O F F I C E O F L E G I S L A T I V E R E S E A R C H
P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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PA 21-106—sSB 261
Transportation Committee
AN ACT CONCERNING RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES, REVISIONS TO THE MOTOR
VEHICLE STATUTES AND PEER-TO-PEER CAR SHARING
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
§§ 1 & 2 — IDENTITY CARDS
Establishes grounds for revoking identity cards and a restoration fee for revoked cards
§§ 3, 6, 24 & 33 — TECHNICAL CHANGES AN D CORRECTIONS
Makes technical changes and corrections, such as updating references to proper departments
§ 4 — FEE ON FREQUENT FILERS FOR REGISTRATION AND TITLE
CERTIFICATES
Imposes a fee on certain people and entities that file seven or more registration or title certificate
applications per month and fail to do so electronically
§ 5 — “SAVE OUR LAKES” PLATES
Establishes fees for Save Our Lakes commemorative plates and allows DMV to retain a portion to
defray production and issuance costs
§ 7 — STUDENT TRANSPORTATI ON VEHICLE REGISTRATION
Increases the registration fees for student transportation vehicles designed as passenger vehicles
to reflect current DMV practice
§ 8 — COMMERCIAL PASSENGER VEHICLE INSURANCE
Principally, increases the minimum insurance coverage requirements for non-livery service
vehicles (e.g., buses) that transport eight or more passengers
§§ 9 & 41 — DRIVER’S LICENSE AND PERMIT CHANGES
Increases the time period within which individuals must obtain a Connecticut driver’s license after
establishing residency in the state; modifies driver testing requirements for applicants with
expired licenses; adds a vision exam option towards satisfying license and permit requirements
§ 9 — COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE KNOWLEDGE TE STS FOR
ELIGIBLE VETERANS AND SERVICE MEMBERS
Allows the DMV commissioner to waive commercial driver’s license knowledge tests for
qualifying veterans and service members
§ 10 — ISSUING CREDENTIALS WITHOUT APPLICANT’S PERSONAL
APPEARANCE
Expands the circumstances under which DMV can renew and duplicate credentials without an
applicant’s personal appearance
§§ 11, 12, 22 & 51 — ONLINE DRIVER EDUCAT ION O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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Allows driver’s education courses to be provided fully or partially through interactive distance
learning
§ 13 — DMV CONTRACTORS
Eliminates a restriction requiring DMV contractors to process license and registration
transactions at their own facilities
§ 14 — COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE VALIDATION
Requires DMV to check the federal Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse before validating a
commercial driver’s license, in accordance with federal regulations
§§ 15 & 16 — COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE LEARNER’S PERMITS
Extends the duration of commercial driver’s license learner’s permits
§ 17 — COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE DISQUALIFICATIONS
Adds certain human trafficking felonies to the list of offenses resulting in a lifetime
disqualification for a commercial driver’s license
§ 18 — ONE-YEAR REGISTRATIONS FOR SENIORS
Allows seniors to renew combination registrations for a one-year period
§§ 19 & 21 — LICENSE DEPOSITS
Eliminates the cash deposit option for repairer, dealer, leasing or rental, and drivers’ school
licenses
§ 20 — DEALER AND REPAIRER LICENSES
Allows (1) the DMV commissioner to consider certain civil judgments against dealer and repairer
license applicants and (2) new car dealer, repairer, and limited repairer license applicants to be
licensed even if they owe sales tax
§§ 23, 27 & 28 — OPERATOR RETRAINING AND SCHOOL BUS AND
STUDENT TRANSPORTATI ON VEHICLE SAFETY TRAINING
Allows operator retraining programs and school bus and student transportation vehicle safety
training to be provided through interactive distance learning
§ 25 — EMISSION TESTING DEADLINES
Allows the DMV commissioner to extend the emissions testing deadline after vehicle purchases
when DMV or testing stations are closed or have limited operations
§ 26 — SNOWMOBILE AND ALL -TERRAIN VEHICLE (ATV) OPERATORS
Specifically subjects snowmobile and ATV drivers to administrative license suspension penalties
for driving with an elevated blood alcohol content or refusing a test
§ 29 — BOAT REGISTRATIONS AND DECALS
Allows marine dealers to issue permanent boat registrations and decals
§ 30 — DEALER REGISTRATIONS
Expands the circumstances under which dealers may issue and renew vehicle registrations
§ 30 — OUT-OF-STATE MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS
Extends the grace period during which a resident may drive a vehicle registered out-of-state
without penalty and lowers the fine for residents who drive a vehicle registered out-of-state after
the grace period
§ 31 — MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION TASK FORCE O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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Restarts the motor vehicle registration task force and changes the appointing authorities for task
force members
§ 32 — MUNICIPAL FINE FOR UNREGISTERED VEHICLES
Allows municipalities to impose, by ordinance, a fine of up to $250 on owners of motor vehicles
that are subject to local property tax but not registered with DMV
§§ 34 & 35 — EMERGENCY VEHICLES
Makes several changes to emergency vehicle definitions, including adding certain DEEP vehicles,
and extends the penalty provision for impeding certain emergency vehicles to Department of
Correction vehicles responding to emergencies
§ 36 — ACCESSIBLE PARKING PLACARDS
Enables a parent or guardian of a child of any age with a disability to obtain an accessible
parking placard on the child’s behalf
§ 37 — RIGHT-OF-WAY AND BUSES
Requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to a bus traveling in the same direction when the bus
appropriately signals
§ 38 — SCHOOL BUS EQUIPMENT
Allows school buses to be equipped with an extended stop arm
§ 39 — INSURANCE COMPANY PO SSESSION OF VEHICLES
Makes changes related to salvage titles and powers of attorney needed to transfer vehicles that
are total losses
§ 40 — REPLACEMENT VETERANS ’ PLATES
Establishes a specific $15 fee for replacing veterans’ plates that become mutilated or illegible
§ 42 — SCHOOL BUS PASSING VIOLATIONS
Extends a deadline and removes a requirement related to school bus passing violations detected
by stop arm camera videos
§ 43 — FIRE APPARATUS SALE AND REPAIR
Requires DMV to report on compliance with the laws regarding fire apparatus sale and repair
§ 44 — COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE TESTING
Requires the DMV commissioner to verify that certain CDL applicants have undergone specific
entry level training before the department administers particular tests
§ 45 — ORGAN AND TISSUE DON ORS INFORMATION
Requires DMV and DAS to provide certain organ and tissue procurement organizations with
information on individuals holding instruction permits who wish to be donors
§ 46 — CATALYTIC CONVERTER SALES
Prohibits motor vehicle recyclers from receiving a vehicle’s catalytic converter without proof of
ownership
§ 47 — DRIVE ONLY LICENSES
Allows drive only license applicants to use photocopies and other noncertified documents as proof
of residency and modifies the fees for drive only licenses
§ 48 — DMV WAIT TIME REPORT O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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Changes DMV’s reporting on wait times at department offices to align with the department’s shift
to online services and an appointment system
§ 49 — LICENSE PLATES FOR VETERANS AND ARMED FO RCES
MEMBERS WITH WAR TIME SERVICE
Requires DMV to issue special license plates indicating service during a “period of war” at the
request of any veteran or armed forces member who received a campaign medal
§ 50 — FEE WAIVER FOR VETERANS
Allows the DMV commissioner to waive driver’s license or identity card renewal or duplicate fees
for certain veterans attending specific events
§§ 52-65 — PEER-TO-PEER (P2P) CAR SHARING
Imposes regulatory requirements on P2P car sharing, principally concerning insurance, and
requires DRS to issue guidance on the sales and use tax treatment of P2P car sharing
§ 66 — STATE AND MUNICIPAL CONTRACT ELIGIBILITY
Repeals a provision that required a specific number of inspections of certain trucking companies
and commercial motor vehicle drivers in order to make them ineligible for state or municipal
contracts
BACKGROUND
§§ 1 & 2 — IDENTITY CARDS
Establishes grounds for revoking identity cards and a restoration fee for revoked cards
The act requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) commissioner to
revoke an identity (ID) card if (1) the holder misrepresents his or her age or
otherwise deceives to get the ID card or (2) it is used or exhibited by someone
other than the holder. Under existing law, these actions are class D misdemeanors
(see Table on Penalties).
