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General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 261
January Session, 2021
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repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2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. 8
Sec. 2. Subsection (a) of section 14-50b of the general statutes is 9
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 10
2021): 11
(a) Any person (1) whose operator's license or [right] privilege to 12
operate a motor vehicle in this state has been suspended or revoked by 13
the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, [or] (2) who has been disqualified 14
from operating a commercial motor vehicle, or (3) whose identity card, 15
issued under section 1-1h, as amended by this act, has been revoked due 16
to misrepresentation or deceit, shall pay a restoration fee of one hundred 17 Substitute Bill No. 261
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seventy-five dollars to said commissioner prior to the issuance to such 18
person of a new operator's license or identity card or the restoration of 19
such operator's license or [such] privilege to operate a motor vehicle or 20
commercial motor vehicle. Such restoration fee shall be in addition to 21
any other fees provided by law. The commissioner shall deposit fifty 22
dollars of such fee in a separate nonlapsing school bus seat belt account 23
which shall be established within the General Fund. 24
Sec. 3. Subsection (b) of section 14-11c of the general statutes is 25
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 26
2021): 27
(b) The Motor Carrier Advisory Council shall consist of the following 28
voting members: The Commissioners of Transportation, Motor 29
Vehicles, [Public Safety] Emergency Services and Public Protection, 30
Revenue Services, Economic and Community Development and Energy 31
and Environmental Protection, or their designees, and any other 32
commissioner of a state agency, or such commissioner's designee, 33
invited to participate. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or the 34
commissioner's designee shall organize and serve as chairperson of the 35
council. The council shall only make recommendations or take actions 36
by a unanimous vote of all members present and voting. The council 37
may make recommendations as the council deems appropriate to the 38
United States Congress, the Governor or the General Assembly. 39
Sec. 4. Section 14-15d of the general statutes is repealed and the 40
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 41
The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may require any person, firm 42
or corporation, who in the opinion of the commissioner is qualified and 43
who is engaged in the business of filing applications for the issuance of 44
a certificate of registration or a certificate of title for motor vehicles with 45
the Department of Motor Vehicles, to file such applications 46
electronically if the commissioner determines that such person, firm or 47
corporation files, on average, seven or more such applications each 48
month. A qualified person, firm or corporation shall, [within] not later 49 Substitute Bill No. 261
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than ten days [from] after the electronic issuance of such registration, 50
submit to the commissioner an application together with all necessary 51
documents required to register the vehicle with the department. Any 52
such person, firm or corporation that fails or refuses to file such 53
application electronically upon the request of the commissioner shall 54
pay a twenty-five-dollar fee to the commissioner for each application 55
submitted. The commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance 56
with the provisions of chapter 54 to implement the provisions of this 57
section. 58
Sec. 5. Subsection (b) of section 14-16 of the general statutes is 59
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 60
2021): 61
(b) If a motor vehicle is owned by one owner who is a natural person, 62
such owner may designate, in writing in a space provided on the 63
certificate of registration for such motor vehicle, a beneficiary who shall 64
assume ownership of such motor vehicle after the death of the owner 65
and upon the making of an application pursuant to this subsection. The 66
owner making such designation shall have all rights of ownership of 67
such motor vehicle during the owner's life and the beneficiary shall have 68
no rights in such motor vehicle until such time as the owner dies and an 69
application is made pursuant to this subsection. Not later than [sixty] 70
one hundred twenty days after the death of the owner, the beneficiary 71
may make application to the commissioner for the issuance of a 72
certificate of title and a certificate of registration for such motor vehicle 73
in the beneficiary's name. Such application shall be accompanied by: (1) 74
The original certificate of registration in which the beneficiary is 75
designated pursuant to this subsection; (2) a death certificate for the 76
deceased owner; (3) such proof of the beneficiary's identity as the 77
commissioner may require; (4) the transfer fee required by subsection 78
(c) of this section; and (5) any applicable fees for registration, title and 79
number plates as required under this chapter and chapter 247. If the 80
beneficiary fails to make such application within the time period 81
specified in this subsection, the beneficiary shall have no right to obtain 82 Substitute Bill No. 261
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ownership of and title to such motor vehicle under this subsection after 83
the expiration of such time period. The right of the beneficiary to obtain 84
ownership of and title to such motor vehicle under this subsection shall 85
be subordinate to the rights of each lienholder whose security interest 86
in such motor vehicle is duly recorded pursuant to chapter 247. The 87
commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to 88
implement the provisions of this subsection. 89
Sec. 6. Section 14-21z of the general statutes is repealed and the 90
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 91
(a) On and after [January 1, 2020] July 1, 2021, the Commissioner of 92
Motor Vehicles shall issue Save Our Lakes commemorative number 93
plates of a design to enhance public awareness of the state's effort to 94
preserve and protect the state's lakes, rivers and ponds from aquatic 95
invasive species and cyanobacteria blooms. Said design shall be 96
determined by agreement between the Commissioner of Energy and 97
Environmental Protection and the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. No 98
use shall be made of such plates except as official registration marker 99
plates. 100
(b) (1) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall [establish, by 101
regulations adopted in accordance with chapter 54, a fee to be charged] 102
charge a fee of sixty dollars for a Save Our Lakes commemorative 103
number [plates] plate, with letters and numbers selected by the 104
commissioner, in addition to the regular fee or fees prescribed for the 105
registration of a motor vehicle. [The fee shall be for such number plates 106
with letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor 107
Vehicles. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may establish a higher 108
fee for: (1) Such number plates which contain letters in place of numbers 109
as authorized by section 14-49, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed 110
for plates issued under said section; and (2) such number plates which 111
are low number plates, in accordance with section 14-160, in addition to 112
the fee or fees prescribed for plates issued under said section. The 113
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall establish, by regulations adopted 114
in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, an additional voluntary 115 Substitute Bill No. 261
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lakes and ponds preservation donation, which shall be deposited in the 116
Connecticut Lakes and Ponds Preservation account established under 117
section 14-21aa. All fees established and collected pursuant to this 118
section shall be deposited in said account.] The commissioner shall 119
deposit fifteen dollars of such fee into an account controlled by the 120
Department of Motor Vehicles to be used for the cost of producing, 121
issuing, renewing and replacing such commemorative number plates, 122
and forty-five dollars of such fee into the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and 123
Ponds Preservation account established under section 14-21aa, as 124
amended by this act. 125
(2) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall charge a fee of eighty 126
dollars for a Save Our Lakes commemorative number plate that (A) 127
contains letters in place of numbers as authorized by section 14-49, as 128
amended by this act, or (B) is a low number plate in accordance with 129
section 14-160, in addition to the fee or fees prescribed for number plates 130
issued under said sections. The commissioner shall deposit fifteen 131
dollars of such fee into an account controlled by the Department of 132
Motor Vehicles to be used for the cost of producing, issuing, renewing 133
and replacing such commemorative number plates, and sixty-five 134
dollars of such fee into the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds 135
Preservation account. 136
(c) Except as provided by subsection (d) of this section, no additional 137
renewal fee shall be charged for renewal of registration for any motor 138
vehicle bearing Save Our Lakes commemorative number plates which 139
contain letters in place of numbers, or low number plates, in excess of 140
the renewal fee for Save Our Lakes commemorative number plates with 141
letters and numbers selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. 142
No transfer fee shall be charged for transfer of an existing registration 143
to or from a registration with Save Our Lakes commemorative number 144
plates. 145
(d) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may request an additional 146
voluntary donation of fifteen dollars at the time of registration renewal 147
for any motor vehicle bearing a Save Our Lakes commemorative 148 Substitute Bill No. 261
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number plate. Five dollars of the donation may be dedicated to the 149
administrative costs of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Ten dollars 150
of such donation shall be deposited in the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and 151
Ponds Preservation account established under section 14-21aa, as 152
amended by this act. [The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, in 153
consultation with the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental 154
Protection, shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of 155
chapter 54, to establish standards and procedures for the issuance, 156
renewal and replacement of Save Our Lakes commemorative number 157
plates.] 158
Sec. 7. Section 14-21aa of the general statutes is repealed and the 159
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 160
(a) There is established an account to be known as the "Connecticut 161
Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation account". The Connecticut Lakes, 162
Rivers and Ponds Preservation account shall be a separate, nonlapsing 163
account of the General Fund. Any moneys required by law to be 164
deposited in the account shall be deposited in and credited to the 165
Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation account. The account 166
shall be available to the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental 167
Protection for (1) restoration and rehabilitation of lakes, rivers and 168
ponds in the state; (2) programs of the Department of Energy and 169
Environmental Protection for the eradication of aquatic invasive species 170
and cyanobacteria blooms; (3) education and public outreach programs 171
to enhance the public's understanding of the need to protect and 172
preserve the state's lakes, rivers and ponds; (4) allocation of grants to 173
state and municipal agencies and not-for-profit organizations to 174
conduct research and to provide public education and public awareness 175
to enhance understanding and management of the natural resources of 176
the state's lakes, rivers and ponds; (5) provision of funds for all services 177
that support the protection and conservation of the state's lakes, rivers 178
and ponds; and (6) reimbursement of the Department of Motor Vehicles 179
for the cost of producing, issuing, renewing and replacing Save Our 180
Lakes commemorative number plates, including administrativ e 181 Substitute Bill No. 261
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expenses, pursuant to section 14-21z, as amended by this act. 182
(b) The [commissioner] Commissioner of Energy and Environmental 183
Protection may receive private donations to the Connecticut Lakes, 184
Rivers and Ponds Preservation account and any such receipts shall be 185
deposited in the account. 186
(c) The [commissioner] Commissioner of Energy and Environmental 187
Protection may provide for the reproduction and marketing of the Save 188
Our Lakes commemorative number plate image for use on clothing, 189
recreational equipment, posters, mementoes, or other products or 190
programs deemed by the commissioner to be suitable as a means of 191
supporting the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation 192
account. Any funds received by the commissioner from such marketing 193
shall be deposited in the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds 194
Preservation account. 195
(d) Notwithstanding any provision of this section, not less than 196
eighty per cent of any funds deposited into the Connecticut Lakes, 197
Rivers and Ponds Preservation account pursuant to section 14-21bb 198
shall be utilized for the purposes described in subdivisions (2) to (4), 199
inclusive, of subsection (a) of this section. 200
Sec. 8. Section 14-25c of the general statutes is repealed and the 201
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 202
The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue distinctive 203
registration marker plates to each motor vehicle, except a taxicab or 204
motor vehicle in livery service, that is used as a student transportation 205
vehicle, as defined in section 14-212. Each such registration of a student 206
transportation vehicle shall be issued for a period of one year and, 207
subject to the provisions of subsection (d) of section 14-103, may be 208
renewed by the owner, in accordance with schedules established by the 209
commissioner. The fee for such registration or for any renewal thereof 210
shall be determined as follows: (1) In the case of any such motor vehicle 211
designed as a service bus, the fee shall be one-half of the fee prescribed 212 Substitute Bill No. 261
