 38; P.A. 95-260, S. 15, 24; 95-325, S. 13, 16; P.A. 10-3, S. 56.)

History: P.A. 75-486 replaced public utilities commission with public utilities control authority; P.A. 75-577 replaced provision re $50 fine for violation in Subsec. (c) with statement that violation is an infraction; P.A. 77-614 replaced public utilities control authority with division of public utility control within the department of business regulation, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 79-610 replaced division of public utility control with department of transportation and deleted reference to abolished department of business regulation; P.A. 82-223 amended Subsec. (c) by increasing the fine for a first offense from not more than $3 to $25 and establishing a minimum fine of $25 for a subsequent offense; P.A. 83-577 amended Subsec. (c) to increase the fine for the first offense from $25 to $35 and the minimum fine for a subsequent offense from $25 to $35; P.A. 90-263 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) to substitute motor bus, service bus, taxicab and motor vehicle in livery service for public service motor vehicle; P.A. 93-341 amended Subsec. (a) to include school buses and school buses used in part in livery service in its provisions and amended Subsec. (b) to include school buses, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 95-260 amended Subsec. (a) to allow commissioner to issue to holder of any interstate registration one or more registrations for motor vehicles in livery service which may be used interchangeably with such interstate registration, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 95-325 amended Subsec. (a) to limit the number of interstate registrations and number plates issued, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 10-3 amended Subsec. (c) to replace fine for violation of Subsec. (b) of $35 for first offense and not less than $35 nor more than $50 for subsequent offense with fine of $50, effective April 14, 2010.

See Sec. 13b-83 re registration of motor bus.

See Sec. 13b-99 re registration of taxicab.

See Sec. 13b-106 re registration of motor vehicles in livery service.

This section interpreted and held valid. 97 C. 239.

Sec. 14-27. Number plates for public service motor vehicles. (a) Each motor bus shall carry number plates to be furnished by the commissioner, which number plates shall indicate that such vehicle is licensed for motor bus service.

(b) Each motor bus holding a permit for interstate operation under the provisions of section 13b-89, except those registered under section 14-365, shall carry number plates to be furnished by the commissioner, which number plates shall indicate that such vehicle is licensed for interstate motor bus service.

(c) Each taxicab shall carry number plates to be furnished by the commissioner, which number plates shall indicate that such vehicle is licensed for taxicab service.

(d) Each motor vehicle in livery service shall carry number plates to be furnished by the commissioner, which number plates shall indicate that such vehicle is licensed for livery service.

(e) Each motor vehicle holding a permit for livery service, under sections 13b-101 to 13b-109, inclusive, which service is for transportation between points within this state and points outside of this state shall carry number plates to be furnished by the commissioner, which plates shall indicate that such vehicle is licensed for interstate livery service.

(f) Each school bus shall carry number plates furnished by the commissioner and the number plates shall indicate that the school bus is licensed to transport students. Each school bus bearing such number plates shall be used primarily for the transportation of students. Each school bus used in part in livery service shall carry number plates indicating such dual usage.

(g) Failure to carry number plates as required by this section shall be an infraction.

(1949 Rev., S. 5708, 5713, 5721, 5727; 1967, P.A. 98; P.A. 75-577, S. 18, 126; P.A. 89-222, S. 4; P.A. 93-341, S. 6, 38; P.A. 97-236, S. 6, 27.)

History: 1967 act amended Subsec. (b) to add exception for buses registered under Sec. 14-365; P.A. 75-577 added Subsec. (e); P.A. 89-222 inserted new Subsec. (e) re motor vehicle number plates for motor vehicles in livery service licensed for interstate service and relettered former Subsec. (e) as Subsec. (f); P.A. 93-341 inserted new Subsec. (f) requiring school buses to carry number plates and requiring school buses used in part in livery service to carry number plates indicating such dual usage; moving provision formerly in Subsec. (f) to new Subsec. (g), effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 97-236 amended Subsec. (f) to require school buses bearing such number plates to be used primarily for transportation of students, effective June 24, 1997.

Sec. 14-27a. Number plates for vanpool vehicle. Minimum insurance requirements. Each vanpool vehicle shall carry number plates to be furnished by the commissioner which number plates shall indicate that such vehicle is licensed for vanpool service. The commissioner shall not register any motor vehicle for vanpool service until the owner has submitted evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that such vehicle is covered by a policy of insurance or bond which shall indemnify the insured against any legal liability for personal injury, the death of any person or property damage, which injury, death or damage may result from or have been caused by the use or operation of the vanpool vehicle described in the contract of insurance or such bond. The amount of such insurance or indemnity bond which each motor vehicle in vanpool service shall carry as insurance or indemnity against claims for property damage and personal injury or death shall be not less than three hundred fifty thousand dollars. Any person or company issuing any such insurance or indemnity bond shall file a certificate with the commissioner in such form as he prescribes. No such insurance or bond shall be subject to nonrenewal or cancellation while the registration is in force unless the commissioner has been given at least twenty days' written notice prior to the effective date of nonrenewal or cancellation. If within such twenty-day period the commissioner is not presented with satisfactory evidence that other insurance or another indemnity bond has been obtained, the registration shall be revoked. Liability under such insurance policy or bond shall continue beyond such twenty-day notification period until such time as the registration for such vanpool vehicle has been surrendered and its plates have been returned to the commissioner, but in no case shall such liability continue for more than ten days after such notification period has expired.

(P.A. 79-244, S. 2; P.A. 84-175.)

History: P.A. 84-175 included property damage insurance within the minimum coverage amount of $350,000.

Sec. 14-28. Passenger motor vehicle plates for livery cars or taxicabs. For a fee of seven dollars, the commissioner may furnish to each holder of a livery or taxicab registration an additional passenger motor vehicle number plate or set of number plates in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of section 14-21b to be used on the motor vehicle in livery service or taxicab when not engaged in public service business, provided such vehicle or taxicab meets the criteria for registration as a passenger vehicle under the provisions of this chapter.

(1949 Rev., S. 2390; 1961, P.A. 581, S. 4; 1969, P.A. 759, S. 2; P.A. 75-213, S. 7, 53; P.A. 80-466, S. 11, 25; P.A. 84-254, S. 27, 62; P.A. 86-388, S. 26, 31; P.A. 87-329, S. 3; P.A. 19-119, S. 2.)

History: 1961 act increased fee from $1 to $2; 1969 act raised fee to $3; P.A. 75-213 raised fee to $4; P.A. 80-466 referred to single plate rather than set of plates; P.A. 84-254 increased periodically the existing $4 fee to $8 as of July 1, 1992; P.A. 86-388 included reference to issuance of a set of number plates in accordance with provisions of Sec. 14-21b(a); P.A. 87-329 maintained the fee at the level existing on and after July 1, 1986, and decreased the fee effective July 1, 1992, to the level formerly existing on and after July 1, 1988; P.A. 19-119 added provision re meeting criteria for registration as passenger vehicle and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2019.

Sec. 14-29. Owners of motor or service buses, taxicabs, school buses, school transportation vehicles and motor vehicles in livery service to furnish insurance or bond. (a) The commissioner shall not register any motor bus, taxicab, school bus, motor vehicle in livery service, student transportation vehicle or service bus and no person may operate or cause to be operated upon any public highway any such motor vehicle until the owner or lessee thereof has procured insurance or a bond satisfactory to the commissioner that shall indemnify the insured against any legal liability for personal injury, the death of any person or property damage, which injury, death or damage may result from or have been caused by the use or operation of such motor vehicle described in the contract of insurance or such bond. Such insurance or bond shall not be required from (1) a municipality which the commissioner finds has maintained sufficient financial responsibility to meet legal liability for personal injury, death or damage resulting from or caused by the use or operation of a service bus owned or operated by such municipality, or (2) the owner or lessee of such class of motor vehicle who holds a certificate of public necessity and convenience from the Department of Transportation if such owner or lessee has procured from the department a certificate that the department has found that such owner or lessee is of sufficient financial responsibility to meet legal liability for personal injury, death or property damage resulting from or caused by the use or operation of such motor vehicle. The Department of Transportation may issue such certificate upon presentation of evidence of financial responsibility that is satisfactory to it.

(b) The amount of insurance or of such bond that each such vehicle owner or lessee shall carry as insurance or indemnity against claims for personal injury or death and legal liability resulting from damage to the property of passengers or others for any one accident shall be not less than (1) a single limit of liability of (A) one hundred thousand dollars, if such vehicle is designed or used to transport seven passengers or less, or (B) seven hundred fifty thousand dollars, if such vehicle is designed or used to transport eight to fourteen passengers without compensation; (2) the minimum amounts established in 49 CFR Part 387, as amended from time to time, if such vehicle is designed or used to transport eight passengers or more for compensation, or fifteen passengers or more without compensation; (3) one million five hundred thousand dollars, if such vehicle is operated in livery service under the provisions of sections 13b-101 to 13b-109, inclusive, and designed or used to transport fourteen passengers or less; and (4) five million dollars, if such vehicle is operated in livery service under the provisions of sections 13b-101 to 13b-109, inclusive, and designed or used to transport fifteen passengers or more.

(c) (1) Any person or company issuing any such insurance or indemnity bond shall file with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles a certificate in such form as the commissioner prescribes, and no such insurance or bond shall lapse, expire or be cancelled while the registration is in force until the commissioner has been given at least ten days' written notice of an intention to cancel and until the commissioner has accepted other insurance or another indemnity bond and has notified the person or company seeking to cancel such insurance or bond that such other insurance or bond has been accepted or until the registration of such motor vehicle described in such insurance policy or bond has been suspended or cancelled.

(2) No person or company issuing any such insurance or indemnity bond shall issue an insurance policy or indemnity bond for a motor vehicle specified in subsection (a) of this section for limits less than those specified in subsection (b) of this section. Upon initial registration or renewal of any such motor vehicle, the commissioner may presume that an insurance policy or indemnity bond meets the minimum amounts specified in said subsection (b) for such vehicle.

(d) Any person injured in person or property by any such motor vehicle may apply to the commissioner for the name and description of the insurer of the vehicle causing such injury or the name of the surety upon any indemnity bond of any such owner or the name of the holder of a certificate of financial responsibility.

(e) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or both.

(1949 Rev., S. 2371; 1955, S. 1293d; November, 1955, S. N164; 1971, P.A. 487, S. 1; P.A. 75-486, S. 39, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 162, 610; P.A. 80-482, S. 32, 348; P.A. 81-90; P.A. 82-460, S. 5; P.A. 85-613, S. 122, 154; P.A. 89-222, S. 5; P.A. 90-263, S. 4, 74; P.A. 93-341, S. 7; P.A. 96-180, S. 39, 166; P.A. 99-181, S. 11; P.A. 06-130, S. 13; P.A. 17-79, S. 1; P.A. 21-106, S. 8.)

History: 1971 act raised insurance or bond minimum from $25,000 to $50,000 for one person and raised insurance for property damage from $5,000 to $10,000; P.A. 75-486 replaced public utilities commission with public utilities control authority; P.A. 77-614 replaced public utilities control authority with division of public utility control within the department of business regulation, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-482 gave division departmental status and deleted reference to abolished department of business regulation; P.A. 81-90 amended Subsec. (a), exempting self-insured municipalities from the insurance or bond requirement for operation of public service motor vehicles or service buses; and amended Subsec. (b), allowing a single limit of liability in lieu of the double limit for each public service motor vehicle, and exempting self-insured municipalities from provisions; P.A. 82-460 amended Subsec. (c) to add reference to suspension of registration and to delete requirement that commissioner take number plates of vehicles with suspended or cancelled registrations; P.A. 85-613 made technical changes, substituting references to transportation department for references to department of public utility control in Subsecs. (a) and (b); P.A. 89-222 added new Subsec. (f) re increasing the insurance for motor vehicles in livery service; P.A. 90-263 substituted motor bus, taxicab and motor vehicle in livery service for public service motor vehicle; P.A. 93-341 applied Subsec. (a) provisions to school buses; P.A. 96-180 made technical changes in Subsec. (b) to conform Subdiv., Subpara. and clause designations with customary statutory usage, effective June 3, 1996; P.A. 99-181 amended Subsec. (f) by increasing the required insurance or indemnity from not less than $600,000 to $1,500,000 for vehicles with a seating capacity of fourteen passengers or less and $5,000,000 for vehicles with a seating capacity of fifteen passengers or more; P.A. 06-130 amended Subsec. (a) to add student transportation vehicles and make a technical change, effective June 2, 2006; P.A. 17-79 amended Subsec. (c) by designating existing provisions re filing certificate with commissioner as Subdiv. (1) and making technical changes, and adding Subdiv. (2) re issuance of insurance policy or indemnity bond for a vehicle and presumption that policy or bond meets minimum amounts specified for the vehicle; P.A. 21-106 substantially amended Subsec. (b) by adding provision re legal liability resulting from property damage and substantially revising provisions re minimum monetary limits for certain vehicles, deleted former Subsec. (f) re insurance or indemnity for motor vehicles in livery service and made technical and conforming changes.

Cited. 9 CA 686.

Sec. 14-29a. Registration of motor vehicles over ten years old as taxicabs prohibited. No motor vehicle that is engaged in taxicab service shall be registered by the commissioner if such motor vehicle is older than ten model years old. Notwithstanding any regulation adopted pursuant to section 13b-96, any such motor vehicle that is validly registered and will be older than ten model years old during such registration period may continue taxicab service until the expiration date of its current registration, after which such registration shall not be renewed.

(P.A. 14-130, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 14-130 effective June 6, 2014.

Sec. 14-30. Public service motor vehicles registered in another state. Section 14-30 is repealed.

(1949 Rev., S. 2372; 1971, P.A. 612, S. 5.)

Sec. 14-31. Refund of registration fees for motor vehicles with commercial registration unfit for use. Any person may surrender to the commissioner the registration certificate and the number plates for any motor vehicle with a commercial registration in the name of such person, if such motor vehicle, prior to the expiration of the term of its registration, has become unfit for use, accompanied by a statement under oath attesting to the unfitness of such vehicle, and the commissioner shall thereupon make application to the Comptroller for the refund to such registrant of such portion of the registration fee for such motor vehicle as is applicable to the number of months between the date of such surrender and the date of the expiration of such registration. The Comptroller, upon such application, shall draw an order on the Treasurer in favor of such registrant for the amount of the refund provided for herein. The commissioner shall retain a record of each such application for a refund and of the action of the Comptroller thereon, and shall not reregister such motor vehicle.

(1949 Rev., S. 2373; P.A. 90-263, S. 5, 74; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-6, S. 10, 85.)

History: P.A. 90-263 substituted motor vehicle with a commercial registration for commercial motor vehicle; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-6 deleted former provision which charged the amount of any refund against funds appropriated to the commissioner and made technical changes for purposes of gender neutrality, effective July 1, 2001.

Sec. 14-32. Commercial motor vehicle in interstate business. Section 14-32 is repealed.

(1949 Rev., S. 2374; 1971, P.A. 612, S. 5.)

Sec. 14-33. Renewal of registration denied for failure to pay motor vehicle property tax or fines for parking violations. Collection of delinquent property tax by commissioner. Issuance of temporary registrations by city, town, borough or other taxing district. (a)(1) For assessment years commencing prior to October 1, 2023, if any property tax, or any installment thereof, laid by any city, town, borough or other taxing district upon a registered motor vehicle or snowmobile remains unpaid, the tax collector of such city, town, borough or other taxing district shall notify the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles of such delinquency in accordance with subsection (e) of this section and guidelines and procedures established by the commissioner. The commissioner shall not issue registration for such motor vehicle or snowmobile for the next registration period if, according to the commissioner's records, it is then owned by the person against whom such tax has been assessed or by any person to whom such vehicle has not been transferred by bona fide sale. Unless notice has been received by the commissioner under the provisions of section 14-33a, no such registration shall be issued until the commissioner receives notification that the tax obligation has been legally discharged; nor shall the commissioner register any other motor vehicle, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle or vessel in the name of such person, except that the commissioner may continue to register other vehicles owned by a leasing or rental firm licensed pursuant to section 14-15, and may issue such registration to any private owner of three or more paratransit vehicles in direct proportion to the percentage of total tax due on such vehicles which has been paid and notice of payment on which has been received. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may immediately suspend or cancel all motor vehicle, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle or vessel registrations issued in the name of any person (A) who has been reported as delinquent and whose registration was renewed through an error or through the production of false evidence that the delinquent tax on any motor vehicle or snowmobile had been paid, or (B) who has been reported by a tax collector as having paid a property tax on a motor vehicle or snowmobile with a check which was dishonored by a bank and such tax remains unpaid. Any person aggrieved by any action of the commissioner under this section may appeal therefrom in the manner provided in section 14-134. For the purposes of this subsection, “paratransit vehicle” means a motor bus, taxicab or motor vehicle in livery service operated under a certificate of convenience and necessity issued by the Department of Transportation or by a transit district and which is on call or demand or used for the transportation of passengers for hire.

(2) For assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 2023, if any property tax, or any installment thereof, laid by any city, town, borough or other taxing district upon a motor vehicle remains unpaid, regardless of whether such motor vehicle is classified on the grand list as a registered motor vehicle or personal property pursuant to section 12-41, the tax collector of such city, town, borough or other taxing district shall notify the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles of such delinquency in accordance with subsection (e) of this section and guidelines and procedures established by the commissioner. The commissioner shall not issue registration for such motor vehicle for the next registration period if, according to the commissioner's records, it is then owned by the person against whom such tax has been assessed or by any person to whom such vehicle has not been transferred by bona fide sale. Unless notice has been received by the commissioner under the provisions of section 14-33a, no such registration shall be issued until the commissioner receives notification that the tax obligation has been legally discharged; nor shall the commissioner register any other motor vehicle, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle or vessel in the name of such person, except that the commissioner may continue to register other vehicles owned by a leasing or rental firm licensed pursuant to section 14-15, and may issue such registration to any private owner of three or more paratransit vehicles in direct proportion to the percentage of total tax due on such vehicles which has been paid and notice of payment on which has been received. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may immediately suspend or cancel all motor vehicle, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle or vessel registrations issued in the name of any person (A) who has been reported as delinquent and whose registration was renewed through an error or through the production of false evidence that the delinquent tax on any motor vehicle had been paid, or (B) who has been reported by a tax collector as having paid a property tax on a motor vehicle with a check which was dishonored by a bank and such tax remains unpaid.

(b) (1) For assessment years commencing prior to October 1, 2023, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, in consultation with the Treasurer and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, may enter into an agreement with the tax collector of any city, town, borough or other taxing district whereby the commissioner shall collect any property tax or any installment thereof on a registered motor vehicle which remains unpaid from any person against whom such tax has been assessed who makes application for registration for such motor vehicle.

(2) For assessment years commencing on and after October 1, 2023, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, in consultation with the Treasurer and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, may enter into an agreement with the tax collector of any city, town, borough or other taxing district whereby the commissioner shall collect any property tax or any installment thereof on any motor vehicle which remains unpaid from any person against whom such tax has been assessed who makes application for registration for such motor vehicle.

(3) Any agreement entered into pursuant to subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection shall include a procedure for the remission of taxes collected to the city, town, borough or other taxing district, on a regular basis, and may provide that a fee be paid by the city, town, borough or other taxing district to the commissioner to cover any costs associated with the administration of the agreement. In the event an agreement is in effect, the commissioner shall immediately issue a registration for a motor vehicle owned by a person against whom such tax has been assessed upon receipt of payment of such tax and a service fee of two dollars, in addition to the fee prescribed for the renewal of the registration.

(c) On and after March 1, 1989, any municipality may participate in a program administered by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to facilitate the payment of fines for parking violations. If any such municipality elects to participate in such program, it shall provide for a notice of violation to be served personally upon the operator of a motor vehicle who is present at the time of service. If the operator is not present, the notice shall be served upon the owner of the motor vehicle by affixing notice to said vehicle in a conspicuous place, or, in the case of the city of Hartford Parking Authority, by regular or certified mail to the registered owner of the vehicle, which shall have the same effect as if the notice of violation was personally served on the owner or operator of the vehicle. In the case of any motor vehicle that is leased or rented by the owner, not more than thirty days after the initial notice of a parking violation for which a fine remains unpaid at such time, a second notice of violation shall be mailed to the address of record of the owner leasing or renting the motor vehicle to such operator. No fines or penalties shall accrue to the owner of such rented or leased vehicle for the violation for a period of sixty days after the second notice is mailed. Upon receipt of such notification, the owner of such rented or leased vehicle may notify the municipality as to whom the lessee was at the time of such issuance of the notice of violation, the lessee's address, motor vehicle operator's license number and state of issuance, and the municipality shall issue such notice of violation to such lessee. A participating municipality shall notify the commissioner of every owner of a registered motor vehicle who has unpaid fines for more than five parking violations committed within such municipality on and after March 1, 1989. Upon receipt of such notification, the commissioner shall not issue or renew the motor vehicle registration of such person until he receives notification from such municipality that the delinquent fines have been paid.

(d) The provisions of subsection (c) of this section shall not apply to any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of leasing or renting motor vehicles without drivers in this state with respect to any motor vehicle which is leased or rented. The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of subsection (c) of this section.

(e) The tax collector of a city, town, borough or other district shall, at least once during each calendar month, notify the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles of any outstanding delinquent property tax payment or installment thereof for a registered motor vehicle or snowmobile. If a tax collector fails to provide such notice to the commissioner, the commissioner shall not be required to deny the issuance of a registration, pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, to the person against whom such tax has been assessed by said city or town, or by a borough or other taxing district located therein.

(f) Any city, town, borough or other taxing district that notifies the commissioner of (1) a delinquency in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, or (2) an owner of a registered motor vehicle who has unpaid fines for more than five parking violations in accordance with subsection (c) of this section, may participate in a program to issue temporary registrations for passenger motor vehicles on behalf of the commissioner to persons whose registrations have been denied, and who subsequently make full payment to the city, town, borough or other taxing district for the amounts owed under said subsections. A participating city, town, borough or other taxing district shall issue such temporary registrations in accordance with subsection (i) of section 14-12 and shall retain the fees authorized in subsection (n) of section 14-49 for such registrations. The commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 to carry out the provisions of this subsection.

(1949 Rev., S. 2375; 1959, P.A. 455; 1961, P.A. 233, S. 6; 1967, P.A. 48; 448, S. 2; 1969, P.A. 752, S. 15; P.A. 78-348, S. 1, 6; P.A. 79-566; 79-610, S. 9, 20; 79-631, S. 20, 111; P.A. 80-372, S. 2; P.A. 88-346, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-341, S. 8; P.A. 95-260, S. 8, 24; P.A. 96-167, S. 4; P.A. 03-264, S. 5; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-1, S. 102; P.A. 04-126, S. 2; P.A. 07-88, S. 1; P.A. 11-48, S. 26; P.A. 13-271, S. 9; P.A. 14-19, S. 1; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 237; P.A. 22-118, S. 497.)

History: 1959 act added taxing districts to section; 1961 act authorized commissioner to establish listings and dates for notification rather than date set by statute; 1967 acts removed specifications of tax amount, year and model of vehicle and engine number from form contents and added reference to issuance of registration without receipt of tax payment if notice under provisions of Sec. 14-33a has been received; 1969 act included snowmobiles under provisions of section; P.A. 78-348 allowed commissioner to suspend registrations when registration renewed because of error or false statement that delinquent tax was paid or when check for payment of tax is not honored by bank; P.A. 79-566 included provisions re paratransit vehicles; P.A. 79-610 and 80-372 authorized substitution of department of transportation for division of public utility control in provision re paratransit vehicles; P.A. 79-631 made technical change; P.A. 88-346 added Subsec. (b) re establishment of a voluntary program to facilitate payment of fines for parking violations, requiring denial of registration for failure to pay such fines; P.A. 93-341 amended Subsec. (a) by adding a provision that the commissioner may “continue to register other vehicles owned by a leasing or rental firm licensed pursuant to section 14-15, if he is satisfied that arrangements have been made to discharge” outstanding tax obligations; P.A. 95-260 amended Subsec. (b) to allow any municipality, regardless of size of population, to participate in the voluntary program to facilitate payment of fines for parking violations; P.A. 96-167 inserted new Subsec. (b) authorizing commissioner to enter into agreement with tax collector whereby commissioner shall collect delinquent motor vehicle property tax and immediately issue registration upon receipt of payment of such tax and relettered former Subsec. (b) as (c); P.A. 03-264 made a technical change in Subsec. (a), divided provisions of Subsec. (c) into Subsecs. (c) and (d), added provisions in Subsec. (c) re notice of violation and period during which penalties will not accrue for violation, and made technical changes in Subsec. (d); June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-1 amended Subsec. (a) to provide for a fee to be paid by municipalities upon notice to commissioner of delinquent tax due and to make technical changes, effective August 16, 2003; P.A. 04-126 amended Subsec. (a) to delete fee for the reporting of delinquent property taxes to the commissioner and to make a conforming change, and added Subsec. (e) requiring municipalities to pay the costs of the delinquent tax reporting program, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 07-88 amended Subsec. (c) by adding provision re notification to municipality by owner of rented or leased vehicle providing information re the lessee of such vehicle at the time of issuance of the notice of violation, and issuance of notice of violation to lessee, effective July 1, 2007; P.A. 11-48 added Subsec. (f) authorizing cities, towns, boroughs or other taxing districts to issue temporary registrations for passenger motor vehicles upon payment of unpaid parking fines, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 13-271 amended Subsec. (a) to replace provision requiring tax collector to notify commissioner of delinquency in accordance with listings, schedules of dates and forms established or prescribed by commissioner with provision requiring notification in accordance with guidelines and procedures established by commissioner, to replace provision prohibiting issuance of registration for motor vehicle upon which tax is unpaid until receipt evidencing payment, certificate of abatement or other satisfactory evidence of payment is presented to commissioner with provision prohibiting issuance of registration until commissioner receives notification that tax obligation is legally discharged, to add provision prohibiting registration of all-terrain vehicle or vessel in the name of registered owner of motor vehicle upon which tax is unpaid, to delete provision re satisfaction of commissioner that arrangements have been made to discharge tax obligation of leasing or rental firm, to add provision re cancellation of motor vehicle, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle or vessel registrations and to make conforming changes; P.A. 14-19 amended Subsec. (e) by replacing provision re annual payment by each city and town with provision re monthly notice to commissioner re outstanding delinquent property tax payment and amended Subsec. (a) by making conforming changes, effective July 1, 2015; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (c) to add provision re Hartford Parking Authority notice of violation by regular or certified mail, effective July 1, 2015; P.A. 22-118 amended Subsec. (a) by designating existing provisions re registration of motor vehicle, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle or vessel where property tax is unpaid as new Subdiv. (1), specifying that such provisions are applicable for assessment years commencing prior to October 1, 2023, redesignating existing Subdivs. (1) and (2) as Subparas. (A) and (B), adding new Subdiv. (2) re registration of motor vehicle, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle or vessel where property tax is unpaid, and specifying that new Subdiv. (2) is applicable for assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 2023, and amended Subsec. (b) by designating existing provisions concerning agreements re collection of unpaid property tax on registered motor vehicles as Subdiv. (1), specifying that such provisions are applicable for assessment years commencing prior to October 1, 2023, adding Subdiv. (2) concerning agreements re collection of unpaid property tax on motor vehicles, specifying that Subdiv. (2) is applicable for assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 2023, designating existing provisions re requirements for agreements and issuance of registration upon receipt of payment as Subdiv. (3), and specifying that such requirements apply to agreements entered into pursuant to Subdivs. (1) and (2), effective July 1, 2022, and applicable to assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 2023.

See Sec. 14-379 for definitions applicable to snowmobiles.

Sec. 14-33a. Notice to commissioner of tax payment. When a taxpayer who was reported to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles as delinquent in taxes by a tax collector in accordance with section 14-33 is no longer delinquent, the tax collector shall immediately notify the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles in accordance with guidelines and procedures established by the commissioner. No tax collector shall knowingly submit a false report to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles that a motor vehicle tax is no longer delinquent pursuant to this section.

(1967, P.A. 448, S. 1; P.A. 13-271, S. 10; 13-276, S. 38.)

History: P.A. 13-271 replaced provision re notification on forms prescribed and furnished by commissioner with provision re notification in accordance with guidelines and procedures established by commissioner; P.A. 13-276 added provision re no tax collector shall knowingly submit false report to commissioner that motor vehicle tax is no longer delinquent.

Sec. 14-34. Reciprocity of registration. (a) A motor vehicle owned by a nonresident and registered for the current year in the state or district of which the owner is a resident may be operated upon the highways of this state without registration under this chapter to the extent, as to period of operation and otherwise, that the state or district of registration grants substantially similar privileges in the case of motor vehicles owned by residents of this state and registered under its laws. The commissioner shall determine whether privileges granted by such states or districts are substantially similar to those granted by this state, which determination shall be final, and may enter into reciprocal agreements with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or other like authority of any other state in accordance with which motor vehicles may be operated in this state and such other state. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to limit, amend, repeal or affect any of the powers and jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation or the provisions of sections 14-39, 13b-410a and 13b-410b.

(b) The commissioner shall adopt such regulations in accordance with chapter 54 as he deems necessary to carry out the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.

(1949 Rev., S. 2376; 1971, P.A. 612, S. 2; P.A. 75-486, S. 40, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 162, 610; P.A. 80-63; 80-482, S. 33, 348; P.A. 81-394, S. 4; P.A. 85-148, S. 1; P.A. 90-263, S. 6, 74; P.A. 93-307, S. 24, 34.)

History: 1971 act added Subsec. (b) re regulation of public service motor vehicles and included reference to public service motor vehicles in previous provisions, now Subsec. (a); P.A. 75-486 replaced public utilities commission with public utilities control authority; P.A. 77-614 replaced authority with division of public utility control within the department of business regulation, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-63 included motor vehicles used exclusively for farming purposes in Subsec. (a) and substituted “commissioner of motor vehicles” for “motor vehicle commissioner”; P.A. 80-482 gave division of public utility control department status and deleted reference to abolished department of business regulation; P.A. 81-394 included “high-mileage vehicle” in the reciprocity of registration provisions; P.A. 85-148 deleted language in Subsec. (b) forbidding construction of section to allow public service motor vehicles registered elsewhere to conduct intrastate business and amended Subsec. (a) to specifically allow such vehicles to be used in intrastate commerce; P.A. 90-263 amended Subsec. (a) to delete reference to passenger motor vehicle, high-mileage vehicle, public service motor vehicle, commercial motor vehicle, motor vehicle used exclusively for farming purposes, trailer and semitrailer, and amended Subsec. (b) to delete all references to public service motor vehicles and provision concerning the jurisdiction of the department of public utility control and to require that regulations be adopted in accordance with chapter 54; P.A. 93-307 amended Subsec. (a) by substituting reference to Secs. 13b-410a and 13b-410b for reference to Sec. 13b-405 which was repealed by the same act, effective June 29, 1993.

Sec. 14-34a. Reciprocal agreements apportioning the registration of commercial vehicles. (a) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles is authorized to enter into reciprocal agreements or plans on behalf of the state of Connecticut with the appropriate authorities of any of the states, territories or possessions of the United States, the District of Columbia, or any state or province of any country providing for the registration of commercial vehicles on an apportionment or allocation basis, and may, in the exercise of this authority, enter into and become a member of the International Registration Plan developed by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. Any such reciprocal agreement or plan may provide for, but shall not be limited to, the following: (1) Full reciprocity in accordance with such agreement or plan for commercial vehicles not based in Connecticut, operated solely in interstate commerce and of specified types or gross or unladen weights, in exchange for equivalent reciprocity for Connecticut based commercial vehicles; (2) reciprocal exchange of audits of records of the owners of such commercial vehicles by the states participating in any such agreement or plan; and (3) any other matters which would facilitate the administration of such agreement or plan, including exchange of information for audits, enforcement activities and collection and disbursement of proportional registration fees for other jurisdictions in the case of Connecticut based commercial vehicles.

(b) Any reciprocal agreement, arrangement or declaration relating to commercial vehicles in effect between this state and any jurisdiction not a party to such reciprocal agreement or plan, or which relates to any matters not covered in such reciprocal agreement or plan shall continue in force and effect until specifically amended or revoked as provided by law.

(c) Notwithstanding any such agreement or plan, (1) any such commercial vehicle garaged at any fixed location or which leaves from and returns to one or more points within this state in the normal course of operations, shall be taxable in this state as personal property in the town where such vehicle is garaged; (2) registration shall be denied to any such vehicle if any personal property taxes are unpaid with respect to such vehicle, as provided in section 14-33; and (3) any such vehicle based in this state shall be subject to the provisions of sections 14-12, 14-15, 14-15a, 14-16a and chapter 247.

(d) At such time as the state of Connecticut may enter into and become a member of the International Registration Plan pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the provisions of the plan, as it may be amended from time to time, which are concerned with the registration of any vehicle or the fees which relate to any such registration shall control whenever any special act or any provision of the general statutes, except subsection (c) of this section, conflicts with any provision of the plan. A copy of the plan, as it may be amended from time to time, shall be maintained on file by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles at the main office of the department, and shall be available for public inspection.

(e) If the International Registration Plan is entered into by this state pursuant to subsection (a) of this section and the plan requires that a member jurisdiction accept registration or other documents under the plan in electronic format, the registrant may show a legible electronic image of such registration or document to any person who is required or authorized, in connection with such person's employment, to view such registration or document. If a registrant presents such registration or document by displaying an electronic image on a cellular mobile telephone or other electronic device, such person may not view, and offering such display shall not be construed to be consent for such person to view, any content on such telephone or electronic device other than such registration or document. No person who is required or authorized to view registrations or documents under the plan shall be liable for any damage to, or destruction of, a cellular mobile telephone or other electronic device provided to such person for the purpose of displaying an electronic image of a registration or document.

(f) Any commercial vehicle that is required to be registered in another jurisdiction shall not operate on any highway of the state without being so registered. Any commercial vehicle that is registered in any other jurisdiction and is eligible for registration on an apportionment basis shall not be operated on any highway without such registration or a seventy-two-hour trip permit registration issued by the commissioner. Any person who owns any motor vehicle operated in violation of this subsection shall be fined five hundred dollars for the first offense, and for each subsequent offense, not less than one thousand dollars nor more than two thousand dollars, except if the motor vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating of more than sixty thousand pounds, such owner shall be fined one thousand dollars for the first offense, and for each subsequent offense, not less than two thousand dollars nor more than four thousand dollars.

(P.A. 76-107, S. 1, 2; P.A. 78-222; P.A. 96-167, S. 5; P.A. 08-150, S. 6; P.A. 11-213, S. 10; P.A. 19-119, S. 3.)

History: P.A. 78-222 added Subsec. (d) re effect of International Registration Plan on fees; P.A. 96-167 added Subsec. (e) re registration requirements for commercial vehicles registered in any other jurisdiction and eligible for registration on apportionment basis; P.A. 08-150 amended Subsec. (d) to add reference to the plan “as it may be amended from time to time” and require a copy of the plan to be maintained on file by commissioner at the main office of department and be available for public inspection; P.A. 11-213 amended Subsec. (e) to prohibit operation of unregistered commercial vehicle required to be registered in another jurisdiction and to change “gross weight” to “gross vehicle weight rating”, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 19-119 amended Subsec. (a) to add “, territories or possessions”, added new Subsec. (e) re display of registration or document on cellular mobile telephone or other electronic device, redesignated existing Subsec. (e) as Subsec. (f) and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2019.

See Sec. 20-427a re commissioner's duty to deny registration for commercial motor vehicle of contractor who is in violation of Sec. 20-420 or 20-432.

Sec. 14-35. Transporter's registration. (a) Any person who in the opinion of the commissioner is qualified may apply for a transporter's registration and number plate. The applicant shall furnish such information as the commissioner requires on forms to be furnished by the commissioner. All transporter registrations issued pursuant to this section shall expire annually on the last day of March. Not later than January 1, 1989, the commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 specifically identifying (1) the types of vehicles which may be registered under a transporter's number plate and (2) limitations on the use of such plate, including the purposes for which such plate may be used.

(b) The applicant shall, instead of registering each motor vehicle owned by such applicant or temporarily in the applicant's custody, have issued to such applicant by the commissioner a general distinguishing number. Thereupon, each motor vehicle owned by the applicant or temporarily in the applicant's custody shall be regarded as registered under and having assigned to it the distinguishing number. The commissioner shall charge a fee at the rate of two hundred fifty dollars per annum for each general distinguishing number.

(c) A registrant shall furnish proof of financial responsibility to the commissioner as provided by section 14-112.

(d) Except as provided in this subsection, no registrant shall rent or allow or cause to be rented, operate or allow or cause to be operated for hire, use or cause to be used for the purpose of conveying passengers, merchandise or freight for hire, or operate as a commercial vehicle with a load, any motor vehicle registered under a transporter number plate. The number plate shall not be loaned to any person and shall not be used by its holder for personal purposes. The registrant who holds a transporter number plate may operate, or cause to be operated by a bona fide employee, motor vehicles for the purpose of transportation or repossession of motor vehicles owned by him or temporarily in his custody. Such number plate may be used for the movement on a contract or other basis of a storage or office trailer, house trailer, modular building or similar, nonpower trailing unit having unitized construction and to which a removable axle assembly is attached. Any dealer in boats may use, or allow or cause to be used, any trailer so registered for the purpose of transporting a boat or boats, together with any necessary equipment, between a demonstration site and his established place of business.

(e) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (d) of this section shall be fined not less than two hundred fifty dollars nor more than five hundred dollars.

(1955, S. 1294d; 1961, P.A. 581, S. 5; 1967, P.A. 97; 1969, P.A. 759, S. 3; P.A. 74-26, S. 2; P.A. 75-213, S. 8, 53; 75-577, S. 19, 126; P.A. 84-254, S. 28, 63; 84-429, S. 14; P.A. 86-383, S. 4, 6; P.A. 87-43, S. 2, 4; 87-329, S. 4; P.A. 88-50, S. 1, 2; P.A. 90-263, S. 60, 74; P.A. 02-70, S. 20, 67; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-4, S. 29.)

History: 1961 act increased fees in Subsec. (b) from $10 and $20, respectively; 1967 act amended Subsec. (c) to allow use of dealers' trailers to transport boats between demonstration site and dealership; 1969 act increased fees for plates on passenger vehicles and house trailers from $13 to $25 and for plates on commercial motor vehicles from $25 to $50 in Subsec. (b); P.A. 74-26 replaced “plates” with “plate”; P.A. 75-213 increased plate fee for passenger vehicles and house trailer to $33 and for commercial vehicles to $65 in Subsec. (b); P.A. 75-577 added Subsec. (d); P.A. 84-254 amended Subsec. (b) to increase the fees for registration and plates, scheduling the increases to take effect as of July 1 of 1984, 1986, 1988 and 1992, and to insert Subdiv. indicators; P.A. 84-429 relettered Subsecs., rephrased provisions and made other technical changes; P.A. 86-383 amended Subsec. (a) to restrict applicants for a transporter's registration to persons owning a motor vehicle that may not otherwise be registered; P.A. 87-43 amended Subsec. (a) to authorize persons who in the opinion of the commissioner are qualified to apply for a transporter's registration and to require all such registrations to expire on March 31, 1988; P.A. 87-329 amended Subsec. (b), maintaining the fees at the levels existing on and after July 1, 1986, and decreasing the fees effective July 1, 1992, to the levels formerly existing on and after July 1, 1988; P.A. 88-50 amended Subsec. (a) to require the expiration of registrations annually on the last day of March in lieu of March 31, 1988, and the adoption of regulations, and amended Subsec. (e) to require a fine of a minimum of $250 and a maximum of $500 for violation of Subsec. (d) in lieu of infraction penalty; P.A. 90-263 amended Subsec. (b)(3) to substitute “trucks or other motor vehicles with a commercial registration” for “commercial motor vehicles”; P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (b) to make technical changes, to eliminate the issuance of two classes of transporter registrations with accompanying fees and to require commissioner to charge a fee of $114 per annum for each general distinguishing number, effective July 1, 2002, and amended Subsec. (d) to insert an exception with respect to provisions of subsection, to substitute “transporter” for “transportation” number plate, to make a technical change and to permit the use of transporter number plates to move a storage or office trailer, house trailer, modular building or similar, nonpower trailing unit with unitized construction and to which a removable axle assembly is attached, effective June 3, 2002; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-4 amended Subsec. (b) to increase fee for transporter's general distinguishing number from $114 to $250, effective January 1, 2004.

Sec. 14-35a. Restrictions on owner of motor vehicle with suspended registration. Prohibitions on operation of motor vehicle by motor carrier. Penalties. (a) In any case where the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles is authorized or required by any section of this title to suspend the registration of a motor vehicle, the commissioner may, for the period that is specified for such suspension, suspend the privilege of the owner to transfer such suspended registration, to register any other motor vehicle or, in the case of a nonresident, to operate any motor vehicle on the highways of this state.

(b) No motor carrier, as defined in 49 CFR Section 390.5, as amended from time to time, shall operate any motor vehicle on the highways of this state, or knowingly permit such operation of any motor vehicle, the registration of which has been suspended or revoked by the commissioner, or by any federal agency acting pursuant to any provision of federal law.

(c) No motor carrier, as defined in 49 CFR Section 390.5, as amended from time to time, shall operate or cause to be operated any motor vehicle on the highways of this state if: (1) The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued an order pursuant to 49 CFR Part 385 or 386, as amended from time to time, that prohibits such motor carrier from operating; or (2) such motor carrier is operating without operating authority or beyond the scope of such authority pursuant to 49 CFR Section 392.9a, as amended from time to time.

(d) Any motor carrier who violates the provisions of subsection (b) or (c) of this section shall, for a first offense, be fined not less than five hundred dollars or more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than three months, or both, and, for any subsequent offense, be fined not less than one thousand dollars or more than two thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

(P.A. 04-217, S. 21; P.A. 09-187, S. 23; P.A. 11-213, S. 11; P.A. 12-80, S. 161.)

History: P.A. 04-217 effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 09-187 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and added Subsecs. (b) and (c) re motor carriers; P.A. 11-213 made a technical change in Subsec. (b), added new Subsec. (c) prohibiting motor carrier operation in violation of federal law and redesignated existing Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (d) and amended same to add reference to new Subsec. (c), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 12-80 amended Subsec. (d) to replace maximum term of imprisonment for first offense of “ninety days” with “three months” and make technical changes.

(B)

OPERATORS' LICENSES

Sec. 14-36. Motor vehicle operator's license. (a) Motor vehicle operator's license required for operation of motor vehicle. (a) Except as otherwise provided by this section and section 14-40a, no person shall operate a motor vehicle on any public highway of this state or private road on which a speed limit has been established in accordance with section 14-218a or section 14-307a until such person has obtained a motor vehicle operator's license.

(b) Adult instruction permit. Out-of-state license holders. Minimum age. (1) A person eighteen years of age or older who does not hold a motor vehicle operator's license may not operate a motor vehicle on the public highways of the state for the purpose of instruction until such person has applied for and obtained an adult instruction permit from the commissioner. Such person shall not be eligible for an adult instruction permit if such person has had a motor vehicle operator's license or privilege suspended or revoked. An applicant for an adult instruction permit shall, as a condition to receiving such permit, pass a vision screening conducted by the Department of Motor Vehicles or submit to the commissioner the results of a vision examination conducted by a licensed medical professional, as defined in section 14-46b. Such medical professional shall certify that the applicant meets the vision standards established in regulations adopted pursuant to section 14-45a. An adult instruction permit shall entitle the holder, while such holder has the permit in his or her immediate possession, to operate a motor vehicle on the public highways, provided such holder is under the instruction of, and accompanied by, a person who holds an instructor's license issued under the provisions of section 14-73 or a person twenty years of age or older who has been licensed to operate, for at least four years preceding the instruction, a motor vehicle of the same class as the motor vehicle being operated and who has not had his or her motor vehicle operator's license suspended by the commissioner during the four-year period preceding the instruction. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall not issue a motor vehicle operator's license to any person holding an adult instruction permit who has held such permit for less than ninety days unless such person (A) is a member of the armed forces on active duty outside the state, or (B) has previously held a motor vehicle operator's license. (2) A person holding a valid out-of-state motor vehicle operator's license may operate a motor vehicle for a period of sixty days following such person's establishment of residence in Connecticut, if the motor vehicle is of the same class as that for which his or her out-of-state motor vehicle operator's license was issued. (3) No person may cause or permit the operation of a motor vehicle by a person under sixteen years of age.

