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, 278. Cited. 225 C. 499, 509.
Cited. 10 CA 18, 21. Cited. Id., 22, 26.
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

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. 14-6. 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. 14-10. Definitions. Records. Disclosure of personal information from records. 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. Handicapped driver training program.
Sec. 14-11c. Motor Carrier Advisory Council. Members. Duties.
Sec. 14-11d. Annual safety inspection program for fire department apparatus.
Secs. 14-11e to 14-11h.
Sec. 14-11i. Payment of fees by credit card.
Sec. 14-12. Motor vehicle registration. Application. Issuance by dealers. Misrepresentation. Registration number and certificate. Requirements for registration. Temporary registration.
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 coverages. Surrender or confiscation of plates, when. Penalties for failure to insure or maintain insurance and for presentation of false or fraudulent 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. Cancellation of motor vehicle registration for violation of mandatory security requirements. Notice. Hearing. Consent agreements. Suspension of motor vehicle operator's license.
Sec. 14-12h. Maintenance and compilation of record of all cancelled registrations. Availability. Stop and detain procedures, when. Removal of plates. Fees. 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.
Sec. 14-12m. Forfeiture of impounded motor vehicle. Proceedings. Proceeds from sale.
Sec. 14-12n. Uninsured motor vehicle forfeiture revolving account.
Secs. 14-12o and 14-12p.
Sec. 14-12q. Vehicle identification card.
Sec. 14-12r. Inspection of vehicle identification number.
Sec. 14-12s. Administrative fees.
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. Issuance of temporary transfers.
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. 14-16. Transfer of ownership. 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 and modified antique 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. 14-18. 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.
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.
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.
Sec. 14-21c. Number plates for manufacturers of automotive equipment. Proof of financial responsibility.
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. 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. 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. 14-22. Expiration and renewal.
Secs. 14-22a to 14-22e.
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 vehicles operated as special mobile equipment.
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 and motor vehicles in livery service to furnish insurance or bond.
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.
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. 14-36. Motor vehicle operator's license. Learner's permit. Limited license. Requirements. Penalty. Regulations.
Sec. 14-36a. Classification of operators' licenses.
Sec. 14-36b. Renewal.
Sec. 14-36c. Specification of class of license.
Sec. 14-36d. Operator's license to contain picture. License for minors. Temporary license.
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. 14-37. Limited license on proof of financial responsibility by owner.
Sec. 14-37a. Special operator's permit for employment purposes.
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 operator's license; requirements. Examination. Penalty.
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 permits. Vision screening. Notice.
Sec. 14-41a. Renewal of license for persons age sixty-five or over.
Sec. 14-42. Commissioner to furnish blanks. Indication of anatomical donation.
Sec. 14-43. Misrepresentation renders license void.
Sec. 14-44. Special license for operators of commercial motor vehicles used for passenger transportation. Exception. Special license endorsements for school bus operators, operators of student transportation vehicles, motor or service buses, taxicabs and motor vehicles in livery service. Hearing. Appeal. Penalty.
Sec. 14-44a. Commercial driver's license required for operation of a commercial motor vehicle. 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, endorsements and restrictions.
Sec. 14-44e. Limitations on issuance of commercial driver's license. Qualification standards. Waiver of skills test. 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. Notice.
Sec. 14-44i. Fees for commercial driver's license and tests. Waiver of certain fees.
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. 14-45. Notice of change in operator's address. IV-D support cases. Penalty.
Sec. 14-45a. Regulations re standards for licensing of persons with health problems.
Sec. 14-46. Report of names of 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. Failure to comply with requests 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. 14-49. Fees for miscellaneous registration and other fees.
Sec. 14-49a. Fee for registration for six months or less.
Sec. 14-49b. Registration renewal fee.
Sec. 14-50. Fees for operator's license, passenger endorsement and examination. General provisions.
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 or registration.
Sec. 14-51. Definitions.
Sec. 14-51a. Fines for violation of sections 14-52 to 14-67a, inclusive.
Sec. 14-52. License required for selling or repairing motor vehicles. Surety bonds required for selling, repairing, leasing or renting motor vehicles. Penalty.
Sec. 14-52a. Permissible and prohibited grounds for refusal to grant or renew license.
Sec. 14-52b. Surrender of new car dealer license in event of cancellation, termination or failure to renew franchise.
Sec. 14-53. Location of business to be approved.
Sec. 14-54. Location to be approved by local authority.
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.
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. Dealer issuance of temporary transfer of registration. Fee.
Sec. 14-62. Order and invoice on sale of motor vehicle; information required. Dealer preparation charges. Certificate of title on sale of used motor vehicle.
Sec. 14-62a. Sale of new motor vehicle; information re price.
Sec. 14-62b. Sale of used motor vehicle parts.
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. Regulations. Civil penalty.
Sec. 14-65a. Exemption of dealers in certain trailers.
Sec. 14-65b.
Secs. 14-65c and 14-65d.
Sec. 14-65e. Motor vehicle repairs: Definitions.
Sec. 14-65f. (Formerly Sec. 14-65b). Motor vehicle repairs, written or oral authorizations. Estimates. Claims.
Sec. 14-65g. Waiver of estimates. Record of authorizations and of required information. Estimate of charges for diagnosis.
Sec. 14-65h. (Formerly Sec. 14-65c). Invoice requirements for motor vehicle repair work. Return of replaced parts.
Sec. 14-65i. (Formerly Sec. 14-65d). Signs required to be posted in motor vehicle repair shops.
Sec. 14-65j. False statements. Charges for repairs not performed. Completion of repairs.
Sec. 14-65k. Investigations. Subpoenas. Injunctions.
Sec. 14-66. Wreckers. Towing and transporting. Distinguishing number plates.
Sec. 14-66a. Regulations.
Sec. 14-66b. Operators of wrecker services to maintain records.
Sec. 14-67. Qualifications of licensee; bond; fees. Solicitation of service contracts.
Sec. 14-67a. Application for license. Requirements.
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.
Secs. 14-67e and 14-67f.
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; license required. Exceptions.
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.
Sec. 14-67m. (Formerly Sec. 21-18a). Record of vehicles or major component parts 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 school. Financial responsibility.
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.
Sec. 14-74. Suspension of or refusal to renew 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 schools.
Sec. 14-79. Penalty.
Sec. 14-80. Mechanical equipment.
Sec. 14-80a. Maximum noise levels.
Sec. 14-80b. Ball joints and tie rod ends. Prohibition on certain installations and attachments to.
Secs. 14-80c to 14-80g.
Sec. 14-80h. Brake equipment of motor vehicles.
Sec. 14-80i. Brake equipment 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 or revolving lights. Authorized use of blue or green lights.
Sec. 14-96q. Special restrictions on lamps. Flashing lights.
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.
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. Verification of vehicle identification numbers. Penalty. Regulations.
Sec. 14-100. Safety glass. Use of plastics.
Sec. 14-100a. Seat safety belts. Child restraint systems.
Sec. 14-100b. Air pollution control devices required on certain passenger motor vehicles.
Sec. 14-100c.
Sec. 14-101. Turn signals.
Sec. 14-102. View in and exits from motor vehicles used to transport passengers for hire.
Sec. 14-103. Inspection of motor vehicles.
Sec. 14-103a. Inspection of reassembled, altered or rebuilt vehicles.
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 prohibited. Video display instrumentation and closed video monitor for backing, permitted.
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. 14-107. Liability of owner, operator, lessee.
Sec. 14-108. Report of accidents.
Sec. 14-108a. Uniform investigation of accident report.
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.
Sec. 14-111c. Driver license compact.
Sec. 14-111d. 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 of issuance of operator's license for misuse of license to procure liquor.
Sec. 14-111f. Suspension of operator's license for possession of counterfeit or altered license.
Sec. 14-111g. Operator's retraining program.
Sec. 14-112. Proof of financial responsibility on violation of certain statutes.
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 abstract of operating 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.
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. When bail may be waived. Failure to appear. Reciprocal agreements. Filing fee for motion to reopen 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.
Sec. 14-145a. Express instruction of property owner or lessee required for towing or removal of motor vehicle. Rebate prohibited.
Sec. 14-145b. Storage and release of towed motor vehicles.
Sec. 14-145c. Liability of property owner or lessee for improper towing or removal of motor vehicle.
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 chop shop.
Sec. 14-150. Abandoned or unregistered motor vehicles and motor vehicles which are a menace to traffic. Notice. Removal. Storage. Hearing. Lien. Sale.
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 car.
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.
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 license numbers. Fee for low numbers.
Sec. 14-161. Impersonation of inspector or agent.
Sec. 14-162. Ordinances.
Sec. 14-163. Commissioner to furnish lists of motor vehicle and snowmobile owners to town assessors.
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. 14-164. General penalty.
Sec. 14-164a. (Formerly Sec. 29-143). Motor vehicle racing.