The act also requires a holder of a revoked ID card to pay a $175 restoration
fee in order to obtain a new ID card. Existing law imposes the same fee to restore
a suspended or revoked driver’s license. By law, a restoration fee must be paid in
addition to other applicable fees and the DMV commissioner must deposit $50
from each fee into the school bus seat belt account within the General Fund.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
§§ 3, 6, 24 & 33 — TECHNICAL CHANGES AN D CORRECTIONS
Makes technical changes and corrections, such as updating references to proper departments
The act makes several technical changes and corrections. Specifically, it:
1. makes updates to properly reflect the current agency names for the
emergency services and public protection and energy and environmental
protection departments (§ 3);
2. corrects authorizations related to the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers, and
Ponds Preservation account so that they apply to the Department of O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) commissioner rather than
the DMV commissioner (§ 6);
3. adds a cross reference regarding an existing requirement that all vehicles
must be emissions compliant when sold by a dealer, even those being
registered out of state (§ 24); and
4. corrects a cross reference concerning the limitation on who may use
steady blue or red lights (§ 33).
(PA 21-40 § 16 makes the same correction concerning steady lights, effective
October 1, 2021.)
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021, except the provision on steady lights is
effective upon passage.
§ 4 — FEE ON FREQUENT FILERS F OR REGISTRATION AND TITLE
CERTIFICATES
Imposes a fee on certain people and entities that file seven or more registration or title certificate
applications per month and fail to do so electronically
By law, the DMV commissioner may require any qualified person, firm, or
corporation whose business is filing applications for motor vehicle registration or
title certificates (e.g., lien and titling service companies) to file them
electronically if she finds that they file an average of at least seven per month.
The act imposes a $25 fee on each application submitted by these people and
entities if they fail or refuse to do so electronically when requested by the
commissioner.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
§ 5 — “SAVE OUR LAKES” PLATES
Establishes fees for Save Our Lakes commemorative plates and allows DMV to retain a portion to
defray production and issuance costs
The act (1) establishes fees of $60 and $80 for Save Our Lakes
commemorative plates and (2) allows DMV to keep a part of the fees ($15) to
defray plate production and issuance costs. Under the act, the $60 fee is charged if
the DMV commissioner selects the plate’s letters and numbers. The act’s $80 fee
is for (1) plates with a combination of letters or numbers requested by the
registrant or (2) low number plates. Prior law required the commissioner to
deposit all plate fees collected into the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers, and Ponds
Preservation account. Under the act, only the remainder of each plate fee, after
DMV’s costs, must be deposited into that account. By law, these plate fees are in
addition to other vehicle registration fees.
Correspondingly, the act eliminates requirements that the DMV commissioner
establish by regulation the Save Our Lakes plate fees, additional voluntary
donations, and standards on the plates’ issuance, renewal, and replacement.
Prior law limited the purpose of the plate’s design to enhancing public
awareness of the state’s effort to preserve and protect the state’s lakes and ponds O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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from aquatic invasive species and cyanobacteria blooms. The act extends this
provision to include the state’s rivers, conforming to the account’s purpose.
Additionally, the act extends by 18 months the date by which the DMV
commissioner must begin issuing Save Our Lakes plates, from January 1, 2020, to
July 1, 2021.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
§ 7 — STUDENT TRANSPORTATI ON VEHICLE REGISTRATION
Increases the registration fees for student transportation vehicles designed as passenger vehicles
to reflect current DMV practice
The act increases the annual registration fee for student transportation vehicles
(STVs) designed as passenger vehicles from $40 to $44 to reflect DMV’s current
practice of issuing these vehicles combination plates rather than passenger plates
due to their mixed-use nature.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
§ 8 — COMMERCIAL PASSENGER VEHICLE INSURANCE
Principally, increases the minimum insurance coverage requirements for non-livery service
vehicles (e.g., buses) that transport eight or more passengers
The act makes several modifications to the insurance policy and indemnity
bond requirements for buses, taxis, livery service vehicles, and STVs. It
eliminates the option for these vehicles to select double or split limit of liability
policies or bonds and instead requires them to have single limit of liability
providing coverage against claims for personal injury or death and property
damage for any one accident.
Under the act, non-livery service vehicles designed or used to transport eight
to 14 passengers without compensation must have at least $750,000 in coverage.
Under prior law, the minimum coverage requirements for those vehicles ranged
from $150,000 to $200,000.
For non-livery service vehicles designed or used to transport (1) eight or more
passengers for compensation or (2) 15 or more passengers without compensation,
the act requires at least the amounts established under federal law, which are
currently $1.5 million for vehicles with a seating capacity of 15 passengers or
fewer, including the driver, and $5 million for vehicles with a seating capacity of
16 passengers or more, including the driver (49 C.F.R. § 387.33). Under prior
law, the minimum coverage requirements for those vehicles ranged from
$150,000 to $300,000 and $200,000 to $300,000, respectively.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021
§§ 9 & 41 — DRIVER’S LICENSE AND PERMIT CHANGES
Increases the time period within which individuals must obtain a Connecticut driver’s license after
establishing residency in the state; modifies driver testing requirements for applicants with
expired licenses; adds a vision exam option towards satisfying license and permit requirements
O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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The act lengthens, from 30 to 60 days, the time period within which a person
with an out-of-state driver’s license must obtain a Connecticut license after
establishing residency here.
Under prior law, driver’s license applicants who had not operated a motor
vehicle in the preceding two years had to take a driver’s test and could have been
required to pass a vision screening. The act instead applies these provisions to
applicants whose Connecticut licenses expired more than two years prior.
Under prior law, before issuing a (1) driver’s license to someone who had not
been issued a Connecticut license before or operated a motor vehicle within the
last two years or (2) youth instruction permit to a 16- or 17-year old, the DMV
commissioner could have required that person to pass a vision screening to
determine if he or she satisfied the state’s vision standards. (In practice, the
agency does require a vision screening.) The act specifies that DMV must conduct
a vision screening or, alternatively, the person may submit the results of a vision
exam by a licensed medical professional that certifies he or she satisfies the
standards. The act also imposes this vision testing as a requirement for obtaining
an adult instruction permit. By law and under the act, a “medical professional” is
a licensed physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, or
optometrist (CGS § 14-46b).
Additionally, the act authorizes the DMV commissioner to direct how driver’s
license applicants must submit supporting documents.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
§ 9 — COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE KNOWLEDGE TESTS FOR
ELIGIBLE VETERANS AND SERVICE MEMBERS
Allows the DMV commissioner to waive commercial driver’s license knowledge tests for
qualifying veterans and service members
The act authorizes the DMV commissioner, in her discretion, to waive
commercial driver’s license (CDL) knowledge tests for eligible veterans and
active duty service members who meet conditions set by federal regulation. By
law, unchanged by the act, the commissioner must waive the CDL driving skills
test for those applicants who meet similar conditions.
