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General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 982
January Session, 2021
AN ACT REVISING MOTO R VEHICLE STATUTES.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:
Section 1. Section 14-36g of the general statutes is repealed and the 1
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021): 2
(a) Each person who holds a motor vehicle operator's license issued 3
on and after August 1, 2008, and who is sixteen or seventeen years of 4
age shall comply with the following requirements: 5
(1) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, for the period 6
of six months after the date of issuance of such license, such person shall 7
not transport more than (A) such person's parents or legal guardian, at 8
least one of whom holds a motor vehicle operator's license, [or] (B) one 9
passenger who is a driving instructor licensed by the Department of 10
Motor Vehicles, or a person twenty years of age or older who has been 11
licensed to operate, for at least four years preceding the time of being 12
transported, a motor vehicle of the same class as the motor vehicle being 13
operated and who has not had his or her motor vehicle operator's license 14
suspended by the commissioner during such four-year period, or (C) 15
such person's sibling to or from school; 16
(2) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, for the period 17
beginning six months after the date of issuance of such license and 18 Substitute Bill No. 982
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ending one year after the date of issuance of such license, such person 19
shall not transport any passenger other than as permitted under 20
subdivision (1) of this subsection and any additional member or 21
members of such person's immediate family; 22
(3) No such person shall operate any motor vehicle for which a public 23
passenger endorsement, as defined in section 14-1, is required in 24
accordance with the provisions of section 14-44 or a vanpool vehicle, as 25
defined in section 14-1; 26
(4) No such person shall transport more passengers in a motor vehicle 27
than the number of seat safety belts permanently installed in such motor 28
vehicle; 29
(5) No such person issued a motorcycle endorsement shall transport 30
any passenger on a motorcycle for a period of six months after the date 31
of issuance; 32
(6) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, no such person 33
shall operate a motor vehicle on any highway, as defined in section 14-34
1, at or after 11:00 p.m. until and including 5:00 a.m. of the following day 35
unless (A) such person is traveling for his or her employment or school 36
or religious activities, or (B) there is a medical necessity for such travel; 37
and 38
(7) No such person shall transport any passenger on an autocycle 39
other than as permitted under subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection. 40
(b) A person who holds a motor vehicle operator's license and who is 41
sixteen or seventeen years of age shall not be subject to the restrictions 42
on the number or type of passengers specified in subdivision (1) or (2) 43
of subsection (a) of this section, or to the restrictions specified in 44
subdivision (6) of said subsection (a), if such person is: An active 45
member of a volunteer fire company or department, a volunteer 46
ambulance service or company or an emergency medical service 47
organization and such person is responding to, or returning from, an 48
emergency or is carrying out such person's duties as such active 49 Substitute Bill No. 982
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member; or an assigned driver in a Safe Ride program sponsored by the 50
American Red Cross, the Boy Scouts of America or other national public 51
service organization. 52
(c) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may adopt regulations, in 53
accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of subsection 54
(a) of this section. Such regulations may provide exceptions to the 55
provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section for a single 56
parent under the age of eighteen for the purposes of transporting the 57
child of such parent to day care, child care and education facilities, 58
medical appointments, and for such other purposes as may be 59
determined by the commissioner. 60
(d) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this 61
section shall be deemed to have committed an infraction. The 62
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall suspend the motor vehicle 63
operator's license of any person who violates the provisions of 64
subsection (a) of this section for a period of thirty days for a first 65
violation, and for a period of six months or until such person attains the 66
age of eighteen years, whichever is longer, for a second violation. 67
(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the provisions of 68
this section in effect July 31, 2008, shall be applicable to any person who 69
is sixteen or seventeen years of age and who has been issued a motor 70
vehicle operator's license prior to August 1, 2008. 71
Sec. 2. Subsections (b) and (c) of section 14-12 of the general statutes 72
are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 73
October 1, 2021): 74
(b) To obtain a motor vehicle registration, except as provided in 75
subsection (c) of this section, the owner shall [file in the office of] submit 76
to the commissioner an application signed by [him] such owner and 77
containing such information and proof of ownership as the 78
commissioner may require. The application shall be [made on blanks 79
furnished by the commissioner. The blanks shall be] in such form and 80 Substitute Bill No. 982
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contain such provisions and information as the commissioner may 81
determine. The commissioner shall permit an owner of a motor home or 82
recreational vehicle to register such motor home or recreational vehicle 83
using a mailing address with a post office box in the municipality where 84
such owner resides provided such owner uses such motor home or 85
recreational vehicle as a place of permanent residence. 86
(c) (1) The commissioner may, for the more efficient administration 87
of the commissioner's duties, appoint licensed dealers meeting 88
qualifications established by the commissioner pursuant to regulations 89
adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to issue new 90