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for the registration of a service bus, in accordance with the provisions of 213
subsection (p) of section 14-49, and (2) in the case of any such motor 214
vehicle designed as a passenger motor vehicle, the fee shall be one-half 215
of the fee prescribed for the biennial combination registration of a 216
passenger motor vehicle or one-third of the fee prescribed for the 217
triennial combination registration of a passenger motor vehicle, in 218
accordance with the provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection [(a)] (e) 219
of section 14-49, as amended by this act. 220
Sec. 9. Section 14-29 of the general statutes is repealed and the 221
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2021): 222
(a) The commissioner shall not register any motor bus, taxicab, school 223
bus, motor vehicle in livery service, student transportation vehicle or 224
service bus and no person may operate or cause to be operated upon 225
any public highway any such motor vehicle until the owner or lessee 226
thereof has procured insurance or a bond satisfactory to the 227
commissioner [, which insurance or bond] that shall indemnify the 228
insured against any legal liability for personal injury, the death of any 229
person or property damage, which injury, death or damage may result 230
from or have been caused by the use or operation of such motor vehicle 231
described in the contract of insurance or such bond. Such insurance or 232
bond shall not be required from (1) a municipality which the 233
commissioner finds has maintained sufficient financial responsibility to 234
meet legal liability for personal injury, death or damage resulting from 235
or caused by the use or operation of a service bus owned or operated by 236
such municipality, or (2) the owner or lessee of such class of motor 237
vehicle who holds a certificate of public necessity and convenience from 238
the Department of Transportation if such owner or lessee has procured 239
from the department a certificate that the department has found that 240
such owner or lessee is of sufficient financial responsibility to meet legal 241
liability for personal injury, death or property damage resulting from or 242
caused by the use or operation of such motor vehicle. The Department 243
of Transportation may issue such certificate upon presentation of 244
evidence of financial responsibility that is satisfactory to it. 245 Substitute Bill No. 261
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(b) [(1)] The amount of insurance or of such bond [which] that each 246
such vehicle owner or lessee shall carry as insurance or indemnity 247
against claims for personal injury or death and legal liability resulting 248
from damage to the property of passengers or others for any one 249
accident shall be not less than [(A) fifty thousand dollars for one person 250
subject to that limit per person; (B) for all persons in any one accident 251
where the carrying capacity is seven passengers or less, one hundred 252
thousand dollars; (C) eight to twelve passengers, inclusive, one hundred 253
fifty thousand dollars; (D) thirteen to twenty passengers, inclusive, two 254
hundred thousand dollars; (E) twenty-one to thirty passengers, 255
inclusive, two hundred fifty thousand dollars; and (F) thirty-one 256
passengers or more, three hundred thousand dollars; and such policy or 257
such bond shall indemnify the insured against legal liability resulting 258
from damage to the property of passengers or of others to the amount 259
of ten thousand dollars] (1) a single limit of liability of (A) one hundred 260
thousand dollars, if such vehicle is designed or used to transport seven 261
passengers or less, or (B) seven hundred fifty thousand dollars, if such 262
vehicle is designed or used to transport eight to fourteen passengers 263
without compensation; (2) the minimum amounts established in 49 CFR 264
Part 387, as amended from time to time, if such vehicle is designed or 265
used to transport eight passengers or more for compensation, or fifteen 266
passengers or more without compensation; (3) one million five hundred 267
thousand dollars, if such vehicle is operated in livery service under the 268
provisions of sections 13b-101 to 13b-109, inclusive, and designed or 269
used to transport fourteen passengers or less; and (4) five million 270
dollars, if such vehicle is operated in livery service under the provisions 271
of sections 13b-101 to 13b-109, inclusive, and designed or used to 272
transport fifteen passengers or more. 273
[(2) In lieu of the foregoing, a single limit of liability shall be allowed 274
as insurance or indemnity against claims for personal injury or death 275
and legal liability resulting from damage to the property of passengers 276
or of others for any one accident (A) where the carrying capacity is seven 277
passengers or less, not less than one hundred thousand dollars; (B) eight 278
to twelve passengers, inclusive, not less than one hundred fifty 279 Substitute Bill No. 261
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thousand dollars; (C) thirteen to twenty passengers, inclusive, not less 280
than two hundred thousand dollars; (D) twenty -one to thirty 281
passengers, inclusive, not less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars; 282
and (E) thirty-one passengers or more, not less than three hundred 283
thousand dollars. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to (i) 284
a municipality which the commissioner has found to have sufficient 285
financial responsibility to meet legal liability for damages as provided 286
in subsection (a) of this section or (ii) the owner or lessees of any such 287
motor vehicle holding a certificate of public convenience and necessity 288
issued by the Department of Transportation whom the department has 289
found to be of sufficient financial responsibility to meet legal liability for 290
damages as provided in subsection (a).] 291
(c) (1) Any person or company issuing any such insurance or 292
indemnity bond shall file with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles a 293
certificate in such form as the commissioner prescribes, and no such 294
insurance or bond shall lapse, expire or be cancelled while the 295
registration is in force until the commissioner has been given at least ten 296
days' written notice of an intention to cancel and until the commissioner 297
has accepted other insurance or another indemnity bond and has 298
notified the person or company seeking to cancel such insurance or 299
bond that such other insurance or bond has been accepted or until the 300
registration of such motor vehicle described in such insurance policy or 301
bond has been suspended or cancelled. 302
(2) No person or company issuing any such insurance or indemnity 303
bond shall issue an insurance policy or indemnity bond for a motor 304
vehicle specified in subsection (a) of this section for limits less than those 305
specified in subsection (b) [or (f)] of this section. Upon initial registration 306
or renewal of any such motor vehicle, the commissioner may presume 307
that an insurance policy or indemnity bond meets the minimum 308
amounts specified in said subsection (b) [or (f)] for such vehicle. 309
(d) Any person injured in person or property by any such motor 310
vehicle may apply to the commissioner for the name and description of 311
the insurer of the vehicle causing such injury or the name of the surety 312 Substitute Bill No. 261
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upon any indemnity bond of any such owner or the name of the holder 313
of a certificate of financial responsibility. 314
(e) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be 315
fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than 316
one year or both. 317
[(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, any person, 318
association or corporation operating a motor vehicle in livery service 319
under the provisions of sections 13b-101 to 13b-109, inclusive, shall carry 320
insurance or indemnity against claims for personal injury or death and 321
legal liability resulting from damage to the property of passengers or of 322
others for any one accident in an amount not less than one million five 323
hundred thousand dollars for vehicles with a seating capacity of 324
fourteen passengers or less and five million dollars for vehicles with a 325
seating capacity of fifteen passengers or more.] 326
Sec. 10. Section 14-36 of the general statutes is repealed and the 327
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 328
(a) Except as otherwise provided by this section and section 14-40a, 329
no person shall operate a motor vehicle on any public highway of this 330
state or private road on which a speed limit has been established in 331
accordance with subsection (a) of section 14-218a until such person has 332
obtained a motor vehicle operator's license. 333
(b) (1) A person eighteen years of age or older who does not hold a 334
motor vehicle operator's license may not operate a motor vehicle on the 335
public highways of the state for the purpose of instruction until such 336
person has applied for and obtained an adult instruction permit from 337
the commissioner. Such person shall not be eligible for an adult 338
instruction permit if such person has had a motor vehicle operator's 339
license or privilege suspended or revoked. An adult instruction permit 340
shall entitle the holder, while such holder has the permit in his or her 341
immediate possession, to operate a motor vehicle on the public 342
highways, provided such holder is under the instruction of, and 343 Substitute Bill No. 261
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accompanied by, a person who holds an instructor's license issued 344
under the provisions of section 14-73 or a person twenty years of age or 345
older who has been licensed to operate, for at least four years preceding 346
the instruction, a motor vehicle of the same class as the motor vehicle 347
being operated and who has not had his or her motor vehicle operator's 348
license suspended by the commissioner during the four-year period 349
preceding the instruction. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall 350
not issue a motor vehicle operator's license to any person holding an 351
adult instruction permit who has held such permit for less than ninety 352
days unless such person (A) is a member of the armed forces on active 353
duty outside the state, or (B) has previously held a motor vehicle 354
operator's license. (2) A person holding a valid out-of-state motor 355
vehicle operator's license may operate a motor vehicle for a period of 356
[thirty] sixty days following such person's establishment of residence in 357
Connecticut, if the motor vehicle is of the same class as that for which 358
his or her out-of-state motor vehicle operator's license was issued. (3) 359
No person may cause or permit the operation of a motor vehicle by a 360
person under sixteen years of age. 361
(c) (1) A person who is sixteen or seventeen years of age and who has 362
not had a motor vehicle operator's license or right to operate a motor 363
vehicle in this state suspended or revoked may apply to the 364
[Commissioner of Motor Vehicles] commissioner for a youth instruction 365
permit. The commissioner may issue a youth instruction permit to an 366
applicant after the applicant has passed a vision screening and test as to 367
knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the 368
road, has paid the fee required by subsection (v) of section 14-49 and has 369
filed a certificate, in such form as the commissioner prescribes, 370
requesting or consenting to the issuance of the youth instruction permit 371
and the motor vehicle operator's license, signed by (A) one or both 372
parents or foster parents of the applicant, as the commissioner requires, 373
(B) the legal guardian of the applicant, (C) the applicant's spouse, if the 374
spouse is eighteen years of age or older, or (D) if the applicant has no 375
qualified spouse and such applicant's parent or foster parent or legal 376
guardian is deceased, incapable, domiciled outside of this state or 377 Substitute Bill No. 261
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otherwise unavailable or unable to sign or file the certificate, the 378
applicant's stepparent, grandparent, or uncle or aunt by blood or 379
marriage, provided such person is eighteen years of age or older. The 380
commissioner may, for the more efficient administration of the 381
commissioner's duties, appoint any drivers' school licensed in 382
accordance with the provisions of section 14-69, as amended by this act, 383
or any secondary school providing instruction in motor vehicle 384
operation and highway safety in accordance with section 14-36e, as 385
amended by this act, to issue a youth instruction permit, subject to such 386
standards and requirements as the commissioner may prescribe in 387
regulations adopted in accordance with chapter 54. Each youth 388
instruction permit shall expire two years from the date of issuance or on 389
the date the holder of the permit is issued a motor vehicle operator's 390
license, whichever is earlier. Any holder of a youth instruction permit 391
who attains eighteen years of age may retain such permit until the 392
expiration of such permit. (2) The youth instruction permit shall entitle 393
the holder, while such holder has the permit in his or her immediate 394
possession, to operate a motor vehicle on the public highways, provided 395
such holder is under the instruction of, and accompanied by, a person 396
who holds an instructor's license issued under the provisions of section 397
14-73 or a person twenty years of age or older who has been licensed to 398
operate, for at least four years preceding the instruction, a motor vehicle 399
of the same class as the motor vehicle being operated and who has not 400
had his or her motor vehicle operator's license suspended by the 401
commissioner during the four-year period preceding the instruction. (3) 402
Unless the holder of the permit is under the instruction of and 403
accompanied by a person who holds an instructor's license issued under 404
the provisions of section 14-73, no passenger in addition to the person 405
providing instruction shall be transported unless such passenger is a 406
parent or legal guardian of the holder of the permit. (4) The holder of a 407
youth instruction permit who (A) is an active member of a certified 408
ambulance service, as defined in section 19a-175, (B) has commenced an 409
emergency vehicle operator's course that conforms to the national 410
standard curriculum developed by the United States Department of 411
Transportation, and (C) has had state and national criminal history 412 Substitute Bill No. 261
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records checks conducted by the certified ambulance service or by the 413
municipality in which such ambulance service is provided, shall be 414
exempt from the provisions of subdivisions (2) and (3) of this subsection 415