The act specifically applies to:
1. armed forces and National Guard members who currently hold a military
operator’s license of the same class as the CDL they are applying for; and
2. veterans who (a) apply within two years after their military discharge and
(b) before their discharge, held a military operator’s license to drive the
same class of vehicles allowed under their prospective CDL.
By law, a “veteran” is anyone discharged or released under conditions other
than dishonorable from active service in the armed forces (i.e., the U.S. Army,
Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force and any of their reserve
components, including the Connecticut National Guard performing duty under
Title 32 of federal law).
For purposes of the knowledge test waiver, under federal regulations an
applicant must certify and provide evidence that during the one-year period before O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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applying for the CDL, he or she has not had:
1. more than one license (except for a military license);
2. any license suspended, revoked, or cancelled;
3. any type of motor vehicle conviction that would disqualify an applicant
from getting a commercial license (e.g., driving under the influence);
4. more than one conviction for a serious traffic violation (e.g., driving
recklessly); or
5. any conviction for violating any military, state, or local law relating to
motor vehicle traffic control (other than a parking violation) in connection
with any traffic accident or any record of an accident where he or she was
at fault.
The applicant must also provide evidence and certify that he or she:
1. is or was regularly employed and designated as an operator of one of eight
specific vehicles (e.g., Air Force 2T1 vehicle operator), and
2. is or was operating a vehicle that is representative of the type he or she
expects to operate (49 C.F.R. § 383.77).
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
§ 10 — ISSUING CREDENTIALS WITHOUT APPLICANT’S PERSONAL
APPEARANCE
Expands the circumstances under which DMV can renew and duplicate credentials without an
applicant’s personal appearance
The act expands the circumstances under which DMV can renew and
duplicate credentials without an applicant’s personal appearance. Under the act,
the DMV commissioner may renew or duplicate a driver’s license, CDL, or an ID
card without the applicant’s personal appearance if:
1. the commissioner has on file the applicant’s photo or digital image that (a)
meets the standards and specifications the commissioner prescribes (see
below) and (b) may be used on a license or ID card;
2. the commissioner has satisfactory evidence of the applicant’s identity;
3. the commissioner is satisfied that the applicant is a legal resident of this
state;
4. in the case of renewal, the applicant has personally appeared to renew the
license or ID card within the time limitations specified in state or federal
law; and
5. the applicant meets all other requirements for a renewal or duplicate
license.
Under prior law, the commissioner could renew these credentials without the
applicant’s personal appearance only (1) if the applicant was an armed forces
member; (2) if the applicant was temporarily residing out-of-state for business or
educational purposes; or (3) in other circumstances where, in the commissioner’s
judgement, personal appearance would have been impractical or imposed
significant hardship. Prior law did not allow the commissioner to issue duplicate
credentials without someone’s personal appearance.
The act specifies that temporary licenses, instruction permits, and ID cards are O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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not required to contain an applicant’s photo. Prior law required that all licenses
and ID cards contained the holder’s photo or digital image.
The act also repeals the commissioner’s authority to adopt regulations on
renewing licenses and ID cards by mail or electronic communication with DMV.
Instead, if the commissioner elects to renew or issue duplicate credentials without
the applicant’s personal appearance, she must establish procedures to renew or
issue them by mail or electronic communication with DMV.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§§ 11, 12, 22 & 51 — ONLINE DRIVER EDUCAT ION
Allows driver’s education courses to be provided fully or partially through interactive distance
learning
Under prior law, driver’s education provided by commercial driving schools
and secondary schools had to be provided through classroom instruction, which
existing regulations generally define as group instruction of students in a
classroom or a similar group situation by qualified instructors (Conn. Agencies
Regs. §§ 14-36f-1(2) & 14-78-20(2)).
The act allows these courses to be provided fully or partially through distance
learning, provided the distance learning has interactive components (e.g.,
mandatory interactions, participation, or testing). However, it specifies that if the
eight-hour safe driving practices course is provided through distance learning, it
must be conducted in real-time by an instructor.
It also requires that the regulations for commercial and secondary school
driver’s education allow classes to be offered fully or partially through distance
learning. The law authorizes DMV to adopt regulations about commercial driving
schools, including establishing instructional standards and recordkeeping
requirements for them. The act requires DMV to update its commercial driving
school regulations to include (1) requirements as to the administration of a test at
the conclusion of each class and (2) the form in which required student records
must be transmitted to the commissioner, when required.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§ 13 — DMV CONTRACTORS
Eliminates a restriction requiring DMV contractors to process license and registration
transactions at their own facilities
By law, the DMV commissioner may contract with other entities, including
automobile clubs and municipalities, to conduct various license and registration
transactions. Under prior law, she could authorize a contractor or municipality to
conduct these transactions only at their own office or facilities. The act eliminates
this restriction.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§ 14 — COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE VALIDATION O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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Requires DMV to check the federal Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse before validating a
commercial driver’s license, in accordance with federal regulations
The act conforms state law to federal regulations by requiring the DMV
commissioner, beginning January 6, 2023, to request a CDL applicant’s record
from the federal Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse to determine whether he or she
is qualified to renew, transfer, or upgrade a CDL (49 C.F.R. § 383.725). In
accordance with the federal regulations, the act also prohibits the commissioner
from disclosing the information in the applicant’s clearinghouse record to any
person or entity not directly involved in evaluating the applicant’s CDL
qualifications (49 C.F.R. § 383.725(c)).
The act also makes a minor change to require applications for CDLs and CDL
learner’s permits to include the person’s gender, rather than sex.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
§§ 15 & 16 — COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE LEARNER’S PERMITS
Extends the duration of commercial driver’s license learner’s permits
The act (1) modifies the duration of a CDL learner’s permit from 180 days
with an option to have it reissued or renewed for an additional 180 days within a
two-year period, to a single, one-year period and (2) proportionally increases the
permit fee from $10 to $20.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
§ 17 — COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE DISQUALIFICATIONS
Adds certain human trafficking felonies to the list of offenses resulting in a lifetime
disqualification for a commercial driver’s license
The act conforms state law to federal regulation by requiring a lifetime CDL
disqualification without the possibility of reinstatement for any person who
commits certain human trafficking felonies, as defined under federal law, while
using a commercial motor vehicle. Specifically, this provision applies to the
following felonies:
1. sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud,
or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform the act is under age
18 or
2. the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a
person for labor or services through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for
the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage,
or slavery (49 C.F.R. § 383.51 & 22 U.S.C. § 7201(11)).
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021
§ 18 — ONE-YEAR REGISTRATIONS FOR SENIORS
Allows seniors to renew combination registrations for a one-year period O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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Existing law allows registrants age 65 or older to renew their passenger motor
vehicle registrations for a one-year period instead of a two- or three-year
registration period (CGS § 14-49(a)). The act also allows them to renew
combination registrations for a one-year period.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021
§§ 19 & 21 — LICENSE DEPOSITS
Eliminates the cash deposit option for repairer, dealer, leasing or rental, and drivers’ school
licenses
The act eliminates the option to deposit cash with DMV as a condition of
obtaining the following licenses: (1) repairer, (2) limited repairer, (3) new car
dealer, (4) used car dealer, (5) leasing or rental, or (6) drivers’ school. In doing so,
it requires those license applicants to submit surety bonds, which was an option
under prior law.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021, except the change affecting drivers’
school licenses is effective July 1, 2021.