PART I
DEFINITIONS

Sec. 14-1. Definitions. (a) 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) "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;
(2) "Antique, rare or special interest motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle twenty- five 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;
(3) "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;
(4) "Authorized emergency vehicle" means (A) a fire department vehicle, (B) a police vehicle or (C) a public service company or municipal department ambulance or emergency vehicle designated or authorized for use as an authorized emergency vehicle by the commissioner;
(5) "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;
(6) "Bulb" means a light source consisting of a glass bulb containing a filament or substance capable of being electrically maintained at incandescence;
(7) "Camp trailer" includes any trailer designed and used exclusively for camping or recreational purposes;
(8) "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;
(9) "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 in excess of ten thousand pounds;
(10) "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;
(11) "Commercial motor vehicle" means a vehicle designed or used to transport passengers or property, except a vehicle used within one hundred fifty miles of a farm in connection with the operation of such farm, fire fighting apparatus or other authorized emergency vehicles, or a recreational vehicle in private use, which (A) has a gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand and one pounds or more; (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 the Code of Federal Regulations Title 49, Part 172, Subpart F, as amended;
(12) "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;
(13) "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;
(14) "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;
(15) "Controlled substance" has the same meaning as in section 21a-240 and the federal laws and regulations incorporated in chapter 420b;
(16) "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;
(17) "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 employ;
(18) "Disqualification" means a withdrawal of the privilege to drive a commercial motor vehicle, which occurs as a result of (A) any suspension or revocation 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 the Code of Federal Regulations Title 49, Part 386, as amended, that a person is no longer qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle under the standards of the Code of Federal Regulations Title 49, Part 391, as amended; or (C) the loss of qualification which automatically follows any of the convictions specified in section 14-44k;
(19) "Drive" means to drive, operate or be in physical control of a motor vehicle, including a motor vehicle being towed by another;
(20) "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;
(21) "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;
(22) "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;
(23) "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;
(24) "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;
(25) "Felony" means any offense as defined in section 53a-25 and includes any offense designated as a felony under federal law;
(26) "Foreign jurisdiction" means any jurisdiction other than a state of the United States;
(27) "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" shall 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;
(28) "Garage" includes every place of business where motor vehicles are, for compensation, received for housing, storage or repair;
(29) "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, or its registered gross weight, whichever is greater. 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;
(30) "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;
(31) "Hazardous materials" has the same meaning as in Section 103 of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, Section 1801 et seq., Title 49, United States Code;
(32) "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;
(33) "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;
(34) "Highway" includes any state or other public highway, road, street, avenue, alley, driveway, parkway or place, under the control of the state or any political subdivision of the state, dedicated, appropriated or opened to public travel or other use;
(35) "Intersecting highway" includes any public highway which joins another at an angle whether or not it crosses the other;
(36) "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;
(37) "Limited access highway" means a state highway so designated under the provisions of section 13b-27;
(38) "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;
(39) "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;
(40) "Manufacturer" means (A) a person, whether a resident or nonresident, engaged in the business of constructing or assembling motor vehicles of a type required to be registered under section 14-12, who offers the motor vehicles for sale in this state or (B) a person who distributes new motor vehicles to licensed new car dealers in this state;
(41) "Median divider" means an intervening space or physical barrier or clearly indicated dividing section separating traffic lanes provided for vehicles proceeding in opposite directions;
(42) "Minibike" or "minicycle" means any two or three wheel motorcycle having one or more of the following characteristics: (A) Ten inches (254 mm) or less nominal wheel rim diameter; (B) forty inches or less wheel base; (C) twenty-five inches or less seat height measured at the lowest point on the top of the seat cushion without rider; (D) a propelling engine having a piston displacement of 50 c.c. or less;
(43) "Modified antique motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle twenty-five 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;
(44) "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;
(45) "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;
(46) "Motorcycle" means a motor vehicle, with or without a side car, having not more than three wheels in contact with the ground and a saddle or seat on which the rider sits or a platform on which the rider stands and includes bicycles having a motor attached, except bicycles propelled by means of a helper motor as defined in section 14-286, but does not include a vehicle having or designed to have a completely enclosed driver's seat and a motor which is not in the enclosed area;
(47) "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 physically handicapped persons 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, bicycles with helper motors as defined in section 14-286, special mobile equipment as defined in subsection (i) of section 14-165 and any other vehicle not suitable for operation on a highway;
(48) "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;
(49) "Nonresident" means any person whose legal residence is in a state other than Connecticut or in a foreign country;
(50) "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;
(51) "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;
(52) "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;
(53) "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 his badge of office in a conspicuous place when making an arrest;
(54) "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 as defined in subdivision (20) of this section;
(55) "Out-of-service order" means a temporary prohibition against driving a commercial motor vehicle or any other vehicle subject to the federal motor carrier safety regulations enforced by the commissioner pursuant to his authority under section 14-8;
(56) "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;
(57) "Parked vehicle" means a motor vehicle in a stationary position within the limits of a public highway;
(58) "Passenger and commercial motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle used for private passenger and commercial purposes which is eligible for combination registration;
(59) "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 not less than fifty per cent of the total area enclosed by the outermost body contour lines, excluding the area enclosing the engine, as seen in a plan view, utilized for designated seating positions and necessary legroom with a capacity of carrying not more than ten passengers including the operator thereof;
(60) "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;
(61) "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;
(62) "Pneumatic tires" means tires inflated or inflatable with air;
(63) "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;
(64) "Recreational vehicle" includes the camper, camp trailer and motor home classes of vehicles;
(65) "Registration" includes the certificate of motor vehicle registration and the number plate or plates used in connection with such registration;
(66) "Registration number" means the identifying number or letters, or both, assigned by the commissioner to a motor vehicle;
(67) "Resident", for the purpose of registering motor vehicles, includes any person having a legal residence in this state, 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;
(68) "School bus" means any school bus, as defined in section 14-275;
(69) "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 or 14-224 or subsection (a) of section 14-227a, "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;
(70) "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;
(71) "Serious traffic violation" means a conviction, when operating a commercial motor vehicle, of any violation (A) of section 14-218a or 14-219, if the speed was fifteen miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit, (B) of section 14-222, (C) of section 14-240 or 14-240a, (D) of section 14-236, or (E) arising in connection with an accident related to the operation of a commercial motor vehicle and which resulted in the death of any person;
(72) "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;
(73) "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;
(74) "Shoulder" means that portion of a highway immediately adjacent and contiguous to the travel lanes or main traveled portion of the roadway;
(75) "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;
(76) "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;
(77) "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;
(78) "Stop" means complete cessation of movement;
(79) "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;
(80) "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 shall include, but not be limited to, a cargo tank and portable tank, as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations Title 49, Section 383.5, as amended, provided it shall not include a portable tank with a rated capacity not to exceed one thousand gallons;
(81) "Tractor" or "truck tractor" means a motor vehicle designed and used for drawing a semitrailer;
(82) "Tractor-trailer unit" means a combination of a tractor and a trailer or a combination of a tractor and a semitrailer;
(83) "Trailer" means any rubber-tired vehicle without motive power drawn or propelled by a motor vehicle;
(84) "Truck" means a motor vehicle designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property;
(85) "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;
(86) "United States" means the fifty states and the District of Columbia;
(87) "Used motor vehicle" includes any motor vehicle which has been previously separately registered by an ultimate consumer;
(88) "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, with a manufacturer's GVWR of ten thousand pounds or less;
(89) "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;
(90) "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;
(91) "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 subdivision (D) of part III of this chapter.
(b) For the purposes of sections 14-39, 14-41, 14-44, 14-50, 14-273, 14-274, 14- 275c, 14-276, 14-276a and 14-281b, "public passenger transportation permit" shall mean, until July 1, 1991, public service motor vehicle operator's license.
(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.)
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), (1) amending Subdiv. (7) to substitute recreational for pleasure purposes and to delete phrase "used for the purpose of transporting personal property of the owner"; (2) 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; (3) amending Subdiv. (9) to delete definition of "commercial motor vehicle" and insert definition of "combination registration"; (4) 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; (5) 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; (6) amending definition of "operator" in Subdiv. (54), formerly Subdiv. (36), to include a driver; (7) amending definition of "passenger and commercial motor vehicle" in Subdiv. (58), formerly Subdiv. (39), to include vehicles eligible for combination registration; (8) 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; (9) amending definition of "person" in Subdiv. (61), formerly Subdiv. (41), to specifically exclude the state or any political subdivision thereof; (10) amending definition of "pole trailer" in Subdiv. (63), formerly Subdiv. (43), to delete reference to commercial motor vehicle; and (11) 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 Subdiv. (11)(B) of Subsec. (a) to include vehicles designed to transport "more than" ten passengers and used to transport students under twenty-one 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 five years, and to redefine term in the case of a violation of Sec. 14-215, 14-224 or Subsec. (a) of Sec. 14-227a; P.A. 97-236 redefined "service bus" to require that school bus be "regularly used" to carry eight 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.
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".
"Guest" defined. 108 C. 630. Cited. 124 C. 552; 131 C. 714; 139 C. 707. Definition of "intersection" (former Subsec. (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. Cited. 165 C. 422, 427, 428. Operation of a motor vehicle relates to the driving or movement of the vehicle itself or a circumstance resulting from movement of the vehicle. 180 C. 469, 471, 472. Cited. 189 C. 354, 355; Id., 550, 551. Cited. 221 C. 356, 368. Cited. 239 C. 1.
Cited. 2 CA 523, 526. Cited. 7 CA 575, 577, 578. Cited. 9 CA 686, 714, 715. Cited. 10 CA 18, 22. Cited. 25 CA 492, 500; judgment reversed, see 222 C. 744 et seq. Cited. 30 CA 263, 269, 273. Cited. 41 CA 664, 668, 670.
Cited. 36 CS 101, 102. Cited. 41 CS 326, 338, 339.
Definition of "used" car not restricted to former Subsec. (55) (now Subsec. (62)). 2 Conn. Cir. Ct. 90. State is not limited to proving a vehicle a registered school bus by a certified copy of the registration prepared by the commissioner of motor vehicles. It could prove this element by such other evidence as it sees fit. 4 Conn. Cir. Ct. 5, 6.
Subsec. (9) (Formerly Subsec. (7)):
Cited. 203 C. 45, 55, 57.
Subsec. (10) (Formerly Subsec. (8)):
Cited. 168 C. 587.
Cited. 36 CS 586, 589, 595.
Subsec. (18) (Formerly Subsec. (16)):
Cited. 165 C. 422, 427. Cited. 163 C. 369.
Cited. 2 Conn. Cir. Ct. 662. Road maintained by the town qualifies as public highway within statutory definition of a "highway." 3 Conn. Cir. Ct. 513.
Subsec. (19) (Formerly Subsec. (17)):
"Intersecting highway" defined. 101 C. 443.
Subsec. (26):
Cited. 41 CS 326, 329, 333, 339.
Subsec. (29) (Formerly Subsec. (25)):
Cited. 171 C. 255. Cited. 203 C. 45, 56. Cited. 239 C. 1.
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. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 221.
Subsec. (30) (Formerly Subsec. (26)):
Cited. 171 C. 255. An hydraulic hoist on a truck was not suitable for operation on a highway and was not a motor vehicle. 180 C. 469, 472. Cited. 189 C. 354, 357, 358. Cited. 215 C. 55−57. Cited. 239 C. 1.
Cited. 8 CA 125, 139, 140.
Policy of motor vehicle department to register fork lifts indicates they are "suitable for operation on a highway." 36 CS 101−103. Cited. 40 CS 156, 157. Cited. 41 CS 326, 333, 334, 336, 338, 340, 344, 346, 347.
A standing machine affixed to and operated by the motor of a highway truck held a motor vehicle. 4 Conn. Cir. Ct. 116.
Subsec. (31) (Formerly part of Subsec. (55)):
Where court rendered judgment on a stipulation of facts that the portion of this subsection defining the phrase "ultimate consumer" is unconstitutional, held that judgment did not include any determination of validity of statute as it remained after the definition was held invalid and the judgment was clearly inadequate in that it did not conform to the pleadings, issues and prayers for relief. 152 C. 648. (Note: "Ultimate customer" is now defined in Subsec. (61)).
Subsec. (32) (Formerly Subsec. (28)):
"Nonresident" defined. 107 C. 140.
Subsec. (34) (Formerly Subsec. (18)):
Cited. 30 CA 108, 118. Cited. Id., 263, 270.
Subsec. (35) (Formerly Subsec. (31)):
Cited. 239 C. 1.
Cited. 1 CA 517, 518.
Subsec. (36) (Formerly Subsec. (32)):
"Operation" defined. 90 C. 414; 96 C. 391. Defendant, who had seized wheel while instructing another, was "operator". 119 C. 563. Cited. 141 C. 539. 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, 471, 472.
Cited. 3 CA 246, 248.
Subsec. (37) (Formerly Subsec. (33)):
"Owner" defined. 92 C. 252; 100 C. 120; 104 C. 169. See 44 C. 298. Cited. 194 C. 129, 137.
Cited. 9 CA 221, 226. Cited. 10 CA 22, 26.
Subsec. (38) (Formerly Subsec. (34)):
Definition of "parked vehicle" is not applicable to section 14-119. 142 C. 592. Subsection must be construed and interpreted together with section 14-251. Id. No distinction made between cars that are occupied and those that are not. 145 C. 141.
Subsec. (39) (Formerly Subsec. (36)):
Cited. 239 C. 1.
Cited. 40 CS 156, 157.
Subsec. (40) (Formerly Subsec. (35)):
Cited. 203 C. 45, 56, 57. Motorcycles are not passenger motor vehicles within meaning of section. 239 C. 1.
Subsec. (41) (Formerly Subsec. (37)):
Cited. 9 CA 686, 714, 715.
Cited. 40 CS 156, 157.
Subsec. (44) (Formerly Subsec. (40)):
As to "public service motor vehicles" as defined in an earlier act, see 92 C. 585; 97 C. 241. Cited. 114 C. 408.
Subsec. (47) (Formerly Subsec. (30)):
Cited. 30 CA 263, 269, 271, 272, 273.
All-terrain vehicle qualifies for uninsured motorist coverage under the policy definition. 45 CS 144.
Subsec. (48) (Formerly Subsec. (44)):
Cited. 24 CS 365.
Subsec. (56) (Formerly Subsec. (52)):
Cited. 223 C. 127, 132.
Subsec. (58):
Cited. 239 C. 1.
Subsec. (59):
Cited. 239 C. 1.
Subsec. (62) (Formerly part of Subsec. (55)):
Where court rendered judgment on a stipulation of facts that the portion of this subsection defining the phrase "ultimate consumer" is unconstitutional, held that judgment did not include any determination of validity of statute as it remained after the definition was held invalid and the judgment was clearly inadequate in that it did not conform to the pleadings, issues and prayers for relief. 152 C. 648. (Note: "Ultimate customer" is now defined in Subsec. (61).)

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Sec. 14-1a. "Authorized emergency vehicle" defined. Section 14-1a is repealed.
(1967, P.A. 832, S. 1; P.A. 84-429, S. 78.)
See Sec. 14-1(4) for definition of "authorized emergency vehicle".

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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.

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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. He 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. He 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 his responsibilities under and for the orderly administration of this chapter and chapters 247 to 255, inclusive. He may retain and employ consultants and assistants on a contract or other basis for rendering professional, fiscal, engineering, technical or other assistance and advice. He 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 him and of all reports sent to his 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.)
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.
Statute will not provide alternative method of proving prior motor vehicle conviction. 151 C. 213. See annotations to section 54-62. Commissioner was required to keep a record of previous warnings and violations as related to the plaintiff and may act upon facts known to him even though they are not produced at the hearing. 165 C. 559. Cited. Id., 559, 567. Cited. 225 C. 499, 509.
Cited. 24 CS 364. Cited. 36 CS 586, 589, 590. Dissent: Before copy of a motor vehicle record may be competent evidence, statute requires witnessing of its accuracy by named officials and certification of accuracy by personal signature of official. Id., 36 CS 586, 592, 595, 597, 599, 600. Cited. 38 CS 384, 386, 387. Cited. 39 CS 381, 383−385.
Cited. 2 Conn. Cir. Ct. 693 (footnote 2); 3 Conn. Cir. Ct. 112; id., 586.

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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.

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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. Cited. 40 CS 505. Cited. 42 CS 602, 603.

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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).

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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.)

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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).

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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.

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

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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 (1) to issue citations for violations of any motor vehicle statute or regulation, and (2) 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.

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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.

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Sec. 14-10. Definitions. Records. Disclosure of personal information from records. 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 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, learner's permit, identity card, registration, certificate of title or any other document issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles;
(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, 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; and
(4) "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, (B) provide two forms of acceptable identification, and (C) pay a fee of fifteen dollars to the commissioner in addition to any fee required under section 14-50a. An attorney-at-law admitted to practice in this state may provide 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 member of a municipal police department or a member of the Division of State Police within the Department of Public Safety, (3) an employee of the Department of Correction, (4) an attorney-at- law who represents or has represented the state in a criminal prosecution, or (5) a member or employee of the Board of Parole 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 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 Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Saving Act, 15 USC 1901 et seq., the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, 15 USC 1381 et seq., Anti-Car Theft Act of 1992, 15 USC 2021 et seq., and the Clean Air Act, 42 USC 7401 et seq., as amended from time to time, and any provision of the general statutes enacted to attain compliance with said federal acts;
(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 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, 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, 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 the federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986, 49 USC 2304 et seq., 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 (4) of subsection (a) of this section.
(g) Any person receiving 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.
(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) 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.)
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 Subdivs. (3) and (4) to Subsec. (d) 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, eliminating 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 amended Subsec. (e) to add Subdiv. (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.
Cited. 240 C. 10.

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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.)

