Chapter 246 - Motor Vehicles

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

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as set forth in 6 CFR Section 37.45(b)(1)(iii) or 37.45(b)(1)(iv), in such a position, until such condition is no longer applicable.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

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

(P.A. 07-167, S. 13; P.A. 10-110, S. 26; P.A. 13-271, S. 6; P.A. 23-204, S. 102.)

History: P.A. 10-110 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (b) re background check of employees involved in manufacture or production of licenses or identity cards and reassignment of employee with disqualifying criminal offense or condition; P.A. 13-271 added Subsec. (c) re background check of persons to be employed as knowledge or skills test examiners for commercial driver's license applicants; P.A. 23-204 amended Subsec. (a) to add reference to Department of Administrative Services and changed existing references from “department” to “Department of Motor Vehicles”, effective June 12, 2023.

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PART III

REGISTRATION AND LICENSES

(A)

REGISTRATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

Sec. 14-21bb. *(See end of section for amended version and effective date.) Aquatic Invasive Species fee. Requirements for payment of fee. (a) Any person who registers a vessel or renews a vessel registration pursuant to section 15-144 and who intends to operate or allow such vessel to be operated on the waters of the state shall concomitantly, in addition to the remittance of any fee required pursuant to section 15-144, pay an Aquatic Invasive Species fee of five dollars. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall cause all revenues collected pursuant to this section to be deposited in the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation account established in section 14-21aa.

(b) Any person who intends to operate or allow a vessel to be operated on the inland waters of the state that is registered in another state shall, prior to such operation, pay an Aquatic Invasive Species fee of twenty dollars to the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection. Such fees shall be paid annually and such payment shall be valid until the last day of December of such year. The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall cause all revenues collected pursuant to this subsection to be deposited in the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation account established in section 14-21aa. Any person who operates a vessel on the inland waters of the state in violation of the provisions of this subsection shall have committed an infraction and shall be fined not more than eighty-five dollars.

(P.A. 19-190, S. 1.)

*Note: On and after October 1, 2024, this section, as amended by section 1 of public act 23-154, is to read as follows:

“Sec. 14-21bb. Aquatic Invasive Species Stamp. Requirements for possessing stamp. Aquatic Invasive Species Decal. Exemptions. (a) Any person who operates a vessel on the inland waters of the state that is required to display a registration decal, issued by this state or another state, shall possess an individual Aquatic Invasive Species Stamp. The fee for such stamp shall be seven dollars. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection shall issue such stamp through the On-line Sportsmen Licensing system of the department. Any such stamp shall be valid for the calendar year in which it was issued.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, any person who owns a vessel that is required to display a registration decal, issued by this state or another state, may purchase a vessel Aquatic Invasive Species Decal in lieu of the requirement of subsection (a) of this section that each person who operates such vessel obtain an individual Aquatic Invasive Species Stamp. Any person who operates a vessel bearing a valid vessel Aquatic Invasive Species Decal shall be deemed to have met the requirements of subsection (a) of this section while operating such vessel. The fee for such vessel Aquatic Invasive Species Decal shall be twenty dollars, provided the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection may charge an additional fee of not more than five dollars for the production, processing and mailing of such decal. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection shall issue such decal through the On-line Sportsmen Licensing system of the department. Any such decal shall be valid for the calendar year in which it was issued. Any such vessel Aquatic Invasive Species Decal shall be permanently affixed to the vessel for which it was purchased approximately amidship on the port side of the vessel either on the hull of the vessel or at the operator's station and in such a manner as to be visible to law enforcement officers approaching by vessel from the port side of such vessel.

(c) The provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall not be construed to apply to the operator of any vessel that is numbered pursuant to section 15-145, provided such number bears the suffix of “DL”, “XP”, “MS” or “YB” and displays a current registration validation decal.

(d) The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall cause all revenues collected pursuant to this subsection to be deposited in the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation account established in section 14-21aa.

(e) Any person who operates a vessel on the inland waters of the state in violation of the provisions of this section shall have committed an infraction and shall be fined not more than eighty-five dollars.”

(P.A. 19-190, S. 1; P.A. 23-154, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 19-190 effective January 1, 2020; P.A. 23-154 amended Subsec. (a) to delete provision re payment of fee upon registering of vessel and added provisions re possession of stamp to operate vessel and issuance of stamp through the On-line Sportsmen Licensing system, amended Subsec. (b) to delete provision re vessels registered in other states and added provisions re option to purchase decal, authority to charge additional fee for the production and mailing of such decal and requirements for the placement of such decal upon the vessel, added Subsec. (c) re exemption from stamp or decal requirements and redesignated existing provisions as Subsecs. (d) and (e) and made technical changes, effective October 1, 2024.

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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. Issuance of temporary registrations by city, town, borough or other taxing district. (a)(1) For assessment years commencing prior to October 1, 2024, if any property tax, or any installment thereof, laid by any city, town, borough or other taxing district upon a registered motor vehicle or snowmobile remains unpaid, the tax collector of such city, town, borough or other taxing district shall notify the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles of such delinquency in accordance with subsection (e) of this section and guidelines and procedures established by the commissioner. The commissioner shall not issue registration for such motor vehicle or snowmobile for the next registration period if, according to the commissioner's records, it is then owned by the person against whom such tax has been assessed or by any person to whom such vehicle has not been transferred by bona fide sale. Unless notice has been received by the commissioner under the provisions of section 14-33a, no such registration shall be issued until the commissioner receives notification that the tax obligation has been legally discharged; nor shall the commissioner register any other motor vehicle, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle or vessel in the name of such person, except that the commissioner may continue to register other vehicles owned by a leasing or rental firm licensed pursuant to section 14-15, and may issue such registration to any private owner of three or more paratransit vehicles in direct proportion to the percentage of total tax due on such vehicles which has been paid and notice of payment on which has been received. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may immediately suspend or cancel all motor vehicle, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle or vessel registrations issued in the name of any person (A) who has been reported as delinquent and whose registration was renewed through an error or through the production of false evidence that the delinquent tax on any motor vehicle or snowmobile had been paid, or (B) who has been reported by a tax collector as having paid a property tax on a motor vehicle or snowmobile with a check which was dishonored by a bank and such tax remains unpaid. Any person aggrieved by any action of the commissioner under this section may appeal therefrom in the manner provided in section 14-134. For the purposes of this subsection, “paratransit vehicle” means a motor bus, taxicab or motor vehicle in livery service operated under a certificate of convenience and necessity issued by the Department of Transportation or by a transit district and which is on call or demand or used for the transportation of passengers for hire.

(2) For assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 2024, if any property tax, or any installment thereof, laid by any city, town, borough or other taxing district upon a motor vehicle remains unpaid, regardless of whether such motor vehicle is classified on the grand list as a registered motor vehicle or personal property pursuant to section 12-41, the tax collector of such city, town, borough or other taxing district shall notify the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles of such delinquency in accordance with subsection (e) of this section and guidelines and procedures established by the commissioner. The commissioner shall not issue registration for such motor vehicle for the next registration period if, according to the commissioner's records, it is then owned by the person against whom such tax has been assessed or by any person to whom such vehicle has not been transferred by bona fide sale. Unless notice has been received by the commissioner under the provisions of section 14-33a, no such registration shall be issued until the commissioner receives notification that the tax obligation has been legally discharged; nor shall the commissioner register any other motor vehicle, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle or vessel in the name of such person, except that the commissioner may continue to register other vehicles owned by a leasing or rental firm licensed pursuant to section 14-15, and may issue such registration to any private owner of three or more paratransit vehicles in direct proportion to the percentage of total tax due on such vehicles which has been paid and notice of payment on which has been received. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may immediately suspend or cancel all motor vehicle, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle or vessel registrations issued in the name of any person (A) who has been reported as delinquent and whose registration was renewed through an error or through the production of false evidence that the delinquent tax on any motor vehicle had been paid, or (B) who has been reported by a tax collector as having paid a property tax on a motor vehicle with a check which was dishonored by a bank and such tax remains unpaid.

(b) (1) For assessment years commencing prior to October 1, 2024, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, in consultation with the Treasurer and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, may enter into an agreement with the tax collector of any city, town, borough or other taxing district whereby the commissioner shall collect any property tax or any installment thereof on a registered motor vehicle which remains unpaid from any person against whom such tax has been assessed who makes application for registration for such motor vehicle.

(2) For assessment years commencing on and after October 1, 2024, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, in consultation with the Treasurer and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, may enter into an agreement with the tax collector of any city, town, borough or other taxing district whereby the commissioner shall collect any property tax or any installment thereof on any motor vehicle which remains unpaid from any person against whom such tax has been assessed who makes application for registration for such motor vehicle.

(3) Any agreement entered into pursuant to subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection shall include a procedure for the remission of taxes collected to the city, town, borough or other taxing district, on a regular basis, and may provide that a fee be paid by the city, town, borough or other taxing district to the commissioner to cover any costs associated with the administration of the agreement. In the event an agreement is in effect, the commissioner shall immediately issue a registration for a motor vehicle owned by a person against whom such tax has been assessed upon receipt of payment of such tax and a service fee of two dollars, in addition to the fee prescribed for the renewal of the registration.

(c) On and after March 1, 1989, any municipality may participate in a program administered by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to facilitate the payment of fines for parking violations. If any such municipality elects to participate in such program, it shall provide for a notice of violation to be served personally upon the operator of a motor vehicle who is present at the time of service. If the operator is not present, the notice shall be served upon the owner of the motor vehicle by affixing notice to said vehicle in a conspicuous place, or, in the case of the city of Hartford Parking Authority, by regular or certified mail to the registered owner of the vehicle, which shall have the same effect as if the notice of violation was personally served on the owner or operator of the vehicle. In the case of any motor vehicle that is leased or rented by the owner, not more than thirty days after the initial notice of a parking violation for which a fine remains unpaid at such time, a second notice of violation shall be mailed to the address of record of the owner leasing or renting the motor vehicle to such operator. No fines or penalties shall accrue to the owner of such rented or leased vehicle for the violation for a period of sixty days after the second notice is mailed. Upon receipt of such notification, the owner of such rented or leased vehicle may notify the municipality as to whom the lessee was at the time of such issuance of the notice of violation, the lessee's address, motor vehicle operator's license number and state of issuance, and the municipality shall issue such notice of violation to such lessee. A participating municipality shall notify the commissioner of every owner of a registered motor vehicle who has unpaid fines for more than five parking violations committed within such municipality on and after March 1, 1989. Upon receipt of such notification, the commissioner shall not issue or renew the motor vehicle registration of such person until he receives notification from such municipality that the delinquent fines have been paid.

(d) The provisions of subsection (c) of this section shall not apply to any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of leasing or renting motor vehicles without drivers in this state with respect to any motor vehicle which is leased or rented. The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of subsection (c) of this section.

(e) The tax collector of a city, town, borough or other district shall, at least once during each calendar month, notify the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles of any outstanding delinquent property tax payment or installment thereof for a registered motor vehicle or snowmobile. If a tax collector fails to provide such notice to the commissioner, the commissioner shall not be required to deny the issuance of a registration, pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, to the person against whom such tax has been assessed by said city or town, or by a borough or other taxing district located therein.

(f) Any city, town, borough or other taxing district that notifies the commissioner of (1) a delinquency in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, or (2) an owner of a registered motor vehicle who has unpaid fines for more than five parking violations in accordance with subsection (c) of this section, may participate in a program to issue temporary registrations for passenger motor vehicles on behalf of the commissioner to persons whose registrations have been denied, and who subsequently make full payment to the city, town, borough or other taxing district for the amounts owed under said subsections. A participating city, town, borough or other taxing district shall issue such temporary registrations in accordance with subsection (i) of section 14-12 and shall retain the fees authorized in subsection (n) of section 14-49 for such registrations. The commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 to carry out the provisions of this subsection.

(1949 Rev., S. 2375; 1959, P.A. 455; 1961, P.A. 233, S. 6; 1967, P.A. 48; 448, S. 2; 1969, P.A. 752, S. 15; P.A. 78-348, S. 1, 6; P.A. 79-566; 79-610, S. 9, 20; 79-631, S. 20, 111; P.A. 80-372, S. 2; P.A. 88-346, S. 1, 2; P.A. 93-341, S. 8; P.A. 95-260, S. 8, 24; P.A. 96-167, S. 4; P.A. 03-264, S. 5; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-1, S. 102; P.A. 04-126, S. 2; P.A. 07-88, S. 1; P.A. 11-48, S. 26; P.A. 13-271, S. 9; P.A. 14-19, S. 1; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 237; P.A. 22-118, S. 497; P.A. 23-204, S. 209.)

History: 1959 act added taxing districts to section; 1961 act authorized commissioner to establish listings and dates for notification rather than date set by statute; 1967 acts removed specifications of tax amount, year and model of vehicle and engine number from form contents and added reference to issuance of registration without receipt of tax payment if notice under provisions of Sec. 14-33a has been received; 1969 act included snowmobiles under provisions of section; P.A. 78-348 allowed commissioner to suspend registrations when registration renewed because of error or false statement that delinquent tax was paid or when check for payment of tax is not honored by bank; P.A. 79-566 included provisions re paratransit vehicles; P.A. 79-610 and 80-372 authorized substitution of department of transportation for division of public utility control in provision re paratransit vehicles; P.A. 79-631 made technical change; P.A. 88-346 added Subsec. (b) re establishment of a voluntary program to facilitate payment of fines for parking violations, requiring denial of registration for failure to pay such fines; P.A. 93-341 amended Subsec. (a) by adding a provision that the commissioner may “continue to register other vehicles owned by a leasing or rental firm licensed pursuant to section 14-15, if he is satisfied that arrangements have been made to discharge” outstanding tax obligations; P.A. 95-260 amended Subsec. (b) to allow any municipality, regardless of size of population, to participate in the voluntary program to facilitate payment of fines for parking violations; P.A. 96-167 inserted new Subsec. (b) authorizing commissioner to enter into agreement with tax collector whereby commissioner shall collect delinquent motor vehicle property tax and immediately issue registration upon receipt of payment of such tax and relettered former Subsec. (b) as (c); P.A. 03-264 made a technical change in Subsec. (a), divided provisions of Subsec. (c) into Subsecs. (c) and (d), added provisions in Subsec. (c) re notice of violation and period during which penalties will not accrue for violation, and made technical changes in Subsec. (d); June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-1 amended Subsec. (a) to provide for a fee to be paid by municipalities upon notice to commissioner of delinquent tax due and to make technical changes, effective August 16, 2003; P.A. 04-126 amended Subsec. (a) to delete fee for the reporting of delinquent property taxes to the commissioner and to make a conforming change, and added Subsec. (e) requiring municipalities to pay the costs of the delinquent tax reporting program, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 07-88 amended Subsec. (c) by adding provision re notification to municipality by owner of rented or leased vehicle providing information re the lessee of such vehicle at the time of issuance of the notice of violation, and issuance of notice of violation to lessee, effective July 1, 2007; P.A. 11-48 added Subsec. (f) authorizing cities, towns, boroughs or other taxing districts to issue temporary registrations for passenger motor vehicles upon payment of unpaid parking fines, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 13-271 amended Subsec. (a) to replace provision requiring tax collector to notify commissioner of delinquency in accordance with listings, schedules of dates and forms established or prescribed by commissioner with provision requiring notification in accordance with guidelines and procedures established by commissioner, to replace provision prohibiting issuance of registration for motor vehicle upon which tax is unpaid until receipt evidencing payment, certificate of abatement or other satisfactory evidence of payment is presented to commissioner with provision prohibiting issuance of registration until commissioner receives notification that tax obligation is legally discharged, to add provision prohibiting registration of all-terrain vehicle or vessel in the name of registered owner of motor vehicle upon which tax is unpaid, to delete provision re satisfaction of commissioner that arrangements have been made to discharge tax obligation of leasing or rental firm, to add provision re cancellation of motor vehicle, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle or vessel registrations and to make conforming changes; P.A. 14-19 amended Subsec. (e) by replacing provision re annual payment by each city and town with provision re monthly notice to commissioner re outstanding delinquent property tax payment and amended Subsec. (a) by making conforming changes, effective July 1, 2015; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (c) to add provision re Hartford Parking Authority notice of violation by regular or certified mail, effective July 1, 2015; P.A. 22-118 amended Subsec. (a) by designating existing provisions re registration of motor vehicle, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle or vessel where property tax is unpaid as new Subdiv. (1), specifying that such provisions are applicable for assessment years commencing prior to October 1, 2023, redesignating existing Subdivs. (1) and (2) as Subparas. (A) and (B), adding new Subdiv. (2) re registration of motor vehicle, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle or vessel where property tax is unpaid, and specifying that new Subdiv. (2) is applicable for assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 2023, and amended Subsec. (b) by designating existing provisions concerning agreements re collection of unpaid property tax on registered motor vehicles as Subdiv. (1), specifying that such provisions are applicable for assessment years commencing prior to October 1, 2023, adding Subdiv. (2) concerning agreements re collection of unpaid property tax on motor vehicles, specifying that Subdiv. (2) is applicable for assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 2023, designating existing provisions re requirements for agreements and issuance of registration upon receipt of payment as Subdiv. (3), and specifying that such requirements apply to agreements entered into pursuant to Subdivs. (1) and (2), effective July 1, 2022, and applicable to assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 2023; P.A. 23-204 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) by substituting “October 1, 2024” for “October 1, 2023” re applicable assessment years, effective July 1, 2023, and applicable to assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 2024.

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(B)

OPERATORS' LICENSES

Sec. 14-36. Motor vehicle operator's license. (a) Motor vehicle operator's license required for operation of motor vehicle. (a) Except as otherwise provided by this section and section 14-40a, no person shall operate a motor vehicle on any public highway of this state or private road on which a speed limit has been established in accordance with section 14-218a or section 14-307a until such person has obtained a motor vehicle operator's license.

(b) Adult instruction permit. Out-of-state license holders. Minimum age. (1) A person eighteen years of age or older who does not hold a motor vehicle operator's license may not operate a motor vehicle on the public highways of the state for the purpose of instruction until such person has applied for and obtained an adult instruction permit from the commissioner. Such person shall not be eligible for an adult instruction permit if such person has had a motor vehicle operator's license or privilege suspended or revoked. An applicant for an adult instruction permit shall, as a condition to receiving such permit, pass a vision screening conducted by the Department of Motor Vehicles or submit to the commissioner the results of a vision examination conducted by a licensed medical professional, as defined in section 14-46b. Such medical professional shall certify that the applicant meets the vision standards established in regulations adopted pursuant to section 14-45a. An adult instruction permit shall entitle the holder, while such holder has the permit in his or her immediate possession, to operate a motor vehicle on the public highways, provided such holder is under the instruction of, and accompanied by, a person who holds an instructor's license issued under the provisions of section 14-73 or a person twenty years of age or older who has been licensed to operate, for at least four years preceding the instruction, a motor vehicle of the same class as the motor vehicle being operated and who has not had his or her motor vehicle operator's license suspended by the commissioner during the four-year period preceding the instruction. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall not issue a motor vehicle operator's license to any person holding an adult instruction permit who has held such permit for less than ninety days unless such person (A) is a member of the armed forces on active duty outside the state, or (B) has previously held a motor vehicle operator's license. (2) A person holding a valid out-of-state motor vehicle operator's license may operate a motor vehicle for a period of sixty days following such person's establishment of residence in Connecticut, if the motor vehicle is of the same class as that for which his or her out-of-state motor vehicle operator's license was issued. (3) No person may cause or permit the operation of a motor vehicle by a person under sixteen years of age.

(c) Youth instruction permit. (1) A person who is sixteen or seventeen years of age and who has not had a motor vehicle operator's license or right to operate a motor vehicle in this state suspended or revoked may apply to the commissioner for a youth instruction permit. The commissioner may issue a youth instruction permit to an applicant after the applicant has (A) passed a test as to knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the road, (B) paid the fee required by subsection (v) of section 14-49, (C) passed a vision screening conducted by the Department of Motor Vehicles or submitted to the commissioner the results of a vision examination conducted by a licensed medical professional, as defined in section 14-46b, that certifies that the applicant meets the vision standards established in regulations adopted pursuant to section 14-45a and (D) filed a certificate, in such form as the commissioner prescribes, requesting or consenting to the issuance of the youth instruction permit and the motor vehicle operator's license, signed by (i) one or both parents or foster parents of the applicant, as the commissioner requires, (ii) the legal guardian of the applicant, (iii) the applicant's spouse, if the spouse is eighteen years of age or older, or (iv) if the applicant has no qualified spouse and such applicant's parent or foster parent or legal guardian is deceased, incapable, domiciled outside of this state or otherwise unavailable or unable to sign or file the certificate, the applicant's stepparent, grandparent, or uncle or aunt by blood or marriage, provided such person is eighteen years of age or older. The commissioner may, for the more efficient administration of the commissioner's duties, appoint any drivers' school licensed in accordance with the provisions of section 14-69 or any secondary school providing instruction in motor vehicle operation and highway safety in accordance with section 14-36e to issue a youth instruction permit, subject to such standards and requirements as the commissioner may prescribe in regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. Each youth instruction permit shall expire two years from the date of issuance or on the date the holder of the permit is issued a motor vehicle operator's license, whichever is earlier. Any holder of a youth instruction permit who attains eighteen years of age may retain such permit until the expiration of such permit. (2) The youth instruction permit shall entitle the holder, while such holder has the permit in his or her immediate possession, to operate a motor vehicle on the public highways, provided such holder is under the instruction of, and accompanied by, a person who holds an instructor's license issued under the provisions of section 14-73 or a person twenty years of age or older who has been licensed to operate, for at least four years preceding the instruction, a motor vehicle of the same class as the motor vehicle being operated and who has not had his or her motor vehicle operator's license suspended by the commissioner during the four-year period preceding the instruction. (3) Unless the holder of the permit is under the instruction of and accompanied by a person who holds an instructor's license issued under the provisions of section 14-73, no passenger in addition to the person providing instruction shall be transported unless such passenger is a parent or legal guardian of the holder of the permit. (4) The holder of a youth instruction permit who (A) is an active member of a certified ambulance service, as defined in section 19a-175, (B) has commenced an emergency vehicle operator's course that conforms to the national standard curriculum developed by the United States Department of Transportation, and (C) has had state and national criminal history records checks conducted by the certified ambulance service or by the municipality in which such ambulance service is provided, shall be exempt from the provisions of subdivisions (2) and (3) of this subsection only when such holder is driving to or from the location of the ambulance for purposes of responding to an emergency call. (5) The commissioner may revoke any youth instruction permit used in violation of the limitations imposed by subdivision (2) or (3) of this subsection.

(d) Operator's license requirements for persons sixteen or seventeen years of age. Administration of knowledge test. (1) No motor vehicle operator's license shall be issued to any applicant who is sixteen or seventeen years of age unless the applicant has held a youth instruction permit and has satisfied the requirements specified in this subsection. The applicant shall (A) submit to the commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner shall direct, a certificate of the successful completion (i) in a public secondary school, a technical education and career school or a private secondary school of a full course of study in motor vehicle operation prepared as provided in section 14-36e, (ii) of training of similar nature provided by a licensed drivers' school approved by the commissioner, or (iii) of home training in accordance with subdivision (2) of this subsection, including, in each case, or by a combination of such types of training, successful completion of: Not less than forty clock hours of behind-the-wheel, on-the-road instruction for applicants to whom a youth instruction permit is issued on or after August 1, 2008; (B) submit to the commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner shall direct, a certificate of the successful completion of a course of not less than eight hours relative to safe driving practices, including a minimum of four hours on the nature and the medical, biological and physiological effects of alcohol and drugs, including cannabis, as defined in section 21a-420, 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, the penalties for alcohol and drug-related motor vehicle violations and a video presentation specific to the impact of cannabis on the operator of a motor vehicle and how the ingestion of cannabis can cause impairment of motor function, reaction time, perception and peripheral vision; and (C) pass an examination which may include a comprehensive test as to knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the road in addition to the test required under subsection (c) of this section and shall include an on-the-road skills test as prescribed by the commissioner. At the time of application and examination for a motor vehicle operator's license, an applicant sixteen or seventeen years of age shall have held a youth instruction permit for not less than one hundred eighty days, except that an applicant who presents a certificate under subparagraph (A)(i) or subparagraph (A)(ii) of this subdivision shall have held a youth instruction permit for not less than one hundred twenty days and an applicant who is undergoing training and instruction by the driver training unit for persons with disabilities in accordance with the provisions of section 14-11b shall have held such permit for the period of time required by said unit. The commissioner shall approve the content of the safe driving instruction at drivers' schools, high schools and other secondary schools. Subject to such standards and requirements as the commissioner may impose, the commissioner may authorize any drivers' school, licensed in good standing in accordance with the provisions of section 14-69, or secondary school driver education program authorized pursuant to the provisions of section 14-36e, to administer the comprehensive test as to knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the road, required pursuant to subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, as part of the safe driving practices course required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, and to certify to the commissioner, under oath, the results of each such test administered. Such hours of instruction required by this subdivision shall be included as part of or in addition to any existing instruction programs. Any fee charged for the course required under subparagraph (B) of this subdivision shall not exceed one hundred fifty dollars. Any applicant sixteen or seventeen years of age who, while a resident of another state, completed the course required in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, but did not complete the safe driving course required in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, shall complete the safe driving course. The commissioner may waive any requirement in this subdivision, except for that in subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, in the case of an applicant sixteen or seventeen years of age who holds a valid motor vehicle operator's license issued by any other state, provided the commissioner is satisfied that the applicant has received training and instruction of a similar nature.

(2) The commissioner may accept as evidence of sufficient training under subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of this subsection home training as evidenced by a written statement submitted to the commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner directs. Such statement shall be signed by the spouse of a married minor applicant, or by a parent, grandparent, foster parent or legal guardian of an applicant, and state that the applicant has obtained a youth instruction permit and has successfully completed a driving course taught by the person signing the statement, that the signer has had an operator's license for at least four years preceding the date of the statement, and that the signer has not had such license suspended by the commissioner for at least four years preceding the date of the statement. If the applicant has no spouse, parent, grandparent, foster parent or guardian so qualified and available to give the instruction, such statement may be signed by the applicant's stepparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt, by blood or marriage, provided the person signing the statement is qualified.

(3) The knowledge test for a class D motor vehicle operator's license required under this section shall be administered (A) in electronic and audio format and any other format the commissioner deems appropriate, and (B) at the option of the applicant, in English, Spanish or any language spoken at home by at least one per cent of the state's population, according to statistics prepared by the United States Census Bureau, based on the most recent decennial census. The knowledge test shall also be administered in a written or electronic format in at least twenty-six other languages that the commissioner, in consultation with representatives of organizations that advocate on behalf of or assist immigrants, refugees or other persons who are English language learners, determines are responsive to the linguistic needs of the emerging immigrant and refugee populations in the state. Each knowledge test offered in such other languages shall be reviewed by a person who is fluent in the language of such knowledge test and may also be administered in an audio format as the commissioner deems appropriate. The commissioner shall require any applicant under this section to have sufficient understanding of English for the interpretation of traffic control signs.

