Sec. 14-165. Definitions. Except when the context otherwise requires, as used in
this chapter: Sec. 14-166. Exempted vehicles. (a) The acquisition of a certificate of title shall
not be required and the issuance of a certificate of title by the Commissioner of Motor
Vehicles shall not be required for the following: (1) A vehicle owned by the United
States, unless it is registered in this state; (2) a vehicle owned by a manufacturer or
dealer and held for sale, even though incidentally moved on the highway or used for
purposes of testing or demonstration; or a vehicle used by a manufacturer solely for
testing; (3) a vehicle owned by a nonresident of this state and not required by law to be
registered in this state; (4) a vehicle regularly engaged in the interstate transportation
of persons or property for which a currently effective certificate of title has been issued
in another state; (5) a vehicle moved solely by animal power; (6) an implement of husbandry; (7) special mobile equipment; (8) a self-propelled wheel chair or invalid tricycle;
(9) any trailer having a gross weight not in excess of three thousand pounds; (10) any
vehicle for which a temporary registration has been issued pursuant to section 14-12 for
the purpose of permitting a nonresident owner who purchases a vehicle in Connecticut to
transport such vehicle to such owner's home state; (11) a motor vehicle owned by the
state or any town, city or borough within the state; (12) a motor vehicle registered
temporarily for inspection purposes pursuant to section 14-12. The acquisition of a
certificate of title for any vehicle manufactured prior to 1981 shall not be required. The
commissioner, in his discretion, may issue such certificate of title for such a vehicle. Sec. 14-167. Certain liens and security interests not affected. This chapter does
not apply to or affect: (a) A lien given by statute or rule of law to a supplier of services
or materials for the vehicle; (b) a lien given by statute to the United States, this state or
any political subdivision of this state; (c) a security interest in a vehicle created by a
manufacturer or dealer who holds the vehicle for sale, but a buyer in the ordinary course
of business, as defined in section 42a-1-201(9), takes free of the security interest, as
stated in section 42a-9-307(1). Sec. 14-167a. Vehicle lease with terminal rental adjustment clause; not sale
or security interest. Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, in the case
of motor vehicles or trailers, a transaction does not create a sale or security interest
merely because it provides that the rental price is permitted or required to be adjusted
under the agreement either upward or downward by reference to the amount realized
upon sale or other disposition of the motor vehicle or trailer. Sec. 14-168. Certificate of origin. When a new vehicle is delivered in this state
by the manufacturer to his agent or his franchised dealer, the manufacturer shall execute
and deliver to his agent or his franchised dealer a certificate of origin in the form prescribed by the commissioner, and no person shall bring into this state any new vehicle
unless he has in his possession the certificate of origin as prescribed by the commissioner.
The certificate of origin shall be printed on such safety paper as the commissioner shall
prescribe and shall contain the year of manufacture or the model year, the manufacturer's
vehicle identification number of the motor vehicle, the name of the manufacturer, number of cylinders, a general description of the body, if any, and the type of model. When
a new vehicle is sold in this state, the manufacturer, his agent or his franchised dealer
shall execute and deliver to the purchaser, in case of an absolute sale, assignment of the
certificate of origin or, if other than absolute sale, assignment of the certificate of origin
subject to contract, signed or executed by the manufacturer, his agent or his dealer,
with the genuine names and business or residence addresses of both stated thereon, and
certified to have been executed with full knowledge of the contents and with the consent
of both purchaser and seller. Sec. 14-168a. Sale of assembled wreckers or other motor vehicles by used car
dealers. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of any section of the general statutes to the
contrary, a used car dealer licensed in accordance with the provisions of section 14-52
who enters into a contract with a manufacturer of equipment or parts used in the assembly
of a wrecker, including a flatbed wrecker, as defined in subdivision (65) of section 14-
1, or used in the assembly of a special purpose body to a cab and chassis, including a
body for a refuse compactor, transit mixer, dump truck, tank truck or other vehicle
designed for the transportation of bulk materials or to which machinery is attached, and
who purchases from a new car dealer licensed in accordance with the provisions of
section 14-52 any new chassis, cab or other portion of an incomplete motor vehicle for
such purpose, may sell or offer for sale such wrecker or other motor vehicle as a new
motor vehicle provided all parts of any such wrecker or other motor vehicle are new. Sec. 14-169. When certificate required. (a) Except as provided in section 14-
166, the provisions of this chapter shall apply to all motor vehicles at the time of initial
registration or when a change of registration is required under the provisions of section
14-16 by reason of a sale for consideration. Sec. 14-170. Implement of husbandry or special mobile equipment. The owner
of an implement of husbandry or special mobile equipment may apply for and obtain a
certificate of title on it. All of the provisions of this part are applicable to a certificate
of title so issued, except that a person who receives a transfer of an interest in the vehicle
without knowledge of the certificate of title is not prejudiced by reason of the existence
of the certificate, and the perfection of a security interest under this chapter is not effective until the lienholder has complied with the provisions of applicable law which otherwise relate to the perfection of security interests in personal property. Sec. 14-171. Application for certificate. (a) The application for a certificate of
title of a vehicle in this state shall be made by the owner on a form the commissioner
prescribes and shall contain: (1) The name, residence and mail address of the owner;
(2) a description of the vehicle including, so far as the following data exists, its make,
model, identification number, type of body, the number of cylinders and whether new
or used; (3) the mileage reading at the time of application; (4) the date of purchase by
the applicant, the name and address of the person from whom the vehicle was acquired
and the names and addresses of any lienholders in the order of their priority and the
dates of their security agreements and, if a new vehicle, the application shall be accompanied by a manufacturer's or importer's certificate of origin; and (5) any further information the commissioner reasonably requires to identify the vehicle and to enable the
commissioner to determine whether the owner is entitled to a certificate of title and the
existence or nonexistence of security interests in the vehicle. Such application shall be
accompanied by the most recent Connecticut certificate of title for such vehicle, if any,
unless the owner submits a statement on a form prescribed by the commissioner, that