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

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Sec. 14-11b. Handicapped driver training program. (a) There shall be within the Department of Motor Vehicles a unit for the purpose of evaluating and training handicapped persons in the operation of motor vehicles. There shall be assigned to such unit a handicapped driver consultant who shall be under the direction of the commissioner and who shall be responsible for overseeing the handicapped driver training program. In addition to such consultant there shall be assigned to the handicapped driver training unit such staff as is necessary for the orderly administration of the handicapped driver training program. The handicapped driver consultant and such other personnel as are assigned to the handicapped driver training unit shall, while engaged in the evaluation, instruction or examination of a handicapped person, have the authority and immunities with respect to such activities as are granted under the general statutes to motor vehicle inspectors.
(b) Any resident of this state who has a serious physical or mental handicap which does not render him 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 Motor Vehicles handicapped driver training program.
(P.A. 76-283, S. 1, 2; P.A. 77-93.)
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.

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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, Public Safety, Revenue Services, Economic Development and Environmental Protection, or their designees, and any other commissioner of a state agency, or his designee, invited to participate. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or his designee shall organize and serve as chairman 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 council shall convene a meeting: (1) Prior to the commencement of each regular session of the General Assembly concerning legislative proposals of the various state agencies and the representatives of the motor carrier industry; (2) after the close of each regular session of the General Assembly concerning the impacts and implementation of any legislation affecting the motor carrier industry and (3) at the call of the chairman, provided the council shall meet, notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, at least semiannually.
(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.)

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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.)

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

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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 may charge each payor a service fee for any payment made by 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. If any charge with respect to payment of a fee by 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.)
History: P.A. 97-236 effective June 24, 1997.

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: The plaintiff owner must allege and prove that the car was registered and its operator licensed. 96 C. 393. A resident of this state, driving her own car registered only in Massachusetts, cannot recover for an injury. 107 C. 142. 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. Whether registration is invalidated by failure of the owner to register his trade name, quaere. 106 C. 258. 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. 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.

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(A)
REGISTRATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

Sec. 14-12. Motor vehicle registration. Application. Issuance by dealers. Misrepresentation. Registration number and certificate. Requirements for registration. Temporary registration. (a) No motor vehicle shall be operated or towed 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 markers 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 sixty 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 he registers a motor vehicle he does not own or if he operates, or allows the operation of, an unregistered motor vehicle on a public highway or (2) a resident of this state who operates a motor vehicle he owns with marker plates issued by another state shall be fined not less than one hundred fifty dollars nor more than three hundred dollars. If the owner of a motor vehicle previously registered on an annual or biennial basis, the registration of which expired not more than thirty days previously, operates or allows the operation of such a motor vehicle, he shall be fined the amount designated for the infraction of failure to renew a registration, but his right to retain his operator's license shall not be affected. No operator other than the owner shall be subject to penalty for the operation of such a previously registered motor vehicle.
(b) To obtain a motor vehicle registration, except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the owner shall file in the office of the commissioner an application signed by him and containing such information and proof of ownership as the commissioner may require. The application shall be made on blanks furnished by the commissioner. The blanks shall be in such form and contain such provisions and information as the commissioner may determine.
(c) 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 issue new registrations for passenger motor vehicles and motorcycles, campers, camp trailers or trucks with a gross vehicle weight up to and including twenty-six thousand pounds when they are sold. The commissioner shall charge such dealer a fee of ten dollars for each book of twenty-five new dealer issue forms furnished for the purposes of this subsection. A person purchasing a motor vehicle or motorcycle from a dealer so appointed and registering the motor vehicle or motorcycle pursuant to this section shall file an application with the dealer and pay, to the dealer, a fee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) or (b) of section 14-49. The commissioner shall prescribe the time and manner in which the application and fee shall be transmitted to the commissioner.
(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. 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 he determines that the characteristics of the motor vehicle or class of motor vehicles make it unsafe for highway operation.
(2) The commissioner shall not register a motor vehicle if he 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 his 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 which exceeds the limits specified in section 14-267a.
(5) On or after October 1, 1984, no motor vehicle registration shall be issued or renewed 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 448 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 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 shall not 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, except a licensee of the department, 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 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. The provisions of this section shall not preclude the commissioner from issuing a temporary registration or more than one such registration for a period not to exceed ten days for each such temporary registration for any motor vehicle without regard to the inspection requirements of the general statutes.
(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 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. The commissioner may require a deposit from the applicant equal to the cost of registering the motor vehicle. The deposit, minus the proper fee or fees, shall be returned to the applicant upon the surrender of the registration and any temporary plate or plates issued for the vehicle. A temporary registration may be renewed from time to time at the discretion of the commissioner.
(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 he 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.
(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.)
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 one dollar and deleted provision re not registering a vehicle previously reported as sold for junk and requiring maintenance of records of such sales for two years; 1963 acts added provisions re operation of vehicle registered in another state for sixty days and providing for operation where registration expired less than thirty days prior to operation on highway; 1967 acts added provision allowing commissioner to issue temporary ten-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 thirty-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 two to seven dollars; P.A. 84-254 amended Subsec. (a) (now Subsec. (g)) to periodically increase the existing $7.00 motor vehicle safety features inspection fee to $25.00 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 Subsec. (f) of Sec. 14-16, added provisions re applications to Subsec. (b) from Subsec. (a) of Sec. 14-42, added provisions re false statements to Subsec. (d) from Sec. 14-43, added provisions re registration certificates to Subsec. (e) from Subsec. (a) of Sec. 14-13, added provisions re temporary registrations to Subsec. (i) from Subsec. (c) of Sec. 14-13, and made other technical changes; P.A. 85-128 added Subdiv. (6) in Subsec. (f), 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 one hundred fifty dollars nor more than three hundred dollars 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 ten 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 twenty-five-dollar 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 twenty-six thousand pounds and made technical changes for the purposes of gender neutrality.
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 chapter 368d re emergency medical services.
See chapter 881b re infractions of the law.
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. 114 C. 266.
Cited. 30 CA 263, 271.
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. 588−593.
Cited. 23 CA 50, 52. Cited. 30 CA 742, 750.
Cited. 37 CS 693, 694.
Subsec. (h):
Cited. 30 CA 263, 271.

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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). (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. 1−5; 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.)
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 one hundred fifty dollars nor more than three hundred dollars.
See chapter 881b re infractions of the law.
Registration of commercial vehicles governed by this statute, not Sec. 14-12(a). 177 C. 588, 591−593. Cited. 200 C. 102, 104.
Cited. 20 CA 336, 338.
Subsec. (a):
Cited. 177 C. 588, 592. Subdivs. (1) and (2) cited. Id., 588, 592.
Subsec. (c):
Cited. 177 C. 588, 591.

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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 subdivision (12) of section 14-1, unless (1) the application for registration is accompanied by a current automobile insurance identification card 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. 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 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.
(c) 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.
(d) 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.)
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 Subdiv. (1) of Subsec. (a) 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; 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).
See Sec. 14-12f re exempt vehicles.
Cited. 223 C. 31, 38.
Cited. 45 CA 630.
Cited. 36 CS 561, 564.
Subsec. (a):
Subdiv. (1) cited. 225 C. 257, 269.

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Sec. 14-12c. Verification of security coverages. Surrender or confiscation of plates, when. Penalties for failure to insure or maintain insurance and for presentation of false or fraudulent 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 subdivision (12) of 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 in accordance with sections 38a-343, 38a-343a, 14-12c and 14-12f to 14-12i, inclusive, 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 he has failed to continuously maintain the security required under section 38a-371. If the commissioner finds that the 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 shall be subject to confiscation in accordance with the provisions of section 14-12h. 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, he shall cancel any registration issued as a result of such application and the registration number plates shall be surrendered to the commissioner or shall be subject to confiscation in accordance with the provisions of section 14-12h. No new registration for any motor vehicle, the registration of which has been cancelled under this section, may be obtained except as provided by section 14-12h.
(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.)
History: P.A. 79-577 included presentation of false or fraudulent no-fault insurance card as false statement, added penalty option of fine from one hundred to one thousand dollars 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.
See Sec. 14-12f re exempt vehicles.

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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.)

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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.

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Sec. 14-12g. Cancellation of motor vehicle registration for violation of mandatory security requirements. Notice. Hearing. Consent agreements. Suspension of motor vehicle operator's license. (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 cancellation of the registration involved. The notice shall contain a statement, in not less than fourteen-point type, that (1) after such cancellation of registration is final and effective such motor vehicle shall be subject to seizure, impoundment and potential forfeiture if observed being operated upon the public highway or if observed parked in any parking area, as defined in section 14-212, and (2) the owner may return the number plate or plates and registration certificate for such vehicle to avoid potential impoundment and suspension of the owner's motor vehicle operator's license pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. Such cancellation shall be final and effective fourteen days from the date of mailing of such notice. If a registered owner to whom such notice of cancellation was issued contends that, notwithstanding the determination of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, he has continuously maintained required coverage throughout the period of his registration, such owner may contact the Department of Motor Vehicles by telephone at a special number to be provided, not less than two days before the effective date of the cancellation of the registration to request an administrative hearing to be conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. Upon such request, the cancellation of the registration shall be stayed pending the final decision. The hearing shall be scheduled promptly and shall be strictly limited to the issues of (A) whether the respondent is the registered owner of the motor vehicle or vehicles subject to the mandatory security requirements, and (B) whether the respondent has failed to continuously maintain the required insurance coverage throughout the registration period. Unless the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or his designated hearing officer finds in the negative on one of the hearing issues, the cancellation of the registration shall be affirmed. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall render a final decision and shall mail such decision to the respondent not more than thirty days after the conclusion of the hearing. The cancellation of registration shall be effective three days after the date of the mailing of the final decision.
(b) Before such cancellation is final and effective, if a registered owner to whom notice of cancellation was issued pursuant to subsection (a) of this section does not contest the determination that he 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 one hundred dollars. The consent agreement shall provide that the registration of the motor vehicle shall not be cancelled pursuant to subsection (a) of this section 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 he continuously maintained the required security after said effective date. 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 of Motor Vehicles may suspend the motor vehicle operator's license of any person whose registration has been cancelled in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, and who, within thirty days of the date of such cancellation, has not returned the number plate or plates and registration certificate or obtained a new registration for 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.)
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).
See Sec. 14-12h re record and list of registrations cancelled by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles in connection with the cancellation of private passenger motor vehicle liability insurance and removal of plates by law enforcement officials.
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.

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Sec. 14-12h. Maintenance and compilation of record of all cancelled registrations. Availability. Stop and detain procedures, when. Removal of plates. Fees. Seizure, impoundment and forfeiture of vehicle. (a) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall compile and maintain a record of all registrations cancelled in accordance with the provisions of sections 14-12c and 14-12f to 14-12k, inclusive, 38a-343 and 38a-343a. 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 cancelled. 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 cancelled 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 an infractions 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 cancelled 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 cancelled 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 his 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 cancelled, such police officer may seize and impound the vehicle. If a police officer seizes and impounds a vehicle pursuant to this subdivision, he 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) The owner of any motor vehicle whose registration has been cancelled in accordance with the provisions of sections 14-12c and 14-12f to 14-12k, inclusive, 38a-343 and 38a-343a, shall not be eligible to obtain a new registration for a vehicle, or a new or renewal registration for any motor vehicle in the owner's name until the owner appears personally at an office of the Department of Motor Vehicles and (1) completes an application for registration, (2) furnishes proof of insurance, in accordance with section 14- 12b, and (3) pays to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles a restoration fee of the aggregate of two hundred fifty dollars for the first thirty-one days such registration is cancelled, or any portion thereof, and five dollars for each additional day such registration is cancelled, not to exceed ninety days or five hundred forty-five dollars, as required by section 14-50b, in addition to any other fees required to obtain new registration and number plates, except that the commissioner may reduce the restoration fee to the amount of one hundred dollars if the commissioner finds that the vehicle was not operated during the period of such cancellation and during the period such owner failed to maintain mandatory security. In addition, if the number plates of the vehicle whose registration was cancelled have been confiscated, the owner of such motor vehicle shall pay an additional confiscation fee of fifty dollars. Such confiscation fee shall be collected from the owner of the motor vehicle and remitted by the commissioner to the constable who confiscated the number plates or, if the plates were confiscated by a police officer, such confiscation fee shall be remitted to the governmental entity which employed such officer at the time of the confiscation and shall be deposited in the asset forfeiture fund. In the event there is no such fund, such confiscation fee shall be deposited in the general fund of such entity.
(d) The owner of any motor vehicle which has been impounded in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section shall not be eligible to regain possession of the vehicle until he complies with the requirements of subsection (c) of this section. Any such motor vehicle which is impounded for more than forty- five days 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.)
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 one hundred dollars to two hundred fifty dollars for first thirty-one days of cancellation, and five dollars per additional day up to ninety days or five hundred forty-five dollars, and to allow commissioner to reduce fee to one hundred dollars 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 forty-five 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 amended Subsec. (c) to delete former Subdiv. (3) re requirement that owner furnish proof of financial responsibility for not less than one year, in accordance with section 14-112, redesignated 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.
See Sec. 14-12g re cancellation of registration in connection with cancellation of private passenger motor vehicle liability insurance.
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.

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Sec. 14-12i. Restoration fees. Reimbursement to entities returning confiscated registration number plates to the department. (a) All restoration fees imposed due to the cancellation 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.)
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.

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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.)

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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.)