(4) The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the purposes of this subsection concerning the requirements for behind-the-wheel, on-the-road instruction, the content of safe driving instruction at drivers' schools, high schools and other secondary schools, and the administration and certification of required testing.

(e) Requirements for issuance of operator's license. (1) No motor vehicle operator's license shall be issued until (A) the applicant signs and submits to the commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner directs, an application under oath, or made subject to penalties for false statement in accordance with section 53a-157b, and (B) the commissioner is satisfied that the applicant is sixteen years of age or older and is a suitable person to receive the license.

(2) Except any applicant described in section 14-36m, an applicant for a new motor vehicle operator's license shall submit with the application a copy of such applicant's birth certificate or other prima facie evidence, as determined by the commissioner, of date of birth and evidence of identity.

(3) Before granting a license to any applicant who has not previously held a Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license, or whose Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license expired more than two years prior to the application date, the commissioner shall require the applicant to demonstrate personally to the commissioner, a deputy, a motor vehicle inspector or an agent of the commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner directs, that the applicant is a proper person to operate motor vehicles of the class for which such applicant has applied, has sufficient knowledge of the mechanism of the motor vehicles to ensure their safe operation by him or her and has satisfactory knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the road. The knowledge test of an applicant for a class D motor vehicle operator's license shall include a question concerning highway work zone safety and the responsibilities of an operator of a motor vehicle under section 14-212d. Each such knowledge test shall include not less than one question concerning distracted driving, the use of mobile telephones and electronic devices by motor vehicle operators or the responsibilities of motor vehicle operators under section 14-296aa. If any such applicant has held a license from a state, territory or possession of the United States where a similar examination is required, the commissioner may waive part or all of the examination. If any such applicant is (A) a veteran who applies not later than two years after the date of discharge from the military and who, prior to such discharge, held a military operator's license for motor vehicles of the same class as that for which such applicant has applied, or (B) a member of the armed forces or the National Guard who currently holds a military operator's license for motor vehicles of the same class as that for which such applicant has applied, the commissioner shall waive all of the examination, except in the case of a commercial motor vehicle license, the commissioner shall waive the driving skills test for such applicant and may, in such commissioner's discretion, waive the knowledge test for such application, provided such applicant meets the conditions set forth in 49 CFR 383.77, as amended from time to time. For the purposes of this subsection, “veteran” and “armed forces” have the same meanings as provided in section 27-103. When the commissioner is satisfied as to the ability and competency of any applicant, the commissioner may issue to such applicant a license, either unlimited or containing such limitations as the commissioner deems advisable, and specifying the class of motor vehicles which the licensee is eligible to operate.

(4) If any applicant or operator license holder has any health problem which might affect such person's ability to operate a motor vehicle safely, the commissioner may require the applicant or license holder to demonstrate personally or otherwise establish that, notwithstanding such problem, such applicant or license holder is a proper person to operate a motor vehicle, and the commissioner may further require a certificate of such applicant's condition, signed by a medical authority designated by the commissioner, which certificate shall in all cases be treated as confidential by the commissioner. A license, containing such limitation as the commissioner deems advisable, may be issued or renewed in any case, but nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the commissioner from refusing a license, either limited or unlimited, to any person or suspending a license of a person whom the commissioner determines to be incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle. Consistent with budgetary allotments, each motor vehicle operator's license issued to or renewed by a person who is deaf or hard of hearing shall, upon the request of such person, indicate such impairment. Such person shall submit a certificate stating such impairment, in such form as the commissioner may require and signed by a licensed health care practitioner.

(5) The issuance of a motor vehicle operator's license to any applicant who is the holder of a license issued by another state shall be subject to the provisions of section 14-111k.

(f) Limited license. No person issued a limited license shall operate (1) a motor vehicle in violation of the limitations imposed by such license, or (2) any motor vehicle other than the motor vehicle for which such person's right to operate is limited.

(g) Ignition interlock device. The commissioner may place a restriction on the motor vehicle operator's license of any person or on any special operator's permit issued to any person in accordance with the provisions of section 14-37a that restricts the holder of such license or permit to the operation of a motor vehicle that is equipped with an approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, for such time as the commissioner shall prescribe, if such person has: (1) Been convicted for a first or second time of a violation of subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227a, and has served not less than forty-five days of the prescribed period of suspension for such conviction, in accordance with the provisions of subsections (g) and (i) of section 14-227a; (2) been ordered by the Superior Court not to operate any motor vehicle unless it is equipped with an approved ignition interlock device, in accordance with the provisions of section 14-227j; (3) been granted a reversal or reduction of such person's license suspension or revocation, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (i) of section 14-111; (4) been issued a motor vehicle operator's license upon the surrender of an operator's license issued by another state and such previously held license contains a restriction to the operation of a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device; (5) been convicted of a violation of section 53a-56b or 53a-60d; (6) been permitted by the commissioner to be issued or to retain an operator's license subject to reporting requirements concerning such person's physical condition, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (e) of this section and sections 14-45a to 14-46g, inclusive; (7) had such person's operator's license suspended under subsection (i) of section 14-227b and has served not less than forty-five days of the prescribed period of such suspension; (8) been convicted for a first or second time of a violation of subsection (a) of section 14-227m and has served not less than forty-five days of the prescribed period of suspension for such conviction, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of section 14-227m and subsection (i) of section 14-227a; or (9) been convicted of a violation of subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n and has served not less than forty-five days of the prescribed period of suspension for such conviction, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of section 14-227n and subsection (i) of section 14-227a.

(h) Driving history record check. Before issuing a motor vehicle operator's license in accordance with this section or section 14-44c, the commissioner shall request information from the National Driver Registry and the Commercial Driver License Information System, in accordance with the provisions of 49 CFR section 383.73. Each driving history record shall contain a notation of the date on which such inquiry was made.

(i) Penalties. (1) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall, for a first offense, be deemed to have committed an infraction and be fined not less than seventy-five dollars or more than ninety dollars and, for any subsequent offense, shall be fined not less than two hundred fifty dollars or more than three hundred fifty dollars or be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

(2) In addition to the penalty prescribed under subdivision (1) of this subsection, any person who violates any provision of this section who (A) has, prior to the commission of the present violation, committed a violation of this section or subsection (a) of section 14-215, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or sentenced to perform not more than one hundred hours of community service, or (B) has, prior to the commission of the present violation, committed two or more violations of this section or subsection (a) of section 14-215, or any combination thereof, shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of one year, and, in the absence of any mitigating circumstances as determined by the court, ninety days of the sentence imposed may not be suspended or reduced in any manner.

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

(1949 Rev., S. 2377; 1949, S. 1295d; 1953, S. 1296d; 1957, P.A. 117; 411; 437, S. 2; 599, S. 3; September, 1957, P.A. 23, S. 1; 1959, P.A. 309, S. 1; 1961, P.A. 481, S. 1; 1963, P.A. 150; 550, S. 2; February, 1965, P.A. 361, S. 3; 1967, P.A. 458, S. 3; 614, S. 1; 807, S. 3; 832, S. 4; 1969, P.A. 55, S. 1; 445, S. 1; 807, S. 1, 2; 1972, P.A. 127, S. 13; P.A. 73-507; 73-605, S. 1; P.A. 74-33; 74-36, S. 1; P.A. 76-263, S. 3, 9; P.A. 77-256, S. 1, 4; P.A. 79-7; P.A. 81-172, S. 17; P.A. 82-223, S. 9; P.A. 83-452; 83-491; 83-577, S. 15; P.A. 84-429, S. 15; 84-546, S. 40, 173; P.A. 86-90, S. 1; P.A. 89-242, S. 1, 7; P.A. 90-265, S. 1, 8; P.A. 91-13, S. 1, 3; P.A. 93-341, S. 9; P.A. 95-181, S. 2; P.A. 96-244, S. 35, 63; 96-248, S. 1, 4; P.A. 97-1, S. 1, 4; 97-236, S. 24, 27; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-8, S. 73, 88; P.A. 02-70, S. 52, 66; P.A. 03-171, S. 1; 03-265, S. 20; P.A. 04-217, S. 2; 04-257, S. 22; P.A. 05-54, S. 1; 05-215, S. 3; 05-218, S. 20; P.A. 06-130, S. 2; 06-196, S. 281; P.A. 07-167, S. 20, 22; P.A. 08-32, S. 2, 3; 08-150, S. 57; P.A. 09-187, S. 2, 51; P.A. 11-48, S. 53; 11-51, S. 218; 11-213, S. 12, 13, 58; P.A. 12-81, S. 37; 12-116, S. 87; P.A. 13-89, S. 2; 13-92, S. 3; 13-271, S. 50, 56; 13-277, S. 22; P.A. 14-122, S. 20; 14-130, S. 4; 14-131, S. 2, 3; 14-228, S. 1; P.A. 16-126, S. 7; P.A. 17-79, S. 2; 17-202, S. 43; 17-237, S. 93; P.A. 21-28, S. 8; 21-79, S. 22; 21-106, S. 9; P.A. 23-40, S. 27; 23-47, S. 5; 23-116, S. 6.)

History: 1959 act added to Subsec. (a) provision for waiver of certificate requirement for persons eighteen to twenty-one in hardship cases; 1961 act added provisions re home training certificates to Subsec. (a); 1963 acts added provisions for 60-day operation under out-of-state license and for request by spouse of minor applicant for issuance of license to such applicant and for signing of home training certificate by such spouse to Subsec. (a); 1965 act added references to schools in driver training course provisions in Subsec. (a); 1967 acts clarified provisions by referring to licenses for operation of different classes of vehicles, deleted references to certificates of behind-the-wheel training from secondary or vocational schools, added provision re filing birth certificate copy with application for license and added Subsec. (e) re definition of motor vehicle; 1969 acts required instructor accompanying learning driver to be at least twenty-one and to have held license for at least 2 years, allowed certificate of request, consent or instruction to be signed by stepparent, uncle or aunt under certain conditions, added provision re written examination in English or Spanish and allowed waiver of part or all of licensure examination for persons holding license from territory or possession of U.S.; 1972 act amended provisions to reflect change in age of majority from 21 to 18; P.A. 73-507 specified that behind-the-wheel instruction by drivers' training school be “given on the roads and highways of this state”; P.A. 73-605 allowed brother or sister to sign instruction certificate and added requirement that brother, sister, stepparent, uncle or aunt sign certificate when spouse, parent or guardian is not available to give instruction; P.A. 74-33 added special provision for waiver of examination when applicant recently serving in armed forces and holding military license for class of vehicles he is applying for license to drive; P.A. 74-36 allowed foster parents to sign certificates of request, consent or instruction; P.A. 76-263 made provisions of Subsec. (b) generally applicable to applicants who have not held Connecticut license during the preceding 4, rather than 2, years; P.A. 77-256 repealed change in applicability provision of Subsec. (b) enacted in 1976 act; P.A. 79-7 substituted “on the road” instruction for instruction “given on the roads and highways of this state” and allowed grandparents to sign instruction certificate; P.A. 81-172 required an operator's license for driving on a private road with established speed limit; P.A. 82-223 amended Subsec. (d) by specifying that the commission of a first offense constituted an infraction and establishing a minimum fine therefor of $25; P.A. 83-452 amended Subsec. (a), eliminating the 30-day limitation on the right of a student driver to operate a motor vehicle while under instruction; P.A. 83-491 amended Subsec. (b), providing that a license issued to or renewed by a deaf or hearing impaired person on or after October 1, 1983, shall indicate such impairment upon that person's request; P.A. 83-577 amended Subsec. (d) by increasing the minimum fine for a first offense from $25 to $35; P.A. 84-429 relettered Subsecs., rephrased provisions, transferred provision re license recall in Subsec. (d) to Sec. 14-38(a), a provision re classifications in Subsec. (f) to Sec. 14-36a(c) and made other technical changes; P.A. 84-546 made technical change, overridden in part by P.A. 84-429; P.A. 86-90 amended Subsec. (d)(2) to require signer of home training certificate to hold operator's license for a minimum of 4 years, to eliminate reference to age of such signer and to provide that such certificate be on file for 30 days before applicant may take examination; P.A. 89-242 amended Subsec. (d)(2) to require applicants between 16 and 18 years old to present proof of successful completion of a course relative to safe driving and alcohol and drug education and to authorize the motor vehicle commissioner to adopt regulations concerning the content of safe driving instruction at drivers' schools; P.A. 90-265 amended Subsec. (e) to replace reference to applicant who “suffers from any physical defect or from any disease” with reference to applicant or operator license holder who has any health problem, and to authorize commissioner to suspend license of person determined to be incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle; P.A. 91-13 amended Subsec. (e) to require each part of license examination to be conducted on same day at same location; P.A. 93-341 amended Subsec. (b)(2) to reduce from 60 to 30 the number of days during which a person holding a valid out-of-state motor vehicle operator's license could operate a motor vehicle following establishment of residence in Connecticut, if the motor vehicle was of the same class as that for which his out-of-state motor vehicle operator's license was issued; P.A. 95-181 amended Subsec. (g) by increasing the minimum fine for a first offense from $35 to $75 and the maximum fine from $50 to $90, adding a minimum fine of $250 for any subsequent offense and increasing the maximum fine from $100 to $350 for any such offense; P.A. 96-244 amended Subsec. (d) to transfer authority for the content of safe driving instruction at high schools and other secondary schools from the Commissioner of Education to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, effective July 1, 1996; P.A. 96-248 amended Subsec. (b) to eliminate provisions authorizing person 16 years of age or older to operate a motor vehicle without license and requiring instructor to have full control of motor vehicle and to authorize issuance of a learner's permit on or after January 1, 1997, to persons 16 or 17 years of age, amended Subsec. (c) to require applicant for a new motor vehicle operator's license to file evidence of identity with application, amended Subsec. (d) to increase number of hours of behind-the-wheel, on-the-road instruction from six to eight, to substitute “on-the-road skills test” for “examination”, to increase length of time within which home training certificate shall be on file with commissioner from 30 to 90 days and to insert references to “obtained a learner's permit” where applicable and amended Subsec. (e) to eliminate requirement that each part of operator's license examination be conducted on same day at same location, effective January 1, 1997; P.A. 97-1 restated the provisions of Subsecs. (b) to (e), inclusive, amended Subsec. (b) to restore language allowing persons 18 years of age or older to operate motor vehicles without an operator's license if they meet two requirements, transferred provisions re learner's permit from Subsec. (b) to (c), amended Subsec. (d) for consistency with provisions requiring a learner's permit and to eliminate home training certificates, amended Subsec. (g) to eliminate reference to Subsec. “(a), (b), (c), (d) or (f)” and added new Subsec. (i), authorizing commissioner to adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this section, effective January 30, 1997; P.A. 97-236 amended Subsec. (c)(2) to restate provision re operation on a multiple-lane limited access highway and added exception thereto for permit holders under the instruction of a person who holds an instructor's license, effective June 24, 1997; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-8 amended Subsec. (c)(2) to add exemption and qualifications for ambulance service members, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (d)(1) to increase the fee that may be charged for course on safe driving practices from $25 to $40, effective July 1, 2002, and added Subsec. (e)(5) providing that issuance of a motor vehicle operator's license to an applicant who holds a license from another state shall be subject to provisions of Secs. 14-111c and 14-111k, effective January 1, 2003; P.A. 03-171 amended Subsec. (c) by deleting restrictions on holder of learner's permit to operate motor vehicle on multiple-lane limited access highways, amended Subsec. (d) to increase from five to eight the number of hours of safe driving instruction a 16 or 17-year-old applicant must complete before being issued motor vehicle operator's license, to increase from two to four the number of hours of instruction re the effects of alcohol and drugs on the operation of a motor vehicle that must be included as part of the eight hours of safe driving instruction, to change $40 fee for safe driving instruction to fee prescribed by commissioner by regulation, and to permit 16 or 17-year-old applicant who, while resident of another state, completed all but alcohol and drug portion of safe driving instruction to complete that portion at a fee prescribed by the commissioner by regulation, deleted former Subsec. (h) re definition and redesignated existing Subsec. (i) as Subsec. (h), making technical changes therein, and made technical changes in Subsecs. (a), (b), (c), (e) and (f), effective October 1, 2003, but not applicable to persons 16 or 17 years of age who applied for a learner's permit on or before that date; P.A. 03-265 amended Subsec. (d)(1) by making identical changes to those made by P.A. 03-171 and adding requirement that signer of statement evidencing home training not have had license suspended by commissioner for at least 4 years preceding date of statement, effective July 9, 2003; P.A. 04-217 added new Subsec. (g) requiring information request from National Driver Registry and Commercial Driver License Information System prior to issuance of motor vehicle operator's license, and redesignated existing Subsecs. (g) and (h) as new Subsecs. (h) and (i), effective January 1, 2005; P.A. 04-257 made technical changes in Subsec. (g), effective June 14, 2004; P.A. 05-54 amended Subsec. (d)(1) by adding Subpara. (A)(iii) re home training in accordance with Subdiv. (2) “or by a combination of such types of training”, changing “eight” to “twenty” re clock hours of instruction and making technical changes; P.A. 05-215 amended Subsec. (h) to designate existing provisions as Subdiv. (1) and add Subdiv. (2) re additional penalties for persons who have one or more prior violations of this section or Sec. 14-215(a); P.A. 05-218 amended Subsec. (e)(1)(A) to delete provisions re renewals need not be under oath and re application to state such information as commissioner requires and add provision re application made subject to penalties for false statement in accordance with Sec. 53a-157b; P.A. 06-130 amended Subsec. (d)(1)(C) to limit the 120-day learner's permit period to only those applicants who produce a certificate from a secondary or vocational school program or from a licensed drivers' school approved by the commissioner, effective June 2, 2006; P.A. 06-196 made a technical change in Subsec. (d)(2), effective June 7, 2006; P.A. 07-167 amended Subsec. (c) by adding new Subdivs. (3) and (4) re limitations on transportation of passengers by learner's permit holder, redesignating existing provisions of Subdiv. (2) re exemption as Subdiv. (5), redesignating existing Subdiv. (3) as Subdiv. (6) and making conforming changes, and amended Subsec. (h)(2)(B) by changing penalty from term of imprisonment of 90 days which may not be suspended or reduced to term of imprisonment of one year, 90 days of which may not be suspended or reduced; P.A. 08-32 amended Subsec. (c) to eliminate separate three and six-month passenger restrictions by revising provisions in Subdiv. (3) and deleting former Subdiv. (4), to renumber existing Subdivs. (5) and (6) as new Subdivs. (4) and (5) and to make conforming changes, and amended Subsec. (d) in Subdiv. (1) to increase clock hours of behind-the-wheel, on-the-road instruction for persons issued a learner's permit on or after August 1, 2008, from not less than 20 to not less than 40, to make test re motor vehicle laws and road rules permissive and to clarify that such test is in addition to test required under Subsec. (c) and, in Subdiv. (4), to authorize adoption of regulations to implement requirements for behind-the-wheel, on-the-road instruction, effective August 1, 2008; P.A. 08-150 added new Subsec. (g) re ignition interlock device (Revisor's note: In 2009, existing Subsecs. (g), (h) and (i) were redesignated editorially by the Revisors as Subsecs. (h), (i) and (j), respectively, to conform section with the addition of new Subsec. (g) by P.A. 08-150; P.A. 09-187 amended Subsec. (c)(1)(D) to include grandparent, effective July 8, 2009 and amended Subsec. (d)(1) to make a technical change, make second test of laws concerning motor vehicles and rules of the road mandatory, add provision re authorization for driver's school or secondary school driver education program to administer second test and replace former provisions re fee amount prescribed by regulation with provision establishing maximum course fees, and amended Subsec. (d)(4) to make a technical change and insert “and the administration and certification of required testing”, effective October 1, 2009; P.A. 11-48 amended Subsec. (g)(1) to make provisions applicable to person convicted for a “first” time violation of Sec. 14-227a(a)(2) and reduce minimum suspension period that must be served from “one year” to “forty-five days”, effective January 1, 2012; P.A. 11-51 made identical changes as P.A. 11-48, effective January 1, 2012; P.A. 11-213 amended Subsec. (d)(1)(C) to make inclusion of comprehensive test permissive, rather than mandatory, and amended Subsec. (e) to authorize administration of class D knowledge test in various forms and require administration in other languages, effective July 13, 2011, and amended Subsec. (g)(3) to replace reference to Sec. 14-111(k) with reference to Sec. 14-111(i), effective October 1, 2011; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (b)(1) to rephrase provisions, add provision requiring person to apply for and obtain an adult instruction permit to operate motor vehicle on public highways for purpose of instruction, make person ineligible for permit if such person has had a motor vehicle operator's license suspended or revoked, replacing prior disqualifier of having a “Connecticut” motor vehicle operator's license suspended or revoked, and provide that adult instruction permit entitles holder, while holder has permit in his or her possession, to operate motor vehicle on public highways provided holder is being instructed and accompanied by person meeting specified conditions, amended Subsec. (c) to replace “learner's permit” with “youth instruction permit”, provide such permit expires on the earliest of the permit holder being issued an operator's license, the permit holder attaining age 18 or “two years from the date of issuance” and delete an obsolete date and amended Subsec. (d) to replace “learner's permit” with “youth instruction permit” and delete provision re minimum hours of instruction for applicants to whom learner's permit is issued before August 1, 2008, effective January 1, 2013; pursuant to P.A. 12-116, “vocational school” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “technical high school” in Subsec. (d)(1)(A)(i), effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 13-89 amended Subsec. (e)(2) to exclude applicants described in Sec. 14-36m, effective January 1, 2015; P.A. 13-92 amended Subsec. (e)(3) to add provision requiring each knowledge test to include a question concerning highway work zone safety; P.A. 13-271 amended Subsec. (b)(1) to make ineligible for adult instruction permit any person who has had motor vehicle operator's privilege suspended or revoked and to prohibit issuance of motor vehicle operator's license to person holding adult instruction permit who has held permit for less than 90 days unless person is member of armed forces on active duty outside the state or previously held Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license, effective July 11, 2013, and amended Subsec. (d)(1) to delete provision establishing maximum fee of $125 for safe driving practices course or $150 for such course if comprehensive knowledge test is also administered and to establish maximum fee of $150 for any safe driving practices course, effective October 1, 2013; P.A. 13-277 amended Subsec. (e)(3) to add provision requiring inclusion of not less than one question on knowledge test re distracted driving or use of mobile telephones and electronic devices; P.A. 14-122 amended Subsec. (d)(1) to replace “handicapped driver training unit” with “driver training unit for persons with disabilities”; P.A. 14-130 amended Subsec. (b)(1)(B) by deleting reference to Connecticut re person having previously held an operator's license, effective June 6, 2014; P.A. 14-131 amended Subsec. (e)(3) to delete provision re waiver of examination for person honorably separated from armed forces, to add provision re waiver of examination or driving skills test for certain veterans and members of the armed forces or National Guard and to add definitions of “veteran” and “armed forces”; P.A. 14-228 amended Subsec. (g) to add Subdiv. (7) re person whose operator's license was suspended under Sec. 14-227b(i) and has served not less than 45 days of suspension and to make technical changes, effective July 1, 2015; (Revisor's note: In 2015, the provisions added by P.A. 13-92, S. 3, and P.A. 13-277, S. 22, were incorporated editorially by the Revisors in the version of Subsec. (e), as amended by P.A. 13-89, S. 2, that became effective on January 1, 2015); P.A. 16-126 amended Subsec. (g) by adding Subdiv. (8) re violation of Sec. 14-227m(a) and by adding Subdiv. (9) re violation of Sec. 14-227n(a)(1) or (2); P.A. 17-79 amended Subsec. (c)(1) by deleting provision re expiration of youth instruction permit on date the holder attains age 18, adding provision re holder who attains age 18 may retain such permit until expiration, and making technical changes, effective June 27, 2017; P.A. 17-202 amended Subsec. (e)(4) by replacing “deaf or hearing impaired person” with “person who is deaf or hard of hearing”; P.A. 17-237 amended Subsec. (d)(1)(A)(i) by replacing “state technical high school” with “technical education and career school”, effective July 1, 2017; P.A. 21-28 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing reference to Sec. 14-218a(a) with reference to Sec. 14-218a and adding reference to Sec. 14-307a; P.A. 21-79 amended Subsec. (e)(3) by redefining “veteran” and making technical changes; P.A. 21-106 amended Subsec. (b) to add provision re vision screening or vision examination in Subdiv. (1) and replace 30 days with 60 days in Subdiv. (2), amended Subsec. (c) to designate existing provision re knowledge test and fee as new Subparas. (A) and (B), add new Subpara. (C) re vision screening or vision examination, designate existing provision re certificate as new Subpara. (D) and redesignate existing Subparas. (A) to (D) as clauses (i) to (iv), amended Subsec. (e) to add “, as determined by the commissioner,” in Subdiv. (2), and replace “who has not operated a motor vehicle during the preceding two years” with “whose Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license expired more than two years prior to the application date” and add provision re commissioner discretion to waive knowledge test in case of commercial motor vehicle license for certain veterans and members of the armed forces or National Guard in Subdiv. (3), and made technical and conforming changes in Subsecs. (c) to (e), effective July 1, 2021; P.A. 23-47 amended Subsec. (i)(2)(B) by adding language re absence of mitigating circumstances and making a technical change; P.A. 23-40 amended Subsec. (d)(1)(B) to add instruction on cannabis and video presentation on impact of cannabis to safe driving practices course, moved provision re administration of knowledge test from Subsec. (e)(3) to Subsec. (d)(3) and amended same to add provision re administration of knowledge test in languages responsive to needs of immigrants, refugees or other persons who are English language learners, amended Subsec. (e)(5) to delete reference to Sec. 14-111c and made technical and conforming changes; P.A. 23-116 amended Subsec. (e)(5) to delete reference to Sec. 14-111c, effective July 1, 2023.

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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 (1) permit any local or regional board of education or private secondary school to contract with a licensed drivers' school approved by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for the behind-the-wheel instruction of such driver education program and instruction therein may be given by such school's driving instructors who are licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles, (2) require that the classroom instruction of any such driver education program include (A) a discussion concerning highway work zone safety and the responsibilities of an operator of a motor vehicle under section 14-212d, and (B) a discussion concerning ways to reduce incidents of operators driving in the wrong direction and actions to take when an operator encounters a motor vehicle being operated in the wrong direction, and (3) except for instruction offered pursuant to section 14-36j, permit a class or classroom instruction to be offered in person in a congregate setting, through distance learning or through a combination of both in-person and distance learning, provided such distance learning has interactive components such as mandatory interactions, participation or testing.

(1967, P.A. 765, S. 3; 1971, P.A. 456, S. 4; P.A. 77-614, S. 302, 587, 610; P.A. 78-218, S. 25; 78-303, S. 85, 136; P.A. 92-262, S. 5, 42; P.A. 13-92, S. 4; P.A. 21-106, S. 12; P.A. 23-51, S. 2.)

