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General Assembly Raised Bill No. 261
January Session, 2021
LCO No. 1532
Referred to Committee on TRANSPORTATION
Introduced by:
(TRA)
AN ACT CONCERNING RE COMMENDATIONS BY THE DEPARTMENT
OF MOTOR VEHICLES.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:
Section 1. Subsection (e) of section 1-1h of the general statutes is 1
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2
2021): 3
(e) Any person who misrepresents his or her age or practices any 4
other deceit in the procurement of an identity card, or uses or exhibits 5
an identity card belonging to any other person, shall be guilty of a class 6
D misdemeanor and shall have such identity card revoked by the 7
commissioner. Prior to the issuance to such person of a new identity 8
card, such person shall pay to the commissioner a restoration fee of one 9
hundred seventy-five dollars, in addition to the application fee 10
described in subsection (a) of this section. 11
Sec. 2. Subsection (b) of section 14-11c of the general statutes is 12
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 13
2021): 14 Raised Bill No. 261
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(b) The Motor Carrier Advisory Council shall consist of the following 15
voting members: The Commissioners of Transportation, Motor 16
Vehicles, [Public Safety] Emergency Services and Public Protection, 17
Revenue Services, Economic and Community Development and Energy 18
and Environmental Protection, or their designees, and any other 19
commissioner of a state agency, or such commissioner's designee, 20
invited to participate. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or the 21
commissioner's designee shall organize and serve as chairperson of the 22
council. The council shall only make recommendations or take actions 23
by a unanimous vote of all members present and voting. The council 24
may make recommendations as the council deems appropriate to the 25
United States Congress, the Governor or the General Assembly. 26
Sec. 3. Section 14-15d of the general statutes is repealed and the 27
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 28
The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may require any person, firm 29
or corporation, who in the opinion of the commissioner is qualified and 30
who is engaged in the business of filing applications for the issuance of 31
a certificate of registration or a certificate of title for motor vehicles with 32
the Department of Motor Vehicles, to file such applications 33
electronically if the commissioner determines that such person, firm or 34
corporation files, on average, seven or more such applications each 35
month. A qualified person, firm or corporation shall, [within] not later 36
than ten days [from] after the electronic issuance of such registration, 37
submit to the commissioner an application together with all necessary 38
documents required to register the vehicle with the department. Any 39
such person, firm or corporation that fails or refuses to file such 40
application electronically upon the request of the commissioner shall 41
pay a twenty-five-dollar fee to the commissioner for each application 42
submitted. The commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance 43
with the provisions of chapter 54 to implement the provisions of this 44
section. 45
Sec. 4. Subsection (b) of section 14-16 of the general statutes is 46
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 47 Raised Bill No. 261
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2021): 48
(b) If a motor vehicle is owned by one owner who is a natural person, 49
such owner may designate, in writing in a space provided on the 50
certificate of registration for such motor vehicle, a beneficiary who shall 51
assume ownership of such motor vehicle after the death of the owner 52
and upon the making of an application pursuant to this subsection. The 53
owner making such designation shall have all rights of ownership of 54
such motor vehicle during the owner's life and the beneficiary shall have 55
no rights in such motor vehicle until such time as the owner dies and an 56
application is made pursuant to this subsection. Not later than [sixty] 57
one hundred twenty days after the death of the owner, the beneficiary 58
may make application to the commissioner for the issuance of a 59
certificate of title and a certificate of registration for such motor vehicle 60
in the beneficiary's name. Such application shall be accompanied by: (1) 61
The original certificate of registration in which the beneficiary is 62
designated pursuant to this subsection; (2) a death certificate for the 63
deceased owner; (3) such proof of the beneficiary's identity as the 64
commissioner may require; (4) the transfer fee required by subsection 65
(c) of this section; and (5) any applicable fees for registration, title and 66
number plates as required under this chapter and chapter 247. If the 67
beneficiary fails to make such application within the time period 68
specified in this subsection, the beneficiary shall have no right to obtain 69
ownership of and title to such motor vehicle under this subsection after 70
the expiration of such time period. The right of the beneficiary to obtain 71
ownership of and title to such motor vehicle under this subsection shall 72
be subordinate to the rights of each lienholder whose security interest 73
in such motor vehicle is duly recorded pursuant to chapter 247. The 74
commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to 75
implement the provisions of this subsection. 76
Sec. 5. Section 14-21z of the general statutes is repealed and the 77
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 78
(a) On and after January 1, 2020, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles 79
shall issue Save Our Lakes commemorative number plates of a design 80 Raised Bill No. 261
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to enhance public awareness of the state's effort to preserve and protect 81
the state's lakes and ponds from aquatic invasive species and 82
cyanobacteria blooms. Said design shall be determined by agreement 83
between the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection 84
and the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. No use shall be made of such 85
plates except as official registration marker plates. 86
(b) (1) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall [establish, by 87
regulations adopted in accordance with chapter 54, a fee to be charged] 88
charge a fee of sixty dollars for a Save Our Lakes commemorative 89
number [plates] plate, with letters and numbers selected by the 90
commissioner, in addition to the regular fee or fees prescribed for the 91
registration of a motor vehicle. [The fee shall be for such number plates 92
with letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor 93
Vehicles. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may establish a higher 94
fee for: (1) Such number plates which contain letters in place of numbers 95
as authorized by section 14-49, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed 96
for plates issued under said section; and (2) such number plates which 97
are low number plates, in accordance with section 14-160, in addition to 98
the fee or fees prescribed for plates issued under said section. The 99
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall establish, by regulations adopted 100
in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, an additional voluntary 101
lakes and ponds preservation donation, which shall be deposited in the 102
Connecticut Lakes and Ponds Preservation account established under 103
section 14-21aa. All fees established and collected pursuant to this 104
section shall be deposited in said account.] The commissioner shall 105
deposit fifteen dollars of such fee into an account controlled by the 106
Department of Motor Vehicles to be used for the cost of producing, 107
issuing, renewing and replacing such commemorative number plates, 108
and forty-five dollars of such fee into the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and 109
Ponds Preservation account established under section 14-21aa, as 110
amended by this act. 111
(2) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall charge a fee of eighty 112
dollars for a Save Our Lakes commemorative number plate that (A) 113
contains letters in place of numbers as authorized by section 14-49, as 114 Raised Bill No. 261
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amended by this act, or (B) is a low number plate in accordance with 115
section 14-160, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for number plates 116
issued under said sections. The commissioner shall deposit fifteen 117
dollars of such fee into an account controlled by the Department of 118
Motor Vehicles to be used for the cost of producing, issuing, renewing 119
and replacing such commemorative number plates, and sixty-five 120
dollars of such fee into the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds 121
Preservation account. 122
(c) Except as provided by subsection (d) of this section, no additional 123
renewal fee shall be charged for renewal of registration for any motor 124
vehicle bearing Save Our Lakes commemorative number plates which 125
contain letters in place of numbers, or low number plates, in excess of 126
the renewal fee for Save Our Lakes commemorative number plates with 127
letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. 128
No transfer fee shall be charged for transfer of an existing registration 129
to or from a registration with Save Our Lakes commemorative number 130
plates. 131
(d) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may request an additional 132
voluntary donation of fifteen dollars at the time of registration renewal 133
for any motor vehicle bearing a Save Our Lakes commemorative 134
number plate. Five dollars of the donation may be dedicated to the 135
administrative costs of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Ten dollars 136
of such donation shall be deposited in the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and 137
Ponds Preservation account established under section 14-21aa, as 138
amended by this act. [The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, in 139
consultation with the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental 140
Protection, shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of 141
chapter 54, to establish standards and procedures for the issuance, 142
renewal and replacement of Save Our Lakes commemorative number 143
plates.] 144
Sec. 6. Section 14-21aa of the general statutes is repealed and the 145
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 146 Raised Bill No. 261
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(a) There is established an account to be known as the "Connecticut 147
Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation account". The Connecticut Lakes, 148
Rivers and Ponds Preservation account shall be a separate, nonlapsing 149
account of the General Fund. Any moneys required by law to be 150
deposited in the account shall be deposited in and credited to the 151
Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation account. The account 152
shall be available to the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental 153
Protection for (1) restoration and rehabilitation of lakes, rivers and 154
ponds in the state; (2) programs of the Department of Energy and 155
Environmental Protection for the eradication of aquatic invasive species 156
and cyanobacteria blooms; (3) education and public outreach programs 157
to enhance the public's understanding of the need to protect and 158
preserve the state's lakes, rivers and ponds; (4) allocation of grants to 159
state and municipal agencies and not-for-profit organizations to 160
conduct research and to provide public education and public awareness 161
to enhance understanding and management of the natural resources of 162
the state's lakes, rivers and ponds; (5) provision of funds for all services 163
that support the protection and conservation of the state's lakes, rivers 164
and ponds; and (6) reimbursement of the Department of Motor Vehicles 165
for the cost of producing, issuing, renewing and replacing Save Our 166
Lakes commemorative number plates, including administrative 167
expenses, pursuant to section 14-21z, as amended by this act. 168
(b) The [commissioner] Commissioner of Energy and Environmental 169
Protection may receive private donations to the Connecticut Lakes, 170
Rivers and Ponds Preservation account and any such receipts shall be 171
deposited in the account. 172
(c) The [commissioner] Commissioner of Energy and Environmental 173
Protection may provide for the reproduction and marketing of the Save 174
Our Lakes commemorative number plate image for use on clothing, 175
recreational equipment, posters, mementoes, or other products or 176
programs deemed by the commissioner to be suitable as a means of 177
supporting the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation 178
account. Any funds received by the commissioner from such marketing 179
shall be deposited in the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds 180 Raised Bill No. 261
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Preservation account. 181
(d) Notwithstanding any provision of this section, not less than 182
eighty per cent of any funds deposited into the Connecticut Lakes, 183
Rivers and Ponds Preservation account pursuant to section 14-21bb 184
shall be utilized for the purposes described in subdivisions (2) to (4), 185
inclusive, of subsection (a) of this section. 186
Sec. 7. Section 14-25c of the general statutes is repealed and the 187
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 188
The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue distinctive 189
registration marker plates to each motor vehicle, except a taxicab or 190
motor vehicle in livery service, that is used as a student transportation 191
vehicle, as defined in section 14-212. Each such registration of a student 192
transportation vehicle shall be issued for a period of one year and, 193
subject to the provisions of subsection (d) of section 14-103, may be 194
renewed by the owner, in accordance with schedules established by the 195
commissioner. The fee for such registration or for any renewal thereof 196
shall be determined as follows: (1) In the case of any such motor vehicle 197
designed as a service bus, the fee shall be one-half of the fee prescribed 198
for the registration of a service bus, in accordance with the provisions of 199