(c) Youth instruction permit. (1) A person who is sixteen or seventeen years of age and who has not had a motor vehicle operator's license or right to operate a motor vehicle in this state suspended or revoked may apply to the commissioner for a youth instruction permit. The commissioner may issue a youth instruction permit to an applicant after the applicant has (A) passed a test as to knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the road, (B) paid the fee required by subsection (v) of section 14-49, (C) passed a vision screening conducted by the Department of Motor Vehicles or submitted to the commissioner the results of a vision examination conducted by a licensed medical professional, as defined in section 14-46b, that certifies that the applicant meets the vision standards established in regulations adopted pursuant to section 14-45a and (D) filed a certificate, in such form as the commissioner prescribes, requesting or consenting to the issuance of the youth instruction permit and the motor vehicle operator's license, signed by (i) one or both parents or foster parents of the applicant, as the commissioner requires, (ii) the legal guardian of the applicant, (iii) the applicant's spouse, if the spouse is eighteen years of age or older, or (iv) if the applicant has no qualified spouse and such applicant's parent or foster parent or legal guardian is deceased, incapable, domiciled outside of this state or otherwise unavailable or unable to sign or file the certificate, the applicant's stepparent, grandparent, or uncle or aunt by blood or marriage, provided such person is eighteen years of age or older. The commissioner may, for the more efficient administration of the commissioner's duties, appoint any drivers' school licensed in accordance with the provisions of section 14-69 or any secondary school providing instruction in motor vehicle operation and highway safety in accordance with section 14-36e to issue a youth instruction permit, subject to such standards and requirements as the commissioner may prescribe in regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. Each youth instruction permit shall expire two years from the date of issuance or on the date the holder of the permit is issued a motor vehicle operator's license, whichever is earlier. Any holder of a youth instruction permit who attains eighteen years of age may retain such permit until the expiration of such permit. (2) The youth instruction permit shall entitle the holder, while such holder has the permit in his or her immediate possession, to operate a motor vehicle on the public highways, provided such holder is under the instruction of, and accompanied by, a person who holds an instructor's license issued under the provisions of section 14-73 or a person twenty years of age or older who has been licensed to operate, for at least four years preceding the instruction, a motor vehicle of the same class as the motor vehicle being operated and who has not had his or her motor vehicle operator's license suspended by the commissioner during the four-year period preceding the instruction. (3) Unless the holder of the permit is under the instruction of and accompanied by a person who holds an instructor's license issued under the provisions of section 14-73, no passenger in addition to the person providing instruction shall be transported unless such passenger is a parent or legal guardian of the holder of the permit. (4) The holder of a youth instruction permit who (A) is an active member of a certified ambulance service, as defined in section 19a-175, (B) has commenced an emergency vehicle operator's course that conforms to the national standard curriculum developed by the United States Department of Transportation, and (C) has had state and national criminal history records checks conducted by the certified ambulance service or by the municipality in which such ambulance service is provided, shall be exempt from the provisions of subdivisions (2) and (3) of this subsection only when such holder is driving to or from the location of the ambulance for purposes of responding to an emergency call. (5) The commissioner may revoke any youth instruction permit used in violation of the limitations imposed by subdivision (2) or (3) of this subsection.

(d) Operator's license requirements for persons sixteen or seventeen years of age. (1) No motor vehicle operator's license shall be issued to any applicant who is sixteen or seventeen years of age unless the applicant has held a youth instruction permit and has satisfied the requirements specified in this subsection. The applicant shall (A) submit to the commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner shall direct, a certificate of the successful completion (i) in a public secondary school, a technical education and career school or a private secondary school of a full course of study in motor vehicle operation prepared as provided in section 14-36e, (ii) of training of similar nature provided by a licensed drivers' school approved by the commissioner, or (iii) of home training in accordance with subdivision (2) of this subsection, including, in each case, or by a combination of such types of training, successful completion of: Not less than forty clock hours of behind-the-wheel, on-the-road instruction for applicants to whom a youth instruction permit is issued on or after August 1, 2008; (B) submit to the commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner shall direct, a certificate of the successful completion of a course of not less than eight hours relative to safe driving practices, including a minimum of four hours on the nature and the medical, biological and physiological effects of alcohol and drugs and their impact on the operator of a motor vehicle, the dangers associated with the operation of a motor vehicle after the consumption of alcohol or drugs by the operator, the problems of alcohol and drug abuse and the penalties for alcohol and drug-related motor vehicle violations; and (C) pass an examination which may include a comprehensive test as to knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the road in addition to the test required under subsection (c) of this section and shall include an on-the-road skills test as prescribed by the commissioner. At the time of application and examination for a motor vehicle operator's license, an applicant sixteen or seventeen years of age shall have held a youth instruction permit for not less than one hundred eighty days, except that an applicant who presents a certificate under subparagraph (A)(i) or subparagraph (A)(ii) of this subdivision shall have held a youth instruction permit for not less than one hundred twenty days and an applicant who is undergoing training and instruction by the driver training unit for persons with disabilities in accordance with the provisions of section 14-11b shall have held such permit for the period of time required by said unit. The commissioner shall approve the content of the safe driving instruction at drivers' schools, high schools and other secondary schools. Subject to such standards and requirements as the commissioner may impose, the commissioner may authorize any drivers' school, licensed in good standing in accordance with the provisions of section 14-69, or secondary school driver education program authorized pursuant to the provisions of section 14-36e, to administer the comprehensive test as to knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the road, required pursuant to subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, as part of the safe driving practices course required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, and to certify to the commissioner, under oath, the results of each such test administered. Such hours of instruction required by this subdivision shall be included as part of or in addition to any existing instruction programs. Any fee charged for the course required under subparagraph (B) of this subdivision shall not exceed one hundred fifty dollars. Any applicant sixteen or seventeen years of age who, while a resident of another state, completed the course required in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, but did not complete the safe driving course required in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, shall complete the safe driving course. The commissioner may waive any requirement in this subdivision, except for that in subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, in the case of an applicant sixteen or seventeen years of age who holds a valid motor vehicle operator's license issued by any other state, provided the commissioner is satisfied that the applicant has received training and instruction of a similar nature.

(2) The commissioner may accept as evidence of sufficient training under subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of this subsection home training as evidenced by a written statement submitted to the commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner directs. Such statement shall be signed by the spouse of a married minor applicant, or by a parent, grandparent, foster parent or legal guardian of an applicant, and state that the applicant has obtained a youth instruction permit and has successfully completed a driving course taught by the person signing the statement, that the signer has had an operator's license for at least four years preceding the date of the statement, and that the signer has not had such license suspended by the commissioner for at least four years preceding the date of the statement. If the applicant has no spouse, parent, grandparent, foster parent or guardian so qualified and available to give the instruction, such statement may be signed by the applicant's stepparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt, by blood or marriage, provided the person signing the statement is qualified.

(3) If the commissioner requires a written test of any applicant under this section, the test shall be given in English or Spanish at the option of the applicant, provided the commissioner shall require that the applicant shall have sufficient understanding of English for the interpretation of traffic control signs.

(4) The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the purposes of this subsection concerning the requirements for behind-the-wheel, on-the-road instruction, the content of safe driving instruction at drivers' schools, high schools and other secondary schools, and the administration and certification of required testing.

(e) Requirements for issuance of operator's license. (1) No motor vehicle operator's license shall be issued until (A) the applicant signs and submits to the commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner directs, an application under oath, or made subject to penalties for false statement in accordance with section 53a-157b, and (B) the commissioner is satisfied that the applicant is sixteen years of age or older and is a suitable person to receive the license.

(2) Except any applicant described in section 14-36m, an applicant for a new motor vehicle operator's license shall submit with the application a copy of such applicant's birth certificate or other prima facie evidence, as determined by the commissioner, of date of birth and evidence of identity.

(3) Before granting a license to any applicant who has not previously held a Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license, or whose Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license expired more than two years prior to the application date, the commissioner shall require the applicant to demonstrate personally to the commissioner, a deputy, a motor vehicle inspector or an agent of the commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner directs, that the applicant is a proper person to operate motor vehicles of the class for which such applicant has applied, has sufficient knowledge of the mechanism of the motor vehicles to ensure their safe operation by him or her and has satisfactory knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the road. The knowledge test of an applicant for a class D motor vehicle operator's license may be administered in such form as the commissioner deems appropriate, including audio, electronic or written testing. Such knowledge test shall be administered in English, Spanish or any language spoken at home by at least one per cent of the state's population, according to statistics prepared by the United States Census Bureau, based on the most recent decennial census. Each such knowledge test shall include a question concerning highway work zone safety and the responsibilities of an operator of a motor vehicle under section 14-212d. Each such knowledge test shall include not less than one question concerning distracted driving, the use of mobile telephones and electronic devices by motor vehicle operators or the responsibilities of motor vehicle operators under section 14-296aa. If any such applicant has held a license from a state, territory or possession of the United States where a similar examination is required, the commissioner may waive part or all of the examination. If any such applicant is (A) a veteran who applies not later than two years after the date of discharge from the military and who, prior to such discharge, held a military operator's license for motor vehicles of the same class as that for which such applicant has applied, or (B) a member of the armed forces or the National Guard who currently holds a military operator's license for motor vehicles of the same class as that for which such applicant has applied, the commissioner shall waive all of the examination, except in the case of a commercial motor vehicle license, the commissioner shall waive the driving skills test for such applicant and may, in such commissioner's discretion, waive the knowledge test for such application, provided such applicant meets the conditions set forth in 49 CFR 383.77, as amended from time to time. For the purposes of this subsection, “veteran” and “armed forces” have the same meanings as provided in section 27-103. When the commissioner is satisfied as to the ability and competency of any applicant, the commissioner may issue to such applicant a license, either unlimited or containing such limitations as the commissioner deems advisable, and specifying the class of motor vehicles which the licensee is eligible to operate.

(4) If any applicant or operator license holder has any health problem which might affect such person's ability to operate a motor vehicle safely, the commissioner may require the applicant or license holder to demonstrate personally or otherwise establish that, notwithstanding such problem, such applicant or license holder is a proper person to operate a motor vehicle, and the commissioner may further require a certificate of such applicant's condition, signed by a medical authority designated by the commissioner, which certificate shall in all cases be treated as confidential by the commissioner. A license, containing such limitation as the commissioner deems advisable, may be issued or renewed in any case, but nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the commissioner from refusing a license, either limited or unlimited, to any person or suspending a license of a person whom the commissioner determines to be incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle. Consistent with budgetary allotments, each motor vehicle operator's license issued to or renewed by a person who is deaf or hard of hearing shall, upon the request of such person, indicate such impairment. Such person shall submit a certificate stating such impairment, in such form as the commissioner may require and signed by a licensed health care practitioner.

(5) The issuance of a motor vehicle operator's license to any applicant who is the holder of a license issued by another state shall be subject to the provisions of sections 14-111c and 14-111k.

(f) Limited license. No person issued a limited license shall operate (1) a motor vehicle in violation of the limitations imposed by such license, or (2) any motor vehicle other than the motor vehicle for which such person's right to operate is limited.

(g) Ignition interlock device. The commissioner may place a restriction on the motor vehicle operator's license of any person or on any special operator's permit issued to any person in accordance with the provisions of section 14-37a that restricts the holder of such license or permit to the operation of a motor vehicle that is equipped with an approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, for such time as the commissioner shall prescribe, if such person has: (1) Been convicted for a first or second time of a violation of subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227a, and has served not less than forty-five days of the prescribed period of suspension for such conviction, in accordance with the provisions of subsections (g) and (i) of section 14-227a; (2) been ordered by the Superior Court not to operate any motor vehicle unless it is equipped with an approved ignition interlock device, in accordance with the provisions of section 14-227j; (3) been granted a reversal or reduction of such person's license suspension or revocation, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (i) of section 14-111; (4) been issued a motor vehicle operator's license upon the surrender of an operator's license issued by another state and such previously held license contains a restriction to the operation of a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device; (5) been convicted of a violation of section 53a-56b or 53a-60d; (6) been permitted by the commissioner to be issued or to retain an operator's license subject to reporting requirements concerning such person's physical condition, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (e) of this section and sections 14-45a to 14-46g, inclusive; (7) had such person's operator's license suspended under subsection (i) of section 14-227b and has served not less than forty-five days of the prescribed period of such suspension; (8) been convicted for a first or second time of a violation of subsection (a) of section 14-227m and has served not less than forty-five days of the prescribed period of suspension for such conviction, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of section 14-227m and subsection (i) of section 14-227a; or (9) been convicted of a violation of subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n and has served not less than forty-five days of the prescribed period of suspension for such conviction, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of section 14-227n and subsection (i) of section 14-227a.

(h) Driving history record check. Before issuing a motor vehicle operator's license in accordance with this section or section 14-44c, the commissioner shall request information from the National Driver Registry and the Commercial Driver License Information System, in accordance with the provisions of 49 CFR section 383.73. Each driving history record shall contain a notation of the date on which such inquiry was made.

(i) Penalties. (1) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall, for a first offense, be deemed to have committed an infraction and be fined not less than seventy-five dollars or more than ninety dollars and, for any subsequent offense, shall be fined not less than two hundred fifty dollars or more than three hundred fifty dollars or be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

(2) In addition to the penalty prescribed under subdivision (1) of this subsection, any person who violates any provision of this section who (A) has, prior to the commission of the present violation, committed a violation of this section or subsection (a) of section 14-215, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or sentenced to perform not more than one hundred hours of community service, or (B) has, prior to the commission of the present violation, committed two or more violations of this section or subsection (a) of section 14-215, or any combination thereof, shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of one year, ninety days of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner.

(j) Regulations. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section.

(1949 Rev., S. 2377; 1949, S. 1295d; 1953, S. 1296d; 1957, P.A. 117; 411; 437, S. 2; 599, S. 3; September, 1957, P.A. 23, S. 1; 1959, P.A. 309, S. 1; 1961, P.A. 481, S. 1; 1963, P.A. 150; 550, S. 2; February, 1965, P.A. 361, S. 3; 1967, P.A. 458, S. 3; 614, S. 1; 807, S. 3; 832, S. 4; 1969, P.A. 55, S. 1; 445, S. 1; 807, S. 1, 2; 1972, P.A. 127, S. 13; P.A. 73-507; 73-605, S. 1; P.A. 74-33; 74-36, S. 1; P.A. 76-263, S. 3, 9; P.A. 77-256, S. 1, 4; P.A. 79-7; P.A. 81-172, S. 17; P.A. 82-223, S. 9; P.A. 83-452; 83-491; 83-577, S. 15; P.A. 84-429, S. 15; 84-546, S. 40, 173; P.A. 86-90, S. 1; P.A. 89-242, S. 1, 7; P.A. 90-265, S. 1, 8; P.A. 91-13, S. 1, 3; P.A. 93-341, S. 9; P.A. 95-181, S. 2; P.A. 96-244, S. 35, 63; 96-248, S. 1, 4; P.A. 97-1, S. 1, 4; 97-236, S. 24, 27; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-8, S. 73, 88; P.A. 02-70, S. 52, 66; P.A. 03-171, S. 1; 03-265, S. 20; P.A. 04-217, S. 2; 04-257, S. 22; P.A. 05-54, S. 1; 05-215, S. 3; 05-218, S. 20; P.A. 06-130, S. 2; 06-196, S. 281; P.A. 07-167, S. 20, 22; P.A. 08-32, S. 2, 3; 08-150, S. 57; P.A. 09-187, S. 2, 51; P.A. 11-48, S. 53; 11-51, S. 218; 11-213, S. 12, 13, 58; P.A. 12-81, S. 37; 12-116, S. 87; P.A. 13-89, S. 2; 13-92, S. 3; 13-271, S. 50, 56; 13-277, S. 22; P.A. 14-122, S. 20; 14-130, S. 4; 14-131, S. 2, 3; 14-228, S. 1; P.A. 16-126, S. 7; P.A. 17-79, S. 2; 17-202, S. 43; 17-237, S. 93; P.A. 21-28, S. 8; 21-79, S. 22; 21-106, S. 9.)

History: 1959 act added to Subsec. (a) provision for waiver of certificate requirement for persons eighteen to twenty-one in hardship cases; 1961 act added provisions re home training certificates to Subsec. (a); 1963 acts added provisions for 60-day operation under out-of-state license and for request by spouse of minor applicant for issuance of license to such applicant and for signing of home training certificate by such spouse to Subsec. (a); 1965 act added references to schools in driver training course provisions in Subsec. (a); 1967 acts clarified provisions by referring to licenses for operation of different classes of vehicles, deleted references to certificates of behind-the-wheel training from secondary or vocational schools, added provision re filing birth certificate copy with application for license and added Subsec. (e) re definition of motor vehicle; 1969 acts required instructor accompanying learning driver to be at least twenty-one and to have held license for at least 2 years, allowed certificate of request, consent or instruction to be signed by stepparent, uncle or aunt under certain conditions, added provision re written examination in English or Spanish and allowed waiver of part or all of licensure examination for persons holding license from territory or possession of U.S.; 1972 act amended provisions to reflect change in age of majority from 21 to 18; P.A. 73-507 specified that behind-the-wheel instruction by drivers' training school be “given on the roads and highways of this state”; P.A. 73-605 allowed brother or sister to sign instruction certificate and added requirement that brother, sister, stepparent, uncle or aunt sign certificate when spouse, parent or guardian is not available to give instruction; P.A. 74-33 added special provision for waiver of examination when applicant recently serving in armed forces and holding military license for class of vehicles he is applying for license to drive; P.A. 74-36 allowed foster parents to sign certificates of request, consent or instruction; P.A. 76-263 made provisions of Subsec. (b) generally applicable to applicants who have not held Connecticut license during the preceding 4, rather than 2, years; P.A. 77-256 repealed change in applicability provision of Subsec. (b) enacted in 1976 act; P.A. 79-7 substituted “on the road” instruction for instruction “given on the roads and highways of this state” and allowed grandparents to sign instruction certificate; P.A. 81-172 required an operator's license for driving on a private road with established speed limit; P.A. 82-223 amended Subsec. (d) by specifying that the commission of a first offense constituted an infraction and establishing a minimum fine therefor of $25; P.A. 83-452 amended Subsec. (a), eliminating the 30-day limitation on the right of a student driver to operate a motor vehicle while under instruction; P.A. 83-491 amended Subsec. (b), providing that a license issued to or renewed by a deaf or hearing impaired person on or after October 1, 1983, shall indicate such impairment upon that person's request; P.A. 83-577 amended Subsec. (d) by increasing the minimum fine for a first offense from $25 to $35; P.A. 84-429 relettered Subsecs., rephrased provisions, transferred provision re license recall in Subsec. (d) to Sec. 14-38(a), a provision re classifications in Subsec. (f) to Sec. 14-36a(c) and made other technical changes; P.A. 84-546 made technical change, overridden in part by P.A. 84-429; P.A. 86-90 amended Subsec. (d)(2) to require signer of home training certificate to hold operator's license for a minimum of 4 years, to eliminate reference to age of such signer and to provide that such certificate be on file for 30 days before applicant may take examination; P.A. 89-242 amended Subsec. (d)(2) to require applicants between 16 and 18 years old to present proof of successful completion of a course relative to safe driving and alcohol and drug education and to authorize the motor vehicle commissioner to adopt regulations concerning the content of safe driving instruction at drivers' schools; P.A. 90-265 amended Subsec. (e) to replace reference to applicant who “suffers from any physical defect or from any disease” with reference to applicant or operator license holder who has any health problem, and to authorize commissioner to suspend license of person determined to be incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle; P.A. 91-13 amended Subsec. (e) to require each part of license examination to be conducted on same day at same location; P.A. 93-341 amended Subsec. (b)(2) to reduce from 60 to 30 the number of days during which a person holding a valid out-of-state motor vehicle operator's license could operate a motor vehicle following establishment of residence in Connecticut, if the motor vehicle was of the same class as that for which his out-of-state motor vehicle operator's license was issued; P.A. 95-181 amended Subsec. (g) by increasing the minimum fine for a first offense from $35 to $75 and the maximum fine from $50 to $90, adding a minimum fine of $250 for any subsequent offense and increasing the maximum fine from $100 to $350 for any such offense; P.A. 96-244 amended Subsec. (d) to transfer authority for the content of safe driving instruction at high schools and other secondary schools from the Commissioner of Education to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, effective July 1, 1996; P.A. 96-248 amended Subsec. (b) to eliminate provisions authorizing person 16 years of age or older to operate a motor vehicle without license and requiring instructor to have full control of motor vehicle and to authorize issuance of a learner's permit on or after January 1, 1997, to persons 16 or 17 years of age, amended Subsec. (c) to require applicant for a new motor vehicle operator's license to file evidence of identity with application, amended Subsec. (d) to increase number of hours of behind-the-wheel, on-the-road instruction from six to eight, to substitute “on-the-road skills test” for “examination”, to increase length of time within which home training certificate shall be on file with commissioner from 30 to 90 days and to insert references to “obtained a learner's permit” where applicable and amended Subsec. (e) to eliminate requirement that each part of operator's license examination be conducted on same day at same location, effective January 1, 1997; P.A. 97-1 restated the provisions of Subsecs. (b) to (e), inclusive, amended Subsec. (b) to restore language allowing persons 18 years of age or older to operate motor vehicles without an operator's license if they meet two requirements, transferred provisions re learner's permit from Subsec. (b) to (c), amended Subsec. (d) for consistency with provisions requiring a learner's permit and to eliminate home training certificates, amended Subsec. (g) to eliminate reference to Subsec. “(a), (b), (c), (d) or (f)” and added new Subsec. (i), authorizing commissioner to adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this section, effective January 30, 1997; P.A. 97-236 amended Subsec. (c)(2) to restate provision re operation on a multiple-lane limited access highway and added exception thereto for permit holders under the instruction of a person who holds an instructor's license, effective June 24, 1997; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-8 amended Subsec. (c)(2) to add exemption and qualifications for ambulance service members, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (d)(1) to increase the fee that may be charged for course on safe driving practices from $25 to $40, effective July 1, 2002, and added Subsec. (e)(5) providing that issuance of a motor vehicle operator's license to an applicant who holds a license from another state shall be subject to provisions of Secs. 14-111c and 14-111k, effective January 1, 2003; P.A. 03-171 amended Subsec. (c) by deleting restrictions on holder of learner's permit to operate motor vehicle on multiple-lane limited access highways, amended Subsec. (d) to increase from five to eight the number of hours of safe driving instruction a 16 or 17-year-old applicant must complete before being issued motor vehicle operator's license, to increase from two to four the number of hours of instruction re the effects of alcohol and drugs on the operation of a motor vehicle that must be included as part of the eight hours of safe driving instruction, to change $40 fee for safe driving instruction to fee prescribed by commissioner by regulation, and to permit 16 or 17-year-old applicant who, while resident of another state, completed all but alcohol and drug portion of safe driving instruction to complete that portion at a fee prescribed by the commissioner by regulation, deleted former Subsec. (h) re definition and redesignated existing Subsec. (i) as Subsec. (h), making technical changes therein, and made technical changes in Subsecs. (a), (b), (c), (e) and (f), effective October 1, 2003, but not applicable to persons 16 or 17 years of age who applied for a learner's permit on or before that date; P.A. 03-265 amended Subsec. (d)(1) by making identical changes to those made by P.A. 03-171 and adding requirement that signer of statement evidencing home training not have had license suspended by commissioner for at least 4 years preceding date of statement, effective July 9, 2003; P.A. 04-217 added new Subsec. (g) requiring information request from National Driver Registry and Commercial Driver License Information System prior to issuance of motor vehicle operator's license, and redesignated existing Subsecs. (g) and (h) as new Subsecs. (h) and (i), effective January 1, 2005; P.A. 04-257 made technical changes in Subsec. (g), effective June 14, 2004; P.A. 05-54 amended Subsec. (d)(1) by adding Subpara. (A)(iii) re home training in accordance with Subdiv. (2) “or by a combination of such types of training”, changing “eight” to “twenty” re clock hours of instruction and making technical changes; P.A. 05-215 amended Subsec. (h) to designate existing provisions as Subdiv. (1) and add Subdiv. (2) re additional penalties for persons who have one or more prior violations of this section or Sec. 14-215(a); P.A. 05-218 amended Subsec. (e)(1)(A) to delete provisions re renewals need not be under oath and re application to state such information as commissioner requires and add provision re application made subject to penalties for false statement in accordance with Sec. 53a-157b; P.A. 06-130 amended Subsec. (d)(1)(C) to limit the 120-day learner's permit period to only those applicants who produce a certificate from a secondary or vocational school program or from a licensed drivers' school approved by the commissioner, effective June 2, 2006; P.A. 06-196 made a technical change in Subsec. (d)(2), effective June 7, 2006; P.A. 07-167 amended Subsec. (c) by adding new Subdivs. (3) and (4) re limitations on transportation of passengers by learner's permit holder, redesignating existing provisions of Subdiv. (2) re exemption as Subdiv. (5), redesignating existing Subdiv. (3) as Subdiv. (6) and making conforming changes, and amended Subsec. (h)(2)(B) by changing penalty from term of imprisonment of 90 days which may not be suspended or reduced to term of imprisonment of one year, 90 days of which may not be suspended or reduced; P.A. 08-32 amended Subsec. (c) to eliminate separate three and six-month passenger restrictions by revising provisions in Subdiv. (3) and deleting former Subdiv. (4), to renumber existing Subdivs. (5) and (6) as new Subdivs. (4) and (5) and to make conforming changes, and amended Subsec. (d) in Subdiv. (1) to increase clock hours of behind-the-wheel, on-the-road instruction for persons issued a learner's permit on or after August 1, 2008, from not less than 20 to not less than 40, to make test re motor vehicle laws and road rules permissive and to clarify that such test is in addition to test required under Subsec. (c) and, in Subdiv. (4), to authorize adoption of regulations to implement requirements for behind-the-wheel, on-the-road instruction, effective August 1, 2008; P.A. 08-150 added new Subsec. (g) re ignition interlock device (Revisor's note: In 2009, existing Subsecs. (g), (h) and (i) were redesignated editorially by the Revisors as Subsecs. (h), (i) and (j), respectively, to conform section with the addition of new Subsec. (g) by P.A. 08-150; P.A. 09-187 amended Subsec. (c)(1)(D) to include grandparent, effective July 8, 2009 and amended Subsec. (d)(1) to make a technical change, make second test of laws concerning motor vehicles and rules of the road mandatory, add provision re authorization for driver's school or secondary school driver education program to administer second test and replace former provisions re fee amount prescribed by regulation with provision establishing maximum course fees, and amended Subsec. (d)(4) to make a technical change and insert “and the administration and certification of required testing”, effective October 1, 2009; P.A. 11-48 amended Subsec. (g)(1) to make provisions applicable to person convicted for a “first” time violation of Sec. 14-227a(a)(2) and reduce minimum suspension period that must be served from “one year” to “forty-five days”, effective January 1, 2012; P.A. 11-51 made identical changes as P.A. 11-48, effective January 1, 2012; P.A. 11-213 amended Subsec. (d)(1)(C) to make inclusion of comprehensive test permissive, rather than mandatory, and amended Subsec. (e) to authorize administration of class D knowledge test in various forms and require administration in other languages, effective July 13, 2011, and amended Subsec. (g)(3) to replace reference to Sec. 14-111(k) with reference to Sec. 14-111(i), effective October 1, 2011; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (b)(1) to rephrase provisions, add provision requiring person to apply for and obtain an adult instruction permit to operate motor vehicle on public highways for purpose of instruction, make person ineligible for permit if such person has had a motor vehicle operator's license suspended or revoked, replacing prior disqualifier of having a “Connecticut” motor vehicle operator's license suspended or revoked, and provide that adult instruction permit entitles holder, while holder has permit in his or her possession, to operate motor vehicle on public highways provided holder is being instructed and accompanied by person meeting specified conditions, amended Subsec. (c) to replace “learner's permit” with “youth instruction permit”, provide such permit expires on the earliest of the permit holder being issued an operator's license, the permit holder attaining age 18 or “two years from the date of issuance” and delete an obsolete date and amended Subsec. (d) to replace “learner's permit” with “youth instruction permit” and delete provision re minimum hours of instruction for applicants to whom learner's permit is issued before August 1, 2008, effective January 1, 2013; pursuant to P.A. 12-116, “vocational school” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “technical high school” in Subsec. (d)(1)(A)(i), effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 13-89 amended Subsec. (e)(2) to exclude applicants described in Sec. 14-36m, effective January 1, 2015; P.A. 13-92 amended Subsec. (e)(3) to add provision requiring each knowledge test to include a question concerning highway work zone safety; P.A. 13-271 amended Subsec. (b)(1) to make ineligible for adult instruction permit any person who has had motor vehicle operator's privilege suspended or revoked and to prohibit issuance of motor vehicle operator's license to person holding adult instruction permit who has held permit for less than 90 days unless person is member of armed forces on active duty outside the state or previously held Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license, effective July 11, 2013, and amended Subsec. (d)(1) to delete provision establishing maximum fee of $125 for safe driving practices course or $150 for such course if comprehensive knowledge test is also administered and to establish maximum fee of $150 for any safe driving practices course, effective October 1, 2013; P.A. 13-277 amended Subsec. (e)(3) to add provision requiring inclusion of not less than one question on knowledge test re distracted driving or use of mobile telephones and electronic devices; P.A. 14-122 amended Subsec. (d)(1) to replace “handicapped driver training unit” with “driver training unit for persons with disabilities”; P.A. 14-130 amended Subsec. (b)(1)(B) by deleting reference to Connecticut re person having previously held an operator's license, effective June 6, 2014; P.A. 14-131 amended Subsec. (e)(3) to delete provision re waiver of examination for person honorably separated from armed forces, to add provision re waiver of examination or driving skills test for certain veterans and members of the armed forces or National Guard and to add definitions of “veteran” and “armed forces”; P.A. 14-228 amended Subsec. (g) to add Subdiv. (7) re person whose operator's license was suspended under Sec. 14-227b(i) and has served not less than 45 days of suspension and to make technical changes, effective July 1, 2015; (Revisor's note: In 2015, the provisions added by P.A. 13-92, S. 3, and P.A. 13-277, S. 22, were incorporated editorially by the Revisors in the version of Subsec. (e), as amended by P.A. 13-89, S. 2, that became effective on January 1, 2015); P.A. 16-126 amended Subsec. (g) by adding Subdiv. (8) re violation of Sec. 14-227m(a) and by adding Subdiv. (9) re violation of Sec. 14-227n(a)(1) or (2); P.A. 17-79 amended Subsec. (c)(1) by deleting provision re expiration of youth instruction permit on date the holder attains age 18, adding provision re holder who attains age 18 may retain such permit until expiration, and making technical changes, effective June 27, 2017; P.A. 17-202 amended Subsec. (e)(4) by replacing “deaf or hearing impaired person” with “person who is deaf or hard of hearing”; P.A. 17-237 amended Subsec. (d)(1)(A)(i) by replacing “state technical high school” with “technical education and career school”, effective July 1, 2017; P.A. 21-28 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing reference to Sec. 14-218a(a) with reference to Sec. 14-218a and adding reference to Sec. 14-307a; P.A. 21-79 amended Subsec. (e)(3) by redefining “veteran” and making technical changes; P.A. 21-106 amended Subsec. (b) to add provision re vision screening or vision examination in Subdiv. (1) and replace 30 days with 60 days in Subdiv. (2), amended Subsec. (c) to designate existing provision re knowledge test and fee as new Subparas. (A) and (B), add new Subpara. (C) re vision screening or vision examination, designate existing provision re certificate as new Subpara. (D) and redesignate existing Subparas. (A) to (D) as clauses (i) to (iv), amended Subsec. (e) to add “, as determined by the commissioner,” in Subdiv. (2), and replace “who has not operated a motor vehicle during the preceding two years” with “whose Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license expired more than two years prior to the application date” and add provision re commissioner discretion to waive knowledge test in case of commercial motor vehicle license for certain veterans and members of the armed forces or National Guard in Subdiv. (3), and made technical and conforming changes in Subsecs. (c) to (e), effective July 1, 2021.

See Sec. 14-38a re printing of instruction manual in Spanish.

See Sec. 14-40c re hearing upon denial or suspension of operator's license.

See Sec. 14-50(f) re penalty for payment of fee with check returned as uncollectible.

See Sec. 14-111(h) re licensing and registration penalty imposed on out-of-state operator violating provisions of this section.

See Sec. 14-227o re discount for ignition interlock device services.

Provisions in automobile insurance policies as to the age of the driver construed. 88 C. 308; 108 C. 598. That a licensed operator is under age does not ipso facto void his license. 107 C. 213. The exception as to one under instruction construed. Id., 476. Permission to operate without license is confined to persons actually receiving instruction in order to qualify for license. 110 C. 366. Former statute cited. 114 C. 269. Age or experience of operator is not material on issue of his negligence. Id., 341. Lack of operator's license cannot be deemed to be proximate cause of injury. Id., 342. Mere proof that operator was unlicensed and inexperienced is insufficient to fix liability upon owner. 116 C. 521. Fact that license has been suspended is not proof operator lacks skill, technique or capability to operate an automobile. 146 C. 631. Cited. 154 C. 644. There is no distinction between standards of competence and care between adults and minors for purposes of licensing. 165 C. 251. Cited. 174 C. 275; 175 C. 112; 225 C. 499.

Cited. 27 CA 495; judgment reversed, see 225 C. 499; 33 CA 727; 41 CA 866.

Cited. 16 CS 178. Proof only that an operator was unlicensed and inexperienced would not support a finding of contributory negligence. 18 CS 40. Cited. 23 CS 28.

Cited. 4 Conn. Cir. Ct. 389; 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 221.

Subsec. (a):

Prohibition on operating a motor vehicle until person has obtained license is applicable even if operator has previously been licensed but failed to obtain new license after period of suspension. 138 CA 379.

Cited. 26 CS 184; 30 CS 233.

Cited. 4 Conn. Cir. Ct. 441; 6 Conn. Cir. Ct. 521.

Subsec. (i):

Subdiv. (2): Under 2007 revision, defendant's prior convictions that occurred more than 3 years before present offense could properly be taken into account. 138 CA 379.

Sec. 14-36a. Classification of operators' licenses. Designations; endorsements. Penalty. (a) A commercial driver's license issued in accordance with section 14-44c shall be designated as class A, B or C, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of section 14-44d. All other operators' licenses shall be designated as class D. A license of any class that also authorizes the operation of a motorcycle shall contain the designation “M”, except that no such designation shall be required for the operation of an autocycle.

(b) A commercial driver's license may contain any of the following endorsements:

“P”- authorizes the operation of commercial motor vehicles designed to carry passengers;

“S”- in combination with “P”, authorizes the operation of a school bus or any vehicle described in subsection (c) of this section;

“H”- authorizes the operation of vehicles transporting hazardous materials;

“N”- authorizes the operation of tank vehicles;

“X”- authorizes both hazardous materials and tank vehicles; and

“T”- authorizes the operation of vehicles with up to three trailing, nonpower units.

The commissioner may establish one or more restrictions on commercial driver's licenses of any class, in regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of section 14-44d, a commercial driver's license of any class authorizes the holder of such license to operate any motor vehicle that may be operated by the holder of a class D operator's license.

(c) A commercial driver's license or a class D license that contains any of the following public passenger endorsements, as defined in section 14-1, evidences that the holder meets the requirements of section 14-44:

“V”- authorizes the transportation of passengers in a student transportation vehicle, as defined in section 14-212, or any vehicle that requires an “A” or “F” endorsement;

“A”- authorizes the transportation of passengers in an activity vehicle, as defined in section 14-1, or any vehicle that requires an “F” endorsement; and

“F”- authorizes the transportation of passengers in a taxicab, motor vehicle in livery service, service bus or motor bus.

The commissioner may establish one or more endorsements or restrictions on class D licenses, in accordance with regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.

(d) A license of any class that contains the designation “Q” indicates eligibility to operate fire apparatus. A “Q” endorsement shall signify that the holder has been trained to operate fire apparatus in accordance with standards established by the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control. No such endorsement shall be issued to any person until he or she demonstrates personally to the commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, including the Connecticut Fire Academy, any regional fire school or the chief local fire official of any municipality as defined in section 7-323j, by means of testing in a representative vehicle that such person possesses the skills necessary for operation of fire apparatus.

(e) No person shall operate a motor vehicle in violation of the classification of the license issued to such person.

(f) No employer shall knowingly require or permit an employee who is acting within the scope of such employee's employment to operate a motor vehicle in violation of the classification of such employee's license.

(g) (1) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (e) of this section shall, for a first offense, be deemed to have committed an infraction and be fined fifty dollars and, for a subsequent offense, be guilty of a class D misdemeanor.

(2) Any employer who violates subsection (f) of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars for a first violation and not more than two thousand five hundred dollars for a second or subsequent violation.

(h) The revocation, suspension or withdrawal of, or refusal to issue or renew an “S” endorsement, or any endorsement described in subsection (c) of this section, shall prohibit the licensee from operating any public passenger vehicle for which an endorsement described in said subsection (c) is required. During the period of such revocation, suspension or withdrawal of, or after a refusal to issue or renew an “S” endorsement, or any endorsement described in said subsection (c), the commissioner shall not issue any other public passenger endorsement to such licensee.

(1967, P.A. 458, S. 1, 2; 1969, P.A. 183, S. 3; 445, S. 2; P.A. 84-429, S. 16; P.A. 89-171, S. 1, 5; P.A. 91-407, S. 17, 42; P.A. 93-341, S. 10, 38; P.A. 94-189, S. 4, 34; P.A. 95-260, S. 9, 24; P.A. 03-171, S. 2; P.A. 04-217, S. 3; P.A. 05-218, S. 5, 37; 05-288, S. 55; P.A. 06-130, S. 25; P.A. 07-167, S. 37; P.A. 08-150, S. 20; P.A. 10-3, S. 57; 10-110, S. 34; P.A. 11-213, S. 14, 60; P.A. 12-80, S. 58; 12-81, S. 25; P.A. 13-271, S. 11; P.A. 15-46, S. 2; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 198; P.A. 17-79, S. 3.)

History: 1969 acts revised definition of tractor semitrailer combination in Subsec. (a) to change gross weight of truck from maximum of 10,000 to maximum of 18,000 pounds and revised weight reference in Subsec. (b)(3) accordingly; P.A. 84-429 added Subsecs. (c) and (d) from Sec. 14-36 and made other technical changes; P.A. 89-171 amended Subsec. (a) to include a definition of “commercial motor vehicle” and Subsec. (b) to include “commercial motor vehicle” as a type of vehicle which a class 1 license holder is eligible to operate, to authorize commissioner to adopt regulations establishing additional classifications as necessary, and to prohibit the issuance of a class 1 license to any person under eighteen; P.A. 91-407 amended Subsec. (b)(3) by adding “for business or commercial use” after “truck”; P.A. 93-341 amended the section by deleting Subsec. (a) in its entirety, relettering Subsec. (b) and modifying the various motor vehicle classifications and inserting a new Subsec. (b) concerning Class 1 or Class 2 operator's licenses which have “P” or “PS” endorsements, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 94-189 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing the “PS” endorsement with the “S” endorsement, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 95-260 amended Subsec. (a)(2) to include a combination of motor vehicle and trailer used exclusively for camping or another recreational purpose regardless of gross weight of the trailer as a type of vehicle which a class 2 license holder is eligible to operate and to increase gross weight of trailing unit or trailer from a minimum of 6,000 to 10,000 pounds in the exception to “any motor vehicle” under a class 2 license, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 03-171 amended Subsec. (b) to establish that the endorsement “M” on class 1 or 2 operator's license evidences holder's qualification to operate a motorcycle; P.A. 04-217 replaced former provisions of Subsec. (a) with new provisions requiring commercial driver's licenses to be classified as class A, B or C, all other operator's licenses to be designated as class D and any class license with motorcycle endorsement to be designated “M”, amended Subsec. (b) to replace provisions re Class 1 and 2 licenses with provisions re various types of endorsements and to provide that “S” endorsement qualifies holder to operate school bus or any vehicle described in Subsec. (c), added new Subsec. (c) providing that commercial driver's license or class D license containing specified endorsements evidences that holder meets requirements of Sec. 14-44 and permitting commissioner to establish restrictions on class D licenses and redesignated existing Subsecs. (c) and (d) as new Subsecs. (d) and (e), effective January 1, 2005; P.A. 05-218 amended Subsec. (c) by adding “endorsements or” re class D licenses, effective July 1, 2005, and by adding camp vehicle to endorsement “A”; P.A. 05-288 made technical changes in Subsec. (e), effective July 13, 2005; P.A. 06-130 amended Subsec. (c) to remove reference to camp vehicles under “A” endorsement, added new Subsec. (d) re camp vehicles, redesignated existing Subsecs. (d) and (e) as Subsecs. (e) and (f) and inserted reference to violation of Subsec. (e) in Subsec. (f), effective June 2, 2006; P.A. 07-167 deleted former Subsec. (d) re endorsement for operation of camp vehicle and redesignated existing Subsecs. (e) and (f) as Subsecs. (d) and (e), effective July 1, 2007; P.A. 08-150 amended Subsec. (b) to add provision re commercial driver's license of any class authorizes holder to operate any motor vehicle that may be operated by holder of a class D operator's license; P.A. 10-3 amended Subsec. (e) to replace fine for first offense of not less than $35 or more than $50 with fine of $50, effective April 14, 2010; P.A. 10-110 amended Subsec. (c) to delete provisions re license containing “A” endorsement authorizing transportation of passengers in an activity vehicle or any vehicle that requires an “F” endorsement, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-213 changed effective date of P.A. 10-110, S. 34, from July 1, 2011, to July 1, 2012, amended Subsec. (a) by adding provision re “Q” designation for operation of fire apparatus, made a technical change in Subsec. (d), added new Subsec. (e) re vehicle operation by employee in violation of license classification, redesignated existing Subsec. (e) as Subsec. (f) and amended same to add penalty for employer's violation of Subsec. (e) and make a conforming change, and added Subsec. (g) re prohibition on operation of public service passenger vehicle without endorsement, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 12-80 amended Subsec. (f) to designate provisions re violation of Subsec. (d) as Subdiv. (1) and amend same to replace penalty for subsequent offense of a fine of not more than $100 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days or both with a class D misdemeanor and designate provisions re violation of Subsec. (e) as Subdiv. (2); P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (c) to make a technical change, add reference to vehicle that requires “A” endorsement in provision re “V” endorsement and restore provision re license containing “A” endorsement authorizing transportation of passengers in activity vehicle or vehicle that requires an “F” endorsement, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 13-271 amended Subsec. (a) to delete provision re “Q” designation for fire apparatus, added new Subsec. (d) re “Q” endorsement for fire apparatus, redesignated existing Subsecs. (d) to (g) as Subsecs. (e) to (h) and made conforming changes, effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 15-46 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that no “M” designation is required for the operation of an autocycle, effective July 1, 2015; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (b) to reposition description of “S” endorsement and revise same by adding language re in combination with “P” endorsement, and made technical changes, effective June 30, 2015; P.A. 17-79 amended Subsec. (h) by replacing “public service passenger vehicle” with “public passenger vehicle”, replacing “public passenger endorsement” with “endorsement described in said subsection (c)” and making technical changes, effective June 27, 2017.

Cited. 40 CA 762.

Sec. 14-36b. Renewal. (a) A motor vehicle operator's license shall be renewed only for the same class or classes for which it was originally issued.

(b) A person may obtain a license for an additional class or classes if he demonstrates, pursuant to subsection (e) of section 14-36, that he is qualified to operate motor vehicles of such class or classes.

(1967, P.A. 458, S. 5, 6; 1969, P.A. 183, S. 2; 1971, P.A. 531; P.A. 84-429, S. 17.)

History: 1969 act changed dates of applicability from July 1, 1969, to January 1, 1970; 1971 act changed applicability provision to apply with respect to licenses in effect on December 31, 1969, and added Subsec. (c); P.A. 84-429 deleted obsolete provisions, relettered Subsecs., rephrased provisions and made other technical changes.

Sec. 14-36c. Specification of class of license. Section 14-36c is repealed, effective July 1, 2002.

(1969, P.A. 183, S. 1; P.A. 02-70, S. 87; S.A. 02-12, S. 1.)

Sec. 14-36d. Acquisition and installation of equipment. Renewal and duplication of license or card without personal appearance. Method for issuance, renewal or duplication of license, permit or card. Temporary license, permit or card. Procedures. (a) The commissioner may acquire, by lease or purchase, and install at offices of the Department of Motor Vehicles and at such other locations where operator's licenses are issued or renewed, such equipment as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

(b) The commissioner may renew or produce a duplicate of any motor vehicle operator's license, commercial driver's license or identity card without personal appearance of the license or card holder if (1) the commissioner has on file a photograph or digital image of the applicant that meets the specifications and standards prescribed by the commissioner and may be used on such license or identity card, (2) the commissioner has satisfactory evidence of the identity of the applicant, (3) the commissioner is satisfied that the applicant is a legal resident of this state, (4) in the case of a renewal, the applicant personally appeared to renew such license or identity card within the time limitations specified in state or federal law, and (5) the applicant meets all other requirements for the renewal or duplicate issuance of a license or identity card.

(c) The commissioner may issue, renew or duplicate a license, an instruction permit or an identity card pursuant to this title or section 1-1h by any method that the commissioner deems to be secure and efficient. If the commissioner determines that an applicant has met all conditions for such issuance, renewal or duplication, the commissioner may require that such license, instruction permit or identity card be produced at a centralized location and mailed to the applicant. The commissioner may issue a temporary license, instruction permit or identity card for use by the applicant for the period prior to the applicant's receipt of the permanent license, instruction permit or identity card. Such temporary license, instruction permit or identity card shall not be required to contain a photograph or digital image of the applicant as specified in subdivision (8) of subsection (a) of section 14-36h. Such temporary license, instruction permit or identity card shall have an expiration date not later than thirty days after the date of issuance and shall remain valid until the earlier of such expiration date or the date the applicant receives such license, instruction permit or identity card.