History: 1971 act added provision requiring that regulations allow contract with licensed drivers' school for provision of behind-the-wheel instruction; P.A. 77-614 and P.A. 78-303 substituted commissioner of education for secretary of the state board of education, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-218 deleted provision concerning appointment of full-time consultant in driver education; P.A. 92-262 transferred authority for the regulations from the department of education to the department of motor vehicles; Sec. 10-24d transferred to Sec. 14-36f in 1993; (Revisor's note: In 1997 references throughout the general statutes to “Motor Vehicle(s) Commissioner” and “Motor Vehicle(s) Department” were replaced editorially by the Revisors with “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles” or “Department of Motor Vehicles”, as the case may be, for consistency with customary statutory usage); P.A. 13-92 inserted Subdiv. (1) designator and added Subdiv. (2) re regulations requiring classroom instruction of highway work zone safety; P.A. 21-106 added Subdiv. (3) re offering of instruction in person, through distance learning or combination of in-person and distance learning, and made a technical change, effective June 30, 2021; P.A. 23-51 amended Subdiv. (2) by designating existing provision as Subpara. (A) and adding Subpara. (B) re classroom instruction concerning driving in the wrong direction.

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Sec. 14-41. Expiration and renewal of operators' licenses and identity cards. Fees. Notice. Video presentation. (a) An original operator's license shall expire within a period not exceeding seven years following the date of the operator's next birthday. The fee for such license shall be eighty-four dollars. Upon renewal of a license, the commissioner may issue a license for a period to be determined by the commissioner, provided such period does not exceed eight years. The fee for the renewal of a license that expires eight years from the date of issuance shall be ninety-six dollars. The commissioner shall charge a prorated amount of such fee for a license that expires less than eight years from the date of issuance.

(b) The commissioner may authorize a contractor, including, but not limited to, an automobile club or association licensed in accordance with the provisions of section 14-67 on or before July 1, 2007, or any municipality, to issue duplicate licenses and identity cards pursuant to section 14-50a, renew licenses, renew identity cards issued pursuant to section 1-1h and conduct registration transactions. The commissioner may authorize such contractors and municipalities to charge a convenience fee, which shall not exceed eight dollars, to each applicant for a license or identity card renewal or duplication, or for a registration transaction.

(c) Any previously licensed operator who fails to renew a motor vehicle operator's license in accordance with subsection (a) of this section shall be charged a late fee of twenty-five dollars upon renewal of such operator's license.

(d) The commissioner may, at least fifteen days before the date on which each motor vehicle operator's license or identity card expires, notify the holder of such license or identity card of the expiration date, in a manner determined by the commissioner. The commissioner shall not provide such notification by mail to any such licensee or identity card holder if the United States Postal Service has determined that mail is undeliverable to the address for such person that is documented in the records of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Any previously licensed operator who operates a motor vehicle within sixty days after the expiration date of the operator's license without obtaining a renewal of the license shall be fined in accordance with the amount designated for the infraction of failure to renew a motor vehicle operator's license. Any operator so charged shall not be prosecuted under section 14-36 for the same act constituting a violation under this section but section 14-36 shall apply after the sixty-day period.

(e) On and after January 1, 2013, the commissioner may extend the expiration date of an operator's license or identity card for a period of six months when such licensee or identity card holder presents documentation satisfactory to the commissioner that such person was out of the state during the renewal period for such license or identity card, or when the commissioner requires additional time to determine whether such person qualifies for a renewal. The fee for such extension shall be the same as that for a duplicate license under section 14-50a and no part of such fee shall be subject to refund. The commissioner shall not grant more than one extension to any such person pursuant to this subsection.

(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1-3a, if the expiration date of any motor vehicle operator's license or any public passenger endorsement falls on any day when the offices of the commissioner are closed for business or are open for less than a full business day, the license or permit shall be deemed valid until midnight of the next day on which the offices of the commissioner are open for a full day of business.

(g) The commissioner shall develop, and thereafter revise as needed, a video presentation concerning current state laws that impact motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists and ways to practice safe driving behaviors and reduce transportation-related fatalities and severe injuries. In developing such video presentation, the commissioner may use materials and one or more video presentations developed by a governmental entity, independent contractor or any other party. Upon every other renewal of a motor vehicle operator's license, the commissioner shall require the licensee to watch such video presentation prior to issuing such license.

(1949 Rev., S. 2381; 1953, 1955, S. 1299d; 1957, P.A. 437, S. 4; February, 1965, P.A. 68; 1967, P.A. 115; 436, S. 1; 807, S. 4; 1969, P.A. 759, S. 4; 1972, P.A. 127, S. 16; P.A. 75-213, S. 9, 53; 75-577, S. 21, 126; P.A. 76-263, S. 6, 9; P.A. 77-10; 77-256, S. 3, 4; 77-348, S. 1, 2; P.A. 79-89, S. 1; P.A. 80-51; P.A. 81-172, S. 3; P.A. 83-489, S. 3, 17; P.A. 84-254, S. 29, 62; 84-429, S. 21; P.A. 85-413, S. 4, 8; P.A. 87-329, S. 5; P.A. 90-263, S. 8, 74; 90-265, S. 7, 8; P.A. 91-408, S. 8, 18; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-9, S. 1, 4; P.A. 93-80, S. 49, 67; 93-341, S. 12, 38; P.A. 95-223, S. 1, 2; P.A. 97-284, S. 1, 2; P.A. 99-287, S. 7, 9; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-6, S. 74, 85; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 47, 131; P.A. 03-171, S. 6; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 34; P.A. 04-4, S. 6; 04-177 S. 12; 04-199, S. 22; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-3, S. 26; P.A. 07-167, S. 32; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-1, S. 94; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-5, S. 43; P.A. 09-187, S. 10; P.A. 10-110, S. 21; 10-179, S. 25; P.A. 11-6, S. 137; 11-48, S. 27; 11-213, S. 16; P.A. 12-81, S. 4; P.A. 13-271, S. 15; P.A. 14-130, S. 7; P.A. 16-55, S. 24; P.A. 17-79, S. 5; P.A. 18-164, S. 23; P.A. 19-165, S. 2; P.A. 21-106, S. 13; P.A. 23-116, S. 5.)

History: 1965 act added proviso clause re holder reaching 21 in Subsec. (b); 1967 acts included motorcycle licenses in provisions, revised provisions re expiration of licenses in Subsec. (b), inserted new Subsec. (c) re effect of change in birth date on expiration and reissuance of license, redesignated former Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (d) and added provisions re penalty for failure to renew license within 30 days of expiration date; 1969 act revised fee provisions in Subsecs. (b) and (c), raising rate from $0.25 to $0.35 per month and placing $2 maximum on fee for 6-month period; 1972 act changed age of majority from 21 to 18; P.A. 75-213 raised fee in Subsec. (b) to $0.45 per month not to exceed $2.50 for 6-month period; P.A. 75-577 removed reference to $25 maximum fine in Subsec. (d) and added references to fines of the amount designated for infractions specified; P.A. 76-263 revised section to cover transition period for change of validity period from 2 to 4 years and institution of licenses with pictures, deleted references to provisional licenses and deleted violation in Subsec. (d) re failure to sign license before operating motor vehicle or motorcycle; P.A. 77-10 added Subsec. (e) re expiration of license on day when motor vehicle offices are closed; P.A. 77-256 raised fee in Subsec. (c) to $0.45 per month not to exceed $2.50 for 6-month period; P.A. 77-348 revised provisions re expiration so that all licenses expire on birth date rather than last day of birth month and changed reference to June 30, 1976 to June 30, 1977 in Subsec. (a); P.A. 79-89 added exception re Sec. 14-41a to Subsec. (a); P.A. 80-51 made former Subdivs. (1) to (4) in Subsec. (a) subparagraphs (A) to (D) under Subdiv. (1) re motor vehicle and motorcycle licenses, made provision re public service operator's license Subdiv. (2) and added exception re change of expiration date from April 30th to June 30th; P.A. 81-172 amended Subsec. (d) by increasing from 30 to 60 days after the expiration date the amount of time during which an operator can be charged with only an infraction; P.A. 83-489 amended Subsec. (b) to increase additional sum from $1 to $2; P.A. 84-254 amended Subsec. (b), effective July 1, 1984, to increase the fee, scheduling the increases to take effect as of July 1, 1984, 1986 and 1988; P.A. 84-429 deleted obsolete provisions, rephrased provisions and made other technical changes; P.A. 85-413 adjusted fees after July 1, 1988, and deleted obsolete fee provisions; P.A. 87-329 amended Subsec. (b) maintaining the fee at the level existing on and after July 1, 1986, and decreasing the fee effective July 1, 1992, to the level formerly existing on and after July 1, 1988; P.A. 90-263 amended Subsecs. (a) and (e) to substitute public passenger transportation permit for public service motor vehicle operator's license; P.A. 90-265 amended Subsec. (a) to require vision screening for motor vehicle operators prior to every other renewal of operator's license in accordance with specified schedule; P.A. 91-408 amended Subsec. (a) to delay the commencement of vision screening from July 1, 1991, to October 1, 1992, and to change the beginning and ending dates of the specified schedule accordingly; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-9 amended Subsec. (a) to postpone vision screening requirement from October 1, 1992, to July 1, 1993, and to require that screening be done in accordance with a schedule adopted by the commissioner, eliminating the specified schedule according to the last name of the operator; P.A. 93-80 amended Subsec. (a) to postpone vision screening requirement from July 1, 1993, to July 1, 1995, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 93-341 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting former Subdiv. (2) re expiration date for public passenger transportation permits, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 95-223 amended Subsec. (a) to postpone vision screening requirement from July 1, 1995, to July 1, 1997, effective July 1, 1995; (Revisor's note: In 1997 references throughout the general statutes to “Motor Vehicle(s) Commissioner” and “Motor Vehicle(s) Department” were replaced editorially by the Revisors with “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles” or “Department of Motor Vehicles”, as the case may be, for consistency with customary statutory usage); P.A. 97-284 amended Subsec. (a) to postpone vision screening requirement from July 1, 1997, to July 1, 1999, effective July 1, 1997; P.A. 99-287 amended Subsec. (a) by postponing the implementation of vision screening from July 1, 1999, to July 1, 2001, and allowing a vision screening conducted by a licensed health care professional to have occurred during the preceding 12 months in lieu of the preceding 3 months, effective July 1, 1999; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-6 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) to require renewal of license every 6 years, amended Subsec. (b) to increase fee from $3.50 to $5.25, amended Subsec. (c) to modify the issue period for renewal licenses from not more than 48 months to not more than 72 months and made technical changes for purposes of gender neutrality in Subsecs. (a) and (d), effective July 1, 2001; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9 amended Subsec. (a) to provide for an optional licensure period of 4 years in accordance with a schedule to be established by the commissioner and changed to July 1, 2003, the date by which the commissioner shall screen the vision of operator's at every other renewal of license, effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 03-171 amended Subsecs. (a), (d) and (e) to delete references to motorcycle operator's license, made technical changes in Subsec. (a) and amended Subsec. (d) to delete references to Sec. 14-40a; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3 amended Subsec. (a) to change commencement date of vision screening program from July 1, 2003, to July 1, 2005, effective August 20, 2003, and applicable as of July 1, 2003; P.A. 04-4 amended Subsec. (b) to delete former formula for the license fee and to establish fees for 4-year and 6-year licenses and a fee for a part-year license, deleted former Subsec. (c) re changes in records relating to birth dates and renewal of licenses thereafter and redesignated existing Subsecs. (d) and (e) as new Subsecs. (c) and (d), effective March 11, 2004; P.A. 04-177 and P.A. 04-199 both amended Subsec. (b) to increase fee for original 4-year operator's licenses from $43 to $44 and for 6-year operator's license from $65 to $66, effective July 1, 2004; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-3 amended Subsec. (a) by changing “2005” to “2007”, effective July 1, 2005; P.A. 07-167 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting provisions re vision screening and amended Subsec. (b) by adding provisions re renewals at office facilities of licensed automobile club or association, effective July 1, 2007; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-1 attempted to amend Subsec. (a) to change July 1, 2007, to July 1, 2009, effective July 1, 2007, but failed to take effect since the vision screening provisions were previously deleted from this Subsec. by P.A. 07-167; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-5 amended Subsec. (a) by restoring provisions re vision screening and postponing implementation to July 1, 2009; P.A. 09-187 amended Subsec. (a) to postpone implementation of vision screening from July 1, 2009, to July 1, 2011, effective July 1, 2009; P.A. 10-110 amended Subsec. (a) to authorize commissioner, upon every other renewal of operator's license or identity card, to issue such license or card without personal appearance of licensee or card holder if such licensee or card holder has digital image on file with commissioner and has met all other renewal requirements and amended Subsec. (b) to authorize automobile clubs and associations to perform identity card renewals and registration transactions and to charge fee of not more than $2, effective July 1, 2010; P.A. 10-179 amended Subsec. (b) to make the same changes as made to Subsec. (b) by P.A. 10-110, effective July 1, 2010; P.A. 11-6 amended Subsec. (b) to increase fee for 4-year license from $44 to $48, for 6-year license from $66 to $72 and for a year or part thereof from $11 to $12, added Subsec. (c) re $25 late renewal fee, redesignated existing Subsecs. (c) and (d) as Subsecs. (d) and (e), and deleted “shall be deemed to have failed to renew a motor vehicle operator's license and” in Subsec. (d), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-48 amended Subsec. (a) by eliminating 4 or 6-year renewal requirement, requirement for personal appearance of licensee or holder for renewal and requirement for vision screening prior to every other renewal, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-213 amended Subsec. (b) to authorize issuance of duplicate licenses and identity cards by automobile club or association and make conforming and technical changes, and amended Subsec. (c) to include identity cards, change “shall” to “may” re notification and prohibit notification by mail if mail determined to be undeliverable, effective July 13, 2011; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (a) to make provisions applicable upon every “other” renewal of a license or identity card, amended Subsec. (b) to delete provision re fee for 4-year license and make conforming changes, added new Subsec. (e) re 6-month extension of expiration date of operator's license or identity card and fee therefor and redesignated existing Subsec. (e) as Subsec. (f), effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 13-271 amended Subsec. (b) to delete provision re license fee of $12 per year or any part of a year and to increase maximum convenience fee charged by automobile club or association from $2 to $3; P.A. 14-130 amended Subsec. (f) by replacing “public passenger transportation permit” with “public passenger endorsement, as defined in section 14-1”, effective June 6, 2014; P.A. 16-55 amended Subsec. (b) by adding “a contractor, including, but not limited to,” and “or any office or department of a municipality”, increasing maximum convenience fee from $3 to $5 and making a conforming change, effective May 31, 2016; P.A. 17-79 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting “office or department of a”, replacing “its office facilities” with “the office or facilities of such contractors or municipalities” and adding provision re authorization for municipalities to charge a convenience fee, effective July 1, 2017; P.A. 18-164 amended Subsec. (b) by increasing maximum convenience fee from $5 to $8 and making a technical change, effective July 1, 2018; P.A. 19-165 deleted former Subsec. (a) re authority to issue renewal of operator's license or identity card without personal appearance of licensee or card holder, redesignated existing Subsec. (b) as Subsec. (a) and amended same to increase period of validity for original operator's license from 6 years to 7 years, increase fee from $72 to $84 and add provision re renewal and renewal fee, designated existing provision re authority of contractor or municipality to issue duplicate licenses and identity cards as new Subsec. (b), amended Subsec. (f) to delete reference to Sec. 14-1, and made conforming and technical changes, effective January 1, 2020; P.A. 21-106 amended Subsec. (b) to delete “at the office or facilities of such contractors or municipalities”, effective June 30, 2021; P.A. 23-116 added Subsec. (g) re video presentation concerning laws that impact motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists and safe driving behaviors, effective January 1, 2024.

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Sec. 14-41c. *(See end of section for amended version and effective date.) Renewal of operator's licenses and identity cards of incarcerated persons. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall consult with the Commissioner of Correction to establish a procedure to renew the operator's licenses and identity cards of persons who are incarcerated, without the appearance of such persons at the Department of Motor Vehicles, in accordance with subsection (b) of section 14-36d. Such renewal shall be initiated at the request of an incarcerated person who responds to a renewal notice for such person's operator's license or identity card. This section shall not apply to the initial issuance of an operator's license or identity card or the issuance of a license or identity card that has expired more than two years before the date of the requested renewal.

(P.A. 11-213, S. 59; P.A. 12-81, S. 20.)

*Note: On and after April 1, 2024, this section, as amended by section 2 of public act 23-88, is to read as follows:

“Sec. 14-41c. Renewal of operator's licenses and identity cards of incarcerated persons. (a) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall consult with the Commissioner of Correction to establish a procedure to renew the operator's licenses and identity cards of persons who are incarcerated, without the appearance of such persons at the Department of Motor Vehicles, in accordance with subsection (b) of section 14-36d. Such renewal shall be initiated at the request of an incarcerated person who responds to a renewal notice for such person's operator's license or identity card. This section shall not apply to the initial issuance of an operator's license or identity card or the issuance of a license or identity card that has expired more than two years before the date of the requested renewal.

(b) On or before January 1, 2025, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall examine whether any feasible modifications can be made to expand the permissible forms of identification that may be utilized for purposes of obtaining operator's licenses and identity cards for persons who are incarcerated. If the commissioner determines that feasible modifications can be made, the commissioner shall implement such feasible modifications.”

(P.A. 11-213, S. 59; P.A. 12-81, S. 20; P.A. 23-88, S. 2.)

History: P.A. 11-213 effective October 1, 2012; P.A. 12-81 replaced provision requiring Department of Motor Vehicles upon written request of incarcerated person to extend expiration date of such person's operator's license for 2 years or 30 days following incarceration release date, whichever occurs first, with provision requiring Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to consult with Commissioner of Correction to establish procedure to renew incarcerated person's operator's license or identity card upon request of such person and without such person appearing at the department and added provision making section inapplicable to initial issuance of license or card or issuance of license or card that expired more than 2 years before request; P.A. 23-88 redesignated existing provision as Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (b) re examination by Commissioner of Motor Vehicles of feasible modifications to permissible forms of identification that can be used to obtain operator's licenses and identity cards for persons who are incarcerated, effective April 1, 2024.

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Sec. 14-44. License endorsement for operators of commercial motor vehicles used for passenger transportation, school buses, student transportation vehicles, taxicabs, motor vehicles in livery service and motor or service buses. Requirements. Hearing. Appeal. Report re persons whose license or endorsement has been withdrawn, suspended or revoked. Penalty. (a)(1) No person shall operate a commercial motor vehicle used for passenger transportation on any public highway of this state until such person has obtained a commercial driver's license with a public passenger endorsement, as defined in section 14-1, from the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, except a nonresident who holds such license with such endorsement issued by another state. (2) No person shall operate a school bus until such person has obtained a commercial driver's license with a school bus endorsement, except that a person who holds such a license without such endorsements may operate a school bus without passengers for the purpose of road testing or moving the vehicle. (3) No person shall operate a student transportation vehicle, as defined in section 14-212, taxicab, motor vehicle in livery service, motor bus or service bus until such person has obtained an operator's license of the proper classification bearing an appropriate public passenger endorsement from the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, issued in accordance with the provisions of this section and section 14-36a, except that a person who holds an operator's license without such endorsement may operate any such vehicle without passengers for the purpose of road testing or moving the vehicle.

(b) (1) No operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement shall be issued or renewed in accordance with the provisions of this section or section 14-36a, until the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, or the commissioner's authorized representative, is satisfied that the applicant is a proper person to receive such an operator's license bearing an endorsement, holds a valid motor vehicle operator's license, or, if necessary for the class of vehicle operated, a commercial driver's license and is at least eighteen years of age. Each applicant for an operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement or the renewal of such a license shall furnish the commissioner, or the commissioner's authorized representative, with satisfactory evidence, under oath, to prove that such person has no criminal record and has not been convicted of a violation of section 14-227a or 14-227m or subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n within five years of the date of application and that no reason exists for a refusal to grant or renew such an operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement. Each applicant for such an operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement shall submit with the application proof satisfactory to the commissioner that such applicant has passed a physical examination administered not more than ninety days prior to the date of application and meets the physical qualification standards set forth in 49 CFR 391, as amended from time to time. Each applicant for renewal of such license shall present evidence that such applicant is in compliance with the physical qualification standards established in 49 CFR 391, as amended from time to time. Each applicant for such an operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement shall be fingerprinted before the license bearing a public passenger endorsement is issued.

(2) The Department of Motor Vehicles, in consultation with the Departments of Aging and Disability Services, Developmental Services, Mental Health and Addiction Services and Social Services, shall develop, and thereafter revise as needed, a video presentation providing instruction and best practices concerning ways to appropriately interact with disabled persons who may be receiving services from the departments. In developing such video presentation, the departments may use materials and one or more video presentations developed by a governmental entity, independent contractor or any other party. The departments shall post such video presentation and any other training resources concerning ways to appropriately interact with persons with an intellectual disability or other developmental disabilities in a conspicuous location on their respective Internet web sites. On and after January 1, 2024, prior to issuing or renewing an operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall require the applicant for such license to watch such video presentation.

(c) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may issue, withhold, renew, suspend, cancel or revoke any public passenger endorsement required to operate a motor vehicle that transports passengers, as provided in subsection (c) of section 14-36a. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may, in making his or her decision, consider the age, accident and criminal record, moral character and physical condition of any such applicant or public passenger endorsement holder and such other matters as the commissioner may determine. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may require any such applicant or public passenger endorsement holder to furnish the statements of two or more reputable citizens, which may be required to be under oath, vouching for the good character or other qualifications of the applicant or public passenger endorsement holder.

(d) Upon the arrest of any person who holds an operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement, as defined in section 14-1, and who is charged with a felony or violation of section 53a-73a, the arresting officer or department, within forty-eight hours, shall cause a report of such arrest to be made to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. The report shall be made on a form approved by said commissioner containing such information as the commissioner prescribes. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this subsection.

(e) (1) Prior to issuing an operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall require each applicant to submit to state and national criminal history records checks, conducted in accordance with section 29-17a. The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall complete such state and national criminal history records checks required pursuant to this section within sixty days of receiving such a request for a check of such records. If notice of a state or national criminal history record is received, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may, subject to the provisions of section 46a-80, refuse to issue an operator's license bearing such public passenger endorsement and, in such case, shall immediately notify the applicant, in writing, of such refusal. Each applicant for a public passenger endorsement to operate a school bus or student transportation vehicle shall submit to a check of the state child abuse and neglect registry established pursuant to section 17a-101k. If notification that the applicant is listed as a perpetrator of abuse on the state child abuse and neglect registry is received, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may refuse to issue an operator's license bearing such public passenger endorsement and, in such case, shall immediately notify the applicant, in writing, of such refusal. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall not issue a temporary operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement for operation of a school bus or student transportation vehicle.

(2) The fingerprints of an applicant for a public passenger endorsement to operate a school bus may be captured electronically or by other means in accordance with section 29-17a.

(3) For the purposes of this subdivision, “certificate or permit holder” means any person, association, limited liability company or corporation that holds a certificate of public convenience and necessity to operate a taxicab, as described in section 13b-97 or holds a permit to operate a motor vehicle in livery service, as described in section 13b-103. Any certificate or permit holder who seeks to employ a person who has applied for a public passenger endorsement to operate a taxicab or motor vehicle in livery service under subdivision (3) of subsection (a) of this section may permit such person to operate a taxicab or motor vehicle in livery service prior to the approval by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles of the application for such endorsement, but in no event for a period longer than ninety days after the date of application for such endorsement, provided such certificate or permit holder determines such person meets the requirements to operate a taxicab or motor vehicle in livery service set forth in regulations adopted by the commissioner pursuant to subsection (f) of this section. In making such determination, such certificate or permit holder shall (A) conduct, or have a consumer reporting agency regulated under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act conduct, a local, state and national criminal history records check, including a search of state and national sexual offender registry databases, and (B) review such person's driving history record maintained by the commissioner and dated not more than seven days prior to the date of such review. A person who is approved by a certificate or permit holder under this subdivision shall carry and present, upon request, a copy of such person's application to the commissioner and criminal history records check when such person is operating a taxicab or motor vehicle in livery service.

(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the commissioner shall not issue an operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement to transport passengers who are students, and shall suspend any such public passenger endorsement that has been issued, to any person who has been convicted of a serious criminal offense, as determined by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, or convicted of any provision of federal law or the law of any other state, the violation of which involves conduct that is substantially similar to a violation determined by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to be a serious criminal offense, if any part of the sentence of such conviction has not been completed, or has been completed during the preceding five years. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this subsection.

(g) Any applicant who is refused an operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement or the renewal of such a license, or whose operator's license bearing a public passenger endorsement or the renewal of such a license is withdrawn or revoked on account of a criminal record, shall be entitled to a hearing if requested in writing within twenty days. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements of chapter 54 and the applicant may appeal from the final decision rendered therein in accordance with section 4-183.

(h) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 14-10, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall furnish to any board of education or to any public or private organization that is actively engaged in providing public transportation, including the transportation of school children, a report containing the names and motor vehicle operator license numbers of each person who has been issued an operator's license with one or more public passenger endorsements, authorizing such person to transport passengers in accordance with the provisions of section 14-36a, but whose license or any such public passenger endorsement has been withdrawn, suspended or revoked by the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of this section, or any other provision of this title. The report shall be issued and updated periodically in accordance with a schedule to be established by the commissioner. Such report may be transmitted or otherwise made available to authorized recipients by electronic means.

(i) Violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction.

(1949 Rev., S. 2384; 1963, P.A. 336; 372; 1969, P.A. 110, S. 1; 1971, P.A. 612, S. 4; 1972, P.A. 127, S. 17; P.A. 74-152; P.A. 75-213, S. 10, 53; 75-577, S. 22, 126; P.A. 76-382, S. 2; P.A. 83-340, S. 2, 4; P.A. 84-254, S. 31, 62; 84-429, S. 25; P.A. 85-148, S. 2; P.A. 87-329, S. 7; 87-585, S. 1; P.A. 89-320, S. 1, 2, 12; P.A. 90-112, S. 12, 14; 90-263, S. 10, 74; P.A. 91-272, S. 1, 8; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-11, S. 62, 70; P.A. 93-341, S. 13–15, 38; P.A. 01-175, S. 9, 32; P.A. 02-70, S. 83; P.A. 03-278, S. 37; P.A. 04-217, S. 4; P.A. 05-218, S. 6; P.A. 06-130, S. 10; P.A. 07-167, S. 47; 07-224, S. 1; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-5, S. 20; P.A. 09-187, S. 11; P.A. 10-32, S. 49; 10-110, S. 35, 57; P.A. 11-213, S. 18; P.A. 12-81, S. 49; P.A. 14-130, S. 9, 29; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 200; P.A. 16-39, S. 9; 16-55, S. 14; 16-126, S. 10; P.A. 17-68, S. 15; 17-140, S. 12; P.A. 18-164, S. 26; P.A. 19-119, S. 5, 6; P.A. 23-137, S. 25.)