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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. (a) After October 1, 2001, the Department of Motor Vehicles, as part of any procedure for issuing any motor vehicle registration, shall require each person making application for a motor vehicle registration to provide the owner's federal Social Security account number or federal employer identification number, or both, if available, to said department or where such number or numbers are unavailable, the reason or reasons for the unavailability. The number or reason shall be obtained by said department as part of the administration of taxes administered by the Commissioner of Revenue Services for the purpose of establishing the identification of persons affected by such taxes.
(b) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall, on or before February 1, 2002, and February first, annually thereafter, furnish to the Commissioner of Revenue Services on a compatible magnetic tape file or in some other form which is acceptable to said commissioner, a list of all persons to whom motor vehicle registrations were issued by said department during the preceding calendar year.
(c) Each list provided to the Commissioner of Revenue Services pursuant to this section shall contain the name, address and federal Social Security account number or federal employer identification number or both, of each person named on such list, if available to such agency or the reason for the unavailability.
(P.A. 97-309, S. 19, 23; 97-322, S. 7, 9; P.A. 99-268, S. 20; P.A. 00-169, S. 22.)
History: P.A. 97-309 effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 97-322 changed effective date of Sec. 19 of P.A. 97-309 from July 1, 1997, to October 1, 1999; P.A. 99-268 made Subsec. (a) applicable after October 1, 2001, and changed "February 1, 2001," to "February 1, 2002," in Subsec. (b); P.A. 00-169 revised effective date of P.A. 99-268 but without affecting this section.

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Sec. 14-12m. Forfeiture of impounded motor vehicle. Proceedings. Proceeds from sale. (a) (1) Not earlier than forty-five days and not later than ninety days after the seizure of a motor vehicle pursuant to section 14-12h in connection with a lawful stop or a lawful seizure, the Chief State's Attorney or a deputy chief state's attorney, state's attorney or assistant or deputy assistant state's attorney may petition the court in the nature of a proceeding in rem to order forfeiture of such motor vehicle. Such proceeding shall be deemed a civil suit in equity, in which the state shall have the burden of proving all material facts by clear and convincing evidence. The court shall identify the owner of such motor vehicle and any other person who appears to have an interest therein, and order the state to give notice to such owner and interested person by certified or registered mail, and shall promptly, but not less than two weeks after notice, hold a hearing on the petition. No testimony offered or evidence produced by such owner or interested person at such hearing and no evidence discovered as a result of or otherwise derived from such testimony or evidence, may be used against such owner or interested person in any proceeding, except that no such owner or interested person shall be immune from prosecution for perjury or contempt committed while giving such testimony or producing such evidence. At such hearing the court shall hear evidence and make findings of fact and enter conclusions of law and shall issue a final order, from which the parties shall have such right of appeal as from a decree in equity.
(2) At any time prior to the filing of such petition, the registered or legal owner of record at the time of impoundment may request a hearing to determine the validity of the impoundment. Such hearing shall follow the procedures set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection.
(b) No motor vehicle shall be forfeited under this section to the extent of the interest of an owner or lienholder by reason of any act or omission committed by another person if such owner or lienholder did not know and could not have reasonably known that such motor vehicle was uninsured and subject to forfeiture.
(c) Any motor vehicle ordered forfeited pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be sold at public auction conducted by the Commissioner of Administrative Services or his designee.
(d) The proceeds from any sale of a motor vehicle under subsection (c) of this section shall be distributed in accordance with the following priorities: (1) To payment of any costs incurred for the storage, towing, maintenance, security and forfeiture of such motor vehicle; (2) to payment of the balance due on any lien preserved by the court in the forfeiture proceedings; and (3) to payment of court costs. The balance, if any, shall be deposited in the uninsured motor vehicle forfeiture revolving account established under section 14-12n.
(P.A. 98-215, S. 5.)

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Sec. 14-12n. Uninsured motor vehicle forfeiture revolving account. (a) There is established and created an account of the General Fund to be known as the "uninsured motor vehicle forfeiture revolving account" for the purpose of providing funds for identifying uninsured motor vehicles and causing the owners of such vehicles to obtain the required insurance or to cease operating such uninsured motor vehicles.
(b) The account shall consist of the proceeds from the sale of motor vehicles received and deposited pursuant to section 14-12m.
(c) Moneys in such account shall be distributed as follows: (1) Fifty per cent shall be allocated to the Special Transportation Fund pursuant to section 14-12i, (2) forty per cent shall be allocated to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles who shall pay, subject to available funds, for confiscations which occur on or after October 1, 1998, in order of the date of confiscation, any confiscation fee pursuant to section 14-12h which remains unpaid after forfeiture to the constable who confiscated the number plates or, if the plates were confiscated by a police officer, such confiscation fee shall be remitted to the governmental entity which employed such officer at the time of the confiscation, and (3) ten per cent shall be allocated to the Department of Public Safety and local police departments pursuant to section 14-12h which shall be used for enforcement of said section 14-12h.
(d) Expenditures from the account allocated to the Department of Public Safety and local police departments shall be authorized by a panel composed of: (1) The Commissioner of Public Safety or his designee; (2) the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or his designee; and (3) the president of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association or his designee. The panel shall adopt procedures for the orderly authorization of expenditures, subject to the approval of the Comptroller. Such expenditures may be authorized only to the Department of Public Safety and to organized local police departments within this state. Such expenditures shall be held by the Department of Public Safety and the various organized local police departments in accounts or funds established for that purpose. In no event shall the expenditures be placed in a state or town general fund and in no event shall the expenditures be used for purposes other than those provided in subdivision (3) of subsection (c) of this section. The panel shall ensure the equitable allocation of expenditures to the Department of Public Safety or any local police department which participated directly in any of the acts which led to the seizure or forfeiture of the motor vehicle so as to reflect generally the contribution of said department or such local police department in such acts. The panel shall authorize expenditures from the account for the reimbursement of any organized local police department which has used its own funds in the detection, investigation, apprehension and seizure of the uninsured motor vehicle and which makes application to the panel for reimbursement.
(e) Moneys remaining in the uninsured motor vehicle forfeiture revolving account at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund but shall remain in the revolving account to be used for the purposes set forth in this section.
(P.A. 98-215, S. 6; P.A. 99-181, S. 10; P.A. 00-99, S. 47, 154.)
History: P.A. 99-181 amended Subsec. (c) to replace "Automobile Insurance Enforcement Fund established" with "Special Transportation Fund" in Subdiv. (1); P.A. 00-99 deleted reference to sheriff and deputy sheriff in Subsec. (c), effective December 1, 2000.

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Secs. 14-12o and 14-12p. Reserved for future use.

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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.)

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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, an affidavit shall be furnished to the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of section 14-99h.
(P.A. 99-287, S. 3, 9.)
History: P.A. 99-287 effective July 1, 1999.

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Sec. 14-12s. Administrative fees. For the registration of each motor vehicle that has passed an inspection in accordance with the requirements of subsection (g) of section 14-12 or section 14-16a or that has passed an inspection of its manufacturer's vehicle identification number, the commissioner shall charge an administrative fee of ten dollars, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for such registration.
(P.A. 99-287, S. 4, 9.)
History: P.A. 99-287 effective July 1, 1999.

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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, sections 14-12r, 14-12s and 14-16a and subsection (a) of section 14-41. 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.)
History: P.A. 99-287 effective July 1, 1999.

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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, for a first offense, be deemed to have committed an infraction and be fined thirty-five dollars, and, for each subsequent offense, shall be fined not more than 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.)
History: 1961 act removed provision for payment of one-half registration fee when registration applied for after September thirtieth, but see Sec. 14-49a; 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 "not more than three" to twenty-five dollars; 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 twenty-five to thirty-five dollars; P.A. 84-429 transferred provisions in Subsec. (a) re registration certificates to Subsec. (e) of Sec. 14-12, transferred provisions in Subsec. (c) re temporary registrations to Subsec. (i) of Sec. 14-12, 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.
Subsec. (b):
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, 645.
Subsec. (a):
Cited. 4 Conn. Cir. Ct. 390.
Subsec. (b):
Cited. 4 Conn. Cir. Ct. 385.

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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 twenty-one to eighteen 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.

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Sec. 14-15. Leasing or renting of motor vehicles. Issuance of temporary transfers. (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 shall be accompanied by a fee of one hundred fifty dollars and shall be renewed annually on the first day of April. No such license shall be transferred. Such licensee shall furnish proof of financial responsibility satisfactory to the commissioner, as provided by section 14-112 or 14-129, provided such licensee may furnish such proof separately with respect to each vehicle or each group of vehicles leased to any single lessee. 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 he 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 his 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 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 may issue a sixty-day temporary transfer of such registration to any other vehicle used in connection with its business with an official stamp issued by the commissioner to such licensee. The licensee, within five days from the issuance of such temporary registration, shall submit to the commissioner an application together with all necessary documents for a permanent registration for the vehicle transferred. 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 authorize any person, firm or corporation licensed under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section 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 by means of an electronic data processing system connected to the system of registration records maintained by the commissioner. 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.)
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 twenty-five to fifty dollars; P.A. 75-577 excluded leasing of cars by one corporation to another having the same principal business and added sentence 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 twenty-day temporary transfers of registration; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91- 13 increased fee from seventy-eight to one hundred fifty dollars 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 thirty 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 forty-five-day temporary transfers in lieu of twenty-day transfers and to require submission of application for permanent registration within seven days from issuance of temporary registration instead of five 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 "forty-five day" with a "sixty-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 "seven" to "five" days.
See Secs. 14-153 and 14-153a for similar provisions re renting of vehicles.
See chapter 881b re infractions of the law.
Cited. 203 C. 667, 669.

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Sec. 14-15a. Registration of vehicles leased or rented for use in Connecticut. (a) Each passenger motor vehicle, as defined in subsection (40) of 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) 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, he may, in his discretion, (1) prohibit the lease or rental of any such motor vehicle in this state, (2) require that such motor vehicle be registered in this state in accordance with the provisions of section 14-12, (3) suspend or revoke a license to engage in such leasing or renting issued under the provisions of section 14-15, or (4) require a licensee to furnish a bond in the amount of one thousand dollars for each vehicle registered in another state.
(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.)
History: P.A. 75-577 added Subsec. (c); P.A. 88-340 amended (1) Subsec. (a), requiring the registration of each "passenger" motor vehicle, as defined in section 14-1, leased for more than thirty days in a calendar year for use in this state, (2) Subsec. (b), adding Subdivs. (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 (3) Subsec. (c), increasing fine from an infraction to one thousand dollars 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.
See chapter 881b re infractions of the law.

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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.

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Sec. 14-16. Transfer of ownership. Fees. Penalties. (a) A motor vehicle registration expires upon transfer of ownership of the motor vehicle. The person in whose name the motor vehicle is registered shall return to the commissioner, within twenty-four hours of the motor vehicle's transfer, the certificate of registration, the number plate or plates issued for the vehicle together with a written notice, subject to the penalties of false statement, containing the date that ownership of the vehicle was transferred and the name, residence and post-office address of the owner. The following statement shall appear directly above the space provided for the signature of the person filing the form: "I declare under the penalties of false statement that this notice has been examined by me and to the best of my knowledge and belief is complete, and the statements made herein are true and correct."
(b) 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 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 five 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. On and after July 1, 1986, the fee shall be ten dollars, on and after July 1, 1988, eleven dollars, and on and after July 1, 1992, twelve dollars. 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.
(c) 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 five 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. On and after July 1, 1986, the fee shall be ten dollars, on and after July 1, 1988, eleven dollars, and on and after July 1, 1992, twelve dollars. 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.
(d) 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 five dollars. On and after July 1, 1985, the minimum fee shall be seven dollars and fifty cents, on and after July 1, 1986, ten dollars, on and after July 1, 1988, eleven dollars, and on and after July 1, 1992, twelve dollars.
(e) 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.
(f) 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.
(g) 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 (f) 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.)
History: 1959 act included proviso in Subsec. (a) re organization, reorganization, dissolution etc. of business; 1961 acts increased fees in Subsec. (a) from one dollar, increased minimum fee in Subsec. (b) from one dollar, 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 two to three dollars; 1971 act substituted "false statement" for "perjury" and replaced twenty-five dollar 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 five dollars; 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 twenty-five dollars and lowered the maximum fine from one hundred to ninety dollars for such first offense; P.A. 83-577 amended Subsec. (e) by deleting the provision specifying the fine for an infraction is "not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than ninety dollars"; 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 seven dollars and fifty cents as of July 1, 1985, to twelve dollars 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.
A partnership car, taken by one of the partners on dissolution, must be reregistered. 100 C. 119. Cited. 110 C. 281. The leaving of a license plate belonging to the defendant in or on the car which facilitates its use by another who causes injury could constitute negligence on the part of the defendant. 40 CS 149, 150.
Subsec. (a):
Cited. 9 CA 686, 727.
Subsec. (g):
Cited. 9 CA 686, 727, 728.

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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 and modified antique motor vehicles. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, 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 state 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, 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.
(b) The following vehicles, upon transfer of ownership, shall be presented for inspection, as directed by the commissioner, at any state 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. 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.)
History: P.A. 77-150 added Subsec. (b) re motor vehicles more than ten 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 two to seven dollars, 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 ten model years old or older to be inspected within thirty 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 twenty-five-dollar 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.

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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.)
See Sec. 14-103a re inspection of reassembled, altered or rebuilt vehicles.