the title is lost or destroyed or, despite reasonable efforts cannot be located or obtained
from the person or firm last known to have possession of such certificate or title. Sec. 14-172. Commissioner to check identification number. The commissioner,
upon receiving application for a first certificate of title, shall check the identification
number of the vehicle shown in the application against the records of vehicles required to
be maintained by section 14-173 and against the record of stolen and converted vehicles
required to be maintained by section 14-197. Sec. 14-173. Issuance of certificate. Records. (a) The commissioner shall file
each application received and, when satisfied as to its genuineness and regularity and
that the applicant is entitled to the issuance of a certificate of title, shall issue a certificate
of title of the vehicle. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, the commissioner may accept, in lieu of an outstanding certificate of title, evidence of vehicle
ownership acceptable to him. The certificate of title issued may contain the legend "This
vehicle may be subject to an undisclosed lien." Sec. 14-174. Information in certificate. Prima facie evidence. (a) Each certificate of title issued by the commissioner shall contain: (1) The date issued; (2) the name
and address of the owner; (3) the names and addresses of any lienholders, in the order
of priority as shown on the application or, if the application is based on a certificate of
title, as shown on the certificate; (4) the title number assigned to the vehicle; (5) a
description of the vehicle including, so far as the following data exists, its make, model,
identification number, type of body, number of cylinders, whether new or used, and, if
a new vehicle, the date of the first sale of the vehicle for use; (6) the mileage reading
as shown on the application; and (7) any other data the commissioner prescribes. Sec. 14-175. Presentation or mailing of certificate. The certificate of title shall
be presented or mailed to the first lienholder named in it or, if none, to the owner. Sec. 14-176. Withholding of certificate. Bond requirement. If the commissioner
is not satisfied as to the ownership of the vehicle or that there are no undisclosed security
interests in it, the commissioner may register the vehicle but shall either: (a) Withhold
issuance of a certificate of title until the applicant presents documents reasonably sufficient to satisfy the commissioner as to the applicant's ownership of the vehicle and that
there are no undisclosed security interests in it; or (b) as a condition of issuing a certificate
of title, require the applicant to file with the commissioner a bond in the form prescribed
by the commissioner and executed by the applicant, and either accompanied by the
deposit of cash with the commissioner or also executed by a person authorized to conduct
a surety business in this state. The bond shall be in an amount equal to one and one-half
times the value of the vehicle as determined by the commissioner and conditioned to
indemnify any prior owner and lienholder and any subsequent purchaser of the vehicle
or person acquiring any security interest in it, and their respective successors in interest,
against any expense, loss or damage, including reasonable attorney's fees, by reason of
the issuance of the certificate of title of the vehicle or on account of any defect in or
undisclosed security interest upon the right, title and interest of the applicant in and to
the vehicle. Any such interested person has a right of action to recover on the bond for
any breach of its conditions, but the aggregate liability of the surety to all persons shall
not exceed the amount of the bond. The bond, and any deposit accompanying it, shall
be returned at the end of three years or prior thereto if the vehicle is no longer registered
in this state and the currently valid certificate of title is surrendered to the commissioner,
unless the commissioner has been notified of the pendency of an action to recover on
the bond. Sec. 14-177. Refusal of certificate. The commissioner shall refuse issuance of a
certificate of title if any required fee is not paid or if he has reasonable grounds to believe
that: (a) The applicant is not the owner of the vehicle; (b) the application contains a
false or fraudulent statement; or (c) the applicant fails to furnish required information
or documents or any additional information the commissioner reasonably requires. Sec. 14-178. Duplicate certificate. (a) If a certificate of title is lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed or becomes illegible, the first lienholder or, if none, the owner or
legal representative of the owner named in the certificate, as shown by the records of
the commissioner, shall promptly make application for and may obtain a duplicate upon
furnishing information satisfactory to the commissioner. The duplicate certificate of
title shall contain the legend "This is a duplicate certificate and may be subject to the
rights of a person under the original certificate." It shall be presented or mailed to the
first lienholder named in it or, if none, to the owner. Sec. 14-179. Transfer of interest in vehicle. (a) If an owner transfers his interest
in a vehicle, other than by the creation of a security interest, he shall, at the time of
delivery of the vehicle, execute an assignment and warranty of title to the transferee,
showing the name and address of the transferee, in the space provided therefor on the
certificate or as the commissioner prescribes, and cause the certificate and assignment
to be mailed or delivered to the transferee or to the commissioner, provided no person,
firm, corporation or business shall transfer any salvaged motor vehicle or any part of
such vehicle unless such transferor has possession of the certificate of title or salvage
vehicle certificate at the time of such transfer. The top of the certificate shall contain
the following words in block letters, "NO SELLER SHALL ASSIGN TITLE OF A
VEHICLE WITHOUT INSERTING THE BUYER'S NAME AND ADDRESS ON
THE ASSIGNMENT AND WARRANTY OF TITLE." Sec. 14-179a. Assignment and warranty of title. Buyer's name and address
not required. When. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 14-179, an assignment
and warranty of title may be sent to an insurance company without bearing the buyer's
name and address if it is being sent to the insurance company pursuant to an insurance
policy issued under the provisions of part II of chapter 700. Sec. 14-180. Resale by a dealer. If a dealer buys a vehicle and holds it for resale and
procures the certificate of title from the owner or the lienholder or submits a statement on
a form prescribed by the commissioner in accordance with subsection (a) of section 14-
171, the dealer need not send the certificate to the commissioner but, upon transferring
the vehicle to another person other than by the creation of a security interest, shall
promptly execute the assignment and warranty of title by a dealer, showing the names
and addresses of the transferee and of any lienholder holding a security interest created
or reserved at the time of the resale and the date of such lienholder's security agreement,
in the spaces provided therefor on the certificate or as the commissioner prescribes, and
mail or deliver the certificate or statement to the commissioner with the transferee's
application for a new certificate. Sec. 14-181. Involuntary transfers. (a) If the interest of an owner in a vehicle