subsection (p) of section 14-49, and (2) in the case of any such motor 200
vehicle designed as a passenger motor vehicle, the fee shall be one-half 201
of the fee prescribed for the biennial registration of a [passenger] 202
combination motor vehicle or one-third of the fee prescribed for the 203
triennial registration of a [passenger] combination motor vehicle, in 204
accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of section 14-49. 205
Sec. 8. Section 14-29 of the general statutes is repealed and the 206
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2021): 207
(a) The commissioner shall not register any motor bus, taxicab, school 208
bus, motor vehicle in livery service, student transportation vehicle or 209
service bus and no person may operate or cause to be operated upon 210
any public highway any such motor vehicle until the owner or lessee 211
thereof has procured insurance or a bond satisfactory to the 212 Raised Bill No. 261
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commissioner [, which insurance or bond] that shall indemnify the 213
insured against any legal liability for personal injury, the death of any 214
person or property damage, which injury, death or damage may result 215
from or have been caused by the use or operation of such motor vehicle 216
described in the contract of insurance or such bond. Such insurance or 217
bond shall not be required from (1) a municipality which the 218
commissioner finds has maintained sufficient financial responsibility to 219
meet legal liability for personal injury, death or damage resulting from 220
or caused by the use or operation of a service bus owned or operated by 221
such municipality, or (2) the owner or lessee of such class of motor 222
vehicle who holds a certificate of public necessity and convenience from 223
the Department of Transportation if such owner or lessee has procured 224
from the department a certificate that the department has found that 225
such owner or lessee is of sufficient financial responsibility to meet legal 226
liability for personal injury, death or property damage resulting from or 227
caused by the use or operation of such motor vehicle. The Department 228
of Transportation may issue such certificate upon presentation of 229
evidence of financial responsibility that is satisfactory to it. 230
(b) [(1)] The amount of insurance or of such bond [which] that each 231
such vehicle owner or lessee shall carry as insurance or indemnity 232
against claims for personal injury or death and legal liability resulting 233
from damage to the property of passengers or others for any one 234
accident shall be not less than [(A) fifty thousand dollars for one person 235
subject to that limit per person; (B) for all persons in any one accident 236
where the carrying capacity is seven passengers or less, one hundred 237
thousand dollars; (C) eight to twelve passengers, inclusive, one hundred 238
fifty thousand dollars; (D) thirteen to twenty passengers, inclusive, two 239
hundred thousand dollars; (E) twenty-one to thirty passengers, 240
inclusive, two hundred fifty thousand dollars; and (F) thirty-one 241
passengers or more, three hundred thousand dollars; and such policy or 242
such bond shall indemnify the insured against legal liability resulting 243
from damage to the property of passengers or of others to the amount 244
of ten thousand dollars] (1) a single limit of liability of (A) five hundred 245
thousand dollars, if such vehicle is designed or used to transport seven 246 Raised Bill No. 261
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passenger or less, or (B) seven hundred fifty thousand dollars, if such 247
vehicle is designed or used to transport eight to fourteen passengers 248
without compensation; (2) the minimum amounts established in 49 CFR 249
Part 387, as amended from time to time, if such vehicle is designed or 250
used to transport eight passengers or more for compensation, or fifteen 251
passengers or more without compensation; (3) one million five hundred 252
thousand dollars, if such vehicle is operated in livery service under the 253
provisions of sections 13b-101 to 13b-109, inclusive, and designed or 254
used to transport fourteen passengers or less; and (4) five million 255
dollars, if such vehicle is operated in livery service under the provisions 256
of sections 13b-101 to 13b-109, inclusive, and designed or used to 257
transport fifteen passengers or more. 258
[(2) In lieu of the foregoing, a single limit of liability shall be allowed 259
as insurance or indemnity against claims for personal injury or death 260
and legal liability resulting from damage to the property of passengers 261
or of others for any one accident (A) where the carrying capacity is seven 262
passengers or less, not less than one hundred thousand dollars; (B) eight 263
to twelve passengers, inclusive, not less than one hundred fifty 264
thousand dollars; (C) thirteen to twenty passengers, inclusive, not less 265
than two hundred thousand dollars; (D) twenty-one to thirty 266
passengers, inclusive, not less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars; 267
and (E) thirty-one passengers or more, not less than three hundred 268
thousand dollars. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to (i) 269
a municipality which the commissioner has found to have sufficient 270
financial responsibility to meet legal liability for damages as provided 271
in subsection (a) of this section or (ii) the owner or lessees of any such 272
motor vehicle holding a certificate of public convenience and necessity 273
issued by the Department of Transportation whom the department has 274
found to be of sufficient financial responsibility to meet legal liability for 275
damages as provided in subsection (a).] 276
(c) (1) Any person or company issuing any such insurance or 277
indemnity bond shall file with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles a 278
certificate in such form as the commissioner prescribes, and no such 279
insurance or bond shall lapse, expire or be cancelled while the 280 Raised Bill No. 261
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registration is in force until the commissioner has been given at least ten 281
days' written notice of an intention to cancel and until the commissioner 282
has accepted other insurance or another indemnity bond and has 283
notified the person or company seeking to cancel such insurance or 284
bond that such other insurance or bond has been accepted or until the 285
registration of such motor vehicle described in such insurance policy or 286
bond has been suspended or cancelled. 287
(2) No person or company issuing any such insurance or indemnity 288
bond shall issue an insurance policy or indemnity bond for a motor 289
vehicle specified in subsection (a) of this section for limits less than those 290
specified in subsection (b) [or (f)] of this section. Upon initial registration 291
or renewal of any such motor vehicle, the commissioner may presume 292
that an insurance policy or indemnity bond meets the minimum 293
amounts specified in said subsection (b) [or (f)] for such vehicle. 294
(d) Any person injured in person or property by any such motor 295
vehicle may apply to the commissioner for the name and description of 296
the insurer of the vehicle causing such injury or the name of the surety 297
upon any indemnity bond of any such owner or the name of the holder 298
of a certificate of financial responsibility. 299
(e) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be 300
fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than 301
one year or both. 302
[(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, any person, 303
association or corporation operating a motor vehicle in livery service 304
under the provisions of sections 13b-101 to 13b-109, inclusive, shall carry 305
insurance or indemnity against claims for personal injury or death and 306
legal liability resulting from damage to the property of passengers or of 307
others for any one accident in an amount not less than one million five 308
hundred thousand dollars for vehicles with a seating capacity of 309
fourteen passengers or less and five million dollars for vehicles with a 310
seating capacity of fifteen passengers or more.] 311
Sec. 9. Section 14-36 of the general statutes is repealed and the 312 Raised Bill No. 261
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following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 313
(a) Except as otherwise provided by this section and section 14-40a, 314
no person shall operate a motor vehicle on any public highway of this 315
state or private road on which a speed limit has been established in 316
accordance with subsection (a) of section 14-218a until such person has 317
obtained a motor vehicle operator's license. 318
(b) (1) A person eighteen years of age or older who does not hold a 319
motor vehicle operator's license may not operate a motor vehicle on the 320
public highways of the state for the purpose of instruction until such 321
person has applied for and obtained an adult instruction permit from 322
the commissioner. Such person shall not be eligible for an adult 323
instruction permit if such person has had a motor vehicle operator's 324
license or privilege suspended or revoked. An adult instruction permit 325
shall entitle the holder, while such holder has the permit in his or her 326
immediate possession, to operate a motor vehicle on the public 327
highways, provided such holder is under the instruction of, and 328
accompanied by, a person who holds an instructor's license issued 329
under the provisions of section 14-73 or a person twenty years of age or 330
older who has been licensed to operate, for at least four years preceding 331
the instruction, a motor vehicle of the same class as the motor vehicle 332
being operated and who has not had his or her motor vehicle operator's 333
license suspended by the commissioner during the four-year period 334
preceding the instruction. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall 335
not issue a motor vehicle operator's license to any person holding an 336
adult instruction permit who has held such permit for less than ninety 337
days unless such person (A) is a member of the armed forces on active 338
duty outside the state, or (B) has previously held a motor vehicle 339
operator's license. (2) A person holding a valid out-of-state motor 340
vehicle operator's license may operate a motor vehicle for a period of 341
[thirty] sixty days following such person's establishment of residence in 342
Connecticut, if the motor vehicle is of the same class as that for which 343
his or her out-of-state motor vehicle operator's license was issued. (3) 344
No person may cause or permit the operation of a motor vehicle by a 345
person under sixteen years of age. 346 Raised Bill No. 261
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(c) (1) A person who is sixteen or seventeen years of age and who has 347
not had a motor vehicle operator's license or right to operate a motor 348
vehicle in this state suspended or revoked may apply to the 349
[Commissioner of Motor Vehicles] commissioner for a youth instruction 350
permit. The commissioner may issue a youth instruction permit to an 351
applicant after the applicant has passed a vision screening and test as to 352
knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the 353
road, has paid the fee required by subsection (v) of section 14-49 and has 354
filed a certificate, in such form as the commissioner prescribes, 355
requesting or consenting to the issuance of the youth instruction permit 356
and the motor vehicle operator's license, signed by (A) one or both 357
parents or foster parents of the applicant, as the commissioner requires, 358
(B) the legal guardian of the applicant, (C) the applicant's spouse, if the 359
spouse is eighteen years of age or older, or (D) if the applicant has no 360
qualified spouse and such applicant's parent or foster parent or legal 361
guardian is deceased, incapable, domiciled outside of this state or 362
otherwise unavailable or unable to sign or file the certificate, the 363
applicant's stepparent, grandparent, or uncle or aunt by blood or 364
marriage, provided such person is eighteen years of age or older. The 365
commissioner may, for the more efficient administration of the 366
commissioner's duties, appoint any drivers' school licensed in 367
accordance with the provisions of section 14-69, as amended by this act, 368
or any secondary school providing instruction in motor vehicle 369
operation and highway safety in accordance with section 14-36e, as 370
amended by this act, to issue a youth instruction permit, subject to such 371
standards and requirements as the commissioner may prescribe in 372
regulations adopted in accordance with chapter 54. Each youth 373
instruction permit shall expire two years from the date of issuance or on 374
the date the holder of the permit is issued a motor vehicle operator's 375
license, whichever is earlier. Any holder of a youth instruction permit 376
who attains eighteen years of age may retain such permit until the 377
expiration of such permit. (2) The youth instruction permit shall entitle 378
the holder, while such holder has the permit in his or her immediate 379
possession, to operate a motor vehicle on the public highways, provided 380
such holder is under the instruction of, and accompanied by, a person 381 Raised Bill No. 261
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who holds an instructor's license issued under the provisions of section 382
14-73 or a person twenty years of age or older who has been licensed to 383
operate, for at least four years preceding the instruction, a motor vehicle 384
of the same class as the motor vehicle being operated and who has not 385
had his or her motor vehicle operator's license suspended by the 386
commissioner during the four-year period preceding the instruction. (3) 387
Unless the holder of the permit is under the instruction of and 388
accompanied by a person who holds an instructor's license issued under 389
the provisions of section 14-73, no passenger in addition to the person 390
providing instruction shall be transported unless such passenger is a 391
parent or legal guardian of the holder of the permit. (4) The holder of a 392
youth instruction permit who (A) is an active member of a certified 393
ambulance service, as defined in section 19a-175, (B) has commenced an 394
emergency vehicle operator's course that conforms to the national 395
standard curriculum developed by the United States Department of 396
Transportation, and (C) has had state and national criminal history 397