History: 1963 acts raised minimum age requirement from 18 to 21 and added provisions for examination of operating ability and fee for same; 1969 act replaced interstate commerce commission with United States department of transportation and required that applicants for public service license to operate school bus be at least nineteen and not more than 69 years old; 1971 act replaced reference to repealed Sec. 14-30 with reference to Sec. 14-34; 1972 act changed minimum age for public service vehicle license from 21 to 18, reflecting change in age of majority, and deleted minimum age of 19 for school bus operator's license; P.A. 74-152 made provisions applicable to operation of service buses as well as public service motor vehicles and expanded provisions re physical examinations; P.A. 75-213 raised examination fee from $2 to $2.50; P.A. 75-577 replaced provision for maximum $50 fine for violation of provisions with statement that violation constitutes an infraction; P.A. 76-382 added Subsec. (b) re validity of license issued by other state or country; P.A. 83-340 amended Subsec. (a) deleting the statement providing that an applicant for a public service license to operate a school bus shall not be older than 69 years of age; P.A. 84-254 amended Subsec. (a) to increase the examination fee from $2.50 to $5 as of July 1, 1992; P.A. 84-429 relettered Subsecs., rephrased provisions and made other technical changes; P.A. 85-148 amended Subsec. (a), eliminating requirement for nonresidents holding a valid out-of-state public service motor vehicle operator's license to obtain a license to operate in this state if vehicle is engaged in intrastate commerce; P.A. 87-329 amended Subsec. (b), maintaining the fee at the level existing on and after July 1, 1986, and decreasing the fee effective July 1, 1992, to the level formerly existing on and after July 1, 1988; P.A. 87-585 amended Subsec. (b), requiring prerequisites for issuance of license to apply to renewals and applicants to furnish evidence of absence of convictions for violations of Sec. 14-227a(a) within 1 year and negative drug test results, and added new provisions in Subsec. (d) re issuance of a 90-day temporary license to applicants who intend to operate a school bus, relettering remaining Subdivs. accordingly; P.A. 89-320 amended Subsec. (b) to require applicants to furnish evidence of absence of convictions for violations of Sec. 14-227a(a) within 5 years instead of within 1 year and amended Subsec. (d) to require commissioner to request criminal record for each applicant from state police bureau of identification and to forward fingerprints obtained under Subsec. (b) to bureau which shall submit fingerprints to FBI for a national criminal history records check, to authorize immediate withdrawal of the temporary license if notice of a criminal record is received within 90 days, subject to the provisions of Sec. 46a-80 and to require the licensee and his employer to be notified immediately in writing of receipt of a criminal record, making technical changes as necessary; P.A. 90-112 amended Subsecs. (a), (d) and (e) to include references to operation of student transportation vehicles; P.A. 90-263 divided Subsec. (a) into two subdivisions, inserting in Subdiv. (1) prohibition on operation of commercial motor vehicles used for passenger transportation until operator has obtained a commercial driver's license with a passenger endorsement, deleting references to public service motor vehicle or service bus and public service motor vehicle operator's license, and inserting in Subdiv. (2) prohibition on operation of school bus, student transportation vehicle, taxicab, motor vehicle in livery service, motor bus or service bus until operator has obtained a public passenger transportation permit, amended remaining Subsecs. to substitute public passenger transportation permit for public service motor vehicle operator's license, amended Subsec. (d) to insert references to “student transportation vehicle” after references to “school bus”, and amended Subsec. (e) to provide that any applicant refused a permit on account of a criminal record shall be entitled to a hearing, if requested, and to permit applicant to appeal from final decision in accordance with Sec. 4-183, effective July 1, 1991; P.A. 91-272 amended Subsec. (b) to apply to applicants for renewal on and after July 1, 1992, amended Subsec. (d) to require applicants for a temporary permit or for renewal of a permit to submit to a state criminal history records check prior to issuance of such temporary permit or renewal and to make numerous changes throughout the Subsec., and amended Subsec. (e) to apply to applicants who are refused a renewal or whose permit or renewal is withdrawn or revoked on account of a criminal record; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-11 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting phrase “or a student transportation vehicle, as defined in section 14-212”; P.A. 93-341 amended Subsec. (a)(2) to provide that no person may operate a school bus carrying passengers without having obtained a commercial driver's license with a passenger endorsement and a school endorsement and substituted references to passenger or school endorsements for references to public passenger transportation permits throughout section, effective July 1, 1994, amended Subsec. (b) by inserting references to an “operator's license bearing an endorsement” and by revising the provisions regarding drug testing and physical examinations of applicants, effective July 1, 1993, amended Subsec. (d) by deleting provisions regarding a 90-day temporary permit pending completion of a national criminal history records check, and deleted Subsec. (f) which had specified contents of public passenger transportation permits in its entirety and relettered remaining Subsec. accordingly, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 01-175 amended Subsec. (d) by making a technical change for the purposes of gender neutrality and by replacing language re state criminal history checks, fingerprinting and fee charged with language re state and national criminal history checks pursuant to Sec. 29-17a, effective July 1, 2001; P.A. 02-70 made a technical change in Subsec. (a)(3), added new Subsec. (d) to require the arresting officer or department, upon the arrest of any person who holds an operator's license bearing a school endorsement for a felony or violation of Sec. 53a-73a, to report such arrest to the commissioner within 48 hours, to specify form of such report and to authorize adoption of regulations, and redesignated existing Subsecs. (d) to (f) as Subsecs. (e) to (g), effective June 3, 2002; P.A. 03-278 made technical changes in Subsec. (f), effective July 9, 2003; P.A. 04-217 amended Subsec. (a) to include “activity vehicle” as vehicle requiring operator to have appropriate endorsement, amended Subsec. (b) to eliminate public passenger transportation permit, to eliminate provision requiring applicant for license with endorsement or renewal of license with endorsement to have received negative drug test results in two or more urine tests if administered within 1 year of date of application and to substitute requirement that applicant for renewal of such license present evidence that applicant is in compliance with medical qualifications under federal law, amended Subsec. (c) to change references to “permittee” to “endorsement holder”, to eliminate “passenger or school” endorsement and substitute endorsement “required to operate a motor vehicle that transports passengers”, and made technical changes, effective January 1, 2005; P.A. 05-218 amended Subsec. (a)(3) by adding camp vehicles; P.A. 06-130 added new Subsec. (g) re notification of school boards and providers of public transportation of drivers whose licenses or endorsements have been withdrawn, suspended or revoked and redesignated existing Subsec. (g) as Subsec. (h); P.A. 07-167 amended Subsec. (a)(3) by deleting reference to camp vehicle, effective July 1, 2007; P.A. 07-224 amended Subsec. (a) by repositioning existing provisions re endorsement for taxicabs, motor vehicles in livery service and motor or services buses as Subdiv. (3), redesignating existing provisions re endorsement for student transportation vehicles and activity vehicles as Subdiv. (4) and deleting “camp vehicle”, amended Subsec. (b) by requiring evidence furnished by applicant to be under oath, amended Subsec. (e) by adding provisions re endorsement for operation of student transportation vehicle, re check of state child abuse registry and notification that applicant is listed thereon and re prohibition on issuance of temporary operator's license, by deleting provision re withdrawal of operator's license bearing school endorsement and by making conforming changes, added new Subsec. (f) re convictions, redesignated existing Subsecs. (f), (g) and (h) as Subsecs. (g), (h) and (i), amended redesignated Subsec. (h) to require report to be furnished by commissioner and made technical changes throughout, effective July 1, 2007; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-5 amended Subsec. (e) to substitute “abuse and neglect” for “abuse”, reorganize provisions and delete reference to Sec. 46a-80 re perpetrators of abuse listed on registry, effective October 6, 2007; P.A. 09-187 amended Subsec. (a)(3) to require endorsement for operation of student transportation vehicle or activity vehicle and add exception authorizing person without endorsement to operate vehicle without passengers for purpose of road testing or moving vehicle, effective July 1, 2009; P.A. 10-32 made a technical change in Subsec. (b), effective May 10, 2010; P.A. 10-110 amended Subsec. (a) to make a technical change, effective October 1, 2010, and further amended Subsec. (a) to delete reference to activity vehicle in Subdivs. (3) and (4), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 11-213 amended Subsec. (a) to require “proper classification” of license and make technical changes in Subdiv. (3) and to delete former Subdiv. (4) containing duplicate provision re student transportation vehicle, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (e) to add provision requiring Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection to complete criminal history records checks within 60 days of request and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 14-130 amended Subsec. (b) to add provision re exemption from medical qualifications for certain Class D operator's license applicants, effective October 1, 2014, and amended Subsec. (d) by replacing “school endorsement” with “public passenger endorsement, as defined in section 14-1, and who is”, effective June 6, 2014; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 replaced references to passenger endorsement and endorsement with references to public passenger endorsement and, in Subsec. (a)(1), added reference to Sec. 14-1, effective June 30, 2015; P.A. 16-39 amended Subsec. (b)(1) by adding reference to licensed advanced practice registered nurse; P.A. 16-55 amended Subsec. (e) by replacing reference to Subsec. (a)(4) with reference to Subsec. (a)(3), effective May 31, 2016; P.A. 16-126 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing reference to Sec. 14-227a(a) with reference to Sec. 14-227a and by adding references to Secs. 14-227m and 14-227n(a)(1) and (2); P.A. 17-68 amended Subsec. (h) by adding provision re commissioner to ensure that carriers review report, effective July 1, 2017; P.A. 17-140 amended Subsec. (e) to designate existing provision re applicant to submit to criminal history records checks as Subdiv. (1) and amended same to replace “school endorsement or bearing the appropriate type of public passenger endorsement for operation of a student transportation vehicle” with “public passenger endorsement” and make technical and conforming changes, and to add Subdiv. (2) re operation of taxicab or motor vehicle in livery service, effective January 1, 2018; P.A. 18-164 amended Subsec. (e) to replace reference to Subsec. (a)(3) with reference to Subsec. (a) in Subdiv. (1), add new Subdiv. (2) re fingerprints for applicant for public passenger endorsement to operate school bus, redesignate existing Subdiv. (2) as Subdiv. (3) and amend same to replace reference to Subsec. (a)(1) with reference to Subsec. (a)(3), and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2018; P.A. 19-119 amended Subsec. (b) to replace provision re safety regulations by U.S. Department of Transportation with provision re physical qualification standards set forth in 49 CFR 391, delete provision re certain Class D operator's license applicants and make conforming and technical changes, and amended Subsec. (h) to delete provision re commissioner to ensure that carrier review report and make technical changes, effective July 1, 2019; P.A. 23-137 amended Subsec. (b) by designating existing provisions as Subdiv. (1) and adding Subdiv. (2) re video presentation of ways to appropriately interact with disabled persons.

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Sec. 14-44c. Application and qualifications for commercial driver's license or commercial driver's instruction permit. Penalty. (a) The application for a commercial driver's license or commercial driver's instruction permit, shall include the following:

(1) The full name and current mailing and residence address of the person;

(2) A physical description of the person, including gender, height and eye color;

(3) Date of birth;

(4) The applicant's Social Security number;

(5) The person's statement, under oath, that such person meets the physical qualification standards set forth in 49 CFR 391, as amended from time to time;

(6) The person's statement, under oath, that the type of vehicle in which the person has taken or intends to take the driving skills test is representative of the type of motor vehicle the person operates or intends to operate;

(7) The person's statement, under oath, that such person is not subject to disqualification, suspension, revocation or cancellation of operating privileges in any state, and that he or she does not hold an operator's license in any other state;

(8) The person's identification of all states in which such person has been licensed to drive any type of motor vehicle during the last ten years, and the person's statement, under oath that he or she does not hold an operator's license in any other state; and

(9) The person's signature, and certification of the accuracy and completeness of the application, subject to the penalties of false statement under section 53a-157b. The application shall be accompanied by the fee prescribed in section 14-44h.

(b) No person who has been a resident of this state for thirty days may drive a commercial motor vehicle under the authority of a commercial driver's license issued by another jurisdiction.

(c) At the time of application for a commercial driver's license, the applicant shall make the applicable certification, as required by 49 CFR 383.71(b), regarding the type of commerce in which such person shall engage. No commercial driver's license shall be issued to a person who fails to make such certification.

(d) On and after November 18, 2024, the commissioner shall request a driver's record from the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, in accordance with 49 CFR 382.725, as amended from time to time, for any person who applies for, renews, transfers or upgrades a commercial driver's license or a commercial driver's instruction permit. The commissioner shall use information obtained from the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse solely for the purpose of determining whether such person is qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle and shall not disclose such information to any other person or entity not directly involved in determining whether such person is qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle. If the commissioner receives notification pursuant to 49 CFR 382.501(a), as amended from time to time, that such person is prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle, the commissioner shall not issue, renew or upgrade the commercial driver's license or commercial driver's instruction permit. If such person currently holds a commercial driver's license or commercial driver's instruction permit, the commissioner shall, not later than sixty days after the date the commissioner receives such notification: (1) Downgrade the commercial driver's license to a Class D operator's license, or (2) cancel the commercial driver's instruction permit. Any person who is denied a commercial driver's license or a commercial driver's instruction permit, or whose license or permit is downgraded or cancelled pursuant to this subsection, shall be granted an opportunity for a hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.

(e) In addition to other penalties provided by law, any person who knowingly falsifies information or certifications required under subsection (a) of this section shall have such person's operator's license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state suspended for sixty days.

(P.A. 90-263, S. 35, 74; P.A. 96-167, S. 6; P.A. 04-217, S. 6; P.A. 11-213, S. 55; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 201; P.A. 17-79, S. 7; P.A. 19-119, S. 19; P.A. 21-106, S. 14; P.A. 23-40, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 96-167 amended Subsec. (b) to substitute 30-day for 60-day residency; P.A. 04-217 amended Subsec. (a) to make a technical change in Subdiv. (6), to add provision in Subdiv. (8) to include in application for commercial driver's license or commercial driver's license instruction permit statement that applicant is not subject to cancellation of operating privileges in any state, to add new Subdiv. (9) to require applicant to identify all states in which applicant has been licensed to drive any type of motor vehicle in last 10 years and statement that person does not hold license in any other state, and to redesignate existing Subdiv. (9) as new Subdiv. (10), effective January 1, 2005; P.A. 11-213 amended Subsec. (a) to delete former Subdiv. (5) re color picture requirement and redesignate existing Subdivs. (6) to (10) as Subdivs. (5) to (9), effective July 13, 2011; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 added new Subsec. (c) re federally required certification, redesignated existing Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (d) and made technical changes, effective June 30, 2015; P.A. 17-79 amended Subsec. (a)(5) by deleting provision re expectation to not operate in interstate or foreign commerce; P.A. 19-119 amended Subsec. (a)(5) to make technical changes, effective July 1, 2019; P.A. 21-106 amended Subsec. (a)(2) to replace “sex” with “gender”, added new Subsec. (d) re driver's record from Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and redesignated existing Subsec. (d) as Subsec. (e), effective July 1, 2021; P.A. 23-40 amended Subsec. (d) to replace “January 6, 2023” with “November 18, 2024”, add reference to commercial driver's instruction permit, add provisions re notification received pursuant to 49 CFR 382.501(a) and make technical changes, effective June 12, 2023.

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(C)

FEES

Sec. 14-50a. Fees for copies, abstracts, duplicates, replacements and searches. Restriction on use of information. Penalty. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the fee charged by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for the following items or services shall be twenty dollars:

(1) Duplicate of a registration certificate provided at the main office or a branch office of the Department of Motor Vehicles or by a contractor authorized by the commissioner pursuant to subsection (b) of section 14-41.

(2) For each duplicate of a motor vehicle operator's license or identity card, thirty dollars. As used in this section, “duplicate” includes any license or identity card that is reissued prior to the expiration date of a previously issued license or identity card, and (A) is identical to the holder's most recently issued license or identity card, or (B) contains modifications to one or more items of information that appear on the holder's most recently issued license or identity card. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, one duplicate shall be issued, for a fee of five dollars, to the holder of a license or identity card who reaches the age of twenty-one years.

(3) Replacement number plate or set of number plates, except as provided in subsection (c) of section 14-253a.

(4) Replacement number plate or set of number plates bearing same number as set of replaced plates.

(5) Certified abstract of driving history record, or driving history record for applicants for commercial driver's license with passenger endorsement or transportation permit.

(6) Name of registered owner.

(7) Operator license information.

(8) Certification of any copy or record.

(9) Certified transcripts of hearing held and transcribed by the commissioner, three dollars and fifty cents per page with a minimum charge of twenty dollars.

(10) Each copy of a motor vehicle operator's completed application for a license.

(11) Each copy of a completed application for registration of a motor vehicle.

(12) Each copy of a title document provided to a municipality.

(13) Each request for information as provided in section 14-10, the amount provided in said section.

(14) Each document from a motor vehicle record, as defined in section 14-10, that is electronically maintained by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(15) For any copy or material released from information maintained by the Department of Motor Vehicles for which no fee is established by statute, an amount determined by the commissioner.

(b) The commissioner may establish fees not conforming to those of subsection (a) of this section for information furnished on a volume basis to persons or firms who satisfy the commissioner that the information furnished is properly required in connection with the conduct of such person's or firm's business, except that commencing on August 16, 2003, the fee established under this subsection for driving history records furnished to for-profit businesses shall be not less than fifteen dollars.

(c) The commissioner may waive any fee specified in subdivision (3) or (4) of subsection (a) of this section in the case of any person who submits a police report to the commissioner indicating that the number plate or set of number plates have been stolen or mutilated.

(d) No person, firm or corporation furnished information by the commissioner as provided by this section shall distribute such information for any other purpose than that for which it was furnished.

(e) Any person, firm or corporation which violates any provision of this section shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars.

(P.A. 73-549, S. 1, 4; P.A. 74-283, S. 1, 2; P.A. 77-381, S. 1, 2; P.A. 80-466, S. 15, 25; P.A. 82-413; P.A. 83-443; 83-489, S. 15, 17; P.A. 84-254, S. 36, 62; 84-546, S. 41, 173; P.A. 85-525, S. 4, 6; P.A. 87-304, S. 2; 87-329, S. 13; P.A. 92-177, S. 1, 12; P.A. 94-206, S. 2; P.A. 97-226, S. 4, 6; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-1, S. 117; P.A. 04-199, S. 16; P.A. 09-187, S. 40; P.A. 11-6, S. 141; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 209; P.A. 23-40, S. 40.)

History: P.A. 74-283 amended Item 4 in Subsec. (a) table to refer to set of plates rather than one plate; P.A. 77-381 changed fee for duplicate of operator's license (Item 2) in Subsec. (a) table from $2 to $3; P.A. 80-466 amended Items 3 and 4 in table in Subsec. (a) to include references to single plates; P.A. 82-413 raised fee for a driving history record from $4 to $5; P.A. 83-443 amended Subsec. (a) to impose a fee of $3 for each search of the department's accident record files made as a result of a request for a copy of an accident report which resulted in no document being found; P.A. 83-489 amended Subsec. (a) to increase the fee for a replacement number plate or set of number plates from $3 to $5; P.A. 84-254 amended Subsec. (a) to increase all the fees except under item 9., making the increases effective on successive July first dates of varying years; P.A. 84-546 made technical changes in Subsec. (a); P.A. 85-525 amended Subdivs. 3. and 4. of Subsec. (a) to increase fee for replacement number plate or set of plates from $6 to $7.50, on and after July 1, 1984, from $8 to $10, on and after July 1, 1986, from $9 to $11, on and after July 1, 1988, and from $10 to $12, on and after July 1, 1992; P.A. 87-304 amended Subsec. (a)(3) to include an exemption from assessment of the fee for issuance of replacement number plates for handicapped persons receiving a special international symbol of access number plate after transfer of their previously unexpired registrations; P.A. 87-329 amended Subsec. (a) to maintain fees at the levels existing on and after July 1, 1986, where appropriate and decreasing the fees effective July 1, 1992, to the levels formerly existing on and after July 1, 1988, and to make technical changes throughout the subsection; P.A. 92-177 amended Subsec. (a)(1) to increase fee for duplicate of registration certificate from $3 to $5 and to eliminate fee increase effective July 1, 1992, amended Subsec. (a)(2) to establish fees for first, second and subsequent duplicate of motor vehicle operator's license and to eliminate fee increase effective July 1, 1992, amended Subsec. (a)(9) to increase fee for certified abstract of driving history record from $5 to $10 and to impose such fee for certified abstract of driving history record for applicants for commercial driver's license or transportation permit, amended Subsec. (a)(10) to increase fee for name of registered owner from $0.75 to $4.50 and to eliminate fee increase effective July 1, 1992, amended Subsec. (a)(11) to increase fee for operator license information to $5.50 and to eliminate schedule of fee increases, added new language in Subsec. (a)(14) to establish $7 fee for copy of motor vehicle operator's completed license application, added Subsec. (a)(15), establishing new $7 fee for copy of completed registration application, and added Subsec. (a)(16), establishing new $10 fee for copy of title document provided to a municipality and renumbered remaining Subdiv. accordingly; P.A. 94-206 created a new Subsec. (a)(17) re fees for providing information under Sec. 14-10 and renumbered former Subdiv. (17) as Subdiv. (18); P.A. 97-226 amended Subsec. (a)(3) to make a technical change, amended Subdivs. (3) to (8), inclusive, and (12) and (13) of said Subsec. to eliminate obsolete provisions, inserted new Subsec. (c), allowing commissioner to waive any fee in Subsec. (a)(3) or (4) for any person who submits a police report indicating that number plate has been stolen or mutilated for purpose of obtaining the sticker attached to plate, and relettered existing Subsecs. (c) and (d) as (d) and (e), respectively, effective July 1, 1997; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-1 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that the fee under said subsection, unless otherwise provided, shall be $20 and amended Subsec. (b) to provide that the fee for driving history records shall be not less than $15, effective August 16, 2003; P.A. 04-199 amended Subsec. (b) to limit minimum $15 fee to driving history records furnished to for-profit businesses, effective June 3, 2004; P.A. 09-187 amended Subsec. (c) to delete “for the purpose of obtaining the sticker attached to the plate denoting the expiration date of the registration”; P.A. 11-6 amended Subsec. (a) to add identity card, define “duplicate”, add $5 fee for duplicate of license or identity card issued to holder who turns 21 and make technical changes in Subdiv. (1), delete former Subdivs. (5) to (8) and redesignate existing Subdivs. (9) to (17) as Subdivs. (5) to (13), add new Subdiv. (14) re document electronically maintained and redesignate existing Subdiv. (18) as Subdiv. (15), effective July 1, 2011; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (a)(9) to add “and transcribed”, effective June 30, 2015; P.A. 23-40 amended Subsec. (a)(1) to add provision re duplication provided at main office or branch office of department or by contractor and amended Subsec. (a)(2) to make a technical change, effective June 12, 2023.

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(D)

DEALERS' AND REPAIRERS' LICENSES

Sec. 14-51. Definitions. (a) As used in this subpart:

(1) “New car dealer” includes any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of merchandising new motor vehicles under a manufacturer's or importer's contract for each such make of vehicle who may, incidental to such business, sell used motor vehicles and repair motor vehicles. Such person shall be qualified to conduct such business in accordance with the requirements of section 14-52a.

(2) “Used car dealer” includes any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of merchandising motor vehicles other than new who may, incidental to such business, repair motor vehicles. A used car dealer does not include any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of leasing or renting motor vehicles that offers for sale or sells used motor vehicles incidental to its primary business, if (A) such person, firm or corporation is licensed in accordance with the provisions of section 14-15, and (B) the motor vehicles that it offers for sale were formerly the subject of one or more lease agreements to which it was a party and the actual or prospective purchaser is the original lessee pursuant to a purchase option specified in a lease agreement. Such person shall be qualified to conduct such business in accordance with the requirements of section 14-52a.

(3) “Repairer” includes any person, firm or corporation qualified to conduct such business in accordance with the requirements of section 14-52a, having a suitable facility and having adequate equipment, engaged in repairing, overhauling, adjusting, assembling or disassembling any motor vehicle or making minor repairs to any motor vehicle, including repairs and replacement of cooling, electrical, fuel and exhaust systems, brake adjustments, relining and repairs, wheel alignment and balancing and repair and replacement of shock absorbers. “Repairer” does not include a person engaged in making repairs to tires, upholstering, glazing, general blacksmithing, welding and machine work on motor vehicle parts when parts involving such work are disassembled or reassembled by a licensed repairer.

(b) The lubricating of motor vehicles, adding or changing of oil or other motor vehicle fluids, changing of tires and tubes, including the balancing of wheels, or installing of batteries or light bulbs, windshield wiper blades or drive belts shall not be construed as the repairing of motor vehicles under the provisions of this subpart.

(1949 Rev., S. 2391; 1953, 1955, S. 1307d; 1963, P.A. 316; 1967, P.A. 307; P.A. 02-70, S. 21; P.A. 23-40, S. 2.)

History: 1963 act redefined limited repairer to add “relining and repairs,” etc.; 1967 act replaced reference to factory contract with reference to manufacturer's or importer's contract for each make of vehicle in definition of “new car dealer” and deleted references to removing and replacing parts of motor vehicles in definition of “repairer”; (Revisor's note: In 1997 references throughout the general statutes to “Motor Vehicle(s) Commissioner” and “Motor Vehicle(s) Department” were replaced editorially by the Revisors with “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles” or “Department of Motor Vehicles”, as the case may be, for consistency with customary statutory usage); P.A. 02-70 divided existing provisions into Subsecs. (a) and (b) and in Subsec. (a) adding language making definitions applicable to subpart (D), inserting Subdiv. designators and making conforming changes for each definition, in Subdivs. (1) and (2) requiring new car dealer and used car dealer to be qualified to conduct business in accordance with the requirements of Sec. 14-52a and deleting reference to having a suitable and adequate place of business determined to be such by the commissioner, in Subdiv. (2) excluding leasing or renting businesses that sell used motor vehicles incidental to their primary business from the definition of “used car dealer” provided they satisfy criteria in Subparas. (A) and (B), in Subdiv. (3) requiring repairer to be qualified to conduct business in accordance with the requirements of Sec. 14-52a and deleting reference to having a suitable place of business, and in Subsec. (b) specifying the list of services that may be performed without being construed as the repairing of motor vehicle under subpart (D); P.A. 23-40 amended Subsec. (a) by redefining “repairer” in Subdiv. (3) and deleting former Subdiv. (4) re definition of “limited repairer” and made technical changes, effective January 1, 2024.

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Sec. 14-51b. Limited repairer's license. On and after January 1, 2024, each limited repairer's license issued by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles prior to January 1, 2024, that is otherwise valid, shall remain valid, according to its terms, and shall authorize each license holder to engage in the business of minor repairs of motor vehicles under the provisions of section 14-52 of the general statutes, revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 2023, until the expiration of the license. On and after January 1, 2024, the commissioner shall not issue or renew a limited repairer's license.

(P.A. 23-40, S. 4.)

History: P.A. 23-40 effective January 1, 2024.

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Sec. 14-52. New car dealer's, used car dealer's and repairer's licenses. Surety bonds. Penalty. (a) No person, firm or corporation may engage in the business of the buying, selling, offering for sale or brokerage of any motor vehicle or the repairing of any motor vehicle without having been issued a new car dealer's, a used car dealer's or a repairer's license. The license fee for each such license, payable to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, shall be as follows: (1) New motor vehicle dealer, seven hundred dollars; (2) used motor vehicle dealer, five hundred sixty dollars; and (3) repairer, three hundred forty dollars. Each such license shall be renewed biennially according to renewal schedules established by the commissioner to effect staggered renewal of all such licenses. If the adoption of a staggered system results in the expiration of any license more or less than one year from its issuance, the commissioner may charge a prorated amount for such license fee. Not less than forty-five days prior to the date of expiration of each such license, the commissioner shall send or transmit to each licensee, in a manner determined by the commissioner, an application for renewal. Any licensee which has not filed the application for renewal accompanied by the prescribed fee prior to the date of expiration of its license shall cease to engage in business. An application for renewal filed with the commissioner after the date of expiration shall be accompanied by a late fee of one hundred dollars. The commissioner shall not renew any license under this subsection which has expired for more than forty-five days.