passes to another other than by voluntary transfer, the transferee shall, except as provided
in subsection (b), promptly mail or deliver to the commissioner the last certificate of
title, if available, proof of the transfer, and his application for a new certificate in the
form the commissioner prescribes. Sec. 14-182. Fee to accompany applications. (a) An application for a certificate
of title shall be accompanied by the required fee when mailed or delivered to the commissioner. Sec. 14-183. Issuance of new certificate. (a) The commissioner, upon receipt of
a properly assigned certificate of title, with an application for a new certificate of title,
the required fee and any other documents required by law, shall issue a new certificate
of title in the name of the transferee as owner and present or mail it to the first lienholder
named in it or, if none, to the owner. Sec. 14-184. Scrapping, dismantling or destruction of vehicle. Any person who
scraps, dismantles or destroys a vehicle or who purchases a vehicle as scrap or to be
dismantled or destroyed shall, if the vehicle's certificate of title is in such person's
possession, mail or deliver it to the commissioner for cancellation. A certificate of title
of the vehicle shall not again be issued. Sec. 14-185. Perfecting of security interest. (a) Unless excepted by section 14-
167, a security interest in a vehicle of a type for which a certificate of title is required
is perfected by the delivery to the commissioner of the existing certificate of title, if
any, an application for a certificate of title containing the name and address of the lienholder and the date of his security agreement and the required fee. It is perfected as of
the time when it attached if such delivery is completed within twenty days thereafter,
and without regard to the limitations expressed in section 42a-9-301 (2); otherwise it is
perfected as of the time of such delivery. Sec. 14-186. Duties on creation of security interest. If an owner creates a security
interest in a vehicle: Sec. 14-187. Assignment of security interest. (a) A lienholder may assign, absolutely or otherwise, his security interest in the vehicle to a person other than the owner
without affecting the interest of the owner or the validity of the security interest, but
any person without notice of the assignment is protected in dealing with the lienholder
as the holder of the security interest and the lienholder remains liable for any obligations
as lienholder until the assignee is named as lienholder on the certificate. Sec. 14-188. Release of security interest. (a) Upon the satisfaction of a security
interest in a vehicle for which the certificate of title is in the possession of the lienholder,
he shall, within ten days after demand and, in any event, within thirty days, execute a
release of his security interest, in the space provided therefor on the certificate or as
the commissioner prescribes, and mail or deliver the certificate and release to the next
lienholder named therein, or, if none, to the owner or any person who delivers to the
lienholder an authorization from the owner to receive the certificate. The owner, other
than a dealer holding the vehicle for resale, shall promptly cause the certificate and
release to be mailed or delivered to the commissioner, who shall release the lienholder's
rights on the certificate or issue a new certificate. Sec. 14-189. Lienholder to furnish information concerning the security
agreement. A lienholder named in a certificate of title shall, upon written request of
the owner or of another lienholder named on the certificate, disclose any pertinent information as to his security agreement and the indebtedness secured by it. Sec. 14-190. Method of perfecting interest exclusive. The method provided in
this chapter of perfecting and giving notice of security interests subject to this chapter
is exclusive. Security interests subject to this chapter are hereby exempted from the
provisions of law which otherwise require or relate to the filing of instruments creating
or evidencing security interests. Sec. 14-191. Suspension or revocation of certificate. (a) The commissioner shall
suspend or revoke a certificate of title, upon notice and reasonable opportunity to be
heard in accordance with section 14-194, if he finds: (1) The certificate of title was
fraudulently procured or erroneously issued, or (2) the vehicle has been scrapped, dismantled or destroyed, or (3) the owner or lienholder of record on the certificate of title
failed to reply to a notice of a scheduled hearing within thirty days after the notice was
mailed by certified bulk mail to his last address of record on file with the Department
of Motor Vehicles. Sec. 14-192. Fees. (a) The commissioner shall be paid the following fees: (1) For
filing an application for a certificate of title, twenty dollars, and on and after July 1,
1993, twenty-five dollars; (2) for each security interest noted upon a certificate of title,
ten dollars; (3) for each record copy search, five dollars and seventy-five cents, and on
and after July 1, 1993, seven dollars; (4) for each assignment of a security interest noted
upon a certificate of title, three dollars, and on and after July 1, 1993, three dollars and
fifty cents; (5) for a duplicate certificate of title, twenty-five dollars, provided such fee
shall not be required for any such duplicate certificate of title which is requested on a
form prepared and signed by the assessor in any town for purposes of such proof of
ownership of a motor vehicle as may be required in accordance with section 12-71b;
(6) for an ordinary certificate of title issued upon surrender of a distinctive certificate,
three dollars, and on and after July 1, 1993, three dollars and fifty cents; (7) for filing
a notice of security interest, three dollars, and on and after July 1, 1993, three dollars
and fifty cents; (8) for a certificate of search of the records of the Department of Motor
Vehicles, for each name or identification number searched against, fourteen dollars, and
on and after July 1, 1993, seventeen dollars and fifty cents; (9) for filing an assignment
of security interest, three dollars, and on and after July 1, 1993, three dollars and fifty
cents; and (10) for search of a motor vehicle certificate of title record, requested by a
person other than the owner of such motor vehicle, ten dollars. Sec. 14-193. Powers and duties of commissioner. (a) The commissioner shall
prescribe and provide suitable forms of applications, certificates of title, notices of security interests and all other notices and forms necessary to carry out the provisions of this
chapter. Sec. 14-194. Hearing. A person aggrieved by an act or omission to act of the commissioner under this chapter is entitled, upon request, to a hearing in accordance with
subsection (e) of section 14-111. Sec. 14-195. Appeal. A person aggrieved by an act or omission to act of the commissioner under this chapter may appeal therefrom in accordance with the provisions
of section 4-183, except venue for such appeal shall be in the judicial district of New
Britain. Sec. 14-196. Penalties. (a) A person who, with fraudulent intent: (1) Alters, forges
or counterfeits a certificate of title; (2) alters or forges an assignment of a certificate of
title, or an assignment or release of a security interest, on a certificate of title or a form
the commissioner prescribes; (3) has possession of or uses a certificate of title knowing
it to have been altered, forged or counterfeited; or (4) uses a false or fictitious name or