records checks conducted by the certified ambulance service or by the 398
municipality in which such ambulance service is provided, shall be 399
exempt from the provisions of subdivisions (2) and (3) of this subsection 400
only when such holder is [en route] driving to or from the location of 401
the ambulance for purposes of responding to an emergency call. (5) The 402
commissioner may revoke any youth instruction permit used in 403
violation of the limitations imposed by subdivision (2) or (3) of this 404
subsection. 405
(d) (1) No motor vehicle operator's license shall be issued to any 406
applicant who is sixteen or seventeen years of age unless the applicant 407
has held a youth instruction permit and has satisfied the requirements 408
specified in this subsection. The applicant shall (A) [present] submit to 409
the [Commissioner of Motor Vehicles] commissioner, in such manner as 410
the commissioner shall direct, a certificate of the successful completion 411
(i) in a public secondary school, a technical education and career school 412
or a private secondary school of a full course of study in motor vehicle 413
operation prepared as provided in section 14-36e, as amended by this 414
act, (ii) of training of similar nature provided by a licensed drivers' 415 Raised Bill No. 261
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school approved by the commissioner, or (iii) of home training in 416
accordance with subdivision (2) of this subsection, including, in each 417
case, or by a combination of such types of training, successful 418
completion of: Not less than forty clock hours of behind-the-wheel, on-419
the-road instruction for applicants to whom a youth instruction permit 420
is issued on or after August 1, 2008; (B) [present] submit to the 421
commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner shall direct, a 422
certificate of the successful completion of a course of not less than eight 423
hours relative to safe driving practices, including a minimum of four 424
hours on the nature and the medical, biological and physiological effects 425
of alcohol and drugs and their impact on the operator of a motor vehicle, 426
the dangers associated with the operation of a motor vehicle after the 427
consumption of alcohol or drugs by the operator, the problems of 428
alcohol and drug abuse and the penalties for alcohol and drug-related 429
motor vehicle violations; and (C) pass an examination which may 430
include a comprehensive test as to knowledge of the laws concerning 431
motor vehicles and the rules of the road in addition to the test required 432
under subsection (c) of this section and shall include an on-the-road 433
skills test as prescribed by the commissioner. At the time of application 434
and examination for a motor vehicle operator's license, an applicant 435
sixteen or seventeen years of age shall have held a youth instruction 436
permit for not less than one hundred eighty days, except that an 437
applicant who presents a certificate under subparagraph (A)(i) or 438
subparagraph (A)(ii) of this subdivision shall have held a youth 439
instruction permit for not less than one hundred twenty days and an 440
applicant who is undergoing training and instruction by the driver 441
training unit for persons with disabilities in accordance with the 442
provisions of section 14-11b shall have held such permit for the period 443
of time required by said unit. The [Commissioner of Motor Vehicles] 444
commissioner shall approve the content of the safe driving instruction 445
at drivers' schools, high schools and other secondary schools. Subject to 446
such standards and requirements as the commissioner may impose, the 447
commissioner may authorize any drivers' school, licensed in good 448
standing in accordance with the provisions of section 14-69, as amended 449
by this act, or secondary school driver education program authorized 450 Raised Bill No. 261
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pursuant to the provisions of section 14-36e, as amended by this act, to 451
administer the comprehensive test as to knowledge of the laws 452
concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the road, required pursuant 453
to subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, as part of the safe driving 454
practices course required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this 455
subdivision, and to certify to the commissioner, under oath, the results 456
of each such test administered. Such hours of instruction required by 457
this subdivision shall be included as part of or in addition to any existing 458
instruction programs. Any fee charged for the course required under 459
subparagraph (B) of this subdivision shall not exceed one hundred fifty 460
dollars. Any applicant sixteen or seventeen years of age who, while a 461
resident of another state, completed the course required in 462
subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, but did not complete the safe 463
driving course required in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, shall 464
complete the safe driving course. The commissioner may waive any 465
requirement in this subdivision, except for that in subparagraph (C) of 466
this subdivision, in the case of an applicant sixteen or seventeen years 467
of age who holds a valid motor vehicle operator's license issued by any 468
other state, provided the commissioner is satisfied that the applicant has 469
received training and instruction of a similar nature. 470
(2) The commissioner may accept as evidence of sufficient training 471
under subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of this subsection home 472
training as evidenced by a written statement submitted to the 473
commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner directs. Such 474
statement shall be signed by the spouse of a married minor applicant, or 475
by a parent, grandparent, foster parent or legal guardian of an applicant 476
[which states] and shall state that the applicant has obtained a youth 477
instruction permit and has successfully completed a driving course 478
taught by the person signing the statement, that the signer has had an 479
operator's license for at least four years preceding the date of the 480
statement, and that the signer has not had such license suspended by 481
the commissioner for at least four years preceding the date of the 482
statement. [or, if] If the applicant has no spouse, parent, grandparent, 483
foster parent or guardian so qualified and available to give the 484 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 16 of 51
instruction, [a] such statement may be signed by the applicant's 485
stepparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt, by blood or marriage, provided 486
the person signing the statement is qualified. 487
(3) If the commissioner requires a written test of any applicant under 488
this section, the test shall be given in English or Spanish at the option of 489
the applicant, provided the commissioner shall require that the 490
applicant shall have sufficient understanding of English for the 491
interpretation of traffic control signs. 492
(4) The [Commissioner of Motor Vehicles] commissioner may adopt 493
regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to 494
implement the purposes of this subsection concerning the requirements 495
for behind-the-wheel, on-the-road instruction, the content of safe 496
driving instruction at drivers' schools, high schools and other secondary 497
schools, and the administration and certification of required testing. 498
(e) (1) No motor vehicle operator's license shall be issued until (A) the 499
applicant signs and [files with] submits to the commissioner, in such 500
manner as the commissioner directs, an application under oath, or made 501
subject to penalties for false statement in accordance with section 53a-502
157b, and (B) the commissioner is satisfied that the applicant is sixteen 503
years of age or older and is a suitable person to receive the license. 504
(2) Except any applicant described in section 14-36m, an applicant for 505
a new motor vehicle operator's license shall [, in the discretion of the 506
commissioner, file,] submit with the application [,] a copy of such 507
applicant's birth certificate or other prima facie evidence, as determined 508
by the commissioner, of date of birth and evidence of identity. 509
(3) Before granting a license to any applicant who has not previously 510
held a Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license, or [who has not 511
operated a motor vehicle during the preceding two years] whose 512
Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license expired more than two 513
years prior to the application date, the commissioner shall require the 514
applicant to demonstrate personally to the commissioner, a deputy, [or] 515
a motor vehicle inspector or an agent of the commissioner, in such 516 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 17 of 51
manner as the commissioner directs, that the applicant is a proper 517
person to operate motor vehicles of the class for which such applicant 518
has applied, has sufficient knowledge of the mechanism of the motor 519
vehicles to ensure their safe operation by him or her and has satisfactory 520
knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the 521
road. The knowledge test of an applicant for a class D motor vehicle 522
operator's license may be administered in such form as the 523
commissioner deems appropriate, including audio, electronic or written 524
testing. Such knowledge test shall be administered in English, Spanish 525
or any language spoken at home by at least one per cent of the state's 526
population, according to statistics prepared by the United States Census 527
Bureau, based on the most recent decennial census. Each such 528
knowledge test shall include a question concerning highway work zone 529
safety and the responsibilities of an operator of a motor vehicle under 530
section 14-212d. Each such knowledge test shall include not less than 531
one question concerning distracted driving, the use of mobile 532
telephones and electronic devices by motor vehicle operators or the 533
responsibilities of motor vehicle operators under section 14-296aa. If any 534
such applicant has held a license from a state, territory or possession of 535
the United States where a similar examination is required, the 536
commissioner may waive part or all of the examination. If any such 537
applicant is (A) a veteran who applies not later than two years after the 538
date of discharge from the military and who, prior to such discharge, 539
held a military operator's license for motor vehicles of the same class as 540
that for which such applicant has applied, or (B) a member of the armed 541
forces or the National Guard who currently holds a military operator's 542
license for motor vehicles of the same class as that for which such 543
applicant has applied, the commissioner shall waive all of the 544
examination, except in the case of a commercial motor vehicle [licenses] 545
license, the commissioner shall [only] waive the driving skills test for 546
such applicant [who] and may, in such commissioner's discretion, waive 547
the knowledge test for such application, provided such applicant meets 548
the conditions set forth in 49 CFR 383.77, as amended from time to time. 549
For the purposes of this subsection, "veteran" means any person who 550
was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable 551 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 18 of 51
from active service in the armed forces and "armed forces" has the same 552
meaning as provided in section 27-103. When the commissioner is 553
satisfied as to the ability and competency of any applicant, the 554
commissioner may issue to such applicant a license, either unlimited or 555
containing such limitations as the commissioner deems advisable, and 556
specifying the class of motor vehicles which the licensee is eligible to 557
operate. 558
(4) If any applicant or operator license holder has any health problem 559
which might affect such person's ability to operate a motor vehicle 560
safely, the commissioner may require the applicant or license holder to 561
demonstrate personally or otherwise establish that, notwithstanding 562
such problem, such applicant or license holder is a proper person to 563
operate a motor vehicle, and the commissioner may further require a 564
certificate of such applicant's condition, signed by a medical authority 565
designated by the commissioner, which certificate shall in all cases be 566
treated as confidential by the commissioner. A license, containing such 567
limitation as the commissioner deems advisable, may be issued or 568
renewed in any case, but nothing in this section shall be construed to 569
prevent the commissioner from refusing a license, either limited or 570
unlimited, to any person or suspending a license of a person whom the 571
commissioner determines to be incapable of safely operating a motor 572
vehicle. Consistent with budgetary allotments, each motor vehicle 573
operator's license issued to or renewed by a person who is deaf or hard 574
of hearing shall, upon the request of such person, indicate such 575
impairment. Such person shall submit a certificate stating such 576
impairment, in such form as the commissioner may require and signed 577
by a licensed health care practitioner. 578
(5) The issuance of a motor vehicle operator's license to any applicant 579
who is the holder of a license issued by another state shall be subject to 580
the provisions of sections 14-111c and 14-111k. 581
(f) No person issued a limited license shall operate (1) a motor vehicle 582
in violation of the limitations imposed by such license, or (2) any motor 583
vehicle other than the motor vehicle for which such person's right to 584 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 19 of 51
operate is limited. 585
(g) The commissioner may place a restriction on the motor vehicle 586
operator's license of any person or on any special operator's permit 587
issued to any person in accordance with the provisions of section 14-37a 588
that restricts the holder of such license or permit to the operation of a 589
motor vehicle that is equipped with an approved ignition interlock 590
device, as defined in section 14-227j, for such time as the commissioner 591
shall prescribe, if such person has: (1) Been convicted for a first or second 592
time of a violation of subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227a, 593
and has served not less than forty-five days of the prescribed period of 594