(d) If the commissioner provides for the renewal or duplicate issuance of the motor vehicle operator's license, commercial driver's license or identity card without the personal appearance of the license or card holder in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, the commissioner shall establish procedures to renew or issue a duplicate of such license or identity card by mail or by electronic communication with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(P.A. 76-263, S. 1, 9; P.A. 77-256, S. 2, 4; P.A. 84-197, S. 3; 84-429, S. 18; P.A. 85-613, S. 148, 154; P.A. 93-341, S. 33, 38; P.A. 03-171, S. 3; P.A. 07-167, S. 19; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 199; P.A. 21-106, S. 10.)

History: P.A. 77-256 amended Subsec. (a) to add proviso re renewal of licenses expiring in July, 1977; P.A. 84-197 inserted new language in Subsec. (b), requiring the commissioner to issue a distinctive license to persons less than 20 years of age and relettered the remaining Subsec.; P.A. 84-429 deleted obsolete provisions, rephrased provisions and made other technical changes; P.A. 85-613 amended Subsec. (b) to apply with respect to persons under 21 as of September 1, 1985, where previously applicable to persons under twenty as of January 1, 1985; P.A. 93-341 amended Subsec. (a) to allow for renewal sites other than motor vehicle department offices, amended Subsec. (b) to replace specification that the license be “distinctive” with requirement that the license indicate the date of the person's twenty-first birthday and made technical changes throughout section, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 03-171 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) to delete references to motorcycle operator's license; P.A. 07-167 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting provisions re license picture, form and content, inserting “issued or” and replacing “this section” with “this chapter”, deleted former Subsec. (b) re license issued to person less than 21 years of age, redesignated existing Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (b) and replaced former provisions thereof with provisions re renewal without personal appearance and added new Subsec. (c) re regulations for renewal by mail or electronic communication; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 added new Subsec. (c) re method of issuance or renewal and temporary licenses, permits and cards, designated existing Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (d) and made a technical change, effective June 30, 2015; P.A. 21-106 substantially revised Subsec. (b) re requirements for renewal or duplication of license or identity card without personal appearance, amended Subsec. (c) to add references to duplication and add provision re photograph or digital image not required, amended Subsec. (d) to replace provision re adoption of regulations with provision re procedures, and made technical and conforming changes, effective June 30, 2021.

Sec. 14-36e. (Formerly Sec. 10-24). Course in motor vehicle operation and highway safety. (a) As used in this section, “classroom instruction” includes training or instruction offered in person in a congregate setting, through distance learning or through a combination of both in-person and distance learning, provided such distance learning has interactive components such as mandatory interactions, participation or testing.

(b) Each local and regional board of education may provide a course of instruction in motor vehicle operation and highway safety on a secondary school level, which course (1) shall consist of not less than thirty clock hours of classroom instruction offered during or after school hours as said board of education, in its discretion, may provide, including instruction of not less than fifteen minutes concerning the responsibilities of an operator of a motor vehicle under subsection (b) of section 14-223 and the penalty for a violation of the provisions of said subsection (b), and (2) may include behind-the-wheel instruction of up to twenty clock hours. Such course shall be open to enrollment by any person between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, inclusive, who is a resident of the town or school district or whose parent, parents or legal guardian owns property taxable in such town or school district. Any such board of education may contract for such behind-the-wheel instruction with a licensed drivers' school.

(1949 Rev., S. 1363; 1959, P.A. 672, S. 1; February, 1965, P.A. 361, S. 1; 1967, P.A. 765, S. 1; 1971, P.A. 456, S. 2; P.A. 75-479, S. 21, 25; P.A. 78-355, S. 1; P.A. 83-104, S. 1, 2; P.A. 92-262, S. 4, 42; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1, S. 44, 121; P.A. 99-171, S. 2, 5; P.A. 05-218, S. 40; P.A. 06-130, S. 3; P.A. 17-79, S. 4; P.A. 21-106, S. 11.)

History: 1959 act provided conditions for eligibility to take motor vehicle operation course; 1965 act divided section into subsections, included highway safety in course subject matter and added details of course re classroom and on-the-road instruction; 1967 act replaced “may” with “shall” in Subsec. (b) thus requiring the course to be offered and requiring at least six hours of behind-the-wheel training; 1971 act allowed provision of behind-the-wheel instruction through contract with licensed drivers' school; P.A. 75-479 changed “shall” to “may” in Subsec. (b), thus making program optional again and required students to be residents of town or school district or to have parent or guardian owning property in the town or school district where they take the course rather than in any town or school district in state; P.A. 78-355 made no changes; P.A. 83-104 made offering of behind-the-wheel instruction optional, at discretion of local education agency, rather than mandatory; P.A. 92-262 transferred authority for program from state board of education to department of motor vehicles; Sec. 10-24 transferred to Sec. 14-36e in 1993; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “six clock hours” with “eight clock hours”, effective June 24, 1998; P.A. 99-171 amended Subsec. (b) by dividing it into subdivisions and requiring instruction re operator responsibilities and penalties under Sec. 14-223(b), effective January 1, 2000; P.A. 05-218 amended Subsec. (b)(2) by changing “eight” to “twenty” re clock hours of instruction, effective July 1, 2005; P.A. 06-130 amended Subsec. (b)(2) by changing required clock hours of instruction from “not less than twenty” to “up to twenty”, effective June 2, 2006; P.A. 17-79 deleted former Subsec. (a) re course of study to be prepared by department and deleted Subsec. (b) designator, effective June 27, 2017; P.A. 21-106 added Subsec. (a) re definition of “classroom instruction”, designated existing provisions as Subsec. (b) and made a technical change, effective June 30, 2021.

See Sec. 14-292 re requirement that vehicles driven by student drivers bear distinctive markers.

Annotation to former section 10-24:

Cited. 152 C. 151.

Sec. 14-36f. (Formerly Sec. 10-24d). Regulations concerning driver education programs. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, governing the establishment, conduct and scope of driver education programs in secondary schools of this state, subject to the requirements of section 14-36e. Such regulations shall (1) permit any local or regional board of education or private secondary school to contract with a licensed drivers' school approved by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for the behind-the-wheel instruction of such driver education program and instruction therein may be given by such school's driving instructors who are licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles, (2) require that the classroom instruction of any such driver education program include a discussion concerning highway work zone safety and the responsibilities of an operator of a motor vehicle under section 14-212d, and (3) except for instruction offered pursuant to section 14-36j, permit a class or classroom instruction to be offered in person in a congregate setting, through distance learning or through a combination of both in-person and distance learning, provided such distance learning has interactive components such as mandatory interactions, participation or testing.

(1967, P.A. 765, S. 3; 1971, P.A. 456, S. 4; P.A. 77-614, S. 302, 587, 610; P.A. 78-218, S. 25; 78-303, S. 85, 136; P.A. 92-262, S. 5, 42; P.A. 13-92, S. 4; P.A. 21-106, S. 12.)

History: 1971 act added provision requiring that regulations allow contract with licensed drivers' school for provision of behind-the-wheel instruction; P.A. 77-614 and P.A. 78-303 substituted commissioner of education for secretary of the state board of education, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-218 deleted provision concerning appointment of full-time consultant in driver education; P.A. 92-262 transferred authority for the regulations from the department of education to the department of motor vehicles; Sec. 10-24d transferred to Sec. 14-36f in 1993; (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. 13-92 inserted Subdiv. (1) designator and added Subdiv. (2) re regulations requiring classroom instruction of highway work zone safety; P.A. 21-106 added Subdiv. (3) re offering of instruction in person, through distance learning or combination of in-person and distance learning, and made a technical change, effective June 30, 2021.

See Sec. 14-36j re adjustment of regulations concerning content of safe driving instruction courses.

Sec. 14-36g. Restrictions on transportation of passengers and hours of operation of vehicle by holders of motor vehicle operator's licenses who are sixteen or seventeen years of age. Exceptions. Regulations. Penalties. (a) Each person who holds a motor vehicle operator's license issued on and after August 1, 2008, and who is sixteen or seventeen years of age shall comply with the following requirements:

(1) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, for the period of six months after the date of issuance of such license, such person shall not transport more than (A) such person's parents or legal guardian, at least one of whom holds a motor vehicle operator's license, or (B) one passenger who is a driving instructor licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles, or a person twenty years of age or older who has been licensed to operate, for at least four years preceding the time of being transported, a motor vehicle of the same class as the motor vehicle being operated and who has not had his or her motor vehicle operator's license suspended by the commissioner during such four-year period;

(2) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, for the period beginning six months after the date of issuance of such license and ending one year after the date of issuance of such license, such person shall not transport any passenger other than as permitted under subdivision (1) of this subsection and any additional member or members of such person's immediate family;

(3) No such person shall operate any motor vehicle for which a public passenger endorsement, as defined in section 14-1, is required in accordance with the provisions of section 14-44 or a vanpool vehicle, as defined in section 14-1;

(4) No such person shall transport more passengers in a motor vehicle than the number of seat safety belts permanently installed in such motor vehicle;

(5) No such person issued a motorcycle endorsement shall transport any passenger on a motorcycle for a period of six months after the date of issuance;

(6) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, no such person shall operate a motor vehicle on any highway, as defined in section 14-1, at or after 11:00 p.m. until and including 5:00 a.m. of the following day unless (A) such person is traveling for his or her employment or school or religious activities, or (B) there is a medical necessity for such travel; and

(7) No such person shall transport any passenger on an autocycle other than as permitted under subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection.

(b) A person who holds a motor vehicle operator's license and who is sixteen or seventeen years of age shall not be subject to the restrictions on the number or type of passengers specified in subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this section, or to the restrictions specified in subdivision (6) of said subsection (a), if such person is: An active member of a volunteer fire company or department, a volunteer ambulance service or company or an emergency medical service organization and such person is responding to, or returning from, an emergency or is carrying out such person's duties as such active member; or an assigned driver in a Safe Ride program sponsored by the American Red Cross, the Boy Scouts of America or other national public service organization.

(c) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of subsection (a) of this section. Such regulations may provide exceptions to the provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section for a single parent under the age of eighteen for the purposes of transporting the child of such parent to day care, child care and education facilities, medical appointments, and for such other purposes as may be determined by the commissioner.

(d) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this section shall be deemed to have committed an infraction. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall suspend the motor vehicle operator's license of any person who violates the provisions of subsection (a) of this section for a period of thirty days for a first violation, and for a period of six months or until such person attains the age of eighteen years, whichever is longer, for a second violation.

(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the provisions of this section in effect July 31, 2008, shall be applicable to any person who is sixteen or seventeen years of age and who has been issued a motor vehicle operator's license prior to August 1, 2008.

(P.A. 03-171, S. 16; 03-265, S. 22; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 94; P.A. 05-54, S. 2; P.A. 06-130, S. 9; 06-196, S. 282; P.A. 07-167, S. 7; P.A. 08-32, S. 4; 08-150, S. 45, 46; P.A. 09-187, S. 1, 32; P.A. 14-130, S. 5; P.A. 15-46, S. 11; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 220.)

History: P.A. 03-171 effective October 1, 2003, but not applicable to persons 16 or 17 years of age who applied for a learner's permit on or before October 1, 2003; P.A. 03-265 amended Subsec. (a)(1) to add provision re certain persons 20 years of age or older that may be transported by 16 or 17-year-old holder of operator's license for 3-month period after date of issuance of license, effective January 1, 2004, pursuant to June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3 changed the effective date of section from October 1, 2003, to January 1, 2004, effective August 20, 2003; P.A. 05-54 amended Subsec. (a) by substituting “person who holds” for “holder of” and inserting “and”, amending Subdiv. (1) by substituting “Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, for the” for “For a” and deleting “one passenger who shall be”, by adding Subpara. (A) designator, substituting “parents” for “parent” and “at least one of whom” for “who” and deleting “and is at least twenty-five years of age,” and by adding “or (B) not more than one passenger who is”, amending Subdiv. (2) by substituting “Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, for” for “For” and adding Subdiv. (6) re prohibition re driving at or after midnight until and including 5:00 a.m., added new Subsec. (b) providing that restrictions for 16 or 17-year-old drivers shall not apply if driver is an active member of volunteer fire company, volunteer ambulance service or emergency medical service organization and is responding to an emergency, and redesignated existing Subsecs. (b) and (c) as Subsecs. (c) and (d); P.A. 06-130 added Subpara. (C) to Subsec. (a)(6) re assigned drivers in Safe Ride programs, effective June 2, 2006; P.A. 06-196 made a technical change in Subsec. (a)(1)(B), effective June 7, 2006; P.A. 07-167 amended Subsec. (a)(5) by deleting “of such license” re date of issuance and making technical changes; P.A. 08-32 amended Subsec. (a) to change three-month passenger restriction to six months in Subdiv. (1), to change three-to-six month restriction period to six months to one year in Subdiv. (2) and to change starting time of curfew from midnight to 11:00 p.m. in Subdiv. (6), amended Subsec. (c) to authorize adoption of regulations providing exceptions to Subsec. (a)(2) for single parents under the age of eighteen for certain child care purposes and amended Subsec. (d) to make suspension of license for a violation of Subsec. (a) mandatory and to specify suspension period of 30 days for a first violation, and six months or until person reaches age of eighteen, whichever is longer, for a second violation, effective August 1, 2008; P.A. 08-150 amended Subsec. (a) to apply provisions to operator's licenses issued on or after August 1, 2008, and added Subsec. (e) to make provisions of section in effect July 31, 2008, applicable to any person sixteen or seventeen years of age who has been issued a motor vehicle operator's license prior to August 1, 2008, effective August 1, 2008; P.A. 09-187 amended Subsec. (a)(6) to delete former Subpara. (c) re curfew exemption for assigned drivers in a Safe Rides program, amended Subsec. (b) to exempt drivers in such program from curfew and passenger restrictions and make technical changes and amended Subsec. (c) to make a technical change, effective July 8, 2009; P.A. 14-130 amended Subsec. (a)(3) by replacing “public passenger transportation permit” with “public passenger endorsement, as defined in section 14-1”, effective June 6, 2014; P.A. 15-46 amended Subsec. (a) by adding Subdiv. (7) re transport of passengers on autocycles, effective July 1, 2015; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (b) to specify that eligible person may drive when returning from an emergency, effective June 30, 2015.

Sec. 14-36h. Contents and features of operator's license and identity card. Issuance to persons on active duty. Veteran status indicated. (a) Each motor vehicle operator's license issued by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles in accordance with section 14-36 and each identity card issued by said commissioner in accordance with section 1-1h shall contain the following: (1) The person's full legal name; (2) the person's date of birth; (3) the person's gender; (4) the person's height and eye color; (5) the person's assigned operator's license or identity card number; (6) the person's address of principal residence in this state; (7) the person's signature; (8) the person's photograph or digital image; and (9) if applicable, the person's status as a veteran, as provided in subsections (e) and (f) of this section.

(b) If any person does not reside in any state, territory or possession of the United States because such person is on active military duty with the United States Armed Forces, and such person's home state of record is Connecticut, as reflected in the records of the United States Department of Defense, United States Department of Homeland Security or any federal department under which the United States Coast Guard operates, such person may obtain a Connecticut operator's license or identity card, provided such person: (1) Does not have an operator's license or identity card issued by another state, territory or possession of the United States, or surrenders any such license or identity card; (2) has a current APO or FPO mailing address; (3) designates such person's home address as 60 State Street, Wethersfield, CT 06161; and (4) meets all other requirements for obtaining an operator's license or identity card in this state.

(c) The commissioner shall provide that each such license or identity card document contains physical security features designed to prevent tampering, counterfeiting or duplication of the document.

(d) Each such document shall also contain one or more machine-readable technology feature or component, including, but not limited to, a bar code or magnetic strip.

(e) Any person who is a veteran may submit a request to the Department of Veterans Affairs to have his or her status as a veteran contained on his or her motor vehicle operator's license or identity card. Said department shall, not later than thirty days after receipt of such request, verify whether such person is a veteran and, if so, notify the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles of such request and verification. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall indicate such person's status as a veteran on any motor vehicle operator's license or identity card issued to such person upon original issuance or renewal of a motor vehicle operator's license or identity card or upon issuance of a duplicate motor vehicle operator's license or identity card.

(f) (1) Any person who was a member of the Hmong Laotian special guerilla units, which units served in the United States secret war in the Kingdom of Laos during the Vietnam War, may submit a request to the Department of Veterans Affairs to be listed as a veteran, based on such service, on his or her motor vehicle operator's license or identity card. Said department shall, not later than thirty days after receipt of such request and the documents required under subdivision (2) of this subsection, verify whether such person was such a member and, if so, notify the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles of such request and verification. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall indicate such person's status as a veteran on any motor vehicle operator's license or identity card issued to such person upon original issuance or renewal of a motor vehicle operator's license or identity card or upon issuance of a duplicate motor vehicle operator's license or identity card.

(2) Any such person who was a member of the Hmong Laotian special guerilla units shall submit to the Department of Veterans Affairs, in addition to the request under subdivision (1) of this subsection, (A) an affidavit stating (i) when such person served, (ii) where such person served, (iii) the unit in which such person served, and (iv) the capacity in which such person served; (B) any available corroborating witness affidavits; (C) any available official documentation of service; and (D) any other documents supporting such person's affidavit.

(g) As used in this section: (1) “Full legal name” means the most complete version of the name that appears on a person's certificate of birth, official passport or other document or documents accepted by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to verify the person's identity, unless the person presents a marriage license or certificate, a certificate of civil union, a divorce decree or an order of a court of competent jurisdiction pertaining to a permanent change of the person's name; and (2) “veteran” has the same meaning as provided in section 27-103, or any former member of the armed forces who is entitled to retirement pay under 10 USC Chapter 1223, as amended from time to time, or, but for age, would be so entitled.

(P.A. 07-167, S. 18; P.A. 11-68, S. 1; P.A. 11-213, S. 15; P.A. 13-271, S. 12; P.A. 16-167, S. 19; P.A. 17-83, S. 2; P.A. 18-47, S. 16; P.A. 21-51, S. 2; 21-79, S. 23; P.A. 22-34, S. 26.)

History: P.A. 11-68 amended Subsec. (a) by adding Subdiv. (9) re status as a veteran, added new Subsec. (d) re status as veteran contained on motor vehicle operator's license or identity card, redesignated existing Subsec. (d) as Subsec. (e) and amended same by adding definition of “veteran” and making a technical change, effective January 1, 2013; P.A. 11-213 added new Subsec. (b) re issuance of license or identity card to persons on active military duty and redesignated existing Subsecs. (b), (c) and (d) as Subsecs. (c), (d) and (e); (Revisor's note: In 2013, the Revisors redesignated the version of Subsec. (d) added by P.A. 11-68 as Subsec. (e), redesignated existing Subsec. (e) as Subsec. (f) and made conforming changes editorially in order to reconcile the amendments made by P.A. 11-68 with the amendments made by P.A. 11-213); P.A. 13-271 amended Subsec. (a)(8) to delete “color” re photograph, effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 16-167 amended Subsec. (e) to replace “Department of Veterans' Affairs” with “Department of Veterans Affairs”, effective July 1, 2016; P.A. 17-83 amended Subsec. (f)(2) to redefine “veteran”; P.A. 18-47 amended Subsec. (f)(2) to designate existing provision re person honorably discharged from or released under honorable conditions from active service in armed forces as Subpara. (A), designate existing provision re former member of armed forces entitled to retirement pay as Subpara. (B), and add Subpara. (C) re person with qualifying condition and discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable; P.A. 21-51 added new Subsec. (f) re members of Hmong Laotian special guerilla units, redesignated existing Subsec. (f) as Subsec. (g), and made a conforming change; P.A. 21-79 amended Subsec. (f)(2), codified by the Revisors as Subsec. (g)(2), to redefine “veteran”; P.A. 22-34 made technical changes in Subsec. (b).

Sec. 14-36i. Seizure and forty-eight-hour suspension of operator's license of person who is sixteen or seventeen years of age for certain violations. (a) If a police officer issues an infractions complaint to any person for a violation of the provisions of section 14-36g, the motor vehicle operator's license of such person shall be suspended for a period of forty-eight hours commencing on the date and time such complaint is issued, and such officer, acting on behalf of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, shall immediately seize and take possession of such person's motor vehicle operator's license and may cause such vehicle to be removed. In order to regain possession of such person's operator's license, after such forty-eight-hour period, such person and, unless such person is emancipated in accordance with the provisions of section 46b-150b, such person's parent or legal guardian shall appear in person at the police department, state police barracks or other location designated by the police officer, and sign a written acknowledgment of the return of such license. No restoration fee shall be required to be paid to the commissioner, in accordance with the provisions of section 14-50b, but the police officer shall make a written report of the violation and the suspension action, in such form and containing such information as the commissioner shall prescribe, and shall file or transmit such report to the commissioner in such time and manner as the commissioner shall prescribe.

(b) If any person operating a motor vehicle, subject to the provisions of section 14-36g, is stopped by a police officer and arrested or issued a summons by such officer for a violation of subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of section 14-219, section 14-227a or 14-227g, subsection (c) of section 14-224, section 14-222 or 14-227m or subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n, the motor vehicle operator's license of such person shall be suspended for a period of forty-eight hours commencing on the date and time such person is arrested or such summons is issued, and such officer, acting on behalf of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, shall immediately seize and take possession of such person's motor vehicle operator's license and cause such motor vehicle to be removed. In order to regain possession of such person's operator's license after such forty-eight-hour period, such person and, unless such person is emancipated in accordance with the provisions of section 46b-150b, such person's parent or legal guardian shall appear in person at the police department, state police barracks or other location designated by the police officer, and sign a written acknowledgment of the return of such license. No restoration fee shall be required to be paid to the commissioner, in accordance with the provisions of section 14-50b, but the police officer shall make a written report of the violation and the suspension action, in such form and containing such information as the commissioner shall prescribe, and shall file or transmit such report to the commissioner in such time and manner as the commissioner shall prescribe.

(P.A. 08-32, S. 8; 08-150, S. 48; P.A. 12-81, S. 29; P.A. 16-126, S. 8.)

History: P.A. 08-32 effective August 1, 2008; P.A. 08-150 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) to make provision requiring appearance of person's parent or legal guardian at police department, state police barracks or other designated location inapplicable to person who is emancipated in accordance with Sec. 46b-150b, effective August 1, 2008; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (b) to delete descriptions of conduct prohibited by Secs. 14-227a, 14-227g, 14-224(c) and 14-222 and make technical changes; P.A. 16-126 amended Subsec. (b) by adding references to Secs. 14-227m and 14-227n(a)(1) and (2).

Sec. 14-36j. Commissioner to amend regulations re content of safe driving instruction courses. Attendance by parent or guardian. (a) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall amend the regulations adopted pursuant to sections 14-36f and 14-78 concerning the content of safe driving instruction courses offered at drivers' schools, high schools and other secondary schools to require the eight hours of instruction required by such regulations to include, for applicants to whom a learner's permit or youth instruction permit is issued, two hours of instruction concerning the statutory provisions, including penalties, applicable to drivers who are less than eighteen years of age, the dangers of teenage driving, the cognitive development of adolescents, the responsibilities and liabilities of parents of teenage drivers, and related topics deemed by the commissioner to be appropriate. Such course may be offered in person in a congregate setting, through distance learning or through a combination of both in-person in a congregate setting and distance learning, provided such distance learning is conducted in real-time by an instructor and has interactive components such as mandatory interactions, participation or testing.

(b) A parent or guardian of any such applicant to whom a learner's permit or youth instruction permit is issued on or after August 1, 2008, who is less than eighteen years of age, shall attend such two hours of instruction with such applicant. Before any such applicant is permitted to take the driver's test, such applicant shall provide an affidavit to the commissioner, signed under penalty of false statement, by an official of the driver's school, high school or other secondary school by which such course was conducted, that a parent or guardian attended the two hours of instruction required by subsection (a) of this section with such applicant.

(P.A. 08-32, S. 9; P.A. 09-187, S. 7; P.A. 12-81, S. 38; P.A. 21-106, S. 51.)

History: P.A. 08-32 effective August 1, 2008; P.A. 09-187 amended Subsec. (a) to require commissioner to amend regulations adopted pursuant to Sec. 14-78, effective July 8, 2009; P.A. 12-81 added references to youth instruction permit in Subsecs. (a) and (b) and deleted an obsolete date in Subsec. (a), effective January 1, 2013; P.A. 21-106 amended Subsec. (a) to add provision re offering course in person, through distance learning or combination of in-person and distance learning, effective June 30, 2021.

Sec. 14-36k. Conviction of person under age eighteen for operating motor vehicle without operator's license. Penalty. If any person who is less than eighteen years of age is convicted of operating a motor vehicle without an operator's license, in accordance with the provisions of section 14-36 or subdivision (2) of section 14-215b, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, upon determination that such person did not hold an operator's license at the time of the offense, shall not issue an operator's license to such person or shall suspend the operator's license of such person for a period of at least one year.

(P.A. 09-187, S. 9; P.A. 10-110, S. 15.)

History: P.A. 09-187 effective July 8, 2009; P.A. 10-110 replaced reference to conviction of person who “does” not hold a license with reference to person who “did” not hold a license “at the time of the offense” and added requirement that commissioner suspend license held by such person for at least 1 year, effective June 5, 2010.

Sec. 14-36l. Transmission of registration information to the Selective Service System upon application by person under twenty-six years of age for issuance or renewal of license. (a) As used in this section, “license” means a motor vehicle operator's license, commercial driver's license or instruction permit issued pursuant to this chapter or an identity card issued pursuant to section 1-1h.

(b) Any person under twenty-six years of age who is required to register with the Selective Service System in accordance with the Military Selective Service Act, 50 USC App. 451 et seq., as from time to time amended, upon submission of an application for issuance or renewal of a license, shall be deemed to have given consent to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to transmit to the Selective Service System the necessary information for such registration.

(c) Upon receipt of an application for issuance or renewal of a license from any person under twenty-six years of age who is required to register with the Selective Service System, the commissioner shall electronically transmit to the Selective Service System the information necessary for such registration.

(d) The application for issuance or renewal of a license shall state that submission of the application shall serve as the applicant's consent to registration with the Selective Service System.

(e) The commissioner may accept money from the Selective Service System to pay any costs incurred in implementing this section.

(P.A. 12-81, S. 48.)

History: P.A. 12-81 effective July 1, 2013.

Sec. 14-36m. Issuance of operators' licenses to applicants unable to establish legal presence in the United States and applicants without Social Security numbers. (a) As used in this section:

(1) “Primary proof of identity” means documentation indicating the identity of an applicant for a motor vehicle operator's license in the form of (A) a valid foreign passport issued by an applicant's country of citizenship that is unexpired or expired for less than three years before an application for such motor vehicle operator's license, or (B) a valid, unexpired consular identification document issued by an applicant's country of citizenship.

(2) “Secondary proof of identity” means documentation indicating the identity of an applicant for a motor vehicle operator's license in the form of (A) a valid, unexpired motor vehicle operator's license, with security features, issued by another state or country, (B) a valid foreign national identification card, (C) a certified copy of a marriage certificate issued by any state or territory of the United States, or any political subdivision thereof, including any county, city or town, or (D) an original birth certificate with a raised seal issued by a foreign country.

(3) “Proof of residency” means a piece of mail or electronic mail that includes an applicant's name and address, indicates that such applicant resides in the state and is dated, unless otherwise indicated, not earlier than ninety days before an application for a motor vehicle operator's license, from any two of the following sources: (A) A bill from a bank or mortgage company, utility company, credit card company, doctor or hospital, (B) a bank statement or bank transaction receipt showing the bank's name and mailing address, (C) a preprinted pay stub, (D) a property or excise tax bill dated not earlier than twelve months before such application, (E) an annual benefits summary statement from the Social Security Administration or other pension or retirement plan dated not earlier than twelve months before such application, (F) a Medicaid or Medicare benefit statement, (G) a current homeowners insurance or renter's insurance policy or motor vehicle insurance card or policy dated not earlier than twelve months before such application, (H) a residential mortgage or similar loan contract, lease or rental contract showing signatures from all parties needed to execute the agreement dated not earlier than twelve months before such application, (I) any postmarked mail, (J) a change of address confirmation from the United States Postal Service indicating an applicant's current and prior address, (K) a survey of an applicant's real property issued by a licensed surveyor, or (L) any official school records showing enrollment.

(b) (1) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes or any regulation, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall not decline to issue a motor vehicle operator's license to any applicant who meets the licensure requirements provided in section 14-36 but who cannot establish that he or she is legally present in the United States or does not have a Social Security number if such applicant (A) submits proof of residency in the state, (B) submits either two forms of primary proof of identity or one form of primary proof of identity and one form of secondary proof of identity, and (C) files an affidavit with the commissioner attesting that such applicant has filed an application to legalize his or her immigration status or will file such an application as soon as he or she is eligible to do so. Any form of primary proof of identity, secondary proof of identity or proof of residency submitted to the commissioner that is in a language other than English shall be accompanied by a certified English translation of such document prepared by a translator approved by the commissioner. No photocopy, notarized photocopy or noncertified document is acceptable as a form of primary proof of identity or secondary proof of identity.

(2) The commissioner shall not issue a motor vehicle operator's license under this section to any applicant who has been convicted of any felony in Connecticut.

(3) The commissioner shall administer a knowledge test to any such applicant after such applicant has submitted proof of residency and proof of identity that satisfy the requirements of this section. Not later than thirty days after such applicant has passed such knowledge test, the commissioner shall determine whether such applicant has been convicted of any felony in Connecticut by searching the electronic criminal record system maintained on the Internet web site of the Judicial Department for convictions matching such applicant's name and date of birth. If such applicant has not been convicted of any such felony, the commissioner shall mail the applicant an adult instruction permit or youth instruction permit. The commissioner shall not refund the application fee of any applicant who fails a knowledge test or has been convicted of any such felony.

(c) Any motor vehicle operator's license issued pursuant to this section shall include an indication on such license that such license shall not be acceptable for federal identification purposes.

(d) Any motor vehicle operator's license issued under this section shall expire from three to six years after the date of issuance and may be renewed every three years thereafter. The fee for an operator's license that expires six years from the date of issuance shall be seventy-two dollars. The commissioner shall charge a prorated amount of such fee for an operator's license that expires less than six years from the date of issuance. The commissioner shall not renew any such operator's license unless the holder of such operator's license makes personal appearance and demonstrates proof of residency at the time of renewal. The fee for the renewal of any such operator's license shall be thirty-six dollars.

(e) No motor vehicle operator's license issued pursuant to this section shall be used as identification for voting purposes. The back of such license shall contain language indicating that it cannot be used for voting purposes. For any such license issued prior to July 1, 2016, the language required by this subsection shall be added upon renewal of such license.

(f) The commissioner shall place a restriction on each motor vehicle operator's license issued pursuant to this section, indicating that such motor vehicle operator's license is “for driving purposes only”.

(g) The commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 to implement the provisions of this section.

(P.A. 13-89, S. 1; P.A. 15-79, S. 1, 2; 15-118, S. 28; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 236; P.A. 16-193, S. 3; P.A. 21-106, S. 47.)

History: P.A. 13-89 effective January 1, 2015; P.A. 15-79 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting former Subpara. (c) re consular report of an applicant's birth in Subdiv. (1), deleting former Subparas. (B), (D) and (E) re foreign voter registration card, school transcript and baptismal certificate and adding new Subpara. (B) re valid foreign national identification card and new Subpara. (D) re original birth certificate in Subdiv. (2), and amended Subsec. (b)(1) to provide that no photocopies or noncertified documents are acceptable as proof of identity or residency, effective July 1, 2015, and amended Subsec. (e) by adding provisions re language on back of license indicating that it cannot be used for voting, effective July 1, 2016; P.A. 15-118 made a technical change in Subsec. (a)(3)(G); June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (e) by making technical changes to provisions taking effect July 1, 2016, that were added by P.A. 15-79, S. 2, effective June 30, 2015; P.A. 16-193 made technical changes in Subsec. (b)(1); P.A. 21-106 amended Subsec. (b)(1) to delete “or proof of residency” and amended Subsec. (d) to add provisions re fees for operator's license, effective June 30, 2021.

Sec. 14-37. Limited license on proof of financial responsibility by owner. Section 14-37 is repealed, effective October 1, 2002.

(1949 Rev., S. 2378; 1949, S. 1297d; P.A. 75-486, S. 41, 69; P.A. 77-614, S. 162, 610; P.A. 80-482, S. 34, 348; S.A. 02-12, S. 1.)

Sec. 14-37a. Special operator's permit for purposes of employment, education or medically necessary treatment. (a) Any person whose operator's license has been suspended pursuant to any provision of this chapter or chapter 248, except pursuant to section 14-215 for operating under suspension or pursuant to section 14-140 for failure to appear for any scheduled court appearance, and any person identified in subsection (g) of this section may make application to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for (1) a special “work” permit to operate a motor vehicle to and from such person's place of employment or, if such person is not employed at a fixed location, to operate a motor vehicle only in connection with, and to the extent necessary, to properly perform such person's business or profession, (2) a special “education” permit to operate a motor vehicle to and from an institution of higher education or a private career school, as defined in section 10a-22a, in which such person is enrolled, provided no such special “education” permit shall be issued to any student enrolled in a high school under the jurisdiction of a local or regional board of education, a high school under the jurisdiction of a regional educational service center, a charter school, a regional agricultural science and technology education center or a technical education and career school, or (3) a special “medical” permit to operate a motor vehicle to and from any ongoing medically necessary treatment, available upon adoption by the commissioner of regulations pursuant to chapter 54, that describe qualifications for such permit. Such application shall be accompanied by an application fee of one hundred dollars.

(b) The commissioner may, in the commissioner's discretion upon a showing of significant hardship, grant each such application that is submitted in proper form and contains such information and attestation by the applicant as the commissioner may require. With respect to an application for an education permit, an applicant shall also be required to submit a schedule of the time and location of all classes or other required educational activities attended by such applicant. Such schedule shall be attested to by the registrar of such educational institution. In determining whether to grant such application, the commissioner may also consider the driving record of the applicant and shall ascertain that the suspension is a final order that is not under appeal pursuant to section 4-183. A special operator's permit shall not be issued pursuant to this section to any person for the operation of a motor vehicle for which a public passenger endorsement, as defined in section 14-1, or commercial driver's license is required or to any person whose operator's license has been suspended previously pursuant to section 14-227a, 14-227b, 14-227m or 14-227n. A person shall not be ineligible to be issued a special operator's permit under this section solely on the basis of being convicted of two violations of section 14-227a unless such second conviction is for a violation committed after a prior conviction.

(c) A special operator's permit issued pursuant to this section shall be of a distinctive format and shall include the expiration date and the legend “work only” or “education only” or, upon adoption of the regulations as provided in subsection (a) of this section, “medical only”.

(d) Any person issued a special operator's permit pursuant to this section who operates a motor vehicle during the period of the permit for a purpose not authorized by the conditions of the permit shall, upon receipt of written report of a police officer, in such form as the commissioner may prescribe, of such unauthorized operation, be subject to a civil penalty of not more than five hundred dollars. Any person who makes improper use of a special operator's permit issued pursuant to this section or in any manner alters any such permit or who loans or sells such permit for use by another person shall be guilty of a class D misdemeanor.

(e) If a person issued a special operator's permit pursuant to this section has his operator's license suspended by the commissioner in connection with any motor vehicle violation or other offense for which suspension action is authorized, the special operator's permit shall be deemed revoked on the effective date of such suspension, and any such person with notice of the suspension who operates a motor vehicle shall be operating under suspension and shall be subject to double the penalties provided by the applicable provisions of subsection (b) of section 14-111 and section 14-215.

(f) Any decision made by the commissioner under this section shall not be subject to appeal pursuant to the provisions of chapter 54 or any other provisions of the general statutes.

(g) Any person who is an applicant for a motor vehicle operator's license and whose license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle has been restricted by any other state in a manner that the commissioner deems to be substantially similar to the restrictions imposed by a special operator's permit issued in accordance with this section, may, in the discretion of the commissioner, be issued an operator's license together with a special operator's permit. The special operator's permit shall be required to be held by such person for such time as the commissioner prescribes.

(h) The commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to implement the provisions of this section.

(P.A. 93-371, S. 3, 5; P.A. 95-314, S. 3; P.A. 00-196, S. 10; P.A. 05-215, S. 7; 05-288, S. 215; P.A. 06-196, S. 94; P.A. 08-150, S. 58; P.A. 09-187, S. 36; P.A. 10-3, S. 51; P.A. 12-80, S. 59; P.A. 13-271, S. 13; P.A. 14-130, S. 6; 14-228, S. 2; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 222, 223; P.A. 16-126, S. 9; P.A. 17-237, S. 94; P.A. 22-123, S. 37.)

History: P.A. 93-371 effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 95-314 amended Subsec. (b) to prohibit the issuance of a special operator's permit to any person whose operator's license has been suspended for refusing to submit to blood, breath or urine test until such operator's license has been under suspension for at least 90 days; P.A. 00-196 made technical changes in Subsec. (b); P.A. 05-215 amended Subsec. (b) to prohibit the issuance of a special operator's permit to a person whose operator's license has been suspended previously under Sec. 14-227a, to provide that a person is not ineligible for a special operator's permit solely on the basis of being convicted of two violations of Sec. 14-227a unless such second conviction is for a violation committed after a prior conviction and to make a technical change, effective July 6, 2005; P.A. 05-288 made a technical change in Subsec. (b), effective July 13, 2005; P.A. 06-196 made a technical change in Subsec. (b), effective June 7, 2006; P.A. 08-150 amended Subsec. (a) by substituting “any scheduled court appearance” for “trial” and providing that any person identified in Subsec. (g) may apply for special permit, inserted new Subsec. (g) re issuance of special operator's permit to certain applicants for an operator's license whose license has been restricted by any other state and redesignated existing Subsec. (g) as Subsec. (h); P.A. 09-187 amended Subsec. (a) to add Subdiv. (2) re application for special “education” permit to operate motor vehicle and make conforming changes, amended Subsec. (b) to add education permit application requirements and amended Subsec. (c) to establish format of such permit; P.A. 10-3 amended Subsec. (a) to require application fee of $100, effective April 14, 2010; P.A. 12-80 amended Subsec. (d) to provide that person who misuses, alters, sells or loans permit “shall be guilty of a class D misdemeanor”, rather than “shall be subject to the penalties provided by section 14-147”; P.A. 13-271 amended Subsec. (a) to delete requirement that institution of higher education be accredited, to add provision re issuance of special “education” permit for operation to and from private occupational school and to add provision prohibiting issuance of special “education” permit to any student enrolled in a high school, charter school, regional agricultural science and technology education center or technical high school, effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 14-130 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “public passenger transportation permit” with “public passenger endorsement, as defined in section 14-1”, effective June 6, 2014; P.A. 14-228 amended Subsec. (b) to delete provision re issuance of special operator's permit to person whose operator's license was suspended under Sec. 14-227b(i)(1)(C) for refusal to submit to blood, breath or urine test or analysis, effective July 1, 2015; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (a) by adding Subdiv. (3) re special “medical” permit and making a technical change, and amended Subsec. (c) to add provision re “medical only” permit, effective June 30, 2015; (Revisor's note: In 2016, a reference to “public passenger transportation permit” contained in the version of Subsec. (b) that took effect on July 1, 2015, was changed editorially by the Revisors to “public passenger endorsement, as defined in section 14-1” to conform that version of Subsec. (b) with the amendment made by P.A. 14-130, S. 6); P.A. 16-126 amended Subsec. (b) by adding references to Secs. 14-227m and 14-227n; P.A. 17-237 amended Subsec. (a)(2) by replacing “technical high school” with “technical education and career school”, effective July 1, 2017; P.A. 22-123 amended Subsec. (a) by changing “private occupational school” to “private career school”, effective July 1, 2022.

Legislature intended work permit exception under section to constitute an affirmative defense, for which defendant bears the burden of persuasion, to the offense of driving under suspension in violation of Sec. 14-215(c); requirement that defendant bear burden of persuasion is constitutional. 254 C. 107.

Sec. 14-37b. Applicant without license from any state, United States territory or certain foreign countries. Requirements. Regulations. Any applicant for a motor vehicle operator's license who has not previously held a Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license and who does not hold a valid motor vehicle operator's license issued by any other state, by any territory or possession of the United States, or by any foreign country with which the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles has an agreement for reciprocal recognition of driver training requirements, shall be subject to the requirements of subdivision (3) of subsection (e) of section 14-36 and shall be required to present to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles a certificate of the successful completion of a course of not less than eight hours relative to safe driving practices, including a minimum of four hours on the nature and the medical, biological and physiological effects of alcohol and drugs and their impact on the operator of a motor vehicle, the dangers associated with the operation of a motor vehicle after the consumption of alcohol or drugs by the operator, the problems of alcohol and drug abuse and the penalties for alcohol and drug-related motor vehicle violations. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, establishing standards for commercial drivers' schools that are licensed in accordance with the provisions of section 14-69 to offer and conduct the course of instruction required by this section.

(P.A. 08-150, S. 28; P.A. 09-187, S. 8; P.A. 10-110, S. 56.)

History: P.A. 09-187 added provision re operator's license issued by any foreign country with which commissioner has reciprocal recognition agreement and re regulations establishing standards for licensed commercial driver's schools to conduct required course of instruction, effective July 8, 2009; P.A. 10-110 made a technical change.

Sec. 14-38. Recall, suspension or revocation of minor operator's license. Section 14-38 is repealed, effective June 23, 1993.

(1957, P.A. 437, S. 1, 3; February, 1965, P.A. 574, S. 14; 1969, P.A. 52; 1972, P.A. 127, S. 14; P.A. 73-169; 73-616, S. 46; P.A. 76-263, S. 4, 9; P.A. 84-429, S. 37; P.A. 93-181, S. 3, 4.)

Sec. 14-38a. Instruction manual printed in Spanish. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall prepare an instruction manual in Spanish for motor vehicle operation which shall be made available, upon request, to any Spanish-speaking person who has applied or intends to apply for a Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license.

(1969, P.A. 807, S. 3.)

See Sec. 14-36 re licensing procedure.

Sec. 14-39. Nonresident operators. Reciprocity concerning equipment, marking and inspection of vehicles. (a) Any nonresident sixteen years of age or older who is licensed to operate a motor vehicle in the state or country of which he is a resident may, subject to the provisions of section 14-216, operate any registered motor vehicle on the highways of this state for the same period allowed by the state or country of his residence to residents of this state without complying with the provisions of this chapter requiring the licensing of operators; provided (1) no nonresident shall operate a commercial motor vehicle without a commercial driver's license or a motor vehicle belonging to a class other than that for which his license or commercial driver's license was issued in the other state or country, and (2) no person, including a nonresident, shall operate a motor vehicle with a load greater than the capacity designated in section 14-267a.

(b) Each such nonresident shall display on the motor vehicle he is operating the distinguishing number or mark required by the state or country within which the motor vehicle is registered. He shall conform to all provisions of the general statutes regarding equipment, marking and operation of motor vehicles registered in this state, except that the commissioner may enter into reciprocal agreements with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or other like authority of another state, district or country concerning the equipment, marking or inspection of motor vehicles and may grant privileges concerning noncompliance with Connecticut laws requiring certain equipment, marking and inspection of motor vehicles if substantially similar privileges are granted regarding the equipment, marking and inspection of Connecticut registered vehicles operating in that state, district or country.

(c) Violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction, except that any person who violates any provision of section 14-267a shall be fined as provided in said section.

(1949 Rev., S. 2379; 1953, S. 1298d; 1957, P.A. 262; 1967, P.A. 458, S. 4; 1971, P.A. 612, S. 3; P.A. 75-577, S. 20, 126; P.A. 76-382, S. 1; P.A. 79-188, S. 5, 10; P.A. 84-429, S. 19; P.A. 90-263, S. 7, 74; P.A. 93-341, S. 11; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1, S. 45, 121.)

History: 1967 act clarified provision by adding reference to licenses for various classes of motor vehicles; 1971 act deleted reference to motor bus licenses re operation of public service motor vehicles and replaced reference to repealed Sec. 14-30 with reference to Sec. 14-34; P.A. 75-577 replaced provision re $100 maximum fine with provision that violation shall be an infraction; P.A. 76-382 added reference to Sec. 14-44 P.A. 79-188 replaced reference to repealed Sec. 14-267 with reference to Sec. 14-267a; P.A. 84-429 divided section into Subsecs., rephrased provisions and made other technical changes; P.A. 90-263 amended Subsec. (a) to delete all provisions of Subdiv. (2) re public service motor vehicle and inserted in lieu thereof “a motor vehicle used for the transportation of passengers for hire for which a permit is required in accordance with section 14-44 ...”; P.A. 93-341 amended Subsec. (a)(1) by adding that no nonresident shall operate a commercial motor vehicle without a commercial driver's license or a motor vehicle belonging to a class other than that for which his commercial driver's license was issued, deleted former Subdivs. (2) and (3) and inserted new Subdiv. (2) which provided that no person, including a nonresident, shall operate a motor vehicle with a load greater than the capacity designated in Sec. 14-267a; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “Motor Vehicle Commissioner” with “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles”, effective June 24, 1998.

See Sec. 14-107 re liability of owner, operator or lessee of vehicle in prosecutions for violations of this section.

The operator and owner need not be the same person. 97 C. 146. A teacher employed in another state, living here with her parents during the summer, is not a nonresident. 107 C. 140.