(b) (1) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, each applicant for a repairer's license shall furnish a surety bond in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, each applicant for a new car dealer's or a used car dealer's license shall furnish a surety bond in the amount of sixty thousand dollars.

(3) Each applicant for a leasing or rental license issued pursuant to section 14-15, who is engaged in the leasing or renting of motor vehicles for periods of thirty days or more, shall furnish a surety bond in the amount of fifteen thousand dollars.

(4) Each such bond required under subdivisions (1) to (3), inclusive, of this subsection shall be conditioned upon the applicant or licensee complying with the provisions of any state or federal law or regulation relating to the conduct of such business and provided as indemnity for any loss sustained by any customer by reason of any acts of the licensee constituting grounds for suspension or revocation of the license or such licensee going out of business. Each surety bond shall be executed in the name of the state of Connecticut for the benefit of any aggrieved customer, but the penalty of the bond shall not be invoked except upon order of the commissioner after a hearing held before said commissioner in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. For purposes of this subdivision, “customer” does not include (A) any person, firm or corporation that finances a licensed dealer's motor vehicle inventory, or (B) any licensed dealer, in such person's capacity as a dealer, who buys motor vehicles from, or sells motor vehicles to, another licensed dealer.

(5) The commissioner shall assess an administrative fee of two hundred dollars against any licensee for failing to provide proof of bond renewal or replacement on or before the date of the expiration of the existing bond. Such fee shall be in addition to the license suspension or revocation penalties and the civil penalties to which the licensee is subject pursuant to section 14-64.

(c) The commissioner may request information from any applicant for a repairer's license or used car dealer's license concerning the financial status and ability of such applicant to comply with the requirements of this subpart and the regulations adopted thereunder. The commissioner shall review such information to determine if the applicant has sufficient financial resources to conduct the business in a manner consistent with the reasonable security and protection of its customers in regard to the duties and responsibilities imposed by the provisions of this subpart and the regulations adopted thereunder. The commissioner may refuse to issue a license if the applicant fails to provide any such information requested or, if, after review by the commissioner, the commissioner is not satisfied as to such applicant's financial status. The commissioner may, in any case deemed appropriate, grant a license on condition that the applicant post a surety bond, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, in an amount prescribed by the commissioner that is greater than the minimum amount required by the applicable provisions of said subsection (b). Any applicant aggrieved by any decision of the commissioner made pursuant to this subsection shall be afforded an opportunity for hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. The commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 to carry out the provisions of this subsection.

(d) Any person, firm or corporation engaging in the business of the buying, selling, offering for sale or brokerage of any motor vehicle or of the repairing of any motor vehicle without a license shall be guilty of a class B misdemeanor.

(e) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall transmit to the Commissioner of Revenue Services and the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection a summary of any complaint that the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles receives alleging that a person, firm or corporation is engaging in the business of the buying, selling, offering for sale or brokerage of any motor vehicle or of the repairing of any motor vehicle without a license.

(1949 Rev., S. 2392; 1953, S. 1308d; 1961, P.A. 581, S. 10; 1967, P.A. 384; P.A. 75-577, S. 25, 126; P.A. 77-305; 77-376, S. 1, 3; P.A. 81-172, S. 4; P.A. 83-489, S. 8, 17; P.A. 84-254, S. 37, 62; 84-391, S. 5, 8; 84-508; 84-528, S. 1; P.A. 85-613, S. 29, 154; P.A. 86-58; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-13, S. 6, 21; P.A. 93-164, S. 2; P.A. 95-301; P.A. 96-167, S. 8; P.A. 02-70, S. 22; P.A. 10-110, S. 12; P.A. 11-213, S. 22, 57; P.A. 12-81, S. 7; P.A. 14-130, S. 14; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 210; P.A. 17-79, S. 9; P.A. 21-106, S. 19; P.A. 22-44, S. 2; P.A. 23-40, S. 3.)

History: 1961 act increased license fees; 1967 act included brokerage of motor vehicles in activities requiring license; P.A. 75-577 added provision that failure to secure license is an infraction; P.A. 77-305 deleted provision re infraction; P.A. 77-376 increased fee for new motor vehicle dealer from $25 to $50, for used motor vehicle dealer from $20 to $40 and for repairer from $12 to $24; P.A. 81-172 included a provision for a limited repairer's license; P.A. 83-489 doubled license fees; P.A. 84-254 increased the license fees scheduling increases to take effect as of July first of 1985, 1989, 1991 and 1993, and made editorial change for grammatical correctness in sentence following Subdiv. (3), substituting “shall” for “to”; P.A. 84-391 provided for the staggered renewal of dealers' and repairers' licenses, deleting provision whereby licenses ran from day of issuance to last day of February next following; P.A. 84-508 specified that license fee is payable to motor vehicles commissioner and added Subsec. (b) requiring an applicant for a dealer's or repairer's license to furnish a surety bond; P.A. 84-528 added Subsec. (c) providing that any person, firm or corporation repairing motor vehicles without a license shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor; P.A. 85-613 made technical change in Subsec. (a)(3); P.A. 86-58 amended Subsec. (b)(3) to provide that surety bond penalty may be invoked upon order of motor vehicle commissioner after administrative hearing and eliminated reference to court adjudication; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-13 increased new motor vehicle dealer license fee from $225 to $560 and $700 after July 1, 1993, increased the used motor vehicle license fee from $225 to $450 and $500 after July 1, 1993, increased the repairer or limited repairer license fee from $235 to $270 and $340 after July 1, 1993, changed renewal requirement of each license from annual to biennial and deleted obsolete fee increases; P.A. 93-164 amended Subsec. (b) by increasing the repairer's and limited repairer's license surety bond from $2,500 to $5,000, increasing the new car dealer's and used car dealer's license surety bond from $5,000 to $20,000 and inserting new Subdiv. (3) requiring an applicant for a leasing or rental license pursuant to Sec. 14-15 to furnish a $10,000 surety bond, renumbering and revising former Subdiv. (3) accordingly; P.A. 95-301 amended Subsec. (c) to change penalty for unlicensed motor vehicle repair business, from class C misdemeanor to class B misdemeanor, and added Subsec. (d) re transmission of summaries of complaints re such unlicensed businesses; P.A. 96-167 amended Subsec. (a) to add provisions re mailing of application for renewal, failure to file such application with fee, imposition of $100 late fee for application filed after date of license expiration and to provide that commissioner shall not renew license which has expired for more than 45 days; P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (a) to delete provisions re fees applicable prior to July 1, 1993, and re payment of fees to commissioner, amended Subsec. (b) to add an exception re Subsec. (c) in Subdivs. (1) and (2) and to make a technical change for purposes of gender neutrality in Subdiv. (4), inserted new Subsec. (c) to allow commissioner to request financial information from any applicant for a repairer's license or used car dealer's license, to review the information to determine if the applicant has sufficient financial resources to conduct business, to allow commissioner to refuse to issue a license if the applicant fails to provide information or if the commissioner is unsatisfied as to the applicant's financial status, to allow commissioner to grant a license on condition that applicant post a surety bond, to provide opportunity for a hearing and to allow commissioner to adopt regulations, redesignated existing Subsecs. (c) and (d) as Subsecs. (d) and (e), amended Subsec. (d) to make the buying, selling, offering for sale or brokerage of any motor vehicle without a license a class B misdemeanor and amended Subsec. (e) to require commissioner to transmit to the Revenue Services and Environmental Protection Commissioners a summary of any complaint alleging the buying, selling, offering for sale or brokerage of any motor vehicle without a license and to make a technical change for purposes of gender neutrality; P.A. 10-110 amended Subsec. (b)(2) to increase surety bond amount from $20,000 to $50,000; P.A. 11-213 amended Subsec. (a) to replace “mail” with “send or transmit” and add “in a manner determined by the commissioner” re renewal applications, amended Subsecs. (b) and (c) to insert “cash bond” and amended Subsec. (b)(4) to require each cash bond to be deposited with commissioner, effective July 13, 2011 (Revisor's note: In Subsec. (e), “Commissioner of Environmental Protection” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection” to conform with changes made by P.A. 11-80, S. 1); P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (b) to add Subdiv. (5) re assessment of $50 fee for failing to continuously maintain bond requirements; P.A. 14-130 amended Subsec. (b)(4) by replacing references to person and party with references to customer, and by adding provision re persons and entities excluded from definition of “customer”, effective July 1, 2014; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (b)(5) to add “administrative” re fee and to substitute provision re failure to provide proof of bond renewal or replacement for provision re failure to continuously maintain bond requirements, effective June 30, 2015; P.A. 17-79 amended Subsec. (b)(5) by increasing fee from $50 to $200 for failure to provide proof of bond renewal or replacement, effective July 1, 2017; P.A. 21-106 amended Subsecs. (b) and (c) to remove provisions re cash bond; P.A. 22-44 amended Subsec. (b) to remove provision re limited repairer's license and increase surety bond from $5,000 to $25,000 in Subdiv. (1), add new Subdiv. (2) re limited repairer's license, redesignate existing Subdivs. (2) to (5) as Subdivs. (3) to (6), amend redesignated Subdiv. (3) to increase surety bond from $50,000 to $60,000, amend redesignated Subdiv. (4) to increase surety bond from $10,000 to $15,000 and make a technical and conforming change, effective July 1, 2022; P.A. 23-40 amended Subsec. (a) to delete references to limited repairer's license, amended Subsec. (b) to delete former Subdiv. (2) re surety bond for limited repairer's license and redesignate existing Subdivs. (3) to (6) as Subdivs. (2) to (5) and made technical and conforming changes, effective January 1, 2024.

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Sec. 14-54. Location to be approved by local authorities. Any person who desires to obtain a license for dealing in or repairing motor vehicles shall first obtain and present to the commissioner a certificate of approval from the zoning enforcement official of the municipality where such license is desired, affirming that the proposed location and use of the property conform to the zoning regulations of such municipality. In addition thereto, such certificate shall be approved by the local building official and local fire marshal. The provisions of this section shall not apply to (1) a transfer of ownership to a spouse, child, brother, sister or parent of a licensee, (2) a transfer of ownership to or from a corporation in which a spouse, child, brother, sister or parent of a licensee has a controlling interest, or (3) a change in ownership involving the withdrawal of one or more partners from a partnership.

(1949 Rev., S. 2394; 1953, S. 1310d; P.A. 77-614, S. 486, 587, 610; P.A. 78-303, S. 85, 136; P.A. 84-195; P.A. 89-244, S. 2; P.A. 03-184, S. 2; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 70; P.A. 05-218, S. 22; P.A. 06-133, S. 23; P.A. 16-55, S. 4; P.A. 23-40, S. 30.)

History: P.A. 77-614 and P.A. 78-303 made state police department a division within the department of public safety, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 84-195 exempted from the approval of location requirement transfers of ownership to an immediate family member or certain changes in ownership; P.A. 89-244 exempted from the approval of location requirement transfers of ownership to or from a corporation in which an immediate family member of a licensee has a controlling interest; P.A. 03-184 replaced requirement for approval of certificate by chief elected official or zoning board of appeals with requirement that the certificate be obtained from the zoning commission, planning and zoning commission or other board or authority of the municipality; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 replaced provision authorizing the zoning commission or combined planning and zoning commission to issue certificate of approval with provision that in any town or city with a zoning commission, combined planning and zoning commission and a board of appeals, such certificate shall be obtained from the board of appeals; P.A. 05-218 replaced provisions re certificate obtained from board of appeals and approved by chief of police or commander of state police situated nearest to location with provision re certificate obtained from zoning commission and made a technical change; P.A. 06-133 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and amended same to apply only to municipalities having population of no less than twenty thousand and added Subsec. (b) applicable to municipalities having population of less than twenty thousand, effective June 6, 2006; P.A. 16-55 deleted former Subsec. (a) re obtaining license in municipality having population of no less than 20,000, deleted Subsec. (b) designator, deleted provision re obtaining license in municipality with population of less than 20,000 and replaced provision re approval by chief of police or commander of state police barracks with provision re approval by local building official and local fire marshal, effective July 1, 2016; P.A. 23-40 replaced provision re certificate of approval from municipal board or authority or board of appeals with provision re certificate of approval from municipal zoning enforcement official and added provision re affirmation that location and use of property conform to municipal zoning regulations, effective July 1, 2023.

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Sec. 14-58. Application. General registration of motor vehicles. Documents to be issued to drivers. Photostatic copies of registration certificate as proof of ownership. Return of void number plates. Penalty. (a) Each new car dealer, used car dealer or repairer before engaging in such business shall make a separate sworn application to the commissioner for a license to engage in such business in each place of business conducted by such dealer. The application shall include any information that may be required by the commissioner on blanks to be furnished by said commissioner. Each application shall be accompanied by a fee of one hundred forty dollars for each place of business conducted by the applicant, together with the fee for the type of license for which the applicant is making application, and such fee or fees shall not be subject to prorating and shall not be subject to refund. No such license shall be transferable. When such licensee adds buildings or adjacent land to such licensee's licensed place of business, the commissioner may require the licensee to furnish satisfactory evidence of compliance with the provisions of section 14-54, or with other applicable provisions of law, administered by the municipality wherein such business is located, concerning building or zoning requirements. When a change of officers of a corporation engaged in such business is made, a notice of the change shall be sent to the commissioner within a period of fifteen days from the date of the change. The commissioner may suspend the license of any corporation, after notice and hearing, when the newly appointed or elected officers cannot be considered as qualified to conduct the business as provided in section 14-51.

(b) Each such licensee shall, instead of registering each motor vehicle owned by such licensee or temporarily in such licensee's custody, apply to the commissioner for a general distinguishing number and mark, and the commissioner may issue to the applicant a certificate or certificates of registration containing the distinguishing number and mark assigned to such applicant, and made in a form and containing any further information that the commissioner may determine, and, thereupon, each motor vehicle owned by the applicant or temporarily in the applicant's custody shall be regarded as registered under and having assigned to it such general distinguishing number and mark until sold. For the registration of all motor vehicles registered under a general distinguishing number and mark, the commissioner shall charge a fee at the rate of seventy dollars per year. The commissioner may issue to each such licensee such registrations as the commissioner deems necessary. The commissioner may withdraw any registration previously issued or may limit the number of registrations which any licensee is eligible to receive or to hold, if the commissioner determines that a licensee does not require such number of registrations or if a licensee has been found to be in violation of any of the provisions of section 14-64.

(c) Registration certificates issued under the provisions of this section shall not be required to be carried upon such motor vehicles when upon the public highways as required under subsection (a) of section 14-13, except that the licensee shall issue to each person driving such motor vehicle a document indicating that such person is validly entrusted with such vehicle which document shall be carried in the motor vehicle. The commissioner shall determine the form and contents of this document. Legible photostatic copies of such registration certificates may be carried in such vehicles as proof of ownership. The licensee shall furnish financial responsibility satisfactory to the commissioner as defined in section 14-112, provided such financial responsibility shall not be required from a licensee when the commissioner finds that the licensee is of sufficient financial responsibility to meet such legal liability. The commissioner may issue such license upon presentation of evidence of such financial responsibility satisfactory to the commissioner. The commissioner shall assess an administrative fee of two hundred dollars against any licensee for failing to provide proof of policy or bond renewal or replacement on or before the expiration date of the existing policy or bond. Such fee shall be in addition to the license suspension or revocation penalties and the civil penalties to which the licensee is subject pursuant to section 14-64.

(d) Each licensee that was issued a general distinguishing number plate or plates by the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of this section or section 14-59, and that no longer holds a valid license due to failure to renew the license, surrender of the license or revocation of the license by the commissioner for a violation of any provision of this subpart, shall account for and immediately return such number plate or plates to the department, or shall immediately surrender such number plate or plates to a motor vehicle inspector or other authorized agent or employee of said department. All such number plates shall be void, as of the date of termination of the license, and shall not be used as a registration to operate any motor vehicle on any highway.

(e) Any person who fails to return or surrender any general distinguishing number plate that is void, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, or who, with knowledge that such plate is void, uses such plate to operate a motor vehicle on any highway shall be guilty of a violation of subsection (c) of section 14-147.

(1949 Rev., S. 2398; 1953, S. 1312d; 1961, P.A. 581, S. 13; 1963, P.A. 373; 1967, P.A. 866, S. 1; 1969, P.A. 247, S. 2; 759, S. 10; 1971, P.A. 649, S. 2; P.A. 77-50; P.A. 80-380, S. 1, 2; P.A. 81-108, S. 1; P.A. 84-254, S. 39, 62; 84-391, S. 1, 8; 84-429, S. 56; P.A. 02-70, S. 27; P.A. 03-184, S. 5; P.A. 09-187, S. 24; P.A. 10-110, S. 20, 59; P.A. 12-81, S. 8; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 211; P.A. 17-79, S. 10; P.A. 23-40, S. 6.)

History: 1961 act increased application fee and fee for number plates; 1963 act added provisions re notice to commissioner of change in officers of corporation and re commissioner's suspension of license if new officers found to be unqualified; 1967 act added provisions re inclusion of additional buildings or land in license to engage in business; 1969 acts specified that $4 fee per set of plates is an annual charge and later increased $4 fee to $8; 1971 act referred to issuance of single plate rather than pair of plates; P.A. 77-50 added provision re carrying photostat copies of registration certificates as proof of ownership; P.A. 80-380 increased fee to $20 per year; P.A. 81-108 required licensees to issue documents to persons entrusted with motor vehicles subject to general registration; P.A. 84-254 increased the application and registration fees, effective July 1, 1984, scheduling the changes to take effect as of July first of 1985, 1989, 1991 and 1993; P.A. 84-391 limited the number of registrations under a general distinguishing number and mark issued to new and used car dealers and repairers and limited repairers; P.A. 84-429 made technical changes for statutory consistency; P.A. 02-70 divided existing provisions into Subsecs. (a), (b) and (c) and made technical changes throughout, amended Subsec. (a) to delete provisions re additions to existing license and to authorize commissioner to require licensee to furnish evidence of compliance with Secs. 14-54 and 14-55 or other provisions of law administered by the municipality wherein the business is located re building or zoning requirements when a licensee adds buildings or adjacent land to the licensed place of business, and amended Subsec. (b) to allow commissioner to withdraw any registration previously issued or limit the number of registrations a licensee is eligible to receive when the licensee has been found to be in violation of Sec. 14-64; P.A. 03-184 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting reference to Sec. 14-55; P.A. 09-187 added Subsecs. (d) and (e) re return or surrender of general distinguishing number plates and penalty for failure to return or surrender; P.A. 10-110 amended Subsec. (b) to authorize commissioner to withdraw or limit number of registrations held by licensee upon determination that licensee does not require such number and to make technical changes, effective June 5, 2010, and made a technical change in Subsec. (d), effective October 1, 2010; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (c) to add provisions re assessment of $50 fee for failing to continuously maintain financial responsibility requirements; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (c) to add “administrative” re fee and to substitute provision re failure to provide proof of policy or bond renewal or replacement for provision re failure to continuously maintain financial responsibility, effective June 30, 2015; P.A. 17-79 amended Subsec. (c) by increasing administrative fee from $50 to $200 for failure to provide proof of policy or bond renewal or replacement, effective July 1, 2017; P.A. 23-40 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting provisions re number of registrations issued to new car dealer, repairer and limited repairer per year and making a technical and conforming change, effective January 1, 2024.

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Sec. 14-61. Issuance of temporary transfer of registration by dealer. Fee. Return of number plates and registration applications by dealer. (a) Any dealer licensed under the provisions of this subpart who in the opinion of the commissioner is qualified and sells or trades a passenger motor vehicle, motorcycle, camper, camp trailer, commercial trailer, service bus, school bus or truck to a transferee who holds a current registration certificate for a passenger motor vehicle, motorcycle, camper, camp trailer, commercial trailer, service bus, school bus or truck registered in this state may issue a sixty-day temporary transfer of such registration to the vehicle transferred. The commissioner shall charge such dealer a fee of ten dollars for each new temporary dealer transfer form furnished for the purposes of this section. No dealer may make such temporary transfer of a registration unless the transferee surrenders the current registration certificate to the dealer indicating the disposition of the vehicle described thereon in the space provided on the reverse side of such certificate and unless the transferee is eighteen years of age or older. The dealer shall, within ten days from the issuance of such temporary registration, submit to the commissioner an application together with all necessary documents for a permanent registration for the vehicle transferred. No such temporary registration may be issued if (1) the transferred passenger motor vehicle, motorcycle, camper, camp trailer, commercial trailer, service bus, school bus or truck is used and was not previously registered in this state, unless the inspection requirements of section 14-12 have been met, (2) such motor vehicle is ten or more years old, unless the inspection requirements of section 14-16a have been met, or (3) such motor vehicle has been declared a total loss by an insurance company, unless the inspection requirements of section 14-103a have been met.

(b) The commissioner shall require any dealer who is authorized to issue a temporary transfer of registration in accordance with subsection (a) of this section or a new registration in accordance with subsection (c) of section 14-12 to file each application for a permanent registration electronically if the commissioner determines that the dealer files, on average, five or more such applications for permanent registration each month with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Any dealer may make a written request to the commissioner for an exemption from filing such applications electronically due to a hardship, including, but not limited to, a lack of access to a device capable of communicating electronically. The commissioner may enter into an agreement with one or more nonprofit associations or organizations representing the interests of motor vehicle dealers to file such applications electronically on behalf of such dealer. The commissioner may authorize such nonprofit association or organization to charge a convenience fee, in an amount to be determined by the commissioner, to each dealer for an application submitted electronically by such nonprofit association or organization.

(c) If any dealer licensed under this subpart holds a dealer license that is no longer valid or if any such licensed dealer is no longer conducting its licensed business, such dealer shall return to the commissioner, within five business days of such license becoming invalid or the termination of such business, (1) any number plates or other materials supplied by the commissioner to enable such dealer to issue new registrations under subsection (c) of section 14-12 or to complete the temporary transfer of registrations under subsection (a) of this section, and (2) any applications for new registrations or registration transfers that were not acted upon or completed by such dealer when it was conducting its licensed business. A violation of any provision of this subsection shall be an infraction.

(1949 Rev., S. 2401; 1961, P.A. 178; 1967, P.A. 197; 1969, P.A. 279; 1972, P.A. 127, S. 18; P.A. 73-417; P.A. 81-172, S. 6; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-13, S. 7, 21; P.A. 93-341, S. 21; P.A. 95-260, S. 10, 24; P.A. 00-169, S. 2; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 53, 131; P.A. 09-187, S. 15; P.A. 10-110, S. 19; P.A. 11-213, S. 23; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 212; P.A. 16-55, S. 5; P.A. 18-164, S. 6; P.A. 23-40, S. 23.)

History: 1961 act extended temporary transfer period from 10 to 20 days; 1967 act expanded provisions re temporary transfers and deleted provision re authorization to issue new registrations and transfer registrations; 1969 act included temporary transfers of motorcycles; 1972 act changed age of majority from 21 to 18; P.A. 73-417 included transfers of trucks with gross weight not exceeding 10,000 pounds and limited transfer power to dealers whom commissioner considers to be qualified; P.A. 81-172 required totalled motor vehicles to be inspected prior to being issued a temporary transfer of registration; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 91-13 added fee for book of twenty-five new temporary dealer transfer forms; P.A. 93-341 changed the temporary transfer period from 20 days to 45 days and extended the deadline for submission of an application to the commissioner from 5 days after issuance of the temporary registration to 7 days; P.A. 95-260 included temporary transfers of campers, camp trailers and trucks with gross weight not exceeding 25,000 pounds in lieu of 10,000 pounds, effective July 1, 1995; P.A. 00-169 replaced a 45-day with a 60-day temporary transfer of a registration, changed the period of time a dealer shall submit an application to the commissioner for a permanent registration from 7 to 5 days, and made a technical change for the purpose of gender neutrality; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a), increased the fee for a new temporary dealer transfer form from $5 for a book of twenty-five forms to $10 for each form and added new Subsec. (b) to allow the commissioner to require a dealer who is authorized to issue a temporary transfer of registration or a new registration to file each application for a permanent registration electronically if such dealer files an average of twenty-five applications or more each month, effective July 1, 2001 (Revisor's note: The reference in Subsec. (a) to “subdivision (D)” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “subpart (D)” for clarity of reference); P.A. 09-187 amended Subsec. (b) to reduce average monthly applications filed by dealer from 25 or more to 10 or more, effective July 1, 2009; P.A. 10-110 made a technical change in Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (c) re return of number plates and applications by dealer holding invalid dealer license or dealer no longer in business, effective July 1, 2010; P.A. 11-213 amended Subsec. (a) to add “commercial trailer, service bus, school bus”, delete gross vehicle weight limit, insert numeric Subdiv. designators, and make technical changes; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (a) to delete references to official stamp and regulations, effective June 30, 2015; P.A. 16-55 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “may” with “shall” in provision re filing application for permanent registration electronically, reducing average monthly applications filed by dealer from 10 or more to 7 or more, deleting provision re filing application at branch office and adding provisions re exemption due to hardship, re agreement between commissioner and nonprofit association or organization representing interests of motor vehicle dealers and re convenience fee, effective July 1, 2016; P.A. 18-164 amended Subsec. (a) by increasing period of time for dealer to submit permanent registration application to commissioner from 5 days to 10 days, effective July 1, 2018; P.A. 23-40 amended Subsec. (b) by reducing average monthly applications filed by dealer from 7 or more to 5 or more, effective July 1, 2023.

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Sec. 14-62b. Sale of used motor vehicle parts. (a) As used in this section:

(1) “Motor vehicle part” means a major component part, as defined in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-149a.

(2) “Used motor vehicle part” means any of the parts listed in subparagraphs (A) to (Q), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of this section which has been taken from and previously utilized in any motor vehicle or light truck having a gross vehicle weight of less than ten thousand pounds.

(b) No new car dealer, used car dealer or repairer, licensed in accordance with the provisions of section 14-52, may purchase or in any manner obtain possession of any motor vehicle for the purpose of dismantling such motor vehicle and selling its parts, as defined in subsection (a) of this section, for use in any other motor vehicle, except that any such dealer or repairer may sell used motor vehicle parts if the parts are installed in a motor vehicle by such dealer or repairer for the purpose of repair or maintenance of such motor vehicle.

(c) Any dealer or repairer who violates subsection (b) of this section, after notice and hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than two thousand dollars.

(d) No provision of this section shall apply to the sale or purchase of used motor vehicle parts for use in antique, rare or special interest motor vehicles or modified antique motor vehicles, as defined in section 14-1.

(e) Any person, firm or corporation engaging in the business of purchasing or obtaining a motor vehicle for the purpose of dismantling such motor vehicle and selling its parts without first obtaining a motor vehicle recycler's license issued pursuant to the provisions of section 14-67l shall be deemed to have committed a class C misdemeanor.

(P.A. 94-189, S. 24; P.A. 96-167, S. 10; P.A. 99-268, S. 12; P.A. 00-169, S. 22; P.A. 23-40, S. 7.)