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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) Any insurance company which 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, in 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 except that if the insurance company determines that such motor vehicle has ten or more major component parts which 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.
(2) Any person, firm or corporation which 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, shall stamp the word "SALVAGE" in one-inch-high letters not to exceed three inches in length on the vehicle's certificate of title except that if such self-insurer determines that such motor vehicle has ten or more major component parts which 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 which 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 which 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.
(3) For purposes of this subsection, "major component part" shall have the same meaning as provided in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-149a.
(b) Any insurance company taking possession of a motor vehicle in accordance with subsection (a) of this section or any person, firm or corporation which owns such motor vehicle shall copy the stamped certificate and give the original of such certificate to any subsequent purchaser of the motor vehicle that has been declared a total loss. The name and address of any such purchaser must be recorded on the reverse side of the original and the copy. The copy shall serve only as a record of transfers of the total loss motor vehicle.
(c) 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."
(d) No motor vehicle for which a copy 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.
(e) 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.
(f) No insurance company and no firm or corporation which is a self-insurer may sell any totalled or salvaged motor vehicle, major component parts or any other parts of a motor vehicle to any person, firm or corporation which is not licensed under the provisions of subdivisions (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 any totalled or salvaged motor vehicle with a certificate of title stamped "SALVAGE PARTS ONLY" or any motor vehicle which 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 subdivision (H) of part III of this chapter or under a similar provision of law of any other state. Any sale 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.
(g) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall 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.)
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 (1) self-insured persons, firms or corporations which own totalled motor vehicles to stamp "SALVAGE" on the title certificate, (2) persons, firms or corporations insured other than by means of self-insurance to send the vehicle's title certificate to its insurer, which shall stamp "SALVAGE" on the certificate and return it to such owner, and (3) the person or entity responsible for stamping "SALVAGE" to 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 Subdiv. (1) of Subsec. (a) 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 Subdiv. (2) of Subsec. (a) 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 Subdiv. (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 Subdiv. (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.
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, 727.

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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 thirty-five 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.)
History: P.A. 82-223 specified that violation of the section constituted an infraction and increased the fine from "not more than ten" to twenty-five dollars; P.A. 83-577 increased the fine from twenty-five to thirty-five dollars; P.A. 84-429 rephrased provisions, divided section into Subsecs. and made other technical changes; P.A. 90-263 amended Subdiv. (2) of Subsec. (a) to delete reference to public service motor vehicle and to substitute truck for commercial motor vehicle.
Cited. 177 C. 93, 99.

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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, 208.

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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. Each such motor vehicle shall also display a sticker on the number plate or elsewhere on the vehicle, as the commissioner may direct, denoting the expiration date of the registration, as assigned 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. Each such motor vehicle shall also display a sticker on the rear number plate or elsewhere on the vehicle, as the commissioner may direct, denoting the expiration date of the registration, as assigned by the commissioner.
(b) Repealed by 1969, P.A. 247, S. 1.
(c) Such 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. No plates, devices or attachments may be affixed to or covering the official 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, return the number plates thereof 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.)
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 fifty-dollar fine with reference to violation as infraction; P.A. 76-435 amended Subsec. (c) to replace reference to repealed Subsec. (r) of Sec. 14-49 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 Subdivs. (2) and (3) of Subsec. (a) 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 Subdivs. (1) and (2) of Subsec. (a) 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 Subdivs. (1) and (2) of Subsec. (a) 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 Subdiv. (3) by replacing existing language re sticker placement with new language, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 94-189 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting in Subdivs. (1) and (2) 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 deleting Subdiv. (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.
See Sec. 14-107 re liability of owner, operator or lessee of vehicle in prosecutions for violation of this section.
See chapter 881b re infractions of the law.
Cited. 181 C. 299, 300, 304.

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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".

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Sec. 14-19a. Regulations re issuance of special number plates to members of qualifying organizations. Issuance and renewal of collegiate 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 Governors of the Department of 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 to individuals who meet the requirements established by the regulations adopted pursuant to this subsection. The regulations shall: (1) Establish the criteria necessary for a Connecticut institution of higher education to be eligible to have a special number plate issued with the logo or emblem of the institution; (2) provide for the issuance or renewal of such a plate upon the receipt of a form certified by the institution that a contribution of at least fifty dollars was made to a scholarship fund or scholarship account at such an institution prior to each such issuance and renewal. Each such renewal shall occur at the time of each renewal of the motor vehicle's registration; (3) the fee established in subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of this section; (4) any registration fee required by the commissioner pursuant to section 14-12 and (5) any additional information or fees required by the commissioner. All contributions to the scholarship fund or scholarship account of a participating institution of higher education shall be distributed on the basis of financial need.
(c) On or after July 1, 1991, the commissioner shall issue special certificates of registration and special number plates in accordance with the regulations adopted under subsection (a) of this section provided he may not issue a set of special number plates bearing the same numerals as any other plate issued by the department.
(P.A. 90-236, S. 1, 2; P.A. 91-275; P.A. 93-341, S. 3; P.A. 97-236, S. 4, 27.)
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 fifty- dollar 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.

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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 may issue special number plates for antique, rare or special interest motor vehicles, 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 an 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 an 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, so 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. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this subsection.
(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.)
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.

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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.

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Sec. 14-20b. Number plates for veterans. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, at the request of any veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, or the surviving spouse of such veteran, 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 vehicle. 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 and which shall be in addition to the fee for registration of such motor vehicle.
(P.A. 97-236, S. 1; P.A. 98-182, S. 7, 22.)
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.

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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.

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Sec. 14-21a. "Foreign consul" registration and number plates. Section 14-21a is repealed.
(1967, P.A. 501, S. 1; P.A. 85-81.)

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Sec. 14-21b. Issuance of reflectorized number plates. (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.
(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.)
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 one dollar to two dollars, reflecting increase in safety fee in Subsec. (w) of Sec. 14-49; 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.

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Sec. 14-21c. Number plates for manufacturers of automotive equipment. Proof of financial responsibility. (a) Upon the application of a person engaged in the manufacturing of automotive equipment, the commissioner may issue interchangeable special number plates for motor vehicles used by the manufacturer in the experimental testing of automotive equipment, provided the application shall contain (1) information on the 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 twenty dollars for the issuance of registration and plates for any such experimental test motor vehicle. On and after July 1, 1985, the fee shall be thirty dollars, on and after July 1, 1989, forty-five dollars, on and after July 1, 1991, fifty-six dollars, and on and after July 1, 1993, seventy dollars. Such registration shall expire on the last day of March each year.
(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.)
History: P.A. 83-494 increased the registration fee for experimental test motor vehicles from fifteen to twenty dollars 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.

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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 Veterans' Administration of the United States 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. 1−3; 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.)
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.

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Sec. 14-21e. Number plates commemorating Long Island Sound. Voluntary lighthouse preservation donation. Fees. 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 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-27k.
(c) 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, in consultation with the Commissioner of 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.)
History: P.A. 97-221 amended Subsec. (b) to add provision re voluntary lighthouse preservation donation.

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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.

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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.

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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.)
History: P.A. 97-187 effective July 1, 1997.

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Sec. 14-21i. Greenways commemorative number plates. Fees. Regulations. (a) On and after January 1, 1998, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue greenways commemorative number plates of a design to enhance public awareness of the state and local efforts to preserve, restore and protect greenways. The design shall be determined by agreement between the Commissioner of 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 greenways 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. All fees established and collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the greenways account of the Conservation Fund, established pursuant to section 22a-27o.
(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) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, in consultation with the Commissioner of 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 greenways commemorative number plates.
(P.A. 97-236, S. 18, 27.)
History: P.A. 97-236 effective July 1, 1997.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Sec. 14-22. Expiration and renewal. (a) A motor vehicle registration issued pursuant to this chapter shall expire in accordance with schedules established by the commissioner. 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 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 offices of the commissioner are open for business. The commissioner shall prescribe the date and manner of renewing registrations. Not less than forty-five days prior to the expiration of any valid registration, the commissioner shall cause to be mailed to the registrant an application for renewal. Except for the processing of such application at an official emissions inspection station as provided in subsection (b) of this section or by telephone as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the commissioner may require that the application be returned 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 him which shall provide that expirations of registrations and emissions stickers occur on the same date. 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 commissioner may provide for the renewal of the registration of any motor vehicle by means of a telephone request and order by the registrant. The commissioner may charge a service fee of five dollars, in addition to the fee prescribed for the renewal of the registration, for each application for renewal processed by telephone. Such service fee shall be used to cover the costs incurred in processing such applications. Any funds in excess of those necessary for the processing of such applications shall be deposited in the General Fund. Each registrant who elects to renew by telephone shall sign the certificate of registration, attesting to the information contained therein under penalty of false statement, as provided in section 53a-157b, when the certificate is issued by the commissioner. Any such certificate which is not signed shall be void. The commissioner may employ the services of an independent contractor or contractors to process such applications for renewal and provide any equipment or system necessary for such purpose.
(d) If the adoption of a staggered system results in the expiration of any registration more than two years from its issuance, a prorated amount of the registration fee paid shall be charged in addition to the biennial 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.)
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 forty-five 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 five dollars for such renewal and specifying administrative procedures for such renewal, effective July 1, 1995.
See note to Sec. 14-45.

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Secs. 14-22a to 14-22e. Reserved for future use.

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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.

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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 registration or number plate or plates on any noncommercial motor vehicle and is inducted into the armed forces, as defined by 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 his 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, and the amount thereof shall be charged by the Treasurer against any funds in his hands to the credit of the Department of Transportation.
(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.)
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.

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Sec. 14-24. Heavy duty trailers. Heavy construction equipment. Gross weight of tractor-trailer units. The commissioner may, if in his opinion it is equitable, grant a special registration and furnish a special set of number plates or markers, limited or unlimited as he 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 oversize-overweight account code number, and a confirmation number furnished by said commissioner. The Commissioner of Transportation shall issue for each such vehicle operating with such an account code number 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 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.)
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 (1) 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, (2) issuance of a document which identifies vehicle and states dates of issue and expiration for each vehicle operating with such an account code number, (3) original document to be carried in vehicle, and (4) display of markers or number plates in a prominent place on vehicle.

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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."

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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 five dollars to six dollars and fifty cents; 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.

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Sec. 14-25b. Registration of vehicles operated as special mobile equipment. The commissioner may register any vehicle operated upon any public highway as special mobile equipment as defined in subsection (i) of 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 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, it 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 he 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.
(P.A. 83-431, S. 1; P.A. 84-546, S. 39, 173.)
History: P.A. 84-546 made technical changes.
Cited. 41 CS 326, 333, 343−345, 347.

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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, for the first offense, thirty-five dollars and, for each subsequent offense, not less than thirty-five dollars nor more than 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.)
History: P.A. 75-486 replaced public utilities commission with public utilities control authority; P.A. 75-577 replaced provision re fifty-dollar 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 three dollars to twenty-five dollars and establishing a minimum fine of twenty-five dollars for a subsequent offense; P.A. 83-577 amended Subsec. (c) to increase the fine for the first offense from twenty-five to thirty-five dollars and the minimum fine for a subsequent offense from twenty-five to thirty-five dollars; 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.
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.
See chapter 881b re infractions of the law.
This section interpreted and held valid. 97 C. 239.

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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.
See chapter 881b re infractions of the law.

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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 three hundred fifty thousand dollars.

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Sec. 14-28. Passenger motor vehicle plates for livery cars or taxicabs. For a fee of six 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 such vehicle when not engaged in public service business. On and after July 1, 1992, the fee shall be seven dollars.
(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.)
History: 1961 act increased fee from one dollar; 1969 act raised fee from two to three dollars; P.A. 75-213 raised fee to four dollars; 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.

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Sec. 14-29. Owners of motor or service buses, taxicabs, school buses 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 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, which insurance or bond 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) (1) The amount of insurance or of such bond which each such vehicle owner or lessee shall carry as insurance or indemnity against claims for personal injury or death shall be not less than (A) fifty thousand dollars for one person subject to that limit per person; (B) for all persons in any one accident where the carrying capacity is seven passengers or less, one hundred thousand dollars; (C) eight to twelve passengers, inclusive, one hundred fifty thousand dollars; (D) thirteen to twenty passengers, inclusive, two hundred thousand dollars; (E) twenty-one to thirty passengers, inclusive, two hundred fifty thousand dollars; and (F) thirty-one passengers or more, three hundred thousand dollars; and such policy or such bond shall indemnify the insured against legal liability resulting from damage to the property of passengers or of others to the amount of ten thousand dollars.
(2) In lieu of the foregoing, a single limit of liability shall be allowed as insurance or indemnity against claims for personal injury or death and legal liability resulting from damage to the property of passengers or of others for any one accident (A) where the carrying capacity is seven passengers or less, not less than one hundred thousand dollars; (B) eight to twelve passengers, inclusive, not less than one hundred fifty thousand dollars; (C) thirteen to twenty passengers, inclusive, not less than two hundred thousand dollars; (D) twenty-one to thirty passengers, inclusive, not less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars; and (E) thirty-one passengers or more, not less than three hundred thousand dollars. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to (i) a municipality which the commissioner has found to have sufficient financial responsibility to meet legal liability for damages as provided in subsection (a) of this section or (ii) the owner or lessees of any such motor vehicle holding a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the Department of Transportation whom the department has found to be of sufficient financial responsibility to meet legal liability for damages as provided in subsection (a).
(c) 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 he 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 he 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.
(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.
(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, any person, association or corporation operating a motor vehicle in livery service under the provisions of sections 13b- 101 to 13b-109, inclusive, shall carry insurance or indemnity against claims for personal injury or death and legal liability resulting from damage to the property of passengers or of others for any one accident in an amount not less than one million five hundred thousand dollars for vehicles with a seating capacity of fourteen passengers or less and five million dollars for vehicles with a seating capacity of fifteen passengers or more.
(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.)
History: 1971 act raised insurance or bond minimum from twenty-five to fifty thousand dollars for one person and raised insurance for property damage from five to ten thousand dollars; 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 six hundred thousand dollars to one million five hundred thousand dollars for vehicles with a seating capacity of fourteen passengers or less and five million dollars for vehicles with a seating capacity of fifteen passengers or more.
Cited. 9 CA 686, 728.
Subsec. (e):
Cited. 9 CA 686, 728.