suspension for such conviction, in accordance with the provisions of 595
subsections (g) and (i) of section 14-227a; (2) been ordered by the 596
Superior Court not to operate any motor vehicle unless it is equipped 597
with an approved ignition interlock device, in accordance with the 598
provisions of section 14-227j; (3) been granted a reversal or reduction of 599
such person's license suspension or revocation, in accordance with the 600
provisions of subsection (i) of section 14-111; (4) been issued a motor 601
vehicle operator's license upon the surrender of an operator's license 602
issued by another state and such previously held license contains a 603
restriction to the operation of a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition 604
interlock device; (5) been convicted of a violation of section 53a-56b or 605
53a-60d; (6) been permitted by the commissioner to be issued or to retain 606
an operator's license subject to reporting requirements concerning such 607
person's physical condition, in accordance with the provisions of 608
subsection (e) of this section and sections 14-45a to 14-46g, inclusive, as 609
amended by this act; (7) had such person's operator's license suspended 610
under subsection (i) of section 14-227b and has served not less than 611
forty-five days of the prescribed period of such suspension; (8) been 612
convicted for a first or second time of a violation of subsection (a) of 613
section 14-227m and has served not less than forty-five days of the 614
prescribed period of suspension for such conviction, in accordance with 615
the provisions of subsection (c) of section 14-227m and subsection (i) of 616
section 14-227a; or (9) been convicted of a violation of subdivision (1) or 617
(2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n and has served not less than forty-618 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 20 of 51
five days of the prescribed period of suspension for such conviction, in 619
accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of section 14-227n and 620
subsection (i) of section 14-227a. 621
(h) Before issuing a motor vehicle operator's license in accordance 622
with this section or section 14-44c, as amended by this act, the 623
commissioner shall request information from the National Driver 624
Registry and the Commercial Driver License Information System, in 625
accordance with the provisions of 49 CFR section 383.73. Each driving 626
history record shall contain a notation of the date on which such inquiry 627
was made. 628
(i) (1) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall, for 629
a first offense, be deemed to have committed an infraction and be fined 630
not less than seventy-five dollars or more than ninety dollars and, for 631
any subsequent offense, shall be fined not less than two hundred fifty 632
dollars or more than three hundred fifty dollars or be imprisoned not 633
more than thirty days, or both. 634
(2) In addition to the penalty prescribed under subdivision (1) of this 635
subsection, any person who violates any provision of this section who 636
(A) has, prior to the commission of the present violation, committed a 637
violation of this section or subsection (a) of section 14-215, shall be fined 638
not more than five hundred dollars or sentenced to perform not more 639
than one hundred hours of community service, or (B) has, prior to the 640
commission of the present violation, committed two or more violations 641
of this section or subsection (a) of section 14-215, or any combination 642
thereof, shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of one year, ninety 643
days of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner. 644
(j) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may adopt regulations, in 645
accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section. 646
Sec. 10. Section 14-36d of the general statutes is repealed and the 647
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 648
(a) The commissioner may acquire, by lease or purchase, and install 649 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 21 of 51
at offices of the Department of Motor Vehicles and at such other 650
locations where operator's licenses are issued or renewed, such 651
equipment as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this 652
chapter. 653
(b) The commissioner may [provide for the renewal of] renew or 654
produce a duplicate of any motor vehicle operator's license, commercial 655
driver's license or identity card without personal appearance of the 656
license or card holder [, in circumstances where the holder is a member 657
of the armed forces, is temporarily residing outside of this state for 658
business or educational purposes, or in other circumstances where, in 659
the judgment of the commissioner, such personal appearance would be 660
impractical or pose a significant hardship. The commissioner shall 661
decline to issue any such renewal without personal appearance if the 662
commissioner is not satisfied as to the reasons why the applicant cannot 663
personally appear, if the commissioner does not have the applicant's 664
color] if (1) the commissioner has on file a photograph or digital image 665
[on file, if] of the applicant that meets the specifications and standards 666
prescribed by the commissioner and may be used on such license or 667
identity card, (2) the commissioner has satisfactory evidence of the 668
identity of the applicant, [has not been presented, or if] (3) the 669
commissioner [has reason to believe] is satisfied that the applicant is [no 670
longer] a legal resident of this state, (4) in the case of a renewal, the 671
applicant personally appeared to renew such license or identity card 672
within the time limitations specified in state or federal law, and (5) the 673
applicant meets all other requirements for the renewal or duplicate 674
issuance of a license or identity card. 675
(c) The commissioner may issue, [or] renew [any] or duplicate a 676
license, [any] an instruction permit or an identity card [issued or 677
renewed] pursuant to this title or section 1-1h, as amended by this act, 678
by any method that the commissioner deems to be secure and efficient. 679
If the commissioner determines that an applicant has met all conditions 680
for such issuance, [or] renewal or duplication, the commissioner may 681
require that such license, instruction permit or identity card be 682
produced at a centralized location and mailed to the applicant. The 683 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 22 of 51
commissioner may issue a temporary license, instruction permit or 684
identity card for use by the applicant for the period prior to the 685
applicant's receipt of the permanent license, instruction permit or 686
identity card. Such temporary license, instruction permit or identity 687
card shall not be required to contain a photograph or digital image of 688
the applicant as specified in subdivision (8) of subsection (a) of section 689
14-36h. Such temporary license, instruction permit or identity card shall 690
have an expiration date not later than thirty days after the date of 691
issuance and shall remain valid until the earlier of such expiration date 692
or the date the applicant receives such license, instruction permit or 693
identity card. 694
(d) [The commissioner may adopt regulations to provide] If the 695
commissioner provides for the renewal or duplicate issuance of the 696
motor vehicle operator's license, commercial driver's license or identity 697
card [of any person not identified in] without the personal appearance 698
of the license or card holder in accordance with the provisions of 699
subsection (b) of this section, the commissioner shall establish 700
procedures to renew or issue a duplicate of such license or identity card 701
by mail or by electronic communication with the Department of Motor 702
Vehicles. 703
Sec. 11. Section 14-36e of the general statutes is repealed and the 704
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 705
(a) As used in this section, "classroom instruction" includes training 706
or instruction offered in person in a congregate setting, through distance 707
learning or through a combination of both in-person and distance 708
learning. 709
(b) Each local and regional board of education may provide a course 710
of instruction in motor vehicle operation and highway safety on a 711
secondary school level, which course (1) shall consist of not less than 712
thirty clock hours of classroom instruction offered during or after school 713
hours as said board of education, in its discretion, may provide, 714
including instruction of not less than fifteen minutes concerning the 715 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 23 of 51
responsibilities of an operator of a motor vehicle under subsection (b) of 716
section 14-223 and the penalty for a violation of the provisions of said 717
subsection (b), and (2) may include behind-the-wheel instruction of up 718
to twenty clock hours. [Said] Such course shall be open to enrollment by 719
any person between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, inclusive, who is 720
a resident of the town or school district or whose parent, parents or legal 721
guardian owns property taxable in such town or school district. Any 722
such board of education may contract for such behind-the-wheel 723
instruction with a licensed drivers' school. 724
Sec. 12. Section 14-36f of the general statutes is repealed and the 725
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 726
The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations, in 727
accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, governing the 728
establishment, conduct and scope of driver education programs in 729
secondary schools of this state, subject to the requirements of section 14-730
36e, as amended by this act. Such regulations shall (1) permit any local 731
or regional board of education or private secondary school to contract 732
with a licensed drivers' school approved by the Commissioner of Motor 733
Vehicles for the behind-the-wheel instruction of such driver education 734
program and instruction therein may be given by such school's driving 735
instructors who are licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles, [and] 736
(2) require that the classroom instruction of any such driver education 737
program [shall] include a discussion concerning highway work zone 738
safety and the responsibilities of an operator of a motor vehicle under 739
section 14-212d, and (3) permit a class or classroom instruction to be 740
offered in person in a congregate setting, through distance learning or 741
through a combination of both in-person and distance learning. 742
Sec. 13. Subsection (b) of section 14-41 of the general statutes is 743
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 744
passage): 745
(b) The commissioner may authorize a contractor, including, but not 746
limited to, an automobile club or association licensed in accordance with 747 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 24 of 51
the provisions of section 14-67 on or before July 1, 2007, or any 748
municipality, to [issue duplicate licenses and identity cards pursuant to 749
section 14-50a, renew licenses, renew identity cards issued pursuant to 750
section 1-1h and conduct registration transactions at the office or 751
facilities of such contractors or municipalities] conduct transactions as 752
specified by the commissioner. The commissioner may authorize such 753
contractors and municipalities to charge a convenience fee, which shall 754
not exceed eight dollars, to [each] an applicant for [a license or identity 755
card renewal or duplication, or for a registration] each such transaction. 756
The commissioner may collaborate or enter into agreements with such 757
contractors and municipalities to implement technological solutions 758
and other improvements to reduce customer wait times and enhance 759
customer convenience. 760
Sec. 14. Section 14-44c of the general statutes is repealed and the 761
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 762
(a) The application for a commercial driver's license or commercial 763
driver's instruction permit, shall include the following: 764
(1) The full name and current mailing and residence address of the 765
person; 766
(2) A physical description of the person, including [sex] gender, 767
height and eye color; 768
(3) Date of birth; 769
(4) The applicant's Social Security number; 770
(5) The person's statement, under oath, that such person meets the 771
physical qualification standards set forth in 49 CFR 391, as amended 772
from time to time; 773
(6) The person's statement, under oath, that the type of vehicle in 774
which the person has taken or intends to take the driving skills test is 775
representative of the type of motor vehicle the person operates or 776
intends to operate; 777 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 25 of 51
(7) The person's statement, under oath, that such person is not subject 778
to disqualification, suspension, revocation or cancellation of operating 779
privileges in any state, and that he or she does not hold an operator's 780
license in any other state; 781
(8) The person's identification of all states in which such person has 782
been licensed to drive any type of motor vehicle during the last ten 783
years, and the person's statement, under oath that he or she does not 784
hold an operator's license in any other state; and 785
(9) The person's signature, and certification of the accuracy and 786
completeness of the application, subject to the penalties of false 787
statement under section 53a-157b. The application shall be accompanied 788
by the fee prescribed in section 14-44h. 789
(b) No person who has been a resident of this state for thirty days 790
may drive a commercial motor vehicle under the authority of a 791
commercial driver's license issued by another jurisdiction. 792
(c) At the time of application for a commercial driver's license, the 793
applicant shall make the applicable certification, as required by 49 CFR 794
383.71(b), regarding the type of commerce in which such person shall 795
engage. No commercial driver's license shall be issued to a person who 796
fails to make such certification. 797
(d) On and after January 6, 2023, the commissioner shall request a 798
driver's record from the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, in accordance 799
with 49 CFR 382.725, as amended from time to time, for any person who 800
applies for, renews, transfers or upgrades a commercial driver's license. 801