History: P.A. 96-167 amended Subsec. (e) to substitute “motor vehicle recycler's license” for “motor vehicle junk yard license” and “motor vehicle junk business license”; P.A. 99-268 redefined “motor vehicle part” in Subsec. (a)(1) to mean a “major component part”, as defined in Sec. 14-149a(a)(2); P.A. 00-169 revised effective date of P.A. 99-268 but without affecting this section; P.A. 23-40 amended Subsec. (b) to delete reference to limited repairer and make a technical change, effective January 1, 2024.

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Sec. 14-65e. Motor vehicle repairs: Definitions. For the purposes of sections 14-65f to 14-65j, inclusive, “motor vehicle repair shop” or “repair shop” means a new car dealer, a used car dealer or a repairer, or their agents or employees.

(P.A. 80-425, S. 1; P.A. 23-40, S. 8.)

History: P.A. 23-40 deleted reference to limited repairer and made technical change, effective January 1, 2024.

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Sec. 14-65n. Notice re motor vehicle repaired or worked upon is subject to an open recall. (a) For the purposes of this section, “open recall” means a safety-related recall for which notification by a manufacturer of a motor vehicle has been provided under 49 USC 30119, as amended from time to time, that necessitates repairs or modifications to a motor vehicle by an authorized motor vehicle dealer, but does not include a recall related to defects or failures to comply with requirements relating to labeling or notification in an owner's manual or a recall where the remedy is for the manufacturer to repurchase the motor vehicle or otherwise provide financial compensation to the owner of the motor vehicle.

(b) During the course of performing repair work or changing the oil or tires and tubes of a motor vehicle, a repairer licensed in accordance with section 14-52 or a person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of changing the oil or tires and tubes of a motor vehicle, shall determine whether the motor vehicle being repaired or worked upon is subject to an open recall by checking information provided by the manufacturer of the motor vehicle or other known and readily available sources, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If the motor vehicle is subject to one or more open recalls, the repairer, person, firm or corporation shall provide the owner of the motor vehicle with written notice of each such open recall at the time of such repair or work. The notice shall include a description of each open recall and a statement that a motor vehicle dealer approved by the manufacturer of the motor vehicle may repair or modify the motor vehicle at no cost to the owner, except as provided in 49 USC 30120, as amended from time to time.

(c) Nothing in this section shall alter the liability under common law of any motor vehicle manufacturer or motor vehicle dealer approved by the manufacturer to repair or modify a motor vehicle subject to an open recall.

(d) A repairer or person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of changing the oil or tires and tubes of a motor vehicle and any employee of such repairer or person, firm or corporation shall not be liable to any person for any act or omission related to the provision of a written notice regarding an open recall required pursuant to this section.

(P.A. 23-40, S. 24.)

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PART IV

DRIVERS' SCHOOLS

Sec. 14-69. License to conduct a drivers' school. Penalty. (a) No person shall engage in the business of conducting a drivers' school without being licensed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. An application for a license shall be in writing and shall contain such information as the commissioner requires. Each applicant for a license or the renewal of a license shall be fingerprinted before such application is approved. The commissioner shall subject each applicant for a license or the renewal of a license to state and national criminal history records checks conducted in accordance with section 29-17a, and a check of the state child abuse and neglect registry established pursuant to section 17a-101k. If any such applicant has a criminal record or is listed on the state child abuse and neglect registry, the commissioner shall make a determination whether to issue a license or renew a license to conduct a drivers' school in accordance with the standards and procedures set forth in section 14-44 and the regulations adopted pursuant to said section. If the application is approved, the applicant shall be granted a license upon the payment of a fee of seven hundred dollars and submission of a surety bond from a surety company authorized to do business in this state, conditioned upon the faithful performance by the applicant of any contract to furnish instruction, in such amount as the commissioner may require. Such surety bond shall be held by the commissioner to satisfy any execution issued against such school in a cause arising out of failure of such school to perform such contract. For each additional place of business of such school, the commissioner shall charge a fee of one hundred seventy-six dollars, except if the licensee opens an additional place of business with one year or less remaining on the term of its license, the commissioner shall charge a fee of eighty-eight dollars for each such additional place of business for the year, or any part thereof, remaining on the term of such license. No license or surety bond shall be required in the case of any board of education, or any public, private or parochial school, which conducts a course in driver education established in accordance with sections 14-36e and 14-36f. A license so issued shall be valid for two years. The commissioner shall issue a license certificate or certificates to each licensee, one of which shall be displayed in each place of business of the licensee. In case of the loss, mutilation or destruction of a license certificate, the commissioner shall issue a duplicate license certificate to the licensee upon proof of the facts and the payment of a fee of twenty dollars.

(b) The biennial fee for the renewal of a license shall be seven hundred dollars and the biennial renewal fee for each additional place of business shall be one hundred seventy-six dollars, except if the licensee opens an additional place of business with one year or less remaining on the term of its license, the commissioner shall charge a fee of eighty-eight dollars for each such additional place of business for the year, or any part thereof, remaining on the term of such license. If the commissioner has not received a complete renewal application and all applicable renewal fees on or before the expiration date of an applicant's license, the commissioner shall charge such applicant, in addition to such renewal fees, a late fee of seven hundred dollars. Upon the expiration date of a license, the licensee shall cease to conduct business until such time as the licensee's application for renewal is approved by the commissioner. The commissioner shall not renew any license under this section that has expired for more than sixty days.

(c) Any person who engages in the business of conducting a drivers' school without being licensed in accordance with this section shall be guilty of a class B misdemeanor.

(1957, P.A. 507, S. 2; 1967, P.A. 406; 531, S. 2; 778; 1971, P.A. 95; P.A. 84-254, S. 45, 62; P.A. 03-265, S. 10; P.A. 04-143, S. 21; 04-182, S. 9; P.A. 10-110, S. 38; P.A. 11-213, S. 24; P.A. 12-81, S. 46; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-2, S. 125; P.A. 13-271, S. 27; P.A. 21-106, S. 21; P.A. 22-44, S. 4; P.A. 23-40, S. 14.)

History: 1967 acts provided for charge of $25 for each additional place of business, excluded from license requirements persons or schools providing instruction in operation of vehicles other than passenger vehicles and under the jurisdiction of the state board of education pursuant to Sec. 10-8, and added provision re cash or bond security; 1971 act raised cost of duplicate certificate from $1 to $2; P.A. 84-254 increased the fees, scheduling the increases to take effect as of July first of 1985, 1989, 1991 and 1993; P.A. 03-265 deleted provisions re fees applicable before July 1, 1993, and replaced provisions re waiver of license for board of education or school conducting driver education course approved by the State Board of Education or person or school under jurisdiction of said board with provisions re waiver of license for board of education or school conducting driver education course “established in accordance with sections 14-36e and 14-36f”; P.A. 04-143 provided that fee for license to conduct a drivers' school is $350 and fee for replacement license is $7, effective May 21, 2004; P.A. 04-182 increased fee for duplicate certificate to $20, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 10-110 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and amended same to require criminal history records checks and check of state child abuse and neglect registry for drivers' school license or license renewal applicant, delete provision re annual renewal fee and deposit of security and make technical changes, and added Subsec. (b) establishing annual renewal fee for license and for each additional place of business and late fee, effective July 1, 2010; P.A. 11-213 deleted provisions re renewal of license in Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (c) re penalty for conduct of school without license, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (b) to change license renewal fee from $350 annually to $700 biennially, change renewal fee for each additional place of business from $88 annually to $176 biennially and increase late fee from $350 to $700; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-2 amended Subsec. (a) to change license fee from $350 to $700, change fee for each additional place of business from $88 to $176 and change term of license from 1 year to 2 years; P.A. 13-271 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) to add provisions re fee of $88 for additional place of business opened by licensee with one year or less remaining on the term of license, effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 21-106 amended Subsec. (a) by removing “cash or”, effective July 1, 2021; P.A. 22-44 amended Subsec. (b) to add provision re cease to conduct business upon expiration of license and add provision re no renewal of license expired for more than 60 days and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2022; P.A. 23-40 amended Subsec. (a) to add provisions re renewal of license and make a technical change, effective July 1, 2023.

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Sec. 14-78. Regulations for conduct of drivers' schools and instructor license requirements. Limited license. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, regarding the conduct of drivers' schools and instructor license requirements. Such regulations shall (1) establish the conduct of drivers' schools, including, but not limited to, (A) requirements as to the inspection of the vehicles used by the drivers' schools in the conduct of their business, (B) instructional standards and procedures, 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, instruction concerning highway work zone safety and the responsibilities of an operator of a motor vehicle under section 14-212d, and instruction concerning ways to reduce incidents of operators driving in the wrong direction and actions to take when an operator encounters a motor vehicle being operated in the wrong direction, (C) the administration of a test at the conclusion of each class, (D) the posting of rates charged for instruction, and (E) the general form in which records concerning persons under instruction and those who have completed their course of instruction shall be kept and, when required, the method of transmission to the commissioner, (2) except as required pursuant to section 14-36j, permit a class or classroom instruction to be offered in person in a congregate setting, through distance learning or through a combination of both in-person and distance learning, provided such distance learning has interactive components such as mandatory interactions, participation or testing, and (3) establish the requirements for a person to receive a license as an instructor in accordance with section 14-73. On and after October 1, 2010, the commissioner shall not issue a license that is limited to classroom instruction. Any person who was issued such limited license prior to October 1, 2010, may maintain and renew such license.

(1957, P.A. 507, S. 11; P.A. 99-171, S. 3, 5; P.A. 02-70, S. 63; P.A. 10-110, S. 41; P.A. 13-92, S. 5; P.A. 21-106, S. 22; P.A. 23-51, S. 3.)

History: P.A. 99-171 added requirement for instruction re operator responsibilities and penalties under Sec. 14-223(b), effective January 1, 2000; P.A. 02-70 made a technical change, specified that regulations be adopted in accordance with chapter 54, designated existing provisions re subject matter of regulations as Subdiv. (1) and added Subdiv. (2) authorizing regulations for the establishment of requirements for a person to receive an instructor's license in accordance with Sec. 14-73 and to require commissioner to issue a license to a person who meets requirements of Sec. 14-73 to act as a classroom-only instructor; P.A. 10-110 amended Subdiv. (2) to delete provisions re regulations requiring commissioner to issue license to act as instructor in classroom only and added provisions prohibiting commissioner from issuing license limited to classroom instruction on and after October 1, 2010, and authorizing maintenance and renewal of any such limited license issued prior to October 1, 2010, effective June 5, 2010; P.A. 13-92 added provision re regulations concerning instruction of highway work zone safety in Subdiv. (1); P.A. 21-106 added provision re administration of test at conclusion of each class and transmission of records to commissioner in Subdiv. (1), added new Subdiv. (2) re offering of instruction in-person, through distance learning or combination of in-person and distance learning, designated existing Subdiv. (2) as Subdiv. (3) and made technical changes, effective June 30, 2021; P.A. 23-51 amended Subdiv. (1) by designating existing provisions as Subparas. (A) to (E) and adding provision re instruction concerning driving in the wrong direction in Subpara. (B).

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PART V

EQUIPMENT

Sec. 14-80a. Maximum noise levels. Regulations. (a) No person shall operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles, nor shall the owner of any vehicle allow the vehicle to be operated, at any time or under any condition of grade, surface, speed, load, acceleration, deceleration or weather condition in such a manner as to exceed the decibel levels established under subsection (c) of this section. This subsection applies to the total noise generated by a vehicle and shall not be construed as limiting or precluding the enforcement of any other motor vehicle noise provisions of this title.

(b) No person shall sell or offer for sale a new vehicle which produces a maximum decibel level which exceeds the decibel levels established under subsection (c) of this section.

(c) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall, with the advice of the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, establishing (1) the maximum decibel levels permissible for motor vehicles, which shall not exceed the maximum decibel levels established for motor vehicles by federal law or regulation, and (2) the procedure for testing maximum decibel levels. The commissioner shall amend such regulations to reflect industry standards and advancements in technology and shall submit the amended regulations to the standing legislative regulation review committee under section 4-170 not later than October 1, 2024.

(d) Violation of the provisions of this section shall be an infraction.

(1971, P.A. 762, S. 1-3; 1972, P.A. 133, S. 1; 294, S. 41; P.A. 75-577, S. 67, 126; P.A. 77-80; P.A. 84-429, S. 29; P.A. 11-80, S. 1; P.A. 22-44, S. 18; P.A. 23-135, S. 36.)

History: 1972 acts added definition of “dB(A)” in Subsec. (a) and replaced “(26)” with “(56)” of Sec. 14-1 in definition of “vehicle”, made provisions of Subsec. (b) applicable as of January 1, 1973, inserted new (c) re sales on or after January 1, 1975, redesignated former Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (d) and amplified provisions, also replacing health commissioner with commissioner of environmental protection and added Subsec. (e) incorporating penalty provision formerly found in Subsec. (b); P.A. 75-577 replaced provision re fine for violation with provision that violation is an infraction in Subsec. (e); P.A. 77-80 deleted definition of “dB(A)” in Subsec. (a) and replaced specific provisions re maximum decibel levels allowed in certain years in Subsec. (d) with reference to maximum levels “established for motor vehicles by federal law or regulation”; P.A. 84-429 deleted obsolete date provisions, rephrased provisions, relettered Subsecs. and made other technical changes; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Commissioner of Environmental Protection” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection” in Subsec. (c), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 22-44 amended Subsec. (c) to add Subdivs. designators (1) and (2), delete provisions re measuring decibel level and add provision re amend regulations and submit to regulation review committee not later than January 1, 2024, effective July 1, 2022; P.A. 23-135 amended Subsec. (c) to change date re submission of regulations from January 1, 2024 to October 1, 2024, effective July 1, 2023.

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Sec. 14-96q. Permits for colored or flashing lights. Exceptions. Fee. (a) A permit is required for the use of colored or flashing lights on all motor vehicles or equipment specified in this section except: (1) Motor vehicles not registered in this state used for transporting or escorting any vehicle or load, or combinations thereof, which is either oversize or overweight, or both, when operating under a permit issued by the Commissioner of Transportation pursuant to section 14-270; or (2) motor vehicles or equipment that are (A) equipped with lights in accordance with this section, (B) owned or leased by the federal government, the state of Connecticut, or any other state, commonwealth or local municipality, and (C) registered to such governmental entity. When used in this section, the term “flashing” shall be considered to include the term “revolving”.

(b) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, or such other person specifically identified in this section, may issue permits for the use of colored or flashing lights on vehicles in accordance with this section, at the commissioner's or such person's discretion. Any person, firm or corporation other than the state or any metropolitan district, town, city or borough shall pay an annual permit fee of twenty dollars to the commissioner for each such vehicle. Such fee shall apply only to permits issued by the commissioner.

(c) A flashing blue light or lights may be used on a motor vehicle operated by an active member of a volunteer fire department or company or an active member of an organized civil preparedness auxiliary fire company who has been issued a permit by the chief executive officer of such department or company to use a flashing blue light or lights while on the way to or at the scene of a fire or other emergency requiring such member's services. Such permit shall be on a form provided by the commissioner and may be revoked by such chief executive officer or successor. The chief executive officer of each volunteer fire department or company or organized civil preparedness auxiliary fire company shall keep on file, on forms provided by the commissioner, the names and addresses of members who have been authorized to use a flashing blue light or lights as provided in this subsection. Such listing shall also designate the registration number of the motor vehicle on which authorized a flashing blue light or lights are to be used.

(d) A flashing green or blue light or lights may be used on a motor vehicle operated by an active member of a volunteer ambulance association or company who has been issued a permit by the chief executive officer of such association or company to use such a light or lights, while on the way to or at the scene of an emergency requiring such member's services. Such permit shall be on a form provided by the commissioner and may be revoked by such chief executive officer or successor. The chief executive officer of each volunteer ambulance association or company shall keep on file, on forms provided by the commissioner, the names and addresses of members who have been authorized to use a flashing green or blue light or lights as provided in this subsection. Such listing shall also designate the registration number of the motor vehicle on which the authorized flashing green or blue light or lights are to be used.

(e) The commissioner may issue a permit for a flashing red light or lights which may be used on a motor vehicle or equipment (1) used by paid fire chiefs and their deputies and assistants, up to a total of five individuals per department, (2) used by volunteer fire chiefs and their deputies and assistants, up to a total of five individuals per department, (3) used by members of the fire police on a stationary vehicle as a warning signal during traffic directing operations at the scene of a fire or emergency, (4) used by chief executive officers of emergency medical service organizations, as defined in section 19a-175, the first or second deputies, or if there are no deputies, the first or second assistants, of such an organization that is a municipal or volunteer or licensed organization, (5) used by local fire marshals, (6) used by directors of emergency management, or (7) used by a constable, appointed pursuant to an ordinance authorized by section 9-185 or elected pursuant to section 9-200, on a stationary vehicle as a warning signal during traffic directing operations.

(f) The commissioner may issue a permit for a yellow or amber light or lights, including a flashing yellow or amber light or lights, which may be used on motor vehicles or equipment that are (1) specified in subsection (e) of this section, (2) maintenance vehicles, or (3) vehicles transporting or escorting any vehicle or load or combinations thereof, which is or are either oversize or overweight, or both, and being operated or traveling under a permit issued by the Commissioner of Transportation pursuant to section 14-270. A yellow or amber light or lights, including a flashing yellow or amber light or lights, may be used without obtaining a permit from the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles on wreckers registered pursuant to section 14-66, on vehicles of carriers in rural mail delivery service or on vehicles operated by construction inspectors employed by the state of Connecticut, authorized by the Commissioner of Transportation, used during the performance of inspections on behalf of the state. The Commissioner of Transportation shall maintain a list of such authorized construction inspectors, including the name and address of each inspector and the registration number for each vehicle on which the light or lights are to be used.

(g) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may issue a permit for a white light or lights, including a flashing white light or lights, which may be used on a motor vehicle or equipment as specified in subdivision (1), (2), (4), (5) or (6) of subsection (e) of this section. A vehicle being operated by a member of a volunteer fire department or company or a volunteer emergency medical technician may use flashing white head lamps, provided such member or emergency medical technician is on the way to the scene of a fire or medical emergency and has received written authorization from the chief law enforcement officer of the municipality to use such head lamps. Such head lamps shall only be used within the municipality granting such authorization or from a personal residence or place of employment, if located in an adjoining municipality. Such authorization may be revoked for use of such head lamps in violation of this subdivision. For the purposes of this subsection, the term “flashing white lights” shall not include the simultaneous flashing of head lamps.

(h) The commissioner may issue a permit for emergency vehicles, as defined in subsection (a) of section 14-283, to use a blue, red, yellow, or white light or lights, including a flashing light or lights or any combination thereof, except as provided in subsection (k) of this section.

(i) The commissioner may issue a permit for ambulances, as defined in section 19a-175, which may, in addition to the flashing light or lights allowed in subsection (h) of this section, use flashing lights of other colors specified by federal requirements for the manufacture of an ambulance. If the commissioner issues a permit for any ambulance, such permit shall be issued at the time of registration and upon each renewal of such registration.

(j) A green, yellow or amber light or lights, including a flashing green, yellow or amber light or lights or any combination thereof, may be used on a maintenance vehicle owned and operated by the Department of Transportation.

(k) No person, other than a police officer or inspector of the Department of Motor Vehicles operating a state or local police vehicle, shall operate a motor vehicle displaying a steady blue or steady red illuminated light or both steady blue and steady red illuminated lights that are visible externally from the front of the vehicle.

(l) Use of colored and flashing lights except as authorized by this section shall be an infraction.

(1967, P.A. 834, S. 19; 1969, P.A. 759, S. 12; 1971, P.A. 459, S. 1; P.A. 73-544, S. 24; P.A. 74-99, S. 2, 3; P.A. 75-577, S. 43, 126; P.A. 78-156, S. 3; P.A. 79-4; P.A. 84-254, S. 47, 62; 84-377, S. 3, 4; P.A. 85-217, S. 2; P.A. 87-41, S. 2; P.A. 93-307, S. 5, 34; P.A. 94-189, S. 8; P.A. 96-167, S. 30; P.A. 99-150, S. 2; 99-268, S. 23; P.A. 00-169, S. 22; P.A. 04-182, S. 11; P.A. 05-218, S. 10; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 214; P.A. 16-55, S. 22; P.A. 17-230, S. 8; P.A. 19-161, S. 10; P.A. 21-40, S. 15, 16; 21-106, S. 33; P.A. 23-135, S. 40.)

History: 1969 act increased fee in Subsec. (c) from $1 to $2 per vehicle; 1971 act amended Subsec. (c)(4) to add “revolving” yellow lights and to allow their use on oversize or overweight loads, allowed use of flashing lights to indicate slow speed of vehicle, included escort vehicles in permit provisions and added proviso re required permit for vehicles not registered in this state; P.A. 73-544 replaced “civil defense” with “civil preparedness” in Subsec. (c); P.A. 74-99 amended Subsec. (c) to allow use of flashing green lights by members of volunteer ambulance associations or companies; P.A. 75-577 added Subsec. (d); P.A. 78-156 amended Subsec. (c) to allow use of flashing red lights on vehicles used to pick up or discharge not more than nine handicapped students when stopped to do so; P.A. 79-4 amended Subsec. (c) to allow use of flashing red lights on rescue vehicles; P.A. 84-254 amended Subsec. (c) to increase periodically the permit fee from $2 to $7 as of July 1, 1993; P.A. 84-377 amended Subsec. (c), permitting motor vehicles accommodating fifteen or less handicapped students to use flashing red lights when receiving or discharging such students; P.A. 85-217 amended Subsec. (c), permitting the chief executive officers of emergency medical service organizations to use flashing red lights as provided in Subsec. (a) of Sec. 14-96p and deleting references to the flashing of red lights by motor vehicles used as buses by handicapped students and by stationary vehicles used by fire police as warning signals; P.A. 87-41 amended Subsec. (c), permitting use of flashing white lights in conjunction with flashing red lights on an ambulance responding to an emergency call; P.A. 93-307 amended Subsec. (c) to permit flashing red lights on ambulances and to permit flashing white lights used in conjunction with “flashing head lamps” on ambulances responding to emergency calls, effective June 29, 1993; P.A. 94-189 amended Subsec. (c)(7) by adding “and a flashing amber light” after “flashing head lamps”; P.A. 96-167 amended Subsec. (c)(7) to authorize use of flashing lights of colors other than white specified by federal requirements for manufacture of ambulances; P.A. 99-150 amended Subsec. (c) by adding local fire marshals and directors of emergency management to the list of those authorized to use flashing red lights; P.A. 99-268 amended Subsec. (c) by allowing wreckers, registered pursuant to Sec. 14-66, to have flashing or revolving yellow lights and by making technical changes re gender neutrality; P.A. 00-169 revised effective date of P.A. 99-268 but without affecting this section; P.A. 04-182 amended Subsec. (c) to increase annual permit fee to $20 and to delete provision re past fee increases, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 05-218 amended Subsec. (c) by changing “written” to “special” permit, adding “and on other vehicles that display lights for which a permit is required, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of section 14-96p”, deleting “of two dollars” re annual permit fee and adding provision requiring special permits for ambulances to be issued at time of registration or renewal, effective July 6, 2005; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 replaced former Subsecs. (a) to (d) with new Subsec. (a) re permit for use of colored or flashing lights on motor vehicles or equipment, new Subsec. (b) re issuance of permits for use of colored or flashing lights, new Subsec. (c) re use of blue lights on motor vehicles and new Subsec. (d) re use of green lights on motor vehicles, added Subsec. (e) re issuance of permits for use of red lights on motor vehicles or equipment, added Subsec. (f) re issuance of permits for use of yellow or amber lights on motor vehicles or equipment, added Subsec. (g) re issuance of permits for use of white lights on motor vehicles or equipment, added Subsec. (h) re issuance of permit for use of certain colored lights on emergency vehicles, added Subsec. (i) re issuance of permit for use of flashing lights of other colors specified by federal requirements on ambulances, and added Subsec. (j) re penalty, effective June 30, 2015; P.A. 16-55 amended Subsecs. (c) and (d) by making technical changes, effective May 31, 2016; P.A. 17-230 amended Subsec. (f) to add provision re use of yellow or amber lights for vehicles operated by construction inspectors employed by the state; P.A. 19-161 amended Subsec. (h) by adding exception re provisions of Subsec. (j), added new Subsec. (j) re use of green, yellow or amber lights on maintenance vehicles, added Subsec. (k) re prohibition re display of steady blue or red light or both blue and red lights on motor vehicles, redesignated existing Subsec. (j) as Subsec. (l) and made conforming and technical changes; P.A. 21-40 made technical changes in Subsecs. (f) and (h); P.A. 21-106 amended Subsec. (h) to replace reference to Subsec. (j) with reference to Subsec. (k), effective June 30, 2021; P.A. 23-135 amended Subsec. (b) to replace “is authorized to” with “may”, amended Subsec. (d) to delete reference to green light and add references to flashing blue light, amended Subsec. (e) to add Subdiv. (7) re constable on stationary vehicle during traffic directing operations and made technical changes.

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Sec. 14-100a. Seat safety belts. Child restraint systems. Wheelchair transportation devices. (a) No new passenger motor vehicle may be sold or registered in this state unless equipped with at least two sets of seat safety belts for the front and rear seats of the motor vehicle, which belts comply with the requirements of subsection (b) of this section. The anchorage unit at the attachment point shall be of such construction, design and strength as to support a loop load strength of not less than four thousand pounds for each belt.

(b) No seat safety belt may be sold for use in connection with the operation of a motor vehicle on any highway of this state unless it is so constructed and installed as to have a loop strength through the complete attachment of not less than four thousand pounds, and the buckle or closing device shall be of such construction and design that after it has received the aforesaid loop belt load it can be released with one hand with a pull of less than forty-five pounds.

(c) (1) The operator of and any passenger in any motor vehicle or fire fighting apparatus originally equipped with seat safety belts complying with the provisions of 49 CFR 571.209, as amended from time to time, shall wear such seat safety belt while the vehicle or fire fighting apparatus is being operated on any highway, except as follows:

(A) A child under eight years of age shall be restrained as provided in subsection (d) of this section; and

(B) The operator of such vehicle shall secure or cause to be secured in a seat safety belt any passenger eight years of age or older and under sixteen years of age.

(2) The provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not apply to: (A) Any person whose physical disability or impairment would prevent restraint in such safety belt, provided such person obtains a written statement from a licensed physician, a licensed physician assistant or a licensed advanced practice registered nurse containing reasons for such person's inability to wear such safety belt and including information concerning the nature and extent of such condition. Such person shall carry the statement on his or her person or in the motor vehicle at all times when it is being operated, (B) an authorized emergency vehicle, other than fire fighting apparatus, responding to an emergency call or a motor vehicle operated by a rural letter carrier of the United States postal service while performing his or her official duties or by a person engaged in the delivery of newspapers, or (C) any passenger on a bus, as defined in 49 USC 30127, as amended from time to time.

(3) Failure to wear a seat safety belt shall not be considered as contributory negligence nor shall such failure be admissible evidence in any civil action.