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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.)

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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 his order on the Treasurer in favor of such registrant for the amount of the refund provided for herein and such amount shall be charged by the Treasurer against any funds appropriated to the commissioner for refunds of income. The commissioner shall retain in his files 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.)
History: P.A. 90-263 substituted motor vehicle with a commercial registration for commercial motor vehicle.

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Sec. 14-32. Commercial motor vehicle in interstate business. Section 14-32 is repealed.
(1949 Rev., S. 2374; 1971, P.A. 612, S. 5.)

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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. (a) 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 listings and schedules of dates established by the commissioner and on forms prescribed and furnished by him, specifying the name and address of the person against whom such tax has been assessed, the date when such tax was due and the registration number, if known to the collector. The commissioner shall not issue registration for such motor vehicle or snowmobile for the next registration period if, according to his 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 a receipt evidencing the payment of such tax or certificate of abatement of such tax or other satisfactory evidence that the tax obligation has been legally discharged has been presented to the commissioner; nor shall the commissioner register any other motor vehicle or snowmobile in the name of such person until a receipt evidencing the payment of such tax or a certificate of abatement of such tax or other satisfactory evidence that the tax obligation has been legally discharged has been presented to the commissioner, except 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 such tax obligation, 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 all motor vehicle or snowmobile registrations issued in the name of any person (1) 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 had been paid or (2) 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.
(b) 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. Each such agreement 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 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. The provisions of this subsection 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 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.)
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).
See Sec. 14-379 for definitions applicable to snowmobiles.

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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, on forms prescribed and furnished by him, specifying the name, address and registration number to be removed from the motor vehicle delinquent tax list.
(1967, P.A. 448, S. 1.)

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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.

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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 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; (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 reciprocity 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 any such vehicle if any personal property taxes are unpaid with respect to such vehicle, as provided in section 14-33; (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 said plan 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 said plan.
(e) Any commercial vehicle registered in any other jurisdiction 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 weight 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.)
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.

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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) (1) The applicant shall, instead of registering each motor vehicle owned by him or temporarily in his custody, have issued to him by the commissioner a general distinguishing number. Thereupon, each motor vehicle owned by the applicant or temporarily in his custody shall be regarded as registered under and having assigned to it the distinguishing number. (2) The commissioner shall charge a fee at the rate of fifty-one dollars per annum for each number plate furnished for use on passenger motor vehicles or house trailers. On and after July 1, 1992, the fee shall be fifty-eight dollars. (3) The commissioner shall charge a fee at the rate of one hundred dollars per annum for each number plate furnished for use on trucks or other motor vehicles with a commercial registration. On and after July 1, 1992, the fee shall be one hundred fourteen dollars.
(c) A registrant shall furnish proof of financial responsibility to the commissioner as provided by section 14-112.
(d) 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 transportation number plate. The number plate shall not be loaned to any person and shall not be used by its holder for personal purposes, provided the holder 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. 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.)
History: 1961 act increased fees in Subsec. (b) from ten and twenty dollars, 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 thirteen to twenty-five dollars and for plates on commercial motor vehicles from twenty-five to fifty dollars 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 thirty-three dollars and for commercial vehicles to sixty-five dollars 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 (1) authorize persons who in the opinion of the commissioner are qualified to apply for a transporter's registration, and (2) 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 (1) 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 (2) Subsec. (e) to require a fine of a minimum of two hundred fifty dollars and a maximum of five hundred dollars for violation of Subsec. (d) in lieu of infraction penalty; P.A. 90-263 amended Subdiv. (3) of Subsec. (b) to substitute "trucks or other motor vehicles with a commercial registration" for "commercial motor vehicles".
See chapter 881b re infractions of the law.

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(B)
OPERATORS' LICENSES

Sec. 14-36. Motor vehicle operator's license. Learner's permit. Limited license. Requirements. Penalty. Regulations. (a) Motor vehicle operator's license required for operation of motor vehicle. 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 subsection (a) of section 14-218a until he has obtained a motor vehicle operator's license.
(b) Instruction of persons eighteen years of age or older. Out-of-state license holders. Minimum age. (1) A person eighteen years of age or older may operate a motor vehicle without a motor vehicle operator's license if (A) he has not had a Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license suspended or revoked and (B) he 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 motor vehicle operator's license suspended by the commissioner during the four-year period preceding the instruction. (2) A person holding a valid out-of-state motor vehicle operator's license may operate a motor vehicle for a period of thirty days following his establishment of residence in Connecticut, if the motor vehicle is of the same class as that for which his 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) Learner's permit. (1) On or after January 1, 1997, 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 of Motor Vehicles for a learner's permit. The commissioner may issue a learner's permit to an applicant after the applicant has passed a vision screening and test as to knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the road, has paid the fee required by subsection (v) of section 14-49 and has filed a certificate, in such form as the commissioner prescribes, requesting or consenting to the issuance of the learner's permit and the motor vehicle operator's license, signed by (A) one or both parents or foster parents of the applicant, as the commissioner requires, (B) the legal guardian of the applicant, (C) the applicant's spouse, if the spouse is eighteen years of age or older, or (D) if the applicant has no qualified spouse and his parent or foster parent or legal guardian is deceased, incapable, domiciled without the state or otherwise unavailable or unable to sign or file the certificate, the applicant's stepparent, 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 his 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 learner's permit, subject to such standards and requirements as the commissioner may prescribe in regulations adopted in accordance with chapter 54. Each learner's permit shall expire on the date the holder of the permit is issued a motor vehicle operator's license or on the date the holder attains the age of eighteen years, whichever is earlier. (2) The learner's permit shall entitle the holder, while he has the permit in his immediate possession, to operate a motor vehicle on the public highways, except as provided in this subdivision, provided he 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 motor vehicle operator's license suspended by the commissioner during the four-year period preceding the instruction. The learner's permit shall entitle the holder to operate a motor vehicle on a multiple-lane limited access highway sixty days from the date of issuance, except that if the holder is under the instruction of a person who holds an instructor's license issued under the provisions of section 14-73, the learner's permit shall entitle such holder to operate a motor vehicle on such a highway thirty days from the date of issuance. The holder of a learner's 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 this subdivision only when such holder is en route to or from the location of the ambulance for purposes of responding to an emergency call. (3) The commissioner may revoke any learner's permit used in violation of the limitations imposed by subdivision (2) of this subsection.
(d) Operator's license application requirements for sixteen and seventeen-year- olds. (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 learner's permit and has satisfied the requirements specified in this subsection. The applicant shall (A) present to the commissioner a certificate of the successful completion in a public secondary school, a state vocational school or a private secondary school of a full course of study in motor vehicle operation prepared as provided in section 14-36e or of training of similar nature provided by a licensed drivers' school approved by the commissioner, including, in each case, successful completion of not less than eight clock hours of behind-the-wheel, on-the-road instruction; (B) present to the commissioner a certificate of the successful completion of a course of not less than five hours relative to safe driving practices, including a minimum of two 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 shall include a comprehensive test as to knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the road and 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 learner's permit for not less than one hundred eighty days, except that an applicant who presents a certificate under subparagraph (A) of this subdivision shall have held a learner's permit for not less than one hundred twenty days and an applicant who is undergoing training and instruction by the handicapped driver training unit 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 of Motor Vehicles shall approve the content of the safe driving instruction at drivers' schools, high schools and other secondary schools. Such five hours of instruction may 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 twenty-five dollars. 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 signed by the spouse of a married minor applicant, or by a parent, grandparent, foster parent or the legal guardian of an applicant which states that the applicant has obtained a learner's permit and has successfully completed a driving course taught by the person signing the statement and that the signer has had an operator's license for at least four years preceding the date of the statement or, if the applicant has no spouse, parent, grandparent, foster parent or guardian so qualified and available to give the instruction, a statement 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 of Motor Vehicles may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the purposes of this subsection concerning the content of safe driving instruction at drivers' schools, high schools and other secondary schools.
(e) General requirements for obtaining motor vehicle operator's license. Proof of identity. Demonstration of driving skills. Fitness of operators. (1) No motor vehicle operator's license shall be issued until (A) the applicant signs and files with the commissioner an application under oath, except that renewals from the year immediately preceding need not be under oath, stating such information as the commissioner requires, 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) An applicant for a new motor vehicle operator's license shall, in the discretion of the commissioner, file, with the application, a copy of his birth certificate or other prima facie evidence of his 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 who has not operated a motor vehicle during the preceding two years, the commissioner shall require the applicant to demonstrate personally to him, his deputy or 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 he has applied, has sufficient knowledge of the mechanism of the motor vehicles to ensure their safe operation by him and has satisfactory knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the road. If any such applicant has held a license from a state, territory or possession of the United States where a similar examination is required, or if any such applicant is a person honorably separated from the United States armed forces who applies within two years following the separation and who, prior to the separation, held a military operator's license for motor vehicles of the same class as that for which he has applied, the commissioner may waive part or all of the examination in his discretion. When the commissioner is satisfied as to the ability and competency of any applicant, he may issue to him 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, he is a proper person to operate a motor vehicle, and he may further require a certificate of such applicant's condition, signed by a medical authority designated by him, 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 he 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 deaf or hearing impaired person 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.
(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 his right to operate is limited.
(g) Penalties. 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 nor more than ninety dollars and, for any subsequent offense, shall be fined not less than two hundred fifty dollars nor more than three hundred fifty dollars or be imprisoned not more than thirty days or both.
(h) Term "motor vehicle" not to include "motorcycle". As used in this section, the words "motor vehicle" shall not be construed to include "motorcycle".
(i) 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.)
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 sixty-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 two 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 twenty-one to eighteen; 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 four, rather than two, 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 twenty-five dollars; P.A. 83-452 amended Subsec. (a), eliminating the thirty- 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 twenty-five to thirty-five dollars; P.A. 84-429 relettered Subsecs., rephrased provisions, transferred provision re license recall in Subsec. (d) to Subsec. (a) of Sec. 14-38, a provision re classifications in Subsec. (f) to Subsec. (c) of Sec. 14-36a 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 Subdiv. (2) of Subsec. (d) to (1) require signer of home training certificate to hold operator's license for a minimum of four years, (2) eliminate reference to age of such signer and (3) provide that such certificate be on file for thirty days before applicant may take examination; P.A. 89-242 amended Subdiv. (2) of Subsec. (d) to require applicants between sixteen and eighteen 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 Subdiv. (2) of Subsec. (b) to reduce from sixty to thirty 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 thirty-five to seventy-five dollars and the maximum fine from fifty to ninety dollars, adding a minimum fine of two hundred fifty dollars for any subsequent offense and increasing the maximum fine from one hundred to three hundred fifty dollars 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 (1) Subsec. (b) to eliminate provisions authorizing person sixteen 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 sixteen or seventeen years of age, (2) Subsec. (c) to require applicant for a new motor vehicle operator's license to file evidence of identity with application, (3) 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 thirty to ninety days and to insert references to "obtained a learner's permit" where applicable and (4) 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 eighteen 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 Subdiv. (2) of Subsec. (c) 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 Subdiv. (2) of Subsec. (c) to add exemption and qualifications for ambulance service members, effective July 1, 1997.
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.
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. 107 C. 476. Provisions in automobile insurance policies as to the age of the driver construed. 88 C. 308; 108 C. 598. 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. 114 C. 341. Lack of operator's license cannot be deemed to be proximate cause of injury. 114 C. 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, 648. There is no distinction between standards of competence and care between adults and minors for purposes of licensing. 165 C. 251. Cited. 175 C. 112, 113.
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.
Subsec. (a):
Cited. 175 C. 112, 115, 123, 125.
Cited. 26 CS 184. Cited. 30 CS 233.
Cited. 4 Conn. Cir. Ct. 441; 6 Conn. Cir. Ct. 521.
Subsec. (c):
Cited. 174 C. 275, 277.
Subsec. (d):
Cited. 175 C. 112, 124.
Subsec. (e):
Cited. 225 C. 499, 507−509, 511.
Cited. 27 CA 495, 500−502; judgment reversed, see 225 C. 499 et seq. Cited. 33 CA 727, 730. Cited. 41 CA 866, 869.
Cited. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 221.