The commissioner shall use information obtained from the Drug and 802
Alcohol Clearinghouse solely for the purpose of determining whether a 803
person is qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle and shall not 804
disclose such information to any person or entity not directly involved 805
in determining whether a person is qualified to operate a commercial 806
motor vehicle. 807
[(d)] (e) In addition to other penalties provided by law, any person 808 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 26 of 51
who knowingly falsifies information or certifications required under 809
subsection (a) of this section shall have such person's operator's license 810
or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state suspended for sixty 811
days. 812
Sec. 15. Subsection (g) of section 14-44e of the general statutes is 813
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 814
2021): 815
(g) The commissioner may issue a commercial driver's instruction 816
permit to any person who holds a valid operator's license. Such permit 817
may be issued for a period not exceeding one [hundred eighty days, and 818
may be reissued or renewed for one additional period not exceeding one 819
hundred eighty days, provided the reissuance or renewal of such permit 820
occurs within a two-year period from its initial issuance] year. Any 821
holder of a commercial driver's instruction permit who has not obtained 822
a commercial driver's license on or before the expiration date of such 823
[reissued or renewed] permit shall be required to retake the commercial 824
driver's license knowledge test and any applicable endorsement 825
knowledge tests. The holder of a commercial driver's instruction permit 826
may, unless otherwise disqualified or suspended, drive a commercial 827
motor vehicle if such holder is accompanied by the holder of a 828
commercial driver's license of the appropriate class and bearing 829
endorsements for the type of vehicle being driven who occupies a seat 830
beside the individual for the purpose of giving instruction in driving the 831
commercial motor vehicle. The commissioner shall not administer a 832
commercial driver's license driving skills test to any holder of a 833
commercial driver's instruction permit unless such person has held such 834
permit for a minimum period of fourteen days. 835
Sec. 16. Subsection (b) of section 14-44i of the general statutes is 836
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 837
2021): 838
(b) There shall be charged for each commercial driver's license 839
knowledge test a fee of sixteen dollars. There shall be charged for each 840 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 27 of 51
commercial driver's license skills test a fee of thirty dollars. There shall 841
be charged for each commercial driver's instruction permit a fee of [ten] 842
twenty dollars. 843
Sec. 17. Subsection (g) of section 14-44k of the general statutes is 844
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 845
2021): 846
(g) Any person who (1) uses any motor vehicle in the commission of 847
a felony involving the manufacture, distribution or dispensing of a 848
controlled substance, or (2) uses a commercial motor vehicle in the 849
commission of a felony involving severe forms of trafficking in persons, 850
as defined in 22 USC 7102(11), as amended from time to time, shall be 851
disqualified for life and ineligible for reinstatement in accordance with 852
subsection (h) of this section. 853
Sec. 18. Subsection (b) of section 14-45a of the general statutes is 854
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 855
2021): 856
(b) Prior to issuing a motor vehicle operator's license to a person who 857
has not previously been issued a license in this state or [has not operated 858
a motor vehicle within the preceding two years] whose Connecticut 859
motor vehicle operator's license expired more than two years prior to 860
the application date, the commissioner may require such person to pass 861
a vision screening to determine if the person meets vision standards 862
specified in the regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (a) of this 863
section. 864
Sec. 19. Subsection (e) of section 14-49 of the general statutes is 865
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 866
1, 2021): 867
(e) (1) For the registration of a passenger motor vehicle used in part 868
for commercial purposes, except any pick-up truck having a gross 869
vehicle weight rating of less than twelve thousand five hundred 870
pounds, the commissioner shall charge a triennial fee of one hundred 871 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 28 of 51
thirty-two dollars and shall issue combination registration to such 872
vehicle. Any individual who is sixty-five years of age or older may, at 873
such individual's discretion, renew the combination registration of such 874
passenger motor vehicle owned by such individual for either a one-year 875
period or the registration period as determined by the commissioner 876
pursuant to subsection (a) of section 14-22. 877
(2) For the registration of a school bus, the commissioner shall charge 878
an annual fee of one hundred seven dollars for a type I school bus and 879
sixty-four dollars for a type II school bus. 880
(3) For the registration of a motor vehicle when used in part for 881
commercial purposes and as a passenger motor vehicle or of a motor 882
vehicle having a seating capacity greater than ten and not used for the 883
conveyance of passengers for hire, the commissioner shall charge a 884
biennial fee for gross weight as for commercial registration, as outlined 885
in section 14-47, plus the sum of fourteen dollars and shall issue 886
combination registration to such vehicle. 887
(4) Each vehicle registered as combination shall be issued a number 888
plate bearing the word "combination". No vehicle registered as 889
combination may have a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of twelve 890
thousand five hundred pounds. 891
(5) For the registration of a pick-up truck having a gross vehicle 892
weight rating of less than twelve thousand five hundred pounds that is 893
not used in part for commercial purposes, the commissioner shall 894
charge a triennial fee for gross weight as for commercial registration, as 895
provided in section 14-47, plus the sum of twenty-one dollars. The 896
commissioner may issue passenger registration to any such vehicle with 897
a gross vehicle weight rating of eight thousand five hundred pounds or 898
less. 899
Sec. 20. Subsection (a) of section 14-50b of the general statutes is 900
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 901
2021): 902 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 29 of 51
(a) Any person (1) whose operator's license or [right] privilege to 903
operate a motor vehicle in this state has been suspended or revoked by 904
the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, [or] (2) who has been disqualified 905
from operating a commercial motor vehicle, or (3) whose identity card, 906
issued under section 1-1h, as amended by this act, has been revoked due 907
to misrepresentation or deceit, shall pay a restoration fee of one hundred 908
seventy-five dollars to said commissioner prior to the issuance to such 909
person of a new operator's license or identity card or the restoration of 910
such operator's license or [such] privilege to operate a motor vehicle or 911
commercial motor vehicle. Such restoration fee shall be in addition to 912
any other fees provided by law. The commissioner shall deposit fifty 913
dollars of such fee in a separate nonlapsing school bus seat belt account 914
which shall be established within the General Fund. 915
Sec. 21. Section 14-52 of the general statutes is repealed and the 916
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2021): 917
(a) No person, firm or corporation may engage in the business of the 918
buying, selling, offering for sale or brokerage of any motor vehicle or 919
the repairing of any motor vehicle without having been issued either a 920
new car dealer's, a used car dealer's, a repairer's or a limited repairer's 921
license. The license fee for each such license, payable to the 922
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, shall be as follows: (1) New motor 923
vehicle dealer, seven hundred dollars; (2) used motor vehicle dealer, five 924
hundred sixty dollars; and (3) repairer or limited repairer, three 925
hundred forty dollars. Each such license shall be renewed biennially 926
according to renewal schedules established by the commissioner so as 927
to effect staggered renewal of all such licenses. If the adoption of a 928
staggered system results in the expiration of any license more or less 929
than one year from its issuance, the commissioner may charge a 930
prorated amount for such license fee. Not less than forty-five days prior 931
to the date of expiration of each such license, the commissioner shall 932
send or transmit to each licensee, in a manner determined by the 933
commissioner, an application for renewal. Any licensee which has not 934
filed the application for renewal accompanied by the prescribed fee 935
prior to the date of expiration of its license shall cease to engage in 936 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 30 of 51
business. An application for renewal filed with the commissioner after 937
the date of expiration shall be accompanied by a late fee of one hundred 938
dollars. The commissioner shall not renew any license under this 939
subsection which has expired for more than forty-five days. 940
(b) (1) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, each 941
applicant for a repairer's or a limited repairer's license shall furnish [a 942
cash bond or] a surety bond in the amount of five thousand dollars. 943
(2) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, each applicant 944
for a new car dealer's or a used car dealer's license shall furnish [a cash 945
bond or] a surety bond in the amount of fifty thousand dollars. 946
(3) Each applicant for a leasing or rental license issued pursuant to 947
section 14-15, who is engaged in the leasing or renting of motor vehicles 948
for periods of thirty days or more shall furnish [a cash bond or] a surety 949
bond in the amount of ten thousand dollars. 950
(4) Each such bond required under subdivisions (1) to (3), inclusive, 951
of this subsection shall be conditioned upon the applicant or licensee 952
complying with the provisions of any state or federal law or regulation 953
relating to the conduct of such business and provided as indemnity for 954
any loss sustained by any customer by reason of any acts of the licensee 955
constituting grounds for suspension or revocation of the license or such 956
licensee going out of business. Each [cash bond shall be deposited with 957
the commissioner and each] surety bond shall be executed in the name 958
of the state of Connecticut for the benefit of any aggrieved customer, but 959
the penalty of the bond shall not be invoked except upon order of the 960
commissioner after a hearing held before said commissioner in 961
accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. For purposes of this 962
subdivision, "customer" does not include (A) any person, firm or 963
corporation that finances a licensed dealer's motor vehicle inventory, or 964
(B) any licensed dealer, in such person's capacity as a dealer, who buys 965
motor vehicles from or sells motor vehicles to another licensed dealer. 966
(5) The commissioner shall assess an administrative fee of two 967
hundred dollars against any licensee for failing to provide proof of bond 968 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 31 of 51
renewal or replacement on or before the date of the expiration of the 969
existing bond. Such fee shall be in addition to the license suspension or 970
revocation penalties and the civil penalties to which the licensee is 971
subject pursuant to section 14-64. 972
(c) The commissioner may request information from any applicant 973
for a repairer's license or used car dealer's license concerning the 974
financial status and ability of such applicant to comply with the 975
requirements of this subpart and the regulations adopted thereunder. 976
The commissioner shall review such information to determine if the 977
applicant has sufficient financial resources to conduct the business in a 978
manner consistent with the reasonable security and protection of its 979
customers in regard to the duties and responsibilities imposed by the 980
provisions of this subpart and the regulations adopted thereunder. The 981
commissioner may refuse to issue a license if the applicant fails to 982
provide any such information requested or, if, after review by the 983
commissioner, the commissioner is not satisfied as to such applicant's 984
financial status. The commissioner may, in any case deemed 985
appropriate, grant a license on condition that the applicant post [a cash 986
bond or] a surety bond, in accordance with the provisions of subsection 987
(b) of this section, in an amount prescribed by the commissioner that is 988
greater than the minimum amount required by the applicable 989
provisions of said subsection (b). Any applicant aggrieved by any 990
decision of the commissioner made pursuant to this subsection shall be 991
afforded an opportunity for hearing in accordance with the provisions 992
of chapter 54. The commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance 993
with chapter 54 to carry out the provisions of this subsection. 994
(d) Any person, firm or corporation engaging in the business of the 995
buying, selling, offering for sale or brokerage of any motor vehicle or of 996
the repairing of any motor vehicle without a license shall be guilty of a 997
class B misdemeanor. 998
(e) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall transmit to the 999
Commissioner of Revenue Services and the Commissioner of Energy 1000
and Environmental Protection a summary of any complaint that the 1001 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 32 of 51
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles receives alleging that a person, firm or 1002
corporation is engaging in the business of the buying, selling, offering 1003
for sale or brokerage of any motor vehicle or of the repairing of any 1004
motor vehicle without a license. 1005
Sec. 22. Section 14-52a of the general statutes is repealed and the 1006
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 1007
(a) The commissioner may, after notice and hearing, refuse to grant 1008
or renew a license to a person, firm or corporation to engage in the 1009