only when such holder is [en route] driving to or from the location of 416
the ambulance for purposes of responding to an emergency call. (5) The 417
commissioner may revoke any youth instruction permit used in 418
violation of the limitations imposed by subdivision (2) or (3) of this 419
subsection. 420
(d) (1) No motor vehicle operator's license shall be issued to any 421
applicant who is sixteen or seventeen years of age unless the applicant 422
has held a youth instruction permit and has satisfied the requirements 423
specified in this subsection. The applicant shall (A) [present] submit to 424
the [Commissioner of Motor Vehicles] commissioner, in such manner as 425
the commissioner shall direct, a certificate of the successful completion 426
(i) in a public secondary school, a technical education and career school 427
or a private secondary school of a full course of study in motor vehicle 428
operation prepared as provided in section 14-36e, as amended by this 429
act, (ii) of training of similar nature provided by a licensed drivers' 430
school approved by the commissioner, or (iii) of home training in 431
accordance with subdivision (2) of this subsection, including, in each 432
case, or by a combination of such types of training, successful 433
completion of: Not less than forty clock hours of behind-the-wheel, on-434
the-road instruction for applicants to whom a youth instruction permit 435
is issued on or after August 1, 2008; (B) [present] submit to the 436
commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner shall direct, a 437
certificate of the successful completion of a course of not less than eight 438
hours relative to safe driving practices, including a minimum of four 439
hours on the nature and the medical, biological and physiological effects 440
of alcohol and drugs and their impact on the operator of a motor vehicle, 441
the dangers associated with the operation of a motor vehicle after the 442
consumption of alcohol or drugs by the operator, the problems of 443
alcohol and drug abuse and the penalties for alcohol and drug-related 444
motor vehicle violations; and (C) pass an examination which may 445
include a comprehensive test as to knowledge of the laws concerning 446 Substitute Bill No. 261
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motor vehicles and the rules of the road in addition to the test required 447
under subsection (c) of this section and shall include an on-the-road 448
skills test as prescribed by the commissioner. At the time of application 449
and examination for a motor vehicle operator's license, an applicant 450
sixteen or seventeen years of age shall have held a youth instruction 451
permit for not less than one hundred eighty days, except that an 452
applicant who presents a certificate under subparagraph (A)(i) or 453
subparagraph (A)(ii) of this subdivision shall have held a youth 454
instruction permit for not less than one hundred twenty days and an 455
applicant who is undergoing training and instruction by the driver 456
training unit for persons with disabilities in accordance with the 457
provisions of section 14-11b shall have held such permit for the period 458
of time required by said unit. The [Commissioner of Motor Vehicles] 459
commissioner shall approve the content of the safe driving instruction 460
at drivers' schools, high schools and other secondary schools. Subject to 461
such standards and requirements as the commissioner may impose, the 462
commissioner may authorize any drivers' school, licensed in good 463
standing in accordance with the provisions of section 14-69, as amended 464
by this act, or secondary school driver education program authorized 465
pursuant to the provisions of section 14-36e, as amended by this act, to 466
administer the comprehensive test as to knowledge of the laws 467
concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the road, required pursuant 468
to subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, as part of the safe driving 469
practices course required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this 470
subdivision, and to certify to the commissioner, under oath, the results 471
of each such test administered. Such hours of instruction required by 472
this subdivision shall be included as part of or in addition to any existing 473
instruction programs. Any fee charged for the course required under 474
subparagraph (B) of this subdivision shall not exceed one hundred fifty 475
dollars. Any applicant sixteen or seventeen years of age who, while a 476
resident of another state, completed the course required in 477
subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, but did not complete the safe 478
driving course required in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, shall 479
complete the safe driving course. The commissioner may waive any 480
requirement in this subdivision, except for that in subparagraph (C) of 481 Substitute Bill No. 261
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this subdivision, in the case of an applicant sixteen or seventeen years 482
of age who holds a valid motor vehicle operator's license issued by any 483
other state, provided the commissioner is satisfied that the applicant has 484
received training and instruction of a similar nature. 485
(2) The commissioner may accept as evidence of sufficient training 486
under subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of this subsection home 487
training as evidenced by a written statement submitted to the 488
commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner directs. Such 489
statement shall be signed by the spouse of a married minor applicant, or 490
by a parent, grandparent, foster parent or legal guardian of an applicant, 491
[which states] and state that the applicant has obtained a youth 492
instruction permit and has successfully completed a driving course 493
taught by the person signing the statement, that the signer has had an 494
operator's license for at least four years preceding the date of the 495
statement, and that the signer has not had such license suspended by 496
the commissioner for at least four years preceding the date of the 497
statement. [or, if] If the applicant has no spouse, parent, grandparent, 498
foster parent or guardian so qualified and available to give the 499
instruction, [a] such statement may be signed by the applicant's 500
stepparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt, by blood or marriage, provided 501
the person signing the statement is qualified. 502
(3) If the commissioner requires a written test of any applicant under 503
this section, the test shall be given in English or Spanish at the option of 504
the applicant, provided the commissioner shall require that the 505
applicant shall have sufficient understanding of English for the 506
interpretation of traffic control signs. 507
(4) The [Commissioner of Motor Vehicles] commissioner may adopt 508
regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to 509
implement the purposes of this subsection concerning the requirements 510
for behind-the-wheel, on-the-road instruction, the content of safe 511
driving instruction at drivers' schools, high schools and other secondary 512
schools, and the administration and certification of required testing. 513 Substitute Bill No. 261
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(e) (1) No motor vehicle operator's license shall be issued until (A) the 514
applicant signs and [files with] submits to the commissioner, in such 515
manner as the commissioner directs, an application under oath, or made 516
subject to penalties for false statement in accordance with section 53a-517
157b, and (B) the commissioner is satisfied that the applicant is sixteen 518
years of age or older and is a suitable person to receive the license. 519
(2) Except any applicant described in section 14-36m, an applicant for 520
a new motor vehicle operator's license shall [, in the discretion of the 521
commissioner, file,] submit with the application [,] a copy of such 522
applicant's birth certificate or other prima facie evidence, as determined 523
by the commissioner, of date of birth and evidence of identity. 524
(3) Before granting a license to any applicant who has not previously 525
held a Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license, or [who has not 526
operated a motor vehicle during the preceding two years] whose 527
Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license expired more than two 528
years prior to the application date, the commissioner shall require the 529
applicant to demonstrate personally to the commissioner, a deputy, [or] 530
a motor vehicle inspector or an agent of the commissioner, in such 531
manner as the commissioner directs, that the applicant is a proper 532
person to operate motor vehicles of the class for which such applicant 533
has applied, has sufficient knowledge of the mechanism of the motor 534
vehicles to ensure their safe operation by him or her and has satisfactory 535
knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the 536
road. The knowledge test of an applicant for a class D motor vehicle 537
operator's license may be administered in such form as the 538
commissioner deems appropriate, including audio, electronic or written 539
testing. Such knowledge test shall be administered in English, Spanish 540
or any language spoken at home by at least one per cent of the state's 541
population, according to statistics prepared by the United States Census 542
Bureau, based on the most recent decennial census. Each such 543
knowledge test shall include a question concerning highway work zone 544
safety and the responsibilities of an operator of a motor vehicle under 545
section 14-212d. Each such knowledge test shall include not less than 546 Substitute Bill No. 261
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one question concerning distracted driving, the use of mobile 547
telephones and electronic devices by motor vehicle operators or the 548
responsibilities of motor vehicle operators under section 14-296aa. If any 549
such applicant has held a license from a state, territory or possession of 550
the United States where a similar examination is required, the 551
commissioner may waive part or all of the examination. If any such 552
applicant is (A) a veteran who applies not later than two years after the 553
date of discharge from the military and who, prior to such discharge, 554
held a military operator's license for motor vehicles of the same class as 555
that for which such applicant has applied, or (B) a member of the armed 556
forces or the National Guard who currently holds a military operator's 557
license for motor vehicles of the same class as that for which such 558
applicant has applied, the commissioner shall waive all of the 559
examination, except in the case of a commercial motor vehicle [licenses] 560
license, the commissioner shall [only] waive the driving skills test for 561
such applicant [who] and may, in such commissioner's discretion, waive 562
the knowledge test for such application, provided such applicant meets 563
the conditions set forth in 49 CFR 383.77, as amended from time to time. 564
For the purposes of this subsection, "veteran" means any person who 565
was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable 566
from active service in the armed forces and "armed forces" has the same 567
meaning as provided in section 27-103. When the commissioner is 568
satisfied as to the ability and competency of any applicant, the 569
commissioner may issue to such applicant a license, either unlimited or 570
containing such limitations as the commissioner deems advisable, and 571
specifying the class of motor vehicles which the licensee is eligible to 572
operate. 573
(4) If any applicant or operator license holder has any health problem 574
which might affect such person's ability to operate a motor vehicle 575
safely, the commissioner may require the applicant or license holder to 576
demonstrate personally or otherwise establish that, notwithstanding 577
such problem, such applicant or license holder is a proper person to 578
operate a motor vehicle, and the commissioner may further require a 579
certificate of such applicant's condition, signed by a medical authority 580 Substitute Bill No. 261
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designated by the commissioner, which certificate shall in all cases be 581
treated as confidential by the commissioner. A license, containing such 582
limitation as the commissioner deems advisable, may be issued or 583
renewed in any case, but nothing in this section shall be construed to 584
prevent the commissioner from refusing a license, either limited or 585
unlimited, to any person or suspending a license of a person whom the 586
commissioner determines to be incapable of safely operating a motor 587
vehicle. Consistent with budgetary allotments, each motor vehicle 588
operator's license issued to or renewed by a person who is deaf or hard 589
of hearing shall, upon the request of such person, indicate such 590
impairment. Such person shall submit a certificate stating such 591
impairment, in such form as the commissioner may require and signed 592
by a licensed health care practitioner. 593
(5) The issuance of a motor vehicle operator's license to any applicant 594
who is the holder of a license issued by another state shall be subject to 595
the provisions of sections 14-111c and 14-111k. 596
(f) No person issued a limited license shall operate (1) a motor vehicle 597
in violation of the limitations imposed by such license, or (2) any motor 598
vehicle other than the motor vehicle for which such person's right to 599
operate is limited. 600
(g) The commissioner may place a restriction on the motor vehicle 601
operator's license of any person or on any special operator's permit 602
issued to any person in accordance with the provisions of section 14-37a 603
that restricts the holder of such license or permit to the operation of a 604
motor vehicle that is equipped with an approved ignition interlock 605
device, as defined in section 14-227j, for such time as the commissioner 606
shall prescribe, if such person has: (1) Been convicted for a first or second 607
time of a violation of subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227a, 608
and has served not less than forty-five days of the prescribed period of 609
suspension for such conviction, in accordance with the provisions of 610
subsections (g) and (i) of section 14-227a; (2) been ordered by the 611
Superior Court not to operate any motor vehicle unless it is equipped 612
with an approved ignition interlock device, in accordance with the 613 Substitute Bill No. 261
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provisions of section 14-227j; (3) been granted a reversal or reduction of 614
such person's license suspension or revocation, in accordance with the 615
provisions of subsection (i) of section 14-111; (4) been issued a motor 616
vehicle operator's license upon the surrender of an operator's license 617