registrations for passenger motor vehicles, motorcycles, campers, camp 91
trailers, commercial trailers, service buses, school buses, trucks or other 92
vehicle types as determined by the commissioner when they are sold by 93
a licensed dealer. The commissioner shall charge such dealer a fee of ten 94
dollars for each new dealer issue form furnished for the purposes of this 95
subsection. A person purchasing a motor vehicle or other vehicle type 96
as determined by the commissioner from a dealer so appointed and 97
registering such vehicle pursuant to this section shall file an application 98
with the dealer and pay, to the dealer, a fee in accordance with the 99
provisions of section 14-49. The commissioner shall prescribe the time 100
and manner in which the application and fee shall be transmitted to the 101
commissioner. 102
(2) The commissioner may authorize a business that meets 103
qualifications established by the commissioner and has a fleet of one 104
hundred or more motor vehicles registered in the state, to electronically 105
register or transfer registrations for any motor vehicle it acquires. Such 106
business shall pay all applicable registration and title fees for each such 107
registration. 108
(3) The commissioner shall permit a licensed dealer appointed 109
pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection to electronically register a 110
motor vehicle that has a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of twenty-111
six thousand pounds and is used or operated in intrastate commerce. 112
Such dealer shall pay all applicable registration and title fees for each 113 Substitute Bill No. 982
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such registration. 114
Sec. 3. Section 14-140 of the general statutes is repealed and the 115
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2021): 116
(a) Any person who has been arrested by an officer for a violation of 117
any provision of any statute relating to motor vehicles may be released, 118
upon [his] such person's own recognizance, by such officer in [his] such 119
officer's discretion, unless such violation is of a provision relating to 120
driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs or 121
using a motor vehicle without permission of the owner or evading 122
responsibility for personal injury or property damage or involves the 123
death or serious injury of another, in which cases such person shall not 124
be released on his or her own recognizance. 125
(b) If any person so arrested or summoned wilfully fails to appear for 126
any scheduled court appearance at the time and place assigned, or if any 127
person charged with an infraction involving the use of a motor vehicle, 128
or with a motor vehicle violation specified in section 51-164n, fails to 129
pay the fine and any additional fee imposed or send in his or her plea of 130
not guilty by the answer date or wilfully fails to appear for any 131
scheduled court appearance which may be required, or if any person 132
fails to pay any surcharge imposed under section 13b-70, any fee 133
imposed under section 51-56a or any cost imposed under section 54-143 134
or 54-143a, a report of such failure shall be sent to the commissioner by 135
the court having jurisdiction. The provisions of this section shall be 136
extended to any nonresident owner or operator of a motor vehicle 137
residing in any state, the proper authorities of which agree with the 138
commissioner to revoke, until personal appearance to answer the charge 139
against [him, his] such person, such person's motor vehicle registration 140
certificate or operator's license, upon [his] such person's failure to 141
appear for any scheduled court appearance. Any infractions or 142
violations, for which a report of failure to appear has been sent to the 143
commissioner under this subsection, that have not otherwise been 144
disposed of shall be dismissed by operation of law seven years after 145
such report was sent. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 14-111, 146 Substitute Bill No. 982
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the commissioner shall not suspend the operator's license of any person 147
solely for failure to pay any fines, fees or other charges associated with 148
an infraction involving the use of a motor vehicle. 149
(c) The commissioner may enter into reciprocal agreements with the 150
proper authorities of other states, which agreements may include 151
provisions for the suspension or revocation of licenses and registrations 152
of residents and nonresidents who fail to appear for trial at the time and 153
place assigned. 154
(d) Any judgment under this section shall be opened upon the 155
payment to the clerk of the Superior Court of a fee of forty dollars. Such 156
filing fee may be waived by the court. 157
(e) In addition, the provisions of subsection (b) of this section shall 158
apply to sections 29-322, 29-349 and 29-351. 159
Sec. 4. Subsection (b) of section 14-253a of the general statutes is 160
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 161
1, 2021): 162
(b) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall accept applications 163
and renewal applications for removable windshield placards from (1) 164
any person who is blind, as defined in section 1-1f; (2) any person with 165
disabilities; (3) any parent or guardian of any person who is blind or any 166
person with disabilities, if such person is under eighteen years of age at 167
the time of application; (4) any parent or guardian of any person who is 168
blind or any person with disabilities, if such person is unable to request 169
or complete an application; and (5) any organization which meets 170
criteria established by the commissioner and which certifies to the 171
commissioner's satisfaction that the vehicle for which a placard is 172
requested is primarily used to transport persons who are blind or 173
persons with disabilities. Except as provided in subsection (c) of this 174
section, on and after October 1, 2011, the commissioner shall not accept 175
applications for special license plates, but shall accept renewal 176
applications for such plates that were issued prior to October 1, 2011. 177 Substitute Bill No. 982
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No person shall be issued a placard in accordance with this section 178
unless such person is the holder of a valid motor vehicle operator's 179