business of selling or repairing motor vehicles pursuant to the 1010
provisions of section 14-52, as amended by this act, if the applicant for 1011
or holder of such a license, or an officer or major stockholder if the 1012
applicant or licensee is a firm or corporation, has been found liable in a 1013
civil action, or convicted of, a violation of any provision of laws 1014
pertaining to the business of a motor vehicle dealer or repairer including 1015
a motor vehicle recycler, or of any violation involving fraud, larceny or 1016
deprivation or misappropriation of property, in the courts of the United 1017
States or of any state. Each applicant for such a license shall submit to a 1018
state criminal history records check, conducted in accordance with 1019
section 29-17a and based on the applicant's name and date of birth, not 1020
more than thirty days before such application is made and provide the 1021
results of such records check to the Department of Motor Vehicles. The 1022
commissioner may require a person, firm or corporation to submit its 1023
application electronically. Upon renewal of such license, [such] a 1024
licensee shall make full disclosure of any such civil judgment or 1025
conviction under penalty of false statement. 1026
(b) The commissioner shall not, after notice and hearing, grant or 1027
renew a license to an applicant [or licensee] for or the holder of a used 1028
car dealer's license that is delinquent in the payment of sales tax in 1029
connection with a business from which it is or was obligated to remit 1030
sales tax, as reported to the commissioner by the Department of 1031
Revenue Services. 1032
Sec. 23. Subsection (a) of section 14-62 of the general statutes is 1033 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 33 of 51
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1034
1, 2021): 1035
(a) Each sale shall be evidenced by [an] a retail purchase order 1036
properly signed by both the buyer and seller, a copy of which shall be 1037
furnished to the buyer when executed, and an invoice upon delivery of 1038
the motor vehicle, both of which shall contain the following information: 1039
(1) Make of vehicle; (2) [year of] the vehicle's model year, whether sold 1040
as new or used, and [on invoice] the vehicle's identification number; (3) 1041
deposit, and (A) if the deposit is not refundable, the words "No Refund 1042
of Deposit" shall appear at this point, [and] (B) if the deposit is 1043
conditionally refundable, the words "Conditional Refund of Deposit" 1044
shall appear at this point, followed by a statement giving the conditions 1045
for refund, [and] (C) if the deposit is unconditionally refundable, the 1046
words "Unconditional Refund" shall appear at this point, and (D) if the 1047
buyer is financing the motor vehicle through the seller, a statement that 1048
the deposit is refundable if the seller does not provide written proof of 1049
approved financing to the buyer prior to the execution of the retail 1050
purchase order; (4) cash selling price; (5) finance charges, and (A) if 1051
these charges do not include insurance, the words "No Insurance" shall 1052
appear at this point, and (B) if these charges include insurance, a 1053
statement shall appear at this point giving the exact type of coverage; (6) 1054
allowance on motor vehicle traded in, if any, and description of the 1055
same; (7) stamped or printed in a size equal to at least ten-point bold 1056
type on the face of both order and invoice one of the following forms: 1057
(A) "This motor vehicle not guaranteed", or (B) "This motor vehicle is 1058
guaranteed", followed by a statement as to the terms of such guarantee, 1059
which terms shall include the duration of the guarantee or the number 1060
of miles the guarantee shall remain in effect. Such statement shall not 1061
apply to household furnishings of any trailer; (8) if the motor vehicle is 1062
new but has been subject to use by the seller or use in connection with 1063
his business as a dealer, the word "demonstrator" shall be clearly 1064
displayed on the face of both order and invoice; (9) any dealer 1065
conveyance fee or processing fee and a statement that such fee is not 1066
payable to the state of Connecticut printed in at least ten-point bold type 1067 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 34 of 51
on the face of both order and invoice; and (10) the dealer's legal name, 1068
address and license number. For the purposes of this subdivision, 1069
"dealer conveyance fee" or "processing fee" means a fee charged by a 1070
dealer to recover reasonable costs for processing all documentation and 1071
performing services related to the closing of a sale, including, but not 1072
limited to, the registration and transfer of ownership of the motor 1073
vehicle which is the subject of the sale. 1074
Sec. 24. Subsection (a) of section 14-69 of the general statutes is 1075
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 1076
2021): 1077
(a) No person shall engage in the business of conducting a drivers' 1078
school without being licensed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. 1079
An application for a license shall be in writing and shall contain such 1080
information as the commissioner requires. Each applicant for a license 1081
shall be fingerprinted before such application is approved. The 1082
commissioner shall subject each applicant for a license to state and 1083
national criminal history records checks conducted in accordance with 1084
section 29-17a, and a check of the state child abuse and neglect registry 1085
established pursuant to section 17a-101k. If any such applicant has a 1086
criminal record or is listed on the state child abuse and neglect registry, 1087
the commissioner shall make a determination of whether to issue a 1088
license to conduct a drivers' school in accordance with the standards and 1089
procedures set forth in section 14-44 and the regulations adopted 1090
pursuant to said section. If the application is approved, the applicant 1091
shall be granted a license upon the payment of a fee of seven hundred 1092
dollars and a deposit with the commissioner of [cash or] a bond of a 1093
surety company authorized to do business in this state, conditioned on 1094
the faithful performance by the applicant of any contract to furnish 1095
instruction, in either case in such amount as the commissioner may 1096
require, such [cash or] bond to be held by the commissioner to satisfy 1097
any execution issued against such school in a cause arising out of failure 1098
of such school to perform such contract. For each additional place of 1099
business of such school, the commissioner shall charge a fee of one 1100
hundred seventy-six dollars, except if the licensee opens an additional 1101 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 35 of 51
place of business with one year or less remaining on the term of its 1102
license, the commissioner shall charge a fee of eighty-eight dollars for 1103
each such additional place of business for the year or any part thereof 1104
remaining on the term of such license. No license shall be required in 1105
the case of any board of education, or any public, private or parochial 1106
school, which conducts a course in driver education established in 1107
accordance with sections 14-36e, as amended by this act, and 14-36f, as 1108
amended by this act. A license so issued shall be valid for two years. The 1109
commissioner shall issue a license certificate or certificates to each 1110
licensee, one of which shall be displayed in each place of business of the 1111
licensee. In case of the loss, mutilation or destruction of a certificate, the 1112
commissioner shall issue a duplicate upon proof of the facts and the 1113
payment of a fee of twenty dollars. 1114
Sec. 25. Section 14-78 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1115
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 1116
The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the 1117
provisions of chapter 54, [for (1)] regarding the conduct of drivers' 1118
schools and instructor license requirements. Such regulations shall (1) 1119
establish the conduct of drivers' schools, including, but not limited to, 1120
requirements as to the inspection of the vehicles used by the drivers' 1121
schools in the conduct of their business, instructional standards and 1122
procedures, including instruction of not less than fifteen minutes 1123
concerning the responsibilities of an operator of a motor vehicle under 1124
subsection (b) of section 14-223 and the penalty for a violation of the 1125
provisions of said subsection (b), instruction concerning highway work 1126
zone safety and the responsibilities of an operator of a motor vehicle 1127
under section 14-212d, the posting of rates charged for instruction, and 1128
the general form, [in which] and when required, the method of 1129
transmission to the commissioner of records [shall be kept] concerning 1130
persons under instruction and those who have completed their course 1131
of instruction, [and] (2) [the establishment of] permit a class or 1132
classroom instruction to be offered in person in a congregate setting, 1133
through distance learning or through a combination of both in-person 1134
and distance learning, and (3) establish the requirements for a person to 1135 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 36 of 51
receive a license as an instructor in accordance with section 14-73. On 1136
and after October 1, 2010, the commissioner shall not issue a license that 1137
is limited to classroom instruction. Any person who was issued such 1138
limited license prior to October 1, 2010, may maintain and renew such 1139
license. 1140
Sec. 26. Subsection (d) of section 14-111g of the general statutes is 1141
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 1142
passage): 1143
(d) (1) The commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance with 1144
chapter 54 to implement the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this 1145
section. 1146
(2) An operator retraining program may be offered in person in a 1147
congregate setting, through distance learning or through a combination 1148
of both in-person and distance learning. 1149
Sec. 27. Subsection (c) of section 14-164c of the general statutes is 1150
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 1151
2021): 1152
(c) The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with 1153
chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section. Such regulations 1154
shall include provision for a periodic inspection of air pollution control 1155
equipment and compliance with or waiver of exhaust emission 1156
standards or compliance with or waiver of on-board diagnostic 1157
standards or other standards defined by the Commissioner of Energy 1158
and Environmental Protection and approved by the Administrator of 1159
the United States Environmental Protection Agency, compliance with or 1160
waiver of, air pollution control system integrity standards defined by 1161
the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection and 1162
compliance with or waiver of purge system standards defined by the 1163
Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection. Such 1164
regulations may provide for an inspection procedure using an on-board 1165
diagnostic information system for all 1996 model year and newer motor 1166
vehicles. Such regulations shall apply to all motor vehicles registered or 1167 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 37 of 51
which will be registered in this state, and to all motor vehicles sold by a 1168
dealer licensed in this state as required by subsection (n) of this section, 1169
except: (1) Vehicles having a gross weight of more than ten thousand 1170
pounds; (2) vehicles powered by electricity; (3) bicycles with motors 1171
attached; (4) motorcycles; (5) vehicles operating with a temporary 1172
registration; (6) vehicles manufactured twenty-five or more years ago; 1173
(7) new vehicles at the time of initial registration; (8) vehicles registered 1174
but not designed primarily for highway use; (9) farm vehicles, as 1175
defined in subsection (q) of section 14-49; (10) diesel-powered type II 1176
school buses; (11) a vehicle operated by a licensed dealer or repairer 1177
either to or from a location of the purchase or sale of such vehicle or for 1178
the purpose of obtaining an official emissions or safety inspection; (12) 1179
vehicles that have met the inspection requirements of section 14-103a 1180
and are registered by the commissioner as composite vehicles; (13) 1181
electric bicycles, as defined in section 14-1; or (14) electric foot scooters, 1182
as defined in section 14-1. On and after July 1, 2002, such regulations 1183
shall exempt from the periodic inspection requirement any vehicle four 1184
or less model years of age, beginning with model year 2003 and the 1185
previous three model years, provided that such exemption shall lapse 1186
upon a finding by the Administrator of the United States Environmental 1187
Protection Agency or by the Secretary of the United States Department 1188
of Transportation that such exemption causes the state to violate 1189
applicable federal environmental or transportation planning 1190
requirements. Notwithstanding any provisions of this subsection, the 1191
commissioner may require an initial emissions inspection and 1192
compliance or waiver prior to registration of a new motor vehicle. If the 1193
Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection finds that it is 1194
necessary to inspect motor vehicles which are exempt under subdivision 1195
(1) or (4) of this subsection, or motor vehicles that are four or less model 1196
years of age in order to achieve compliance with federal law concerning 1197
emission reduction requirements, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles 1198
may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, 1199
to require the inspection of motorcycles, designated motor vehicles 1200
having a gross weight of more than ten thousand pounds or motor 1201
vehicles four or less model years of age. 1202 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 38 of 51
Sec. 28. Subdivision (1) of subsection (k) of section 14-164c of the 1203
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 1204
thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 1205
(k) (1) The commissioner, with approval of the Secretary of the Office 1206
of Policy and Management, shall establish, and from time to time 1207
modify, the inspection fees, not to exceed twenty dollars for each 1208
biennial inspection or reinspection required pursuant to this chapter for 1209