Cited. 36 CA 710.

One who operates a car in this state while his right to operate remains under suspension may be convicted of a violation of Sec. 14-215 even though he has in the meantime moved to another state and obtained a license in that state. 23 CS 26.

Sec. 14-40. Operation of motor vehicle owned by resident of foreign country. Any motor vehicle or trailer owned or operated by a resident of a foreign country, which country adheres to the articles of the “International Convention” held in Paris, April 24, 1926, or amendments thereto, relative to the operation of motor vehicles, may be operated on the highways of this state without registration, provided such nonresident operator is the holder of an international operator's license and provided such motor vehicle is legally registered in the country of his residence and also bears an international registration.

(1949 Rev., S. 2380.)

Sec. 14-40a. Motorcycle endorsement or motorcycle endorsement with three-wheeled restriction. Motorcycle instruction permit. Examination. Military waiver. (a) No person shall operate a motorcycle on any public highway of this state until such person has obtained a motor vehicle operator's license with a motorcycle endorsement from the commissioner.

(b) A person who is sixteen years of age or older and who has not had such a license suspended or revoked may apply to the commissioner for a motorcycle instruction permit. The commissioner may issue a motorcycle instruction permit, containing such limitation as said commissioner deems advisable, to an applicant after the applicant has passed all parts of the examination, other than the driving skills test, for a motor vehicle operator's license with a motorcycle endorsement as required by subsection (c) of this section. The motorcycle instruction permit shall entitle the applicant, while said applicant is in immediate possession of said permit, to drive a motorcycle on the public highways, other than multiple lane limited access highways, for a period of sixty days. A motorcycle instruction permit may be renewed, or a new permit issued, for an additional period of sixty days. Each applicant issued a motorcycle instruction permit shall, while operating a motorcycle, wear protective headgear of a type which conforms to the minimum specifications established by regulations adopted under subsection (b) of section 14-289g.

(c) Before granting a motorcycle endorsement or motorcycle endorsement with a three-wheeled restriction to any applicant who has not held such an endorsement at any time within the preceding two years, the commissioner shall require the applicant to present evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that such applicant has successfully completed a novice motorcycle or three-wheeled motorcycle training course conducted by the Department of Transportation with federal funds available for the purpose of such course, or by any firm or organization that conducts such a course that uses the curriculum of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation or other safety or educational organization that has developed a curriculum approved by the commissioner. If such applicant has not obtained a motorcycle instruction permit pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the applicant shall also pass an examination, other than the driving skills test, demonstrating that the applicant is a proper person to operate a motorcycle, has sufficient knowledge of the mechanism of a motorcycle to ensure its safe operation by such applicant, and has satisfactory knowledge of the law concerning motorcycles and other motor vehicles and the rules of the road. The commissioner may waive the requirement of such examination for any applicant who presents documentation that such applicant: (1) Is on active military duty with the armed forces of the United States; (2) is stationed outside the state; and (3) completed a novice motorcycle training course conducted by any firm or organization using the curriculum of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation not earlier than two years prior to the date of such applicant's application. When the commissioner is satisfied as to the ability and competency of the applicant, the commissioner may issue an endorsement to such applicant, either unlimited or containing such limitations as the commissioner deems advisable. An applicant who has completed a three-wheeled motorcycle training course shall be limited to an endorsement with a restriction, as provided in subsection (c) of section 14-36a, indicating that such applicant is limited to the operation of a three-wheeled motorcycle. If an applicant or motorcycle endorsement holder has any health problem which might affect such person's ability to operate a motorcycle safely, the commissioner may require the applicant or endorsement holder to demonstrate personally that, notwithstanding the problem, such person is a proper person to operate a motorcycle, and the commissioner may further require a certificate of the applicant's condition, signed by a medical authority designated by the commissioner, which certificate shall, in all cases, be treated as confidential by the commissioner. An endorsement containing such limitation as the commissioner deems advisable may be issued or renewed in any case, but nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the commissioner from refusing an endorsement, either limited or unlimited, to any person or suspending an endorsement of a person whom the commissioner deems incapable of safely operating a motorcycle.

(d) No person shall operate a motorcycle in any manner in violation of the limitations imposed in a limited endorsement issued to such person.

(e) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (a), (b) or (d) of this section shall, for a first offense, be deemed to have committed an infraction and be fined fifty dollars and, for any subsequent offense, be guilty of a class D misdemeanor.

(f) As used in this section, the terms “motorcycle” and “three-wheeled motorcycle” do not include “autocycle”, as defined in section 14-1.

(1967, P.A. 807, S. 1; 1969, P.A. 302, S. 1; 1972, P.A. 127, S. 15; P.A. 73-605, S. 2; P.A. 74-36, S. 2; P.A. 76-263, S. 5, 9; P.A. 82-103; 82-223, S. 10; P.A. 83-577, S. 16; P.A. 84-429, S. 20; P.A. 89-242, S. 4, 5, 7; P.A. 90-265, S. 2, 8; P.A. 03-171, S. 4; P.A. 04-143, S. 19; 04-257, S. 23; P.A. 06-130, S. 22; P.A. 10-3, S. 58; 10-153, S. 1; P.A. 11-213, S. 56; P.A. 12-80, S. 60; 12-81, S. 39; P.A. 13-271, S. 14; P.A. 15-46, S. 3; P.A. 17-79, S. 25.)

History: 1969 act added provisions re learner's permits in Subsec. (a); 1972 act changed age of majority from 21 to 18; P.A. 73-605 added provisions concerning certificates signed by parent, guardian or spouse as evidence of sufficient training and required English and Spanish versions of the test; P.A. 74-36 allowed foster parents to sign instruction certificates; P.A. 76-263 changed applicability provision of Subsec. (b) to apply to applicants not licensed during preceding 4, rather than 2, years; P.A. 82-103 amended Subsec. (b) by reducing from 4 to 2 years the time period during which an applicant has to have held a Connecticut license in order to be exempt from the examination; P.A. 82-223 amended Subsec. (d) by specifying that commission of a first offense constituted an infraction and establishing a minimum fine therefor of $25; P.A. 83-577 amended Subsec. (d) by increasing the minimum fine for a first offense from $25 to $35; P.A. 84-429 relettered Subsecs., rephrased provisions, transferred provision in Subsec. (d) re recall of an operator's license to Sec. 14-38(a), and made other technical changes; P.A. 89-242 amended Subsec. (b) to require applicants issued learner's permits on and after January 1, 1990, to wear protective headgear while operating a motorcycle and amended Subsec. (e) to require applicants under eighteen to demonstrate successful completion of a novice motorcycle training course on and after January 1, 1990; P.A. 90-265 amended Subsec. (e) to replace reference to applicant who “suffers from any physical defect or disease” with reference to applicant or motorcycle operator license holder who has any health problem, and to authorize commissioner to suspend license of person determined to be incapable of safely operating a motorcycle; P.A. 03-171 replaced provisions re motorcycle operator's license with provisions re motor vehicle operator's license with a motorcycle endorsement throughout, amended Subsec. (b) to replace “learner's permit” with “training permit”, deleted former Subsecs. (c) and (d) re issuance of motorcycle operator's license to persons between 16 and 18 years of age, redesignated remaining Subsecs. and made technical changes; P.A. 04-143 redesignated Subsecs. (b) to (e), inclusive, and made other technical changes, effective May 21, 2004; P.A. 04-257 made a technical change in Subsec. (d), effective June 14, 2004; P.A. 06-130 amended Subsec. (c) by deleting an obsolete date, by requiring applicants under eighteen to present proof of completing a novice motorcycle training course, by requiring that such course be “conducted by”, rather than “offered by”, Department of Transportation or by any firm that uses the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's curriculum, rather than a course approved by Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, and by allowing commissioner to waive the on-road skills test for any applicant 18 or older who presents proof of completing such course, effective June 2, 2006; P.A. 10-3 amended Subsec. (e) to replace fine for first offense of not less than $35 or more than $50 with fine of $50, effective April 14, 2010; P.A. 10-153 amended Subsec. (c) to delete requirement that applicant for endorsement personally demonstrate knowledge of motorcycle mechanism and rules of the road, to delete authority of commissioner to waive on-road skills portion of endorsement exam for person presenting evidence of completing motorcycle training course, and to replace requirement that applicant under 18 years of age present evidence of successful completion of motorcycle training course with requirement that all applicants present evidence of successful completion of training course conducted by Department of Transportation with federal funds available for purpose of such course, effective January 1, 2011; P.A. 11-213 amended Subsec. (b) to replace “driving test” with “driving skills test” and amended Subsec. (c) to require examination, other than driving skills test, for applicant without training permit, effective July 13, 2011; P.A. 12-80 amended Subsec. (e) to replace penalty for subsequent offense of a fine of not more than $100 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days or both with a class D misdemeanor; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (b) to replace “training permit” with “motorcycle instruction permit” and delete an obsolete date and amended Subsec. (c) to replace “training permit” with “motorcycle instruction permit”, effective January 1, 2013; P.A. 13-271 amended Subsec. (c) to add provision re waiver of examination requirement for members of armed forces on active duty outside state who completed motorcycle training course, effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 15-46 amended Subsec. (c) to add references to motorcycle endorsement with a three-wheeled restriction and three-wheeled motorcycle training course, and to add provision re endorsement with restriction limiting applicant to operation of a three-wheeled motorcycle, and added Subsec. (f) re terms “motorcycle” and “three-wheeled motorcycle” not to include “autocycle”, effective July 1, 2015; P.A. 17-79 amended Subsec. (c) to make a technical change.

See Sec. 14-40c re hearing upon denial or suspension of operator's license.

Cited. 194 C. 129.

Cited. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 220.

Sec. 14-40b. License without examination. Obsolete.

(1967, P.A. 807, S. 2.)

Sec. 14-40c. Hearing upon denial or suspension of operator's license. Any person denied an operator's license, or whose license is suspended, pursuant to the provisions of subsection (e) of section 14-36, shall be entitled to a hearing before the commissioner, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 and section 14-4a.

(P.A. 90-265, S. 3, 8; P.A. 03-171, S. 5.)

History: P.A. 03-171 deleted reference to Sec. 14-40a(e).

Sec. 14-41. Expiration and renewal of operators' licenses and identity cards. Fees. Notice. (a) An original operator's license shall expire within a period not exceeding seven years following the date of the operator's next birthday. The fee for such license shall be eighty-four dollars. Upon renewal of a license, the commissioner may issue a license for a period to be determined by the commissioner, provided such period does not exceed eight years. The fee for the renewal of a license that expires eight years from the date of issuance shall be ninety-six dollars. The commissioner shall charge a prorated amount of such fee for a license that expires less than eight years from the date of issuance.

(b) The commissioner may authorize a contractor, including, but not limited to, an automobile club or association licensed in accordance with the provisions of section 14-67 on or before July 1, 2007, or any municipality, to issue duplicate licenses and identity cards pursuant to section 14-50a, renew licenses, renew identity cards issued pursuant to section 1-1h and conduct registration transactions. The commissioner may authorize such contractors and municipalities to charge a convenience fee, which shall not exceed eight dollars, to each applicant for a license or identity card renewal or duplication, or for a registration transaction.

(c) Any previously licensed operator who fails to renew a motor vehicle operator's license in accordance with subsection (a) of this section shall be charged a late fee of twenty-five dollars upon renewal of such operator's license.

(d) The commissioner may, at least fifteen days before the date on which each motor vehicle operator's license or identity card expires, notify the holder of such license or identity card of the expiration date, in a manner determined by the commissioner. The commissioner shall not provide such notification by mail to any such licensee or identity card holder if the United States Postal Service has determined that mail is undeliverable to the address for such person that is documented in the records of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Any previously licensed operator who operates a motor vehicle within sixty days after the expiration date of the operator's license without obtaining a renewal of the license shall be fined in accordance with the amount designated for the infraction of failure to renew a motor vehicle operator's license. Any operator so charged shall not be prosecuted under section 14-36 for the same act constituting a violation under this section but section 14-36 shall apply after the sixty-day period.

(e) On and after January 1, 2013, the commissioner may extend the expiration date of an operator's license or identity card for a period of six months when such licensee or identity card holder presents documentation satisfactory to the commissioner that such person was out of the state during the renewal period for such license or identity card, or when the commissioner requires additional time to determine whether such person qualifies for a renewal. The fee for such extension shall be the same as that for a duplicate license under section 14-50a and no part of such fee shall be subject to refund. The commissioner shall not grant more than one extension to any such person pursuant to this subsection.

(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1-3a, if the expiration date of any motor vehicle operator's license or any public passenger endorsement falls on any day when the offices of the commissioner are closed for business or are open for less than a full business day, the license or permit shall be deemed valid until midnight of the next day on which the offices of the commissioner are open for a full day of business.

(1949 Rev., S. 2381; 1953, 1955, S. 1299d; 1957, P.A. 437, S. 4; February, 1965, P.A. 68; 1967, P.A. 115; 436, S. 1; 807, S. 4; 1969, P.A. 759, S. 4; 1972, P.A. 127, S. 16; P.A. 75-213, S. 9, 53; 75-577, S. 21, 126; P.A. 76-263, S. 6, 9; P.A. 77-10; 77-256, S. 3, 4; 77-348, S. 1, 2; P.A. 79-89, S. 1; P.A. 80-51; P.A. 81-172, S. 3; P.A. 83-489, S. 3, 17; P.A. 84-254, S. 29, 62; 84-429, S. 21; P.A. 85-413, S. 4, 8; P.A. 87-329, S. 5; P.A. 90-263, S. 8, 74; 90-265, S. 7, 8; P.A. 91-408, S. 8, 18; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-9, S. 1, 4; P.A. 93-80, S. 49, 67; 93-341, S. 12, 38; P.A. 95-223, S. 1, 2; P.A. 97-284, S. 1, 2; P.A. 99-287, S. 7, 9; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-6, S. 74, 85; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 47, 131; P.A. 03-171, S. 6; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 34; P.A. 04-4, S. 6; 04-177 S. 12; 04-199, S. 22; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-3, S. 26; P.A. 07-167, S. 32; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-1, S. 94; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-5, S. 43; P.A. 09-187, S. 10; P.A. 10-110, S. 21; 10-179, S. 25; P.A. 11-6, S. 137; 11-48, S. 27; 11-213, S. 16; P.A. 12-81, S. 4; P.A. 13-271, S. 15; P.A. 14-130, S. 7; P.A. 16-55, S. 24; P.A. 17-79, S. 5; P.A. 18-164, S. 23; P.A. 19-165, S. 2; P.A. 21-106, S. 13.)

History: 1965 act added proviso clause re holder reaching 21 in Subsec. (b); 1967 acts included motorcycle licenses in provisions, revised provisions re expiration of licenses in Subsec. (b), inserted new Subsec. (c) re effect of change in birth date on expiration and reissuance of license, redesignated former Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (d) and added provisions re penalty for failure to renew license within 30 days of expiration date; 1969 act revised fee provisions in Subsecs. (b) and (c), raising rate from $0.25 to $0.35 per month and placing $2 maximum on fee for 6-month period; 1972 act changed age of majority from 21 to 18; P.A. 75-213 raised fee in Subsec. (b) to $0.45 per month not to exceed $2.50 for 6-month period; P.A. 75-577 removed reference to $25 maximum fine in Subsec. (d) and added references to fines of the amount designated for infractions specified; P.A. 76-263 revised section to cover transition period for change of validity period from 2 to 4 years and institution of licenses with pictures, deleted references to provisional licenses and deleted violation in Subsec. (d) re failure to sign license before operating motor vehicle or motorcycle; P.A. 77-10 added Subsec. (e) re expiration of license on day when motor vehicle offices are closed; P.A. 77-256 raised fee in Subsec. (c) to $0.45 per month not to exceed $2.50 for 6-month period; P.A. 77-348 revised provisions re expiration so that all licenses expire on birth date rather than last day of birth month and changed reference to June 30, 1976 to June 30, 1977 in Subsec. (a); P.A. 79-89 added exception re Sec. 14-41a to Subsec. (a); P.A. 80-51 made former Subdivs. (1) to (4) in Subsec. (a) subparagraphs (A) to (D) under Subdiv. (1) re motor vehicle and motorcycle licenses, made provision re public service operator's license Subdiv. (2) and added exception re change of expiration date from April 30th to June 30th; P.A. 81-172 amended Subsec. (d) by increasing from 30 to 60 days after the expiration date the amount of time during which an operator can be charged with only an infraction; P.A. 83-489 amended Subsec. (b) to increase additional sum from $1 to $2; P.A. 84-254 amended Subsec. (b), effective July 1, 1984, to increase the fee, scheduling the increases to take effect as of July 1, 1984, 1986 and 1988; P.A. 84-429 deleted obsolete provisions, rephrased provisions and made other technical changes; P.A. 85-413 adjusted fees after July 1, 1988, and deleted obsolete fee provisions; P.A. 87-329 amended Subsec. (b) maintaining the fee at the level existing on and after July 1, 1986, and decreasing the fee effective July 1, 1992, to the level formerly existing on and after July 1, 1988; P.A. 90-263 amended Subsecs. (a) and (e) to substitute public passenger transportation permit for public service motor vehicle operator's license; P.A. 90-265 amended Subsec. (a) to require vision screening for motor vehicle operators prior to every other renewal of operator's license in accordance with specified schedule; P.A. 91-408 amended Subsec. (a) to delay the commencement of vision screening from July 1, 1991, to October 1, 1992, and to change the beginning and ending dates of the specified schedule accordingly; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-9 amended Subsec. (a) to postpone vision screening requirement from October 1, 1992, to July 1, 1993, and to require that screening be done in accordance with a schedule adopted by the commissioner, eliminating the specified schedule according to the last name of the operator; P.A. 93-80 amended Subsec. (a) to postpone vision screening requirement from July 1, 1993, to July 1, 1995, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 93-341 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting former Subdiv. (2) re expiration date for public passenger transportation permits, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 95-223 amended Subsec. (a) to postpone vision screening requirement from July 1, 1995, to July 1, 1997, effective July 1, 1995; (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. 97-284 amended Subsec. (a) to postpone vision screening requirement from July 1, 1997, to July 1, 1999, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 99-287 amended Subsec. (a) by postponing the implementation of vision screening from July 1, 1999, to July 1, 2001, and allowing a vision screening conducted by a licensed health care professional to have occurred during the preceding 12 months in lieu of the preceding 3 months, effective July 1, 1999; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-6 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) to require renewal of license every 6 years, amended Subsec. (b) to increase fee from $3.50 to $5.25, amended Subsec. (c) to modify the issue period for renewal licenses from not more than 48 months to not more than 72 months and made technical changes for purposes of gender neutrality in Subsecs. (a) and (d), effective July 1, 2001; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9 amended Subsec. (a) to provide for an optional licensure period of 4 years in accordance with a schedule to be established by the commissioner and changed to July 1, 2003, the date by which the commissioner shall screen the vision of operator's at every other renewal of license, effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 03-171 amended Subsecs. (a), (d) and (e) to delete references to motorcycle operator's license, made technical changes in Subsec. (a) and amended Subsec. (d) to delete references to Sec. 14-40a; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3 amended Subsec. (a) to change commencement date of vision screening program from July 1, 2003, to July 1, 2005, effective August 20, 2003, and applicable as of July 1, 2003; P.A. 04-4 amended Subsec. (b) to delete former formula for the license fee and to establish fees for 4-year and 6-year licenses and a fee for a part-year license, deleted former Subsec. (c) re changes in records relating to birth dates and renewal of licenses thereafter and redesignated existing Subsecs. (d) and (e) as new Subsecs. (c) and (d), effective March 11, 2004; P.A. 04-177 and P.A. 04-199 both amended Subsec. (b) to increase fee for original 4-year operator's licenses from $43 to $44 and for 6-year operator's license from $65 to $66, effective July 1, 2004; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-3 amended Subsec. (a) by changing “2005” to “2007”, effective July 1, 2005; P.A. 07-167 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting provisions re vision screening and amended Subsec. (b) by adding provisions re renewals at office facilities of licensed automobile club or association, effective July 1, 2007; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-1 attempted to amend Subsec. (a) to change July 1, 2007, to July 1, 2009, effective July 1, 2007, but failed to take effect since the vision screening provisions were previously deleted from this Subsec. by P.A. 07-167; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-5 amended Subsec. (a) by restoring provisions re vision screening and postponing implementation to July 1, 2009; P.A. 09-187 amended Subsec. (a) to postpone implementation of vision screening from July 1, 2009, to July 1, 2011, effective July 1, 2009; P.A. 10-110 amended Subsec. (a) to authorize commissioner, upon every other renewal of operator's license or identity card, to issue such license or card without personal appearance of licensee or card holder if such licensee or card holder has digital image on file with commissioner and has met all other renewal requirements and amended Subsec. (b) to authorize automobile clubs and associations to perform identity card renewals and registration transactions and to charge fee of not more than $2, effective July 1, 2010; P.A. 10-179 amended Subsec. (b) to make the same changes as made to Subsec. (b) by P.A. 10-110, effective July 1, 2010; P.A. 11-6 amended Subsec. (b) to increase fee for 4-year license from $44 to $48, for 6-year license from $66 to $72 and for a year or part thereof from $11 to $12, added Subsec. (c) re $25 late renewal fee, redesignated existing Subsecs. (c) and (d) as Subsecs. (d) and (e), and deleted “shall be deemed to have failed to renew a motor vehicle operator's license and” in Subsec. (d), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-48 amended Subsec. (a) by eliminating 4 or 6-year renewal requirement, requirement for personal appearance of licensee or holder for renewal and requirement for vision screening prior to every other renewal, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-213 amended Subsec. (b) to authorize issuance of duplicate licenses and identity cards by automobile club or association and make conforming and technical changes, and amended Subsec. (c) to include identity cards, change “shall” to “may” re notification and prohibit notification by mail if mail determined to be undeliverable, effective July 13, 2011; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (a) to make provisions applicable upon every “other” renewal of a license or identity card, amended Subsec. (b) to delete provision re fee for 4-year license and make conforming changes, added new Subsec. (e) re 6-month extension of expiration date of operator's license or identity card and fee therefor and redesignated existing Subsec. (e) as Subsec. (f), effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 13-271 amended Subsec. (b) to delete provision re license fee of $12 per year or any part of a year and to increase maximum convenience fee charged by automobile club or association from $2 to $3; P.A. 14-130 amended Subsec. (f) by replacing “public passenger transportation permit” with “public passenger endorsement, as defined in section 14-1”, effective June 6, 2014; P.A. 16-55 amended Subsec. (b) by adding “a contractor, including, but not limited to,” and “or any office or department of a municipality”, increasing maximum convenience fee from $3 to $5 and making a conforming change, effective May 31, 2016; P.A. 17-79 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting “office or department of a”, replacing “its office facilities” with “the office or facilities of such contractors or municipalities” and adding provision re authorization for municipalities to charge a convenience fee, effective July 1, 2017; P.A. 18-164 amended Subsec. (b) by increasing maximum convenience fee from $5 to $8 and making a technical change, effective July 1, 2018; P.A. 19-165 deleted former Subsec. (a) re authority to issue renewal of operator's license or identity card without personal appearance of licensee or card holder, redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (a) and amended same to increase period of validity for original operator's license from 6 years to 7 years, increase fee from $72 to $84 and add provision re renewal and renewal fee, designated existing provision re authority of contractor or municipality to issue duplicate licenses and identity cards as new Subsec. (b), amended Subsec. (f) to delete reference to Sec. 14-1, and made conforming and technical changes, effective January 1, 2020; P.A. 21-106 amended Subsec. (b) to delete “at the office or facilities of such contractors or municipalities”, effective June 30, 2021.

Failure to endorse his license does not make the operator “an unlicensed person.” 104 C. 487; 114 C. 76.

Sec. 14-41a. Renewal of license for persons age sixty-five or over. An individual sixty-five years of age or older may renew a motor vehicle operator's license for either a two-year period or the renewal period determined by the commissioner pursuant to subsection (a) of section 14-41. The fee for any license issued for a two-year period shall be twenty-four dollars.

(P.A. 79-89, S. 2; P.A. 84-254, S. 30, 62; 84-429, S. 22; P.A. 87-329, S. 6; P.A. 91-390, S. 2; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-6, S. 75, 85; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 50, 131; P.A. 03-171, S. 7; P.A. 04-4, S. 7; 04-199, S. 23; P.A. 07-167, S. 45; P.A. 11-213, S. 17; P.A. 13-271, S. 16; P.A. 19-165, S. 3.)

History: P.A. 84-254 increased the fee from $11 to $22 as of July 1, 1992; P.A. 84-429 divided section into Subsecs., deleted obsolete provisions, rephrased provisions and made other technical changes; P.A. 87-329 amended Subsec. (a), maintaining the fee at the level existing on and after July 1, 1986, and decreasing the fee effective July 1, 1992, to the level formerly existing on and after July 1, 1988; P.A. 91-390 replaced former Subsec. (b) which had required that operator's license bear operator's photograph with new provision permitting commissioner to waive photograph requirement upon written application and showing of hardship by operators 65 years of age or older; (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); June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-6 changed 4-year renewal option to 6 years, effective July 1, 2001; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9 amended Subsec. (b) to delete provisions re length of the license renewal period, effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 03-171 deleted references to motorcycle operator's license; P.A. 04-4 amended Subsec. (a) to increase the fee to $21, effective March 11, 2004; P.A. 04-199 amended Subsec. (a) to increase the fee from $21 to $22, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 07-167 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing reference to Sec. 14-36d(a) with reference to Sec. 14-36h(a); P.A. 11-213 deleted Subsec. (a) designator and deleted former Subsec. (b) re waiver of photograph requirement, effective July 13, 2011; P.A. 13-271 increased fee for renewal of license for a 2-year period from $22 to $24; P.A. 19-165 replaced “a six-year period” with “the renewal period determined by the commissioner pursuant to subsection (a) of section 14-41”, effective January 1, 2020.

Sec. 14-41b. Validity of operator's license held by member of the armed forces following separation from service. A Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license held by any person on active duty with the armed forces and absent from this state due to such service shall be valid for sixty days following the date on which the license holder is honorably separated from such service, unless the license is suspended, cancelled or revoked as provided by law earlier than such date. The license shall be valid only when in the immediate possession of the license holder and the license holder has his or her discharge or separation papers in his or her immediate possession.

(P.A. 10-16, S. 1; P.A. 17-79, S. 6.)

History: P.A. 17-79 replaced “thirty days” with “sixty days” and deleted “or returns to this state”, effective July 1, 2017.

Sec. 14-41c. Renewal of operator's licenses and identity cards of incarcerated persons. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall consult with the Commissioner of Correction to establish a procedure to renew the operator's licenses and identity cards of persons who are incarcerated, without the appearance of such persons at the Department of Motor Vehicles, in accordance with subsection (b) of section 14-36d. Such renewal shall be initiated at the request of an incarcerated person who responds to a renewal notice for such person's operator's license or identity card. This section shall not apply to the initial issuance of an operator's license or identity card or the issuance of a license or identity card that has expired more than two years before the date of the requested renewal.

(P.A. 11-213, S. 59; P.A. 12-81, S. 20.)

History: P.A. 11-213 effective October 1, 2012; P.A. 12-81 replaced provision requiring Department of Motor Vehicles upon written request of incarcerated person to extend expiration date of such person's operator's license for 2 years or 30 days following incarceration release date, whichever occurs first, with provision requiring Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to consult with Commissioner of Correction to establish procedure to renew incarcerated person's operator's license or identity card upon request of such person and without such person appearing at the department and added provision making section inapplicable to initial issuance of license or card or issuance of license or card that expired more than 2 years before request.

See Sec. 18-81ff re ensuring inmates have state identification or motor vehicle operator's license upon release.

Sec. 14-42. Application for or renewal of operator's license or identity card. Anatomical gift. (a) An application for an operator's license or identity card shall be made on forms furnished by the commissioner. The applications shall be in such form and contain such provisions and information as the commissioner may determine.

(b) The commissioner shall require any person who applies for or renews an operator's license or identity card to indicate whether such person consents or declines to make an anatomical gift through inclusion in the state donor registry maintained pursuant to section 14-42a. An operator's license issued to a person who has authorized inclusion on such donor registry shall have a donor symbol imprinted on such license or identity card.

(1949 Rev., S. 2382; P.A. 75-579; P.A. 84-429, S. 23; P.A. 85-190; P.A. 98-172, S. 3, 4; P.A. 06-130, S. 4; P.A. 09-187, S. 13; P.A. 10-123, S. 24; P.A. 14-130, S. 8; P.A. 22-44, S. 15.)

History: P.A. 75-579 added Subsec. (b) re inclusion of body organ donation line on license applications and licenses; P.A. 84-429 rephrased provisions, transferred provisions re motor vehicle registrations to Sec. 14-12(b), transferred provisions re assignment of registration and license numbers to Sec. 14-10(a) and made other technical changes; P.A. 85-190 amended Subsec. (b), requiring an operator's license to indicate provision for organ donation in a conspicuous manner determined by the commissioner to assure immediate identification; P.A. 98-172 amended Subsec. (b) replacing the requirement that the application contain a line for indicating that applicant has made provisions for organ donation with a requirement that the application include the opportunity to complete an organ donor card and replacing requirement that operator's license indicate whether one is an organ donor with requirement that license have donor card imprinted on it, effective July 1, 1999; P.A. 06-130 replaced “blanks” with “forms” and “application blanks” with “applications” in Subsec. (a) and added provisions re identity cards in Subsecs. (a) and (b), effective June 2, 2006; P.A. 09-187 amended Subsec. (b) to replace provisions re issuance of donor card with provisions re registration as organ and tissue donor, effective July 8, 2009; P.A. 10-123 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing provision re registration as organ and tissue donor with provision re making an anatomical gift through inclusion in state donor registry, by replacing “elected to be included in” with “authorized inclusion on” re donor registry and by replacing “designation of such person's donor status” with “donor symbol” re imprint on license or identity card; P.A. 14-130 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing provision re application to include opportunity to make anatomical gift with provision re commissioner to require applicant to indicate whether applicant consents or declines to make anatomical gift; P.A. 22-44 amended Subsec. (b) to replace “applying” with “who applies” and add “or renews”.

See Sec. 14-10 re record-keeping with respect to operator's licenses and registrations.

Sec. 14-42a. Agreement with procurement organizations. Inclusion of information re procurement organizations in driver education programs. (a) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and the Commissioner of Administrative Services shall enter into an agreement with one or more federally designated organ and tissue procurement organizations to provide to such organizations access to the names, dates of birth and other pertinent information of holders of operator's licenses, instruction permits and identity cards issued pursuant to section 1-1h who have registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles an intent to become organ and tissue donors. Such access shall be provided in a manner and form to be determined by the commissioners, following consultation with such organizations, and may include electronic transmission of initial information and periodic updating of information. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall not charge a fee for such access pursuant to section 14-50a, but may charge such organizations reasonable administrative costs. Information provided to such organizations shall be used solely for identifying such holders as organ and tissue donors.

(b) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall include in regulations adopted pursuant to sections 14-36f and 14-78 a requirement that a description of the purposes and procedures of procurement organizations, as defined in section 19a-289a, be included in driver education programs.

(P.A. 04-122, S. 1; P.A. 05-121, S. 1; P.A. 08-150, S. 8; P.A. 10-123, S. 27; P.A. 11-51, S. 88; P.A. 21-106, S. 45.)

History: P.A. 05-121 amended Subsec. (a) by giving procurement organizations access to information re holders of identity cards issued pursuant to Sec. 1-1h; P.A. 08-150 amended Subsec. (b) to include regulations adopted pursuant to Sec. 14-78; P.A. 10-123 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing reference to Sec. 19a-279a with Sec. 19a-289a; P.A. 11-51 changed “Chief Information Officer of the Department of Information Technology” to “Commissioner of Administrative Services”, “commissioner and Chief Information Officer” to “commissioners” and “commissioner” to “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles”, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 21-106 amended Subsec. (a) to add “, instruction permits” and make a technical change.

Sec. 14-43. Misrepresentation renders license void. (a) An operator's license issued upon an application containing any material false statement is void from the date of its issue and shall be surrendered, on demand, to the commissioner. Any moneys paid for the license shall be forfeited to the state.

(b) No person shall obtain or attempt to obtain any license for another by misrepresentation or impersonation and any license obtained by misrepresentation or impersonation is void.

(c) Any person who violates any provision of this section and any person who fails to surrender a falsely obtained operator's license upon the demand of the commissioner shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars.

(1949 Rev., S. 2383; 1963, P.A. 235; P.A. 80-466, S. 12, 25; P.A. 81-472, S. 20, 159; P.A. 84-429, S. 24.)

History: 1963 act amended last sentence by adding words “falsely obtained” and increasing penalty from $50; P.A. 80-466 added reference to single number plate; P.A. 81-472 made technical changes; P.A. 84-429 divided section into Subsecs., rephrased provisions, transferred provisions re motor vehicle registrations to Sec. 14-12(d) and made other technical changes.

That a licensed operator is under age does not ipso facto make his license void. 107 C. 213.

Sec. 14-44. License endorsement for operators of commercial motor vehicles used for passenger transportation, school buses, student transportation vehicles, taxicabs, motor vehicles in livery service and motor or service buses. Requirements. Hearing. Appeal. Report re persons whose license or endorsement has been withdrawn, suspended or revoked. Penalty. (a)(1) No person shall operate a commercial motor vehicle used for passenger transportation on any public highway of this state until such person has obtained a commercial driver's license with a public passenger endorsement, as defined in section 14-1, from the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, except a nonresident who holds such license with such endorsement issued by another state. (2) No person shall operate a school bus until such person has obtained a commercial driver's license with a school bus endorsement, except that a person who holds such a license without such endorsements may operate a school bus without passengers for the purpose of road testing or moving the vehicle. (3) No person shall operate a student transportation vehicle, as defined in section 14-212, taxicab, motor vehicle in livery service, motor bus or service bus until such person has obtained an operator's license of the proper classification bearing an appropriate public passenger endorsement from the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, issued in accordance with the provisions of this section and section 14-36a, except that a person who holds an operator's license without such endorsement may operate any such vehicle without passengers for the purpose of road testing or moving the vehicle.

(b) No operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement shall be issued or renewed in accordance with the provisions of this section or section 14-36a, until the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, or the commissioner's authorized representative, is satisfied that the applicant is a proper person to receive such an operator's license bearing an endorsement, holds a valid motor vehicle operator's license, or, if necessary for the class of vehicle operated, a commercial driver's license and is at least eighteen years of age. Each applicant for an operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement or the renewal of such a license shall furnish the commissioner, or the commissioner's authorized representative, with satisfactory evidence, under oath, to prove that such person has no criminal record and has not been convicted of a violation of section 14-227a or 14-227m or subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n within five years of the date of application and that no reason exists for a refusal to grant or renew such an operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement. Each applicant for such an operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement shall submit with the application proof satisfactory to the commissioner that such applicant has passed a physical examination administered not more than ninety days prior to the date of application and meets the physical qualification standards set forth in 49 CFR 391, as amended from time to time. Each applicant for renewal of such license shall present evidence that such applicant is in compliance with the physical qualification standards established in 49 CFR 391, as amended from time to time. Each applicant for such an operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement shall be fingerprinted before the license bearing a public passenger endorsement is issued.

(c) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may issue, withhold, renew, suspend, cancel or revoke any public passenger endorsement required to operate a motor vehicle that transports passengers, as provided in subsection (c) of section 14-36a. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may, in making his or her decision, consider the age, accident and criminal record, moral character and physical condition of any such applicant or public passenger endorsement holder and such other matters as the commissioner may determine. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may require any such applicant or public passenger endorsement holder to furnish the statements of two or more reputable citizens, which may be required to be under oath, vouching for the good character or other qualifications of the applicant or public passenger endorsement holder.

(d) Upon the arrest of any person who holds an operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement, as defined in section 14-1, and who is charged with a felony or violation of section 53a-73a, the arresting officer or department, within forty-eight hours, shall cause a report of such arrest to be made to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. The report shall be made on a form approved by said commissioner containing such information as the commissioner prescribes. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this subsection.

(e) (1) Prior to issuing an operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall require each applicant to submit to state and national criminal history records checks, conducted in accordance with section 29-17a. The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall complete such state and national criminal history records checks required pursuant to this section within sixty days of receiving such a request for a check of such records. If notice of a state or national criminal history record is received, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may, subject to the provisions of section 46a-80, refuse to issue an operator's license bearing such public passenger endorsement and, in such case, shall immediately notify the applicant, in writing, of such refusal. Each applicant for a public passenger endorsement to operate a school bus or student transportation vehicle shall submit to a check of the state child abuse and neglect registry established pursuant to section 17a-101k. If notification that the applicant is listed as a perpetrator of abuse on the state child abuse and neglect registry is received, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may refuse to issue an operator's license bearing such public passenger endorsement and, in such case, shall immediately notify the applicant, in writing, of such refusal. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall not issue a temporary operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement for operation of a school bus or student transportation vehicle.

(2) The fingerprints of an applicant for a public passenger endorsement to operate a school bus may be captured electronically or by other means in accordance with section 29-17a.

(3) For the purposes of this subdivision, “certificate or permit holder” means any person, association, limited liability company or corporation that holds a certificate of public convenience and necessity to operate a taxicab, as described in section 13b-97 or holds a permit to operate a motor vehicle in livery service, as described in section 13b-103. Any certificate or permit holder who seeks to employ a person who has applied for a public passenger endorsement to operate a taxicab or motor vehicle in livery service under subdivision (3) of subsection (a) of this section may permit such person to operate a taxicab or motor vehicle in livery service prior to the approval by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles of the application for such endorsement, but in no event for a period longer than ninety days after the date of application for such endorsement, provided such certificate or permit holder determines such person meets the requirements to operate a taxicab or motor vehicle in livery service set forth in regulations adopted by the commissioner pursuant to subsection (f) of this section. In making such determination, such certificate or permit holder shall (A) conduct, or have a consumer reporting agency regulated under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act conduct, a local, state and national criminal history records check, including a search of state and national sexual offender registry databases, and (B) review such person's driving history record maintained by the commissioner and dated not more than seven days prior to the date of such review. A person who is approved by a certificate or permit holder under this subdivision shall carry and present, upon request, a copy of such person's application to the commissioner and criminal history records check when such person is operating a taxicab or motor vehicle in livery service.

(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the commissioner shall not issue an operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement to transport passengers who are students, and shall suspend any such public passenger endorsement that has been issued, to any person who has been convicted of a serious criminal offense, as determined by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, or convicted of any provision of federal law or the law of any other state, the violation of which involves conduct that is substantially similar to a violation determined by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to be a serious criminal offense, if any part of the sentence of such conviction has not been completed, or has been completed during the preceding five years. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this subsection.

(g) Any applicant who is refused an operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement or the renewal of such a license, or whose operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement or the renewal of such a license is withdrawn or revoked on account of a criminal record, shall be entitled to a hearing if requested in writing within twenty days. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements of chapter 54 and the applicant may appeal from the final decision rendered therein in accordance with section 4-183.

(h) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 14-10, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall furnish to any board of education or to any public or private organization that is actively engaged in providing public transportation, including the transportation of school children, a report containing the names and motor vehicle operator license numbers of each person who has been issued an operator's license with one or more public passenger endorsements, authorizing such person to transport passengers in accordance with the provisions of section 14-36a, but whose license or any such public passenger endorsement has been withdrawn, suspended or revoked by the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of this section, or any other provision of this title. The report shall be issued and updated periodically in accordance with a schedule to be established by the commissioner. Such report may be transmitted or otherwise made available to authorized recipients by electronic means.

(i) Violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction.

(1949 Rev., S. 2384; 1963, P.A. 336; 372; 1969, P.A. 110, S. 1; 1971, P.A. 612, S. 4; 1972, P.A. 127, S. 17; P.A. 74-152; P.A. 75-213, S. 10, 53; 75-577, S. 22, 126; P.A. 76-382, S. 2; P.A. 83-340, S. 2, 4; P.A. 84-254, S. 31, 62; 84-429, S. 25; P.A. 85-148, S. 2; P.A. 87-329, S. 7; 87-585, S. 1; P.A. 89-320, S. 1, 2, 12; P.A. 90-112, S. 12, 14; 90-263, S. 10, 74; P.A. 91-272, S. 1, 8; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-11, S. 62, 70; P.A. 93-341, S. 1315, 38; P.A. 01-175, S. 9, 32; P.A. 02-70, S. 83; P.A. 03-278, S. 37; P.A. 04-217, S. 4; P.A. 05-218, S. 6; P.A. 06-130, S. 10; P.A. 07-167, S. 47; 07-224, S. 1; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-5, S. 20; P.A. 09-187, S. 11; P.A. 10-32, S. 49; 10-110, S. 35, 57; P.A. 11-213, S. 18; P.A. 12-81, S. 49; P.A. 14-130, S. 9, 29; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 200; P.A. 16-39, S. 9; 16-55, S. 14; 16-126, S. 10; P.A. 17-68, S. 15; 17-140, S. 12; P.A. 18-164, S. 26; P.A. 19-119, S. 5, 6.)