§ 20 — DEALER AND REPAIRER LICENSES
Allows (1) the DMV commissioner to consider certain civil judgments against dealer and repairer
license applicants and (2) new car dealer, repairer, and limited repairer license applicants to be
licensed even if they owe sales tax
The act authorizes the DMV commissioner to consider certain civil judgments
against dealer and repairer license applicants when deciding whether to grant or
renew those licenses. Specifically, she may consider judgements involving
odometer fraud or operating a dealer, repairer, or motor vehicle recycler business
without a license. The act makes a conforming change by requiring licensees to
disclose these civil judgements under penalty of false statement when renewing
their license. Existing law already allows the commissioner to consider certain
criminal convictions against these applicants.
The act requires applicants for dealer and repairer licenses to submit to a
national criminal history record check, in addition to the existing requirement to
submit to a state criminal history record check. It also allows the commissioner to
require that applications for these licenses be submitted electronically.
The act also eliminates prior law’s prohibition on new car dealers, repairers,
and limited repairers from receiving initial or renewed licenses if they owed sales
tax. It maintains the prohibition for used car dealer licenses.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
§§ 23, 27 & 28 — OPERATOR RETRAINING AND SCHOOL BUS AND
STUDENT TRANSPORTATI ON VEHICLE SAFETY TRAINING
Allows operator retraining programs and school bus and student transportation vehicle safety
training to be provided through interactive distance learning O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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The act specifically allows certain training programs to be offered fully or
partially through distance learning, provided the distance learning has interactive
components such as mandatory interactions, participation, or testing. It
specifically applies to (1) operator retraining programs conducted by DMV or
DMV-certified organizations, (2) school bus and STV operator safety training
administered by DMV, and (3) school bus operator safety training required by a
town or regional school district.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§ 25 — EMISSION TESTING DEADLINES
Allows the DMV commissioner to extend the emissions testing deadline after vehicle purchases
when DMV or testing stations are closed or have limited operations
By law, whenever a vehicle’s ownership is transferred, the new owner must
present the vehicle for an emissions inspection within 30 days after registering the
vehicle. The act authorizes the DMV commissioner to extend that deadline for the
new owner to comply if circumstances require DMV or emissions inspection
stations to close or have limited operations.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
§ 26 — SNOWMOBILE AND ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE (ATV) OPERATORS
Specifically subjects snowmobile and ATV drivers to administrative license suspension penalties
for driving with an elevated blood alcohol content or refusing a test
By law, drivers implicitly consent to be tested for drugs and alcohol when
they drive (or if the driver is a minor, his or her parents or guardians implicitly
consent for him or her). The law establishes administrative license suspension
procedures for drivers who refuse a test or whose results indicate an elevated
blood alcohol content (BAC). (These provisions are called “implied consent” and
“administrative per se,” respectively.)
Under prior law, these provisions applied to all motor vehicles used on public
roads. The act specifies that “motor vehicle” includes snowmobiles and ATVs for
the purposes of these provisions, and, in doing so, aligns them with the state’s
criminal DUI laws (CGS §§ 14-227a and 14-227m).
By law, a snowmobile is any self-propelled vehicle designed for travel on
snow or ice, except for ones propelled by sail. An ATV is a self-propelled vehicle
designed to travel over unimproved terrain, has been determined by the DMV
commissioner to be unsuitable for operation on public roads, and is ineligible for
registration (CGS § 14-379).
(Effective April 1, 2022, PA 21-1, June Special Session, § 118, expands the
administrative per se procedures to include provisions for imposing license
suspension on drivers who do not have an elevated BAC but are found to be
driving under the influence based on behavioral impairment. It additionally
expands the implied consent law so that drivers also consent to the nontestimonial O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
Page 13 of 29
portions of drug influence evaluations and face administrative license suspension
for refusing one.)
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
§ 29 — BOAT REGISTRATIONS AND DECALS
Allows marine dealers to issue permanent boat registrations and decals
The act permits the DMV commissioner to allow marine dealers to issue boat
registration and decal certificates. Under prior law, authorized marine dealers
could issue only temporary boat registrations and decals.
Additionally, the act allows, rather than requires, the DMV commissioner to
adopt regulations about these transactions.
§ 30 — DEALER REGISTRATIONS
Expands the circumstances under which dealers may issue and renew vehicle registrations
Existing law allows the DMV commissioner to appoint licensed and qualified
dealers to issue new registrations for vehicles they sell that fall into one of the
following categories: passenger motor vehicles, motorcycles, campers, camp
trailers, commercial trailers, service buses, school buses, trucks, and other vehicle
types determined by the commissioner. Under the act, the commissioner may also
allow these dealers, for the same vehicle categories, to (1) process registration
renewals and (2) issue new registrations for vehicles they did not sell.
By law, registration applicants must pay to the dealer the registration fee for
their vehicles as well as any other applicable fees. The act allows the DMV
commissioner to authorize dealers to charge a service fee as part of their
registration transactions. The commissioner must establish the maximum service
fee that these dealers may charge. The act also eliminates a requirement that the
DMV commissioner impose a $10 fee for each new dealer issue form furnished to
dealers.
Additionally, the act requires the commissioner to allow these appointed
dealers to electronically register vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating
exceeding 26,000 pounds that are operated in intrastate commerce. Under the act,
these dealers must pay all applicable registration and title fees for the
registrations.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021
§ 30 — OUT-OF-STATE MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS
Extends the grace period during which a resident may drive a vehicle registered out-of-state
without penalty and lowers the fine for residents who drive a vehicle registered out-of-state after
the grace period
The act extends, from 60 to 90 days after establishing residency, the grace
period during which a resident may drive a vehicle registered out-of-state without O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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penalty.
It also lowers the fine, from $1,000 to $250, for residents who drive a vehicle
registered out-of-state after the grace period and requires that the fine be
suspended for first-time violators who provide proof that they registered their
vehicle after the violation but before the fine is imposed.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021
§ 31 — MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION TASK FORCE
Restarts the motor vehicle registration task force and changes the appointing authorities for task
force members
The act reconstitutes and modifies the motor vehicle registration task force,
which never met. The task force is charged with studying compliance with motor
vehicle registration laws and making recommendations to prevent Connecticut
residents from registering their motor vehicles out-of-state.
The act modifies the appointing authorities for the task force’s appointed
members, generally changing them from the legislative leaders to the
Transportation Committee leaders, as shown in the table below. As under prior
law, the task force also includes two gubernatorial appointees and the DMV and
emergency services and public protection commissioners, or their designees.
Appointment Authority Changes
Number and Qualifications Appointing Authority
Prior Law Act
Two members, one of whom is a
municipal tax assessor association
member
House speaker Transportation Committee
House chairperson
Two members, one of whom is a
municipal police chief
Senate president pro
tempore
Transportation Committee
Senate chairperson
One member who is a municipal
tax assessor serving a municipality
with at least 75,000 residents
House majority leader Transportation Committee
House vice-chairperson
One member who is a member of a
police department serving a
municipality with at least 75,000
residents
Senate majority leader Transportation Committee
Senate vice-chairperson
One member who is a member of a
police department serving a
municipality with less than 75,000
residents
House minority leader Transportation Committee
House ranking member
One member who is a municipal
tax assessor serving a municipality
with less than 75,000 residents
Senate minority leader Transportation Committee
Senate ranking member O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
Page 15 of 29
Under the act, appointing authorities must make appointments to the task
force by September 1, 2021. The act requires the Transportation Committee
chairpersons, rather than the House Speaker and Senate President Pro Tempore, to
jointly select the task force’s chairpersons from among its members. The selected
chairpersons must schedule and hold the first meeting by October 1, 2021.