inspections performed at official emissions inspection stations. Such 1210
fees shall be paid in a manner prescribed by the commissioner. If the 1211
costs to the state of the emissions inspection program, including 1212
administrative costs and payments to any independent contractor, 1213
exceed the income from such fees, such excess costs shall be borne by 1214
the state. Any person whose vehicle has been inspected at an official 1215
emissions inspection station shall, if such vehicle is found not to comply 1216
with any required standards, have the vehicle repaired and have the 1217
right within sixty consecutive calendar days to return such vehicle to 1218
the same official emissions inspection station for one reinspection 1219
without charge, provided, where the sixtieth day falls on a Sunday, legal 1220
holiday or a day on which the commissioner has established that special 1221
circumstances or conditions exist that have caused emissions inspection 1222
to be impracticable, such person may return such vehicle for 1223
reinspection on the next day. The commissioner shall assess a late fee of 1224
twenty dollars against the owner of a motor vehicle that has not 1225
presented such motor vehicle for an emissions inspection within thirty 1226
days following the expiration date of the assigned inspection period, or 1227
that has not presented such motor vehicle for a reinspection within sixty 1228
days following a test failure, or both. The commissioner may waive such 1229
late fee when it is proven to the commissioner's satisfaction that the 1230
failure to have the vehicle inspected within thirty days of the assigned 1231
inspection period or during the sixty-day reinspection period was due 1232
to exigent circumstances. If ownership of the motor vehicle has been 1233
transferred, the new owner shall have such motor vehicle inspected 1234
within thirty days of the registration of such motor vehicle. The 1235
commissioner may specify a longer period for all new owners to achieve 1236 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 39 of 51
compliance after a transfer of ownership if circumstances require 1237
closure or limited operations of the Department of Motor Vehicles or 1238
emissions inspection stations. After the expiration of such thirty-day 1239
period, or the period specified by the commissioner, the commissioner 1240
shall require the payment of the late fee specified in this subdivision. If 1241
the thirtieth day falls on a Sunday, legal holiday or a day on which the 1242
commissioner has established that special circumstances or conditions 1243
exist that have caused emissions inspection to be impracticable, such 1244
vehicle may be inspected on the next day and no late fee shall be 1245
assessed. 1246
Sec. 29. Subsection (a) of section 14-227b of the general statutes is 1247
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 1248
2021): 1249
(a) Any person who operates a motor vehicle in this state shall be 1250
deemed to have given such person's consent to a chemical analysis of 1251
such person's blood, breath or urine and, if such person is a minor, such 1252
person's parent or parents or guardian shall also be deemed to have 1253
given their consent. As used in this section, "motor vehicle" includes a 1254
snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle, as those terms are defined in section 1255
14-379. 1256
Sec. 30. Subsection (a) of section 14-276a of the general statutes is 1257
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 1258
passage): 1259
(a) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations, in 1260
accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, establishing a procedure 1261
for the safety training of school bus operators and operators of student 1262
transportation vehicles. Such regulations shall provide for minimum 1263
proficiency requirements for school bus operators. The safety training 1264
administered by the commissioner shall conform to the minimum 1265
requirements of number 17 of the National Highway Safety Standards. 1266
Such safety training shall include instruction relative to the location, 1267
contents and use of the first aid kit in the motor vehicle. A class or 1268 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 40 of 51
classroom instruction may be offered in person in a congregate setting, 1269
through distance learning or through a combination of both in-person 1270
and distance learning. 1271
Sec. 31. Subsection (c) of section 14-276a of the general statutes is 1272
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 1273
passage): 1274
(c) Any town or regional school district may require its school bus 1275
operators to have completed a safety training course in the operation of 1276
school buses, consisting of a minimum of ten hours of behind-the-wheel 1277
instruction and three hours of classroom instruction. Classroom 1278
instruction shall include instruction offered in person in a congregate 1279
setting, through distance learning or through a combination of both in-1280
person and distance learning. 1281
Sec. 32. Subsection (e) of section 15-144 of the general statutes is 1282
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 1283
passage): 1284
(e) (1) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may permit marine 1285
dealers, as defined in section 15-141, to assign registration numbers and 1286
issue [temporary] certificates of number upon the sale or transfer of a 1287
vessel. The dealer shall within ten days from the issuance of such 1288
[temporary] certificate submit to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles 1289
an application together with all necessary documents, information and 1290
fees [for a permanent] corresponding to the certificate of number issued 1291
for the vessel transfer. 1292
(2) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may permit such marine 1293
dealers to issue [temporary] certificates of decal upon the sale or transfer 1294
of a documented vessel. The dealer shall within ten days from the 1295
issuance of such [temporary] certificate submit to the Commissioner of 1296
Motor Vehicles an application together with all necessary documents, 1297
information and fees [for a permanent] corresponding to the certificate 1298
of decal [with respect to] issued for such vessel. 1299 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 41 of 51
(3) [On and after March 1, 2005, the] The Commissioner of Motor 1300
Vehicles shall permit marine dealers [, as defined in section 15-141,] to 1301
submit the applications and documents required under subdivisions (1) 1302
and (2) of this subsection by electronic means. [Said] The commissioner 1303
[shall] may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to carry 1304
out the provisions of this subdivision. 1305
Sec. 33. Subsection (h) of section 14-96q of the general statutes is 1306
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 1307
2021): 1308
(h) The commissioner may issue a permit for emergency vehicles, as 1309
defined in subsection (a) of section 14-283, as amended by this act, to use 1310
a blue, red, yellow, or white light or lights, including a flashing light or 1311
lights or any combination thereof, except as provided in subsection [(j)] 1312
(k) of this section. 1313
Sec. 34. Section 14-283 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1314
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 1315
(a) As used in this section, "emergency vehicle" means (1) any 1316
ambulance or vehicle operated by a member of an emergency medical 1317
service organization responding to an emergency call, (2) any vehicle 1318
used by a fire department or by any officer of a fire department while 1319
on the way to a fire or while responding to an emergency call but not 1320
while returning from a fire or emergency call, (3) any state or local police 1321
vehicle operated by a police officer or inspector of the Department of 1322
Motor Vehicles answering an emergency call or in the pursuit of fleeing 1323
law violators, [or] (4) any Department of Correction vehicle operated by 1324
a Department of Correction officer while in the course of such officer's 1325
employment and while responding to an emergency call, or (5) any 1326
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection vehicle operated 1327
by a Department of Energy and Environmental Protection employee 1328
authorized to operate such vehicle while in the course of such 1329
employee's duties and while on the way to a fire or responding to an 1330
emergency call, but not while returning from a fire or emergency call. 1331 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 42 of 51
(b) (1) The operator of any emergency vehicle may (A) park or stand 1332
such vehicle, irrespective of the provisions of this chapter, (B) except as 1333
provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, proceed past any red light 1334
or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down or stopping to 1335
the extent necessary for the safe operation of such vehicle, (C) exceed 1336
the posted speed limits or other speed limits imposed by or pursuant to 1337
section 14-218a or 14-219 as long as such operator does not endanger life 1338
or property by so doing, and (D) disregard statutes, ordinances or 1339
regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specific 1340
directions. 1341
(2) The operator of any emergency vehicle shall immediately bring 1342
such vehicle to a stop not less than ten feet from the front when 1343
approaching and not less than ten feet from the rear when overtaking or 1344
following any registered school bus on any highway or private road or 1345
in any parking area or on any school property when such school bus is 1346
displaying flashing red signal lights and such operator may then 1347
proceed as long as he or she does not endanger life or property by so 1348
doing. 1349
(c) The exemptions granted in this section shall apply only when an 1350
emergency vehicle is making use of an audible warning signal device, 1351
including but not limited to a siren, whistle or bell which meets the 1352
requirements of subsection (f) of section 14-80, and visible flashing or 1353
revolving lights which meet the requirements of sections 14-96p and 14-1354
96q, as amended by this act, and to any state or local police vehicle 1355
properly and lawfully making use of an audible warning signal device 1356
only. 1357
(d) The provisions of this section shall not relieve the operator of an 1358
emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety 1359
of all persons and property. 1360
(e) Upon the immediate approach of an emergency vehicle making 1361
use of such an audible warning signal device and such visible flashing 1362
or revolving lights or of any state or local police vehicle properly and 1363 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 43 of 51
lawfully making use of an audible warning signal device only, the 1364
operator of every other vehicle in the immediate vicinity shall 1365
immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, 1366
the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and 1367
shall stop and remain in such position until the emergency vehicle has 1368
passed, except when otherwise directed by a state or local police officer 1369
or a firefighter. 1370
(f) Any person who is (1) operating a motor vehicle that is not an 1371
emergency vehicle, as defined in subsection (a) of this section, and (2) 1372
following an ambulance that is using flashing lights or a siren, shall not 1373
follow such vehicle more closely than one hundred feet. 1374
(g) Any officer of a fire department may remove, or cause to be 1375
removed, any vehicle upon any public or private way which obstructs 1376
or [retards] impedes any fire department, or any officer thereof, in 1377
controlling or extinguishing any fire. 1378
(h) Any person who wilfully or negligently obstructs or [retards any 1379
ambulance or vehicle operated by a member of an emergency medical 1380
service organization while answering any emergency call or taking a 1381
patient to a hospital, or any vehicle used by a fire department or any 1382
officer or member of a fire department while on the way to a fire, or 1383
while responding to an emergency call, or any vehicle used by the state 1384
police or any local police department, or any officer of the Division of 1385
State Police within the Department of Emergency Services and Public 1386
Protection or any local police department while on the way to an 1387
emergency call or in the pursuit of fleeing law violators,] impedes an 1388
authorized emergency vehicle or any vehicle used by the state or local 1389
police shall be fined not more than two hundred fifty dollars. 1390
(i) Nothing in this section shall be construed as permitting the use of 1391
a siren upon any motor vehicle other than an emergency vehicle, as 1392
defined in subsection (a) of this section, or a rescue service vehicle which 1393
is registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to section 1394
19a-181. 1395 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 44 of 51
(j) A police officer may issue a written warning or a summons to the 1396
owner of a vehicle based upon an affidavit signed by the operator of an 1397
emergency vehicle specifying (1) the license plate number, color and 1398
type of any vehicle observed violating any provision of subsection (e) or 1399
(h) of this section, and (2) the date, approximate time and location of 1400
such violation. 1401
Sec. 35. Section 14-12 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1402
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2021): 1403
(a) No motor vehicle shall be operated, towed or parked on any 1404
highway, except as otherwise expressly provided, unless it is registered 1405
with the commissioner, provided any motor vehicle may be towed for 1406
repairs or necessary work if it bears the markers of a licensed and 1407
registered dealer, manufacturer or repairer and provided any motor 1408
vehicle which is validly registered in another state may, for a period of 1409
[sixty] ninety days following establishment by the owner of residence in 1410
this state, be operated on any highway without first being registered 1411
with the commissioner. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, 1412
(1) a person commits an infraction if such person (A) registers a motor 1413
vehicle he or she does not own, or (B) operates, allows the operation of, 1414
parks or allows the parking of an unregistered motor vehicle on any 1415
highway, or (2) a resident of this state who operates or parks a motor 1416