address, or makes a material false statement, or fails to disclose a security interest, or
conceals any other material fact, in an application for a certificate of title, shall be fined
not less than five hundred dollars or more than one thousand dollars or be imprisoned
not less than one year or more than five years or be both fined and imprisoned. Sec. 14-197. Report of stolen, recovered, unclaimed or abandoned vehicle. (a)
A police officer or constable who learns of the theft of a vehicle not since recovered,
or of the recovery of a vehicle whose theft or conversion he knows or has reason to believe
has been reported to the commissioner, shall forthwith report the theft or recovery to
the commissioner. Sec. 14-198. False report. A person who knowingly makes a false report of the
theft or conversion of a vehicle to a police officer or to the commissioner shall be fined
not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than six months or both. Sec. 14-199. Impeachment of credibility of defendant. In a prosecution for a
crime specified in this chapter, a certified copy of a conviction under subsection (a) of
section 14-196 is admissible to impeach the credibility of the defendant. Sec. 14-200. Penalties additional to other statutes. The penal provisions of this
chapter in no way repeal or modify any existing provision of criminal law but are additional and supplementary thereto. Sec. 14-201. Definition. A "previously registered vehicle" means a vehicle registered in this state on July 1, 1959, or a vehicle whose last registration before July 1,
1959, was in this state. Sec. 14-202. Exemption of previously registered vehicle. Part II of this chapter
does not apply to a previously registered vehicle until: (a) There is a change of registration by reason of a sale for consideration; or (b) the commissioner issues a certificate
of title for the vehicle. Sec. 14-203. Issuance of distinctive certificate. If the commissioner is not satisfied that there are no undisclosed security interests, created before July 1, 1959, in a
previously registered vehicle, he may, in addition to his options under section 14-176,
issue a distinctive certificate of title of the vehicle containing the legend "This vehicle
may be subject to an undisclosed lien" and any other information the commissioner
prescribes. Sec. 14-204. Perfection of security interest. A security interest in a previously
registered vehicle for which no certificate of title or application for a certificate is required is perfected by the delivery to the commissioner of a notice of security interest
in the form the commissioner prescribes and the required fee. It is perfected as of the
time of its creation if the delivery is completed within ten days thereafter, otherwise as
of the time of delivery. A notice of a security interest created or reserved before July 1,
1959, need be executed by the lienholder only. Sec. 14-205. Perfection under other statute. If a security interest in a previously
registered vehicle is perfected under any other applicable law of this state on July 1,
1959, the security interest continues perfected until its perfection lapses under the law
under which it was perfected. Sec. 14-206. Filing of notices of security interest. (a) The commissioner shall
file each notice of security interest received by him with the required fee and maintain
a record of all notices of security interests filed by him: (1) Alphabetically, under the
name of the owner; (2) under the identifying number of the vehicle; and (3) in the
discretion of the commissioner, by any other method he determines.
(a) "Dealer" means a person engaged in the business of buying, selling or exchanging vehicles who is licensed under the provisions of chapter 246.
(b) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.
(c) "Identification number" means the numbers and letters, if any, on a vehicle
designated by the commissioner for the purpose of identifying the vehicle.
(d) "Implement of husbandry" means a vehicle registered as a farm vehicle or a
vehicle designated and adapted exclusively for agricultural, horticultural or livestock-
raising operations or for lifting or carrying an implement of husbandry.
(e) "Lienholder" means a person holding a security interest in a vehicle.
(f) "Owner" means a person, other than a lienholder, having the property in or title
to a vehicle. The term includes a person entitled to the use and possession of a vehicle
subject to a security interest in another person, but excludes a lessee under a lease not
intended as security.
(g) "Security agreement" means a "security agreement" as defined in section 42a-
9-105(1)(l).
(h) "Security interest" means a "security interest" as defined in section 42a-1-
201(37).
(i) "Special mobile equipment" means a vehicle not designed for the transportation
of persons or property upon a highway and only incidentally operated or moved over a
highway, including but not limited to, ditch-digging apparatus, well-boring apparatus
and road construction and maintenance machinery such as asphalt spreaders, bituminous
mixers, bucket loaders, street sweepers, tractors other than truck tractors, ditchers, leveling graders, finishing machines, motor graders, road rollers, scarifiers, earth moving
carry-alls and scrapers, power shovels and drag lines, and self-propelled cranes and
earth moving equipment. The term does not include house trailers, dump trucks, truck-
mounted transit mixers, cranes or shovels, or other vehicles designed for the transportation of persons or property to which machinery has been attached.
(j) "State" means a state, territory or possession of the United States, the District
of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or a province of the Dominion of
Canada.
(k) "Vehicle" means a motor vehicle as defined by section 14-1.
(l) "Manufacturer's or importer's certificate of origin" means the original written
instrument or document required to be executed and delivered by the manufacturer to
his agent or dealer, or a person purchasing direct from the manufacturer, certifying the
origin of the vehicle.
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 1; 1961, P.A. 573, S. 1; P.A. 77-604, S. 45, 84; P.A. 84-429, S. 64; P.A. 94-189, S. 32, 34; P.A.
96-162, S. 2.)
History: 1961 act redefined security agreement and security interest (Subsecs. (g), (h)) to conform to Uniform Commercial Code; P.A. 77-604 replaced reference to (h) of Sec. 42a-9-105(1) with reference to (l) of said section; P.A. 84-429
made technical changes for statutory consistency; P.A. 94-189 redefined "special mobile equipment" to include street
sweepers, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 96-162 applied provisions to Sec. 14-167a but specific reference not added since
said Sec. already included in existing reference to "this chapter".
Subsec. (f):
Cited. 10 CA 22, 26.
Subsec. (i):
Cited. 215 C. 55, 57.
Cited. 30 CA 263, 269.
Cited. 41 CS 326, 332−334, 338, 340, 342−345, 347.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(b) Part III of this chapter does not apply to: (1) A vehicle moved solely by animal
power; (2) an implement of husbandry; (3) special mobile equipment; (4) a self-propelled wheel chair or invalid tricycle; (5) any trailer having a gross weight not in excess
of three thousand pounds.
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 2; 1963, P.A. 379; 1967, P.A. 86; 1971, P.A. 511; P.A. 73-102; 73-125; P.A. 75-258, S. 1, 2; P.A.
80-444, S. 1, 6; P.A. 98-182, S. 6, 22.)