The act requires the task force to (1) submit a report on its findings and
recommendations to the Transportation Committee by January 1, 2022, and (2)
terminate when it submits the report or January 1, 2022, whichever is later.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§ 32 — MUNICIPAL FINE FOR UNREGISTERED VEHICLES
Allows municipalities to impose, by ordinance, a fine of up to $250 on owners of motor vehicles
that are subject to local property tax but not registered with DMV
The act allows municipalities to impose, by ordinance, a fine of up to $250 on
owners of motor vehicles that are subject to local property tax in the municipality
but not registered with DMV. Municipalities may only impose this fine on
vehicles eligible for registration and required to be registered under the state’s
motor vehicle laws.
Under the act, police officers or anyone authorized by the municipality’s chief
executive officer may issue a citation to any person who fails to register a motor
vehicle. Municipalities imposing the fine must (1) adopt a citation hearing
procedure, in accordance with state law, through which the fine must be imposed
and (2) suspend fines for first-time violators who provide proof that they
registered their vehicle with DMV after the violation but before the fine is
imposed. The act prohibits municipalities from imposing a penalty for failing to
pay the fine that is more than 25% of the fine.
The act’s authorization to impose a fee by ordinance applies regardless of any
provisions of the general statutes or a special act, municipal charter, or ordinance.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
§§ 34 & 35 — EMERGENCY VEHICLES
Makes several changes to emergency vehicle definitions, including adding certain DEEP vehicles,
and extends the penalty provision for impeding certain emergency vehicles to Department of
Correction vehicles responding to emergencies
The act modifies the statutory definitions of the terms “emergency vehicle”
and “authorized emergency vehicle” as used in the laws establishing those
vehicles’ rights and motorists’ responsibilities with respect to them (e.g.,
generally, emergency vehicle drivers may exceed the posted speed limits and
motorists must pull to the right when an emergency vehicle is using its siren or
lights).
The act expands the definition of “emergency vehicle” to include (1) any
ambulance or vehicle operated by an emergency medical service organization O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
Page 16 of 29
member taking a patient to a hospital and (2) any DEEP vehicle operated by an
authorized DEEP employee while in the course of his or her employment and
while going to a fire or responding to an emergency call, but not returning from
one.
The act also removes a public service company or municipal department
ambulance or emergency vehicle designated or authorized by the DMV
commissioner from the definition of “authorized emergency vehicle” and instead
simply specifies that an ambulance is an authorized emergency vehicle.
Existing law subjects people who willfully or negligently obstruct or impede
certain emergency vehicles or state or local police vehicles to fines up to $250.
The act extends this penalty provision to apply to Department of Correction
vehicles driven by department officers while in the course of their employment
and while responding to an emergency call.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§ 36 — ACCESSIBLE PARKING PLACARDS
Enables a parent or guardian of a child of any age with a disability to obtain an accessible
parking placard on the child’s behalf
By law, a parent or guardian of a child with a disability may apply for an
accessible parking windshield placard on the child’s behalf. The law requires
DMV to issue a placard to each parent or guardian who applies, up to two
placards per eligible child. Under prior law, these provisions only applied if the
child was under age 18. The act eliminates this age limit.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021
§ 37 — RIGHT-OF-WAY AND BUSES
Requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to a bus traveling in the same direction when the bus
appropriately signals
The act requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to a bus traveling in the same
direction when the bus appropriately signals (i.e., by using a hand and arm, signal
lamp, or mechanical signal device) to reenter the flow of traffic. A violation is an
infraction.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021
§ 38 — SCHOOL BUS EQUIPMENT
Allows school buses to be equipped with an extended stop arm
The act allows school buses to be equipped with an extended stop arm. Under
the act, an “extended stop arm” is a device attached to a stop semaphore that when
activated displays a stop sign and extends between three and six feet from the left
side of a school bus.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021 O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
Page 17 of 29
§ 39 — INSURANCE COMPANY PO SSESSION OF VEHICLES
Makes changes related to salvage titles and powers of attorney needed to transfer vehicles that
are total losses
The act creates a process for insurance companies that take possession of a
vehicle as a result of a damage or theft claim settlement to apply to DMV for
certain title documents if they are unable to obtain them from the insured or
lienholder. The companies may specifically apply for regular, SALVAGE, or
SALVAGE-PARTS ONLY title certificates. (By law, if a vehicle has been
declared a total loss and offered for sale by certain insurance entities, the title
certificates must be stamped with (1) “SALVAGE” or (2) “SALVAGE-PARTS
ONLY” if the company determines the vehicle has at least 10 major component
parts that are damaged beyond repair and must be replaced.)
Under the act, applications must be on a DMV commissioner-prescribed form
and include documents the commissioner requires. They must also include
evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that the company (1) provided at least
two notices by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the insured and any
lienholder of record for the vehicle indicating the company’s intention to apply
for a title certificate as the owner of the vehicle and (2) made payment to the
insured or lienholders in full settlement of the claim involving the vehicle. The act
prohibits the commissioner from issuing these title certificates until at least 30
days after the settlement payment is made.
The act also makes changes to powers of attorney used to support an
insurance company’s application for, or transfer of, title certificates. Under
existing law, the Connecticut Uniform Power of Attorney Act generally, with
certain exceptions, applies to all powers of attorney and requires, among other
things, a principal’s signature be witnessed by two people and acknowledged
before a notary, Connecticut-licensed attorney, or other person authorized to take
acknowledgements (CGS §§ 1-350b & 1-350d). Notwithstanding that law, the act
requires that a power of attorney used to support an insurance company’s
application for, or transfer of, a title certificate only needs a signature or
electronic signature of the insured who has received or will receive a total loss
settlement from the company.