History: 1963 acts raised minimum age requirement from 18 to 21 and added provisions for examination of operating ability and fee for same; 1969 act replaced interstate commerce commission with United States department of transportation and required that applicants for public service license to operate school bus be at least nineteen and not more than 69 years old; 1971 act replaced reference to repealed Sec. 14-30 with reference to Sec. 14-34; 1972 act changed minimum age for public service vehicle license from 21 to 18, reflecting change in age of majority, and deleted minimum age of 19 for school bus operator's license; P.A. 74-152 made provisions applicable to operation of service buses as well as public service motor vehicles and expanded provisions re physical examinations; P.A. 75-213 raised examination fee from $2 to $2.50; P.A. 75-577 replaced provision for maximum $50 fine for violation of provisions with statement that violation constitutes an infraction; P.A. 76-382 added Subsec. (b) re validity of license issued by other state or country; P.A. 83-340 amended Subsec. (a) deleting the statement providing that an applicant for a public service license to operate a school bus shall not be older than 69 years of age; P.A. 84-254 amended Subsec. (a) to increase the examination fee from $2.50 to $5 as of July 1, 1992; P.A. 84-429 relettered Subsecs., rephrased provisions and made other technical changes; P.A. 85-148 amended Subsec. (a), eliminating requirement for nonresidents holding a valid out-of-state public service motor vehicle operator's license to obtain a license to operate in this state if vehicle is engaged in intrastate commerce; P.A. 87-329 amended Subsec. (b), maintaining the fee at the level existing on and after July 1, 1986, and decreasing the fee effective July 1, 1992, to the level formerly existing on and after July 1, 1988; P.A. 87-585 amended Subsec. (b), requiring prerequisites for issuance of license to apply to renewals and applicants to furnish evidence of absence of convictions for violations of Sec. 14-227a(a) within 1 year and negative drug test results, and added new provisions in Subsec. (d) re issuance of a 90-day temporary license to applicants who intend to operate a school bus, relettering remaining Subdivs. accordingly; P.A. 89-320 amended Subsec. (b) to require applicants to furnish evidence of absence of convictions for violations of Sec. 14-227a(a) within 5 years instead of within 1 year and amended Subsec. (d) to require commissioner to request criminal record for each applicant from state police bureau of identification and to forward fingerprints obtained under Subsec. (b) to bureau which shall submit fingerprints to FBI for a national criminal history records check, to authorize immediate withdrawal of the temporary license if notice of a criminal record is received within 90 days, subject to the provisions of Sec. 46a-80 and to require the licensee and his employer to be notified immediately in writing of receipt of a criminal record, making technical changes as necessary; P.A. 90-112 amended Subsecs. (a), (d) and (e) to include references to operation of student transportation vehicles; P.A. 90-263 divided Subsec. (a) into two subdivisions, inserting in Subdiv. (1) prohibition on operation of commercial motor vehicles used for passenger transportation until operator has obtained a commercial driver's license with a passenger endorsement, deleting references to public service motor vehicle or service bus and public service motor vehicle operator's license, and inserting in Subdiv. (2) prohibition on operation of school bus, student transportation vehicle, taxicab, motor vehicle in livery service, motor bus or service bus until operator has obtained a public passenger transportation permit, amended remaining Subsecs. to substitute public passenger transportation permit for public service motor vehicle operator's license, amended Subsec. (d) to insert references to “student transportation vehicle” after references to “school bus”, and amended Subsec. (e) to provide that any applicant refused a permit on account of a criminal record shall be entitled to a hearing, if requested, and to permit applicant to appeal from final decision in accordance with Sec. 4-183, effective July 1, 1991; P.A. 91-272 amended Subsec. (b) to apply to applicants for renewal on and after July 1, 1992, amended Subsec. (d) to require applicants for a temporary permit or for renewal of a permit to submit to a state criminal history records check prior to issuance of such temporary permit or renewal and to make numerous changes throughout the Subsec., and amended Subsec. (e) to apply to applicants who are refused a renewal or whose permit or renewal is withdrawn or revoked on account of a criminal record; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-11 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting phrase “or a student transportation vehicle, as defined in section 14-212”; P.A. 93-341 amended Subsec. (a)(2) to provide that no person may operate a school bus carrying passengers without having obtained a commercial driver's license with a passenger endorsement and a school endorsement and substituted references to passenger or school endorsements for references to public passenger transportation permits throughout section, effective July 1, 1994, amended Subsec. (b) by inserting references to an “operator's license bearing an endorsement” and by revising the provisions regarding drug testing and physical examinations of applicants, effective July 1, 1993, amended Subsec. (d) by deleting provisions regarding a 90-day temporary permit pending completion of a national criminal history records check, and deleted Subsec. (f) which had specified contents of public passenger transportation permits in its entirety and relettered remaining Subsec. accordingly, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 01-175 amended Subsec. (d) by making a technical change for the purposes of gender neutrality and by replacing language re state criminal history checks, fingerprinting and fee charged with language re state and national criminal history checks pursuant to Sec. 29-17a, effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 02-70 made a technical change in Subsec. (a)(3), added new Subsec. (d) to require the arresting officer or department, upon the arrest of any person who holds an operator's license bearing a school endorsement for a felony or violation of Sec. 53a-73a, to report such arrest to the commissioner within 48 hours, to specify form of such report and to authorize adoption of regulations, and redesignated existing Subsecs. (d) to (f) as Subsecs. (e) to (g), effective June 3, 2002; P.A. 03-278 made technical changes in Subsec. (f), effective July 9, 2003; P.A. 04-217 amended Subsec. (a) to include “activity vehicle” as vehicle requiring operator to have appropriate endorsement, amended Subsec. (b) to eliminate public passenger transportation permit, to eliminate provision requiring applicant for license with endorsement or renewal of license with endorsement to have received negative drug test results in two or more urine tests if administered within 1 year of date of application and to substitute requirement that applicant for renewal of such license present evidence that applicant is in compliance with medical qualifications under federal law, amended Subsec. (c) to change references to “permittee” to “endorsement holder”, to eliminate “passenger or school” endorsement and substitute endorsement “required to operate a motor vehicle that transports passengers”, and made technical changes, effective January 1, 2005; P.A. 05-218 amended Subsec. (a)(3) by adding camp vehicles; P.A. 06-130 added new Subsec. (g) re notification of school boards and providers of public transportation of drivers whose licenses or endorsements have been withdrawn, suspended or revoked and redesignated existing Subsec. (g) as Subsec. (h); P.A. 07-167 amended Subsec. (a)(3) by deleting reference to camp vehicle, effective July 1, 2007; P.A. 07-224 amended Subsec. (a) by repositioning existing provisions re endorsement for taxicabs, motor vehicles in livery service and motor or services buses as Subdiv. (3), redesignating existing provisions re endorsement for student transportation vehicles and activity vehicles as Subdiv. (4) and deleting “camp vehicle”, amended Subsec. (b) by requiring evidence furnished by applicant to be under oath, amended Subsec. (e) by adding provisions re endorsement for operation of student transportation vehicle, re check of state child abuse registry and notification that applicant is listed thereon and re prohibition on issuance of temporary operator's license, by deleting provision re withdrawal of operator's license bearing school endorsement and by making conforming changes, added new Subsec. (f) re convictions, redesignated existing Subsecs. (f), (g) and (h) as Subsecs. (g), (h) and (i), amended redesignated Subsec. (h) to require report to be furnished by commissioner and made technical changes throughout, effective July 1, 2007; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-5 amended Subsec. (e) to substitute “abuse and neglect” for “abuse”, reorganize provisions and delete reference to Sec. 46a-80 re perpetrators of abuse listed on registry, effective October 6, 2007; P.A. 09-187 amended Subsec. (a)(3) to require endorsement for operation of student transportation vehicle or activity vehicle and add exception authorizing person without endorsement to operate vehicle without passengers for purpose of road testing or moving vehicle, effective July 1, 2009; P.A. 10-32 made a technical change in Subsec. (b), effective May 10, 2010; P.A. 10-110 amended Subsec. (a) to make a technical change, effective October 1, 2010, and further amended Subsec. (a) to delete reference to activity vehicle in Subdivs. (3) and (4), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-213 amended Subsec. (a) to require “proper classification” of license and make technical changes in Subdiv. (3) and to delete former Subdiv. (4) containing duplicate provision re student transportation vehicle, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (e) to add provision requiring Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection to complete criminal history records checks within 60 days of request and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 14-130 amended Subsec. (b) to add provision re exemption from medical qualifications for certain Class D operator's license applicants, effective October 1, 2014, and amended Subsec. (d) by replacing “school endorsement” with “public passenger endorsement, as defined in section 14-1, and who is”, effective June 6, 2014; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 replaced references to passenger endorsement and endorsement with references to public passenger endorsement and, in Subsec. (a)(1), added reference to Sec. 14-1, effective June 30, 2015; P.A. 16-39 amended Subsec. (b)(1) by adding reference to licensed advanced practice registered nurse; P.A. 16-55 amended Subsec. (e) by replacing reference to Subsec. (a)(4) with reference to Subsec. (a)(3), effective May 31, 2016; P.A. 16-126 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing reference to Sec. 14-227a(a) with reference to Sec. 14-227a and by adding references to Secs. 14-227m and 14-227n(a)(1) and (2); P.A. 17-68 amended Subsec. (h) by adding provision re commissioner to ensure that carriers review report, effective July 1, 2017; P.A. 17-140 amended Subsec. (e) to designate existing provision re applicant to submit to criminal history records checks as Subdiv. (1) and amended same to replace “school endorsement or bearing the appropriate type of public passenger endorsement for operation of a student transportation vehicle” with “public passenger endorsement” and make technical and conforming changes, and to add Subdiv. (2) re operation of taxicab or motor vehicle in livery service, effective January 1, 2018; P.A. 18-164 amended Subsec. (e) to replace reference to Subsec. (a)(3) with reference to Subsec. (a) in Subdiv. (1), add new Subdiv. (2) re fingerprints for applicant for public passenger endorsement to operate school bus, redesignate existing Subdiv. (2) as Subdiv. (3) and amend same to replace reference to Subsec. (a)(1) with reference to Subsec. (a)(3), and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2018; P.A. 19-119 amended Subsec. (b) to replace provision re safety regulations by U.S. Department of Transportation with provision re physical qualification standards set forth in 49 CFR 391, delete provision re certain Class D operator's license applicants and make conforming and technical changes, and amended Subsec. (h) to delete provision re commissioner to ensure that carrier review report and make technical changes, effective July 1, 2019.

Cited. 148 C. 456.

Sec. 14-44a. Commercial driver's license required for operation of a commercial motor vehicle. Exceptions. Penalty. (a) No person may drive a commercial motor vehicle on the highways of this state unless the person holds a commercial driver's license issued by this state or another state, with applicable endorsements valid for the vehicle he is driving.

(b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to (1) the holder of a commercial driver's instruction permit when accompanied in the vehicle by the holder of a commercial driver's license, (2) any military personnel who operate commercial motor vehicles solely in connection with their military duties, in accordance with 49 CFR 383.3(c), or (3) any member of the Connecticut National Guard who is qualified to operate a military or commercial motor vehicle in accordance with 49 CFR 383.3(c) and operates such vehicle while performing state military duty.

(c) Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall operate a motor vehicle in violation of the classification of the license issued to such person, and shall be subject to the penalties provided in subsection (g) of section 14-36a and section 14-44k.

(P.A. 90-263, S. 33, 74; P.A. 04-217, S. 5, 35; P.A. 08-121, S. 1; P.A. 11-213, S. 19; P.A. 16-55, S. 2.)

History: P.A. 90-263, S. 33 effective April 1, 1992; P.A. 04-217 amended Subsec. (b) to exempt military personnel operating commercial motor vehicles solely in connection with military duties from provisions of Subsec. (a) and amended Subsec. (c) to change reference to Sec. 14-36a(d) to Sec. 14-36a(e) and add reference to Sec. 14-44k, effective January 1, 2005; P.A. 08-121 added Subsec. (b)(3) exempting any member of the Connecticut National Guard who is qualified to operate a military or commercial vehicle under 49 CFR 383.3(c) and operates such vehicle while performing state military duty, effective July 1, 2008; P.A. 11-213 amended Subsec. (c) by replacing reference to Sec. 14-36a(e) with reference to Sec. 14-36a(f), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 16-55 amended Subsec. (c) by replacing reference to Sec. 14-36a(f) with reference to Sec. 14-36a(g) and making a technical change, effective July 1, 2016.

Sec. 14-44b. Prohibition re more than one driver's license. No person who drives a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in section 14-1, may have more than one driver's license.

(P.A. 90-263, S. 31, 74.)

Sec. 14-44c. Application for commercial driver's license or commercial driver's instruction permit. Penalty. (a) The application for a commercial driver's license or commercial driver's instruction permit, shall include the following:

(1) The full name and current mailing and residence address of the person;

(2) A physical description of the person, including gender, height and eye color;

(3) Date of birth;

(4) The applicant's Social Security number;

(5) The person's statement, under oath, that such person meets the physical qualification standards set forth in 49 CFR 391, as amended from time to time;

(6) The person's statement, under oath, that the type of vehicle in which the person has taken or intends to take the driving skills test is representative of the type of motor vehicle the person operates or intends to operate;

(7) The person's statement, under oath, that such person is not subject to disqualification, suspension, revocation or cancellation of operating privileges in any state, and that he or she does not hold an operator's license in any other state;

(8) The person's identification of all states in which such person has been licensed to drive any type of motor vehicle during the last ten years, and the person's statement, under oath that he or she does not hold an operator's license in any other state; and

(9) The person's signature, and certification of the accuracy and completeness of the application, subject to the penalties of false statement under section 53a-157b. The application shall be accompanied by the fee prescribed in section 14-44h.

(b) No person who has been a resident of this state for thirty days may drive a commercial motor vehicle under the authority of a commercial driver's license issued by another jurisdiction.

(c) At the time of application for a commercial driver's license, the applicant shall make the applicable certification, as required by 49 CFR 383.71(b), regarding the type of commerce in which such person shall engage. No commercial driver's license shall be issued to a person who fails to make such certification.

(d) On and after January 6, 2023, the commissioner shall request a driver's record from the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, in accordance with 49 CFR 382.725, as amended from time to time, for any person who applies for, renews, transfers or upgrades a commercial driver's license. The commissioner shall use information obtained from the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse solely for the purpose of determining whether a person is qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle and shall not disclose such information to any person or entity not directly involved in determining whether a person is qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle.

(e) In addition to other penalties provided by law, any person who knowingly falsifies information or certifications required under subsection (a) of this section shall have such person's operator's license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state suspended for sixty days.

(P.A. 90-263, S. 35, 74; P.A. 96-167, S. 6; P.A. 04-217, S. 6; P.A. 11-213, S. 55; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 201; P.A. 17-79, S. 7; P.A. 19-119, S. 19; P.A. 21-106, S. 14.)

History: P.A. 96-167 amended Subsec. (b) to substitute 30-day for 60-day residency; P.A. 04-217 amended Subsec. (a) to make a technical change in Subdiv. (6), to add provision in Subdiv. (8) to include in application for commercial driver's license or commercial driver's license instruction permit statement that applicant is not subject to cancellation of operating privileges in any state, to add new Subdiv. (9) to require applicant to identify all states in which applicant has been licensed to drive any type of motor vehicle in last 10 years and statement that person does not hold license in any other state, and to redesignate existing Subdiv. (9) as new Subdiv. (10), effective January 1, 2005; P.A. 11-213 amended Subsec. (a) to delete former Subdiv. (5) re color picture requirement and redesignate existing Subdivs. (6) to (10) as Subdivs. (5) to (9), effective July 13, 2011; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 added new Subsec. (c) re federally required certification, redesignated existing Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (d) and made technical changes, effective June 30, 2015; P.A. 17-79 amended Subsec. (a)(5) by deleting provision re expectation to not operate in interstate or foreign commerce; P.A. 19-119 amended Subsec. (a)(5) to make technical changes, effective July 1, 2019; P.A. 21-106 amended Subsec. (a)(2) to replace “sex” with “gender”, added new Subsec. (d) re driver's record from Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and redesignated existing Subsec. (d) as Subsec. (e), effective July 1, 2021.

Sec. 14-44d. Information on commercial driver's license. Classifications. (a) A commercial driver's license shall be marked “Commercial Driver's License” or “CDL”, and shall be, to the maximum extent practicable, tamper proof. It shall include, at a minimum, the following items of information:

(1) The name and residence address of the person;

(2) The person's color picture;

(3) A physical description of the person, including sex, height and eye color;

(4) Date of birth;

(5) The person's signature;

(6) The class or type of commercial motor vehicle or vehicles which the license authorizes the person to drive, together with any endorsements or restrictions;

(7) The name of this state; and

(8) The dates between which the license is valid.

(b) A commercial driver's license shall be issued with the following classifications:

(1) Class A -Any combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of twenty-six thousand one pounds or more, provided the GVWR of the vehicle being towed is in excess of ten thousand pounds.

(2) Class B -Any single vehicle with a GVWR of twenty-six thousand one pounds or more, and any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of ten thousand pounds.

(3) Class C -Any single vehicle with a GVWR of less than twenty-six thousand one pounds or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR not in excess of ten thousand pounds comprising:

(A) Vehicles designed to transport sixteen or more passengers, including the driver, or designed to transport more than ten passengers, including the driver, and used to transport students under the age of twenty-one years to and from school; and

(B) Vehicles used to transport hazardous materials which are required to be placarded in accordance with 49 CFR 172, Subpart F, as amended.

Any vehicle that requires an endorsement, in accordance with the provisions of this section and section 14-36a, shall not be driven unless the proper endorsement appears on the license.

(P.A. 90-263, S. 36, 74; P.A. 93-341, S. 16, 38; P.A. 94-189, S. 5, 34; P.A. 97-236, S. 7; P.A. 99-268, S. 33; P.A. 00-169, S. 22; P.A. 04-217, S. 7.)

History: P.A. 93-341 added provision re “PS” endorsements, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 94-189 amended Subdiv. (2) of Subsec. (b) by replacing “PS” endorsement with the “S” endorsement, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 97-236 amended Subdiv. (2) of Subsec. (b) by adding provision “Z” which restricts the driver to school buses; P.A. 99-268 amended Subsec. (b)(1) by changing the type of Class C vehicles designed to transport “ten or more” passengers to those designed to transport “more than ten” passengers in Subpara. (C)(i); P.A. 00-169 revised effective date of P.A. 99-268 but without affecting this section; P.A. 04-217 amended Subsec. (b) to eliminate subclassifications, endorsements and restrictions, to establish classifications for commercial driver's licenses and to require that any vehicle requiring an endorsement in accordance with section and Sec. 14-36a not be driven unless proper endorsement appears on license, effective January 1, 2005.

Sec. 14-44e. Limitations on issuance of commercial driver's license. Qualification standards. Waiver of skills test. Requirements for license endorsement to operate vehicle transporting hazardous materials. Commercial driver's instruction permit. (a)(1) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall not issue a commercial driver's license to any person unless such person is a resident of this state and has passed a knowledge and skills test for driving a commercial motor vehicle which complies with the minimum federal standards established by 49 CFR 383, Subparts G and H, as amended, and has satisfied all other requirements of this section and sections 14-44b, 14-44c, and 14-44g, in addition to other requirements for an operator's license imposed by the general statutes and regulations of the commissioner.

(2) On and after February 7, 2022, the commissioner shall not (A) administer a commercial driver's license skills test to a person who is applying for or upgrading to a class A or class B commercial driver's license, or applying for a “P” or “S” endorsement, until the commissioner has verified with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that such person has undergone the entry level driver training required under 49 CFR Part 380, as amended from time to time, and (B) administer a commercial driver's license knowledge test to any person who is applying for a “H” endorsement until the commissioner has verified with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that such person has undergone the entry level driver training required under 49 CFR Part 380, as amended from time to time. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to any person who is exempt under 49 CFR Part 383, as amended from time to time.

(b) The commissioner shall not issue a commercial driver's license or a commercial driver's instruction permit to any applicant who does not meet the physical qualification standards set forth in 49 CFR 391, as amended from time to time. As required by 49 CFR 383.71(h), each applicant for a commercial driver's license or commercial driver's instruction permit shall provide to the commissioner a copy of a medical examiner's certificate, prepared by a medical examiner, as defined in 49 CFR 390.5, indicating that such applicant is medically certified to operate a commercial motor vehicle. For each applicant who has submitted such medical certification and who has also certified, in accordance with 49 CFR 383.71(b) and subsection (c) of section 14-44c, that such applicant operates in nonexcepted interstate commerce, the commissioner shall post a medical certification status of “certified” on the Commercial Driver's License Information System driver record for such applicant. The holder of a commercial driver's license who has not been examined and certified as qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle during the preceding twenty-four months, or a shorter period as indicated by the medical examiner submitting such certificate, shall be required to submit a new medical certificate. The commissioner shall not issue a commercial driver's license or commercial driver's instruction permit to any applicant or holder who fails to submit the medical certification required by this section. If the holder of a commercial driver's license or commercial driver's instruction permit fails to submit a new medical examiner's certificate before the expiration of twenty-four months or the period specified by the medical examiner, whichever is shorter, the commissioner shall, not later than sixty days after the date that such holder's medical status becomes uncertified: (1) Downgrade the commercial driver's license to a Class D operator's license; or (2) cancel the commercial driver's instruction permit. Any applicant or holder who is denied a commercial driver's license or a commercial driver's instruction permit, or whose license or permit is disqualified, suspended, revoked or cancelled pursuant to this subsection shall be granted an opportunity for a hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.

(c) The commissioner may waive the skills test required under subsection (a) of this section in the case of an applicant for a commercial driver's license who meets the requirements of 49 CFR 383.77, as amended or, in the case of an applicant for a school bus endorsement who meets the requirements of 49 CFR 383.123, as amended.

(d) A commercial driver's license shall not be issued to any person subject to disqualification from driving a commercial motor vehicle or subject to suspension, revocation or cancellation of operating privileges in any state. Each applicant for an endorsement to drive a vehicle transporting hazardous materials shall be subject to the requirements of 49 USC 5103a, as administered by the United States Transportation Security Administration. The commissioner may refuse to issue a hazardous materials endorsement, or may suspend or revoke any such endorsement, held by any person who is the subject of a notification received from the Transportation Security Administration, in accordance with the provisions of 49 CFR 1572.5, as amended.

(e) An operator's license shall not be issued to any person who holds an operator's license issued by any other state, unless such person first surrenders such license or licenses to the commissioner. The commissioner shall return every license surrendered hereunder to the issuing state for cancellation.

(f) The commissioner may refuse to issue a commercial driver's license, or may issue a commercial driver's license subject to compliance with such condition as the commissioner may prescribe, to any person whose motor vehicle operator's license, privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state or license endorsement is under suspension or is subject to any pending action by the commissioner that may result in suspension.

(g) The commissioner may issue a commercial driver's instruction permit to any person who holds a valid operator's license. Such permit may be issued for a period not exceeding one year. Any holder of a commercial driver's instruction permit who has not obtained a commercial driver's license on or before the expiration date of such permit shall be required to retake the commercial driver's license knowledge test and any applicable endorsement knowledge tests. The holder of a commercial driver's instruction permit may, unless otherwise disqualified or suspended, drive a commercial motor vehicle if such holder is accompanied by the holder of a commercial driver's license of the appropriate class and bearing endorsements for the type of vehicle being driven who occupies a seat beside the individual for the purpose of giving instruction in driving the commercial motor vehicle. The commissioner shall not administer a commercial driver's license driving skills test to any holder of a commercial driver's instruction permit unless such person has held such permit for a minimum period of fourteen days.

(h) (1) The commissioner shall deny or disqualify for a period of sixty days a commercial driver's instruction permit or commercial driver's license if it is determined that an applicant or holder has provided false information on any certification the applicant or holder is required to give relative to such permit or license application.

(2) If an applicant or holder is suspected of fraud related to the issuance of a commercial driver's instruction permit or commercial driver's license, such applicant or holder shall be required to schedule the commercial driver's license knowledge test and driving skills test not later than thirty days after notification by the commissioner of the suspected fraud. Failure to schedule both such tests or failure to pass both such tests shall result in disqualification of such permit or license and the applicant or holder shall be required to reapply for the permit or license.

(3) Any applicant or holder convicted of fraud related to the issuance of a commercial driver's instruction permit or commercial driver's license shall have such applicant's or holder's permit or license disqualified for one year from the date of conviction and shall be required to retake such tests.

(P.A. 90-263, S. 34, 74; P.A. 04-217, S. 8; P.A. 06-130, S. 18; P.A. 07-167, S. 9; P.A. 08-150, S. 7; P.A. 09-187, S. 67; P.A. 10-110, S. 50; P.A. 14-130, S. 10, 11; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 202, 203; P.A. 19-119, S. 20; P.A. 21-106, S. 15; 44.)

History: P.A. 04-217 made technical changes in Subsec. (a), amended Subsec. (b) to make a technical change and afford person whose commercial driver's license has been cancelled an opportunity for hearing, amended Subsec. (c) to make a technical change and permit commissioner to waive skills test for applicant for school bus endorsement meeting specified requirements and amended Subsec. (d) to prohibit issuance of commercial driver's license to person subject to cancellation of operating privileges in any state and added provisions re endorsement to drive a vehicle transporting hazardous materials, effective January 1, 2005; P.A. 06-130 added new Subsec. (f) re commissioner's discretionary power to issue commercial driver's license to driver whose license or endorsement is under suspension or is subject to pending action that may result in suspension and redesignated existing Subsec. (f) as Subsec. (g), effective July 1, 2006; P.A. 07-167 amended Subsec. (b) by adding references to commercial driver's instruction permit and deleting provision re standards applicable when person will operate vehicle only in this state; P.A. 08-150 amended Subsec. (g) to insert “or suspended” and replace “with appropriate endorsements” with “of the appropriate class and bearing endorsements”; P.A. 09-187 made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (g) and amended Subsec. (g) to replace provision re commercial driver's instruction permit renewed or reissued only once within a 2-year period with provision re permit reissued or renewed for periods not exceeding 6 months until June 30, 2011, and only once within a 2-year period on and after July 1, 2011, effective July 8, 2009; P.A. 10-110 made a technical change in Subsec. (g); P.A. 14-130 added Subsec. (h) re applicant or holder providing false information on certification for commercial driver's instruction permit or license application, effective October 1, 2014, and amended Subsec. (g) to replace “six months” with “one hundred eighty days” in provisions re issuance and renewal, to add provision re permit holders to retake license and endorsement knowledge tests if after expiration date of permit, to add provision re administering skills test to person who has not held instruction permit for 14 days or more, and to make conforming changes, effective July 1, 2015; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (b) to delete provisions re person who has physical or psychobehavioral impairment and add provisions re medical certification as provided by federal law, and amended Subsec. (h) to designate existing provisions as Subdivs. (1) to (3), effective June 30, 2015; P.A. 19-119 amended Subsec. (b) to replace reference to 49 CFR 391.41 with reference to 49 CFR 391 and make technical changes, effective July 1, 2019; P.A. 21-106 amended Subsec. (a) to designate existing provision as Subdiv. (1) and add Subdiv. (2) re verification that applicant underwent certain entry level driver training, effective October 1, 2021, and amended Subsec. (g) to extend issue of commercial driver's instruction permit from 180 days to 1 year and to delete provision re reissue or renewal of such permit, effective July 1, 2021.

Sec. 14-44f. Penalties for supplying false information to obtain commercial driver's license. If the commissioner finds that an applicant for a commercial driver's license or the holder of such license has supplied false information in order to obtain the license, he shall withhold the issuance of the license or suspend the license for sixty days, and thereafter until the true and correct information is submitted.

(P.A. 90-263, S. 40, 74.)

Sec. 14-44g. Driving record information. Notification of commercial driver's license issuance. Expiration of license. License renewal procedures. (a) Before issuing a commercial driver's license, the commissioner shall obtain driving record information concerning each applicant through the Commercial Driver License Information System, the National Driver Registry and from each state in which the applicant has been licensed during the preceding ten years.

(b) Within ten business days after issuing a commercial driver's license, the commissioner shall notify the Commercial Driver License Information System of such fact, and shall provide all information necessary for the identification of the license holder.

(c) A commercial driver's license issued pursuant to section 14-44e shall expire as provided in section 14-44h.

(d) Each person applying for the renewal of a commercial driver's license shall complete a renewal application form providing an update and, if necessary, corrections to the information required on the original application, pursuant to section 14-44c. If an applicant for renewal wishes to retain a hazardous materials endorsement, he or she must pass the written test for such endorsement, and must meet the requirements of subsection (d) of section 14-44e. Upon renewal of a commercial driver's license, and at such other times as required in 49 CFR 383.71, the holder of a commercial driver's license shall make the applicable certification, as required by 49 CFR 383.71(b), regarding the type of commerce in which such holder is engaged. The commissioner shall refuse to renew the commercial driver's license of any holder who fails to make such certification, and shall downgrade the commercial driver's license to a Class D operator's license not later than sixty days after the failure of such holder to so certify.

(P.A. 90-263, S. 37, 74; P.A. 04-217, S. 9; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 204.)

History: P.A. 90-263, S. 37 effective July 1, 1991; P.A. 04-217 amended Subsec. (a) to change time period for which driving record information is obtained from 5 to 10 years and amended Subsec. (d) to require renewal applicant seeking hazardous materials endorsement to meet requirements of Sec. 14-44e(d), effective January 1, 2005; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (d) to add provisions re federal certification re type of commerce engaged in and penalty for failure to so certify, and to make a technical change, effective June 30, 2015.

Sec. 14-44h. Expiration and renewal of commercial drivers' licenses. (a) Each commercial driver's license shall be renewed quadrennially on the date of the operator's birthday. If the applicant has held a license in another state at any time during the preceding ten years, the commissioner shall request the driving history record or records from the state or states in which the applicant has been licensed. If the commissioner receives a request for a driving history record from another state regarding the holder of a commercial driver's license, the commissioner shall provide such record within thirty days, as required by the provisions of 49 CFR 384.206, as amended.

(b) A commercial driver's license shall expire within a period not exceeding four years following the date of the operator's next birthday. The fee for such original license shall be seventeen dollars and fifty cents per year. Any previously licensed operator who fails to renew a commercial driver's license in accordance with this subsection shall be charged a late fee of twenty-five dollars upon renewal of such commercial driver's license.

(c) The commissioner shall, at least fifteen days before the date on which each commercial driver's license expires, notify the operator of the expiration date in a manner determined by the commissioner. The commissioner shall not provide such notification by mail to any such licensee if the United States Postal Service has determined that mail is undeliverable to the address for such person that is documented in the records of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Any previously licensed operator who operates a commercial motor vehicle within sixty days after the expiration date of such operator license without obtaining a renewal of such license shall be deemed to have failed to renew a motor vehicle operator's license and shall be fined in accordance with the amount designated for the infraction of failure to renew a motor vehicle operator's license. Any operator so charged shall not be prosecuted under section 14-36 for the same act constituting a violation under this section but said section 14-36 shall apply after the sixty-day period.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1-3a, if the expiration date of any commercial driver's license falls on any day when offices of the commissioner are closed for business or are open for less than a full business day, the license shall be deemed valid until midnight of the next day on which offices of the commissioner are open for a full day of business.

(P.A. 90-263, S. 9, 74; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-6, S. 76, 85; P.A. 03-171, S. 8; P.A. 04-199, S. 24; 04-217, S. 10; P.A. 05-218, S. 7; P.A. 11-6, S. 138; 11-213, S. 20; P.A. 14-130, S. 12.)

History: (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); June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-6 amended Subsecs. (a), (b) and (c) to provide for a license period of 6 years and to modify fees and renewal license periods accordingly, amended Subsec. (d) to make technical changes for purposes of gender neutrality and deleted former Subsec. (f) re obsolete provision, effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 03-171 amended Subsec. (d) to delete references to Sec. 14-40a; P.A. 04-199 amended Subsec. (a) to require renewal of commercial driver's license quadrennially, amended Subsec. (b) to require expiration of license within 4 years of operator's next birthday and to establish fee for original license at rate of $15 per year or any part of a year, deleted former Subsec. (c) re date and year of operator's birth and redesignated existing Subsecs. (d) and (e) as new Subsecs. (c) and (d), effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-217 amended Subsec. (a) to require license renewal quadrennially, rather than every 6 years, and to add requirements that applicant provide, at time of first renewal, names of all states in which applicant has ever held motor vehicle operator's license, that commissioner request driving history record from each state in which applicant licensed during preceding 10 years and that commissioner provide driving history record of holder of commercial driver's license to other states, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 05-218 amended Subsec. (a) by changing “January” to “September”, effective July 6, 2005; P.A. 11-6 amended Subsec. (b) by increasing license fee from $15 to $17.50 per year and imposing a late fee of $25 for failure to renew license, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-213 amended Subsec. (c) to add provision re notification in a manner determined by commissioner and to prohibit notification by mail if mail determined to be undeliverable, effective July 13, 2011; P.A. 14-130 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting provision re applicant to provide states in which applicant was issued an operator's license and amended Subsec. (b) to eliminate provision re computing rate of license fee.

Sec. 14-44i. Fees for commercial driver's license and tests. Waiver. (a) There shall be charged a fee of seventy dollars for each renewal of a commercial driver's license.

(b) There shall be charged for each commercial driver's license knowledge test a fee of sixteen dollars. There shall be charged for each commercial driver's license skills test a fee of thirty dollars. There shall be charged for each commercial driver's instruction permit a fee of twenty dollars.

(c) There shall be charged, in addition to the fee provided in subsection (b) of this section for the commercial driver's license knowledge test, a fee of five dollars for each test for an endorsement to a commercial driver's license. There shall be charged, in addition to the fee provided in subsection (b) for such knowledge test, a fee of five dollars for each test for the removal of a restriction to a commercial driver's license relating to air brakes. There shall be charged, in addition to the fee provided in subsection (b) for such knowledge test, a fee of five dollars for each combination vehicle knowledge test.

(d) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall waive the fees established by subsection (b) of this section in the case of any person who applies for a commercial driver's license with an “S” endorsement.

(P.A. 90-263, S. 17, 74; P.A. 97-236, S. 8; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-6, S. 77, 85; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-4, S. 23, 30; P.A. 04-199, S. 25; P.A. 07-167, S. 16; P.A. 09-187, S. 50; P.A. 12-81, S. 40; P.A. 13-271, S. 17; P.A. 21-106, S. 16.)

History: P.A. 97-236 amended Subsec. (d) to require commissioner to waive fees for any person who applies for a license with a “Z” restriction, eliminating reference to provision of evidence that person is currently employed as a school bus operator or has been accepted for employment as such; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-6 amended Subsec. (a) to increase the renewal fee to $75, effective July 1, 2001; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-4 amended Subsec. (a) to increase fee for renewal of commercial driver's license to $90 and amended Subsec. (b) to increase fee for commercial driver's license learner's permit from $8 to $10, effective January 1, 2004; P.A. 04-199 amended Subsec. (a) to delete reference to Sec. 14-44h(c) and to reduce fee for renewal of commercial driver's license from $90 to $60, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 07-167 deleted former Subsec. (d) re waiver of fees for person applying for a license with a “Z” restriction; P.A. 09-187 added Subsec. (d) re fee waiver for commercial driver's license with “S” endorsement, effective July 1, 2009; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (b) to replace “commercial driver's license learner's permit” with “commercial driver's instruction permit”, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 13-271 amended Subsec. (a) to increase fee for renewal of commercial driver's license from $60 to $70; P.A. 21-106 amended Subsec. (b) to increase commercial driver's instruction permit fee from $10 to $20, effective July 1, 2021.

Sec. 14-44j. Notification of convictions, suspensions, revocations and cancellations by holder of commercial driver's license. Information re previous employment. Penalty. (a) Each person who holds a commercial driver's license issued by the commissioner and who is convicted of violating, while operating any type of motor vehicle, any law of any other state or any province of Canada relating to motor vehicle traffic control, other than a parking violation, shall notify the commissioner within thirty days after the date such person has been convicted of any such violation. The commissioner may prescribe, by regulations adopted in accordance with chapter 54, the method and manner of notification pursuant to this subsection.

(b) Each person who holds a commercial driver's license who is convicted of violating any provision of the law of this state, any other state or any province of Canada relating to motor vehicle traffic control, other than a parking violation, shall notify his employer within thirty days after such person has been convicted of any such violation.

(c) Each employee whose operating privileges are suspended, revoked or cancelled by the commissioner or by any other state or any province of Canada, or who is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle, or who is subject to an out-of-service order, must notify his employer of such fact before the end of the business day following the day the driver received notice of such fact.

(d) Any person who applies for employment as a driver of a commercial motor vehicle shall provide his prospective employer, at the time of application, with the following information for the ten years preceding the date of application:

(1) A list of names and addresses of the applicant's previous employers for which the applicant was a driver of a commercial motor vehicle;

(2) The dates between which the applicant drove for each employer; and

(3) The reason for leaving that employer. The applicant must certify that all information furnished is true and complete. An employer may require an applicant to provide additional information.

(e) Each employer shall require the applicant to provide the information specified in subsection (d) of this section.

(f) No employer shall knowingly permit or require a driver to drive a commercial motor vehicle during any period (1) in which the driver has had his driver's license suspended, revoked or cancelled by the commissioner, or operating privilege suspended, revoked or cancelled by any other state, or has been disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle, or is subject to an out-of-service order, or (2) in which the driver has more than one driver's license.

(g) (1) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be deemed to have committed an infraction, and, for any subsequent offense, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars.

(2) Any employer which knowingly permits or requires a driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle in violation of an out-of-service order shall be subject to the civil penalties prescribed in 49 CFR Section 383.53, as amended from time to time.

(P.A. 90-263, S. 32, 74; P.A. 97-236, S. 9, 27; P.A. 04-217, S. 11; P.A. 05-288, S. 56; P.A. 10-110, S. 2.)

History: P.A. 90-263, S. 32 effective July 1, 1991; P.A. 97-236 amended Subsec. (f) to substitute “knowingly permit or require” for “knowingly allow, permit or authorize” and amended Subsec. (g) to divide section into Subdivs., adding as Subdiv. (2) provision re civil penalty for any employer which knowingly permits or requires a driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle in violation of an out-of-service order, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 04-217 amended Subsec. (g) to increase civil penalty to not less than $2,750 or more than $11,000, effective January 1, 2005; P.A. 05-288 made a technical change in Subsec. (g)(2), effective July 13, 2005; P.A. 10-110 amended Subsec. (g)(2) to replace provision re minimum and maximum penalty with provision re penalties prescribed in 49 CFR Sec. 383.53, effective July 1, 2010.

Sec. 14-44k. Disqualification from operation of commercial motor vehicles. Disqualification offenses. Lifetime disqualification. Mitigation of lifetime disqualification. (a) A driver who is disqualified or subject to an out-of-service order shall not drive a commercial motor vehicle. An employer shall not knowingly permit or require a driver who is disqualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle.

(b) In addition to any other penalties provided by law, and except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, a person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for one year if convicted of a violation of (1) operating any motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, or both, under section 14-227a, (2) operating a commercial motor vehicle while having a blood alcohol concentration of four-hundredths of one per cent, or more, (3) evasion of responsibility under section 14-224, (4) using any motor vehicle in the commission of any felony, as defined in section 14-1, (5) operating a commercial motor vehicle while the operator's commercial driver's license is revoked, suspended or cancelled, or while the operator is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle, (6) section 14-227m, or (7) subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n. In addition to any other penalties provided by law, and except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, a person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for a period of not more than two years if convicted of one violation of causing a fatality through the negligent or reckless operation of a commercial motor vehicle, as evidenced by a conviction of a violation of section 14-222a, 53a-56b, 53a-57 or 53a-60d. The disqualification periods in this subsection shall also apply to convictions under the provisions of law of another state, of offenses deemed by the commissioner to be substantially similar to the offenses described in this subsection.

(c) In addition to any other penalties provided by law, and except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, a person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for one year if the commissioner finds that such person (1) has refused to submit to a test to determine such person's blood alcohol concentration while operating any motor vehicle or to a nontestimonial portion of a drug influence evaluation conducted by a drug recognition expert, (2) has an elevated blood alcohol content based on such a test pursuant to section 14-227b, or (3) was found to have been operating under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both based on a report filed pursuant to the provisions of subsection (d) of section 14-227b or pursuant to the provisions of a law of any other state that is deemed by the commissioner to be substantially similar to section 14-227b. For the purpose of this subsection, “drug recognition expert”, “elevated blood alcohol content” and “nontestimonial portion of a drug influence evaluation” have the same meanings as provided in section 14-227a.

(d) If a person commits any of the disqualifying offenses identified in subsection (b) of this section or is the subject of a finding by the commissioner under subsection (c) of this section while driving a vehicle transporting hazardous materials, required to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 USC 1801 to 1813, inclusive, as amended, such person shall be disqualified for a period of three years.

(e) In addition to any other penalties provided by law, a person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for (1) sixty days if convicted of failure to stop at a railroad grade crossing, in violation of section 14-249 or 14-250, while operating a commercial motor vehicle, (2) one hundred twenty days if convicted of a second violation of section 14-249 or 14-250 while operating a commercial motor vehicle, and (3) one year if convicted of a third or subsequent violation of section 14-249 or 14-250 while operating a commercial motor vehicle, during any three-year period. The disqualification periods in this subsection shall also apply to convictions under the provisions of law of another state, of offenses deemed by the commissioner to be substantially similar to the offenses described in this subsection.

(f) In addition to any other penalties provided by law, a person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for a period of not less than sixty days if convicted of two serious traffic violations, as defined in section 14-1, or one hundred twenty days if convicted of three serious traffic violations, arising from separate incidents occurring within a three-year period (1) while operating a commercial motor vehicle, (2) while operating a noncommercial motor vehicle, provided such violation resulted in a suspension, for any period of time, of such person's class D license, or (3) from any combination of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection. The period of any disqualification for a subsequent offense imposed under this subsection shall commence immediately after the period of any other disqualification imposed on such person. The disqualification periods in this subsection shall also apply to convictions under the provisions of law of another state, of offenses deemed by the commissioner to constitute serious traffic violations, as defined in section 14-1.

(g) Any person who (1) uses any motor vehicle in the commission of a felony involving the manufacture, distribution or dispensing of a controlled substance, or (2) uses a commercial motor vehicle in the commission of a felony involving severe forms of trafficking in persons, as defined in 22 USC 7102(11), as amended from time to time, shall be disqualified for life and ineligible for reinstatement in accordance with subsection (h) of this section.

(h) A person is disqualified for life if such person commits two or more of the offenses specified in subsection (b) of this section, or if such person is the subject of two or more findings by the commissioner under subsection (c) of this section, or any combination of those offenses or findings, arising from two or more separate incidents. A person is disqualified for life if the commissioner takes suspension actions against such person for two or more alcohol test refusals or test failures, or any combination of such actions, arising from two or more separate incidents. Any person disqualified for life, except a person disqualified under subsection (g) of this section, who has both voluntarily enrolled in and successfully completed an appropriate rehabilitation program, as determined by the commissioner, may apply for reinstatement of such person's commercial driver's license or commercial driver's instruction permit, provided any such applicant shall not be eligible for reinstatement until such time as such person has served a minimum disqualification period of ten years. An application for reinstatement shall be accompanied by documentation satisfactory to the commissioner that such person has both voluntarily enrolled in and successfully completed a program established and operated by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services pursuant to chapter 319j, a program operated through a substance abuse treatment facility licensed in accordance with section 19a-491 or the equivalent of either program offered in another state. The commissioner shall not reinstate a commercial driver's license or commercial driver's instruction permit that was disqualified for life unless an applicant for reinstatement requests an administrative hearing in accordance with chapter 54, and offers evidence that the reinstatement of such applicant's commercial driver's license or commercial driver's instruction permit does not endanger the public safety or welfare. Such evidence shall include, but not be limited to, proof that such applicant has not been convicted of any offense involving alcohol, a controlled substance or a drug during a period of ten years following the date of such applicant's most recent lifetime disqualification. If a person whose commercial driver's license or commercial driver's instruction permit is reinstated under this subsection is subsequently convicted of another disqualifying offense, such person shall be permanently disqualified for life and shall be ineligible to reapply for a reduction of the lifetime disqualification. The following shall remain on the driving history record of a commercial motor vehicle operator or commercial driver's license or commercial driver's instruction permit holder for a period of fifty-five years, as required by 49 CFR Part 384, as amended from time to time: (1) Any offense specified in subsection (b) or (c) of this section, provided such offense occurred on or after December 29, 2006; (2) each of two or more offenses specified in subsection (b) or (c) of this section that occur within ten years of each other and result in a lifetime disqualification, regardless of when such offenses occur; (3) any conviction under subsection (g) of this section for using a motor vehicle in the commission of a felony involving the manufacture, distribution or dispensing of a controlled substance, committed on or after January 1, 2005.

(i) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, any person who violates an out-of-service order shall be disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle: (A) For a period of not less than one hundred eighty days or more than one year for a first violation; (B) for a period of not less than two years or more than five years for a second violation during any ten-year period, where such violations arose from separate incidents; and (C) for a period of not less than three years or more than five years for a third or subsequent violation during any ten-year period, where such violations arose from separate incidents.

(2) Any person who violates an out-of-service order while driving a vehicle transporting hazardous materials, required to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 USC 1801 to 1813, inclusive, or a commercial motor vehicle designed to transport sixteen or more passengers, including the driver, shall be disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle: (A) For a period of not less than one hundred eighty days or more than two years for a first violation, and (B) for a period of not less than three years or more than five years for a second or subsequent violation during any ten-year period, where such violations arose from separate incidents.

(3) In addition to the penalties provided in subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection, any person who violates an out-of-service order shall be subject to the civil penalties prescribed in 49 CFR Section 383.53, as amended from time to time.

(j) Any holder of a commercial driver's license whose driving is determined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to constitute an imminent hazard, as defined in section 14-1, shall be disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle. The period of disqualification may not exceed thirty days unless the commissioner is satisfied that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has complied with the procedures for review and hearing set forth in 49 CFR 383.52. The period of any disqualification imposed under this subsection shall be concurrent with the period of any other disqualification or suspension imposed on such commercial driver.

(k) After taking disqualification action, or suspending, revoking or cancelling a commercial driver's license or commercial driver's instruction permit, the commissioner shall update the commissioner's records to reflect such action within ten days. After taking disqualification action, or suspending, revoking or cancelling the operating privileges of a commercial motor vehicle operator or a commercial driver who is licensed or holds a commercial driver's instruction permit in another state, the commissioner shall notify the licensing state of such action within ten days. Such notification shall identify the violation that caused such disqualification, suspension, cancellation or revocation.

(P.A. 90-263, S. 38, 74; P.A. 92-100; P.A. 97-236, S. 10, 27; P.A. 02-70, S. 2; P.A. 03-278, S. 38; P.A. 04-217, S. 12; P.A. 05-218, S. 21; 05-288, S. 57; P.A. 06-130, S. 19; P.A. 07-167, S. 33; P.A. 10-110, S. 3; P.A. 11-213, S. 21; P.A. 12-81, S. 5; P.A. 13-271, S. 18, 19; P.A. 16-126, S. 11; P.A. 17-79, S. 8; P.A. 21-106, S. 17; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-1, S. 120.)