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Sec. 14-36a. Classification of operators' licenses. (a) In addition to the classification for a commercial driver's license established by section 14-44d, the commissioner shall classify all other motor vehicle operators' licenses according to the types of vehicles which licensees are eligible to operate as follows: (1) Class 1, any motor vehicle, except a commercial motor vehicle; (2) class 2, any motor vehicle, including a combination of motor vehicle and trailer or trailing unit used exclusively for camping or any other recreational purpose regardless of the gross weight of the trailer or trailing unit, except a commercial motor vehicle or an articulated vehicle or any other combination of motor vehicle and trailer where the gross weight of the trailing unit or trailer is more than ten thousand pounds. The commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 establishing such additional classifications, subclassifications and endorsements as he deems necessary. The commissioner shall not issue a class 1 license to any person who has not attained the age of eighteen.
(b) A class 1 or 2 operator's license which contains the endorsement "P" evidences that the holder meets the requirements of section 14-44 to operate a taxicab, motor vehicle in livery service, or service bus that is not used for school transportation purposes. A class 1 or 2 operator's license which contains the endorsement "S" evidences that the holder meets the requirements of section 14-44 to operate a student transportation vehicle, as defined in section 14-212.
(c) No person shall operate a motor vehicle in violation of the classification of the license issued to him.
(d) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (c) of this section shall, for a first offense, be deemed to have committed an infraction and be fined not less than thirty-five dollars nor more than fifty dollars and, for a subsequent offense, shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days or both.
(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.)
History: 1969 acts revised definition of tractor semitrailer combination in Subsec. (a) to change gross weight of truck from maximum of ten to maximum of eighteen thousand pounds and revised weight reference in Subdiv. (3) of Subsec. (b) 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) (1) to include "commercial motor vehicle" as a type of vehicle which a class 1 license holder is eligible to operate, (2) to authorize commissioner to adopt regulations establishing additional classifications as necessary, and (3) to prohibit the issuance of a class 1 license to any person under eighteen; P.A. 91-407 amended Subdiv. (3) of Subsec. (b) 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 six to ten thousand pounds in the exception to "any motor vehicle" under a class 2 license, effective July 1, 1995.
Cited. 40 CA 762, 764.

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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.

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Sec. 14-36c. Specification of class of license. The provision of section 14-36 relating to specification of the class of motor vehicles which a licensee may operate shall apply only to licenses issued on and after January 1, 1970.
(1969, P.A. 183, S. 1.)

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Sec. 14-36d. Operator's license to contain picture. License for minors. Temporary license. (a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section and subject to the provisions of section 14-41, the commissioner shall issue a motor vehicle or motorcycle operator's license containing a picture of the licensee. The license shall be of such form and content as the commissioner may prescribe and shall be signed by the licensee. 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 renewed, such equipment as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
(b) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall, upon the first issuance of a motor vehicle or motorcycle operator's license to any person less than twenty-one years of age, issue a license containing a picture of the licensee. Such license shall indicate the date of such person's twenty-first birthday, be of such form and content as the commissioner may prescribe and be signed by the licensee.
(c) The commissioner may issue a temporary license without a picture of the licensee to out-of-state applicants, to members of the armed forces and in such other situations as the commissioner finds necessary, provided a temporary license shall be valid only until the applicant has had time to appear and to have his picture taken and a license containing his picture issued.
(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.)
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 twenty 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 twenty-one 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.

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Sec. 14-36e. (Formerly Sec. 10-24). Course in motor vehicle operation and highway safety. (a) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall prepare for use in all high and other secondary schools a course of study of motor vehicle operation and highway safety.
(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 not less than eight clock hours. Said 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.)
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.
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.

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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 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.
(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.)
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).

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Sec. 14-37. Limited license on proof of financial responsibility by owner. The commissioner may issue, to any person who has not given proof of financial responsibility as required of him by section 14-112, a limited operator's license to permit him, in accordance with the limitations stated in such license, to operate a motor vehicle for which its owner has given proof of financial responsibility or has filed evidence of insurance or indemnity under section 14-29 or 14-58 or under any permit or certificate issued to his employer or such owner by the Department of Public Utility Control.
(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.)
History: 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. 80-482 gave division of public utility control department status and deleted reference to abolished department of business regulation.

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Sec. 14-37a. Special operator's permit for employment purposes. (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 trial, may make application to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for a special 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.
(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. 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 transportation permit or commercial driver's license is required or to any person whose operator's license has been suspended previously pursuant to section 14-227b. A special operator's permit shall not be issued pursuant to this section to any person whose operator's license has been suspended pursuant to subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of subsection (i) of section 14-227b for refusing to submit to a blood, breath or urine test or analysis until such operator's license has been under suspension for a period of not less than ninety days.
(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".
(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 subject to the penalties provided by section 14-147.
(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) 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.)
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 ninety days; P.A. 00-196 made technical changes in Subsec. (b).

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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.)

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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.

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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 one-hundred dollar 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 Subdiv. (1) of Subsec. (a) 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.
See chapter 881b re infractions of the law.
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, 716.
One who operates a car in this state while his right to operate remains under suspension may be convicted of a violation of section 14-215 even though he has in the meantime moved to another state and obtained a license in that state. 23 CS 26.

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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.)

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Sec. 14-40a. Motorcycle operator's license; requirements. Examination. Penalty. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, no person shall operate a motorcycle on any public highway of this state until he has obtained a motorcycle operator's license 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 learner's permit. The commissioner may issue a learner's permit, containing such limitation as he deems advisable, to an applicant after the applicant has passed all parts of the examination, other than the driving test, for a motorcycle operator's license as required by subsection (e) of this section. The learner's permit shall entitle the applicant, while he has the permit in his immediate possession, to drive a motorcycle on the public highways, other than multiple lane limited access highways, for a period of sixty days. A learner's permit may be renewed, or a new permit issued, for an additional period of sixty days. On and after January 1, 1990, each applicant issued a learner's 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) No motorcycle operator's license shall be issued until (1) the applicant for the license signs and files with the commissioner an application under oath, except that renewals from the year immediately preceding need not be under oath, stating such information as the commissioner requires and (2) the commissioner is satisfied that the applicant is sixteen years of age or older and is a suitable person to receive the license.
(d) (1) No motorcycle operator's license shall be issued to any person between sixteen and eighteen years of age unless a certificate, in such form as the commissioner prescribes, requesting or consenting to the issuance of the license has been signed and filed with the commissioner by: (A) One or both parents or foster parents of the applicant, as the commissioner requires, or (B) the legal guardian of the applicant or (C) the applicant's spouse, if the spouse is eighteen years of age or older. (2) No motorcycle operator's license shall be issued to any person between sixteen and eighteen years of age unless the applicant presents to the commissioner a certificate of the successful completion in a public secondary school, a state vocational school or private secondary school of a full course of study in motor vehicle operation prepared as provided by section 14-36e or of training of similar nature provided by a licensed drivers' school approved by the commissioner, including, in each case, successful completion of not less than six clock hours of actual road instruction. No person may cause or permit the operation of a motorcycle by a person under sixteen years of age. The commissioner may accept as evidence of sufficient training a certificate signed by the spouse, being eighteen years of age or older, of a married minor applicant, or by a parent or a foster parent or the legal guardian of an applicant which states that the applicant has successfully completed a driving course taught by the person signing the certificate and that the signer has held an operator's license for at least two years preceding the date of the certificate or, if the applicant has no spouse, parent, foster parent or guardian so qualified and available to give the instruction, a certificate signed by the applicant's stepparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt, by blood or marriage, provided the person signing the certificate is qualified and at least eighteen years of age or older. The commissioner shall provide forms for the certificates, which shall be called home training certificates. If the commissioner requires a written examination of any applicant under this section, the examination 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.
(e) Before granting a license to any applicant who has not had a Connecticut motorcycle operator's license at any time within the preceding two years, the commissioner shall require the applicant to demonstrate personally to him, his deputy or 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 a motorcycle, has sufficient knowledge of the mechanism of a motorcycle to ensure its safe operation by him, and has satisfactory knowledge of the law concerning motorcycles and other motor vehicles, and the rules of the road. On and after January 1, 1990, an applicant under the age of eighteen shall also demonstrate that he has successfully completed a novice motorcycle training course offered by the Department of Transportation or approved by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. If an applicant has had a license from a state where a similar examination or course is required, the commissioner may waive part or all of any such requirement. When the commissioner is satisfied as to the ability and competency of the applicant, he may issue a license to him, either unlimited or containing such limitations as the commissioner deems advisable. If an applicant or motorcycle operator license holder has any health problem which might affect such person's ability to operate a motorcycle safely, the commissioner may require the applicant or license holder to demonstrate personally that, notwithstanding the problem, he is a proper person to operate a motorcycle, and he may further require a certificate of the applicant's condition, signed by a medical authority designated by him, 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 he deems incapable of safely operating a motorcycle.
(f) No person shall operate a motorcycle in any manner in violation of the limitations imposed in a limited license issued to him.
(g) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (a), (b), (c), (d) or (f) of this section shall, for a first offense, be deemed to have committed an infraction and be fined not less than thirty-five dollars nor more than fifty dollars and, for any subsequent offense, shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days or both.
(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.)
History: 1969 act added provisions re learner's permits in Subsec. (a); 1972 act changed age of majority from twenty- one to eighteen; 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 four, rather than two, years; P.A. 82-103 amended Subsec. (b) by reducing from four to two 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 twenty-five dollars; P.A. 83-577 amended Subsec. (d) by increasing the minimum fine for a first offense from twenty-five to thirty-five dollars; P.A. 84-429 relettered Subsecs., rephrased provisions, transferred provision in Subsec. (d) re recall of an operator's license to Subsec. (a) of Sec. 14-38, 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.
See Sec. 14-40c re hearing upon denial or suspension of operator's license.
Cited. 194 C. 129, 136.
Cited. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 220.

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Sec. 14-40b. License without examination. Obsolete.
(1967, P.A. 807, S. 2.)

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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, or subsection (e) of section 14-40a, 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.)

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Sec. 14-41. Expiration and renewal of operators' licenses and permits. Vision screening. Notice. (a) Except as provided in section 14-41a, each motor vehicle or motorcycle operator's license shall be renewed quadrennially on the date of the operator's birthday. On and after July 1, 2001, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall screen the vision of each motor vehicle operator prior to every other renewal of his operator's license in accordance with a schedule adopted by the commissioner. Such screening requirement shall apply to every other renewal following the initial screening. In lieu of the vision screening by the commissioner, such operator may submit the results of a vision screening conducted by a licensed health care professional qualified to conduct such screening on a form prescribed by the commissioner during the twelve months preceding such renewal. No motor vehicle operator's license may be renewed unless the operator passes such vision screening. The commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to implement the provisions of this subsection relative to the administration of vision screening.
(b) An original operator'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 computed at the rate of seventy-five cents per month except that the fee shall not exceed three dollars and fifty cents for any six-month period, plus the sum of three dollars; and on and after July 1, 1992, one dollar per month except that the fee shall not exceed four dollars for any six-month period plus the sum of three dollars and fifty cents.
(c) If a change is made in the records of the Department of Motor Vehicles affecting the date of birth of an operator after the original issuance or renewal of an operator's license, the expiration date shall remain as originally issued or renewed until the license expires. The operator shall then be issued a renewal license to expire on the date of the operator's birthday. No renewal license shall be issued for a period of less than twenty- four months or more than forty-eight months depending on the year of the operator's birth. The fee for such renewal license shall be computed at the rate of forty-five cents per month from the last day of the month in which such license expired except that the fee shall not exceed two dollars and fifty cents for any six-month period, plus the sum of one dollar.
(d) The commissioner shall, at least fifteen days before the date on which each motor vehicle or motorcycle operator's license expires, notify the operator of the expiration date. Any previously licensed operator who operates a motor vehicle within sixty days after the expiration date of his license without obtaining a renewal of his 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 or 14-40a for the same act constituting a violation under this section but sections 14-36 and 14-40a shall apply after the sixty-day period.
(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1-3a, if the expiration date of any motor vehicle or motorcycle operator's license or any public passenger transportation permit 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 or permit shall be deemed valid until midnight of the next day on which 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.)
History: 1965 act added proviso clause re holder reaching twenty-one 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 thirty days of expiration date; 1969 act revised fee provisions in Subsecs. (b) and (c), raising rate from twenty-five to thirty-five cents per month and placing two-dollar maximum on fee for six-month period; 1972 act changed age of majority from twenty-one to eighteen; P.A. 75-213 raised fee in Subsec. (b) to forty-five cents per month not to exceed two dollars and fifty cents for six-month period; P.A. 75-577 removed reference to twenty-five dollar 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 two to four 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 forty-five cents per month not to exceed two dollars and fifty cents for six-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 thirty to sixty 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 one to two dollars; 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 twelve months in lieu of the preceding three months, effective July 1, 1999.
See chapter 881b re infractions of the law.
Failure to endorse his license does not make the operator "an unlicensed person." 104 C. 487; 114 C. 76.

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Sec. 14-41a. Renewal of license for persons age sixty-five or over. (a) An individual sixty-five years of age or older may renew a motor vehicle or motorcycle operator's license for either a two-year period or a four-year period. The fee for any license issued for a two-year period shall be seventeen dollars. On and after July 1, 1992, the fee shall be nineteen dollars.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of section 14-36d, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may waive the requirement that a motor vehicle or motorcycle operator's license issued for either a two-year period or a four-year period to an operator sixty-five years of age or older bear a photograph of the operator upon written application by such operator and a showing of hardship, which shall include, but not be limited to, the proximity of such operator's residence to a Department of Motor Vehicles branch office providing license renewal services.
(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.)
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 sixty-five 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).