Additionally, the act authorizes, rather than requires as under prior law, the
DMV commissioner to adopt regulations about these applications and related law.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021
§ 40 — REPLACEMENT VETERANS ’ PLATES
Establishes a specific $15 fee for replacing veterans’ plates that become mutilated or illegible
Under existing law, the DMV commissioner generally must charge a $20 fee
to replace vehicle plates (CGS § 14-50a(a)). Regardless of this, the act establishes
a specific $15 fee for replacing veterans’ plates that become mutilated or illegible.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021 O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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§ 42 — SCHOOL BUS PASSING VIOLATIONS
Extends a deadline and removes a requirement related to school bus passing violations detected
by stop arm camera videos
The act changes the process for issuing tickets for school bus passing
violations based on evidence from a school bus violation detection video
monitoring system (i.e., stop arm cameras). Specifically, it (1) extends, from 10 to
30 days, the deadline for law enforcement to issue a ticket after a violation is
recorded and (2) removes the requirement for a signed affidavit from the person
who witnessed the violation live.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021
§ 43 — FIRE APPARATUS SALE AND REPAIR
Requires DMV to report on compliance with the laws regarding fire apparatus sale and repair
The act requires the DMV commissioner to study compliance with the laws
regarding the sale and repair of fire apparatus in Connecticut and submit a report
with her findings and recommendations to the Transportation Committee by
February 1, 2022. Under the act, the study must include:
1. the number of times in the last five years the commissioner (a) imposed a
civil penalty under CGS § 14-51a for violating certain dealer, repairer, and
manufacturer laws or (b) conducted investigations and held hearings under
CGS § 14-65k on fire apparatus sales or repairs;
2. the number of times in the last five years the commissioner requested that
the attorney general apply to Superior Court for a temporary or permanent
restraining order enjoining a person or entity selling or repairing fire
apparatus from violating certain related laws;
3. a summary of all complaints received on fire apparatus sales or repairs;
and
4. any recommendations for legislation to ensure fire apparatus sellers and
repairers are properly licensed by DMV.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§ 44 — COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE TESTING
Requires the DMV commissioner to verify that certain CDL applicants have undergone specific
entry level training before the department administers particular tests
Existing law prohibits the DMV commissioner from issuing a CDL unless the
person has, among other things, passed a knowledge and skills test that complies
with specific minimum federal standards. Beginning February 7, 2022, the act
requires the commissioner to verify with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration that the person has undergone the entry level driver training
required under federal regulations before the department administers a (1) CDL O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
Page 19 of 29
skills test to someone applying for or upgrading to a class A or class B CDL or
applying for a “P” (passenger) or “S” (school bus) endorsement or (2) CDL
knowledge test to someone applying for an “H” (hazardous materials)
endorsement. The act provides that these requirements do not apply to anyone
exempt under federal regulations.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021
§ 45 — ORGAN AND TISSUE DON ORS INFORMATION
Requires DMV and DAS to provide certain organ and tissue procurement organizations with
information on individuals holding instruction permits who wish to be donors
By law, the DMV and Department of Administrative Services commissioners
must enter into an agreement with at least one organ and tissue procurement
organization to provide the organization access to information on driver’s license
and identity card holders who intend to be donors. The act requires the
departments to also provide the procurement organization with information on
individuals holding instruction permits who wish to be donors.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021
§ 46 — CATALYTIC CONVERTER SALES
Prohibits motor vehicle recyclers from receiving a vehicle’s catalytic converter without proof of
ownership
The act prohibits motor vehicle recyclers from receiving a vehicle’s catalytic
converter unless the seller provides proof that he or she owns the vehicle or is an
authorized agent of the vehicle’s owner. The act also requires motor vehicle
recyclers to keep copies of the proof with their records. By law, their records must
be available for inspection by the DMV, State Police, and any organized local
police department.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021
§ 47 — DRIVE ONLY LICENSES
Allows drive only license applicants to use photocopies and other noncertified documents as proof
of residency and modifies the fees for drive only licenses
The act specifies the fees for drive only licenses. By law, original drive only
licenses must expire three to six years after the date of issuance and may be
renewed every three years afterwards. In practice, DMV currently charges $72 for
both original and renewal licenses. The act specifies that the fee for (1) an original
drive only license is $72 for a six-year period, or a prorated amount for shorter
periods, and (2) a renewal license is $36 dollars. These fees are proportional to
existing driver’s license fees.
Additionally, the act allows drive only license applicants to use photocopies,
notarized photocopies, or noncertified documents as proof of residency, O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
Page 20 of 29
conforming to current department practice for other types of licenses.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§ 48 — DMV WAIT TIME REPORT
Changes DMV’s reporting on wait times at department offices to align with the department’s shift
to online services and an appointment system
Under prior law, DMV had to submit monthly and annual reports to the
Transportation Committee on wait times at department offices. The act eliminates
the monthly reporting requirement and changes the content that must be in its
annual report, aligning the report with the department’s shift to online services
and an appointment system for in-person services.
Under prior law, DMV had to report annually to the Transportation
Committee, (1) identifying specific goals for acceptable wait times at its offices,
(2) summarizing steps it took in the previous year to achieve those goals, and (3)
including a strategy to achieve or exceed those goals in the coming year. Under
the act, DMV must instead, by February 1, 2022, and annually thereafter, submit a
report that includes the following from the preceding year:
1. the average number of days between the date a person scheduled an
appointment on DMV’s website and the date of the scheduled
appointment,
2. a list of the transactions that were available to be conducted by scheduling
an appointment on DMV’s website,
3. a list of the transactions that were available to be conducted on the DMV’s
website,
4. the number of transactions conducted on DMV’s website, and
5. a summary of DMV’s efforts to increase the types of transactions
available to be conducted on its website.
The act also eliminates the specific authorization for the committee to hold a
public hearing within 30 days of receiving the annual report, and a requirement
that the DMV commissioner, or her designee, testify at the hearing.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§ 49 — LICENSE PLATES FOR V ETERANS AND ARMED FO RCES
MEMBERS WITH WARTIME SERVICE
Requires DMV to issue special license plates indicating service during a “period of war” at the
request of any veteran or armed forces member who received a campaign medal
The act requires DMV to issue special license plates indicating service during
certain statutorily-defined periods of war (see below) at the request of any veteran
or armed forces member who received a campaign medal. The request must be
accompanied by proof from the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) that the
requestor served in the armed forces during a qualifying period of war.
The plates must be designed in consultation with the DVA commissioner, bear
the name of the relevant war before “Veteran,” and only be used as official O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
Page 21 of 29
license plates. The DMV commissioner must charge a fee for the plates that
covers the plate’s entire production costs, which will be in addition to other
vehicle registration fees. The plates must expire and be renewed in the same
manner as other existing license plates.
Under the act, a veteran’s or armed forces member’s surviving spouse may
keep the plates for his or her lifetime or until he or she remarries. If an armed
forces member is dishonorably discharged he or she must return the plates to
DMV within 30 days after his or her discharge date and DMV may not renew
them.
Definitions
By law and under the act, “armed forces” is the U.S. Armed Forces or their
reserve components, including the Connecticut National Guard performing duty
under Title 32 of the U.S. Code (e.g., certain Homeland Security missions) (CGS
§ 27-103).
Under the act, a “veteran” is anyone who was (1) honorably discharged or
released from active service in the armed forces or (2) discharged under
conditions other than dishonorable or for bad conduct and has a “qualifying
condition” (i.e., a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain
injury or a disclosed military sexual trauma) (CGS § 27-103).
(PA 21-79 § 1 expands the meaning of “qualifying condition” to also include
a determination that sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression was
more likely than not the primary reason for the other than honorable discharge.)
The table below shows the qualifying periods of war for which DMV must
issue special license plates.
Table 2: Periods of War
Operation Dates
World War II 12/07/41-12/31/46
Korean War 06/27/50-01/31/55
Lebanon Conflict 07/01/58-11/01/58 or
09/29/82-03/30/84
Vietnam Era 02/28/61-07/01/75
Grenada Invasion 10/25/83-12/15/83
Operation Earnest Will (escort of
Kuwaiti tankers flying U.S. flag in
Persian Gulf)
07/24/87-08/01/90
Panama Invasion 12/20/89-01/31/90
Persian Gulf War 08/02/90 until a date prescribed by
the President or law
O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2022
§ 50 — FEE WAIVER FOR VETERANS
Allows the DMV commissioner to waive driver’s license or identity card renewal or duplicate fees
for certain veterans attending specific events
The act authorizes the DMV commissioner to waive driver’s license and
identity card renewal or duplication fees for certain veterans while attending a
one-day event that offers services, supplies, or assistance to veterans and is hosted
by DVA.
Under the act, a “veteran” is (1) anyone honorably discharged or released
from active service in the U.S. Armed Forces or their reserve components,
including the Connecticut National Guard performing duty under Title 32 of the
U.S. Code (e.g., certain Homeland Security missions); (2) any former service
member entitled to military retirement pay under federal law, regardless of age
(10 U.S.C. ch. 1223); or (3) anyone discharged under conditions other than
dishonorable or for bad conduct that has a qualifying condition (i.e., a diagnosis
of post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury or a disclosed military
sexual trauma). Additionally, to qualify for a waiver under the act, the person or
member must have verification from DVA that he or she is a veteran.
(PA 21-79 § 1 expands the meaning of “qualifying condition” to also include
a determination that sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression was
more likely than not the primary reason for the other than honorable discharge.