History: P.A. 90-263, S. 38 effective July 1, 1991; P.A. 92-100 amended Subsec. (c) to provide that a person is deemed to have failed test if he has a blood alcohol ratio of 0.04% or more and amended Subsec. (f) to require disqualification for life for persons who are the subject of two or more findings by the commissioner under Subsec. (c); P.A. 97-236 amended Subsec. (a) to prohibit a driver subject to an out-of-service order from driving a commercial motor vehicle and to eliminate in the prohibition re employer knowingly “allow” and “authorize”, inserted new Subsec. (g) requiring disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle and imposition of a civil penalty for violation of an out-of-service order, and relettered existing Subsecs. (g) and (h) as (h) and (i), respectively, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (b) to require disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle for 60 days if convicted of one violation of Sec. 14-249 or 14-250, for 120 days if convicted of a second violation of said sections and for one year if convicted of a third or subsequent violation of said sections and to make technical changes, effective July 1, 2002; P.A. 03-278 made technical changes in Subsec. (b), effective July 9, 2003; P.A. 04-217 amended Subsec. (b) to impose penalty of disqualification from operating commercial motor vehicle for one year for operating commercial motor vehicle while having blood alcohol concentration of 0.04% or more, for operating any motor vehicle, rather than commercial motor vehicle, in commission of a felony, for operating a commercial motor vehicle while commercial driver's license revoked, suspended, or cancelled, or while operator disqualified from operating commercial motor vehicle and for causing fatality through negligent or reckless operation of commercial motor vehicle, to eliminate other penalties and to renumber subdivisions, amended Subsec. (c) to disqualify from operation of commercial motor vehicle for one year person refusing to submit to blood test to determine blood alcohol concentration while operating any motor vehicle, rather than commercial motor vehicle, or who fails test as provided, amended Subsec. (d) to provide that person disqualified under Subsec. (b) or subject of finding by commissioner under Subsec. (c) while driving vehicle transporting hazardous materials be disqualified for period of three years, added new Subsec. (e) re convictions resulting in disqualification, added new Subsec. (f) re disqualification for conviction of serious traffic violations, redesignated existing Subsec. (e) as new Subsec. (g) and changed basis for disqualification from use of commercial motor vehicle to use of any motor vehicle in commission of specified felony, redesignated existing Subsec. (f) as new Subsec. (h) and amended same to specify that person disqualified under Subsec. (g) may not apply to have license reinstated after completion of rehabilitation program, redesignated existing Subsec. (g) as new Subsec. (i) and amended Subdiv. (2) therein to apply to person driving vehicle transporting sixteen, rather than fifteen, passengers and Subdiv. (3) therein to increase civil penalty to not less than $1,100 or more than $2,750, deleted former Subsec. (h) re disqualification, added new Subsec. (j) re disqualification of person holding commercial driver's license whose driving determined to constitute an imminent hazard, redesignated existing Subsec. (i) as new Subsec. (k) and amended same to include cancellation of commercial driver's license as action requiring commissioner to update records, to include cancellation of operating privileges as action requiring commissioner to notify other licensing state of action and to require identification in such notification of the violation causing the disqualification, and made technical changes throughout, effective January 1, 2005 (Revisor's note: In Subsec. (j) the word “in” was editorially inserted by the Revisors in the phrase “, as defined in section 14-1,” for consistency); P.A. 05-218 amended Subsec. (c) by adding “when driving a commercial vehicle” re blood alcohol ratio of 0.04% or more and adding provision re driving any other motor vehicle where the ratio of alcohol in blood was 0.08% or more; P.A. 05-288 made technical changes in Subsec. (i), effective July 13, 2005; P.A. 06-130 amended Subsec. (b)(3) by changing “evasion of responsibility, involving a commercial motor vehicle” to “evasion of responsibility”, amended Subsec. (c) by adding language re provisions of law in other states, amended Subsec. (f) by providing that disqualification period for a subsequent offense shall start immediately after any other disqualification period and amended Subsec. (j) by providing that disqualification period shall be concurrent with any other disqualification or suspension, effective July 1, 2006; P.A. 07-167 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing former Subdiv. (6) re one-year disqualification for causing fatality through negligent or reckless operation with provisions re disqualification for not more than two years for causing fatality through negligent or reckless operation and by making technical changes, effective July 1, 2007; P.A. 10-110 amended Subsecs. (b), (e) and (f) to make disqualification periods applicable to out-of-state convictions of offenses deemed by commissioner to be substantially similar to offenses described therein and made a technical change in Subsec. (b), effective July 1, 2010; P.A. 11-213 amended Subsec. (h) to establish documentation and evidentiary requirements for reinstatement and violations remaining on driving record for 55 years per federal law, amended Subsec. (i)(1)(A) and (B) to increase minimum disqualification period from 90 to 180 days and from 1 to 2 years, and amended Subsec. (i)(3) to replace civil penalty amount with civil penalties prescribed by federal law, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (h) to replace requirement that applicant successfully complete “a rehabilitation program that meets the requirements of section 14-227f and the regulations adopted pursuant to section 14-227f” with requirement that applicant successfully complete “a program established and operated by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services pursuant to chapter 319j, a program operated through a substance abuse treatment facility licensed in accordance with section 19a-491 or the equivalent of either program offered in another state”, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 13-271 amended Subsec. (k) to add provisions re commercial driver's instruction permit and add reference to commercial motor vehicle operator, effective July 1, 2013, and amended Subsec. (h) to add provisions re commercial driver's instruction permit, effective October 1, 2013; P.A. 16-126 amended Subsec. (b) by adding Subdiv. (6) re Sec. 14-227m and adding Subdiv. (7) re Sec. 14-227n(a)(1) or (2); P.A. 17-79 amended Subsec. (f) by deleting “committed while operating any motor vehicle” and adding Subdivs. (1) to (3) re operation of a commercial motor vehicle or noncommercial motor vehicle; P.A. 21-106 amended Subsec. (g) by designating existing provision as Subdiv. (1), adding Subdiv. (2) re felony involving trafficking in persons, and adding provision re ineligibility for reinstatement; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-1 amended Subsec. (c) by designating existing provision re test refusal as Subdiv. (1) and adding provision re nontestimonial portion of a drug influence evaluation, adding Subdiv. (2) re elevated blood alcohol content, adding Subdiv. (3) re operating under the influence and adding references to definitions of “drug recognition expert”, “elevated blood alcohol content” and “nontestimonial portion of a drug influence evaluation”, effective April 1, 2022.

Subsec. (h):

There was no retroactive application of statute when the commissioner determined defendant triggered the lifetime disqualification provision. 105 CA 558. Plain language of Subsec. indicates that lifetime suspension applies to alcohol test refusals or failures that occur prior to a person's obtaining a commercial driver's license, and is not limited to refusals or failures that occur while a person holds a commercial driver's license. 134 CA 668.

Sec. 14-44l. Notification of traffic convictions. Within ten days after receiving a report of the conviction of any nonresident holder of a commercial driver's license for any violation of state law relating to motor vehicle traffic control, other than a parking violation, committed in a commercial motor vehicle, the commissioner shall notify the driver licensing authority in the licensing state of the conviction.

(P.A. 90-263, S. 39, 74.)

History: P.A. 90-263, S. 39 effective July 1, 1991.

Sec. 14-44m. Authority to enter into agreements with other jurisdictions. The commissioner may enter into agreements with other state or federal authorities to implement the provisions of sections 14-44c, 14-44d, 14-44f, 14-44g, 14-44k and 14-44l.

(P.A. 90-263, S. 41, 74.)

Sec. 14-44n. Notification of violation to licensing authority of another state. (a) If any person who holds a commercial driver's license issued by another state is convicted of a violation of any provision of law related to motor vehicle traffic control, as reported to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles by the Centralized Infractions Bureau or any clerk of the Superior Court, the commissioner shall notify the licensing authority of such state where such person is licensed within thirty days of the date of such conviction.

(b) If any person who holds a motor vehicle operator's license issued by any other state is convicted of a violation, arising out of the operation of a commercial motor vehicle, of any provision of law related to motor vehicle traffic control, as reported to the commissioner by the Centralized Infractions Bureau or any clerk of the Superior Court, the commissioner shall notify the licensing authority of such state where such person is licensed within thirty days of the date of such conviction.

(c) On and after September 30, 2008, the notification required by subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall be made within ten days of the date of such conviction.

(P.A. 04-217, S. 20.)

History: P.A. 04-217 effective January 1, 2005.

Sec. 14-44o. Transition requirements re motor vehicle operator's licenses and commercial driver's licenses. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 14-36a and 14-44d, effective January 1, 2005, each motor vehicle operator's license or commercial driver's license, that is otherwise valid, shall remain valid, according to its terms, and shall authorize each license holder to operate motor vehicles in accordance with the classification, endorsements or restrictions that appear on the license under the provisions of sections 14-36a and 14-44d, in effect before January 1, 2005. Each operator's license or commercial driver's license, issued or renewed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles on and after January 1, 2005, may be issued or renewed in accordance with the provisions of sections 14-36a and 14-44d, in effect before January 1, 2005. On and after January 1, 2006, each operator's license or commercial driver's license issued or renewed by the commissioner shall contain a designation of the classification of the license, and of the endorsements and restrictions to the license, if any, for which the applicant has qualified, as provided in sections 14-36a and 14-44d.

(P.A. 05-127, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 05-127 effective June 24, 2005.

Sec. 14-45. Change of address notice by holder of operator's license or identity card. IV-D support cases. Penalty. (a) A person holding (1) a license for the operation of a motor vehicle, issued by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles in accordance with section 14-36, or (2) an identity card, issued by said commissioner in accordance with section 1-1h, shall notify the commissioner within forty-eight hours of any change of such person's address. The notification shall include such person's old address and new address.

(b) In IV-D support cases, as defined in subdivision (13) of subsection (b) of section 46b-231, upon written notification by the Department of Social Services that the address listed for the holder of a motor vehicle operator's license or the holder of an identity card is incorrect, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall notify the operator that the correct address must be furnished to the department. The commissioner shall refuse to issue or renew a motor vehicle operator's license if the address furnished by the applicant is determined to be incorrect. The department shall notify the Department of Social Services of the current address of holders of motor vehicle operator's licenses when a change of address is reported.

(c) Failure of the holder of a motor vehicle operator's license or identity card to give the notice required by this section shall be an infraction.

(1949 Rev., S. 2385; P.A. 75-577, S. 23, 126; P.A. 84-429, S. 26; P.A. 96-268, S. 7, 34; P.A. 09-187, S. 56; P.A. 10-32, S. 157; 10-110, S. 58.)

History: P.A. 75-577 replaced maximum $10 penalty for failure to give notice with statement that such failure is an infraction; P.A. 84-429 divided section into Subsecs., rephrased provisions, transferred provisions re registration to Sec. 14-17a and made other technical changes; P.A. 96-268 inserted new Subsec. (b) re IV-D support cases, relettering former Subsec. (b) as (c), and made a technical correction, effective July 1, 1996; P.A. 09-187 added provisions re holder of an identity card and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2009; P.A. 10-32 made a technical change in Subsec. (b), effective May 10, 2010; P.A. 10-110 made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (b).

Cited. 21 CA 496; 22 CA 207.

Failure to return license plates upon expiration of registration period or failure to notify Commissioner of Motor Vehicles of change of address by nonresident defendant is not a waiver of in personam service of process. 20 CS 199. Cited. Id., 406.

Purpose of section is the identification of drivers and facilitating communication with them; notice of suspension of license mailed to last address supplied by licensee was sufficient. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 72.

Sec. 14-45a. Regulations re standards for licensing of persons with health problems, referrals to medical advisory board, vision standards. Vision screenings or examinations. Issuance of operator's license to person who wears eyeglasses with bioptic lenses. (a) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, concerning the licensing of persons with health problems. Such regulations shall (1) include basic standards for licensing decisions with respect to the most common and recurrent health problems, such as visual and neurological impairments, (2) include procedures for the referral of individual cases to the medical advisory board, and (3) specify vision standards that are necessary for a person to operate a motor vehicle safely.

(b) Prior to issuing a motor vehicle operator's license to a person who has not previously been issued a license in this state or whose Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license expired more than two years prior to the application date, the commissioner may require such person to (1) pass a vision screening conducted by the Department of Motor Vehicles to determine if the person meets vision standards specified in the regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, or (2) submit to the commissioner the results of a vision examination conducted by a licensed medical professional, as defined in section 14-46b, that certifies that such person meets such vision standards.

(c) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue a motor vehicle operator's license to a person who wears eyeglasses with bioptic lenses, provided such person otherwise meets the vision standards specified in the regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section and the requirements for such license.

(P.A. 90-265, S. 6, 8; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 48, 131; P.A. 21-106, S. 41; P.A. 22-44, S. 11.)

History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a), designating portions thereof as Subdivs. (1) and (2) and adding Subdiv. (3) requiring the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to adopt regulations specifying vision standards for the operation of a motor vehicle, and added new Subsec. (b) to allow the commissioner to require a person who has not previously been issued a license in the state or has not operated a motor vehicle in the preceding two years to pass a vision screening as a condition for licensure, effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 21-106 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “has not operated a motor vehicle within the preceding two years” with “whose Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license expired more than two years prior to the application date”, designating existing provision re vision screening as Subdiv. (1) and adding Subdiv. (2) re vision examination, effective July 1, 2021; P.A. 22-44 add Subsec. (c) re issuance of operator's license to person who wears eyeglasses with bioptic lenses.

Sec. 14-46. Report re persons with chronic health or vision problems. Any physician, physician assistant licensed pursuant to chapter 370 or advanced practice registered nurse licensed pursuant to chapter 378 may report to the Department of Motor Vehicles, in writing, the name, age and address of any person diagnosed by him or her to have any chronic health problem which in his or her judgment will significantly affect the person's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, or to have recurrent periods of unconsciousness uncontrolled by medical treatment. Any optometrist may report to the department, in writing, the name, age and address of any person known by the optometrist to have a vision problem which in the optometrist's judgment will significantly affect the person's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Such reports shall be for the information of the commissioner in enforcing state motor vehicle laws, and shall be kept confidential and used solely for the purpose of determining the eligibility of any person to operate a motor vehicle on the highways of this state. No civil action may be brought against any person who, in good faith, provides a report pursuant to this section.

(1953, S. 1301d; P.A. 75-577, S. 24, 126; P.A. 77-614, S. 323, 610; P.A. 90-265, S. 4, 8; P.A. 10-110, S. 11.)

History: P.A. 75-577 added provision that physician's failure to report constitutes an infraction; P.A. 77-614 replaced department of health with department of health services, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 90-265 made extensive changes to section authorizing, in lieu of requiring, physician to report to motor vehicles department, in lieu of health department, information re persons diagnosed as having chronic health problems which significantly affect ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, deleting all provisions re department of health services, including penalty for failure of physician to report and authorizing optometrist to report to department information re persons known to have vision problems which significantly affect ability to safely operate a motor vehicle; P.A. 10-110 authorized licensed physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse to report chronic health problem to department, provided immunity from civil liability to person who provides report in good faith and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2010.

Cited. 225 C. 499.

Cited. 33 CA 727; 41 CA 866.

Sec. 14-46a. Motor Vehicle Operator's License Medical Advisory Board: Definitions. As used in sections 14-46b to 14-46g, inclusive, “board” means the Motor Vehicle Operator's License Medical Advisory Board established under section 14-46b, “commissioner” means the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, and “department” means the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(P.A. 81-461, S. 5; P.A. 96-180, S. 40, 166.)

History: P.A. 96-180 substituted “Operator's” for “Operator”, effective June 3, 1996.

Cited. 225 C. 499.

Cited. 33 CA 727; 41 CA 866.

Sec. 14-46b. Establishment of board. Membership. Compensation. Executive session. (a) There is established within the department a Motor Vehicle Operator's License Medical Advisory Board, which shall advise the commissioner on the medical aspects and concerns of licensing operators of motor vehicles. The board shall consist of not less than eight members or more than fifteen members who shall be medical professionals and who shall be appointed by the commissioner. The Connecticut State Medical Society, the Connecticut Association of Optometrists and any professional medical associations or organizations whose members include physician assistants or advanced practice registered nurses may submit nominees for appointment to the board for the commissioner's consideration who represent the specialties of (1) general medicine or surgery, (2) internal medicine, (3) cardiovascular medicine, (4) neurology or neurological surgery, (5) ophthalmology or optometry, (6) orthopedics, (7) psychiatry, or (8) occupational medicine.

(b) Initially, three members shall be appointed for a two-year term, three members for a three-year term and the remainder of the members for a four-year term. Appointments thereafter shall be for four-year terms. Any vacancy shall be filled by the commissioner for the unexpired portion of a term. The commissioner shall designate the chairperson of the board.

(c) Board members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses or services incurred in performing their duties, including the giving of testimony at any administrative hearing when requested by the commissioner. Medical professionals who are not members of the board and conduct examinations at the request of the board shall be compensated for these examinations.

(d) The board shall meet at the call of the commissioner at least annually. Special meetings may be held to fulfill the responsibilities specified in section 14-46c.

(e) Any meeting of the board in which the medical condition of any individual is discussed for purposes of making a recommendation on his or her fitness to operate a motor vehicle shall be held in executive session.

(f) As used in this section and section 14-46c, “medical professional” means a licensed physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse or optometrist.

(P.A. 81-461, S. 6; P.A. 90-265, S. 5, 8; P.A. 02-70, S. 62; P.A. 03-278, S. 39; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 205; P.A. 19-119, S. 10.)

History: P.A. 90-265 amended Subsec. (c) to require reimbursement for board members for testimony given at administrative hearings; P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (a) to increase the minimum membership of the board from seven to eight members, to require the Connecticut Association of Optometrists to submit a list of nominees representing the specialty of optometry and to make a technical change; P.A. 03-278 made technical changes in Subsec. (a), effective July 9, 2003; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (a) to add references to other medical organizations that have as members physician assistants or advanced practice registered nurses and add Subdiv. (8) re nominees representing specialty of occupational medicine, amended Subsec. (c) to replace “Physicians” with “Medical professionals”, amended Subsec. (d) to change required meeting from twice a year to annually, added Subsec. (f) re definition of “medical professional”, and made technical changes, effective June 30, 2015; P.A. 19-119 substantially amended Subsec.(a) re membership of board and made a technical change in Subsec. (b), effective July 1, 2019.

Cited. 225 C. 499.

Cited. 33 CA 727; 41 CA 866.

Sec. 14-46c. Responsibilities of board; recommendations. The board shall have the following responsibilities: (1) To advise the commissioner on health standards relating to the safe operation of motor vehicles; (2) to recommend to the commissioner procedures and guidelines for licensing individuals with impaired health; (3) to assist in developing medically acceptable standardized report forms; (4) to recommend a training course for motor vehicle examiners on the medical aspects of operator licensure; (5) to undertake any programs and activities the commissioner may request relating to the medical aspects of motor vehicle operator licensure; and (6) to make recommendations and offer advice on individual health problem cases referred by the commissioner not later than sixty days from the date of such reference and to establish guidelines for dealing with such individual cases. In making such recommendations, the board may rely on medical or optometric records and reports, personally interview such individual or require a physical examination of such individual and a written medical report by a medical professional, as defined in section 14-46b, designated by the board who shall not be a member of the board. Such individual may obtain a medical report by a licensed medical professional of such individual's choice, which shall be given due consideration by the board in making any such recommendations.

(P.A. 81-461, S. 7; P.A. 89-74, S. 1; P.A. 02-70, S. 77; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 206.)

History: P.A. 89-74 amended Subdiv. (6) to permit board to rely on optometric reports in making recommendations; P.A. 02-70 made a technical change and amended Subdiv. (6) to require board to make recommendations and offer advice on individual health problem cases not later than 60 days from the date of reference by the commissioner; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 replaced references to physician or optometrist with references to medical professional, effective June 30, 2015.

Cited. 225 C. 499.

Cited. 33 CA 727; 41 CA 866.

Sec. 14-46d. Confidential use of reports or records. Testimony re reports or records. Any reports or records received or issued by the department, commissioner, board or any of its members or the staff of the driver training program for persons with disabilities established pursuant to section 14-11b for the purpose of determining whether an individual meets the health standards of motor vehicle operator licensure, shall be for the confidential use of the commissioner, driver training program staff and the board and, except as may be required by state or federal law, shall not be made available to any person, or to any federal, state or local governmental agency and shall not be used as evidence at any trial. Such reports or records, however, may be made available to the individual who is the subject of such reports or records or to his authorized representative and may be used at proceedings conducted under chapter 54 or this chapter. Any person conducting an examination or furnishing any report or record pursuant to sections 14-46a to 14-46g, inclusive, may be compelled to testify on such reports or records at any such proceedings. A member of the board may not be compelled to testify in any other proceeding as to any facts concerning the medical condition of any person known by such member as a result of a review of such reports or records relative to such person except upon order of the court if the interests of justice so require.

(P.A. 81-461, S. 8; P.A. 97-236, S. 25, 27; P.A. 06-130, S. 8; P.A. 12-81, S. 34.)

History: P.A. 97-236 added new language providing board member may not be compelled to testify in any other proceeding as to facts concerning medical condition of any person known by such member as a result of a review of reports or records re such person, except upon order of the court, effective June 24, 1997; P.A. 06-130 added reference to Sec. 10-298, effective June 2, 2006; P.A. 12-81 deleted reference to reports or records received or issued “pursuant to sections 14-46a to 14-46g, inclusive, or section 10-298”, included reports or records received or issued by “the staff of the driver training program for persons with disabilities established pursuant to section 14-11b” and permitted confidential use of reports or records by “driver training program staff”, effective June 6, 2012.

Cited. 225 C. 499.

Cited. 33 CA 727; 41 CA 866.

Sec. 14-46e. Recommendations of board to be advisory. Operation of motor vehicle on limited basis. Failure to comply with request of commissioner or board. (a) The commissioner shall give due consideration to any recommendations of the board and to any reports, records or opinions submitted pursuant to sections 14-46a to 14-46g, inclusive, but such recommendations, reports, records or opinions shall be merely advisory and not binding on the commissioner.

(b) The commissioner may authorize a person whose license is withdrawn under sections 14-46a to 14-46g, inclusive, to operate a motor vehicle on a limited basis provided the following conditions are met: (1) The commissioner, after consultation with the board, determines that such person does not have a health problem that affects such person's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle and has ordered that such person submit to and pass a road skills test as a condition of license reinstatement; and (2) such operation occurs only while the person is under the instruction of and accompanied by a driving instructor licensed under section 14-73, or is in a vehicle with a motor vehicle testing agent who is administering a road skills test.

(c) Any person who is the subject of any inquiry under sections 14-46a to 14-46g, inclusive, who refuses to submit to a physical examination or provide other information requested by the commissioner or board shall be considered unfit to operate a motor vehicle until such person complies with such request.

(P.A. 81-461, S. 9; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 207; P.A. 22-44, S. 1.)

History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 added new Subsec. (b) re authorization to operate a motor vehicle on a limited basis, redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (c) and made a technical change, effective June 30, 2015; P.A. 22-44 amended Subsec. (b) to replace “a hearing held in accordance with chapter 54” with “consultation with the board” and made a technical change, effective July 1, 2022.

Cited. 226 C. 499.

Cited. 33 CA 727; 41 CA 866.

Sec. 14-46f. Immunity from civil liability. No civil action may be brought against the commissioner, the department or any of its employees, the board or any of its members or any physician for providing any reports, records, examinations, opinions or recommendations pursuant to sections 14-46a to 14-46g, inclusive. Any person acting in good faith without negligence or malicious intent in making any report to the commissioner or board pursuant to sections 14-46a to 14-46g, inclusive, shall be immune from civil liability.

(P.A. 81-461, S. 10.)

Cited. 225 C. 499.

Cited. 33 CA 727; 41 CA 866.

Sec. 14-46g. Right of appeal. Any person whose operator's license has been suspended, restricted or revoked or whose application for an operator's license has been denied under section 14-45a or sections 14-46a to 14-46f, inclusive, shall have the right of appeal under chapter 54. No person may operate a motor vehicle in violation of any suspension, restriction or revocation while this appeal is pending.

(P.A. 81-461, S. 11; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 49, 131.)

History: P.A. 01-9 added reference to Sec. 14-45a, effective July 1, 2001.

Cited. 225 C. 499.

Cited. 33 CA 727; 41 CA 866.

(C)

FEES

Sec. 14-47. Fees for registering motor vehicles eligible for commercial registration and tractors. (a) The commissioner shall determine the gross weight of each motor vehicle which is eligible for commercial registration, including each tractor equipped with rubber tires and, for the purpose of computing fees, gross weight shall be the weight of the vehicle in pounds plus the rated load capacity in pounds as determined by the commissioner. The commissioner shall collect fees for registration based on such gross weight, as follows: When all surfaces in contact with the ground are equipped with pneumatic tires, the fee for such motor vehicle or tractor of gross weight not exceeding twenty thousand pounds shall be eleven dollars and sixty cents, for each one thousand pounds or fraction thereof; from twenty thousand one pounds up to and including thirty thousand pounds, fourteen dollars and twenty cents, for each one thousand pounds or fraction thereof; from thirty thousand one pounds up to and including seventy-three thousand pounds, seventeen dollars and seventy cents, for each one thousand pounds or fraction thereof; and seventy-three thousand one pounds or more, nineteen dollars and twenty cents, for each one thousand pounds or fraction thereof. In addition to any other fee required under this subsection, a fee of ten dollars shall be collected for the registration of each motor vehicle subject to this subsection.

(b) The minimum fee for any commercial registration or registration of a tractor equipped with pneumatic tires shall be forty-seven dollars.

(c) For the registration of each motor vehicle classed as an artesian well driller or well drilling equipment, however mounted, when equipped with rubber tires, the fee shall be forty dollars per annum whether the license is issued for the license year or only a portion thereof. On and after July 1, 2011, the fee shall be forty-nine dollars.

(d) For the registration of a motor vehicle equipped with a wood saw rig, if it is used for that purpose only, or a motor vehicle equipped with a spray rig used exclusively for spraying fruit trees or shrubs, when equipped with rubber tires, the fee shall be twenty-two dollars per annum whether the license is issued for the license year or only a portion thereof. On and after July 1, 2011, the fee shall be twenty-seven dollars.

(e) For all other motor vehicles which are eligible for commercial registration, including tractors equipped with rubber tires other than pneumatic tires, the fee shall be, for each such vehicle or tractor of gross weight (1) not exceeding twenty thousand pounds, one dollar and fifty cents, and on and after July 1, 1992, one dollar and seventy-five cents, for each one hundred pounds or fraction thereof, and (2) from twenty thousand and one pounds up to and including twenty-six thousand pounds, two dollars, and on and after July 1, 1992, two dollars and twenty-five cents, for each one hundred pounds or fraction thereof. The minimum fee for any such motor vehicle or tractor shall be fifty dollars. On and after July 1, 2011, the minimum fee shall be sixty dollars.

(1949 Rev., S. 2386; 1961, P.A. 581, S. 6; 1969, P.A. 759, S. 5; 1971, P.A. 355, S. 4; P.A. 75-213, S. 11, 53; P.A. 80-71, S. 25, 30; P.A. 84-254, S. 32, 62; P.A. 87-329, S. 8; P.A. 90-263, S. 1113, 74; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-4, S. 24; P.A. 11-6, S. 140; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 208.)

History: 1961 act increased all fees; 1969 act increased fees for vehicles with pneumatic tires determined by gross weight by $0.10 per 100 pounds in each weight class, increased minimum fees for such vehicles from $13 to $17, for well drillers with rubber tires from $13 to $20, for rubber-tired vehicles with wood saw rig or spray rig from $7 to $11 and increased fees for vehicles with rubber tires determined by gross weight by $0.25 per 100 pounds in each weight class with minimum fee increased from $16 to $24; 1971 act added exception re tractors restricted for use with trailers registered as heavy-duty trailers; P.A. 75-213 increased fees for vehicles with pneumatic tires determined on gross weight by $0.15, $0.20 and $0.25 per 100 pounds with higher increases for heavier classes, increased minimum fee for such vehicles to $22, for rubber-tired well drillers to $26, for rubber-tired vehicles with wood saw rig or spray rig to $14 and increased fees for vehicles with rubber tires determined by gross weight by $0.25 and $0.30 per 100 pounds with higher increase for heavier class and with minimum fee increased to $32; P.A. 80-71 added heavier class in provisions re vehicles with pneumatic tires; P.A. 84-254 divided section into Subsecs., increased the fees for registration of commercial vehicles, with the increases taking effect as of July first of 1984, 1986, 1988 and 1992; P.A. 87-329 maintained the fees at the levels existing on and after July 1, 1986, and decreased the fees effective July 1, 1992, to the levels formerly existing on and after July 1, 1988; P.A. 90-263 amended Subsec. (a) to substitute motor vehicle eligible for commercial registration for commercial motor vehicle, amended Subsec. (b) to specify minimum fee for any commercial registration or registration of a tractor, deleting reference to commercial motor vehicle and amended Subsec. (e) to substitute motor vehicles eligible for commercial registration for commercial motor vehicles; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-4 amended Subsec. (a) to increase fees for registration of commercial vehicles based on weight of vehicle, to add an additional fee of $10 for each registration and to make a technical change for purposes of gender neutrality and amended Subsec. (b) to increase minimum fee for commercial registration or registration of tractor equipped with pneumatic tires to $44, effective January 1, 2004; P.A. 11-6 increased fees in Subsec. (a) for vehicle not over 20,000 pounds, from $1.16 per hundred pounds to $11.60 per thousand pounds, for vehicle between 20,001 and 30,000 pounds, from $1.42 per hundred pounds to $14.20 per thousand pounds, for vehicle between 30,001 and 73,000 pounds, from $1.77 per hundred pounds to $17.70 per thousand pounds, and for vehicle over 73,000 pounds, from $1.92 per hundred pounds to $19.20 per thousand pounds, in Subsec. (b) for commercial registration from $44 to $47, in Subsec. (c) for well driller from $46 to $49, in Subsec. (d) for vehicle with wood saw rig or spray rig from $25 to $27, and in Subsec. (e) for minimum fee for other vehicles or tractors from $56 to $60, effective July 1, 2011; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (a) to delete provision re method of determining fee for a tractor restricted for use with a trailer, effective June 30, 2015.

Sec. 14-48. Fees for registering commercial tractor and semitrailer as a unit or separately. Section 14-48 of the general statutes is repealed notwithstanding the failure of the states of Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island to adopt legislation similar to sections 14-48a and 14-48b.

(1949 Rev., S. 2387; 1955, S. 1302d; 1961, P.A. 581, S. 7; 1967, P.A. 308, S. 3; 1971, P.A. 526, S. 1.)

Sec. 14-48a. Registration of commercial truck-tractor. (a) Except as provided in section 14-24, a commercial truck-tractor shall be registered separately by gross vehicle weight. Such gross vehicle weight shall include the light weight of the truck-tractor plus the light weight of the heaviest semitrailer used in combination with such truck-tractor together with its payload when in operation on the highway. The fee for the registration of each such truck-tractor shall be in accordance with section 14-47.

(b) No person shall register a commercial truck-tractor specifying a gross vehicle weight which exceeds the gross weight established by the manufacturer for such vehicle unless such vehicle has been modified to carry greater weight by such person for use in connection with his business and has been inspected by the commissioner for the greater gross vehicle weight prior to registration. Any person who violates any provision of this subsection shall be deemed to have committed an infraction. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall also revoke the motor vehicle registration of such vehicle. After inspection of such vehicle and upon receipt of the restoration fee as provided in subsection (b) of section 14-50b, the commissioner may issue to such person a new registration which shall indicate the actual gross weight of such vehicle.

(1967, P.A. 308, S. 1; 1971, P.A. 526, S. 2; P.A. 87-106.)

History: 1971 act added exception re provisions of Sec. 14-24 effective, if legislation similar to this section and Sec. 14-48b is adopted by Mass., N.Y., and R.I., 120 days following adoption by last adopting state; P.A. 87-106 added Subsec. (b), prohibiting the registration of commercial truck-tractors with incorrect gross vehicle weight.

Sec. 14-48b. Registration fee of semitrailer drawn by truck-tractor. Except as provided in section 14-24, for the registration of each semitrailer drawn by a truck-tractor the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall charge a fee of forty dollars. The commissioner may issue for one or more years, not to exceed five years, a registration for semitrailers. The fee for such registration shall be computed at the same annual rate as that established by this section.

(1967, P.A. 308, S. 2; 1971, P.A. 526, S. 3; P.A. 75-213, S. 14, 53; P.A. 78-22; P.A. 84-254, S. 33, 62; P.A. 87-329, S. 9; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-4, S. 31.)

History: 1971 act added exception re Sec. 14-24 and specified applicability to semitrailers “drawn by a truck tractor”, effective, if legislation similar to this section and Sec. 14-48a is adopted by Mass., N.Y., and R.I., 120 days following adoption by last adopting state; P.A. 75-213 raised fee from $15 to $20; P.A. 78-22 authorized issuance of registration for semitrailers for one or more years; P.A. 84-254 increased the fee from $20 to $40 as of July 1, 1992; P.A. 87-329 maintained the fee at the level existing on and after July 1, 1986, and decreased the fee effective July 1, 1992, to the level formerly existing on and after July 1, 1988; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-4 increased registration fee for each semitrailer drawn by truck-tractor to $40, effective January 1, 2004.

Sec. 14-48c. Registration of commercial motor vehicle engaged in seasonal operations. (a) A commercial motor vehicle engaged in seasonal operations may be registered for a six-month period within the registration year.

(b) The fee for such six-month registration shall be one-half of the annual registration fee.

(c) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to carry out the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.

(P.A. 94-189, S. 23.)

Sec. 14-48d. Registration of leased motor vehicle. Regulations. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 14-22 and subsection (a) of section 14-49 concerning the period for the registration of a passenger motor vehicle, and for the registration of certain other motor vehicles not used for commercial purposes, the commissioner may issue a registration for any such motor vehicle that is owned by a person, firm or corporation licensed in accordance with the provisions of section 14-15 and that is the subject of a lease agreement, for a period not to exceed five years, to coincide with the term of such lease agreement. The fee for any such registration shall be adjusted and prorated on the basis of the fee prescribed for a triennial registration. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section.

(P.A. 02-70, S. 65; P.A. 19-165, S. 7.)

History: P.A. 02-70 effective July 1, 2002; P.A. 19-165 replaced “biennial” with “triennial” and made a conforming change, effective January 1, 2020.

Sec. 14-49. Fees for miscellaneous registration and other fees. (a) For the registration of each passenger motor vehicle, the fee shall be one hundred twenty dollars every three years, provided any individual who is sixty-five years of age or older may, at such individual's discretion, renew the registration of such passenger motor vehicle owned by such individual for either a one-year period or the registration period as determined by the commissioner pursuant to subsection (a) of section 14-22. The registration fee shall be prorated accordingly for any such registration that is renewed for a one-year period. The triennial fee for any motor vehicle for which special license plates have been issued under the provisions of section 14-20 shall be one hundred twenty dollars. The provisions of this subsection relative to the triennial fee charged for the registration of each antique, rare or special interest motor vehicle for which special license plates have been issued under section 14-20 shall not apply to an antique fire apparatus or transit bus owned by a nonprofit organization and maintained primarily for use in parades, exhibitions or other public events but not for purposes of general transportation.

(b) (1) For the registration of each motorcycle, the triennial fee shall be sixty-three dollars, subject to the provisions of subdivision (2) of this subsection. For the registration of each motorcycle with side car or box attached used for commercial purposes, the triennial fee shall be ninety dollars. The commissioner may register a motorcycle with a side car under one registration which shall cover the use of such motorcycle with or without such side car. (2) Six dollars of the total fee with respect to the registration of each motorcycle shall, when entered upon the records of the Special Transportation Fund, be deemed to be appropriated to the Department of Transportation for purposes of continuing the program of motorcycle rider education formerly funded under the federal Highway Safety Act of 1978, 23 USC 402.

(c) For the registration of each taxicab or motor vehicle in livery service, with a seating capacity of seven or less, the commissioner shall charge a biennial fee of two hundred sixty-six dollars. When the seating capacity of such motor vehicle is more than seven, there shall be added to the amount herein provided the sum of four dollars for each seat so in excess.

(d) For the registration of each motor bus, except a motor bus owned and operated by a multiple-state passenger carrier as hereinafter defined, the commissioner shall charge a fee of fifty-six dollars and such registration shall be sufficient for all types of operation under this chapter. For the registration of motor buses owned or operated by a multiple-state passenger carrier, the commissioner shall charge registration fees based on the rate of one dollar and twenty-five cents per hundredweight of the gross weight, such gross weight to be computed by adding the light weight of the vehicle fully equipped for service to one hundred fifty pounds per passenger for the rated seating capacity, plus the sum of forty-two dollars. The fee in each case shall be determined on an apportionment basis commensurate with the use of the highways of this state as herein provided. The commissioner shall require the registration of that percentage of the motor buses of such multiple-state passenger carrier operating into or through the state which the mileage of such motor buses actually operated in the state bears to the total mileage of all such motor buses operated both within and without the state. Such percentage figures shall be the mileage factor. In computing the registration fees on the number of such motor buses which are allocated to the state for registration purposes under the foregoing formula, the commissioner shall first compute the amount that the registration fees would be if all such motor buses were in fact subject to registration in the state, and then apply to such amount the mileage factor above referred to, provided, if the foregoing formula or method of allocation results in apportioning a lesser or greater number of motor buses or amount of registration fees to the state than the state under all of the facts is fairly entitled to, then a formula that will fairly apportion such registration fees to the state shall be determined and used by the commissioner. Said mileage factor shall be computed prior to March first of each year by using the mileage records of operations of such motor buses operating both within and without the state for the twelve-month period, or portion thereof, ending on August thirty-first next preceding the commencement of the registration year for which registration is sought. If there were no operations in the state during any part of such preceding twelve-month period, the commissioner shall proceed under the provisions of subsection (a) of article IV of section 14-365. In apportioning the number of motor buses to be registered in the state, as provided in this subsection, any fractional part of a motor bus shall be treated as a whole motor bus and shall be registered and licensed as such. Any motor bus operated both within and without the state which is not required to be registered in the state under the provisions of this section shall nevertheless be identified as a part of the fleet of the multiple-state passenger carrier and the commissioner shall adopt an appropriate method of identification of such motor buses owned and operated by such carrier. The identification of all such motor buses by the commissioner as required in this subsection shall be considered the same as the registration of such motor buses under this chapter. The substitution from time to time of one motor bus for another by a multiple-state passenger carrier shall not require registration thereof in the state as long as the substitution does not increase the aggregate number of motor buses employed in the operation of such carrier, provided all such motor buses substituted for others shall be immediately reported to and identification issued for the same by the commissioner and, if a registration fee is required to be paid for such substituted motor bus, the same shall be promptly paid. As used in this subsection, the phrase “multiple-state passenger carrier” means and includes any person, firm or corporation authorized by the Interstate Commerce Commission or its successor agency to engage in the business of the transportation of passengers for hire by motor buses, both within and without the state.

(e) (1) For the registration of a passenger motor vehicle used in part for commercial purposes, except any pick-up truck having a gross vehicle weight rating of less than twelve thousand five hundred pounds, the commissioner shall charge a triennial fee of one hundred thirty-two dollars and shall issue combination registration to such vehicle. Any individual who is sixty-five years of age or older may, at such individual's discretion, renew the combination registration of such vehicle owned by such individual for either a one-year period or the registration period as determined by the commissioner pursuant to subsection (a) of section 14-22. (2) For the registration of a school bus, the commissioner shall charge an annual fee of one hundred seven dollars for a type I school bus and sixty-four dollars for a type II school bus. (3) For the registration of a motor vehicle when used in part for commercial purposes and as a passenger motor vehicle or of a motor vehicle having a seating capacity greater than ten and not used for the conveyance of passengers for hire, the commissioner shall charge a biennial fee for gross weight as for commercial registration, as outlined in section 14-47, plus the sum of fourteen dollars and shall issue combination registration to such vehicle. (4) Each vehicle registered as combination shall be issued a number plate bearing the word “combination”. No vehicle registered as combination may have a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of twelve thousand five hundred pounds. (5) For the registration of a pick-up truck having a gross vehicle weight rating of less than twelve thousand five hundred pounds that is not used in part for commercial purposes, the commissioner shall charge a triennial fee for gross weight as for commercial registration, as provided in section 14-47, plus the sum of twenty-one dollars. The commissioner may issue passenger registration to any such vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of eight thousand five hundred pounds or less.

(f) Repealed by P.A. 22-25, S. 19.

(g) For the registration of all motorcycles, registered under a general distinguishing number and mark, owned or operated by, or in the custody of, a manufacturer of, dealer in or repairer of motorcycles, there shall be charged an annual fee at the rate of thirty-seven dollars for each set of number plates furnished.

(h) The minimum annual fee for any commercial registration of a motor vehicle not equipped with pneumatic tires shall be sixty dollars.

(i) For the transfer of the registration of a motor vehicle previously registered, except as provided in subsection (e) of section 14-16 and subsection (c) of section 14-253a, there shall be charged a fee of twenty-one dollars.

(j) Repealed by 1972, P.A. 255, S. 6.

(k) For the registration of each motor hearse used exclusively for transportation of the dead, the commissioner shall charge a fee of thirty-seven dollars. The commissioner may furnish distinguishing number plates for any motor hearse.

(l) The fee for the registration of each truck to be used between parts of an industrial plant, as provided in section 13a-117, shall be thirty dollars for the first two hundred feet of the public highway, the use of which is granted by such permit. For each additional two hundred feet or fraction thereof, the fee shall be twelve dollars.

(m) (1) For the registration of a trailer used exclusively for camping or any other recreational purpose, the commissioner shall charge a triennial fee of twenty-eight dollars and fifty cents. (2) For any other trailer or semitrailer not drawn by a truck-tractor, the commissioner shall charge the same fee as prescribed for commercial registrations in section 14-47, provided the fee for a heavy duty trailer, a crane or any other heavy construction equipment shall be three hundred twenty-six dollars for each year; except that the registration fee for each motor vehicle classed as a tractor-crane and equipped with rubber tires shall be one-half the fee charged for the gross weight of commercial vehicles.

(n) For each temporary registration of a motor vehicle not used for commercial purposes, or renewal of such registration, the commissioner shall charge a fee computed at the rate of twenty-one dollars for each ten-day period, or part thereof. For each temporary registration of a motor vehicle used for commercial purposes, or renewal of such registration, the commissioner shall charge a fee computed at the rate of twenty-seven dollars for each ten-day period, or part thereof, if the motor vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating of six thousand pounds or less. For each temporary registration of a motor vehicle used for commercial purposes, or renewal of such registration, the commissioner shall charge a fee computed at the rate of forty-nine dollars for each ten-day period, or part thereof, if the motor vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating of more than six thousand pounds.

(o) No registration fee shall be charged in respect to any motor vehicle owned by a municipality, as defined in section 7-245, any other governmental agency or a military agency and used exclusively for the conduct of official business. No registration fee shall be charged for any motor vehicle owned by or leased to a transit district and used exclusively to provide public transportation. No fee shall be charged for the registration of ambulances owned by hospitals or any nonprofit civic organization approved by the commissioner. No fee shall be charged for the registration of fire department apparatus as provided by section 14-19. No registration fee shall be charged to a disabled veteran, as defined in section 14-254, residing in this state for the registration of three passenger, camper or passenger and commercial motor vehicles leased or owned by such veteran in any registration year, provided such vehicles shall not be used for hire. No registration fee shall be charged for any motor vehicle leased to an agency of this state on or after June 4, 1982.

(p) For the registration of a service bus owned by an individual, firm or corporation, exclusive of any nonprofit charitable, religious, educational or community service organization, and used for the transportation of persons without charge, the commissioner shall charge a fee of two hundred thirteen dollars for vehicles having a seating capacity of sixteen passengers or less, including the driver, and seven hundred forty-seven dollars for vehicles having a seating capacity of more than sixteen passengers. For the registration of any service bus owned by any nonprofit charitable, religious, educational or community service organization, the commissioner shall charge a fee of one hundred sixty dollars for vehicles having a seating capacity of sixteen passengers or less, and five hundred thirty-three dollars for vehicles having a seating capacity of more than sixteen passengers, provided such service bus is used exclusively for the purpose of transporting persons in relation to the purposes and activities of such organization. Each such registration shall be issued for a biennial period in accordance with a schedule established by the commissioner. Nothing contained in this subsection shall affect the provisions of subsection (e) of this section.

(q) The commissioner shall collect a triennial fee of forty-five dollars for the registration of each motor vehicle used exclusively for farming purposes or a prorated amount if the registration period is less than three years. No such motor vehicle may be used for the purpose of transporting goods for hire or taking the on-the-road skills test portion of the examination for a motor vehicle operator's license. No farm registration shall be issued to any person operating a farm that has gross annual sales of less than two thousand five hundred dollars in the calendar year preceding registration. The commissioner may issue a farm registration for a passenger motor vehicle under such conditions as said commissioner shall prescribe in regulations adopted in accordance with chapter 54. No motor vehicle issued a farm registration may be used to transport ten or more passengers on any highway unless such motor vehicle meets the requirements for equipment and mechanical condition set forth in this chapter, and, in the case of a vehicle used to transport more than fifteen passengers, including the driver, the applicable requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations, as adopted by the commissioner, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of section 14-163c. The operator of such motor vehicle used to transport ten or more passengers shall hold a public passenger endorsement issued in accordance with the provisions of section 14-44. Any farm registration used otherwise than as provided by this subsection shall be revoked.

(r) Repealed by P.A. 73-549, S. 2, 4.

(s) A fee of sixty-nine dollars shall be charged in addition to the regular fee prescribed for the registration of a motor vehicle, including but not limited to any passenger motor vehicle or motorcycle, in accordance with this section for a number plate or plates for such vehicle bearing any combination of letters or numbers requested by the registrant and which may be issued in the discretion of the commissioner, except in any case in which the number plates bear the official call letters of an amateur radio station.

(t) For the registration of each camper, the commissioner shall charge a triennial fee of one hundred twelve dollars and fifty cents. The commissioner shall refund the registration fee for any camper registration provided the registrant cancels such registration and requests a refund prior to the expiration of the registration period as follows: (1) (A) For a triennial registration, one-third of the registration fee if there is at least one year but not more than two years remaining until the expiration of such registration on the date of cancellation, and (B) two-thirds of the registration fee if there are two years or more remaining until the expiration of such registration on the date of cancellation; and (2) for a biennial registration, one-half of the registration fee if there is one year or more remaining until the expiration of such registration on the date of cancelation.

(u) Repealed by P.A. 85-81.

(v) There shall be charged for each motor vehicle adult or youth instruction permit or renewal thereof a fee of nineteen dollars. There shall be charged for each motorcycle instruction permit or renewal thereof a fee of sixteen dollars.

(w) In addition to the fee established for the issuance of motor vehicle number plates and except as provided in subsection (a) of section 14-21b and subsection (c) of section 14-253a, there shall be an additional safety fee of five dollars charged at the time of issuance of any reflectorized safety number plate or set of plates. All moneys derived from said safety fee shall be deposited in the Special Transportation Fund.

(x) For each special use registration for a period of thirty days or less, the fee shall be twenty-one dollars.