issued by another state and such previously held license contains a 618
restriction to the operation of a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition 619
interlock device; (5) been convicted of a violation of section 53a-56b or 620
53a-60d; (6) been permitted by the commissioner to be issued or to retain 621
an operator's license subject to reporting requirements concerning such 622
person's physical condition, in accordance with the provisions of 623
subsection (e) of this section and sections 14-45a to 14-46g, inclusive, as 624
amended by this act; (7) had such person's operator's license suspended 625
under subsection (i) of section 14-227b and has served not less than 626
forty-five days of the prescribed period of such suspension; (8) been 627
convicted for a first or second time of a violation of subsection (a) of 628
section 14-227m and has served not less than forty-five days of the 629
prescribed period of suspension for such conviction, in accordance with 630
the provisions of subsection (c) of section 14-227m and subsection (i) of 631
section 14-227a; or (9) been convicted of a violation of subdivision (1) or 632
(2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n and has served not less than forty-633
five days of the prescribed period of suspension for such conviction, in 634
accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of section 14-227n and 635
subsection (i) of section 14-227a. 636
(h) Before issuing a motor vehicle operator's license in accordance 637
with this section or section 14-44c, as amended by this act, the 638
commissioner shall request information from the National Driver 639
Registry and the Commercial Driver License Information System, in 640
accordance with the provisions of 49 CFR section 383.73. Each driving 641
history record shall contain a notation of the date on which such inquiry 642
was made. 643
(i) (1) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall, for 644
a first offense, be deemed to have committed an infraction and be fined 645
not less than seventy-five dollars or more than ninety dollars and, for 646 Substitute Bill No. 261
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any subsequent offense, shall be fined not less than two hundred fifty 647
dollars or more than three hundred fifty dollars or be imprisoned not 648
more than thirty days, or both. 649
(2) In addition to the penalty prescribed under subdivision (1) of this 650
subsection, any person who violates any provision of this section who 651
(A) has, prior to the commission of the present violation, committed a 652
violation of this section or subsection (a) of section 14-215, shall be fined 653
not more than five hundred dollars or sentenced to perform not more 654
than one hundred hours of community service, or (B) has, prior to the 655
commission of the present violation, committed two or more violations 656
of this section or subsection (a) of section 14-215, or any combination 657
thereof, shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of one year, ninety 658
days of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner. 659
(j) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may adopt regulations, in 660
accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section. 661
Sec. 11. Section 14-36d of the general statutes is repealed and the 662
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 663
(a) The commissioner may acquire, by lease or purchase, and install 664
at offices of the Department of Motor Vehicles and at such other 665
locations where operator's licenses are issued or renewed, such 666
equipment as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this 667
chapter. 668
(b) The commissioner may [provide for the renewal of] renew or 669
produce a duplicate of any motor vehicle operator's license, commercial 670
driver's license or identity card without personal appearance of the 671
license or card holder [, in circumstances where the holder is a member 672
of the armed forces, is temporarily residing outside of this state for 673
business or educational purposes, or in other circumstances where, in 674
the judgment of the commissioner, such personal appearance would be 675
impractical or pose a significant hardship. The commissioner shall 676
decline to issue any such renewal without personal appearance if the 677 Substitute Bill No. 261
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commissioner is not satisfied as to the reasons why the applicant cannot 678
personally appear, if the commissioner does not have the applicant's 679
color] if (1) the commissioner has on file a photograph or digital image 680
[on file, if] of the applicant that meets the specifications and standards 681
prescribed by the commissioner and may be used on such license or 682
identity card, (2) the commissioner has satisfactory evidence of the 683
identity of the applicant, [has not been presented, or if] (3) the 684
commissioner [has reason to believe] is satisfied that the applicant is [no 685
longer] a legal resident of this state, (4) in the case of a renewal, the 686
applicant personally appeared to renew such license or identity card 687
within the time limitations specified in state or federal law, and (5) the 688
applicant meets all other requirements for the renewal or duplicate 689
issuance of a license or identity card. 690
(c) The commissioner may issue, [or] renew [any] or duplicate a 691
license, [any] an instruction permit or an identity card [issued or 692
renewed] pursuant to this title or section 1-1h, as amended by this act, 693
by any method that the commissioner deems to be secure and efficient. 694
If the commissioner determines that an applicant has met all conditions 695
for such issuance, [or] renewal or duplication, the commissioner may 696
require that such license, instruction permit or identity card be 697
produced at a centralized location and mailed to the applicant. The 698
commissioner may issue a temporary license, instruction permit or 699
identity card for use by the applicant for the period prior to the 700
applicant's receipt of the permanent license, instruction permit or 701
identity card. Such temporary license, instruction permit or identity 702
card shall not be required to contain a photograph or digital image of 703
the applicant as specified in subdivision (8) of subsection (a) of section 704
14-36h. Such temporary license, instruction permit or identity card shall 705
have an expiration date not later than thirty days after the date of 706
issuance and shall remain valid until the earlier of such expiration date 707
or the date the applicant receives such license, instruction permit or 708
identity card. 709
(d) [The commissioner may adopt regulations to provide] If the 710 Substitute Bill No. 261
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commissioner provides for the renewal or duplicate issuance of the 711
motor vehicle operator's license, commercial driver's license or identity 712
card [of any person not identified in] without the personal appearance 713
of the license or card holder in accordance with the provisions of 714
subsection (b) of this section, the commissioner shall establish 715
procedures to renew or issue a duplicate of such license or identity card 716
by mail or by electronic communication with the Department of Motor 717
Vehicles. 718
Sec. 12. Section 14-36e of the general statutes is repealed and the 719
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 720
(a) As used in this section, "classroom instruction" includes training 721
or instruction offered in person in a congregate setting, through real-722
time interactive distance learning or through a combination of both in-723
person and real-time interactive distance learning. 724
(b) Each local and regional board of education may provide a course 725
of instruction in motor vehicle operation and highway safety on a 726
secondary school level, which course (1) shall consist of not less than 727
thirty clock hours of classroom instruction offered during or after school 728
hours as said board of education, in its discretion, may provide, 729
including instruction of not less than fifteen minutes concerning the 730
responsibilities of an operator of a motor vehicle under subsection (b) of 731
section 14-223 and the penalty for a violation of the provisions of said 732
subsection (b), and (2) may include behind-the-wheel instruction of up 733
to twenty clock hours. [Said] Such course shall be open to enrollment by 734
any person between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, inclusive, who is 735
a resident of the town or school district or whose parent, parents or legal 736
guardian owns property taxable in such town or school district. Any 737
such board of education may contract for such behind-the-wheel 738
instruction with a licensed drivers' school. 739
Sec. 13. Section 14-36f of the general statutes is repealed and the 740
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 741 Substitute Bill No. 261
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The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations, in 742
accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, governing the 743
establishment, conduct and scope of driver education programs in 744
secondary schools of this state, subject to the requirements of section 14-745
36e, as amended by this act. Such regulations shall (1) permit any local 746
or regional board of education or private secondary school to contract 747
with a licensed drivers' school approved by the Commissioner of Motor 748
Vehicles for the behind-the-wheel instruction of such driver education 749
program and instruction therein may be given by such school's driving 750
instructors who are licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles, [and] 751
(2) require that the classroom instruction of any such driver education 752
program [shall] include a discussion concerning highway work zone 753
safety and the responsibilities of an operator of a motor vehicle under 754
section 14-212d, and (3) permit a class or classroom instruction to be 755
offered in person in a congregate setting, through real-time interactive 756
distance learning or through a combination of both in-person and real-757
time interactive distance learning. 758
Sec. 14. Subsection (b) of section 14-41 of the general statutes is 759
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 760
passage): 761
(b) The commissioner may authorize a contractor, including, but not 762
limited to, an automobile club or association licensed in accordance with 763
the provisions of section 14-67 on or before July 1, 2007, or any 764
municipality, to issue duplicate licenses and identity cards pursuant to 765
section 14-50a, renew licenses, renew identity cards issued pursuant to 766
section 1-1h, as amended by this act, and conduct registration 767
transactions. [at the office or facilities of such contractors or 768
municipalities.] The commissioner may authorize such contractors and 769
municipalities to charge a convenience fee, which shall not exceed eight 770
dollars, to each applicant for a license or identity card renewal or 771
duplication, or for a registration transaction. 772
Sec. 15. Section 14-44c of the general statutes is repealed and the 773
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 774 Substitute Bill No. 261
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(a) The application for a commercial driver's license or commercial 775
driver's instruction permit, shall include the following: 776
(1) The full name and current mailing and residence address of the 777
person; 778
(2) A physical description of the person, including [sex] gender, 779
height and eye color; 780
(3) Date of birth; 781
(4) The applicant's Social Security number; 782
(5) The person's statement, under oath, that such person meets the 783
physical qualification standards set forth in 49 CFR 391, as amended 784
from time to time; 785
(6) The person's statement, under oath, that the type of vehicle in 786
which the person has taken or intends to take the driving skills test is 787
representative of the type of motor vehicle the person operates or 788
intends to operate; 789
(7) The person's statement, under oath, that such person is not subject 790
to disqualification, suspension, revocation or cancellation of operating 791
privileges in any state, and that he or she does not hold an operator's 792
license in any other state; 793
(8) The person's identification of all states in which such person has 794
been licensed to drive any type of motor vehicle during the last ten 795
years, and the person's statement, under oath that he or she does not 796
hold an operator's license in any other state; and 797
(9) The person's signature, and certification of the accuracy and 798
completeness of the application, subject to the penalties of false 799
statement under section 53a-157b. The application shall be accompanied 800
by the fee prescribed in section 14-44h. 801
(b) No person who has been a resident of this state for thirty days 802 Substitute Bill No. 261
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may drive a commercial motor vehicle under the authority of a 803
commercial driver's license issued by another jurisdiction. 804
(c) At the time of application for a commercial driver's license, the 805
applicant shall make the applicable certification, as required by 49 CFR 806
383.71(b), regarding the type of commerce in which such person shall 807
engage. No commercial driver's license shall be issued to a person who 808
fails to make such certification. 809
(d) On and after January 6, 2023, the commissioner shall request a 810
driver's record from the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, in accordance 811
with 49 CFR 382.725, as amended from time to time, for any person who 812
applies for, renews, transfers or upgrades a commercial driver's license. 813
The commissioner shall use information obtained from the Drug and 814
Alcohol Clearinghouse solely for the purpose of determining whether a 815
person is qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle and shall not 816
disclose such information to any person or entity not directly involved 817
in determining whether a person is qualified to operate a commercial 818
motor vehicle. 819
[(d)] (e) In addition to other penalties provided by law, any person 820
who knowingly falsifies information or certifications required under 821
subsection (a) of this section shall have such person's operator's license 822
or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state suspended for sixty 823
days. 824
Sec. 16. Subsection (g) of section 14-44e of the general statutes is 825
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 826
2021): 827
(g) The commissioner may issue a commercial driver's instruction 828
permit to any person who holds a valid operator's license. Such permit 829
may be issued for a period not exceeding one [hundred eighty days, and 830
may be reissued or renewed for one additional period not exceeding one 831