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Sec. 14-42. Commissioner to furnish blanks. Indication of anatomical donation. (a) An application for an operator's license shall be made on blanks furnished by the commissioner. The application blanks shall be in such form and contain such provisions and information as the commissioner may determine.
(b) The application for an operator's license shall include the opportunity to complete an organ donor card pursuant to sections 19a-271 to 19a-280, inclusive. An operator's license issued to a person who has completed a donor card shall have a copy of the card imprinted on the reverse side of the license.
(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.)
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 Subsec. (b) of Sec. 14-12, transferred provisions re assignment of registration and license numbers to Subsec. (a) of Sec. 14-10 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.
See Sec. 14-10 re record-keeping with respect to operator's licenses and registrations.

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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 fifty dollars; 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 Subsec. (d) of Sec. 14-12 and made other technical changes.
That a licensed operator is under age does not ipso facto make his license void. 107 C. 213.

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Sec. 14-44. Special license for operators of commercial motor vehicles used for passenger transportation. Exception. Special license endorsements for school bus operators, operators of student transportation vehicles, motor or service buses, taxicabs and motor vehicles in livery service. Hearing. Appeal. Penalty. (a) (1) No person shall operate a commercial motor vehicle used for passenger transportation on any public highway of this state until he has obtained a commercial driver's license with a passenger endorsement from the commissioner, except a nonresident who holds such license with such endorsement issued by another state. (2) No person shall operate a school bus until he has obtained a commercial driver's license with a passenger endorsement and a school 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 he has obtained an operator's license bearing an endorsement of the appropriate type from the commissioner issued in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(b) No public passenger transportation permit or operator's license bearing an endorsement shall be issued or renewed in accordance with the provisions of this section or section 14-36a, until the commissioner, or his authorized representative, is satisfied that the applicant is a proper person to receive such a permit or 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 such a permit, an operator's license bearing an endorsement or the renewal of such a license shall furnish the commissioner, or his authorized representative, with satisfactory evidence, which may be required to be under oath, to prove that he has no criminal record, that he has not been convicted of a violation of subsection (a) of section 14-227a within five years of the date of application, that he has received negative drug test results in two or more urine tests if any such tests were administered within one year of such date and that no reason exists for a refusal to grant or renew such a permit or an operator's license bearing an endorsement. Each applicant for such a permit, an operator's license bearing an endorsement, or the renewal of such a license shall submit with his application proof satisfactory to the commissioner that he has passed a physical examination which has been taken within ninety days prior to his application, and which is in compliance with safety regulations established from time to time by the United States Department of Transportation. Each applicant for such a permit or an operator's license bearing an endorsement shall be fingerprinted before the permit or the license bearing an endorsement is issued.
(c) The commissioner may issue, withhold, renew, suspend, cancel or revoke, any passenger or school endorsement. The commissioner may, in making his decision, consider the age, accident and criminal record, moral character and physical condition of any such applicant or permittee and such other matters as the commissioner may determine. The commissioner may require any such applicant or permittee 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 permittee.
(d) Prior to issuing an operator's license bearing a school endorsement, the commissioner shall request a state criminal history records check for each applicant from the State Police Bureau of Identification. The commissioner shall forward the fingerprints obtained pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section to said bureau which shall submit the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history records check. A fee shall be charged by the commissioner for each such national criminal history records check which shall be equal to the fee charged by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for performing such check. If notice of a state criminal record is received, the commissioner may refuse to issue an operator's license bearing such endorsement and, in such case, shall immediately notify the applicant, in writing, of such refusal. Subject to the provisions of section 46a-80, if notice of a national criminal history record is received, the commissioner may withdraw the operator's license bearing a school endorsement immediately and, in such case, shall immediately notify the holder of such license and his employer, in writing, of such withdrawal.
(e) Any applicant who is refused an operator's license bearing an endorsement or the renewal of such a license, or whose operator's license bearing an 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.
(f) 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. 13−15, 38.)
History: 1963 acts raised minimum age requirement from eighteen to twenty-one 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 sixty-nine 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 twenty-one to eighteen, reflecting change in age of majority, and deleted minimum age of nineteen 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 two dollars to two dollars and fifty cents; P.A. 75-577 replaced provision for maximum fifty- dollar 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 sixty-nine 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 (1) 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 one year and negative drug test results, and (2) added new provisions in Subsec. (d) re issuance of a ninety-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 five years instead of within one year and amended Subsec. (d), (1) 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, (2) to authorize immediate withdrawal of the temporary license if notice of a criminal record is received within ninety days, subject to the provisions of Sec. 46a- 80 and (3) 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 (1) 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, (2) amended remaining Subsecs. to substitute public passenger transportation permit for public service motor vehicle operator's license, (3) amended Subsec. (d) to insert references to "student transportation vehicle" after references to "school bus", and (4) 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 (1) amended Subdiv. (2) of Subsec. (a) 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, (2) 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, and (3) amended Subsec. (d) by deleting provisions regarding a ninety-day temporary permit pending completion of a national criminal history records check, deleted Subsec. (f) which had specified contents of public passenger transportation permits in its entirety and relettered remaining Subsec. accordingly, effective July 1, 1994.
See chapter 881b re infractions of the law.
Cited. 148 C. 456.

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Sec. 14-44a. Commercial driver's license required for operation of a commercial motor vehicle. 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 the holder of a commercial driver's instruction permit when accompanied in the vehicle by the holder of a commercial driver's license.
(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 him, and shall be subject to the penalties provided in subsection (d) of section 14-36a.
(P.A. 90-263, S. 33, 74.)
History: P.A. 90-263, S. 33 effective April 1, 1992.

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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.)

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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 sex, height and eye color;
(3) Date of birth;
(4) The applicant's Social Security number;
(5) The person's color picture, to be taken by the commissioner or his representative;
(6) The person's statement, under oath, that he meets the requirements for qualification contained in the Code of Federal Regulations Title 49, Part 391, as amended, or does not expect to operate in interstate or foreign commerce;
(7) 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;
(8) The person's statement, under oath, that he is not subject to disqualification, suspension or revocation of operating privileges in any state, and that he does not hold an operator's license in any other state;
(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) 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 his 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.)
History: P.A. 96-167 amended Subsec. (b) to substitute "thirty" for "sixty" days' residency.

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Sec. 14-44d. Information on commercial driver's license. Classifications, endorsements and restrictions. (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 a Class 1 license issued with the following subclassifications, endorsements and restrictions. Vehicles which require an endorsement may not be driven unless the proper endorsement appears on the license.
(1) Subclassifications.
(A) 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.
(B) 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.
(C) 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:
(i) 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
(ii) Vehicles used to transport hazardous materials which are required to be placarded in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, Part 172, Subpart F, as amended.
(2) Endorsements and restrictions.
"H" -Authorizes the driver to drive a vehicle transporting hazardous materials;
"L" -Restricts the driver to vehicles not equipped with air brakes;
"T" -Authorizes driving double and triple trailers, and vehicles in drive-away service using the technique of saddlemounting;
"P" -Authorizes driving commercial motor vehicles carrying passengers;
"S" -Authorizes driving commercial motor vehicles carrying passengers, including school buses;
"N" -Authorizes driving tank vehicles;
"X" -Represents a combination of hazardous materials and tank vehicle endorsements;
"Z" -Restricts the driver to school buses.
(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.)
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.

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Sec. 14-44e. Limitations on issuance of commercial driver's license. Qualification standards. Waiver of skills test. Commercial driver's instruction permit. (a) The commissioner 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 the Code of Federal Regulations Title 49, Part 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.
(b) The commissioner shall not issue a commercial driver's license to any person who has a physical or psychobehavioral impairment that affects such person's ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle safely. In determining whether to issue a commercial driver's license in any individual case, the commissioner shall apply the standards set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations Title 49, Section 391.41, as amended, unless it is established that the person will operate such vehicle only in this state, in which case the commissioner shall apply the standards set forth in this chapter and in regulations adopted thereunder. Any person who is denied a commercial driver's license, or whose license is suspended or revoked 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 the Code of Federal Regulations Title 49, Section 383.77, 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 or revocation of operating privileges in any state.
(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 issue a commercial driver's instruction permit to any person who holds a valid operator's license. Said permit may not be issued for a period to exceed six months. Only one renewal or reissuance may be granted within a two-year period. The holder of a commercial driver's instruction permit, may, unless otherwise disqualified, drive a commercial motor vehicle only when accompanied by the holder of a commercial driver's license with appropriate 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.
(P.A. 90-263, S. 34, 74.)

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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.)

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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 five 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 must pass the written test for such endorsement.
(P.A. 90-263, S. 37, 74.)
History: P.A. 90-263, S. 37 effective July 1, 1991.

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Sec. 14-44h. Expiration and renewal of commercial drivers' licenses. Notice. (a) Each commercial driver's license shall be renewed quadrennially on the date of the operator's birthday.
(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 computed at the rate of one dollar per month except that the fee shall not exceed five dollars for any six-month period, plus the sum of five dollars; and on and after July 1, 1992, one dollar and twenty-five cents per month except that the fee shall not exceed five dollars and fifty cents for any six-month period plus the sum of six dollars.
(c) If a change is made in the records of the Department of Motor Vehicles affecting the date of birth of an operator after the original issuance or renewal of a commercial driver's license, the expiration date shall remain as originally issued or renewed until the license expires. The operator shall then be issued a renewal license to expire on the date of the operator's birthday. No renewal license shall be issued for a period of less than twenty-four months or more than forty-eight months depending on the year of the operator's birth. The fee for such renewal license shall be computed at the rate of one dollar per month from the last day of the month in which such license expired except that the fee shall not exceed five dollars for any six-month period, plus the sum of four dollars.
(d) 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. Any previously licensed operator who operates a commercial motor vehicle within sixty days after the expiration date of his license without obtaining a renewal of his 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 or 14-40a for the same act constituting a violation under this section but said sections 14-36 and 14-40a shall apply after the sixty-day period.
(e) 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.
(f) If the holder of a valid public service or class 1 or class 2 license issued pursuant to section 14-36a or 14-44 applies for and is issued, prior to July 1, 1991, a commercial driver's license, the commissioner is authorized to prorate and apply a portion of the fee paid for the unexpired public service or class 1 or class 2 license to the fee paid for the commercial driver's license.
(P.A. 90-263, S. 9, 74.)
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).

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Sec. 14-44i. Fees for commercial driver's license and tests. Waiver of certain fees. (a) Subject to the provisions of section 14-44h, there shall be charged a fee of forty- four dollars for each renewal of a commercial driver's license. On and after July 1, 1992, such renewal fee shall be fifty dollars.
(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 license learner's permit a fee of eight 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 provided in subsection (b) of this section in the case of any person who applies for a license with a "Z" restriction.
(P.A. 90-263, S. 17, 74; P.A. 97-236, S. 8.)
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.

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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 a civil penalty of not less than two thousand five hundred dollars nor more than ten thousand dollars.
(P.A. 90-263, S. 32, 74; P.A. 97-236, S. 9, 27.)
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.

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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 hereinafter provided in subsection (d) of this section, a person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for one year if convicted of one violation of (1) operating any motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs or both under section 14-227a, (2) evasion of responsibility, involving a commercial motor vehicle, under section 14-224, or (3) using a commercial motor vehicle in the commission of any felony as defined in section 14-1.
(c) In addition to any other penalties provided by law, a person is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for one year if the commissioner finds that such person has refused to submit to a test to determine his blood alcohol concentration while driving a commercial motor vehicle, or has failed such a test when given, pursuant to the provisions of section 14-227b. For the purpose of this subsection, a person shall be deemed to have failed such a test if the ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person was four-hundredths of one per cent or more of alcohol, by weight.
(d) If a person commits any of the disqualifying offenses identified in subsections (b) and (c) of this section while driving a vehicle transporting hazardous materials, required to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, Sections 1801 to 1813, inclusive, Title 49, United States Code, such person shall be disqualified for a period of three years.
(e) Any person who uses a commercial motor vehicle in the commission of a felony involving the manufacture, distribution or dispensing of a controlled substance shall be disqualified for life.
(f) A person is disqualified for life if convicted of two or more violations of any of the offenses specified in subsection (b) of this section, or if he is the subject of two or more findings by the commissioner under subsection (c) of this section, or any combination of those offenses, 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 who has both voluntarily enrolled in and successfully completed an appropriate rehabilitation program, as determined by the commissioner, may apply for reinstatement of his commercial driver's license, provided any such applicant shall not be eligible for reinstatement until such time as he has served a minimum disqualification period of ten years. Should a reinstated driver be subsequently convicted of another disqualifying offense, he shall be permanently disqualified for life and shall be ineligible to reapply for a reduction of the lifetime disqualification.
(g) (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 ninety days nor more than one year for a first violation; (B) for a period of not less than one year nor 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 nor 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, Sections 1801 to 1813, inclusive, Title 49, United States Code or a commercial motor vehicle designed to transport fifteen 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 nor more than two years for a first violation and (B) for a period of not less than three years nor 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 a civil penalty of not less than one thousand dollars nor more than two thousand five hundred dollars.
(h) A person is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for a period of not less than sixty days if convicted of two serious traffic violations, or one hundred twenty days if convicted of three serious traffic violations, committed in a commercial motor vehicle arising from separate incidents occurring within a three-year period.
(i) After taking disqualification action, or suspending or revoking a commercial driver's license, the commissioner shall update his records to reflect such action within ten days. After taking disqualification action, or suspending or revoking the operating privileges of a commercial driver who i