History: 1963 act added Subdivs. (a)(9) and (b)(5); 1967 act deleted "homemade" with reference to trailers in Subdivs.
(9) of Subsec. (a) and (5) of Subsec. (b); 1971 act added Subdiv. (10) in Subsec. (a) re vehicles ten or more years old; P.A.
73-102 added Subdiv. (11) in Subsec. (a) re vehicles with temporary registration permitting nonresident to transport vehicle
to home state; P.A. 73-125 added Subdiv. (12) in Subsec. (a) re vehicles owned by state, town, city or borough; P.A. 75-
258 added Subdiv. (13) in Subsec. (a) re vehicle temporarily registered for inspection purposes; P.A. 80-444 replaced
vehicle "ten or more years old" with vehicle "manufactured prior to 1970" in Subsec. (a)(10); P.A. 98-182 amended Subsec.
(a) by replacing the provision that "no certificate of title need be obtained for" with a provision stating that the acquisition
of a certificate of title shall not be required and the issuance of a certificate of title by the commission shall not be required,
by deleting former Subdiv. (10) exclusion for "vehicles, manufactured prior to 1970, excluding commercial tractors and
including, but not limited to, commercial vehicles having a gross weight not in excess of eighteen thousand pounds" and
renumbering remaining Subdivs. and by adding provision allowing the commissioner to issue a certificate of title to a
vehicle manufactured prior to 1981 at his discretion, effective July 1, 1998.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 3; 1961, P.A. 573, S. 2.)
History: 1961 act defined buyer in the ordinary course of business and security interest in conformity with Uniform
Commercial Code.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(P.A. 96-162, S. 1.)
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 4; 1967, P.A. 292; P.A. 83-204.)
History: 1967 act required certificate of origin to contain year of manufacture or model year; P.A. 83-204 required that
the certificate of origin be printed on safety paper.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow any such used car dealer to
act as a licensed manufacturer of a motor vehicle.
(P.A. 85-322; P.A. 99-268, S. 30; P.A. 00-169, S. 22.)
History: P.A. 99-268 amended Subsec. (a) by expanding the list of vehicles a used car dealer may sell as new motor
vehicles; P.A. 00-169 revised effective date of P.A. 99-268 but without affecting this section.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
CERTIFICATE OF TITLE
(b) The commissioner shall not require an application for a certificate of title upon
the renewal of the registration of a vehicle.
(c) The commissioner shall note on the face of the registration of each vehicle for
which a certificate of title has been issued a statement to that effect.
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 5; P.A. 99-268, S. 11; P.A. 00-169, S. 22.)
History: P.A. 99-268 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that provisions of this chapter shall apply to motor vehicles at
the time of initial registration in addition to when a change of registration is required; P.A. 00-169 revised effective date
of P.A. 99-268 but without affecting this section.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 6.)
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(b) If the application refers to a vehicle purchased from a dealer, it shall contain the
name and address of any lienholder holding a security interest created or reserved at the
time of the sale and the date of his security agreement and be signed by the dealer as
well as the owner, and the dealer shall promptly mail or deliver the application to the
commissioner.
(c) If the application refers to a vehicle last previously registered in another state
or country, the application shall contain or be accompanied by: (1) Any certificate of
title issued by the other state or country; (2) any other information and documents the
commissioner reasonably requires to establish the ownership of the vehicle and the
existence or nonexistence of security interests in it; and (3) evidence that the manufacturer's identification number of the vehicle was inspected at the time of registration, or
inspected by a licensed dealer in accordance with subsection (c) of section 14-99h.
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 7; 1967, P.A. 92; P.A. 86-114, S. 3; P.A. 00-169, S. 16.)
History: 1967 act made provisions of Subsec. (a) applicable to any certificate of title rather than the first and required
that application be accompanied by most recent Connecticut certificate of title; P.A. 86-114 added requirement that mileage
reading be shown on application; P.A. 00-169 amended Subsec. (a) to allow an owner to submit a statement that the title
is lost, destroyed or, despite best efforts, cannot be located or obtained, in lieu of the title, amended Subsec. (c) by replacing
the provision requiring a certificate that the identification number of the vehicle has been inspected and found to conform
to the description given in the application or any other proof of identity of the vehicle the commissioner reasonably requires
with a provision requiring evidence that such number was inspected at the time of registration, or by a licensed dealer in
accordance with Sec. 14-99h(c) and made technical changes for the purpose of gender neutrality.
Failure of dealer to insert information concerning the lien of an instalment contract when he filled out application for
a purchaser, made him liable for the loss suffered by bank to whom the dealer assigned the contract when the buyer
defrauded the bank lienor. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 491.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 8.)
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(b) The commissioner shall maintain at his central office a record of all certificates
of title issued by him: (1) Under a distinctive title number assigned to the vehicle; (2)
under the identification number of the vehicle; (3) alphabetically, under the name of the
owner; and, in the discretion of the commissioner, by any other method he determines.
(c) Records pertaining to certificates of title over four years old may be destroyed
in the discretion of the commissioner.
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 9; 1969, P.A. 261.)
History: 1969 act allowed evidence of ownership other than title and stated that title may contain legend re undisclosed
lien in Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (c) re destruction of records.
Cited. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 496.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(b) Unless a bond is filed as provided in subdivision (b) of section 14-176, a distinctive certificate of title shall be issued for a vehicle last previously registered in another
state or country the laws of which do not require that lienholders be named on a certificate
of title to perfect their security interests. The certificate shall contain the legend "This
vehicle may be subject to an undisclosed lien" and may contain any other information
the commissioner prescribes. If no notice of a security interest in the vehicle is received
by the commissioner within four months from the issuance of the distinctive certificate
of title, he shall, upon application and surrender of the distinctive certificate, issue a
certificate of title in ordinary form.
(c) The certificate of title shall contain forms for assignment and warranty of title
by the owner and for assignment and warranty of title by a dealer, and may contain
forms for applications for a certificate of title by a transferee, the naming of a lienholder
and the assignment or release of the security interest of a lienholder.
(d) A certificate of title issued by the commissioner is prima facie evidence of the
facts appearing on it. In any criminal proceeding, a certified copy of a certificate of title
shall be prima facie evidence as to the ownership of a motor vehicle.