hundred eighty days, provided the reissuance or renewal of such permit 832
occurs within a two-year period from its initial issuance] year. Any 833 Substitute Bill No. 261
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holder of a commercial driver's instruction permit who has not obtained 834
a commercial driver's license on or before the expiration date of such 835
[reissued or renewed] permit shall be required to retake the commercial 836
driver's license knowledge test and any applicable endorsement 837
knowledge tests. The holder of a commercial driver's instruction permit 838
may, unless otherwise disqualified or suspended, drive a commercial 839
motor vehicle if such holder is accompanied by the holder of a 840
commercial driver's license of the appropriate class and bearing 841
endorsements for the type of vehicle being driven who occupies a seat 842
beside the individual for the purpose of giving instruction in driving the 843
commercial motor vehicle. The commissioner shall not administer a 844
commercial driver's license driving skills test to any holder of a 845
commercial driver's instruction permit unless such person has held such 846
permit for a minimum period of fourteen days. 847
Sec. 17. Subsection (b) of section 14-44i of the general statutes is 848
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 849
2021): 850
(b) There shall be charged for each commercial driver's license 851
knowledge test a fee of sixteen dollars. There shall be charged for each 852
commercial driver's license skills test a fee of thirty dollars. There shall 853
be charged for each commercial driver's instruction permit a fee of [ten] 854
twenty dollars. 855
Sec. 18. Subsection (g) of section 14-44k of the general statutes is 856
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 857
1, 2021): 858
(g) Any person who (1) uses any motor vehicle in the commission of 859
a felony involving the manufacture, distribution or dispensing of a 860
controlled substance, or (2) uses a commercial motor vehicle in the 861
commission of a felony involving severe forms of trafficking in persons, 862
as defined in 22 USC 7102(11), as amended from time to time, shall be 863
disqualified for life and ineligible for reinstatement in accordance with 864
subsection (h) of this section. 865 Substitute Bill No. 261
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Sec. 19. Subsection (b) of section 14-45a of the general statutes is 866
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 867
2021): 868
(b) Prior to issuing a motor vehicle operator's license to a person who 869
has not previously been issued a license in this state or [has not operated 870
a motor vehicle within the preceding two years] whose Connecticut 871
motor vehicle operator's license expired more than two years prior to 872
the application date, the commissioner may require such person to pass 873
a vision screening to determine if the person meets vision standards 874
specified in the regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (a) of this 875
section. 876
Sec. 20. Subsection (e) of section 14-49 of the general statutes is 877
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 878
1, 2021): 879
(e) (1) For the registration of a passenger motor vehicle used in part 880
for commercial purposes, except any pick-up truck having a gross 881
vehicle weight rating of less than twelve thousand five hundred 882
pounds, the commissioner shall charge a triennial fee of one hundred 883
thirty-two dollars and shall issue combination registration to such 884
vehicle. Any individual who is sixty-five years of age or older may, at 885
such individual's discretion, renew the combination registration of such 886
vehicle owned by such individual for either a one-year period or the 887
registration period as determined by the commissioner pursuant to 888
subsection (a) of section 14-22. 889
(2) For the registration of a school bus, the commissioner shall charge 890
an annual fee of one hundred seven dollars for a type I school bus and 891
sixty-four dollars for a type II school bus. 892
(3) For the registration of a motor vehicle when used in part for 893
commercial purposes and as a passenger motor vehicle or of a motor 894
vehicle having a seating capacity greater than ten and not used for the 895
conveyance of passengers for hire, the commissioner shall charge a 896 Substitute Bill No. 261
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biennial fee for gross weight as for commercial registration, as outlined 897
in section 14-47, plus the sum of fourteen dollars and shall issue 898
combination registration to such vehicle. 899
(4) Each vehicle registered as combination shall be issued a number 900
plate bearing the word "combination". No vehicle registered as 901
combination may have a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of twelve 902
thousand five hundred pounds. 903
(5) For the registration of a pick-up truck having a gross vehicle 904
weight rating of less than twelve thousand five hundred pounds that is 905
not used in part for commercial purposes, the commissioner shall 906
charge a triennial fee for gross weight as for commercial registration, as 907
provided in section 14-47, plus the sum of twenty-one dollars. The 908
commissioner may issue passenger registration to any such vehicle with 909
a gross vehicle weight rating of eight thousand five hundred pounds or 910
less. 911
Sec. 21. Section 14-52 of the general statutes is repealed and the 912
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2021): 913
(a) No person, firm or corporation may engage in the business of the 914
buying, selling, offering for sale or brokerage of any motor vehicle or 915
the repairing of any motor vehicle without having been issued either a 916
new car dealer's, a used car dealer's, a repairer's or a limited repairer's 917
license. The license fee for each such license, payable to the 918
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, shall be as follows: (1) New motor 919
vehicle dealer, seven hundred dollars; (2) used motor vehicle dealer, five 920
hundred sixty dollars; and (3) repairer or limited repairer, three 921
hundred forty dollars. Each such license shall be renewed biennially 922
according to renewal schedules established by the commissioner so as 923
to effect staggered renewal of all such licenses. If the adoption of a 924
staggered system results in the expiration of any license more or less 925
than one year from its issuance, the commissioner may charge a 926
prorated amount for such license fee. Not less than forty-five days prior 927
to the date of expiration of each such license, the commissioner shall 928 Substitute Bill No. 261
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send or transmit to each licensee, in a manner determined by the 929
commissioner, an application for renewal. Any licensee which has not 930
filed the application for renewal accompanied by the prescribed fee 931
prior to the date of expiration of its license shall cease to engage in 932
business. An application for renewal filed with the commissioner after 933
the date of expiration shall be accompanied by a late fee of one hundred 934
dollars. The commissioner shall not renew any license under this 935
subsection which has expired for more than forty-five days. 936
(b) (1) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, each 937
applicant for a repairer's or a limited repairer's license shall furnish [a 938
cash bond or] a surety bond in the amount of five thousand dollars. 939
(2) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, each applicant 940
for a new car dealer's or a used car dealer's license shall furnish [a cash 941
bond or] a surety bond in the amount of fifty thousand dollars. 942
(3) Each applicant for a leasing or rental license issued pursuant to 943
section 14-15, who is engaged in the leasing or renting of motor vehicles 944
for periods of thirty days or more shall furnish [a cash bond or] a surety 945
bond in the amount of ten thousand dollars. 946
(4) Each such bond required under subdivisions (1) to (3), inclusive, 947
of this subsection shall be conditioned upon the applicant or licensee 948
complying with the provisions of any state or federal law or regulation 949
relating to the conduct of such business and provided as indemnity for 950
any loss sustained by any customer by reason of any acts of the licensee 951
constituting grounds for suspension or revocation of the license or such 952
licensee going out of business. Each [cash bond shall be deposited with 953
the commissioner and each] surety bond shall be executed in the name 954
of the state of Connecticut for the benefit of any aggrieved customer, but 955
the penalty of the bond shall not be invoked except upon order of the 956
commissioner after a hearing held before said commissioner in 957
accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. For purposes of this 958
subdivision, "customer" does not include (A) any person, firm or 959
corporation that finances a licensed dealer's motor vehicle inventory, or 960 Substitute Bill No. 261
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(B) any licensed dealer, in such person's capacity as a dealer, who buys 961
motor vehicles from or sells motor vehicles to another licensed dealer. 962
(5) The commissioner shall assess an administrative fee of two 963
hundred dollars against any licensee for failing to provide proof of bond 964
renewal or replacement on or before the date of the expiration of the 965
existing bond. Such fee shall be in addition to the license suspension or 966
revocation penalties and the civil penalties to which the licensee is 967
subject pursuant to section 14-64. 968
(c) The commissioner may request information from any applicant 969
for a repairer's license or used car dealer's license concerning the 970
financial status and ability of such applicant to comply with the 971
requirements of this subpart and the regulations adopted thereunder. 972
The commissioner shall review such information to determine if the 973
applicant has sufficient financial resources to conduct the business in a 974
manner consistent with the reasonable security and protection of its 975
customers in regard to the duties and responsibilities imposed by the 976
provisions of this subpart and the regulations adopted thereunder. The 977
commissioner may refuse to issue a license if the applicant fails to 978
provide any such information requested or, if, after review by the 979
commissioner, the commissioner is not satisfied as to such applicant's 980
financial status. The commissioner may, in any case deemed 981
appropriate, grant a license on condition that the applicant post [a cash 982
bond or] a surety bond, in accordance with the provisions of subsection 983
(b) of this section, in an amount prescribed by the commissioner that is 984
greater than the minimum amount required by the applicable 985
provisions of said subsection (b). Any applicant aggrieved by any 986
decision of the commissioner made pursuant to this subsection shall be 987
afforded an opportunity for hearing in accordance with the provisions 988
of chapter 54. The commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance 989
with chapter 54 to carry out the provisions of this subsection. 990
(d) Any person, firm or corporation engaging in the business of the 991
buying, selling, offering for sale or brokerage of any motor vehicle or of 992
the repairing of any motor vehicle without a license shall be guilty of a 993 Substitute Bill No. 261
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class B misdemeanor. 994
(e) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall transmit to the 995
Commissioner of Revenue Services and the Commissioner of Energy 996
and Environmental Protection a summary of any complaint that the 997
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles receives alleging that a person, firm or 998
corporation is engaging in the business of the buying, selling, offering 999
for sale or brokerage of any motor vehicle or of the repairing of any 1000
motor vehicle without a license. 1001
Sec. 22. Section 14-52a of the general statutes is repealed and the 1002
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 1003
(a) The commissioner may, after notice and hearing, refuse to grant 1004
or renew a license to a person, firm or corporation to engage in the 1005
business of selling or repairing motor vehicles pursuant to the 1006
provisions of section 14-52, as amended by this act, if the applicant for 1007
or holder of such a license, or an officer or major stockholder if the 1008
applicant or licensee is a firm or corporation, has been found liable in a 1009
civil action for, or convicted of, a violation of any provision of laws 1010
pertaining to the business of a motor vehicle dealer or repairer including 1011
a motor vehicle recycler, or of any violation involving fraud, larceny or 1012
deprivation or misappropriation of property, in the courts of the United 1013
States or of any state. Each applicant for such a license shall submit to a 1014
state criminal history records check, conducted in accordance with 1015
section 29-17a and based on the applicant's name and date of birth, not 1016
more than thirty days before such application is made and provide the 1017
results of such records check to the Department of Motor Vehicles. The 1018
commissioner may require a person, firm or corporation to submit its 1019
application electronically. Upon renewal of such license, [such] a 1020
licensee shall make full disclosure of any such civil judgment or 1021
conviction under penalty of false statement. 1022
(b) The commissioner shall not, after notice and hearing, grant or 1023
renew a license to an applicant [or licensee] for or the holder of a used 1024
car dealer's license that is delinquent in the payment of sales tax in 1025 Substitute Bill No. 261
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connection with a business from which it is or was obligated to remit 1026
sales tax, as reported to the commissioner by the Department of 1027
Revenue Services. 1028
Sec. 23. Subsection (a) of section 14-62 of the general statutes is 1029
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1030
1, 2021): 1031
(a) Each sale shall be evidenced by [an] a retail purchase order 1032
properly signed by both the buyer and seller, a copy of which shall be 1033
furnished to the buyer when executed, and an invoice upon delivery of 1034
the motor vehicle, both of which shall contain the following information: 1035
(1) Make of vehicle; (2) [year of] the vehicle's model year, whether sold 1036
as new or used, and [on invoice] the vehicle's identification number; (3) 1037
deposit, and (A) if the deposit is not refundable, the words "No Refund 1038
of Deposit" shall appear at this point, [and] (B) if the deposit is 1039
conditionally refundable, the words "Conditional Refund of Deposit" 1040
shall appear at this point, followed by a statement giving the conditions 1041
for refund, [and] (C) if the deposit is unconditionally refundable, the 1042