PA 21-79 § 23 also expands the meaning of “veteran” to include anyone released
with an other than honorable discharge based on a qualifying condition (i.e.,
adding people with qualifying conditions who were dishonorably discharged or
discharged for bad conduct). These changes under PA 21-79 are effective as of
October 1, 2021.)
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§§ 52-65 — PEER-TO-PEER (P2P) CAR SHARING
Imposes regulatory requirements on P2P car sharing, principally concerning insurance, and
requires DRS to issue guidance on the sales and use tax treatment of P2P car sharing
The act imposes regulatory requirements on peer-to-peer (P2P) car sharing
companies (e.g., Turo and Getaround) and on individuals who share their vehicles
through the companies’ car sharing platforms (i.e., P2P car sharing).
The act establishes insurance requirements for P2P car sharing, including
requiring P2P car sharing companies to:
1. ensure that vehicle owners and drivers participating in P2P car sharing are
covered under a primary insurance policy that meets minimum
requirements and recognizes that the vehicle is available on a car sharing
platform and
2. provide coverage for claims if a vehicle owner’s or driver’s policy has
lapsed. O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
Page 23 of 29
The act establishes certain consumer protections, including requiring (1)
shared vehicle owners to repair their vehicles when they receive safety recall
notices and (2) P2P companies to disclose certain information to shared vehicle
owners and drivers. It also addresses liens, vicarious liability, driver’s license
verification, and responsibility for equipment.
The act also requires the Department of Revenue Services (DRS) to issue
guidance on the applicability of the sales and use tax to P2P car sharing by
December 1, 2021 (§ 65).
Under the act, a P2P car sharing company is prohibited from allowing P2P car
sharing at Bradley International Airport unless it enters into an agreement with the
Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA). CAA may charge and collect reasonable
fees from a P2P company for the privilege of operating P2P car sharing at the
airport (§ 64).
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2022, except that the provision on DRS guidance
is effective upon passage.
P2P Car Sharing Definitions (§ 52)
Car Sharing. The act defines “P2P car sharing” as the authorized use of a
“shared vehicle” for consideration by a person other than the “shared vehicle
owner” through a car sharing platform.
A “car sharing platform” is a physical or electronic place that allows a shared
vehicle owner to make a shared vehicle available for P2P car sharing and connect
a shared vehicle owner with a shared vehicle driver. It includes a store, booth,
catalog, website, or dedicated software application.
A “P2P car sharing company” is any person, corporation, limited partnership,
or other legal entity that operates a car sharing platform to enable P2P car sharing
in Connecticut. P2P car sharing companies exclude motor vehicle rental or leasing
companies.
Shared Vehicles. Under the act, a “shared vehicle” is a vehicle that is available
for sharing on a car sharing platform. It excludes passenger motor vehicles used
by licensed rental companies for rental purposes.
A “shared vehicle owner” is the shared vehicle’s registered owner or a person
or entity the registered owner designates. A “shared vehicle driver” is a person
authorized by the shared vehicle owner to drive the shared vehicle under a car
sharing agreement.
Car Sharing Agreements. The act defines “car sharing agreement” as the
terms and conditions applicable to a shared vehicle owner and a shared vehicle
driver governing a shared vehicle’s use. The act also defines the following, which
are related to terms and conditions included in agreements:
1. “car sharing period,” which is the period that begins at the car sharing
delivery period or, if there is no such period, at the car sharing start time,
and ends at the car sharing termination time;
2. “car sharing delivery period,” which is the period during which a shared
vehicle is being delivered to the location of the car sharing start time, if
applicable, as documented by the car sharing agreement; and O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
Page 24 of 29
3. “car sharing start time,” which is the time when a shared vehicle driver
takes possession and control of the shared vehicle at or after the time the
shared vehicle reservation is scheduled to begin under a car sharing
agreement.
Under the act, the “car sharing termination time” is whenever one of the
following events occurs:
1. the period established under a car sharing agreement for using a shared
vehicle expires, if the shared vehicle is delivered to the location agreed
upon in the agreement;
2. the shared vehicle is returned to a location the shared vehicle owner and
shared vehicle driver alternatively agree on as communicated through a
car sharing platform and incorporated into the car sharing agreement; or
3. the shared vehicle owner or the owner’s authorized designee takes
possession and control of the shared vehicle.
Insurance Provisions (§§ 53, 55, 56, 58 & 59)
Assumption of Liability (§ 53(a) & (b)). The act requires P2P car sharing
companies to assume a shared vehicle owner’s liability for bodily injury or
property damage to third parties, or uninsured and underinsured motorist or
personal injury protection losses, during the car sharing period in the amount
stated in the car sharing agreement. It must be for at least as much as the state’s
minimum auto insurance coverage amounts (see BACKGROUND).
However, the act exempts P2P car sharing companies from assuming this
liability when a shared vehicle owner (1) makes an intentional or fraudulent
material misrepresentation or omission to the company or on the car sharing
platform before the car sharing period in which the liability arose or (2) acts in
concert with a shared vehicle driver who fails to return the shared vehicle
pursuant to the car sharing agreement.
Required Coverage (§ 53 (c), (d), (f) & (h)). The act requires P2P car sharing
companies to ensure that, during each car sharing period, the shared vehicle
owner and the shared vehicle driver are insured under an auto insurance policy
that:
1. provides insurance coverage in at least the minimum amounts required by
state law for auto insurance policies and
2. either (a) recognizes that the shared vehicle insured under the policy is
made available and used through a car sharing platform or (b) does not
exclude the use of a shared vehicle by a shared vehicle driver.
The required insurance coverage may be maintained by a shared vehicle
owner, a shared vehicle driver, a P2P car sharing company, or all three.
If a claim occurs in another state that requires higher minimum auto insurance
coverage than Connecticut does, then the insurance policy must provide coverage
to satisfy the minimum amounts required by the other state up to the applicable
policy limits.
The act prohibits coverage under the P2P car sharing company’s auto
insurance policy from being contingent on another auto insurance company first O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
Page 25 of 29
denying a claim or requiring an initial claim denial.
Primary Liability (§ 53(e)). The insurance required under the act must assume
primary liability for a claim:
1. during each car sharing period;
2. when there is a dispute over who controlled the shared vehicle at the time
of loss and the P2P car sharing company did not retain or fails to provide
records on the vehicle’s use (see Records (§ 56)below); or
3. when there is a dispute over whether the shared vehicle was returned to
the alternatively agreed upon location, as communicated through the car
sharing platform and incorporated into the car sharing agreement.
Lapsed Policies (§ 53(g)). If a shared vehicle owner’s or shared vehicle
driver’s auto insurance policy has lapsed or does not provide the required
coverage, the act requires that the P2P car sharing company’s policy provide the
coverage from the first dollar of the claim. The insurance company issuing the
P2P car sharing company’s policy has the duty to defend a claim, except under
certain circumstances (see Assumption of Liability (§§ 53(a) & (b)) above).
Other Provisions (§ 53(i)). The act provides that nothing in its insurance
provisions limits a P2P car sharing company’s:
1. liability for any act or omission of the company that results in bodily
injury to any person as a result of using a shared vehicle through a car
sharing platform or
2. ability to contract for indemnification from a shared vehicle owner or a
shared vehicle driver for economic loss the company sustains due to a
breach of the car sharing agreement’s terms and conditions.
Insurable Interest (§ 59). Under the act, a P2P car sharing company has an
insurable interest in the shared vehicle during the car sharing period. However,
the act specifies that this provision does not make the P2P car sharing company
liable for failure to maintain the act’s required coverage.