(e) A certificate of title for a vehicle is not subject to garnishment, attachment,
execution or other judicial process, but this subsection does not prevent a lawful levy
upon the vehicle.
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 10; P.A. 82-460, S. 8; P.A. 86-114, S. 4.)
History: P.A. 82-460 amended Subsec. (d) by making a certificate of title prima facie evidence of the ownership of a
vehicle in any criminal proceeding; P.A. 86-114 added requirement that mileage reading as shown on application be shown
on certificate of title.
Dealer filling out an application for a buyer held liable for loss to bank lienholder for failure to enter the information
concerning the sales contract dealer made with buyer and assigned to bank. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 491.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 11; P.A. 94-189, S. 28, 34.)
History: P.A. 94-189 amended section by providing that the certificate could be "presented" as well as mailed, effective
July 1, 1994.
Bank not guilty of laches in failing to note it did not receive the certificate of title where the dealer failed to note upon
the application for the certificate that the car was subject to bank's lien under an instalment contract assigned by the dealer
to the bank. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 491.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 12.)
See Sec. 14-203 re issuance of distinctive certificate of title when undisclosed security interests may exist.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 13.)
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(b) The commissioner shall not issue a new certificate of title to a transferee upon
application made on a duplicate until fifteen days after receipt of the application.
(c) A person recovering an original certificate of title for which a duplicate has been
issued shall promptly surrender the original certificate to the commissioner.
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 14; P.A. 94-189, S. 29, 34.)
History: P.A. 94-189 amended Subsec. (a) by providing that the duplicate certificate, in addition to being mailed, could
be "presented" to the first lienholder or owner, effective July 1, 1994.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(b) Upon request of the owner or transferee, a lienholder in possession of the certificate of title shall, unless the transfer was a breach of his security agreement, either
deliver the certificate to the transferee for delivery to the commissioner or, upon receipt
from the transferee of the owner's assignment, the transferee's application for a new
certificate and the required fee, mail or deliver them to the commissioner. The delivery
of the certificate does not affect the rights of the lienholder under his security agreement.
(c) If a security interest is reserved or created at the time of the transfer, the certificate
of title shall be retained by or delivered to the person who becomes the lienholder, and
the parties shall comply with the provisions of section 14-186.
(d) Except as provided in section 14-180 and as between the parties, a transfer by
an owner is not effective until the provisions of this section and section 14-182 have
been complied with; however, an owner who has delivered possession of the vehicle of
the transferee and has complied with the provisions of this section and section 14-182
requiring action by him is not liable as owner for any damages thereafter resulting from
operation of the vehicle.
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 15; P.A. 80-444, S. 3, 6; 80-457, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 80-444 prohibited transfer of salvaged vehicle or parts without title or salvage vehicle certificate in Subsec.
(a); P.A. 80-457 required assignment and warranty of title to contain name and address of transferee in Subsec. (a) and
added requirement re statement at top of certificate.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(P.A. 93-272, S. 5.)
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 16; P.A. 00-169, S. 17.)
History: P.A. 00-169 deleted the requirement that a dealer send the commissioner a certificate of title within ten days
after delivery to him of a vehicle if such dealer buys and holds the vehicle for resale, added a provision that a dealer need
not send the certificate to the commissioner if such dealer submits a statement on a form prescribed by the commissioner
in accordance with Sec. 14-171(a), and made technical changes for the purposes of gender neutrality.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(b) If the interest of the owner is terminated or the vehicle is sold under a security
agreement by a lienholder named in the certificate of title, the transferee shall promptly
mail or deliver to the commissioner the last certificate of title, his application for a new
certificate in the form the commissioner prescribes, and an affidavit made by or on
behalf of the lienholder that the vehicle was repossessed and that the interest of the
owner was lawfully terminated or sold pursuant to the terms of the security agreement.
If the lienholder succeeds to the interest of the owner and holds the vehicle for resale,
he need not secure a new certificate of title but, upon transfer to another person, shall
promptly mail or deliver to the transferee or to the commissioner the certificate, affidavit
and other documents required to be sent to the commissioner by the transferee.
(c) A person holding a certificate of title whose interest in the vehicle has been
extinguished or transferred other than by voluntary transfer shall mail or deliver the
certificate to the commissioner upon request of the commissioner. The delivery of the
certificate pursuant to the request of the commissioner does not affect the rights of the
person surrendering the certificate, and the action of the commissioner issuing a new
certificate of title as provided herein is not conclusive upon the rights of an owner or
lienholder named in the old certificate.
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 17.)
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(b) An application for the naming of a lienholder or his assignee on a certificate of
title shall be accompanied by the required fee when mailed or delivered to the commissioner.
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 18.)
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(b) The commissioner, upon receipt of an application for a new certificate of title
by a transferee other than by voluntary transfer, with proof of the transfer, the required
fee and any other documents required by law, shall issue a new certificate of title in the
name of the transferee as owner. If the outstanding certificate of title is not delivered
to him, the commissioner shall make demand therefor from the holder thereof.
(c) The commissioner shall file and retain for five years every surrendered certificate of title, the file to be maintained so as to permit the tracing of title of the vehicle
designated therein.
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 19; P.A. 94-189, S. 30, 34.)
History: P.A. 94-189 amended Subsec. (a) by providing that in addition to being mailed, the certificate could be presented
to the first lienholder or owner, effective July 1, 1994.
Subsec. (a):
Cited. 38 CS 712, 715, 716.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 20; P.A. 80-292, S. 6.)
History: P.A. 80-292 replaced "owner" with "person" and required mailing or delivery of title to commissioner "if" it
is in his possession, allowing for possibility that it may not be in his possession, previously no such concession was made.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(b) An unperfected security interest is subordinate to the rights of the persons described in section 42a-9-301.
(c) The rules of priority stated in section 42a-9-312, and the other sections therein
referred to, shall, to the extent appropriate, apply to conflicting security interests in a
vehicle of a type for which a certificate of title is required or in a "previously registered
vehicle", as defined in section 14-201. A security interest perfected under this section
or under section 14-201 is a security interest perfected otherwise than by filing for the
purposes of section 42a-9-312.