words "Unconditional Refund" shall appear at this point, and (D) if the 1043
buyer is financing the motor vehicle through the seller, a statement that 1044
the deposit is refundable if the seller does not provide written proof of 1045
approved financing to the buyer prior to the execution of the retail 1046
purchase order; (4) cash selling price; (5) finance charges, and (A) if 1047
these charges do not include insurance, the words "No Insurance" shall 1048
appear at this point, and (B) if these charges include insurance, a 1049
statement shall appear at this point giving the exact type of coverage; (6) 1050
allowance on motor vehicle traded in, if any, and description of the 1051
same; (7) stamped or printed in a size equal to at least ten-point bold 1052
type on the face of both order and invoice one of the following forms: 1053
(A) "This motor vehicle not guaranteed", or (B) "This motor vehicle is 1054
guaranteed", followed by a statement as to the terms of such guarantee, 1055
which terms shall include the duration of the guarantee or the number 1056
of miles the guarantee shall remain in effect. Such statement shall not 1057
apply to household furnishings of any trailer; (8) if the motor vehicle is 1058 Substitute Bill No. 261
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new but has been subject to use by the seller or use in connection with 1059
his business as a dealer, the word "demonstrator" shall be clearly 1060
displayed on the face of both order and invoice; (9) any dealer 1061
conveyance fee or processing fee and a statement that such fee is not 1062
payable to the state of Connecticut printed in at least ten-point bold type 1063
on the face of both order and invoice; and (10) the dealer's legal name, 1064
address and license number. For the purposes of this subdivision, 1065
"dealer conveyance fee" or "processing fee" means a fee charged by a 1066
dealer to recover reasonable costs for processing all documentation and 1067
performing services related to the closing of a sale, including, but not 1068
limited to, the registration and transfer of ownership of the motor 1069
vehicle which is the subject of the sale. 1070
Sec. 24. Subsection (a) of section 14-69 of the general statutes is 1071
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 1072
2021): 1073
(a) No person shall engage in the business of conducting a drivers' 1074
school without being licensed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. 1075
An application for a license shall be in writing and shall contain such 1076
information as the commissioner requires. Each applicant for a license 1077
shall be fingerprinted before such application is approved. The 1078
commissioner shall subject each applicant for a license to state and 1079
national criminal history records checks conducted in accordance with 1080
section 29-17a, and a check of the state child abuse and neglect registry 1081
established pursuant to section 17a-101k. If any such applicant has a 1082
criminal record or is listed on the state child abuse and neglect registry, 1083
the commissioner shall make a determination of whether to issue a 1084
license to conduct a drivers' school in accordance with the standards and 1085
procedures set forth in section 14-44 and the regulations adopted 1086
pursuant to said section. If the application is approved, the applicant 1087
shall be granted a license upon the payment of a fee of seven hundred 1088
dollars and a deposit with the commissioner of [cash or] a bond of a 1089
surety company authorized to do business in this state, conditioned on 1090
the faithful performance by the applicant of any contract to furnish 1091 Substitute Bill No. 261
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instruction, in either case in such amount as the commissioner may 1092
require, such [cash or] bond to be held by the commissioner to satisfy 1093
any execution issued against such school in a cause arising out of failure 1094
of such school to perform such contract. For each additional place of 1095
business of such school, the commissioner shall charge a fee of one 1096
hundred seventy-six dollars, except if the licensee opens an additional 1097
place of business with one year or less remaining on the term of its 1098
license, the commissioner shall charge a fee of eighty-eight dollars for 1099
each such additional place of business for the year or any part thereof 1100
remaining on the term of such license. No license shall be required in 1101
the case of any board of education, or any public, private or parochial 1102
school, which conducts a course in driver education established in 1103
accordance with sections 14-36e, as amended by this act, and 14-36f, as 1104
amended by this act. A license so issued shall be valid for two years. The 1105
commissioner shall issue a license certificate or certificates to each 1106
licensee, one of which shall be displayed in each place of business of the 1107
licensee. In case of the loss, mutilation or destruction of a certificate, the 1108
commissioner shall issue a duplicate upon proof of the facts and the 1109
payment of a fee of twenty dollars. 1110
Sec. 25. Section 14-78 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1111
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 1112
The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the 1113
provisions of chapter 54, [for (1)] regarding the conduct of drivers' 1114
schools and instructor license requirements. Such regulations shall (1) 1115
establish the conduct of drivers' schools, including, but not limited to, 1116
requirements as to the inspection of the vehicles used by the drivers' 1117
schools in the conduct of their business, instructional standards and 1118
procedures, including instruction of not less than fifteen minutes 1119
concerning the responsibilities of an operator of a motor vehicle under 1120
subsection (b) of section 14-223 and the penalty for a violation of the 1121
provisions of said subsection, [(b),] instruction concerning highway 1122
work zone safety and the responsibilities of an operator of a motor 1123
vehicle under section 14-212d, the administration of a test at the 1124 Substitute Bill No. 261
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conclusion of each class, the posting of rates charged for instruction, and 1125
the general form in which records [shall be kept] concerning persons 1126
under instruction and those who have completed their course of 1127
instruction [, and (2) the establishment of] shall be kept and, when 1128
required, the method of transmission to the commissioner, (2) permit a 1129
class or classroom instruction to be offered in person in a congregate 1130
setting, through real-time interactive distance learning or through a 1131
combination of both in-person and real-time interactive distance 1132
learning, and (3) establish the requirements for a person to receive a 1133
license as an instructor in accordance with section 14-73. On and after 1134
October 1, 2010, the commissioner shall not issue a license that is limited 1135
to classroom instruction. Any person who was issued such limited 1136
license prior to October 1, 2010, may maintain and renew such license. 1137
Sec. 26. Subsection (b) of section 14-111g of the general statutes is 1138
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 1139
passage): 1140
(b) The retraining program shall be taught by a designee of the 1141
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or by an instructor approved by the 1142
commissioner and shall (1) review principles of motor vehicle operation, 1143
(2) develop alternative attitudes for those attitudes contributing to 1144
aggressive driving behavior, and (3) emphasize the need to practice safe 1145
driving behavior. The retraining program shall be offered by the 1146
Department of Motor Vehicles or by any other organization certified by 1147
the commissioner to conduct such program in person in a congregate 1148
setting, through distance learning or through a combination of both in-1149
person and distance learning. Any drivers' school, as defined in section 1150
14-68, that meets the licensure requirements of part IV of this chapter 1151
shall be eligible to seek certification to offer the motor vehicle operator's 1152
retraining program. The commissioner shall determine the number of 1153
program providers necessary to serve the needs of the public. Each 1154
organization or drivers' school seeking certification or recertification to 1155
conduct such retraining program shall submit an application to the 1156
department in such form as the commissioner shall require and an 1157 Substitute Bill No. 261
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application fee of three hundred fifty dollars. Each such applicant shall: 1158
(A) Be registered to do business in this state and continuously maintain 1159
good standing with the office of the Secretary of the State; (B) file and 1160
continuously maintain a surety bond in the amount of fifty thousand 1161
dollars. Such bond shall be conditioned upon compliance with the 1162
provisions of any state or federal law or regulation concerning the 1163
conduct of an operator retraining program and provided as indemnity 1164
for any loss or expense sustained by either the state or any person by 1165
reason of any acts or omissions of the program provider. Such bond 1166
shall be executed in the name of the State of Connecticut for the benefit 1167
of any aggrieved party, but the penalty of the bond shall not be invoked 1168
except upon order of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles after a 1169
hearing held before the commissioner in accordance with the provisions 1170
of chapter 54; (C) have a permanent place of business in this state where 1171
all operator retraining program records shall be maintained and 1172
accessible to the commissioner during normal business hours; (D) 1173
submit for approval by the commissioner a detailed curriculum and 1174
lesson plan, including any changes to such curriculum and lesson plan, 1175
which shall be used in each operator retraining class; and (E) 1176
electronically transmit information concerning enrollment and class 1177
completion to the commissioner at such times and in such form as the 1178
commissioner shall prescribe. Prior to the certification of an applicant, 1179
the commissioner shall investigate the applicant's character, driving 1180
history and criminal history. If the applicant is a business entity, such 1181
investigation shall include the principals and officers of such entity. The 1182
applicant shall submit to the commissioner any information pertaining 1183
to current or past criminal or civil actions. The certification of a program 1184
provider by the commissioner shall not be transferable and shall be 1185
valid for a two-year period. Recertification of a provider shall be at the 1186
discretion of the commissioner and in such form and manner 1187
determined by the commissioner. 1188
Sec. 27. Subsection (c) of section 14-164c of the general statutes is 1189
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 1190
2021): 1191 Substitute Bill No. 261
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(c) The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with 1192
chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section. Such regulations 1193
shall include provision for a periodic inspection of air pollution control 1194
equipment and compliance with or waiver of exhaust emission 1195
standards or compliance with or waiver of on-board diagnostic 1196
standards or other standards defined by the Commissioner of Energy 1197
and Environmental Protection and approved by the Administrator of 1198
the United States Environmental Protection Agency, compliance with or 1199
waiver of, air pollution control system integrity standards defined by 1200
the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection and 1201
compliance with or waiver of purge system standards defined by the 1202
Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection. Such 1203
regulations may provide for an inspection procedure using an on-board 1204
diagnostic information system for all 1996 model year and newer motor 1205
vehicles. Such regulations shall apply to all motor vehicles registered or 1206
which will be registered in this state, and to all motor vehicles sold by a 1207
dealer licensed in this state as required by subsection (n) of this section, 1208
except: (1) Vehicles having a gross weight of more than ten thousand 1209
pounds; (2) vehicles powered by electricity; (3) bicycles with motors 1210
attached; (4) motorcycles; (5) vehicles operating with a temporary 1211
registration; (6) vehicles manufactured twenty-five or more years ago; 1212
(7) new vehicles at the time of initial registration; (8) vehicles registered 1213
but not designed primarily for highway use; (9) farm vehicles, as 1214
defined in subsection (q) of section 14-49; (10) diesel-powered type II 1215
school buses; (11) a vehicle operated by a licensed dealer or repairer 1216
either to or from a location of the purchase or sale of such vehicle or for 1217
the purpose of obtaining an official emissions or safety inspection; (12) 1218
vehicles that have met the inspection requirements of section 14-103a 1219
and are registered by the commissioner as composite vehicles; (13) 1220
electric bicycles, as defined in section 14-1; or (14) electric foot scooters, 1221
as defined in section 14-1. On and after July 1, 2002, such regulations 1222
shall exempt from the periodic inspection requirement any vehicle four 1223
or less model years of age, beginning with model year 2003 and the 1224
previous three model years, provided that such exemption shall lapse 1225
upon a finding by the Administrator of the United States Environmental 1226 Substitute Bill No. 261
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Protection Agency or by the Secretary of the United States Department 1227
of Transportation that such exemption causes the state to violate 1228
applicable federal environmental or transportation planning 1229
requirements. Notwithstanding any provisions of this subsection, the 1230
commissioner may require an initial emissions inspection and 1231
compliance or waiver prior to registration of a new motor vehicle. If the 1232
Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection finds that it is 1233
necessary to inspect motor vehicles which are exempt under subdivision 1234
(1) or (4) of this subsection, or motor vehicles that are four or less model 1235
years of age in order to achieve compliance with federal law concerning 1236
emission reduction requirements, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles 1237
may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, 1238
to require the inspection of motorcycles, designated motor vehicles 1239
having a gross weight of more than ten thousand pounds or motor 1240
vehicles four or less model years of age. 1241
Sec. 28. Subdivision (1) of subsection (k) of section 14-164c of the 1242