(4) No law enforcement official may stop a motor vehicle solely for the apparent or actual failure of a back seat passenger who is sixteen years of age or older to wear a seat safety belt.

(5) Any operator of a motor vehicle, who is eighteen years of age or older, and any passenger in such motor vehicle, who violates any provision of this subsection shall have committed an infraction and shall be fined fifty dollars. Any operator of a motor vehicle who is under eighteen years of age and any passenger in such motor vehicle who violates any provision of this subsection shall have committed an infraction and shall be fined seventy-five dollars. Points may not be assessed against the operator's license of any person convicted of such violation.

(d) (1) (A) Any person who transports a child under two years of age or weighing less than thirty pounds in a motor vehicle on the highways of this state shall provide and require the child to ride rear-facing in a child restraint system equipped with a five-point harness approved pursuant to regulations that the Department of Motor Vehicles shall adopt in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.

(B) Any person who transports a child under five years of age, but not under two years of age, or weighing less than forty pounds, but not less than thirty pounds, in a motor vehicle on the highways of this state shall provide and require the child to ride rear-facing or forward-facing in a child restraint system equipped with a five-point harness approved pursuant to such regulations.

(C) Any person who transports a child under eight years of age, but not under five years of age, or weighing less than sixty pounds, but not less than forty pounds, in a motor vehicle on the highways of this state shall provide and require the child to ride rear-facing or forward-facing in a child restraint system equipped with a five-point harness or a booster seat secured by a seat safety belt approved pursuant to such regulations.

(D) No person shall transport a child in a motor vehicle on the highways of this state in a rear-facing child restraint system in the front seat of any motor vehicle that is equipped with a functional air bag on the passenger side of such motor vehicle.

(2) Any person who transports a child eight years of age or older and weighing sixty or more pounds in a motor vehicle on the highways of this state shall either provide and require the child to use an approved child restraint system or require the child to use a seat safety belt. Failure to use a child restraint system shall not be considered as contributory negligence nor shall such failure be admissible evidence in any civil action. As used in this subsection, “motor vehicle” does not mean a bus having a tonnage rating of one ton or more.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection, any person who transports a child four years of age or older in a student transportation vehicle, as defined in section 14-212, on the highways of this state shall either provide and require the child to use an approved child restraint system or require the child to use a seat safety belt. Any person who transports a child under four years of age weighing less than forty pounds in a student transportation vehicle on the highways of this state shall provide and require the child to use a child restraint system approved pursuant to such regulations.

(4) No person shall restrain a child in a booster seat unless the motor vehicle is equipped with a safety seat belt that includes a shoulder belt and otherwise meets the requirement of subsection (b) of this section.

(5) Any person who violates the provisions of subdivision (1), (2), (3) or (4) of this subsection shall, for a first violation, have committed an infraction; for a second violation, be fined not more than one hundred ninety-nine dollars; and, for a third or subsequent violation, be guilty of a class A misdemeanor. The court may, subsequent to the violation but prior to the imposition of a fine, remit the fine for a first-time violator who presents proof of the acquisition, rental or purchase of a child restraint system or booster seat appropriate for the weight and age of the child that such person transports not later than fourteen days from the date of the violation. The commissioner shall require any person who has committed a first or second violation of the provisions of this subsection to attend a child car seat safety course offered or approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles. The commissioner may, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, suspend for a period of not more than two months the motor vehicle operator's license of any person who fails to attend or successfully complete the course.

(e) (1) Any person who transports an individual who remains in a wheelchair while being transferred into and out of a vehicle, in any motor vehicle on the highways of this state, shall provide and require the use of a device designed to secure individuals in wheelchairs while transferring such individuals from the ground to the vehicle and from the time the motor vehicle is brought to a stop until such individuals are transferred from the vehicle to the ground. Such device shall be located in the motor vehicle at all times. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may, after consultation with the Departments of Transportation and Public Health, establish regulations to implement the provisions of this section and sections 13b-105 and 14-102a, subsection (d) of section 14-103, subsection (a) of section 14-275 and subsection (a) of section 19a-180.

(2) The following motor vehicles registered in this state for the first time on or after October 1, 2007, that transport individuals who remain in wheelchairs while being transported, shall, in addition to the requirements of subdivision (1) of this subsection, install or provide and require the use of a device that secures the wheelchair to the motor vehicle's mechanical lift or otherwise prevents or seeks to prevent an individual in a wheelchair from falling from such mechanical lift or motor vehicle: (A) Motor vehicles in livery service, as defined in section 13b-101, (B) service buses, as defined in section 14-1, (C) invalid coaches, as defined in section 19a-175, (D) vanpool vehicles, as defined in section 14-1, (E) school buses, as defined in section 14-1, (F) motor buses, as defined in section 14-1, (G) student transportation vehicles, as defined in section 14-212, and (H) camp vehicles, as defined in section 14-1. The provisions of this subsection shall also apply to all motor vehicles used by municipal, volunteer and commercial ambulance services and rescue services, as defined in section 19a-175.

(3) Violation of any provision of this subsection is an infraction.

(f) The commissioner shall administer the provisions of this section.

(1961, P.A. 532; 1963, P.A. 405; P.A. 82-292; P.A. 84-429, S. 35; P.A. 85-429, S. 1, 8; P.A. 91-192, S. 2; P.A. 93-10; P.A. 94-52; P.A. 96-180, S. 149, 166; 96-257, S. 1; P.A. 02-70, S. 78; P.A. 05-58, S. 1; P.A. 07-134, S. 1; P.A. 08-32, S. 5; 08-150, S. 37; P.A. 10-3, S. 50; 10-110, S. 7; P.A. 14-231, S. 51; P.A. 16-39, S. 11; P.A. 17-230, S. 11; P.A. 21-121, S. 96; 21-175, S. 16; 21-196, S. 13; P.A. 23-40, S. 15.)

History: 1963 act made equipping of new cars with seat belts mandatory, 1961 act having made anchorage units only mandatory; P.A. 82-292 inserted new Subsec. (c) requiring the use of child restraint systems, relettering former Subsec. (c) accordingly; P.A. 84-429 rephrased provisions and made other technical changes; P.A. 85-429 amended Subsec. (a) to require that vehicles be equipped with safety belts for rear seats and inserted new Subsec. (c) re required use of seat belts, exemptions and penalties related to such use, relettering prior Subsecs. (c) and (d) accordingly; P.A. 91-192 amended Subsec. (c)(1) and (3) to require use of seat belts in fire fighting apparatus and (c)(5) to delete obsolete provision re issuance of verbal warnings by law enforcement officers for violations; P.A. 93-10 amended Subsec. (c)(1) to eliminate exemption from requirement to use seat belts for vehicles equipped with air bags; P.A. 94-52 amended Subsec. (c) by deleting “front seat” in the last sentence of Subdiv. (1), making it applicable to any passenger 4 years of age or older and under 16, not only a “front seat” passenger, and amended Subsec. (d) by making its first sentence applicable to children under 4 years of age and weighing less than 40 pounds, deleting language which provided that: “For any child between the ages of one year and four years, a seat safety belt in the rear seat of the motor vehicle which complies with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section may be used in lieu of a child restraint system.” and providing instead that: “Any person who transports a child under the age of four years, weighing forty or more pounds, in a motor vehicle on the highways of this state shall either provide and require the child to use an approved child restraint system or require the child to use a seat safety belt” and eliminating language which said that “motor vehicle” does not mean “a recreational vehicle of the truck or van type or a truck”; P.A. 96-180 amended of Subsec. (c)(1) to substitute Subsec. “(e)” for “(g)” of Sec. 38a-363, effective June 3, 1996; P.A. 96-257 amended Subsec. (d) to eliminate provision requiring court waiver of fine upon proof that person installed child restraint system prior to court appearance date, to provide graduated penalties for violation of subsection and to require persons who have committed a first or second violation to attend a child car seat safety course; P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (c) to replace references to “private passenger” type of motor vehicle, “as defined in subsection (e) of section 38a-363” and “vanpool vehicle”, with reference to motor vehicle “with a gross vehicle weight rating not exceeding ten thousand pounds”, and to require seat belt use in fire fighting apparatus “originally” equipped with such belts in Subdiv. (1), combined existing Subdiv. (3) with Subdiv. (2) and made technical changes therein and redesignated existing Subdivs. (4) and (5) as Subdivs. (3) and (4); P.A. 05-58 amended Subsec. (c)(1) by substituting “six years of age and under” for “under the age of four years” and changing “four” to “seven” years of age or older, and amended Subsec. (d) by designating existing provisions as Subdivs. (1) and (5) and, in Subdiv. (1), substituting “six years of age and under or” for “under the age of four years” and changing 40 to 60 pounds, adding Subdiv. (2) re child restraint system for transport of child under 1 year of age or weighing less than 20 pounds, adding Subdiv. (3) re child restraint systems in a student transportation vehicle, adding Subdiv. (4) re restraint of child in booster seat and, in Subdiv. (5), adding “subdivision (1), (2), (3) or (4) of”; P.A. 07-134 added new Subsec. (e) re wheelchair transportation safety devices for individuals who remain in wheelchairs while being transferred into and out of a vehicle, and for motor vehicles in livery service, service buses, invalid coaches, vanpool vehicles, school buses, motor buses, student transportation vehicles and camp vehicles registered on or after October 1, 2007, that transport individuals who remain in wheelchairs while being transported, and redesignated existing Subsec. (e) as Subsec. (f); P.A. 08-32 amended Subsec. (c) to make technical changes and, in Subdiv. (1), to add requirement that if operator of vehicle is under eighteen, operator and each passenger shall wear seat belt while vehicle is being operated on any highway and, in Subdiv. (4), to provide that any operator of vehicle who is eighteen or older and any passenger who violates any provision of Subsec. (c) shall have committed an infraction and be fined $15 and that any operator under eighteen and any passenger who violates any provision of Subsec. (c) shall have committed an infraction and be fined $75, effective August 1, 2008; P.A. 08-150 amended Subsec. (e)(2) to make technical changes; P.A. 10-3 amended Subsec. (c)(4) to increase fine from $15 to $50 for operator of motor vehicle 18 years of age or older and any passenger in that motor vehicle, effective April 14, 2010; P.A. 10-110 amended Subsec. (c)(1) to delete limitation of seat belt requirement to vehicles with gross vehicle weight rating not exceeding 10,000 pounds and make technical changes; P.A. 14-231 amended Subsec. (e)(2) by deleting reference to management services and making technical changes; P.A. 16-39 amended Subsec. (c)(2)(A) by adding reference to licensed advanced practice registered nurse; P.A. 17-230 amended Subsec. (c)(1)(A) to replace “six years of age and under” with “under eight years of age”, amended Subsec. (c)(1)(B) to replace “seven” with “eight”, and amended Subsec. (d) to delete former Subdiv. (1) re child age 6 and under or weighing less than 60 pounds, to redesignate existing Subdiv. (2) re child under age 1 or weighing less than 20 pounds as Subdiv. (1)(A) and amending same to replace provision re child under age 1 or weighing less than 20 pounds with provision re child under age 2 or weighing less than 30 pounds and add “equipped with a five-point harness”, to add Subpara. (B) re child under age 5 but not under age 2, or weighing less than 40 pounds but not less than 30 pounds, to add Subpara. (C) re child under age 8, but not under age 5, or weighing less than 60 pounds but not less than 40 pounds, to add Subpara. (D) re rear-facing child restraint system in front seat of motor vehicle with air bag, to add Subdiv. (2) re child age 8 or older and weighing 60 or more pounds, and to make technical changes in Subdiv. (3); P.A. 21-121 amended Subsec. (e) by deleting “subdivision (11) of” in Subdiv. (2)(C), effective July 6, 2021; P.A. 21-175 amended Subsec.(c) by deleting “front seat” in Subdiv. (1), deleting Subdiv. (1)(C) re operator under eighteen years old and each passenger to wear seat belt while vehicle is operated on highway, adding Subdiv. (2)(C) re passenger on bus, adding new Subdiv. (4) re no law enforcement official to stop vehicle solely for failure of back seat passenger sixteen years old or older to wear seat belt, redesignating existing Subdiv. (4) as Subdiv. (5) and making technical changes; P.A. 21-196 amended Subsec. (c)(2) by adding reference to licensed physician assistant; P.A. 23-40 amended Subsec. (d)(5) by adding provision re remittance of fine for first-time violator who acquires appropriate child restraint system or booster seat.

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Sec. 14-103. Inspection of motor vehicles. (a) The commissioner, an inspector authorized by the commissioner, any officer of the Division of State Police within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection or any local police officer may examine any motor vehicle and its number, equipment and identification. Any person who wilfully interferes with or obstructs, or attempts to interfere with or obstruct, any such examination shall be guilty of a class D misdemeanor.

(b) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may establish and maintain a system of voluntary examination of equipment of motor vehicles registered in this state or being operated on the highways thereof. Such examination may be made by a new car dealer, a used car dealer or a repairer, who is licensed in accordance with the provisions of section 14-52 and approved by said commissioner for such purpose.

(c) All state and local police officers, whenever they see a motor vehicle being operated in apparent violation of any statute relative to the equipment of a motor vehicle, may stop such vehicle and may issue to the operator a warning of defective equipment directing the owner of such vehicle to take it to any inspection station approved by the commissioner and have such vehicle restored to safe operating condition and officially inspected as soon as possible, and not later than ten days from the date of the issuance of the warning notice. Such warning shall be furnished by the commissioner in such form as the commissioner prescribes and shall be in triplicate, the original of which shall be mailed by the issuing officer to the Department of Motor Vehicles. The duplicate copy shall be given to the motor vehicle operator and shall be presented to the official inspection station at the time the vehicle is submitted for examination. The triplicate copy shall be retained by the issuing officer for such officer's department records. When the inspection station approves such vehicle, its authorized representative shall sign the duplicate copy of the warning of defective equipment and mail it to the Department of Motor Vehicles. If the Department of Motor Vehicles does not receive the duplicate copy, as approved by the inspection station, within twenty days from the date of issuance, or if the registration for such vehicle is not cancelled, the commissioner, after giving notice and an opportunity for a hearing to such motorist, may suspend the privilege of the owner to register any motor vehicle or to operate any motor vehicle on the highways of this state that is registered in another jurisdiction, until such time as the vehicle is restored to safe operating condition.

(d) Each service bus shall be inspected for safety before its initial registration, in accordance with a schedule to be adopted by the commissioner. Each such service bus shall pass inspection before each renewal of registration. Any service bus that transports individuals in wheelchairs shall meet the requirements of subsection (e) of section 14-100a in order to pass inspection. The fee for each such inspection shall be forty dollars, except there shall be no fee for inspection of a service bus owned by the state or a municipality. The commissioner may use the services of any motor vehicle dealer or repairer licensed, in accordance with section 14-52, to conduct a required service bus inspection, provided any fee charged by such dealer or repairer shall not exceed forty dollars, or, if the vehicle inspected has a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of twenty-six thousand pounds, eighty dollars.

(1949 Rev., S. 2451; 1959, P.A. 653; February, 1965, P.A. 448, S. 12; P.A. 77-614, S. 486, 610; P.A. 80-466, S. 17, 25; P.A. 92-177, S. 3, 12; P.A. 93-341, S. 22, 38; P.A. 94-189, S. 9, 34; P.A. 96-167, S. 32; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3, S. 36; P.A. 04-199, S. 6; P.A. 05-218, S. 11; P.A. 07-134, S. 3; P.A. 11-51, S. 134; P.A. 12-80, S. 63; P.A. 23-40, S. 9.)

History: 1959 act excluded limited repairers from authorized inspectors, removed provision that no owner could be compelled to have vehicle inspected under Subsec. (b) and added Subsec. (c); 1965 act changed “shall” to “may” in first sentence of Subsec. (c); P.A. 77-614 replaced state police department with division of state police within the department of public safety, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 80-466 added reference to single license plate in Subsec. (c); P.A. 92-177 added a new Subsec. (d) requiring persons issued a warning notice under Subsec. (c) to be assessed a civil penalty of $10; P.A. 93-341 added new Subsec. (e) re annual inspection and fee, effective July 1, 1993; P.A. 94-189 amended Subsec. (c) by increasing the number of days within which the department of motor vehicles should receive the duplicate copy of the warning from 15 to 20 days, deleting provisions concerning notification of the owner to return his plates and registration to the department and return of same to the owner upon receipt of an inspection-station-approved copy of the warning or other evidence that the vehicle has been put in safe operating condition and by adding provisions concerning a civil penalty of $50, deleting Subsec. (d) re $10 civil penalty and relettering the former Subsec. (e) as (d), effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 96-167 amended Subsec. (a) to allow local police officers to examine motor vehicles; (Revisor's note: In 1997 references throughout the general statutes to “Motor Vehicle(s) Commissioner” and “Motor Vehicle(s) Department” were replaced editorially by the Revisors with “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles” or “Department of Motor Vehicles”, as the case may be, for consistency with customary statutory usage); June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-3 made technical changes in Subsecs. (a) and (c) and replaced Subsec. (d) re annual inspection and fee with new Subsec. (d) re biennial inspection and fee, effective August 20, 2003; P.A. 04-199 amended Subsec. (c) to eliminate civil penalty of $50 imposed on owner if department does not receive duplicate copy, to eliminate suspension of registration for failure of owner to pay penalty and to provide that, if department does not receive duplicate copy or if registration for vehicle not cancelled, commissioner may suspend privilege of owner to register any motor vehicle or to operate vehicle registered in another jurisdiction on highways of state, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 05-218 amended Subsec. (d) to change method of inspection of service bus by adding provision requiring safety inspection before initial registration and that service bus shall pass inspection before each renewal of registration, to provide that there is no fee for inspection of service bus owned by state or municipality, to allow commissioner to use services of licensed motor vehicle dealer or repairer to conduct inspections, and to establish fees for such inspections, effective July 1, 2005; P.A. 07-134 amended Subsec. (d) by adding provision requiring any service bus that transports individuals in wheelchairs to meet the requirements of Sec. 14-100a(e); pursuant to P.A. 11-51, “Department of Public Safety” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection” in Subsec. (a), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 12-80 amended Subsec. (a) to change penalty from a fine of not more than $50 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days or both to a class D misdemeanor and make technical changes; P.A. 23-40 amended Subsec. (b) to delete reference to limited repairers, add reference to Sec. 14-52 and make technical and conforming changes, effective January 1, 2024.

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Sec. 14-106b. Properly functioning odometer required. Tampering with odometer prohibited. (a) Each self-propelled motor vehicle registered in this state that is designed and manufactured with an odometer shall at all times while operating on the highway be equipped with a properly functioning odometer. Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be issued a warning for defective equipment under the provisions of subsection (c) of section 14-103.

(b) No person or such person's agent shall remove, turn back or change the reading on the odometer of any motor vehicle required under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section or subsection (a) of section 14-106a to be equipped with an odometer, except in connection with the repair of such odometer either while installed in or removed from such motor vehicle and unless such person is licensed as a new car dealer, used car dealer or repairer pursuant to section 14-52. Each odometer repaired and each new or used odometer installed in any motor vehicle required to be equipped with an odometer shall display mileage at least equal to the mileage displayed by the odometer in such motor vehicle immediately prior to such repair or replacement.

(c) No person shall sell, offer for sale, use, install or cause to be installed any device which causes the odometer in any motor vehicle required under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section or subsection (a) of section 14-106a to be so equipped to register any mileage other than the true mileage driven. For purposes of this section, the true mileage driven is that mileage driven by the vehicle as registered by the odometer within the manufacturer's designed tolerance.

(d) Any person violating the provisions of subsections (b) or (c) of this section shall be guilty of committing a class A misdemeanor. Any person violating the provisions of said subsections shall be liable for damages equal to three times the amount of actual damage or one thousand five hundred dollars, whichever is greater, court costs and reasonable attorney's fees and shall pay a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars for each violation. A violation of the provisions of said subsections shall be deemed to be an unfair trade practice within the provisions of chapter 735a. Any person licensed as a new car dealer, used car dealer or repairer pursuant to section 14-52 shall, in addition to the penalties imposed by this section, be subject to the suspension or revocation of such person's license as provided in section 14-64.

(P.A. 73-429, S. 2–5; P.A. 75-329; P.A. 85-338, S. 2; P.A. 15-46, S. 4; P.A. 16-55, S. 19; P.A. 23-40, S. 10.)

History: P.A. 75-329 inserted new Subsec. (e) re devices which modify odometer, redesignated former Subsecs. (c) and (d) as (d) and (e) respectively and added reference to new Subsec. (c) in Subsec. (d); P.A. 85-338 amended Subsec. (d) to make violation a class A rather than class C misdemeanor and impose additional penalties–liability for damages equal to three times the amount of actual damage or $1,500 and payment of a civil penalty, and to provide that violations shall be unfair trade practices; P.A. 15-46 deleted former Subsec. (e) re inapplicability of section and Sec. 14-145 to motorcycles, effective July 1, 2015; P.A. 16-55 amended Subsecs. (b) and (d) by making technical changes, effective May 31, 2016; P.A. 23-40 amended Subsecs. (b) and (d) to replace reference to general or limited repairer with reference to repairer and made technical changes, effective January 1, 2024.

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PART VI

JURISDICTION AND PROCEDURE

Sec. 14-111. Suspension or revocation of registration, license or right to operate. (a) Authority of commissioner. No provision of this chapter shall be construed to prohibit the commissioner from suspending or revoking any registration or any operator's license issued under the provisions of any statute relating to motor vehicles, or from suspending the right of any person to operate a motor vehicle in this state, or from suspending or revoking the right of any nonresident to operate, or the right to any operation of, any motor vehicle within this state, for any cause that he deems sufficient, with or without a hearing. Whenever any certificate of registration is suspended or revoked, all evidence of the same shall be delivered forthwith to the commissioner or to any person authorized by the commissioner to receive the same, and the commissioner or any person authorized by the commissioner may seize such certificate of registration and all evidence of the same. Except as otherwise provided by law, the commissioner may cancel any such suspension or revocation and may return such certificate of registration or restore the operator's license either with or without an additional fee, provided no certificate of registration or operator's license which has been suspended for any definite term, except as provided in subsection (k) of this section, shall be returned or restored until the term of suspension has been completed. Any appeal taken from the action of the commissioner shall not act as a stay of suspension or revocation except with his consent. No service of process shall be necessary in connection with any of the prescribed activities of the commissioner, but a notice forwarded by bulk certified mail to the address of the person registered as owner or operator of any motor vehicle as shown by the records of the commissioner shall be sufficient notice to such person that the certificate of registration or operator's license is revoked or under suspension.

(b) Suspension of operator's license or privilege. (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) or (3) of this subsection, whenever the holder of any motor vehicle operator's license has been convicted or has forfeited any bond taken or has received a suspended judgment or sentence for any of the following violations, the commissioner shall, without hearing, suspend such person's operator's license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state as follows: For a first violation of subsection (a) or subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 14-224 or section 14-110, 14-215 or 53a-119b, for a period of not less than one year and, for a subsequent violation thereof, for a period of not less than two years; for a violation of subsection (a) of section 14-222 or subsection (c) of section 14-224, for a period of not less than thirty days or more than ninety days and, for a subsequent violation thereof, for a period of not less than ninety days; for a violation of subdivision (2) or (3) of subsection (b) of section 14-224, for a period of not less than ninety days and for a subsequent violation thereof, for a period of not less than one year; for a first violation of subsection (b), (d) or (e) of section 14-147, for a period of not less than ninety days and, for a subsequent violation thereof, for a period of not less than five years; for a first violation of subsection (c) of section 14-147, for a period of not less than thirty days and, for a subsequent violation thereof, for a period of not less than one year.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 14-111b and except as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection, whenever the holder of any motor vehicle operator's license or youth instruction permit who is less than eighteen years of age or whenever a person who does not hold an operator's license who is less than eighteen years of age has been convicted or has forfeited any bond taken or has received a suspended judgment or sentence for any of the following violations, the commissioner shall suspend such person's operator's license or privilege to obtain an operator's license as follows: For a first violation of subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of section 14-219 or subdivision (4) of subsection (b) of section 14-219, for a period of sixty days and, for a second violation thereof, for a period of ninety days and, for a third or subsequent violation thereof, for a period of six months; for a first violation of subsection (a) of section 14-222, for a period of six months and, for a subsequent violation thereof, for a period of one year; for a violation of subsection (c) of section 14-224, for a period of six months and, for a subsequent violation thereof, for a period of one year; for a first violation of section 14-296aa, for a period of thirty days and, for a second violation thereof, for a period of ninety days and, for a third or subsequent violation thereof, for a period of six months.

(3) The commissioner shall suspend the motor vehicle operator's license of any youth adjudged a youthful offender for a violation of section 14-215 or 14-222, subsection (b) of section 14-223 or subdivision (2) or (3) of subsection (b) or subsection (c) of section 14-224 for six months for a first offense and one year for a second or subsequent offense.

(4) Whenever any person who has not been issued a motor vehicle operator's license under section 14-36 is convicted of a second or subsequent violation of subsection (a) of section 14-36: (A) The commissioner shall suspend such person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle, (B) such suspension shall remain in effect for a period of ninety days, and (C) the commissioner shall not issue an operator's license to such person under section 14-36 until such period of suspension has expired and all applicable requirements for such license have been satisfied by such person.

(d) Hearings. The commissioner may hold hearings in each judicial district on all matters arising within such judicial district under the provisions of this chapter. He may use any court room, when the same is not in use by the court, for the purpose of holding hearings and may require the attendance of any officer authorized to serve criminal process, and such officer shall be under the direction of the commissioner. The fees of witnesses and officers shall be the same as in criminal cases before the Superior Court and shall be paid by the Treasurer upon order of the Comptroller.

(e) Enforcement of order. The Superior Court may, by mandamus or other appropriate remedy, upon application of the commissioner, enforce any order issued by the commissioner under the provisions of this section.

(f) Failure to return registration, plates or license. In case of failure forthwith to return any certificate of registration, number plate or plates of any motor vehicle or operator's license upon order of the commissioner, no certificate of registration shall be issued for any motor vehicle licensed by the certificate not returned and no operator's license shall be issued to the negligent party within a period of one year except by an order of the commissioner.

(g) Person not holding Connecticut operator's license. When any person who does not hold a Connecticut operator's license is convicted or has such person's case nolled or is given a suspended judgment or sentence for a violation of any provision of section 14-36, 14-110 or 14-145, subsection (b), (d) or (e) of section 14-147, or section 14-215, 14-224, 14-227a, 14-227m, 14-227n or 14-229, the commissioner shall not issue to such person a nonresident or resident operator's license during such period as the commissioner may determine, which period shall not be less than the period provided for suspension in subsection (b) of this section or in subsection (g) of section 14-227a, subsection (c) of section 14-227m or subsection (c) of section 14-227n. When any person is convicted or has such person's case nolled or is given a suspended judgment or sentence for any violation of any of the provisions of section 14-12, the commissioner shall not issue registration for any motor vehicle owned by such person until thirty days after application therefor.

(h) Perjury or false statement. Whenever any person has been prosecuted for perjury or false statement under the provisions of section 14-110 and the case has been nolled or a suspended sentence or judgment entered, and when the false statement refers to the name or age or a former suspension or former conviction of the applicant, the commissioner shall suspend or withhold such applicant's license for a period of not less than thirty days plus the period of time wherein the applicant was in possession of the void license.