(d) If a vehicle is subject to a security interest when brought into this state, subsections (1), (2) and (3) of section 42a-9-103a state the rules which apply to determine the
validity and perfection of the security interest in this state.
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 21; 1961, P.A. 573, S. 3; February, 1965, P.A. 335; P.A. 77-604, S. 46, 84.)
History: 1961 act redrafted section to conform with Uniform Commercial Code; 1965 act changed time of perfection
from time of its creation and increased time limitation in delivery proviso from ten days in Subsec. (a); P.A. 77-604 replaced
reference to Subsecs. (2), (3) and (4) of Sec. 42a-9-103 with reference to Subsecs. (1), (2) and (3) of Sec. 42a-9-103a in
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (d):
Makes automobiles subject to section 42a-9-103 (2), (3) and (4). 6 Conn. Cir. Ct. 502.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(a) The owner shall immediately execute the application, in the space provided
therefor on the certificate of title or on a separate form the commissioner prescribes, to
name the lienholder on the certificate, showing the name and address of the lienholder
and the date of his security agreement, and cause the certificate, the application and the
required fee to be delivered to the lienholder.
(b) The lienholder shall immediately cause the certificate, the application and the
required fee to be mailed or delivered to the commissioner.
(c) Upon request of the owner or subordinate lienholder, a lienholder in possession
of the certificate of title shall either mail or deliver the certificate to the subordinate
lienholder for delivery to the commissioner or, upon receipt from the subordinate lienholder of the owner's application and the required fee, mail or deliver them to the commissioner with the certificate. The delivery of the certificate does not affect the rights
of the first lienholder under his security agreement.
(d) Upon receipt of the certificate of title, the application and the required fee, the
commissioner shall either endorse the certificate or issue a new certificate containing
the name and address of the new lienholder, and mail the certificate to the first lienholder
named in it.
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 22.)
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(b) The assignee may, but need not to perfect the assignment, have the certificate
of title endorsed or issued with the assignee named as lienholder, upon delivering to the
commissioner the certificate and an assignment by the lienholder named in the certificate
in the form the commissioner prescribes.
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 23.)
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(b) Upon the satisfaction of a security interest in a vehicle for which the certificate
of title is in the possession of a prior lienholder, the lienholder whose security interest
is satisfied shall within ten days after demand and, in any event, within thirty days
execute a release in the form the commissioner prescribes and deliver the release to the
owner or any person who delivers to the lienholder an authorization from the owner to
receive it. The lienholder in possession of the certificate of title shall either deliver the
certificate to the owner, or the person authorized by him, for delivery to the commissioner
or, upon receipt of the release, mail or deliver it with the certificate to the commissioner,
who shall release the subordinate lienholder's rights on the certificate or issue a new
certificate.
(c) A lienholder who does not comply with subsection (b) and who has disappeared
and cannot be located by the debtor shall be deemed for purposes of this section only
to have released such security interest, if evidence satisfactory to the commissioner is
filed concerning the disappearance of the lienholder, and the commissioner shall so note
on the records of the department.
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 24; 1967, P.A. 796.)
History: 1967 act added Subsec. (c) re release of security interest.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 25.)
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 26.)
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(b) Suspension or revocation of a certificate of title does not, in itself, affect the
validity of a security interest noted on it.
(c) When the commissioner suspends or revokes a certificate of title, the owner or
person in possession of it shall, immediately upon receiving notice of the suspension
or revocation, mail or deliver the certificate to the commissioner.
(d) The commissioner may seize and impound any certificate of title which has
been suspended or revoked.
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 27; 1967, P.A. 96; P.A. 81-172, S. 12.)
History: 1967 act added Subdiv. (3) in Subsec. (a) re suspension or revocation of title upon failure to reply to notice of
hearing; P.A. 81-172 permitted the notices to be sent by bulk certified mail, rather than by "certified or registered" mail;
(Revisor's note: In 1997 references throughout the general statutes to "Motor Vehicle(s) Commissioner" and "Motor
Vehicle(s) Department" were replaced editorially by the Revisors with "Commissioner of Motor Vehicles" or "Department
of Motor Vehicles", as the case may be, for consistency with customary statutory usage).
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(b) If an application, certificate of title or other document required to be mailed or
delivered to the commissioner under any provision of this chapter is not delivered to
the commissioner within ten days from the time it is required to be mailed or delivered,
the commissioner shall collect, as a penalty, an amount equal to the fee required for the
transaction.
(c) Motor vehicles leased to an agency of this state on or after June 4, 1982, and
motor vehicles owned by the state or an agency of the state shall be exempt from the
fees imposed by this section.
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 28; 1967, P.A. 187; P.A. 75-213, S. 49, 53; P.A. 76-280; P.A. 78-348, S. 3, 6; P.A. 82-382, S. 3,
4; P.A. 83-448; 83-489, S. 12, 17; P.A. 84-254, S. 51, 62; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-13, S. 15, 21; P.A. 92-177, S. 5, 12.)
History: 1967 act raised fee for duplicate of title certificate from one dollar to three dollars; P.A. 75-213 raised fee for
first certificate application from two to five dollars; P.A. 76-280 deleted "first" in Subdiv. (1) of Subsec. (a) and made
two-dollar fee in Subdiv. (3) applicable to record copy searches rather than to certificates of title after transfers; P.A. 78-
348 waived charge for duplicate title certificate when requested by town assessors, effective October 1, 1978, and applicable
with respect to any motor vehicle on the assessment list of any town as of that date and any motor vehicle registered or in
use in this state thereafter; P.A. 82-382 added Subsec. (c) exempting motor vehicles leased to an agency of the state from
the fees imposed by this section; P.A. 83-448 provided that motor vehicles owned by the state or an agency thereof shall
be exempt from the title fees specified in Subsecs. (a) and (b); P.A. 83-489 amended Subsec. (a) to increase fees as follows:
For filing an application for a certificate of title, from five to seven dollars, and for each security interest noted upon a
certificate of title, from one to two dollars; P.A. 84-254 amended Subsec. (a) to increase periodically the fees, scheduling
the increases to take effect on July first of 1985, 1989, 1991, and 1993; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-13 amended Subsec. (a) by
raising fees for filing a security interest on a certificate of title to ten dollars, for a duplicate certificate of title to fifteen
dollars, established a fee of ten dollars for searching for certificate of title record for any one other than the owner, designated
editorially as Subdiv. (10), and made technical changes, deleting obsolete fee increases; P.A. 92-177 amended Subsec. (a)
to increase fee for duplicate certificate of title from fifteen to twenty-five dollars; (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).