(y) The commissioner shall assess a ten-dollar late fee for renewal of a motor vehicle registration in the event a registrant fails to renew his or her registration within five days after the expiration of such registration, except that no such fee shall be assessed for the late renewal of the registration, pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (m) of this section, of (1) a trailer used exclusively for camping or any other recreational purpose, or (2) a motor vehicle designed or permanently altered in such a way as to provide living quarters for travel or camping. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, if a registrant who is required to register a motor vehicle under section 14-34a fails to renew such registration not later than five days after the expiration date of such registration, the commissioner shall assess a late fee of one hundred fifty dollars.

(z) The commissioner shall refund the registration fee for any motor vehicle, provided the registrant cancels the motor vehicle registration and requests a refund prior to the expiration of the registration period as follows: (1) (A) For a triennial registration, one-third of the registration fee if there is at least one year but not more than two years remaining until the expiration of such registration on the date of cancellation, and (B) two-thirds of the registration fee if there are two years or more remaining until the expiration of such registration on the date of cancellation; and (2) for a biennial registration, one-half of the registration fee if there is one year or more remaining until the expiration of such registration on the date of cancelation.

(1949 Rev., S. 2388; 1953, 1955, S. 1306d; 1955, S. 1303d, 1304d, 1305d; 1957, P.A. 164; 450; 608; 668; 1959, P.A. 62, S. 1; 545, S. 1; 1961, P.A. 22, S. 1; 233, S. 8; 441; 581, S. 8; 591; February, 1965, P.A. 220; 414, S. 2; 1967, P.A. 501, S. 2; 1969, P.A. 302, S. 2; 759, S. 6, 7, 8; 816; 1971, P.A. 526, S. 4; 529; 598; 1972, P.A. 255, S. 6; P.A. 73-454, S. 2, 5; 73-549, S. 2, 4; P.A. 75-213, S. 5, 53; P.A. 76-386; P.A. 77-538, S. 1, 2; P.A. 78-81; 78-284, S. 1, 2; P.A. 79-244, S. 3; 79-502; P.A. 80-71, S. 28, 30; 80-457, S. 2, 3; 80-466, S. 13, 14, 25; P.A. 81-394, S. 5; P.A. 82-333, S. 1, 2; 82-382, S. 2, 4; 82-460, S. 3, 6; P.A. 83-489, S. 46, 17; 83-515, S. 2; P.A. 84-254, S. 34, 62; 84-306, S. 1, 2; 84-429, S. 54; P.A. 85-81; 85-213; 85-525, S. 2, 6; 85-613, S. 146, 154; P.A. 86-157, S. 2; 86-383, S. 2, 3, 6; 86-388, S. 29, 31; P.A. 87-304, S. 1, 4; 87-329, S. 10; 87-362, S. 2, 3; 87-425; P.A. 88-194; P.A. 89-232, S. 1; P.A. 90-263, S. 1416, 46, 74; 90-299, S. 1; P.A. 92-156, S. 2, 7; 92-177, S. 7, 12; P.A. 93-74, S. 42, 67; 93-341, S. 1719, 38; P.A. 94-189, S. 6, 25, 34; P.A. 95-260, S. 18, 24; P.A. 96-167, S. 7; 96-222, S. 16, 17, 41; 96-248, S. 2, 4; P.A. 97-226, S. 3, 6; 97-309, S. 6, 23; 97-322, S. 7, 9; P.A. 98-152, S. 1, 2; P.A. 99-118; 99-232, S. 4; P.A. 00-169, S. 4, 26; P.A. 02-70, S. 44, 51; 02-105, S. 2; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-4, S. 21, 25, 26, 32, 33; P.A. 04-143, S. 20; 04-182, S. 46; 04-199, S. 810, 17; P.A. 05-218, S. 17; P.A. 07-167, S. 28; P.A. 08-150, S. 9; P.A. 09-187, S. 39; P.A. 10-110, S. 1; P.A. 11-6, S. 139; P.A. 12-81, S. 41; P.A. 13-271, S. 20; P.A. 14-122, S. 21; P.A. 18-164, S. 25; P.A. 19-165, S. 8; P.A. 21-106, S. 18; P.A. 22-25, S. 8, 19.)

History: 1959 acts repealed provisions for testing of equipment by commissioner and amended Subsec. (r) to increase certain fees; 1961 acts increased fees in Subsecs. (a) through (e), (g) through (n) and (p), (q) and (r) and added the last clause to Subsec. (r); 1965 acts changed “hundredweight” in Subsec. (p) to “hundred pounds or fraction thereof” and added Subsec. (t); 1967 act added Subsec. (u); 1969 acts added Subsec. (v), increased fees in Subsecs. (a) to (i), (k) to (n) and (p) to (s) and revised provisions re mileage factor calculation in Subsec. (d); 1971 acts specified applicability of Subsec. (m) to semitrailers “not drawn by a truck tractor”, clarified fees charged in Subsec. (r) replacing reference to records of registration or license with records “including, but not limited to, transcripts of hearings ... but excluding lists of owners of motor vehicles and supplements to such lists” and clarified Subsec. (s) by adding phrase “including but not limited to any passenger motor vehicle or motorcycle”; 1972 act repealed Subsec. (j); P.A. 73-454 added Subsec. (w); P.A. 73-549 repealed Subsec. (r); P.A. 75-213 increased fees in all subsections except Subsec. (w); P.A. 76-386 included other motor vehicles used as school buses in Subsec. (e); P.A. 77-538 included provision re vehicles owned or leased by transit district in Subsec. (o); P.A. 78-81 extended area of operation allowed for farm vehicles in Subsec. (q) from 7 to 25 miles; P.A. 78-284 added special provisions in Subsec. (p) re service buses owned by nonprofit organizations and required annual inspection of service buses; P.A. 79-244 added Subsec. (x); P.A. 79-502 specified that registration of buses under Subsec. (d) is “sufficient for all types of operation under this chapter”; P.A. 80-71 changed Subsec. (a) to reflect change to biennial registration; P.A. 80-457 added exception in Subsec. (a) re registrations by persons 65 or older; P.A. 80-466 added refund provision in Subsec. (a) and added reference to single license plate in Subsec. (s); P.A. 81-394 added Subsec. (y) which set registration fee for high-mileage vehicles; P.A. 82-333 amended Subsec. (b) by increasing the fee from $8 to $10 and providing that the additional $2 for each registration shall become part of the general fund, however, it shall be deemed to be appropriated for a program of motorcycle rider education formerly supported by federal funds; P.A. 82-382 added provision to Subsec. (o) that no registration fee shall be charged for any motor vehicle leased to an agency of the state; P.A. 82-460 included provisions re “combination” motor vehicles in Subsec. (e), changing seating capacity of vehicles not used as public service motor vehicles from seven to ten and made a technical correction in Subsec. (w); P.A. 83-489 amended Subsec. (g) to increase fee for each set of number plates furnished from $10 to $20, amended Subsec. (i) to increase fee for the transfer of registration of a motor vehicle previously registered from $5 to $6 and amended Subsec. (w) to increase safety fee from $1 to $2; P.A. 83-515 amended Subsec. (a), increasing the registration fee for antique, rare or special interest motor vehicles from $7 to $20; P.A. 84-254 increased the motor vehicle registration fees in all Subsecs. except (o) and (w), with the increases taking effect as of July first of 1984, 1986, 1988 and 1992, except under Subsec. (v) as of July first of 1985, 1989, 1991 and 1993; P.A. 84-306 amended Subsec. (w), requiring that moneys from the safety fee be deposited in the general fund rather than in special safety fund; P.A. 84-429 made technical changes for statutory consistency; P.A. 85-81 repealed former Subsec. (u) concerning registration fees for vehicles with consular plates; P.A. 85-213 amended Subsec. (q), increasing the distance from the farm which farm vehicles may be operated on highways from 25 to 35 miles; P.A. 85-525 amended Subsec. (a) to require biennial, instead of annual, registration of any motor vehicle for which special plates have been issued under Sec. 14-20, amended Subsec. (b) to require biennial, instead of annual, registration of motorcycles, amended Subsec. (e)(1) to require biennial, instead of annual, registration of a passenger motor vehicle used in part for commercial purposes or of a passenger motor vehicle used as a school bus having a seating capacity of seven or less, amended Subsec. (e)(3) to require biennial, instead of annual, registration of a commercial motor vehicle used in part as a passenger motor vehicle or of a motor vehicle having a seating capacity greater than ten and not used as a public service motor vehicle, amended Subsec. (g) to require biennial, instead of annual, registration of motorcycles owned or operated by, or in the custody of, a manufacturer of, dealer in or repairer of motorcycles, amended Subsec. (m)(1) to require biennial, instead of annual, registration of a trailer used exclusively for camping or any other recreational purpose, amended Subsec. (q) to require biennial, instead of annual, registration of motor vehicles used exclusively for farming purposes, amended Subsec. (t) to require biennial, instead of annual, registration of campers, and amended Subsec. (x) to require biennial, instead of annual, registration of vanpool vehicles; P.A. 85-613 amended Subsec. (o) to apply to vehicles owned by municipalities “as defined in section 7-245”; P.A. 86-157 added Subsec. (z), specifying fee for special use registration; P.A. 86-383 amended Subsec. (e) to prohibit registration of “combination” motor vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds and to require registration fee refunds for “combination” registrations and amended Subsec. (g) to reflect change from imposition of biennial to annual fee; P.A. 86-388 amended Subsec. (w), substituting “number” plate for marker plate and providing that the $2 fee be charged for issuance of a set of plates; P.A. 87-304 amended Subsec. (i) to add an exemption from assessment of the fee for transfer of registration of a vehicle previously registered for handicapped persons receiving a special international symbol of access number plate after transfer of their previously unexpired registrations and amended Subsec. (w) to add an exemption from assessment of the safety fee for handicapped persons receiving a special international symbol of access number plate after transfer of their previously unexpired registrations; P.A. 87-329 maintained the fees at the levels existing on and after July 1, 1986, and decreased the fees effective July 1, 1992, to the levels formerly existing on and after July 1, 1988, and made several technical changes; P.A. 87-362 amended Subsec. (t) to require registration fee refunds for camper registrations and amended Subsec. (w) to include an exemption from assessment of the safety fee; P.A. 87-425 amended Subsec. (b) by changing the amount deemed appropriated to the department of transportation for purposes of continuing the program of motorcycle rider education from $2 of the total fee with respect to the registration of such motorcycle to $4, and by specifying that such amount shall be entered upon the records of the special transportation fund, rather than the general fund; P.A. 88-194 amended Subsec. (a) to eliminate the registration fee for antique fire apparatus and transit buses owned by nonprofit organizations and used primarily for public events; P.A. 89-232 amended Subsec. (q) to eliminate the mileage limitation on operation of motor vehicles used exclusively for farming purposes, to prohibit the use of such vehicles for transporting goods for hire and to prohibit the issuance of farm registrations to any person having gross annual farm sales of less than $1,000; P.A. 90-263 amended Subsec. (b)(1) to substitute phrase “for commercial purposes” for “as a commercial motor vehicle” with respect to registration of motorcycle with side car or box attached, amended Subsec. (c) to substitute taxicab or motor vehicle in livery service for public service motor vehicle other than a motor bus, amended Subsec. (e)(1) to delete phrase re registration “of a passenger motor vehicle used as a school bus having a seating capacity of seven or less”, to substitute ten for seven in Subsec. (e)(2) with regard to seating capacity of a school bus or other vehicle used as a school bus, to provide that fees specified in Subsec. (e)(3) apply to registration of motor vehicle used in part for commercial purposes and as a passenger motor vehicle, deleting reference to public service motor vehicle, and to provide in Subsec. (e)(4) that motor vehicles used in part for commercial purposes and private passenger purposes be issued a combination registration, deleting reference to passenger and commercial registration, amended Subsec. (h) to add phrase “registration of a” after “the minimum annual fee for any commercial”, amended Subsec. (m)(2) to substitute commercial registrations for commercial motor vehicles, and amended Subsec. (n)(2) to substitute motor vehicle used to transport passengers for hire for public service motor vehicle and Subsec. (n)(3) to substitute motor vehicle used for commercial purposes for commercial motor vehicle; P.A. 90-299 added Subsec. (aa) concerning assessment of fees for late registration renewals; P.A. 92-156 amended Subsec. (aa) to require commissioner to assess a $10 late fee for registration renewal if registrant fails to renew within 5 days after expiration, eliminating schedule of graduated increases in late fees; P.A. 92-177 amended Subsecs. (a) and (e) to eliminate requirement that commissioner refund one-half of registration fee when plates are returned with one year or more remaining until expiration, amended Subsecs. (o) and (p) to require that a $20 fee be charged for inspection, amended Subsec. (s) to increase additional registration fee from $47 to $65, making fee applicable to plates bearing any combination of letters or numbers requested by registrant and issued in discretion of commissioner, to increase fee effective July 1, 1992, from $53 to $65, and to require that a $30 fee be charged for registration renewals in addition to regular fee prescribed, deleting prohibition re charging an additional fee except for first year of issuance, and amended Subsec. (w) to increase safety fee from $2 to $5; P.A. 93-74 amended Subsec. (s) by eliminating fee for renewal of vanity plate, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 93-341 amended Subsec. (c) to delete fee provisions rendered obsolete as of July 1, 1992, amended Subsec. (e) to delete fee provisions rendered obsolete as of July 1, 1992 and to specify fees for type I and type II school buses, and amended Subsec. (p) by eliminating the weight-based registration fees and replacing them with fees based on seating capacity and deleting provisions re annual inspection and fees, effective July 1, 1994 (Revisor's note: The phrase “added shall be” which should have been deleted from before the words “eight dollars” at the end of Subsec. (e)(3) was deleted editorially by the Revisors to correct a technical clerical error); P.A. 94-189 amended Subsec. (i) by changing the reference to Subsec. (b) of Sec. 14-153a to Subsec. (d) and deleted obsolete language re fee increases, and further, amended Subsec. (aa) by adding exception re trailers used exclusively for camping or any other recreational purpose, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 95-260 amended Subsec. (a) to require commissioner to refund one-half of registration fee for passenger registration when plates are returned on or after January 1, 1995, with one year or more remaining until expiration, effective June 13, 1995; P.A. 96-167 amended Subsec. (q) to make a technical change, to prohibit the use of motor vehicles used exclusively for farming purposes for taking the on-the-road skills test portion of the motor vehicle operator's license examination, to prohibit the issuance of farm registrations to any person having gross annual farm sales of less than $2,500 instead of $1,000 and to authorize commissioner to issue farm registrations for passenger motor vehicles under such conditions as prescribed in regulations; P.A. 96-222 amended Subsec. (d) to insert “or its successor agency” after “Interstate Commerce Commission” and amended Subsec. (m)(2) to eliminate the commissioner's authority to charge fee for heavy duty trailer or other heavy construction equipment for part of a year and to make a technical change, effective July 1, 1996; P.A. 96-248 amended Subsec. (v) to increase fee for motor vehicle learner's permit or renewal from $5.50 to $6 and deleted obsolete fee schedule, effective January 1, 1997; P.A. 97-226 amended Subsec. (w) to make a technical change and to allow commissioner to waive safety fee for any person who submits a police report indicating that number plate has been stolen or mutilated for purpose of obtaining the sticker attached to plate, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 97-309 amended Subsec. (w) to require deposit of safety fee in Special Transportation Fund rather than General Fund, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 97-322 changed effective date of P.A. 97-309 but without affecting this section; P.A. 98-152 amended Subsec. (a) by making technical changes and deleting a provision mandating the commissioner to refund one-half of certain registration fees and added Subsec. (bb) re the refund of one-half of a registration fee; P.A. 99-118 amended Subsec. (o) by increasing the number of vehicles a disabled veteran may register without fee from one owned passenger motor vehicle to three passenger motor vehicles, campers or passenger and commercial motor vehicles leased or owned; P.A. 99-232 amended Subsec. (aa) to insert designator for Subpara. (A) and add Subpara. (B) re a motor vehicle designed or permanently altered to provide living quarters for travel or camping (Revisor's note: In Subsec. (aa) the subparagraph designators (A) and (B) were changed editorially by the Revisors to subdivision designators (1) and (2) for consistency with customary statutory usage); P.A. 00-169 made technical corrections in Subsec. (o) and amended Subsec. (q) to add provisions that motor vehicles with farm registrations used for transporting ten or more passengers meet certain equipment and mechanical condition requirements and such vehicles used for transporting fifteen or more passengers also meet the applicable requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations adopted by the commissioner, and that the operator of such a vehicle hold a public transportation permit or endorsement under Sec. 14-44, and made a technical change for the purpose of gender neutrality; P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (e)(4) to revise the basis for issuing a combination registration from the vehicle's gross weight to its gross vehicle weight rating and, effective July 1, 2002, amended Subsec. (q) to make a technical change; P.A. 02-105 made a technical change in Subsec. (i), effective January 1, 2003; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-4 amended Subsec. (a) to increase fees for registration of passenger motor vehicle other than electric motor vehicle from $70 to $75 for two years and, for persons age 65 or older, from $35 to $38 for one year and from $70 to $75 for two years, and to increase fee for biennial registration of vehicle with special license plates from $70 to $75, amended Subsec. (b) to increase biennial fee for registration of motorcycle to $40 and to make a technical change, amended Subsec. (c) to increase registration fee for each taxicab or motor vehicle in livery service, with seating capacity of seven or less, from $105 to $125, amended Subsec. (e) to increase biennial fee for registration of passenger motor vehicle used in part for commercial purposes from $78 to $83 in Subdiv. (1) and to increase registration fee for motor vehicle used in part for commercial purposes and as passenger vehicle, and for motor vehicle having seating capacity of greater than ten and not used as conveyance for hire, to amount for commercial vehicle based on weight plus $13, rather than $8, in Subdiv. (3), and amended Subsec. (v) to increase fees for learner's permit or renewal from $6 to $18 and for motorcycle learner's permit or renewal from $5.50 to $15, effective January 1, 2004; P.A. 04-143 amended Subsec. (v) to substitute “training” permit for “learner's” permit, effective May 21, 2004; P.A. 04-182 amended Subsec. (i) to increase fee from $11 to $20 for registration of motor vehicle previously registered, amended Subsec. (n) by replacing former provisions with provisions to increase fee for temporary registration or renewal of such registration of a noncommercial motor vehicle to $20 for each 10-day period, or part thereof, of a commercial motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 6,000 pounds or less to $25 for each 10-day period, or part thereof, and of a commercial motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of more than 6,000 pounds to $46 for each 10-day period, or part thereof, and amended Subsec. (z) to increase fee for special use registration for period of 30 days or less from $10 to $20, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-199 amended Subsec. (c) to change registration fee from annual in amount of $125 to biennial in amount of $250, effective July 1, 2004, amended Subsec. (e) to except pick-up trucks and to require commissioner to issue combination registration to passenger vehicle used in part for commercial purposes in Subdiv. (1), to require commissioner to issue combination registration to passenger vehicle used in part for commercial purposes or to vehicle having seating capacity greater than ten not used for conveyance of passengers for hire in Subdiv. (3), to make conforming changes in Subdiv. (4), and to add Subdiv. (5) to establish biennial registration fee for pick-up truck and to permit issuance of passenger registration for pick-up truck meeting specified requirements, effective June 3, 2004, and amended Subsec. (p) to change registration fees from annual to biennial, double amount of each fee and add provision re registration schedule, and amended Subsec. (bb) to delete former Subdivs. (1) and (2) and provide for refunding of registration fee for any motor vehicle when number plates and registration certificate returned with one year or more remaining before expiration of registration, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 05-218 amended Subsec. (e) by specifying applicability to pick-up truck “having a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 12,500 pounds” in Subdivs. (1) and (5) and, in Subdiv. (4), changing weight limit from 10,000 to 12,500 pounds; P.A. 07-167 deleted former Subsec. (x) re biennial fee for vanpool vehicle registration and redesignated existing Subsecs. (y) to (bb) as Subsecs. (x) to (aa), effective July 1, 2007; P.A. 08-150 amended Subsec. (w) to delete requirement that police report indicate that number plate or set of number plates have been stolen or mutilated “for the purpose of obtaining the sticker attached to the plate denoting the expiration date of the registration”; P.A. 09-187 amended Subsec. (w) to delete provision re waiver of safety fee if number plates were stolen or mutilated; P.A. 10-110 amended Subsec. (o) to delete operator's license fee exemption re motor vehicles owned by municipality or governmental or military agency, effective July 1, 2010; P.A. 11-6 increased fees in Subsec. (a) for biennial registration from $75 to $80, one-year registration from $38 to $40, and biennial registration of vehicle with special plates from $75 to $80, in Subsec. (b) for biennial registration of motorcycle from $40 to $42, and biennial registration of motorcycle with side car from $56 to $60, in Subsec. (c) for a taxicab from $250 to $266, in Subsec. (d) for a motor bus, from $53 to $56, and for a multiple-state passenger carrier, from $1.25 plus $39 to $1.25 plus $42, in Subsec. (e)(1) for passenger vehicle used in part for commercial purposes from $83 to $88, in Subsec. (e)(2) for a type I school bus from $100 to $107 and for a type II school bus from $60 to $64, in Subsec. (e)(3) for a vehicle used in part for commercial purposes or one having seating capacity greater than ten, from a biennial fee for gross weight plus $13 to a biennial fee for gross weight plus $14, and in Subsec. (e)(5) for a pick-up truck from a biennial fee for gross weight plus $13 to a biennial fee for gross weight plus $14, in Subsec. (f) for registration of an electric motor vehicle, from $18 to $19, in Subsec. (g) for motorcycles, from $35 to $37, in Subsec. (h) for commercial registration from $56 to $60, in Subsec. (i) for previously-registered vehicle from $20 to $21, in Subsec. (k) for a hearse from $35 to $37, in Subsec. (l) for truck used in industrial plant from $28 to $30, in Subsec. (m) for trailer from $18 to $19 and for construction equipment from $306 to $326, in Subsec. (n) for temporary registration from $20 to $21, for temporary registration of vehicle used for commercial purposes from $25 to $27, and for temporary registration of a high-weight vehicle used for commercial purposes from $46 to $49, in Subsec. (p) for registration of service bus with capacity of 16 or fewer, from $200 to $213, for service bus with capacity of more than 16, from $700 to $747, for service bus with capacity of 16 or fewer owned by nonprofit from $150 to $160 and for service bus with capacity of more than 16 owned by nonprofit from $500 to $533, in Subsec. (q) for farming vehicle from $28 to $30, in Subsec. (s) for vanity plates from $65 to $69, in Subsec. (t) for a camper from $70 to $75, in Subsec. (v) for a learner's permit from $18 to $19 and for a motorcycle training permit from $15 to $16, in Subsec. (x) for a high-mileage vehicle from $44 to $47, and in Subsec. (y) for a special use registration from $20 to $21, and amended Subsec. (z) by adding a late registration fee of $150 dollars, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (v) to replace “motor vehicle learner's permit” with “motor vehicle adult or youth instruction permit” and replace “motorcycle training permit” with “motorcycle instruction permit”, effective January 1, 2013; P.A. 13-271 amended Subsec. (f) to replace provision re fee of $15 for each year or part thereof and $19 on and after July 1, 2011, with provision re fee of $38 biennially; P.A. 14-122 made a technical change in Subsec. (i), effective June 6, 2014; P.A. 18-164 amended Subsecs. (t) and (aa) to add provision re refunding one-half of registration fee if canceled with one year or more remaining until expiration and requested prior to expiration, amended Subsecs. (t), (x) and (z) to make technical changes, effective July 1, 2018; P.A. 19-165 replaced provisions re two-year registration and biennial fee with provisions re three-year registration and triennial fee in Subsecs. (a), (b), (e), (f), (m), (q) and (t), further amended Subsec. (a) to add provision re prorated registration fee, further amended Subsec. (b) by replacing $4.00 with $6.00 re amount deemed appropriated to Department of Transportation for motorcycle rider education in Subdiv. (2), further amended Subsec. (f) by adding provision re prorated amount, amended Subsec. (h) by replacing $50.00 with $60.00 re minimum annual fee for certain commercial registrations, amended Subsec. (k) by replacing $31.00 with $37.00 re registration of motor hearse, amended Subsec. (l) by replacing $25.00 with $30.00 re registration of truck used between parts of industrial plant, amended Subsec. (o) to delete provision re inspection of ambulance, further amended Subsec. (q) to add provision re prorated amount and replace “public transportation permit or endorsement” with “public passenger endorsement”, further amended Subsec. (t) to replace provisions re refund of registration fee with provisions re same, deleted former Subsec. (x) re registration of high-mileage vehicle, redesignated existing Subsecs. (y) to (aa) as Subsecs. (x) to (z), amended redesignated Subsec. (z) to replace provisions re refund of registration fee with provisions re same, and made technical and conforming changes, effective January 1, 2020; P.A. 21-106 amended Subsec. (e)(1) by adding provision re combination registration renewal period for individual 65 years of age or older; P.A. 22-25 amended Subsec. (a) to delete provision re electric motor vehicle and repealed Subsec. (f), effective July 1, 2022.

See Sec. 14-28 re issuance of passenger motor vehicle plates for livery cars and taxicabs.

See Sec. 14-58 re dealers' and repairers' licenses.

See Sec. 14-59 re special dealers' plates.

Cited. 194 C. 129; 239 C. 1.

Cited. 37 CS 693.

Sec. 14-49a. Fee for registration for six months or less. The fee for any registration issued for six months or less shall be one-half the annual fee, except as otherwise provided by section 14-49.

(1961, P.A. 233, S. 7.)

Sec. 14-49b. Federal Clean Air Act fee. Passport to the Parks Fee. (a)(1) For each new registration or renewal of registration of any motor vehicle with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles pursuant to this chapter, the person registering such vehicle shall pay to the commissioner a fee of fifteen dollars for registration for a triennial period, ten dollars for registration for a biennial period and five dollars for registration for an annual period, except that any individual who is sixty-five years of age or older on or after January 1, 1994, may, at the discretion of such individual, pay the fee for a one-year period if such individual obtains a one-year registration under subsection (a) of section 14-49. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any motor vehicle that is not self-propelled, that is electrically powered, or that is exempted from payment of a registration fee. This fee may be identified as the “federal Clean Air Act fee” on any registration form provided by the commissioner. Payments collected pursuant to the provisions of this subsection shall be deposited as follows: (A) Fifty-seven and one-half per cent of such payments collected shall be deposited into the Special Transportation Fund established pursuant to section 13b-68, and (B) forty-two and one-half per cent of such payments collected shall be deposited into the General Fund. The fee required by this subsection is in addition to any other fees prescribed by any other provision of this title for the registration of a motor vehicle. No part of the federal Clean Air Act fee shall be subject to a refund under subsection (z) of section 14-49.

(2) Not later than January 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, in consultation with the Commissioners of Energy and Environmental Protection, Transportation and Motor Vehicles, shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, the environment and transportation indicating (A) the amount of payments collected pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection during the preceding fiscal year, and (B) all state funds expended during the preceding fiscal year associated with implementing the requirements of the federal Clean Air Act, improving air quality and reducing transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions.

(b) For each new registration or renewal of registration of any motor vehicle with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles pursuant to this chapter, the person registering such vehicle shall pay to the commissioner a fee of fifteen dollars for registration for a triennial period or ten dollars for registration for a biennial period for the following registration types: Passenger, motorcycle, motor home, combination or antique. Any person who is sixty-five years or older and who obtains a one-year registration renewal under section 14-49 for such registration type shall pay five dollars for the annual registration period. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any motor vehicle that is not self-propelled or that is exempted from payment of a registration fee. This fee shall be identified as the “Passport to the Parks Fee” on any registration form provided by the commissioner. Payments collected pursuant to the provisions of this subsection shall be deposited in the Passport to the Parks account established pursuant to section 23-15h. The fee required by this subsection is in addition to any other fees prescribed by any other provision of this title for the registration of a motor vehicle. No part of the “Passport to the Parks Fee” shall be subject to a refund under subsection (z) of section 14-49.

(P.A. 93-235, S. 3; P.A. 94-189, S. 22; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1, S. 46, 121; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-6, S. 79, 85; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 150; P.A. 04-151, S. 11; P.A. 06-161, S. 7; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3, S. 393; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2, S. 325; P.A. 19-165, S. 9; P.A. 22-25, S. 9.)

History: P.A. 94-189 amended Subsec. (a) by adding the provision “that any individual who is 65 years of age or older on or after January 1, 1994, may, at his discretion, pay the fee for either a one-year or two-year period”; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing the “Clean Air Act fund” with the “Clean Air Act account”, effective June 24, 1998; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-6 amended Subsec. (a) to add provision re new registration, to increase the Clean Air Act fee, to provide that a portion of the revenue therefrom shall go to the Special Transportation Fund, to provide that fee required by section is in addition to other registration fees and to make technical changes, effective July 1, 2001; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 amended Subsec. (a) by adding “and any funds transferred to the account pursuant to section 22a-27m may additionally be used by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection to carry out the provisions of chapter 446c”; P.A. 04-151 amended Subsec. (a) to change “22a-174a” to “22a-174”, effective May 21, 2004; P.A. 06-161 made a technical change in Subsec. (a); June Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-3 deleted former Subsec. (b) re operating budget for federal Clean Air Act account, deleted provisions re deposit and use of funds in said account, added requirement that payments be deposited in General Fund and made a conforming change; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2 designated existing provisions re registration fee as Subsec. (a) and amended same to add provision re fee not subject to refund, added Subsec. (b) re Passport to the Parks Fee, and made technical and conforming changes, effective January 1, 2018; P.A. 19-165 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) to add provision re registration fee for triennial period and replace reference to Sec. 14-49(aa) with reference to Sec. 14-49(z), and further amended Subsec. (a) to replace provision re two-year registration for individual who is 65 years of age or older with provision re one-year registration under Sec. 14-49(a), effective January 1, 2020; P.A. 22-25 amended Subsec. (a) by designating existing provisions as Subdiv. (1) and redesignating Subdivs. (1) and (2) as Subparas. (A) and (B) and added new Subdiv. (2) re report by Secretary of Office of Policy and Management re federal Clean Air Act fee collection and expenditure and made a technical change, effective July 1, 2022.

Sec. 14-50. Fees for operator's license renewal, passenger endorsement, operator's examination, collection cost and returned check or rejected payment. Waiver of fees. (a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of section 14-41, any person who renews a motor vehicle operator's license which contains one or more passenger endorsements shall be charged an additional fee of twelve dollars for each year or part thereof for each passenger endorsement.

(b) There shall be charged for each examination of an operator of a motor vehicle a fee of forty dollars which shall be paid in such time and manner as the commissioner shall direct. The fee shall cover all parts of the examination. If the applicant fails the examination, or any part thereof, the applicant shall be charged an additional fee of forty dollars to retake the examination, or retake the part that was failed.

(c) The commissioner shall waive any operator's license or registration fee, including any renewal fee, in the case of any person in the active service of the armed forces of the United States who was a legal resident of Connecticut at the time of his or her induction; and for one licensing period to any person who is a veteran, as defined in section 27-103, which person applies for such operator's license or registration within two years following the date of separation and was a legal resident of Connecticut at the time of his or her induction. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this subsection.

(d) The commissioner may adopt procedures for issuing licenses on an expedited basis and may charge a fee of not more than seventy-five dollars for such expedited service.

(e) The commissioner may assess a fee to cover the cost of the collection of number plates, motor vehicle registration certificates or operators' licenses, upon the holders thereof; and such number plates, motor vehicle registration certificates or operators' licenses shall not be returned to the holder thereof or reissued until such fee is paid.

(f) Whenever any check issued to the commissioner in payment of any fee is returned as uncollectible or a payment of any fee by means of a credit or debit card is rejected or dishonored, the commissioner shall charge the drawer of such check or the person presenting such check to him, or the holder of the credit or debit card or the person presenting such credit or debit card to the commissioner, a fee of thirty-five dollars for each such fee that is due in an amount of not more than two hundred dollars, and a fee of fifteen per cent of the full amount of each such fee that is due in an amount in excess of two hundred dollars, plus all protest fees or charges, to cover the cost of collection.

(g) All fees provided for in this chapter shall be construed to be license fees imposed for the administration of this chapter and as compensation for the privilege of using the highways of this state, and to reimburse the state in whole or in part for injury done to the highways by the operation of motor vehicles.

(1949 Rev., S. 2389; 1953, 1955, S. 1299d; 1957, P.A. 322; 599, S. 1; 1961, P.A. 481, S. 2; 581, S. 9; 1967, P.A. 807, S. 5, 6; 1969, P.A. 759, S. 9; 1971, P.A. 91; 508; P.A. 74-81; P.A. 75-213, S. 4, 53; P.A. 76-263, S. 7, 9; P.A. 77-6, S. 1, 2; P.A. 78-252, S. 1, 2; P.A. 83-489, S. 7, 17; P.A. 84-254, S. 35, 62; 84-429, S. 55; P.A. 85-525, S. 3, 6; P.A. 87-329, S. 11, 12; P.A. 90-263, S. 18, 74; P.A. 91-13, S. 2, 3; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-9, S. 2, 4; P.A. 93-341, S. 20, 38; P.A. 97-1, S. 2, 4; P.A. 98-95; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-6, S. 78, 85; June Sp. Sess. P. A 01-9, S. 51, 131; P.A. 03-171, S. 9; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-4, S. 22; P.A. 04-182, S. 7; 04-199, S. 21; P.A. 09-187, S. 3, 52; P.A. 12-81, S. 6; P.A. 13-271, S. 21; P.A. 14-130, S. 13; P.A. 18-47, S. 17; P.A. 19-165, S. 13; P.A. 21-79, S. 24.)

History: 1961 acts increased inspection fee in Subsec. (b) and added Subsec. (f); 1967 act added provisions re fees for motorcycle operator's licenses in Subsecs. (a) and (b); 1969 act increased fees for motor vehicle or motorcycle operator's license from $6 to $8 and additional fee for public service operator's license from $3 to $4 in Subsec. (a); 1971 acts replaced “discharge” and “discharged” with “separation” and “separated” in Subsec. (c) and required application within two years rather than one year of date of separation and made $5 charge in Subsec. (e) applicable to checks of $50 or less, adding 10% charge for checks over $50; P.A. 74-81 inserted new Subsec. (d) re waiver of fees upon request of fire chief and relettered former Subsec. (d) and remaining subsections accordingly; P.A. 75-213 increased fees in Subsec. (a) from $8 to $10 and from $4 to $5 and in Subsec. (b) from $5 to $6.50; P.A. 76-263 amended Subsec. (a) to include reference to Sec. 14-41 and to increase fee from $10 to $21; P.A. 77-6 included drawers of checks in Subsec. (f); P.A. 78-252 increased charges in Subsec. (f) to $10 for checks not exceeding $100 and 10% for checks over $100; P.A. 83-489 amended Subsec. (b) to increase operator examination fee from $6.50 to $10; P.A. 84-254 increased the fee amounts reflected in the Subsecs., with the increases taking effect on successive July first dates of various years; P.A. 84-429 made technical changes for statutory consistency; P.A. 85-525 amended Subsec. (a) to increase license renewal fee from $26 to $26.50, on and after July 1, 1984, to reduce fee from $32 to $31, on and after July 1, 1986, to reduce fee from $37 to $35.50, on and after July 1, 1988, and to increase fee from $42 to $44, on and after July 1, 1992; P.A. 87-329 amended Subsec. (a), maintaining the fees at the levels existing on and after July 1, 1986, and decreasing the fees effective July 1, 1992, to the levels formerly existing on and after July 1, 1988, and amended Subsec. (g), maintaining the fee at the level existing on and after July 1, 1986, and delaying until July 1, 1992, the fee increase formerly effective on and after July 1, 1988; P.A. 90-263 amended Subsec. (a) to substitute public passenger transportation permit for public service operator's license; and amended Subsec. (b) to delete provisions re inspection fee for public service motor vehicles; P.A. 91-13 amended Subsec. (b) to establish a fee for each advance appointment for operator's license examination; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-9 amended Subsec. (b) to make imposition of the fee for an advance appointment for operator's license examination permissive instead of mandatory; P.A. 93-341 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing reference to “public passenger transportation permit” with “passenger endorsement” and amended Subsec. (d) by deleting references to “class 2” licenses, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 97-1 deleted obsolete references re fees throughout section, eliminated fee for issuance of home training certificate in Subsec. (g) and relettered existing Subsec. (h) as (g), effective January 30, 1997; P.A. 98-95 amended Subsec. (f) to change fee from $36 to $15 for checks of not more than $100 and from 36% to 15% for checks over $100, limited application of percentage to a $200 maximum and imposed new $35 charge for amounts in excess of $200; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-6 amended Subsec. (a) to provide increased license fees for six-year license and to make technical changes, effective July 1, 2001; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9 amended Subsec. (a) to provide for the option of a four or six-year license and a corresponding fee structure, effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 03-171 amended Subsec. (a) to delete fees for renewals of motorcycle operator's licenses and amended Subsec. (b) to make examination fee applicable to operator of motor vehicle and delete “motorcycle or other”; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-4 amended Subsec. (a) to increase fees for renewal of motor vehicle operator's licenses from $35.50 to $43 for four-year renewal and from $53 to $65 for six-year renewal, and to increase additional fee for each passenger endorsement from $9 to $12, and amended Subsec. (b) to increase fee for examination of operator of motor vehicle from $36 to $40, effective January 1, 2004; P.A. 04-182 amended Subsec. (f) to increase fees to $35 for returned check issued to commissioner in an amount not more than $200 and to 15% of amount of check in excess of $200, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-199 amended Subsec. (c) to require commissioner to waive any operator's license or registration fees, including renewal fees, of persons in active service of the armed forces of the United States meeting requirements of subsection and to permit commissioner to adopt regulations to implement provisions of subsection, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 09-187 amended Subsec. (b) to add provisions re fee payment and coverage, require additional fee to retake examination and delete provisions re advance appointment fee, effective October 1, 2009, and amended Subsec. (f) to add provisions re payment by credit or debit card and make conforming changes, effective July 1, 2009; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (a) to delete provision re fee for renewal of a 4-year license and make additional fee for passenger endorsement apply to part of year, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 13-271 amended Subsec. (a) to increase fee from $65 to $72; P.A. 14-130 amended Subsec. (d) by replacing provisions re waiver of operator's examination fee for member of fire department or company with provision re expedited service, effective January 1, 2015; P.A. 18-47 amended Subsec. (c) to designate existing provision re honorably separated as Subdiv. (1), add Subdiv. (2) re person with qualifying condition and separation other than with bad conduct characterization or dishonorably, and to make technical changes; P.A. 19-165 amended Subsec. (a) to replace “there shall be charged a fee of seventy-two dollars for each renewal of a motor vehicle operator's license issued for a period of six years and” with “any person who renews a motor vehicle operator's license which contains one or more passenger endorsements shall be charged”, effective January 1, 2020; P.A. 21-79 amended Subsec. (c) to redefine “veteran”.

See Sec. 14-41(b) re fee for issuance of original operators' license.

Failure to endorse his license does not make the operator “an unlicensed person.” 104 C. 487; 114 C. 76.

Sec. 14-50a. Fees for copies, abstracts, duplicates, replacements and searches. Restriction on use of information. Penalty. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the fee charged by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for the following items or services shall be twenty dollars:

(1) Duplicate of a registration certificate.

(2) For each duplicate of a motor vehicle operator's license or identity card, thirty dollars. As used in this section, “duplicate” shall include any license or identity card that is reissued prior to the expiration date of a previously issued license or identity card, and (A) is identical to the holder's most recently issued license or identity card, or (B) contains modifications to one or more items of information that appear on the holder's most recently issued license or identity card. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, one duplicate shall be issued, for a fee of five dollars, to the holder of a license or identity card who reaches the age of twenty-one years.

(3) Replacement number plate or set of number plates, except as provided in subsection (c) of section 14-253a.

(4) Replacement number plate or set of number plates bearing same number as set of replaced plates.

(5) Certified abstract of driving history record, or driving history record for applicants for commercial driver's license with passenger endorsement or transportation permit.

(6) Name of registered owner.

(7) Operator license information.

(8) Certification of any copy or record.

(9) Certified transcripts of hearing held and transcribed by the commissioner, three dollars and fifty cents per page with a minimum charge of twenty dollars.

(10) Each copy of a motor vehicle operator's completed application for a license.

(11) Each copy of a completed application for registration of a motor vehicle.

(12) Each copy of a title document provided to a municipality.

(13) Each request for information as provided in section 14-10, the amount provided in said section.

(14) Each document from a motor vehicle record, as defined in section 14-10, that is electronically maintained by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(15) For any copy or material released from information maintained by the Department of Motor Vehicles for which no fee is established by statute, an amount determined by the commissioner.

(b) The commissioner may establish fees not conforming to those of subsection (a) of this section for information furnished on a volume basis to persons or firms who satisfy the commissioner that the information furnished is properly required in connection with the conduct of such person's or firm's business, except that commencing on August 16, 2003, the fee established under this subsection for driving history records furnished to for-profit businesses shall be not less than fifteen dollars.

(c) The commissioner may waive any fee specified in subdivision (3) or (4) of subsection (a) of this section in the case of any person who submits a police report to the commissioner indicating that the number plate or set of number plates have been stolen or mutilated.

(d) No person, firm or corporation furnished information by the commissioner as provided by this section shall distribute such information for any other purpose than that for which it was furnished.

(e) Any person, firm or corporation which violates any provision of this section shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars.

(P.A. 73-549, S. 1, 4; P.A. 74-283, S. 1, 2; P.A. 77-381, S. 1, 2; P.A. 80-466, S. 15, 25; P.A. 82-413; P.A. 83-443; 83-489, S. 15, 17; P.A. 84-254, S. 36, 62; 84-546, S. 41, 173; P.A. 85-525, S. 4, 6; P.A. 87-304, S. 2; 87-329, S. 13; P.A. 92-177, S. 1, 12; P.A. 94-206, S. 2; P.A. 97-226, S. 4, 6; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-1, S. 117; P.A. 04-199, S. 16; P.A. 09-187, S. 40; P.A. 11-6, S. 141; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 209.)

History: P.A. 74-283 amended Item 4 in Subsec. (a) table to refer to set of plates rather than one plate; P.A. 77-381 changed fee for duplicate of operator's license (Item 2) in Subsec. (a) table from $2 to $3; P.A. 80-466 amended Items 3 and 4 in table in Subsec. (a) to include references to single plates; P.A. 82-413 raised fee for a driving history record from $4 to $5; P.A. 83-443 amended Subsec. (a) to impose a fee of $3 for each search of the department's accident record files made as a result of a request for a copy of an accident report which resulted in no document being found; P.A. 83-489 amended Subsec. (a) to increase the fee for a replacement number plate or set of number plates from $3 to $5; P.A. 84-254 amended Subsec. (a) to increase all the fees except under item 9., making the increases effective on successive July first dates of varying years; P.A. 84-546 made technical changes in Subsec. (a); P.A. 85-525 amended Subdivs. 3. and 4. of Subsec. (a) to increase fee for replacement number plate or set of plates from $6 to $7.50, on and after July 1, 1984, from $8 to $10, on and after July 1, 1986, from $9 to $11, on and after July 1, 1988, and from $10 to $12, on and after July 1, 1992; P.A. 87-304 amended Subsec. (a)(3) to include an exemption from assessment of the fee for issuance of replacement number plates for handicapped persons receiving a special international symbol of access number plate after transfer of their previously unexpired registrations; P.A. 87-329 amended Subsec. (a) to maintain fees at the levels existing on and after July 1, 1986, where appropriate and decreasing the fees effective July 1, 1992, to the levels formerly existing on and after July 1, 1988, and to make technical changes throughout the subsection; P.A. 92-177 amended Subsec. (a)(1) to increase fee for duplicate of registration certificate from $3 to $5 and to eliminate fee increase effective July 1, 1992, amended Subsec. (a)(2) to establish fees for first, second and subsequent duplicate of motor vehicle operator's license and to eliminate fee increase effective July 1, 1992, amended Subsec. (a)(9) to increase fee for certified abstract of driving history record from $5 to $10 and to impose such fee for certified abstract of driving history record for applicants for commercial driver's license or transportation permit, amended Subsec. (a)(10) to increase fee for name of registered owner from $0.75 to $4.50 and to eliminate fee increase effective July 1, 1992, amended Subsec. (a)(11) to increase fee for operator license information to $5.50 and to eliminate schedule of fee increases, added new language in Subsec. (a)(14) to establish $7 fee for copy of motor vehicle operator's completed license application, added Subsec. (a)(15), establishing new $7 fee for copy of completed registration application, and added Subsec. (a)(16), establishing new $10 fee for copy of title document provided to a municipality and renumbered remaining Subdiv. accordingly; P.A. 94-206 created a new Subsec. (a)(17) re fees for providing information under Sec. 14-10 and renumbered former Subdiv. (17) as Subdiv. (18); P.A. 97-226 amended Subsec. (a)(3) to make a technical change, amended Subdivs. (3) to (8), inclusive, and (12) and (13) of said Subsec. to eliminate obsolete provisions, inserted new Subsec. (c), allowing commissioner to waive any fee in Subsec. (a)(3) or (4) for any person who submits a police report indicating that number plate has been stolen or mutilated for purpose of obtaining the sticker attached to plate, and relettered existing Subsecs. (c) and (d) as (d) and (e), respectively, effective July 1, 1997; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-1 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that the fee under said subsection, unless otherwise provided, shall be $20 and amended Subsec. (b) to provide that the fee for driving history records shall be not less than $15, effective August 16, 2003; P.A. 04-199 amended Subsec. (b) to limit minimum $15 fee to driving history records furnished to for-profit businesses, effective June 3, 2004; P.A. 09-187 amended Subsec. (c) to delete “for the purpose of obtaining the sticker attached to the plate denoting the expiration date of the registration”; P.A. 11-6 amended Subsec. (a) to add identity card, define “duplicate”, add $5 fee for duplicate of license or identity card issued to holder who turns 21 and make technical changes in Subdiv. (1), delete former Subdivs. (5) to (8) and redesignate existing Subdivs. (9) to (17) as Subdivs. (5) to (13), add new Subdiv. (14) re document electronically maintained and redesignate existing Subdiv. (18) as Subdiv. (15), effective July 1, 2011; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (a)(9) to add “and transcribed”, effective June 30, 2015.