(i) Reversal or reduction of suspension or revocation. (1) Whenever any person has been convicted of any violation of section 14-110, 14-147, 14-215, 14-222 or 14-224 and such person's license has been suspended by the commissioner, such person may make application to the commissioner for the reversal or reduction of the term of such suspension. Such application shall be in writing and shall state specifically the reasons why such applicant believes that the applicant is entitled to such reversal or reduction. The commissioner shall consider each such application and the applicant's driver control record, as defined in section 14-111h, and may grant a hearing to the applicant in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 and section 14-4a.

(2) Any person whose license has been revoked in accordance with subparagraph (C) of subdivision (3) of subsection (g) of section 14-227a or subparagraph (C) of subdivision (3) of subsection (c) of section 14-227m may, at any time after two years from the date of such revocation, request a hearing before the commissioner, conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, and the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection for reversal or reduction of such revocation. The commissioner shall require such person to provide evidence that any reversal or reduction of such revocation shall not endanger the public safety or welfare. Such evidence shall include, but not be limited to, proof that such person has: (A) Successfully completed an alcohol or drug education and treatment program subsequent to such person's most recent conviction or privilege suspension for an offense related to alcohol, controlled substances or drugs, (B) not been convicted of or had a suspension of his or her operating privilege for any offense related to alcohol, controlled substances or drugs during the preceding two years, and (C) has not operated a motor vehicle during the previous two years. The commissioner shall require any person, as a condition of granting such reversal or reduction, to install and maintain an approved ignition interlock device, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (i) of section 14-227a. The approved ignition interlock device shall be installed and maintained for any period during the lifetime of such person in which such person owns or operates a motor vehicle, except that such person may, at any time after fifteen years from the date the commissioner grants such reversal or reduction, request a hearing before the commissioner, conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to remove such ignition interlock device. The commissioner may authorize the removal of such ignition interlock device, for good cause shown, after such fifteen-year period and such hearing. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish standards to implement the provisions of this section.

(j) Ignition interlock device. Any person whose motor vehicle operator's license is suspended by the commissioner and whose license is subsequently restricted to the operation of a motor vehicle that is equipped with an approved, ignition interlock device who fails to comply with the requirements for the installation and use of such device in a motor vehicle owned or operated by such person, as set forth in regulations adopted by the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of subsection (i) of section 14-227a, shall be subject to the reinstatement of such suspension of the person's operator's license until such person demonstrates to the commissioner's satisfaction that such person intends to install and maintain the ignition interlock device for the prescribed period.

(1949 Rev., S. 2456; 1949, S. 1345d; 1951, S. 1346d; 1957, P.A. 612, S. 1, 2, 3; 1959, P.A. 220, S. 1; 1961, P.A. 517, S. 128; February, 1965, P.A. 574, S. 15, 16, 17; 1967, P.A. 263; 1971, P.A. 871, S. 86; P.A. 73-386; P.A. 74-338, S. 53, 94; P.A. 76-42, S. 2; P.A. 78-280, S. 2, 127; P.A. 79-245, S. 1, 2; P.A. 80-438, S. 1; 80-466, S. 18, 25; P.A. 83-534, S. 4–6; P.A. 93-177; P.A. 95-260, S. 23, 24; P.A. 98-182, S. 13, 22; P.A. 02-70, S. 47, 48; May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-1, S. 114; P.A. 03-278, S. 44; P.A. 05-215, S. 2, 5; P.A. 07-167, S. 41; P.A. 08-32, S. 6; 08-150, S. 47, 62; P.A. 09-187, S. 4, 5, 35; P.A. 11-48, S. 54; 11-51, S. 219; 11-213, S. 28; P.A. 12-81, S. 28; 12-178, S. 1; P.A. 14-130, S. 31; 14-228, S. 3; P.A. 16-126, S. 12, 13; P.A. 18-164, S. 10; P.A. 23-40, S. 17, 18.)

History: 1959 act amended Subsec. (k) to include reference to Secs. 14-219 and 14-222 and deleted reference to a second violation of Sec. 14-222; 1961 act amended Subsec. (b) to delete provision for suspension for violation of any statute relating to motor vehicles; 1965 act deleted reference to repealed statute and substituted “subsection (a) of section 14-227a” in Subsecs. (b), (h) and (k); 1967 act clarified provisions of Subsec. (c); 1971 act included reference to prosecution for false statement in Subsec. (i); P.A. 73-386 deleted reference to “second” violation of Sec. 14-222(a) in Subsec. (b); P.A. 74-338 deleted provision allowing suspension of license when license holder has had his case nolled upon payment of any sum of money in Subsec. (b); P.A. 76-42 substituted Sec. 53a-119b for reference to repealed Sec. 14-229; P.A. 78-280 replaced county with judicial district in Subsec. (e); P.A. 79-245 replaced reference to “registered or certified” mail with “bulk certified” mail in Subsec. (a); P.A. 80-438 amended Subsec. (k) to add provision re treatment and rehabilitation programs; P.A. 80-466 amended Subsec. (g) to add reference to single license plate; P.A. 83-534 amended Subsec. (b) to delete a violation of “subsection (a) of section 14-227a” from the list of violations with specified periods of license suspension to reflect inclusion of such suspension periods in Sec. 14-227a, amended Subsec. (h) to include the period provided for suspension “in subsection (h) of section 14-227a”, and amended Subsec. (k) to delete the authorization for a person convicted of a violation of “subsection (a) of section 14-227a” to apply to the commissioner for a reversal of the suspension or revocation of his license imposed as a result of such conviction and to delete provision that authorized the commissioner to require such person to participate in a treatment or rehabilitation program as a condition to the return of his license; P.A. 93-177 amended Subsec. (c) to add provision re the inadmissibility in a civil or criminal proceeding of the fact of a license suspension when the operator waives his right to a hearing and consents to the license suspension for a period of not less than one year; P.A. 95-260 repealed Subsec. (c) re suspension of license following fatal accident, effective June 13, 1995; P.A. 98-182 divided Subsec. (b) into Subdivs. and in Subdiv. (2) allowed the commissioner to suspend the operator's license of a person who has been arrested for a felony and for whom there is an outstanding warrant for rearrest for failure to appear, effective July 1, 1998; P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (b)(1) to delete reference to periods of suspension of an operator's license for a first and a subsequent violation of Sec. 14-145 and amended Subsec. (k) to delete references to Secs. 14-145, 14-219 and 14-229, to eliminate provision re application to commissioner for reversal or reduction of term of suspension for any person who has had his case nolled or judgment or execution suspended or has forfeited his bond and to add provision re such application for any person who has had his or her license suspended in accordance with Sec. 14-111c or 14-111n, to allow a person whose license is suspended for specified violations to apply to commissioner for the reduction of the term of such suspension, deleting references throughout Subsec. to reversal of the revocation, to require commissioner to consider each application for reversal or reduction of the term of suspension and the applicant's driver control record and to allow commissioner to grant a hearing to applicant, to eliminate provisions re filing of a trial fee, and to make technical changes for purposes of gender neutrality, effective July 1, 2002; May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-1 amended Subsec. (h) to make a technical change, effective July 1, 2002; P.A. 03-278 made a technical change in Subsec. (b)(1), effective July 9, 2003; P.A. 05-215 amended Subsec. (b)(1) to reduce from five years to two years the minimum period of suspension for a subsequent violation of Sec. 14-224(a), 14-110, 14-215 or 53a-119b, effective October 1, 2005, and applicable to any suspension of an operator's license on or after October 1, 2000, and amended Subsec. (k) to designate existing provisions as Subdiv. (1) and make technical changes therein and add Subdiv. (2) authorizing a person whose license has been revoked in accordance with Sec. 14-227a(g)(3)(C) on or after October 1, 1999, to apply for reversal or reduction of such revocation; P.A. 07-167 amended Subsec. (k)(2) by changing required time period after date of revocation from 10 years to 6 years, replacing provision re application to commissioner with provision re request for a hearing before commissioner, conducted in accordance with chapter 54, and added provisions re evidence, installation and maintenance of ignition interlock device and adoption of regulations; P.A. 08-32 amended Subsec. (b)(1) to add exception re provisions of new Subsec. (b)(2) and make a technical change, added new Subsec. (b)(2) re suspension provisions for certain violations by holders of operator's licenses who are less than 18 years of age and redesignated existing Subsec. (b)(2) as Subsec. (b)(3), effective August 1, 2008; P.A. 08-150 amended Subsec. (b)(2) to require commissioner to suspend operator's license of holder who is less than 18 years of age for first violation of Sec. 14-219(b)(4), effective August 1, 2008, and added Subsec. (l) re ignition interlock device, effective October 1, 2008; P.A. 09-187 amended Subsec. (b)(1) to provide penalty for violation of Sec. 14-224(c) and subsequent violation of Sec. 14-224(b) and to require suspension of privilege to operate motor vehicle in this state for violations which require suspension of operator's license, effective July 8, 2009, and amended Subsec. (b)(2) to provide that holder of learner's permit who is less than 18 years of age and person less than 18 years of age who does not hold an operator's license shall have privilege to obtain operator's license suspended for listed violations and amended Subsec. (k)(2) to delete “on or after October 1, 1999”, effective October 1, 2009; P.A. 11-48 amended Subsec. (k)(2) to require ignition interlock device be installed and maintained “for a period of ten years after the date of the granting of such reversal or reduction” rather than “from the date such reversal or reduction is granted until ten years has passed since the date of such revocation”, effective January 1, 2012; P.A. 11-51 made identical changes as P.A. 11-48, effective January 1, 2012; P.A. 11-213 amended Subsec. (a) to delete references to delivery or seizure of operator's license following suspension or revocation, add provisions re restoration of license and make technical changes, deleted former Subsec. (b)(3) re suspension of license upon arrest for a felony and issuance of rearrest warrant for failure to appear, deleted former Subsec. (d) re notice to municipal officials of revocation or suspension of license or registration and former Subsec. (j) re filing of surety and redesignated existing Subsecs. (e) to (i), (k) and (l) as Subsecs. (d) to (h), (i) and (j) and amended Subsec. (i)(1) to delete reference to license suspension in accordance with Sec. 14-111c or 14-111n; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (b) to add exception re Subdiv. (3) in Subdivs. (1) and (2), replace “learner's permit” with “youth instruction permit” in Subdiv. (2), add Subdiv. (3) re required license suspension periods for youth adjudged youthful offender for violation of certain offenses, and add Subdiv. (4) re sanctions for person not issued operator's license who is convicted of second or subsequent violation of Sec. 14-36(a); P.A. 12-178 amended Subsec. (i)(2) to allow request for a hearing re reversal or reduction of revocation after 2 years, rather than 6 years, from date of revocation, require evidence that person has not been convicted of offense related to alcohol, controlled substances or drugs during preceding 2 years, rather than 6 years, replace provision re 10-year period for installation and maintenance of ignition interlock device with provisions re lifetime requirement and exception that person may apply after 15 years to remove ignition interlock device and commissioner may grant application and authorize removal for good cause shown after a hearing, effective January 1, 2013; P.A. 14-130 amended Subsec. (b) by adding “or subdivision (1) of subsection (b)” re first violation of Sec. 14-224 and adding “subdivision (2) or (3)” re violation of Sec. 14-224(b) in Subdiv. (1) and by adding “subdivision (2) or (3) of” re violation of Sec. 14-224(b) and making a technical change in Subdiv. (3); P.A. 14-228 amended Subsec. (j) to replace provision re period of resuspension with provision re reinstatement of suspension until person demonstrates intent to install and maintain ignition interlock device for prescribed period, effective July 1, 2015; P.A. 16-126 amended Subsec. (g) by replacing reference to Sec. 14-227a(a) with reference to Sec. 14-227a and by adding references to Secs. 14-227m and 14-227n and Secs. 14-227m(c) and 14-227n(c) and amended Subsec. (i)(2) by adding reference to Sec. 14-227m(c)(3)(C); P.A. 18-164 amended Subsec. (i)(2) to designate existing provision re alcohol education and treatment program as Subpara. (A) and amend same to add “or drug” and provision re when program is to be completed, to designate existing provision re conviction of any offense related to alcohol, controlled substances or drugs as Subpara. (B) and amend same to add provision re suspension of operating privilege, and to add Subpara. (C) re not operating a motor vehicle during previous two years, effective July 1, 2018; P.A. 23-40 amended Subsecs. (b)(1) and (g) to add reference to Subsecs. (d) and (e) of Sec. 14-147 and make technical changes.

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Sec. 14-111e. Suspension or delay in issuance of operator's license for person under twenty-one years of age convicted of certain violations. (a)(1) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall suspend, for a period of one hundred fifty days, the motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege of any person who has been convicted of a violation of section 30-88a involving the misuse of an operator's license and who was under the age of twenty-one at the time of such violation.

(2) The commissioner shall suspend, for a period of sixty days, the motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege of any person who has been convicted of a violation of subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 30-89 or subsection (b) or (c) of section 21a-279a and who was under the age of twenty-one at the time of such violation.

(3) The commissioner shall suspend, for a period of thirty days, the motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege of any person who has been convicted of a violation of subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 30-89 and who was under the age of twenty-one at the time of such violation.

(b) The commissioner shall not issue a new motor vehicle operator's license under the provisions of section 14-36 to any person who has been convicted of a violation of section 30-88a or section 30-89, subsection (e) of section 1-1h, subsection (a) of section 21a-279a or subsection (d) of section 21a-267 and who was under the age of twenty-one at the time of such violation until a period of one hundred fifty days has elapsed from the date all applicable requirements for any such license have been satisfied by such person.

(P.A. 93-315, S. 1; P.A. 96-199; P.A. 97-201; P.A. 03-171, S. 10; P.A. 07-167, S. 50; P.A. 11-71, S. 4; P.A. 12-81, S. 30; P.A. 18-164, S. 11; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-1, S. 115; P.A. 23-160, S. 12.)

History: P.A. 96-199 increased maximum penalty to 90 days' suspension from 30 days, provided for suspension of a nonresident operating privilege and made the penalty applicable to violations of Sec. 30-89; P.A. 97-201 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a), amended Subsec. (a) to increase the suspension period from 90 days to 150 days, to add provision re motorcycle operator's license and to make Subsec. (a) applicable to persons under the age of 21, and added Subsec. (b) re delay of issuance of new operator's license; P.A. 03-171 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) to delete references to motorcycle operator's license and amended Subsec. (b) to delete references to Sec. 14-40a; P.A. 07-167 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing provision re 150-day suspension for conviction of violation of Sec. 30-89 involving purchase and possession of alcoholic liquor by a minor with provisions re 60-day suspension for conviction of violation of Sec. 30-89(b)(1) and re 30-day suspension for conviction of violation of Sec. 30-89(b)(2) and by adding provision requiring commissioner to conform suspension for Sec. 30-89 violation in effect on June 25, 2007, to comply with section, effective June 25, 2007; P.A. 11-71 amended Subsec. (a) to include violation of Sec. 21a-279a(a) or Sec. 21a-267(d) re 60-day suspension and amended Subsec. (b) to include violation of Sec. 21a-279a(a) or Sec. 21a-267(d), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (a) to insert Subdiv. designators (1), (2) and (3) and delete provision requiring commissioner to conform suspension for Sec. 30-89 violation in effect on June 25, 2007, and amended Subsec. (b) to delete descriptions of conduct prohibited by Secs. 30-88a, 30-89 and 1-1h(e); P.A. 18-164 replaced provisions re person under age of 21 with provisions re person under age of 21 at time of violation and made technical and conforming changes, effective July 1, 2018; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 21-1 amended Subsec. (a)(2) to replace reference to Sec. 21a-279a(a) with reference to Sec. 21a-279a(b) or (c) and delete reference to Sec. 21a-267(d), effective April 1, 2022; P.A. 23-160 made a technical change in Subsec. (a)(2), effective June 28, 2023.

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Sec. 14-111k. Application for a motor vehicle operator's license from applicants in other member jurisdictions. (a) Upon application for a motor vehicle operator's license or identification card, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall verify the identity of the applicant in accordance with the rules prescribed by the driver license agreement, as set forth in regulations adopted by the commissioner, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, and shall determine whether the applicant has ever held, or is the holder of, a license issued by any other jurisdiction. The commissioner shall not issue a license to any applicant whose license is withdrawn in any other member jurisdiction for any conviction or administrative action required to be reported under the driver license agreement, as evidenced by the driver control record. The commissioner shall not issue a license to any applicant who is the subject of a notice of failure to comply, as reported by any other member jurisdiction. If the applicant is the holder of any unexpired license issued by another jurisdiction, the commissioner shall not issue a license unless the applicant surrenders such license document previously issued by such jurisdiction.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the commissioner may issue an operator's license to an applicant who is the subject of a withdrawal of a commercial driver's license in any other member jurisdiction if the conduct on which such withdrawal is based would not have resulted in the withdrawal of the privilege to operate any motor vehicle other than a commercial motor vehicle.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the commissioner may issue a motor vehicle operator's license to (1) an applicant who is the subject of a withdrawal that occurred five years or more before the date of application, or (2) an applicant whose license has been withdrawn for the period of time required by the jurisdiction of record, but whose license has not been returned or restored by such jurisdiction due to the failure or the alleged failure to fulfill reinstatement requirements, pertaining to the filing of proof of financial responsibility or necessitating personal attendance in such jurisdiction including, but not limited to, a requirement to complete an education or treatment program. In exercising the discretion to grant or deny an application for a license as conferred by the provisions of this subsection, the commissioner shall review and consider the entire driver control record of the applicant, and may require additional information and references from the applicant such as will attest to the applicant's present fitness and capability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

(d) If the commissioner issues an identification card to a person who holds an operator's license issued by another jurisdiction, the commissioner shall report to such jurisdiction within thirty days the name of such person and such other information concerning such person and such identification card as is required by the driver license agreement.

(e) Prior to issuing an operator's license to a person who holds an operator's license issued by another jurisdiction, the commissioner shall require such person to watch the video presentation developed pursuant to subsection (g) of section 14-41 and provide such person with other safe driving training materials.

(P.A. 02-70, S. 37; P.A. 03-171, S. 11; P.A. 04-217, S. 15; P.A. 05-218, S. 26; P.A. 09-187, S. 57; P.A. 23-116, S. 7.)

History: P.A. 02-70 effective January 1, 2003; P.A. 03-171 amended Subsec. (b) to delete reference to motorcycle operator's license; P.A. 04-217 amended Subsec. (a) to include application for identification card and to require commissioner to verify identity of applicant in accordance with operator's license agreement, replaced “a class 1 or class 2” with “an” in Subsec. (b) and added new Subsec. (d) re issuance of identification card to person holding operator's license issued by another jurisdiction, effective January 1, 2005; P.A. 05-218 amended Subsecs. (a) and (d)(1) by changing “operator's” to “driver”, effective July 6, 2005; P.A. 09-187 amended Subsec. (d) to delete former Subdiv. (2) re regulations adopted by commissioner and make a conforming change, effective July 1, 2009; P.A. 23-116 added Subsec. (e) re video presentation developed pursuant to Sec. 14-41(g) and provision of safe driving training materials, effective January 1, 2024.

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PART VII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 14-147. Improper use of number plate or marker, registration or license. Penalty. (a) Any person who counterfeits any number plate or marker, or makes any substitute or temporary marker, except as provided in section 14-18, or who counterfeits or in any manner alters any motor vehicle registration or operator's license, and any person who gives, loans or sells any such counterfeited or altered number plate, marker, motor vehicle registration or operator's license, shall be guilty of a class D misdemeanor.

(b) Any person who loans or sells any number plate or marker or certificate of registration issued by the commissioner, for use on any car, except as provided in sections 14-59 and 14-60, shall have committed an infraction.

(c) No person shall use any motor vehicle registration or operator's license other than the one issued to such person by the commissioner, except as provided in section 14-18; and no person shall use a motor vehicle registration on any motor vehicle other than that for which such registration has been issued. Any person who violates any provision of this subsection shall have committed an infraction.

(d) Any person who loans any operator's license issued by the commissioner, for use by another person, shall have committed an infraction.

(e) Any person who sells any operator's license issued by the commissioner, for use by another person, shall be guilty of a class D misdemeanor.

(1949 Rev., S. 2471; 1959, P.A. 176; 1967, P.A. 408; P.A. 18-164, S. 27; P.A. 23-40, S. 16.)

History: 1959 act added provision re counterfeiting or altering of operator's license in Subsec. (a) and increased fine in Subsec. (b); 1967 act made Subsec. (a) applicable to persons who give, loan or sell counterfeited or altered plates, markers, registrations or operator's licenses to another, raised fine from $100 to $200 maximum and allowed imposition of 30 days imprisonment or both fine and imprisonment and made technical changes; P.A. 18-164 amended Subsec. (c) to increase maximum fine from $100 to $500; P.A. 23-40 amended Subsec. (a) to replace penalty of fine of not more than $200 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days or both with a class D misdemeanor, amended Subsec. (b) to delete reference to operator's license and replace penalty of fine of not more than $100 with an infraction, amended Subsec. (c) to replace penalty of fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days or both with an infraction, added Subsec. (d) re loaning an operator's license, added Subsec. (e) re selling an operator's license and made technical changes.

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Sec. 14-163. Commissioner to provide lists of motor vehicle and snowmobile owners to town assessors. Disclosure by assessor or tax collector prohibited. (a)(1) For assessment years commencing prior to October 1, 2024, the commissioner shall compile information concerning motor vehicles and snowmobiles subject to property taxation pursuant to section 12-71 using the records of the Department of Motor Vehicles and information reported by owners of motor vehicles and snowmobiles. In addition to any other information the owner of a motor vehicle or snowmobile is required to file with the commissioner by law, such owner shall provide the commissioner with the name of the town in which such owner's motor vehicle or snowmobile is to be set in the list for property tax purposes, pursuant to section 12-71. On or before December 1, 2004, and annually thereafter until and including December 1, 2023, the commissioner shall provide to each assessor in this state a list identifying motor vehicles and snowmobiles that are subject to property taxation in each such assessor's town. Said list shall include the names and addresses of the owners of such motor vehicles and snowmobiles, and the vehicle identification numbers for all such vehicles for which such numbers are available.

(2) For assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 2024, the commissioner shall compile information concerning motor vehicles subject to property taxation pursuant to section 12-71, using the records of the Department of Motor Vehicles and information reported by owners of motor vehicles. In addition to any other information the owner of a motor vehicle is required to file with the commissioner by law, such owner shall provide the commissioner with the name of the town in which such owner's motor vehicle is to be set in the list for property tax purposes, pursuant to section 12-71. On or before November 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the commissioner shall provide to each assessor in this state a list identifying motor vehicles that are subject to property taxation in each such assessor's town. Such list shall include the names and addresses of the owners of such motor vehicles and the vehicle identification numbers and manufacturer's suggested retail price for all such vehicles for which such information is available.

(b) (1) On or before October 1, 2004, and annually thereafter until and including October 1, 2024, the commissioner shall provide to each assessor in this state a list identifying motor vehicles and snowmobiles in each such assessor's town that were registered subsequent to the first day of October of the assessment year immediately preceding, but prior to the first day of August in such assessment year, and that are subject to property taxation on a supplemental list pursuant to section 12-71b. In addition to the information for each such vehicle and snowmobile specified under subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section that is available to the commissioner, the list provided under this subsection shall include a code related to the date of registration of each such vehicle or snowmobile.

(2) Not later than November 15, 2024, and monthly thereafter, the commissioner shall provide to each assessor in this state a list identifying motor vehicles in each such assessor's town that were registered during the immediately preceding month and that are subject to property taxation on a supplemental list pursuant to section 12-71b. In addition to the information for such vehicle specified under subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section that is available to the commissioner, the list provided under this subsection shall include a code related to the date of registration of each such vehicle.

(c) No assessor or tax collector shall disclose any information contained in any list provided by the commissioner pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this section if the commissioner is not required to provide such information or if such information is protected from disclosure under state or federal law.

(1949 Rev., S. 2486; 1969, P.A. 752, S. 16; P.A. 97-309, S. 21, 23; 97-322, S. 7, 9; P.A. 98-261, S. 2, 6; P.A. 04-228, S. 3; P.A. 10-110, S. 22; P.A. 22-118, S. 498; P.A. 23-204, S. 210.)

History: 1969 act included snowmobiles in list furnished to tax assessors; (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. 97-309 added requirement that on or before December 1, 2000, and December first annually thereafter, the commissioner furnish to tax assessors and Commissioner of Revenue Services list of motor vehicle owners including Social Security and federal employer identification numbers, and added prohibitions re disclosure of such numbers by tax assessors, effective July 1, 1997 (Revisor's note: A reference in newly enacted language to “Motor Vehicle Department” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Department of Motor Vehicles” for consistency with customary statutory usage); P.A. 97-322 changed effective date of Sec. 21 of P.A. 97-309 from July 1, 1997, to October 1, 1999; P.A. 98-261 deleted references re disclosure of social security and federal employer identification numbers to municipal tax assessors and replaced requirement to provide a description of a vehicle with requirement to provide the vehicle identification number of a vehicle, effective October 1, 1999; P.A. 04-228 replaced former provisions with new Subsecs. (a) and (b) re compiling of information on registered motor vehicles and snowmobiles by the commissioner and the furnishing of such information to the assessors, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 10-110 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) to make technical changes and added Subsec. (c) to prohibit disclosure by assessor or tax collector of information provided by commissioner if commissioner is not required to provide such information or if such information is protected from disclosure under state or federal law, effective June 5, 2010; P.A. 22-118 amended Subsec. (a) by designating existing provisions re compilation of information and annual provision of lists concerning motor vehicles and snowmobiles as Subdiv. (1), specifying that Subdiv. (1) applies to assessment years commencing prior to October 1, 2023, specifying that requirement re annual provision of lists identifying motor vehicles and snowmobiles under Subdiv. (1) is applicable until and including December 1, 2022, and adding Subdiv. (2) re compilation of information and annual provision of lists concerning motor vehicles for assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 2023, amended Subsec. (b) by designating existing provisions re the annual provision of supplemental lists concerning motor vehicles and snowmobiles as Subdiv. (1), specifying that Subdiv. (1) applies to assessment years commencing prior to October 1, 2023, and adding Subdiv. (2) re the annual provision of supplemental lists concerning motor vehicles for assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 2023, and made a conforming change, effective July 1, 2022, and applicable to assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 2023; P.A. 23-204 amended Subsec. (a) by substituting “October 1, 2024” for “October 1, 2023” re applicable assessment years, substituting “December 1, 2023” for “December 1, 2022” re provision of list re motor vehicles and snowmobiles subject to property taxation, substituting “October 1, 2024” for “October 1, 2023” re compilation of information re motor vehicles subject to property taxation and substituting “November 1, 2024” for “November 1, 2023” re provision of list re motor vehicles subject to property taxation and amended Subsec. (b) by substituting “October 1, 2024” for “October 1, 2023” re provision of list re motor vehicles and snowmobiles registered subsequent to October 1 but prior to August 1 and substituting “November 15, 2024” for “November 15, 2023” re provision of list re motor vehicles registered in immediately preceding month, effective July 1, 2023, and applicable to assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 2024.

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