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 1243
thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 1244
(k) (1) The commissioner, with approval of the Secretary of the Office 1245
of Policy and Management, shall establish, and from time to time 1246
modify, the inspection fees, not to exceed twenty dollars for each 1247
biennial inspection or reinspection required pursuant to this chapter for 1248
inspections performed at official emissions inspection stations. Such 1249
fees shall be paid in a manner prescribed by the commissioner. If the 1250
costs to the state of the emissions inspection program, including 1251
administrative costs and payments to any independent contractor, 1252
exceed the income from such fees, such excess costs shall be borne by 1253
the state. Any person whose vehicle has been inspected at an official 1254
emissions inspection station shall, if such vehicle is found not to comply 1255
with any required standards, have the vehicle repaired and have the 1256
right within sixty consecutive calendar days to return such vehicle to 1257
the same official emissions inspection station for one reinspection 1258
without charge, provided, where the sixtieth day falls on a Sunday, legal 1259 Substitute Bill No. 261
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holiday or a day on which the commissioner has established that special 1260
circumstances or conditions exist that have caused emissions inspection 1261
to be impracticable, such person may return such vehicle for 1262
reinspection on the next day. The commissioner shall assess a late fee of 1263
twenty dollars against the owner of a motor vehicle that has not 1264
presented such motor vehicle for an emissions inspection within thirty 1265
days following the expiration date of the assigned inspection period, or 1266
that has not presented such motor vehicle for a reinspection within sixty 1267
days following a test failure, or both. The commissioner may waive such 1268
late fee when it is proven to the commissioner's satisfaction that the 1269
failure to have the vehicle inspected within thirty days of the assigned 1270
inspection period or during the sixty-day reinspection period was due 1271
to exigent circumstances. If ownership of the motor vehicle has been 1272
transferred, the new owner shall have such motor vehicle inspected 1273
within thirty days of the registration of such motor vehicle. The 1274
commissioner may specify a longer period for all new owners to achieve 1275
compliance after a transfer of ownership if circumstances require 1276
closure or limited operations of the Department of Motor Vehicles or 1277
emissions inspection stations. After the expiration of such thirty-day 1278
period, or the period specified by the commissioner, the commissioner 1279
shall require the payment of the late fee specified in this subdivision. If 1280
the thirtieth day falls on a Sunday, legal holiday or a day on which the 1281
commissioner has established that special circumstances or conditions 1282
exist that have caused emissions inspection to be impracticable, such 1283
vehicle may be inspected on the next day and no late fee shall be 1284
assessed. 1285
Sec. 29. Subsection (a) of section 14-227b of the general statutes is 1286
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 1287
2021): 1288
(a) Any person who operates a motor vehicle in this state shall be 1289
deemed to have given such person's consent to a chemical analysis of 1290
such person's blood, breath or urine and, if such person is a minor, such 1291
person's parent or parents or guardian shall also be deemed to have 1292 Substitute Bill No. 261
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given their consent. As used in this section, "motor vehicle" includes a 1293
snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle, as such terms are defined in section 1294
14-379. 1295
Sec. 30. Subsection (a) of section 14-276a of the general statutes is 1296
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 1297
passage): 1298
(a) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations, in 1299
accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, establishing a procedure 1300
for the safety training of school bus operators and operators of student 1301
transportation vehicles. Such regulations shall provide for minimum 1302
proficiency requirements for school bus operators. The safety training 1303
administered by the commissioner shall conform to the minimum 1304
requirements of number 17 of the National Highway Safety Standards. 1305
Such safety training shall include instruction relative to the location, 1306
contents and use of the first aid kit in the motor vehicle. A class or 1307
classroom instruction may be offered in person in a congregate setting, 1308
through distance learning or through a combination of both in-person 1309
and distance learning. 1310
Sec. 31. Subsection (c) of section 14-276a of the general statutes is 1311
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 1312
passage): 1313
(c) Any town or regional school district may require its school bus 1314
operators to have completed a safety training course in the operation of 1315
school buses, consisting of a minimum of ten hours of behind-the-wheel 1316
instruction and three hours of classroom instruction. Classroom 1317
instruction shall include instruction offered in person in a congregate 1318
setting, through distance learning or through a combination of both in-1319
person and distance learning. 1320
Sec. 32. Subsection (e) of section 15-144 of the general statutes is 1321
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 1322
passage): 1323 Substitute Bill No. 261
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(e) (1) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may permit marine 1324
dealers, as defined in section 15-141, to assign registration numbers and 1325
issue [temporary] certificates of number upon the sale or transfer of a 1326
vessel. The dealer shall within ten days from the issuance of such 1327
[temporary] certificate submit to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles 1328
an application together with all necessary documents, information and 1329
fees [for a permanent] corresponding to the certificate of number issued 1330
for the vessel transfer. 1331
(2) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may permit such marine 1332
dealers to issue [temporary] certificates of decal upon the sale or transfer 1333
of a documented vessel. The dealer shall within ten days from the 1334
issuance of such [temporary] certificate submit to the Commissioner of 1335
Motor Vehicles an application together with all necessary documents, 1336
information and fees [for a permanent] corresponding to the certificate 1337
of decal [with respect to] issued for such vessel. 1338
(3) [On and after March 1, 2005, the] The Commissioner of Motor 1339
Vehicles shall permit marine dealers [, as defined in section 15-141,] to 1340
submit the applications and documents required under subdivisions (1) 1341
and (2) of this subsection by electronic means. [Said] The commissioner 1342
[shall] may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to carry 1343
out the provisions of this subdivision. 1344
Sec. 33. Section 14-12 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1345
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2021): 1346
(a) No motor vehicle shall be operated, towed or parked on any 1347
highway, except as otherwise expressly provided, unless it is registered 1348
with the commissioner, provided any motor vehicle may be towed for 1349
repairs or necessary work if it bears the [markers] number plates of a 1350
licensed and registered dealer, manufacturer or repairer and provided 1351
any motor vehicle which is validly registered in another state may, for a 1352
period of [sixty] ninety days following establishment by the owner of 1353
residence in this state, be operated on any highway without first being 1354
registered with the commissioner. Except as otherwise provided in this 1355 Substitute Bill No. 261
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subsection, (1) a person commits an infraction if such person (A) 1356
registers a motor vehicle he or she does not own, or (B) operates, allows 1357
the operation of, parks or allows the parking of an unregistered motor 1358
vehicle on any highway, or (2) a resident of this state who operates or 1359
parks a motor vehicle such resident owns with [marker] number plates 1360
issued by another state on any highway shall be fined one thousand 1361
dollars. If the owner of a motor vehicle previously registered with the 1362
commissioner, the registration of which expired not more than thirty 1363
days previously, operates, allows the operation of, parks or allows that 1364
parking of such a motor vehicle, such owner shall be fined the amount 1365
designated for the infraction of failure to renew a registration, but the 1366
right to retain his or her operator's license shall not be affected. No 1367
operator other than the owner shall be subject to penalty for the 1368
operation or parking of such a previously registered motor vehicle. As 1369
used in this subsection, the term "unregistered motor vehicle" includes 1370
any vehicle that is not eligible for registration by the commissioner due 1371
to the absence of necessary equipment or other characteristics of the 1372
vehicle that make it unsuitable for highway operation, unless the 1373
operation of such vehicle is expressly permitted by another provision of 1374
this chapter or chapter 248. 1375
(b) To obtain a motor vehicle registration, except as provided in 1376
subsection (c) of this section, the owner shall [file in the office of] submit 1377
to the commissioner an application signed by [him] such owner and 1378
containing such information and proof of ownership as the 1379
commissioner may require. The application shall be made [on blanks 1380
furnished by the commissioner. The blanks shall be] in such form and 1381
contain such provisions and information as the commissioner may 1382
determine. 1383
(c) The commissioner may, for the more efficient administration of 1384
the commissioner's duties, appoint licensed dealers meeting 1385
qualifications established by the commissioner pursuant to regulations 1386
adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to (1) issue new 1387
registrations for passenger motor vehicles, motorcycles, campers, camp 1388 Substitute Bill No. 261
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trailers, commercial trailers, service buses, school buses, trucks or other 1389
vehicle types as determined by the commissioner, [when they are sold 1390
by a licensed dealer. The commissioner shall charge such dealer a fee of 1391
ten dollars for each new dealer issue form furnished for the purposes of 1392
this subsection] and (2) renew such registrations for such vehicle types. 1393
A person [purchasing] registering or renewing the registration of a 1394
motor vehicle or other vehicle type as determined by the commissioner 1395
from a dealer so appointed [and registering such vehicle pursuant to 1396
this section] shall file an application with the dealer and pay, to the 1397
dealer, [a fee] the registration fee in accordance with the provisions of 1398
section 14-49, as amended by this act, and any other applicable fees. The 1399
commissioner may authorize such dealer to charge a convenience fee 1400
pursuant to subsection (b) of section 14-41, as amended by this act. The 1401
commissioner shall prescribe the time and manner in which the 1402
application and [fee] fees, other than the convenience fee, shall be 1403
transmitted to the commissioner. 1404
(d) A motor vehicle registration certificate issued upon an application 1405
containing any material false statement is void from the date of its issue 1406
and shall be surrendered, upon demand, with any number plate or 1407
plates, to the commissioner. Any money paid for the registration 1408
certificate shall be forfeited to the state. No person shall obtain or 1409
attempt to obtain any registration for another by misrepresentation or 1410
impersonation and any registration so obtained shall be void. The 1411
commissioner may require each applicant for a motor vehicle 1412
registration to furnish personal identification satisfactory to the 1413
commissioner and may require any applicant who has established 1414
residence in this state for more than thirty days to obtain a motor vehicle 1415
operator's license, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of 1416
section 14-36, as amended by this act, or an identification card issued 1417
pursuant to section 1-1h, as amended by this act. Any person who 1418
violates any provision of this subsection and any person who fails to 1419
surrender a falsely obtained motor vehicle registration or number plate 1420
or plates upon the demand of the commissioner shall be fined not more 1421
than two hundred dollars. 1422 Substitute Bill No. 261
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(e) The commissioner may register any motor vehicle under the 1423
provisions of this chapter, may assign a distinguishing registration 1424
number to the registered motor vehicle and may then issue a certificate 1425
of registration to the owner. A certificate of registration shall contain the 1426
registration number assigned to the motor vehicle and its vehicle 1427
identification number and shall be in such form and contain such further 1428
information as the commissioner determines. 1429
(f) (1) The commissioner may refuse to register or issue a certificate 1430
of title for a motor vehicle or class of motor vehicles if [he] the 1431
commissioner determines that the characteristics of the motor vehicle or 1432
class of motor vehicles make it unsafe for highway operation. The 1433
commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions 1434
of chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this subsection and the 1435
provisions of subsection (h) of this section. 1436
(2) The commissioner shall not register a motor vehicle if [he] the 1437
commissioner knows that the motor vehicle's equipment fails to comply 1438
with the provisions of this chapter, provided nothing contained in this 1439
section shall preclude the commissioner from issuing one or more 1440
temporary registrations for a motor vehicle not previously registered in 1441
this state or from issuing a temporary registration for a motor vehicle 1442
under a trade name without a certified copy of the notice required by 1443
section 35-1. 1444
(3) The commissioner shall not register any motor vehicle, except a 1445
platform truck the motive power of which is electricity, or a tractor 1446
equipped with solid tires, if it is not equipped with lighting devices as 1447
prescribed by this chapter. The registration of any motor vehicle which 1448
is not equipped with such prescribed lighting devices is void and money 1449
paid for the registration shall be forfeited to the state. Nothing in this 1450