A P2P car sharing company may own and maintain, as the named insured, one
or more auto liability insurance policies that covers (1) liability assumed by the
P2P car sharing company under a car sharing agreement, (2) any liability of the
shared vehicle owner, (3) damage or loss to the shared vehicle, or (4) any liability
of the shared vehicle driver.
Exclusions of P2P Car Sharing in Auto Policies (§ 55). The act explicitly
allows insurance companies offering auto insurance policies in the state to offer
policies that exclude any or all coverage and the duty to defend or indemnify any
claim afforded under a shared vehicle owner’s liability insurance policy. The
exclusions may include (1) liability coverage for bodily injury and property
damage, (2) personal injury protection coverage, (3) uninsured and underinsured
motorist coverage, (4) medical payments coverage, (5) comprehensive physical
damage coverage, or (6) collision physical damage coverage.
The act specifies that nothing in the provision allowing these exclusions (1)
invalidates or limits an exclusion in an auto liability insurance policy, including
any policy that excludes coverage for motor vehicles made available for rent,
sharing, hire, or business use, or (2) invalidates, limits, or restricts an insurance
company that offers auto liability insurance coverage to underwrite, cancel, or not O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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renew an insurance policy.
Right to Seek Recovery (§ 58). Under the act, an insurance company that
defends or indemnifies a claim against a shared vehicle that is excluded under the
terms of its auto insurance policy has the right to seek recovery against the P2P
car sharing company’s insurance company if the claim is (1) made against the
shared vehicle owner or shared vehicle driver for loss or injury that occurs during
the car sharing period and (2) excluded under the policy’s terms.
Records (§ 56). The act requires P2P car sharing companies to collect and
verify records pertaining to a shared vehicle’s use, including (1) the times used,
(2) location of the car sharing start time and car sharing termination time, (3) car
sharing period fees paid by the shared vehicle driver, and (4) revenue received by
the shared vehicle owner. The company must retain the records for a time period
that at least equals the applicable personal injury statute of limitations (i.e., two
years from the date when the injury is first sustained or discovered or, in the
exercise of reasonable care, should have been discovered (CGS § 52-584)).
P2P car sharing companies must provide these records at the following times:
1. upon request to the shared vehicle owner, the shared vehicle owner’s
insurance company, or the shared vehicle driver’s insurance company to
facilitate a claim coverage investigation, settlement, negotiation, or
litigation or
2. as required under an agreement with the CAA for airport access.
Notice Regarding Liens (§ 54)
The act requires P2P car sharing companies to notify shared vehicle owners
that, if the shared vehicle has a lien against it, the use of a shared vehicle through
a car sharing platform (including without physical damage coverage) may violate
the terms of a contract with the lien holder. The company must provide this notice
when the vehicle owner registers with the P2P car sharing company as a shared
vehicle owner but before the shared vehicle is made available on the car sharing
platform.
Vicarious Liability (§ 57)
The act exempts P2P car sharing companies and shared vehicle owners from
vicarious liability, in accordance with the federal Graves Amendment (see
BACKGROUND), under any state law or municipal ordinance that imposes
liability solely based on vehicle ownership.
Required Disclosures (§ 60)
The act requires that car sharing agreements disclose at least the following to
a shared vehicle owner and shared vehicle driver:
1. the P2P car sharing company’s right to seek indemnification from the
shared vehicle owner or the shared vehicle driver for any economic loss it
sustains from a breach of the car sharing agreement’s terms and O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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conditions;
2. that the shared vehicle owner’s auto insurance policy for the shared
vehicle or the shared vehicle driver’s auto policy does not provide a
defense or indemnification for any claim asserted by the P2P car sharing
company;
3. that the P2P car sharing company’s insurance coverage on the shared
vehicle owner and the shared vehicle driver is in effect only during the car
sharing period and that, if the shared vehicle driver uses the shared vehicle
after the car sharing termination time, the shared vehicle driver and the
shared vehicle owner may not have insurance coverage;
4. the daily rate, fees and, if applicable, any insurance or protection package
costs that are charged to the shared vehicle owner or the shared vehicle
driver;
5. that the shared vehicle owner’s auto insurance may not provide coverage
for a shared vehicle;
6. an emergency telephone number to personnel capable of answering calls
for roadside assistance and other customer service inquiries; and
7. if there are conditions under which a shared vehicle driver must maintain
an auto insurance policy with certain applicable coverage limits on a
primary basis to book a shared vehicle.
Driver’s License Verification (§ 61)
The act prohibits P2P car sharing companies from entering into a car sharing
agreement with a shared vehicle driver unless the driver holds a driver’s license
authorizing him or her to operate a vehicle of the same class as the shared vehicle.
P2P companies must keep a record of the shared vehicle driver’s name, address,
and driver’s license number and place of issuance.
Responsibility for Equipment (§ 62)
Under the act, a P2P car sharing company is responsible for any equipment
(e.g., GPS systems) that is put in or on the shared vehicle to monitor or facilitate
the car sharing transaction. The company must indemnify and hold harmless
shared vehicle owners for any equipment damage or theft during the car sharing
period unless the owner caused it. The P2P company has the right to seek
indemnification from the shared vehicle driver for any equipment loss or damage
that occurs during the car sharing period.
Recalls (§ 63)
The act requires shared vehicle owners, when they receive notice of a safety
recall for their shared vehicle, to get the required repairs made before making the
vehicle available on a P2P car sharing platform. If the shared vehicle is already
available on a car sharing platform when a shared vehicle owner receives a recall
notice, he or she must remove the vehicle as soon as possible and keep it off until O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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repairs are made. If the shared vehicle owner receives a recall notice during the
car sharing period, the owner must notify both the P2P car sharing company and
the shared vehicle driver as soon as possible.
The act requires P2P car sharing companies to (1) verify that a shared vehicle
is not subject to a safety recall for which repairs have not been made and (2)
notify shared vehicle owners of their obligations related to recalls. The company
must do this when the shared vehicle owner registers a shared vehicle with the
company but before the shared vehicle is available on the car sharing platform.
§ 66 — STATE AND MUNICIPAL CONTRACT ELIGIBILITY
Repeals a provision that required a specific number of inspections of certain trucking companies
and commercial motor vehicle drivers in order to make them ineligible for state or municipal
contracts
Under prior law, certain motor carriers (e.g., trucking companies) and people
driving specific commercial motor vehicles (e.g., buses or large trucks) could not
be found ineligible for state or municipal contracts based on safety inspection
results unless at least 10 safety inspections of the motor carrier or motor vehicle
had been conducted during the 24 months before the contract’s starting date. The
act eliminates this provision.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
BACKGROUND
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements
Connecticut law requires a driver to maintain a minimum amount of auto
insurance, including liability and uninsured and underinsured motorist (UI/UM)
coverage. The law requires minimum coverage of $25,000 per person and
$50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 per accident for property
damage (CGS §§ 38a-335 and 14-112(a)). UI/UM coverage covers bodily injury
to the vehicle owner, relatives living with the owner, and passengers injured in an
accident caused by (1) an uninsured driver, (2) a driver whose bodily injury
liability limits are insufficient, or (3) a hit-and-run driver. The law requires at
least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident (CGS § 38a-336).
Federal Graves Amendment
The Graves Amendment (49 U.S.C. § 30106) protects car rental companies
from vicarious liability claims by providing that a rental company cannot be held
liable under state law for damages or injuries that occur during the rental period
simply because the company owns the vehicle. The amendment does not protect
companies from negligence or criminal wrongdoing. (A Connecticut law making
rental companies liable for such damages (CGS § 14-154a) is preempted by the
Graves Amendment.)
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