vehicle such resident owns with [marker] number plates issued by 1417
another state on any highway shall be fined one thousand dollars. If the 1418
owner of a motor vehicle previously registered with the commissioner, 1419
the registration of which expired not more than thirty days previously, 1420
operates, allows the operation of, parks or allows that parking of such a 1421
motor vehicle, such owner shall be fined the amount designated for the 1422
infraction of failure to renew a registration, but the right to retain his or 1423
her operator's license shall not be affected. No operator other than the 1424
owner shall be subject to penalty for the operation or parking of such a 1425
previously registered motor vehicle. As used in this subsection, the term 1426
"unregistered motor vehicle" includes any vehicle that is not eligible for 1427
registration by the commissioner due to the absence of necessary 1428
equipment or other characteristics of the vehicle that make it unsuitable 1429 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 45 of 51
for highway operation, unless the operation of such vehicle is expressly 1430
permitted by another provision of this chapter or chapter 248. 1431
(b) To obtain a motor vehicle registration, except as provided in 1432
subsection (c) of this section, the owner shall [file in the office of] submit 1433
to the commissioner an application signed by [him] such owner and 1434
containing such information and proof of ownership as the 1435
commissioner may require. The application shall be made [on blanks 1436
furnished by the commissioner. The blanks shall be] in such form and 1437
contain such provisions and information as the commissioner may 1438
determine. 1439
(c) The commissioner may, for the more efficient administration of 1440
the commissioner's duties, appoint licensed dealers meeting 1441
qualifications established by the commissioner pursuant to regulations 1442
adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to (1) issue new 1443
registrations for passenger motor vehicles, motorcycles, campers, camp 1444
trailers, commercial trailers, service buses, school buses, trucks or other 1445
vehicle types as determined by the commissioner, [when they are sold 1446
by a licensed dealer. The commissioner shall charge such dealer a fee of 1447
ten dollars for each new dealer issue form furnished for the purposes of 1448
this subsection] and (2) renew such registrations for such vehicle types. 1449
A person [purchasing] registering or renewing the registration of a 1450
motor vehicle or other vehicle type as determined by the commissioner 1451
from a dealer so appointed [and registering such vehicle pursuant to 1452
this section] shall file an application with the dealer and pay, to the 1453
dealer, [a fee] the registration fee in accordance with the provisions of 1454
section 14-49, as amended by this act, and any other applicable fees. The 1455
commissioner may authorize such dealer to charge a convenience fee 1456
pursuant to subsection (b) of section 14-41, as amended by this act. The 1457
commissioner shall prescribe the time and manner in which the 1458
application and [fee] fees, other than the convenience fee, shall be 1459
transmitted to the commissioner. 1460
(d) A motor vehicle registration certificate issued upon an application 1461
containing any material false statement is void from the date of its issue 1462 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 46 of 51
and shall be surrendered, upon demand, with any number plate or 1463
plates, to the commissioner. Any money paid for the registration 1464
certificate shall be forfeited to the state. No person shall obtain or 1465
attempt to obtain any registration for another by misrepresentation or 1466
impersonation and any registration so obtained shall be void. The 1467
commissioner may require each applicant for a motor vehicle 1468
registration to furnish personal identification satisfactory to the 1469
commissioner and may require any applicant who has established 1470
residence in this state for more than thirty days to obtain a motor vehicle 1471
operator's license, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of 1472
section 14-36, as amended by this act, or an identification card issued 1473
pursuant to section 1-1h, as amended by this act. Any person who 1474
violates any provision of this subsection and any person who fails to 1475
surrender a falsely obtained motor vehicle registration or number plate 1476
or plates upon the demand of the commissioner shall be fined not more 1477
than two hundred dollars. 1478
(e) The commissioner may register any motor vehicle under the 1479
provisions of this chapter, may assign a distinguishing registration 1480
number to the registered motor vehicle and may then issue a certificate 1481
of registration to the owner. A certificate of registration shall contain the 1482
registration number assigned to the motor vehicle and its vehicle 1483
identification number and shall be in such form and contain such further 1484
information as the commissioner determines. 1485
(f) (1) The commissioner may refuse to register or issue a certificate 1486
of title for a motor vehicle or class of motor vehicles if [he] the 1487
commissioner determines that the characteristics of the motor vehicle or 1488
class of motor vehicles make it unsafe for highway operation. The 1489
commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions 1490
of chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this subsection and the 1491
provisions of subsection (h) of this section. 1492
(2) The commissioner shall not register a motor vehicle if [he] the 1493
commissioner knows that the motor vehicle's equipment fails to comply 1494
with the provisions of this chapter, provided nothing contained in this 1495 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 47 of 51
section shall preclude the commissioner from issuing one or more 1496
temporary registrations for a motor vehicle not previously registered in 1497
this state or from issuing a temporary registration for a motor vehicle 1498
under a trade name without a certified copy of the notice required by 1499
section 35-1. 1500
(3) The commissioner shall not register any motor vehicle, except a 1501
platform truck the motive power of which is electricity, or a tractor 1502
equipped with solid tires, if it is not equipped with lighting devices as 1503
prescribed by this chapter. The registration of any motor vehicle which 1504
is not equipped with such prescribed lighting devices is void and money 1505
paid for the registration shall be forfeited to the state. Nothing in this 1506
subdivision shall prevent the commissioner, at [his] the commissioner's 1507
discretion, from registering a motor vehicle not equipped with certain 1508
lighting devices if the operation of the vehicle is restricted to daylight 1509
use. 1510
(4) The commissioner shall not register any motor vehicle or a 1511
combination of a motor vehicle and a trailer or semitrailer [which] that 1512
exceeds the limits specified in section 14-267a. 1513
(5) [On or after October 1, 1984, no] No motor vehicle registration 1514
shall be issued by the commissioner for any motorcycle unless the 1515
application for registration is accompanied by sufficient proof, as 1516
determined by the commissioner, that the motorcycle is insured for the 1517
amounts required by section 14-289f. 1518
(6) The commissioner shall not register any motor vehicle which is 1519
subject to the federal heavy vehicle use tax imposed under Section 4481 1520
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or any subsequent corresponding 1521
internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time 1522
amended, if the applicant fails to furnish proof of payment of such tax, 1523
in a form prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury of the United 1524
States. 1525
(g) The commissioner may elect not to register any motor vehicle 1526
which is ten or more model years old and which has not been previously 1527 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 48 of 51
registered in this state until the same has been presented, as directed by 1528
the commissioner, at the main office or a branch office of the 1529
Department of Motor Vehicles or to any designated official emissions 1530
inspection station or other business or firm, authorized by the 1531
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to conduct safety inspections, and has 1532
passed the inspection as to its safety features as required by the 1533
commissioner. When a motor vehicle owned by a resident of this state 1534
is garaged in another jurisdiction and cannot be conveniently presented 1535
at an office of the Department of Motor Vehicles, an authorized 1536
emissions inspection station or other facility, the commissioner may 1537
accept an inspection made by authorities in such other jurisdiction or by 1538
appropriate military authorities, provided the commissioner 1539
determines that such inspection is comparable to that conducted by the 1540
Department of Motor Vehicles. If the commissioner authorizes the 1541
contractor that operates the system of official emissions inspection 1542
stations or other business or firm to conduct the safety inspections 1543
required by this subsection, the commissioner may authorize the 1544
contractor or other business or firm to charge a fee, not to exceed fifteen 1545
dollars, for each such inspection. The commissioner may authorize any 1546
motor vehicle dealer or repairer, licensed in accordance with section 14-1547
52, as amended by this act, and meeting qualifications established by the 1548
commissioner, to perform an inspection required by this section or to 1549
make repairs to any motor vehicle that has failed an initial safety 1550
inspection and to certify to the commissioner that the motor vehicle is 1551
in compliance with the safety and equipment standards for registration. 1552
No such authorized dealer or repairer shall charge any additional fee to 1553
make such certification to the commissioner. If the commissioner 1554
authorizes any such dealer or repairer to conduct safety inspections, 1555
such licensee may provide written certification to the commissioner, in 1556
such form and manner as the commissioner prescribes, as to compliance 1557
of any motor vehicle in its inventory with safety and equipment 1558
standards and such certification may be accepted by the commissioner 1559
as meeting the inspection requirements of this subsection. 1560
(h) The commissioner shall not register any motor vehicle unless it 1561 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 49 of 51
meets the equipment related registration requirements contained in 1562
sections 14-80, 14-100, 14-100a, 14-100b, 14-106a and 14-275. 1563
(i) The commissioner or any city, town, borough or other taxing 1564
district authorized under subsection (f) of section 14-33 may issue a 1565
temporary registration to the owner of a motor vehicle. The application 1566
for a temporary registration shall conform to the provisions of this 1567
section. A temporary registration may be issued for a period of time 1568
determined by the commissioner and may be renewed from time to time 1569
at the discretion of the commissioner. The fee for a temporary 1570
registration or any renewal thereof shall be as provided in subsection 1571
(n) of section 14-49. 1572
(j) The commissioner may issue a special use registration to the owner 1573
of a motor vehicle for a period not to exceed thirty days for the sole 1574
purpose of driving such vehicle to another state in which the vehicle is 1575
to be registered and exclusively used. The application for such 1576
registration shall conform to the provisions of subsection (b) of this 1577
section. The commissioner may issue special use certificates and plates 1578
in such form as [he] the commissioner may determine. The special use 1579
certificate shall state such limitation on the operation of such vehicle and 1580
shall be carried in the vehicle at all times when it is being operated on 1581
any highway. 1582
(k) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a), (b) and (e) of 1583
this section, the commissioner shall issue to a municipality, as defined 1584
in section 7-245, or a regional solid waste authority comprised of several 1585
municipalities, upon receipt of an application by the municipality or 1586
regional solid waste authority, a general distinguishing number plate 1587
for use on a motor vehicle owned or leased by such municipality or 1588
regional solid waste authority. 1589
(l) Not later than January 1, 2018, the Department of Motor Vehicles 1590
shall record the number of electric vehicles, as defined in section 16-1591
19eee, registered in the state. This data shall be publicly available on the 1592
department's Internet web site and shall include (1) the number of 1593 Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 50 of 51
electric vehicles registered in the state each year, and (2) the total 1594
number of electric vehicles registered in the state. The department shall 1595
update this information every six months. 1596
Sec. 36. Section 14-163f of the general statutes is repealed. (Effective 1597
October 1, 2021) 1598
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:
Section 1 July 1, 2021 1-1h(e)
Sec. 2 July 1, 2021 14-11c(b)
Sec. 3 July 1, 2021 14-15d
Sec. 4 July 1, 2021 14-16(b)
Sec. 5 July 1, 2021 14-21z
Sec. 6 July 1, 2021 14-21aa
Sec. 7 July 1, 2021 14-25c
Sec. 8 October 1, 2021 14-29
Sec. 9 July 1, 2021 14-36
Sec. 10 from passage 14-36d
Sec. 11 from passage 14-36e
Sec. 12 from passage 14-36f
Sec. 13 from passage 14-41(b)
Sec. 14 July 1, 2021 14-44c
Sec. 15 July 1, 2021 14-44e(g)
Sec. 16 July 1, 2021 14-44i(b)
Sec. 17 July 1, 2021 14-44k(g)
Sec. 18 July 1, 2021 14-45a(b)
Sec. 19 October 1, 2021 14-49(e)
Sec. 20 July 1, 2021 14-50b(a)
Sec. 21 October 1, 2021 14-52
Sec. 22 July 1, 2021 14-52a
Sec. 23 October 1, 2021 14-62(a)
Sec. 24 July 1, 2021 14-69(a)
Sec. 25 from passage 14-78
Sec. 26 from passage 14-111g(d)
Sec. 27 July 1, 2021 14-164c(c)
Sec. 28 July 1, 2021 14-164c(k)(1)
Sec. 29 July 1, 2021 14-227b(a)
Sec. 30 from passage 14-276a(a) Raised Bill No. 261
LCO No. 1532 51 of 51
Sec. 31 from passage 14-276a(c)
Sec. 32 from passage 15-144(e)
Sec. 33 July 1, 2021 14-96q(h)
Sec. 34 July 1, 2021 14-283
Sec. 35 October 1, 2021 14-12
Sec. 36 October 1, 2021 Repealer section
Statement of Purpose:
To implement the recommendations of the Department of Motor
Vehicles.
[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except
that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not
underlined.]