Cited. 7 CA 286.

Subsec. (d):

Statute does not prohibit municipal tax assessor from disclosing information contained in records received from Department of Motor Vehicles or the motor vehicle grand lists compiled from such records; Freedom of Information Commission correctly concluded that assessor violated Sec. 1-210(a) by failing to provide complainant with access to requested motor vehicle grand lists. 47 CS 309.

Sec. 14-50b. Fee for restoration of operator's license, identity card or registration. School bus seat belt account. (a) Any person (1) whose operator's license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state has been suspended or revoked by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, (2) who has been disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle, or (3) whose identity card, issued under section 1-1h, has been revoked due to misrepresentation or deceit, shall pay a restoration fee of one hundred seventy-five dollars to said commissioner prior to the issuance to such person of a new operator's license or identity card or the restoration of such operator's license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle or commercial motor vehicle. Such restoration fee shall be in addition to any other fees provided by law. The commissioner shall deposit fifty dollars of such fee in a separate nonlapsing school bus seat belt account which shall be established within the General Fund.

(b) Any person whose motor vehicle registration or right of operation of a motor vehicle in this state has been suspended or revoked by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall pay a restoration fee of one hundred seventy-five dollars to said commissioner prior to the issuance to such person of a new registration or the restoration of such registration or such right of operation. Such restoration fee shall be in addition to any other fees provided by law. The commissioner shall deposit fifty dollars of such fee in the school bus seat belt account established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, on and after July 1, 2005, the first two hundred fifty thousand dollars of revenues collected from the payment of restoration fees under this section shall be appropriated to the Department of Motor Vehicles for the payment of costs, including, but not limited to, the cost of computer reprogramming, incurred by the department in establishing procedures for the suspension of operator's licenses or nonresident operating privileges under subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of section 14-227b.

(P.A. 76-224, S. 1, 2; P.A. 90-263, S. 19, 74; 90-299, S. 2; P.A. 92-177, S. 2, 12; P.A. 98-215, S. 3; P.A. 04-250, S. 3; P.A. 05-282, S. 6; P.A. 10-83, S. 2; P.A. 21-106, S. 2.)

History: P.A. 90-263 amended Subsec. (a) to require payment of restoration fee by any person who has been disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle; P.A. 90-299 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) to increase from $10 to $30 the restoration fee payable to commissioner; P.A. 92-177 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) to increase from $30 to $100 the restoration fee payable to commissioner; P.A. 98-215 amended Subsec. (b) to designate existing language as Subdiv. (1) and create exception as provided in Subsec. (b)(2), and added new provision as Subsec. (b)(2) re fee for person whose registration has been cancelled pursuant to Sec. 14-12g; P.A. 04-250 amended Subsec. (a) to increase operator's license restoration fee from $100 to $125 and added Subsec. (c) to require first $250,000 of restoration fees collected on or after July 1, 2004, to be appropriated to Department of Motor Vehicles for costs incurred in establishing procedures re operator license or nonresident operating privilege suspension, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 05-282 deleted Subsec. (b)(2) re restoration fees, making a conforming change in Subsec. (b), and amended Subsec. (c) by changing “2004” to “2005” and replacing reference to Subsec. (b) with reference to Sec. 14-227b(e); P.A. 10-83 amended Subsec. (a) to require establishment of school bus seat belt account within General Fund, increase restoration fee from $125 to $175 and require commissioner to deposit $50 of such fee in the account and amended Subsec. (b) to increase restoration fee from $125 to $175 and require commissioner to deposit $50 of such fee in the account, effective July 1, 2010; P.A. 21-106 amended Subsec. (a) to designate existing provisions as Subdivs. (1) and (2) re operator's license and commercial motor vehicle, add Subdiv. (3) re identity card and make technical changes, effective July 1, 2021.

Cited. 36 CA 710.

(D)*

DEALERS' AND REPAIRERS' LICENSES

*See Secs. 42-133r to 42-133ee, inclusive, re establishment and termination of automobile dealer franchises.

Secs. 14-5114-65j cited. 21 CA 347.

Sec. 14-51. Definitions. (a) As used in this subpart (D):

(1) “New car dealer” includes any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of merchandising new motor vehicles under a manufacturer's or importer's contract for each such make of vehicle who may, incidental to such business, sell used motor vehicles and repair motor vehicles. Such person shall be qualified to conduct such business in accordance with the requirements of section 14-52a.

(2) “Used car dealer” includes any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of merchandising motor vehicles other than new who may, incidental to such business, repair motor vehicles. A used car dealer does not include any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of leasing or renting motor vehicles that offers for sale or sells used motor vehicles incidental to its primary business, if (A) such person, firm or corporation is licensed in accordance with the provisions of section 14-15, and (B) the motor vehicles that it offers for sale were formerly the subject of one or more lease agreements to which it was a party and the actual or prospective purchaser is the original lessee pursuant to a purchase option specified in a lease agreement. Such person shall be qualified to conduct such business in accordance with the requirements of section 14-52a.

(3) “Repairer” includes any person, firm or corporation qualified to conduct such business in accordance with the requirements of section 14-52a, having a suitable facility and having adequate equipment, engaged in repairing, overhauling, adjusting, assembling or disassembling any motor vehicle, but shall exclude a person engaged in making repairs to tires, upholstering, glazing, general blacksmithing, welding and machine work on motor vehicle parts when parts involving such work are disassembled or reassembled by a licensed repairer.

(4) “Limited repairer” includes any qualified person, having a suitable place of business and adequate equipment engaged in the business of minor repairs, including repairs and replacement of cooling, electrical, fuel and exhaust systems, brake adjustments, relining and repairs, wheel alignment and balancing, and repair and replacement of shock absorbers. For the purpose of this section, the place of business of a limited repairer shall be deemed to be suitable if the building in which the work of the repairer is performed has space capable of receiving at least one motor vehicle at any one time, exclusive of a grease pit or rack, and has adequate space for an office and for the storage of parts and accessories. A person shall be deemed capable of performing the duties of a limited repairer if he is, in the opinion of the commissioner, a qualified mechanic who has a thorough knowledge of the services to be rendered, or has a certificate of completion of a specialized course from a service school approved by the commissioner, or satisfactory proof of previous employment by a licensed repairer for a period of three years, or has successfully passed an examination given by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(b) The lubricating of motor vehicles, adding or changing of oil or other motor vehicle fluids, changing of tires and tubes, including the balancing of wheels, or installing of batteries or light bulbs, windshield wiper blades or drive belts shall not be construed as the repairing of motor vehicles under the provisions of this subpart (D).

(1949 Rev., S. 2391; 1953, 1955, S. 1307d; 1963, P.A. 316; 1967, P.A. 307; P.A. 02-70, S. 21.)

History: 1963 act redefined limited repairer to add “relining and repairs,” etc; 1967 act replaced reference to factory contract with reference to manufacturer's or importer's contract for each make of vehicle in definition of “new car dealer” and deleted references to removing and replacing parts of motor vehicles in definition of “repairer”; (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 divided existing provisions into Subsecs. (a) and (b) and in Subsec. (a) adding language making definitions applicable to subpart (D), inserting Subdiv. designators and making conforming changes for each definition, in Subdivs. (1) and (2) requiring new car dealer and used car dealer to be qualified to conduct business in accordance with the requirements of Sec. 14-52a and deleting reference to having a suitable and adequate place of business determined to be such by the commissioner, in Subdiv. (2) excluding leasing or renting businesses that sell used motor vehicles incidental to their primary business from the definition of “used car dealer” provided they satisfy criteria in Subparas. (A) and (B), in Subdiv. (3) requiring repairer to be qualified to conduct business in accordance with the requirements of Sec. 14-52a and deleting reference to having a suitable place of business, and in Subsec. (b) specifying the list of services that may be performed without being construed as the repairing of motor vehicle under subpart (D).

Zoning appeals board can go no further than apply the test incorporated in statute. 143 C. 634. Cited. 154 C. 540. When variance does not provide automatic extension of nonconforming use. 164 C. 85. Cited. 165 C. 15. Offense charged and offense found were separate and distinct and constituted a taking of plaintiff's property without due process. Id., 42. Commissioner upheld in suspending plaintiff's, repairer's and wrecker's licenses for violation of section and regulations thereunder. 167 C. 304.

Cited. 29 CS 330.

Sec. 14-51a. Civil penalties. The commissioner may, after notice and hearing, impose a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars on any person, firm or corporation who violates any provision of sections 14-54 to 14-67a, inclusive, or of not more than two thousand dollars on any person, firm or corporation who violates section 14-52.

(P.A. 73-674, S. 2; P.A. 81-206, S. 1; P.A. 82-303, S. 1; P.A. 02-70, S. 46.)

History: P.A. 81-206 converted the criminal fines into civil penalties imposed by the commissioner; P.A. 82-303 increased penalty for violations of Sec. 14-52 from $1,000 to $2,000 and substituted reference to Sec. 14-53 for reference to Sec. 14-51; P.A. 02-70 deleted reference to repealed Sec. 14-53, effective July 1, 2002.

Cited. 36 CS 321.

Sec. 14-52. New car dealer's, used car dealer's, repairer's and limited repairer's licenses. Surety bonds. Penalty. (a) No person, firm or corporation may engage in the business of the buying, selling, offering for sale or brokerage of any motor vehicle or the repairing of any motor vehicle without having been issued either a new car dealer's, a used car dealer's, a repairer's or a limited repairer's license. The license fee for each such license, payable to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, shall be as follows: (1) New motor vehicle dealer, seven hundred dollars; (2) used motor vehicle dealer, five hundred sixty dollars; and (3) repairer or limited repairer, three hundred forty dollars. Each such license shall be renewed biennially according to renewal schedules established by the commissioner so as to effect staggered renewal of all such licenses. If the adoption of a staggered system results in the expiration of any license more or less than one year from its issuance, the commissioner may charge a prorated amount for such license fee. Not less than forty-five days prior to the date of expiration of each such license, the commissioner shall send or transmit to each licensee, in a manner determined by the commissioner, an application for renewal. Any licensee which has not filed the application for renewal accompanied by the prescribed fee prior to the date of expiration of its license shall cease to engage in business. An application for renewal filed with the commissioner after the date of expiration shall be accompanied by a late fee of one hundred dollars. The commissioner shall not renew any license under this subsection which has expired for more than forty-five days.

(b) (1) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, each applicant for a repairer's license shall furnish a surety bond in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, each applicant for a limited repairer's license shall furnish a surety bond in the amount of ten thousand dollars.

(3) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, each applicant for a new car dealer's or a used car dealer's license shall furnish a surety bond in the amount of sixty thousand dollars.

(4) Each applicant for a leasing or rental license issued pursuant to section 14-15, who is engaged in the leasing or renting of motor vehicles for periods of thirty days or more, shall furnish a surety bond in the amount of fifteen thousand dollars.

(5) Each such bond required under subdivisions (1) to (4), inclusive, of this subsection shall be conditioned upon the applicant or licensee complying with the provisions of any state or federal law or regulation relating to the conduct of such business and provided as indemnity for any loss sustained by any customer by reason of any acts of the licensee constituting grounds for suspension or revocation of the license or such licensee going out of business. Each surety bond shall be executed in the name of the state of Connecticut for the benefit of any aggrieved customer, but the penalty of the bond shall not be invoked except upon order of the commissioner after a hearing held before said commissioner in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. For purposes of this subdivision, “customer” does not include (A) any person, firm or corporation that finances a licensed dealer's motor vehicle inventory, or (B) any licensed dealer, in such person's capacity as a dealer, who buys motor vehicles from or sells motor vehicles to another licensed dealer.

(6) The commissioner shall assess an administrative fee of two hundred dollars against any licensee for failing to provide proof of bond renewal or replacement on or before the date of the expiration of the existing bond. Such fee shall be in addition to the license suspension or revocation penalties and the civil penalties to which the licensee is subject pursuant to section 14-64.

(c) The commissioner may request information from any applicant for a repairer's license or used car dealer's license concerning the financial status and ability of such applicant to comply with the requirements of this subpart and the regulations adopted thereunder. The commissioner shall review such information to determine if the applicant has sufficient financial resources to conduct the business in a manner consistent with the reasonable security and protection of its customers in regard to the duties and responsibilities imposed by the provisions of this subpart and the regulations adopted thereunder. The commissioner may refuse to issue a license if the applicant fails to provide any such information requested or, if, after review by the commissioner, the commissioner is not satisfied as to such applicant's financial status. The commissioner may, in any case deemed appropriate, grant a license on condition that the applicant post a surety bond, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, in an amount prescribed by the commissioner that is greater than the minimum amount required by the applicable provisions of said subsection (b). Any applicant aggrieved by any decision of the commissioner made pursuant to this subsection shall be afforded an opportunity for hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. The commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 to carry out the provisions of this subsection.

(d) Any person, firm or corporation engaging in the business of the buying, selling, offering for sale or brokerage of any motor vehicle or of the repairing of any motor vehicle without a license shall be guilty of a class B misdemeanor.

(e) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall transmit to the Commissioner of Revenue Services and the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection a summary of any complaint that the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles receives alleging that a person, firm or corporation is engaging in the business of the buying, selling, offering for sale or brokerage of any motor vehicle or of the repairing of any motor vehicle without a license.

(1949 Rev., S. 2392; 1953, S. 1308d; 1961, P.A. 581, S. 10; 1967, P.A. 384; P.A. 75-577, S. 25, 126; P.A. 77-305; 77-376, S. 1, 3; P.A. 81-172, S. 4; P.A. 83-489, S. 8, 17; P.A. 84-254, S. 37, 62; 84-391, S. 5, 8; 84-508; 84-528, S. 1; P.A. 85-613, S. 29, 154; P.A. 86-58; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-13, S. 6, 21; P.A. 93-164, S. 2; P.A. 95-301; P.A. 96-167, S. 8; P.A. 02-70, S. 22; P.A. 10-110, S. 12; P.A. 11-213, S. 22, 57; P.A. 12-81, S. 7; P.A. 14-130, S. 14; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 210; P.A. 17-79, S. 9; P.A. 21-106, S. 19; P.A. 22-44, S. 2.)

History: 1961 act increased license fees; 1967 act included brokerage of motor vehicles in activities requiring license; P.A. 75-577 added provision that failure to secure license is an infraction; P.A. 77-305 deleted provision re infraction; P.A. 77-376 increased fee for new motor vehicle dealer from $25 to $50, for used motor vehicle dealer from $20 to $40 and for repairer from $12 to $24; P.A. 81-172 included a provision for a limited repairer's license; P.A. 83-489 doubled license fees; P.A. 84-254 increased the license fees scheduling increases to take effect as of July first of 1985, 1989, 1991 and 1993, and made editorial change for grammatical correctness in sentence following Subdiv. (3), substituting “shall” for “to”; P.A. 84-391 provided for the staggered renewal of dealers' and repairers' licenses, deleting provision whereby licenses ran from day of issuance to last day of February next following; P.A. 84-508 specified that license fee is payable to motor vehicles commissioner and added Subsec. (b) requiring an applicant for a dealer's or repairer's license to furnish a surety bond; P.A. 84-528 added Subsec. (c) providing that any person, firm or corporation repairing motor vehicles without a license shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor; P.A. 85-613 made technical change in Subsec. (a)(3); P.A. 86-58 amended Subsec. (b)(3) to provide that surety bond penalty may be invoked upon order of motor vehicle commissioner after administrative hearing and eliminated reference to court adjudication; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-13 increased new motor vehicle dealer license fee from $225 to $560 and $700 after July 1, 1993, increased the used motor vehicle license fee from $225 to $450 and $500 after July 1, 1993, increased the repairer or limited repairer license fee from $235 to $270 and $340 after July 1, 1993, changed renewal requirement of each license from annual to biennial and deleted obsolete fee increases; P.A. 93-164 amended Subsec. (b) by increasing the repairer's and limited repairer's license surety bond from $2,500 to $5,000, increasing the new car dealer's and used car dealer's license surety bond from $5,000 to $20,000 and inserting new Subdiv. (3) requiring an applicant for a leasing or rental license pursuant to Sec. 14-15 to furnish a $10,000 surety bond, renumbering and revising former Subdiv. (3) accordingly; P.A. 95-301 amended Subsec. (c) to change penalty for unlicensed motor vehicle repair business, from class C misdemeanor to class B misdemeanor, and added Subsec. (d) re transmission of summaries of complaints re such unlicensed businesses; P.A. 96-167 amended Subsec. (a) to add provisions re mailing of application for renewal, failure to file such application with fee, imposition of $100 late fee for application filed after date of license expiration and to provide that commissioner shall not renew license which has expired for more than 45 days; P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (a) to delete provisions re fees applicable prior to July 1, 1993, and re payment of fees to commissioner, amended Subsec. (b) to add an exception re Subsec. (c) in Subdivs. (1) and (2) and to make a technical change for purposes of gender neutrality in Subdiv. (4), inserted new Subsec. (c) to allow commissioner to request financial information from any applicant for a repairer's license or used car dealer's license, to review the information to determine if the applicant has sufficient financial resources to conduct business, to allow commissioner to refuse to issue a license if the applicant fails to provide information or if the commissioner is unsatisfied as to the applicant's financial status, to allow commissioner to grant a license on condition that applicant post a surety bond, to provide opportunity for a hearing and to allow commissioner to adopt regulations, redesignated existing Subsecs. (c) and (d) as Subsecs. (d) and (e), amended Subsec. (d) to make the buying, selling, offering for sale or brokerage of any motor vehicle without a license a class B misdemeanor and amended Subsec. (e) to require commissioner to transmit to the Revenue Services and Environmental Protection Commissioners a summary of any complaint alleging the buying, selling, offering for sale or brokerage of any motor vehicle without a license and to make a technical change for purposes of gender neutrality; P.A. 10-110 amended Subsec. (b)(2) to increase surety bond amount from $20,000 to $50,000; P.A. 11-213 amended Subsec. (a) to replace “mail” with “send or transmit” and add “in a manner determined by the commissioner” re renewal applications, amended Subsecs. (b) and (c) to insert “cash bond” and amended Subsec. (b)(4) to require each cash bond to be deposited with commissioner, effective July 13, 2011 (Revisor's note: In Subsec. (e), “Commissioner of Environmental Protection” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection” to conform with changes made by P.A. 11-80, S. 1); P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (b) to add Subdiv. (5) re assessment of $50 fee for failing to continuously maintain bond requirements; P.A. 14-130 amended Subsec. (b)(4) by replacing references to person and party with references to customer, and by adding provision re persons and entities excluded from definition of “customer”, effective July 1, 2014; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (b)(5) to add “administrative” re fee and to substitute provision re failure to provide proof of bond renewal or replacement for provision re failure to continuously maintain bond requirements, effective June 30, 2015; P.A. 17-79 amended Subsec. (b)(5) by increasing fee from $50 to $200 for failure to provide proof of bond renewal or replacement, effective July 1, 2017; P.A. 21-106 amended Subsecs. (b) and (c) to remove provisions re cash bond; P.A. 22-44 amended Subsec. (b) to remove provision re limited repairer's license and increase surety bond from $5,000 to $25,000 in Subdiv. (1), add new Subdiv. (2) re limited repairer's license, redesignate existing Subdivs. (2) to (5) as Subdivs. (3) to (6), amend redesignated Subdiv. (3) to increase surety bond from $50,000 to $60,000, amend redesignated Subdiv. (4) to increase surety bond from $10,000 to $15,000 and make a technical and conforming change, effective July 1, 2022.

See Sec. 14-67l re motor vehicle junk yard licenses.

See Sec. 14-331 re revocation or suspension of gasoline dealer's or distributor's license.

Cited. 134 C. 151; 143 C. 634; 154 C. 540; 218 C. 265. Surety bond furnished in accordance with section does not provide indemnity for that portion of a civil judgment incorporating award of attorney's fees or award of punitive damages. 267 C. 524.

Cited. 9 CA 686. Punitive damages are not provided for by section; plaintiff was not entitled to recover punitive damages and attorney's fees in the calculation of “loss”. 70 CA 790.

Failure to obtain license will preclude repairer from enforcing a contract for repair. 36 CS 321.

Sec 14-52a. Grounds for refusal to grant or renew a dealer or repairer license. (a) The commissioner may, after notice and hearing, refuse to grant or renew a license to a person, firm or corporation to engage in the business of selling or repairing motor vehicles pursuant to the provisions of section 14-52 if the applicant for, or holder of, such a license, or an officer or major stockholder, if the applicant or licensee is a firm or corporation, has been found liable in a civil action for odometer fraud or operating a dealer, repairer or motor vehicle recycler business without a license, convicted of a violation of any provision of laws pertaining to the business of a motor vehicle dealer or repairer, including a motor vehicle recycler, or convicted of any violation of any provision of laws involving fraud, larceny or deprivation or misappropriation of property, in the courts of the United States or any state. Each applicant for such a license shall be fingerprinted and submit to state and national criminal history records checks, conducted in accordance with section 29-17a, not more than thirty days before such application is made and provide the results of such records checks to the Department of Motor Vehicles. The commissioner may require a person, firm or corporation to submit its application electronically. Upon renewal of such license, a licensee shall make full disclosure of any such civil judgment or conviction under penalty of false statement.

(b) The commissioner shall not, after notice and hearing, grant or renew a license to an applicant for or the holder of a used car dealer's license that is delinquent in the payment of sales tax in connection with a business from which it is or was obligated to remit sales tax, as reported to the commissioner by the Department of Revenue Services.

(P.A. 73-200, S. 1; P.A. 80-243; P.A. 84-374, S. 1, 3; P.A. 96-167, S. 9; P.A. 02-70, S. 23; P.A. 14-130, S. 15; P.A. 16-55, S. 3; P.A. 21-106, S. 20; P.A. 22-44, S. 3.)

History: P.A. 80-243 required notice and hearing before commissioner refuses to grant or renew license and required applicant or licensee to make full disclosure of conviction of law violation; P.A. 84-374 divided the section into Subsecs. and inserted new language in Subsec. (b), prohibiting the commissioner from refusing to grant or renew a repairer's license where another independently owned business shares the same property; P.A. 96-167 amended Subsec. (a) substituting “recycler” for “junk yard”; P.A. 02-70 allowed commissioner to refuse to grant or renew a dealer or repairer license if the applicant has been convicted of any violation involving fraud, larceny or deprivation or misappropriation of property and deleted Subsec. (a) designator and former Subsec. (b) re prohibiting commissioner from refusing to grant or renew repairer's license where another independently owned business shares the same property; P.A. 14-130 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (b) prohibiting commissioner from granting or renewing license to an applicant or licensee that is delinquent in payment of sales tax, effective July 1, 2014; P.A. 16-55 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing provisions re applicant to make disclosure at time of application for or renewal of license of any conviction within last 5 years with provisions re applicant to submit to state criminal history records check and, upon renewal of license, to make disclosure of any conviction under penalty of false statement, effective July 1, 2016; P.A. 21-106 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provision re civil action for odometer fraud or operating dealer, repairer or motor vehicle recycler business without a license, adding provision re national criminal history records check, adding provision re electronic submission of application and adding provision re full disclosure of civil judgment and made technical changes throughout, effective July 1, 2021; P.A. 22-44 amended Subsec. (a) to add “be fingerprinted and”, delete provision re records checks based on applicant's name and date of birth and make a technical change, effective July 1, 2022.

Sec. 14-52b. Surrender of new car dealer license in event of cancellation, termination or failure to renew franchise by manufacturer. Manufacturer to operate as a dealer on a temporary basis. Issuance of used car dealer's license to entity owned or controlled by a manufacturer. Extension of temporary license. (a) In the event a manufacturer licensed in accordance with the provisions of section 14-67a cancels, terminates or fails to renew any franchise, as defined in section 42-133r, with a new car dealer, as defined in section 14-51, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, upon receipt of written notice of such action by the manufacturer, shall, unless the dealer holds one or more additional franchises, demand that such new car dealer surrender such license to the commissioner. If such action is contested by such dealer in accordance with the provisions of sections 42-133r to 42-133ee, inclusive, the commissioner shall not demand surrender of such license, and no replacement motor vehicle dealer shall be named for the dealer's point or location, except in accordance with subdivision (10) of section 42-133cc, until the proceedings to contest such action by the manufacturer are finally determined after all means of administrative, judicial and appellate review have been exhausted and the decision is adverse to the dealer.

(b) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this section, no person, firm or corporation licensed as a manufacturer in accordance with the provisions of section 14-67a may be the holder of a new or used car dealer's license issued in accordance with the provisions of section 14-52, except a manufacturer may operate as a dealer on a temporary basis in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (8) of section 42-133cc. The provisions of this subsection shall apply to any firm or corporation that is owned or controlled by a manufacturer, as determined by the commissioner. Any applicant for a new or used car dealer license that is denied a license under the provisions of this subsection shall be entitled to a hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, the commissioner may issue a used car dealer's license to a person, firm or corporation, owned or controlled by a manufacturer, engaged primarily in the business of rental of motor vehicles and industrial and construction equipment, provided: (1) Motor vehicles offered for sale by any such person, firm or corporation are limited to motor vehicles that have been previously used exclusively and regularly in the conduct of the business or motor vehicles traded in by purchasers of such previously used motor vehicles, (2) any warranty repairs performed by such person, firm or corporation are limited to motor vehicles that such person, firm or corporation owns, has previously owned, or has taken in trade, and (3) any retail financing provided or arranged by such person, firm or corporation is limited to vehicles sold by such person, firm or corporation.

(d) The commissioner may extend the period of a license issued to a manufacturer to operate a dealership on a temporary basis, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section and subdivision (8) of section 42-133cc, for not more than one additional year, up to a maximum period of two years, if the commissioner is satisfied that such manufacturer has made and is continuing to make bona fide efforts to sell and transfer the dealership to a person, firm or corporation that is qualified to hold a new or used dealer's license.

(P.A. 95-260, S. 13, 24; P.A. 02-70, S. 24.)

History: P.A. 95-260, S. 13 effective June 13, 1995; P.A. 02-70 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and amended same to make a technical change for the purposes of gender neutrality, inserted new Subsec. (b) to allow a licensed manufacturer to hold a dealer's license on a temporary basis in accordance with Sec. 42-133cc(8) and to be entitled to a hearing if denied a license, inserted new Subsec. (c) to allow the commissioner to issue a used car dealer's license to an entity engaged primarily in the business of renting vehicles and industrial and construction equipment, and inserted new Subsec. (d) to allow commissioner to extend the temporary license issued to a licensed manufacturer for not more than one additional year, up to a maximum period of two years, if commissioner is satisfied that the manufacturer has and is continuing to make bona fide efforts to sell and transfer the dealership to an entity qualified to hold a dealer's license.

Sec. 14-53. Location of business to be approved. Section 14-53 is repealed, effective July 1, 2002.

(1949 Rev., S. 2393; 1953, S. 1309d; 1961, P.A. 581, S. 11; P.A. 83-489, S. 9, 17; P.A. 84-254, S. 38, 62; P.A. 02-70, S. 87.)

Sec. 14-53a. New car dealers to deliver written statement re Magnuson-Moss Warranty act to purchaser of new motor vehicle. (a) Each new car dealer, as defined in section 14-51, at the time the sale of a new motor vehicle, as defined in section 14-1, is executed, shall deliver to the purchaser of such new motor vehicle a written statement, printed in not less than ten-point boldface type, as follows:

“The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, 15 USC 2301 et seq., makes it illegal for motor vehicle manufacturers or dealers to void a motor vehicle warranty or deny coverage under the motor vehicle warranty simply because an aftermarket or recycled part was installed or used on the vehicle or simply because someone other than the dealer performed service on the vehicle. It is illegal for a manufacturer or dealer to void your warranty or deny coverage under the warranty simply because you used an aftermarket or recycled part. If it turns out that an aftermarket or recycled part was itself defective or wasn't installed correctly and it causes damage to another part that is covered under the warranty, the manufacturer or dealer has the right to deny coverage for that part and charge you for any repairs. The Federal Trade Commission requires the manufacturer or dealer to show that the aftermarket or recycled part caused the need for repairs before denying warranty coverage.”

(b) For purposes of this section, an “aftermarket part” is a part that was made by a company other than the vehicle manufacturer or the original equipment manufacturer and a “recycled part” is a part that was made for and installed in a new vehicle by the manufacturer or the original equipment manufacturer and later removed from the vehicle and made available for resale or reuse.

(P.A. 15-230, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 15-230 effective July 1, 2015.

Sec. 14-54. Location to be approved by local authorities. Any person who desires to obtain a license for dealing in or repairing motor vehicles shall first obtain and present to the commissioner a certificate of approval of the location for which such license is desired from the board or authority designated by local charter, regulation or ordinance of the town, city or borough wherein the business is located or is proposed to be located, except that in any town or city having a zoning commission, combined planning and zoning commission and a board of appeals, such certificate shall be approved by the board of appeals. In addition thereto, such certificate shall be approved by the local building official and local fire marshal. The provisions of this section shall not apply to (1) a transfer of ownership to a spouse, child, brother, sister or parent of a licensee, (2) a transfer of ownership to or from a corporation in which a spouse, child, brother, sister or parent of a licensee has a controlling interest, or (3) a change in ownership involving the withdrawal of one or more partners from a partnership.

(1949 Rev., S. 2394; 1953, S. 1310d; P.A. 77-614, S. 486, 587, 610; P.A. 78-303, S. 85, 136; P.A. 84-195; P.A. 89-244, S. 2; P.A. 03-184, S. 2; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 70; P.A. 05-218, S. 22; P.A. 06-133, S. 23; P.A. 16-55, S. 4.)

History: P.A. 77-614 and P.A. 78-303 made state police department a division within the department of public safety, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 84-195 exempted from the approval of location requirement transfers of ownership to an immediate family member or certain changes in ownership; P.A. 89-244 exempted from the approval of location requirement transfers of ownership to or from a corporation in which an immediate family member of a licensee has a controlling interest; P.A. 03-184 replaced requirement for approval of certificate by chief elected official or zoning board of appeals with requirement that the certificate be obtained from the zoning commission, planning and zoning commission or other board or authority of the municipality; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 replaced provision authorizing the zoning commission or combined planning and zoning commission to issue certificate of approval with provision that in any town or city with a zoning commission, combined planning and zoning commission and a board of appeals, such certificate shall be obtained from the board of appeals; P.A. 05-218 replaced provisions re certificate obtained from board of appeals and approved by chief of police or commander of state police situated nearest to location with provision re certificate obtained from zoning commission and made a technical change; P.A. 06-133 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and amended same to apply only to municipalities having population of no less than twenty thousand and added Subsec. (b) applicable to municipalities having population of less than twenty thousand, effective June 6, 2006; P.A. 16-55 deleted former Subsec. (a) re obtaining license in municipality having population of no less than 20,000, deleted Subsec. (b) designator, deleted provision re obtaining license in municipality with population of less than 20,000 and replaced provision re approval by chief of police or commander of state police barracks with provision re approval by local building official and local fire marshal, effective July 1, 2016.

Cited. 134 C. 151; 140 C. 210. In determining application of certificate of approval of a motor vehicle repair business, the zoning commission acts in a special capacity and not under municipal zoning ordinances or zoning statutes; it serves as the local agency named by the General Assembly to determine whether a certificate of approval should be issued. 143 C. 634. Cited. 147 C. 469; 154 C. 540; 218 C. 265.

Cited. 21 CA 347; 24 CA 369; 28 CA 500. Local zoning board of appeals acts as an agent of the state when it undertakes consideration of a certificate of approval and therefore is governed by Uniform Administrative Procedure Act. 48 CA 599. In reviewing a location approval application, a municipal zone board is obligated to make a determination, irrespective of the permitted nature of the proposed use, on whether a certificate of approval should be issued. 213 CA 200.

Cited. 12 CS 70.

Sec. 14-55. Hearing. Section 14-55 is repealed, effective October 1, 2003.

(1949 Rev., S. 2395; 1961, P.A. 384; 1967, P.A. 866, S. 2; P.A. 80-206; P.A. 02-70, S. 25; P.A. 03-184, S. 10; 03-265, S. 9; 03-278, S. 40.)

Section has been repealed. 337 C. 806.

As no laws have been passed to repeal or otherwise amend section since the court in East Coast Towing, Ltd. v. Zoning Board of Appeals, 51 Conn. L. Rptr. 572, concluded this section was not repealed, this court adopts reasoning of lower court and concludes that current revision of section that remains in effect is the language of Sec. 9 of public act 03-265. 192 CA 275; judgment reversed, see 337 C. 806.

Sec. 14-56. Commissioner to decide if requested by local authority. Section 14-56 is repealed.

(1949 Rev., S. 2396; 1961, P.A. 581, S. 12; 1967, P.A. 270, S. 1.)

Sec. 14-57. Appeal. Any person aggrieved by the performance of any act provided for in this subpart (D) by such local authority may take an appeal therefrom to the superior court for the judicial district within which such town or city is situated, or in accordance with the provisions of section 4-183. Any such appeal shall be privileged.

(1949 Rev., S. 2397; 1949, S. 1311d; 1967, P.A. 145; 1971, P.A. 870, S. 36; P.A. 76-436, S. 341, 681; P.A. 77-603, S. 31, 125; 77-604, S. 71, 84; P.A. 78-280, S. 1, 4, 5; 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. 46; P.A. 99-215, S. 24, 29; P.A. 02-70, S. 26.)

History: 1967 act stated that appeals are privileged; 1971 act deleted reference to superior court; P.A. 76-436 substituted superior court for court of common pleas and added reference to judicial districts, effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 77-603 deleted reference to courts in counties other than Hartford county and to judicial districts and made appeals in accordance with Sec. 4-183 if act appealed from was performed by commissioner; P.A. 77-604 restored reference to counties other than Hartford and to judicial districts and qualified provision re appeals in accordance with Sec. 4-183 by specifying that venue is to be in Hartford county; P.A. 78-280 deleted reference to counties and 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 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; P.A. 02-70 deleted reference to any act by the commissioner and the phrase “except venue for such appeal shall be in the judicial district of New Britain if such act was performed by the commissioner” (Revisor's note: The reference to “subdivision (D)” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “subpart (D)” for clarity of reference).

See Sec. 52-192 re precedence of appeals under this section in order of trial.

No fatal objection to joinder of application for approval as to gasoline station under Sec. 14-321 and application for approval as to repair business under Sec. 14-54. 134 C. 151. Commission can go no further than apply the test incorporated in statute. 143 C. 634. Cited. 148 C. 456.

Cited 24 CA 369.

Appeal in Superior Court not in conflict with Sec. 52-7. 14 CS 450.

Sec. 14-58. Application. General registration of motor vehicles. Documents to be issued to drivers. Photostatic copies of registration certificate as proof of ownership. Return of void number plates. Penalty. (a) Each new car dealer, used car dealer or repairer before engaging in such business shall make a separate sworn application to the commissioner for a license to engage in such business in each place of business conducted by such dealer. The application shall include any information that may be required by the commissioner on blanks to be furnished by said commissioner. Each application shall be accompanied by a fee of one hundred forty dollars for each place of business conducted by the applicant, together with the fee for the type of license for which the applicant is making application, and such fee or fees shall not be subject to prorating and shall not be subject to refund. No such license shall be transferable. When such licensee adds buildings or adjacent land to such licensee's licensed place of business, the commissioner may require the licensee to furnish satisfactory evidence of compliance with the provisions of section 14-54, or with other applicable provisions of law, administered by the municipality wherein such business is located, concerning building or zoning requirements. When a change of officers of a corporation engaged in such business is made, a notice of the change shall be sent to the commissioner within a period of fifteen days from the date of the change. The commissioner may suspend the license of any corporation, after notice and hearing, when the newly appointed or elected officers cannot be considered as qualified to conduct the business as provided in section 14-51.

(b) Each such licensee shall, instead of registering each motor vehicle owned by such licensee or temporarily in such licensee's custody, make application to the commissioner for a general distinguishing number and mark, and the commissioner may issue to the applicant a certificate or certificates of registration containing the distinguishing number and mark assigned to such applicant, and made in a form and containing any further information that the commissioner may determine, and, thereupon, each motor vehicle owned by the applicant or temporarily in the applicant's custody shall be regarded as registered under and having assigned to it such general distinguishing number and mark until sold. For the registration of all motor vehicles registered under a general distinguishing number and mark, the commissioner shall charge a fee at the rate of seventy dollars per year. No new car dealer may be issued more than one such registration for each ten sales transactions in a year and no repairer or limited repairer may be issued more than three registrations in a year, unless such licensee makes application for an additional registration to the commissioner, in such form and containing such information as the commissioner may require to substantiate such request. No used car dealer may be issued more than three such registrations in a year, provided an additional registration may be issued for each ten sales transactions in excess of thirty such transactions upon submission of such application for an additional registration. The commissioner may issue to each such licensee such additional registrations as the commissioner deems necessary. The commissioner may withdraw any registration previously issued or may limit the number of registrations which any licensee is eligible to receive or to hold, if the commissioner determines that a licensee does not require such number of registrations or if a licensee has been found to be in violation of any of the provisions of section 14-64.

(c) Registration certificates issued under the provisions of this section shall not be required to be carried upon such motor vehicles when upon the public highways as required under subsection (a) of section 14-13, except that the licensee shall issue to each person driving such motor vehicle a document indicating that such person is validly entrusted with such vehicle which document shall be carried in the motor vehicle. The commissioner shall determine the form and contents of this document. Legible photostatic copies of such registration certificates may be carried in such vehicles as proof of ownership. The licensee shall furnish financial responsibility satisfactory to the commissioner as defined in section 14-112, provided such financial responsibility shall not be required from a licensee when the commissioner finds that the licensee is of sufficient financial responsibility to meet such legal liability. The commissioner may issue such license upon presentation of evidence of such financial responsibility satisfactory to the commissioner. The commissioner shall assess an administrative fee of two hundred dollars against any licensee for failing to provide proof of policy or bond renewal or replacement on or before the expiration date of the existing policy or bond. Such fee shall be in addition to the license suspension or revocation penalties and the civil penalties to which the licensee is subject pursuant to section 14-64.

(d) Each licensee that was issued a general distinguishing number plate or plates by the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of this section or section 14-59, and that no longer holds a valid license due to failure to renew the license, surrender of the license or revocation of the license by the commissioner for a violation of any provision of this subpart, shall account for and immediately return such number plate or plates to the department, or shall immediately surrender such number plate or plates to a motor vehicle inspector or other authorized agent or employee of said department. All such number plates shall be void, as of the date of termination of the license, and shall not be used as a registration to operate any motor vehicle on any highway.

(e) Any person who fails to return or surrender any general distinguishing number plate that is void, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, or who, with knowledge that such plate is void, uses such plate to operate a motor vehicle on any highway shall be guilty of a violation of subsection (c) of section 14-147.

(1949 Rev., S. 2398; 1953, S. 1312d; 1961, P.A. 581, S. 13; 1963, P.A. 373; 1967, P.A. 866, S. 1; 1969, P.A. 247, S. 2; 759, S. 10; 1971, P.A. 649, S. 2; P.A. 77-50; P.A. 80-380, S. 1, 2; P.A. 81-108, S. 1; P.A. 84-254, S. 39, 62; 84-391, S. 1, 8; 84-429, S. 56; P.A. 02-70, S. 27; P.A. 03-184, S. 5; P.A. 09-187, S. 24; P.A. 10-110, S. 20, 59; P.A. 12-81, S. 8; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 211; P.A. 17-79, S. 10.)

History: 1961 act increased application fee and fee for number plates; 1963 act added provisions re notice to commissioner of change in officers of corporation and re commissioner's suspension of license if new officers found to be unqualified; 1967 act added provisions re inclusion of additional buildings or land in license to engage in business; 1969 acts specified that $4 fee per set of plates is an annual charge and later increased $4 fee to $8; 1971 act referred to issuance of single plate rather than pair of plates; P.A. 77-50 added provision re carrying photostat copies of registration certificates as proof of ownership; P.A. 80-380 increased fee to $20 per year; P.A. 81-108 required licensees to issue documents to persons entrusted with motor vehicles subject to general registration; P.A. 84-254 increased the application and registration fees, effective July 1, 1984, scheduling the changes to take effect as of July first of 1985, 1989, 1991 and 1993; P.A. 84-391 limited the number of registrations under a general distinguishing number and mark issued to new and used car dealers and repairers and limited repairers; P.A. 84-429 made technical changes for statutory consistency; P.A. 02-70 divided existing provisions into Subsecs. (a), (b) and (c) and made technical changes throughout, amended Subsec. (a) to delete provisions re additions to existing license and to authorize commissioner to require licensee to furnish evidence of compliance with Secs. 14-54 and 14-55 or other provisions of law administered by the municipality wherein the business is located re building or zoning requirements when a licensee adds buildings or adjacent land to the licensed place of business, and amended Subsec. (b) to allow commissioner to withdraw any registration previously issued or limit the number of registrations a licensee is eligible to receive when the licensee has been found to be in violation of Sec. 14-64; P.A. 03-184 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting reference to Sec. 14-55; P.A. 09-187 added Subsecs. (d) and (e) re return or surrender of general distinguishing number plates and penalty for failure to return or surrender; P.A. 10-110 amended Subsec. (b) to authorize commissioner to withdraw or limit number of registrations held by licensee upon determination that licensee does not require such number and to make technical changes, effective June 5, 2010, and made a technical change in Subsec. (d), effective October 1, 2010; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (c) to add provisions re assessment of $50 fee for failing to continuously maintain financial responsibility requirements; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (c) to add “administrative” re fee and to substitute provision re failure to provide proof of policy or bond renewal or replacement for provision re failure to continuously maintain financial responsibility, effective June 30, 2015; P.A. 17-79 amended Subsec. (c) by increasing administrative fee from $50 to $200 for failure to provide proof of policy or bond renewal or replacement, effective July 1, 2017.

Cited. 140 C. 304. Mere violation does not necessarily create liability. 161 C. 388.

Cited. 17 CS 239.

Sec. 14-59. Special dealers' plates for trucks or other vehicles with commercial registration. The commissioner may issue to any licensee a special general distinguishing number and mark for the registration of any truck or other vehicle with a commercial registration owned by him or temporarily in his custody. Such licensee may demonstrate such motor vehicle with a capacity load, or may loan such motor vehicle, or such special number plate, or both, to any person for not more than fifteen days in any year, when a registered truck or other vehicle with a commercial registration owned by or lawfully in the custody of such person is disabled or is undergoing repairs, or when such person has purchased such a motor vehicle, the registration of which is pending, provided such person shall furnish proof to such dealer or repairer that he has liability and property damage insurance which will cover any damage to any person or property caused by the operation of such loaned motor vehicle, motor vehicle on which such special number plate is displayed or both. Each dealer and repairer shall keep a record of each loaned motor vehicle, each loaned special number plate, or both, showing the date loaned, the date returned, the name and operator's license number of the person operating such loaned motor vehicle, or motor vehicle on which such special number plate is displayed, or both. Such record shall be retained by the dealer or repairer for a period of six months from the date on which such special number plate or motor vehicle or both were loaned and such record shall be available during business hours for examination by the commissioner. The fee for such general commercial distinguishing number and mark shall be one-half the fee charged for the maximum gross weight of the vehicle on which such number or mark is used.

(1949 Rev., S. 2399; 1967, P.A. 861; 1971, P.A. 108, S. 1; 649, S. 3; P.A. 90-263, S. 61, 74.)

History: 1967 act increased allowed loan or demonstration period from 5 to 15 days per year and added detailed provisions concerning borrowing operator's insurance coverage and concerning required record-keeping, with regard to loaned vehicles; 1971 acts allowed loan of vehicle when vehicle “lawfully in the custody” of the borrower is disabled or undergoing repairs and changed references to sets of plates to refer to single plate; P.A. 90-263 substituted phrase truck or other vehicle with commercial registration for commercial motor vehicle.

Sec. 14-60. Use of dealers' and repairers' plates. (a) No dealer or repairer may rent or allow or cause to be rented, or operate or allow or cause to be operated for hire, or use or allow or cause to be used for the purpose of conveying passengers or merchandise or freight for hire, any motor vehicle registered under a general distinguishing number and mark. No dealer or repairer may loan a motor vehicle or number plate or both to any person except for (1) the purpose of demonstration of a motor vehicle owned by such dealer, (2) when a motor vehicle owned by or lawfully in the custody