subdivision shall prevent the commissioner, at [his] the commissioner's 1451
discretion, from registering a motor vehicle not equipped with certain 1452
lighting devices if the operation of the vehicle is restricted to daylight 1453
use. 1454 Substitute Bill No. 261
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(4) The commissioner shall not register any motor vehicle or a 1455
combination of a motor vehicle and a trailer or semitrailer [which] that 1456
exceeds the limits specified in section 14-267a. 1457
(5) [On or after October 1, 1984, no] No motor vehicle registration 1458
shall be issued by the commissioner for any motorcycle unless the 1459
application for registration is accompanied by sufficient proof, as 1460
determined by the commissioner, that the motorcycle is insured for the 1461
amounts required by section 14-289f. 1462
(6) The commissioner shall not register any motor vehicle which is 1463
subject to the federal heavy vehicle use tax imposed under Section 4481 1464
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or any subsequent corresponding 1465
internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time 1466
amended, if the applicant fails to furnish proof of payment of such tax, 1467
in a form prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury of the United 1468
States. 1469
(g) The commissioner may elect not to register any motor vehicle 1470
which is ten or more model years old and which has not been previously 1471
registered in this state until the same has been presented, as directed by 1472
the commissioner, at the main office or a branch office of the 1473
Department of Motor Vehicles or to any designated official emissions 1474
inspection station or other business or firm, authorized by the 1475
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to conduct safety inspections, and has 1476
passed the inspection as to its safety features as required by the 1477
commissioner. When a motor vehicle owned by a resident of this state 1478
is garaged in another jurisdiction and cannot be conveniently presented 1479
at an office of the Department of Motor Vehicles, an authorized 1480
emissions inspection station or other facility, the commissioner may 1481
accept an inspection made by authorities in such other jurisdiction or by 1482
appropriate military authorities, provided the commissioner 1483
determines that such inspection is comparable to that conducted by the 1484
Department of Motor Vehicles. If the commissioner authorizes the 1485
contractor that operates the system of official emissions inspection 1486
stations or other business or firm to conduct the safety inspections 1487 Substitute Bill No. 261
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required by this subsection, the commissioner may authorize the 1488
contractor or other business or firm to charge a fee, not to exceed fifteen 1489
dollars, for each such inspection. The commissioner may authorize any 1490
motor vehicle dealer or repairer, licensed in accordance with section 14-1491
52, as amended by this act, and meeting qualifications established by the 1492
commissioner, to perform an inspection required by this section or to 1493
make repairs to any motor vehicle that has failed an initial safety 1494
inspection and to certify to the commissioner that the motor vehicle is 1495
in compliance with the safety and equipment standards for registration. 1496
No such authorized dealer or repairer shall charge any additional fee to 1497
make such certification to the commissioner. If the commissioner 1498
authorizes any such dealer or repairer to conduct safety inspections, 1499
such licensee may provide written certification to the commissioner, in 1500
such form and manner as the commissioner prescribes, as to compliance 1501
of any motor vehicle in its inventory with safety and equipment 1502
standards and such certification may be accepted by the commissioner 1503
as meeting the inspection requirements of this subsection. 1504
(h) The commissioner shall not register any motor vehicle unless it 1505
meets the equipment related registration requirements contained in 1506
sections 14-80, 14-100, 14-100a, 14-100b, 14-106a and 14-275. 1507
(i) The commissioner or any city, town, borough or other taxing 1508
district authorized under subsection (f) of section 14-33 may issue a 1509
temporary registration to the owner of a motor vehicle. The application 1510
for a temporary registration shall conform to the provisions of this 1511
section. A temporary registration may be issued for a period of time 1512
determined by the commissioner and may be renewed from time to time 1513
at the discretion of the commissioner. The fee for a temporary 1514
registration or any renewal thereof shall be as provided in subsection 1515
(n) of section 14-49. 1516
(j) The commissioner may issue a special use registration to the owner 1517
of a motor vehicle for a period not to exceed thirty days for the sole 1518
purpose of driving such vehicle to another state in which the vehicle is 1519
to be registered and exclusively used. The application for such 1520 Substitute Bill No. 261
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registration shall conform to the provisions of subsection (b) of this 1521
section. The commissioner may issue special use certificates and plates 1522
in such form as [he] the commissioner may determine. The special use 1523
certificate shall state such limitation on the operation of such vehicle and 1524
shall be carried in the vehicle at all times when it is being operated on 1525
any highway. 1526
(k) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a), (b) and (e) of 1527
this section, the commissioner shall issue to a municipality, as defined 1528
in section 7-245, or a regional solid waste authority comprised of several 1529
municipalities, upon receipt of an application by the municipality or 1530
regional solid waste authority, a general distinguishing number plate 1531
for use on a motor vehicle owned or leased by such municipality or 1532
regional solid waste authority. 1533
(l) Not later than January 1, 2018, the Department of Motor Vehicles 1534
shall record the number of electric vehicles, as defined in section 16-1535
19eee, registered in the state. This data shall be publicly available on the 1536
department's Internet web site and shall include (1) the number of 1537
electric vehicles registered in the state each year, and (2) the total 1538
number of electric vehicles registered in the state. The department shall 1539
update this information every six months. 1540
Sec. 34. Subsection (h) of section 14-96q of the general statutes is 1541
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 1542
passage): 1543
(h) The commissioner may issue a permit for emergency vehicles, as 1544
defined in subsection (a) of section 14-283, as amended by this act, to use 1545
a blue, red, yellow, or white light or lights, including a flashing light or 1546
lights or any combination thereof, except as provided in subsection [(j)] 1547
(k) of this section. 1548
Sec. 35. Section 14-283 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1549
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 1550
(a) As used in this section, "emergency vehicle" means (1) any 1551 Substitute Bill No. 261
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ambulance or vehicle operated by a member of an emergency medical 1552
service organization responding to an emergency call [,] or taking a 1553
patient to a hospital, (2) any vehicle used by a fire department or by any 1554
officer of a fire department while on the way to a fire or while 1555
responding to an emergency call but not while returning from a fire or 1556
emergency call, (3) any state or local police vehicle operated by a police 1557
officer or inspector of the Department of Motor Vehicles answering an 1558
emergency call or in the pursuit of fleeing law violators, [or] (4) any 1559
Department of Correction vehicle operated by a Department of 1560
Correction officer while in the course of such officer's employment and 1561
while responding to an emergency call, or (5) any Department of Energy 1562
and Environmental Protection vehicle operated by a Department of 1563
Energy and Environmental Protection employee authorized to operate 1564
such vehicle while in the course of such employee's employment and 1565
while on the way to a fire or responding to an emergency call but not 1566
while returning from a fire or emergency call. 1567
(b) (1) The operator of any emergency vehicle may (A) park or stand 1568
such vehicle, irrespective of the provisions of this chapter, (B) except as 1569
provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, proceed past any red 1570
light, [or] stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down or 1571
stopping to the extent necessary for the safe operation of such vehicle, 1572
(C) exceed the posted speed limits or other speed limits imposed by or 1573
pursuant to section 14-218a or 14-219 as long as such operator does not 1574
endanger life or property by so doing, and (D) disregard statutes, 1575
ordinances or regulations governing direction of movement or turning 1576
in specific directions. 1577
(2) The operator of any emergency vehicle shall immediately bring 1578
such vehicle to a stop not less than ten feet from the front when 1579
approaching and not less than ten feet from the rear when overtaking or 1580
following any registered school bus on any highway or private road or 1581
in any parking area or on any school property when such school bus is 1582
displaying flashing red signal lights and such operator may then 1583
proceed as long as he or she does not endanger life or property by so 1584 Substitute Bill No. 261
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doing. 1585
(c) The exemptions granted in this section shall apply only when an 1586
emergency vehicle is making use of an audible warning signal device, 1587
including, but not limited to, a siren, whistle or bell which meets the 1588
requirements of subsection (f) of section 14-80, and visible flashing or 1589
revolving lights which meet the requirements of sections 14-96p and 14-1590
96q, as amended by this act, and to any state or local police vehicle 1591
properly and lawfully making use of an audible warning signal device 1592
only. 1593
(d) The provisions of this section shall not relieve the operator of an 1594
emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety 1595
of all persons and property. 1596
(e) Upon the immediate approach of an emergency vehicle making 1597
use of such an audible warning signal device and such visible flashing 1598
or revolving lights or of any state or local police vehicle properly and 1599
lawfully making use of an audible warning signal device only, the 1600
operator of every other vehicle in the immediate vicinity shall 1601
immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, 1602
the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and 1603
shall stop and remain in such position until the emergency vehicle has 1604
passed, except when otherwise directed by a state or local police officer 1605
or a firefighter. 1606
(f) Any person who is (1) operating a motor vehicle that is not an 1607
emergency vehicle, [as defined in subsection (a) of this section,] and (2) 1608
following an ambulance that is using flashing lights or a siren, shall not 1609
follow such [vehicle] ambulance more closely than one hundred feet. 1610
(g) Any officer of a fire department may remove, or cause to be 1611
removed, any vehicle upon any [public] highway or private way which 1612
obstructs or [retards] impedes any fire department, or any officer 1613
thereof, in controlling or extinguishing any fire. 1614
(h) Any person who wilfully or negligently obstructs or [retards any 1615 Substitute Bill No. 261
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ambulance or vehicle operated by a member of an emergency medical 1616
service organization while answering any emergency call or taking a 1617
patient to a hospital, or any vehicle used by a fire department or any 1618
officer or member of a fire department while on the way to a fire, or 1619
while responding to an emergency call, or any vehicle used by the state 1620
police or any local police department, or any officer of the Division of 1621
State Police within the Department of Emergency Services and Public 1622
Protection or any local police department while on the way to an 1623
emergency call or in the pursuit of fleeing law violators,] impedes an 1624
emergency vehicle or any vehicle used by the state or local police shall 1625
be fined not more than two hundred fifty dollars. 1626
(i) Nothing in this section shall be construed as permitting the use of 1627
a siren upon any motor vehicle other than an emergency vehicle [, as 1628
defined in subsection (a) of this section, or a rescue service vehicle 1629
which] or an authorized emergency medical services vehicle that is 1630
registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to section 1631
19a-181. 1632
(j) A police officer may issue a written warning or a summons to the 1633
owner of a vehicle based upon an affidavit signed by the operator of an 1634
emergency vehicle specifying (1) the license plate number, color and 1635
type of any vehicle observed violating any provision of subsection (e) or 1636
(h) of this section, and (2) the date, approximate time and location of 1637
such violation. 1638
Sec. 36. Subdivision (5) of section 14-1 of the general statutes is 1639
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 1640
passage): 1641
(5) "Authorized emergency vehicle" means (A) a fire department 1642
vehicle, (B) a police vehicle, or (C) [a public service company or 1643
municipal department ambulance or emergency vehicle designated or 1644
authorized for use as an authorized emergency vehicle by the 1645
commissioner] an ambulance; 1646 Substitute Bill No. 261
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Sec. 37. Section 14-163f of the general statutes is repealed. (Effective 1647
October 1, 2021) 1648
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 14-50b(a)
Sec. 3 July 1, 2021 14-11c(b)
Sec. 4 July 1, 2021 14-15d
Sec. 5 July 1, 2021 14-16(b)
Sec. 6 July 1, 2021 14-21z
Sec. 7 July 1, 2021 14-21aa
Sec. 8 July 1, 2021 14-25c
Sec. 9 October 1, 2021 14-29
Sec. 10 July 1, 2021 14-36
Sec. 11 from passage 14-36d
Sec. 12 from passage 14-36e
Sec. 13 from passage 14-36f
Sec. 14 from passage 14-41(b)
Sec. 15 July 1, 2021 14-44c
Sec. 16 July 1, 2021 14-44e(g)
Sec. 17 July 1, 2021 14-44i(b)
Sec. 18 October 1, 2021 14-44k(g)
Sec. 19 July 1, 2021 14-45a(b)
Sec. 20 October 1, 2021 14-49(e)
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(b)
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)
Sec. 31 from passage 14-276a(c)
Sec. 32 from passage 15-144(e)
Sec. 33 October 1, 2021 14-12
Sec. 34 from passage 14-96q(h) Substitute Bill No. 261
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Sec. 35 from passage 14-283
Sec. 36 from passage 14-1(5)
Sec. 37 October 1, 2021 Repealer section
TRA Joint Favorable Subst.