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(b) The commissioner may: (1) Make necessary investigations to procure information required to carry out the provisions of this chapter; (2) adopt and enforce reasonable
rules to carry out the provisions of this chapter; (3) assign a new identification number
to a vehicle if it has none, or its identification number is destroyed or obliterated, or
its motor is changed, and shall either issue a new certificate of title showing the new
identification number or make an appropriate endorsement on the original certificate;
(4) require each manufacturer or assembler of a vehicle sold in this state to provide such
vehicle with a vehicle identification number and, upon the request of the commissioner,
to inform him concerning the location or locations of every vehicle identification number
on such vehicle. The commissioner may refuse to register a vehicle made by a manufacturer or assembler who fails to comply with this section.
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 29; 1967, P.A. 102.)
History: 1967 act added Subdiv. (4) in Subsec. (a) re vehicle identification numbers.
See Sec. 14-149 re procedure when stolen vehicle or vehicle or part with mutilated or missing identification, engine or
factory number is recovered.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 30.)
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 31; 1971, P.A. 870, S. 40; P.A. 76-436, S. 347, 681; P.A. 77-603, S. 37, 125; P.A. 78-280, S. 5,
127; P.A. 88-230, S. 1, 12; P.A. 90-98, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; P.A. 95-220, S. 4−6; P.A. 99-215, S. 24, 29.)
History: 1971 act replaced superior court with court of common pleas, effective September 1, 1971, except that courts
with cases pending retain jurisdiction unless pending matters deemed transferable; P.A. 76-436 replaced court of common
pleas with superior court, effective July 1, 1978; P.A. 77-603 revised appeal language to conform with usage elsewhere
re Sec. 4-183; P.A. 78-280 replaced Hartford county with judicial district of Hartford-New Britain; P.A. 88-230 replaced
"judicial district of Hartford-New Britain" with "judicial district of Hartford", effective September 1, 1991; P.A. 90-98
changed the effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1991, to September 1, 1993; P.A. 93-142 changed the effective
date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1993, to September 1, 1996, effective June 14, 1993; P.A. 95-220 changed the
effective date of P.A. 88-230 from September 1, 1996, to September 1, 1998, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 99-215 replaced
"judicial district of Hartford" with "judicial district of New Britain", effective June 29, 1999.
Cited. 148 C. 456.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
OFFENSES AND ANTITHEFT PROVISIONS
(b) A person who: (1) With fraudulent intent, permits another, not entitled thereto,
to use or have possession of a certificate of title; (2) wilfully fails to mail or deliver a
certificate of title or application therefor to the commissioner within ten days after the
time required by this chapter; (3) wilfully fails to deliver to his transferee a certificate
of title within ten days after the time required by this chapter; or (4) wilfully violates
any provision of this chapter, except as provided in subsection (a), shall be fined not
more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than two years or both.
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 32; P.A. 80-292, S. 7.)
History: P.A. 80-292 increased fine in Subsec. (b) from five hundred to one thousand dollars and imprisonment from
six months to two years.
Cited. 9 CA 686, 728.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(b) An owner or a lienholder may report the theft of a vehicle, or its conversion if
a crime, to the commissioner, but the commissioner may disregard the report of a conversion unless a warrant has been issued for the arrest of a person charged with the conversion. A person who has so reported the theft or conversion of a vehicle shall, forthwith
after learning of its recovery, report the recovery to the commissioner.
(c) An operator of a place of business for garaging, repairing, parking or storing
vehicles for the public, in which there is stored an abandoned or unclaimed vehicle for
a period of thirty days, shall, within five days after the expiration of that period, report
the vehicle as unclaimed or abandoned to the commissioner. A vehicle left by its owner
whose name and address are known to the operator or his employee is not considered
unclaimed. A person who fails to report a vehicle as unclaimed or abandoned in accordance with this subsection forfeits all claims and liens for its garaging, parking, towing
or storing. The commissioner may, after notice and hearing, impose a civil penalty of
not more than twenty-five dollars for each day the failure to report continues.
(d) The commissioner shall maintain and appropriately index weekly and cumulative public records of stolen, converted, recovered, abandoned and unclaimed vehicles
reported to him pursuant to this section. The commissioner may make and distribute
copies of the weekly records so maintained to police officers upon request without fee
and to others for the fee, if any, the commissioner prescribes.
(e) The commissioner may suspend the registration of a vehicle whose theft or
conversion is reported to him pursuant to this section; until the commissioner learns of
its recovery or that the report of its theft or conversion was erroneous, he shall not issue
a certificate of title for the vehicle.
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 33; P.A. 75-394; P.A. 81-206, S. 3; P.A. 00-99, S. 50, 154.)
History: P.A. 75-394 included abandoned vehicles in provisions of Subsecs. (c) and (d); P.A. 81-206 converted the
criminal fines provided for in Subsec. (c) to civil penalties imposed by the commissioner; P.A. 00-99 deleted reference to
sheriff in Subsec. (a), effective December 1, 2000.
See Sec. 14-150 re abandoned or unregistered motor vehicles and re vehicles which pose a menace to traffic.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 34.)
Cited. 198 C. 348, 350.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 35.)
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 36.)
Cited. 9 CA 686, 729.
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED VEHICLES
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 37.)
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 38.)
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 39.)
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 40.)
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 41.)
(Return to TOC) (Return to Chapters) (Return to Titles)
(b) The commissioner need not maintain, in the record provided for in subsection
(a), any reference to a security interest in a previously registered vehicle after the commissioner files a notice of release of the security interest or issues a certificate of title
of the vehicle containing the name of the lienholder.
(c) The commissioner, before issuing or reissuing a certificate of title, shall check
the name of the owner and the identification number of the vehicle against the record
provided for in subsection (a).
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 42.)