license, or identification card issued in accordance with the provisions 180
of section 1-1h. The commissioner is authorized to adopt regulations for 181
the issuance of placards to persons who, by reason of hardship, do not 182
hold or cannot obtain an operator's license or identification card. The 183
commissioner shall maintain a record of each placard issued to any such 184
person. Such applications and renewal applications shall be on a form 185
prescribed by the commissioner. The application and renewal 186
application shall include: (A) Certification by a licensed physician, a 187
physician assistant, an advanced practice registered nurse licensed in 188
accordance with the provisions of chapter 378, or a member of the driver 189
training unit for persons with disabilities established pursuant to 190
section 14-11b, that the applicant meets the definition of a person with a 191
disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk, as defined in 23 192
CFR Section 1235.2; or (B) certification by a psychiatrist who is 193
employed by, or under contract with, the United States Department of 194
Veterans Affairs that the applicant (i) is a veteran, as defined in 195
subsection (a) of section 27-103, who has post-traumatic stress disorder 196
certified as service-connected by the United States Department of 197
Veterans Affairs, and (ii) meets the definition of a person with a 198
disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk, as defined in 23 199
CFR Section 1235.2. In the case of persons who are blind, the application 200
or renewal application shall include certification of legal blindness 201
made by the Department of Aging and Disability Services, an 202
ophthalmologist or an optometrist. Any person who makes a 203
certification required by this subsection shall sign the application or 204
renewal application under penalty of false statement pursuant to section 205
53a-157b. The commissioner, in said commissioner's discretion, may 206
accept the discharge papers of a disabled veteran, as defined in section 207
14-254, in lieu of such certification. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles 208
may require additional certification at the time of the original 209
application or at any time thereafter. If a person who has been requested 210
to submit additional certification fails to do so within thirty days of the 211
request, or if such additional certification is deemed by the 212 Substitute Bill No. 982
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Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to be unfavorable to the applicant, the 213
commissioner may refuse to issue or, if already issued, suspend or 214
revoke such special license plate or placard. The commissioner shall not 215
issue more than one placard per applicant, except the commissioner 216
shall issue one placard to each applicant who is a parent or guardian of 217
any person who is blind or any person with disabilities, [if such person 218
is under eighteen at the time of application,] provided no more than two 219
such placards shall be issued on behalf of such person. The fee for the 220
issuance of a temporary removable windshield placard shall be five 221
dollars. Any person whose application has been denied or whose special 222
license plate or placard has been suspended or revoked shall be afforded 223
an opportunity for a hearing in accordance with the provisions of 224
chapter 54. 225
Sec. 5. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2021) The driver of a vehicle shall 226
yield the right-of-way to a motor bus traveling in the same direction 227
when such motor bus gives an appropriate signal in the manner 228
provided in section 14-244 of the general statutes to reenter the flow of 229
traffic. Violation of this section shall be an infraction. 230
Sec. 6. Subsection (c) of section 14-275 of the general statutes is 231
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 232
1, 2021): 233
(c) (1) Each school bus shall be equipped with special automatic, 234
electrically-operated flashing stop signals, which shall be independent 235
and separate from the braking, stop and tail lights of standard 236
equipment. Such flashing lights may include automatic traffic signalling 237
devices showing red and amber lights and shall be so located that 238
adequate warning will be afforded to both oncoming and overtaking 239
traffic, except that each school bus manufactured on and after October 240
1, 1984, and registered for use in this state shall be equipped with an 241
eight-light warning system, showing two red flashing stop signals and 242
two amber flashing warning signals on the front and rear of the bus, and 243
a stop semaphore. The commissioner may adopt standards for an eight-244
light warning system and standards and specifications for the 245 Substitute Bill No. 982
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construction of school buses and for equipment to be maintained on 246
school buses consistent with the provisions of this section, sections [14-247
275] 14-275a to 14-281, inclusive. 248
(2) Both public and private owners of school buses shall maintain a 249
record of such kinds of repairs made to such buses as the commissioner 250
may require and such work record shall be available at all times to the 251
commissioner and the commissioner's designated assistants. All such 252
maintenance records shall be retained for a period of two years. 253
(3) Each school bus shall be equipped with emergency lighting 254
equipment as provided by section 14-97a, with a defrosting device as 255
provided by section 14-97, with a system of mirrors as provided in the 256
Code of Federal Regulations Title 49, Section 571.111, as amended, or 257
with an outside mirror as provided by section 14-99 and a system of 258
crossover mirrors designed and mounted so as to give the driver a view 259
of the road from the front bumper forward to a point where direct 260
observation is possible and along the left and right sides of the bus, with 261
a signalling device as provided by section 14-101, and with chain 262
nonskid devices for immediate use on at least one outside or inside rear 263
tire on each side or tires designed to prevent skidding on all rear wheels 264
when weather and highway conditions require such use. 265
(4) Commencing February 1, 1974, each new school bus with a vehicle 266
air brake system shall be so equipped that the brake system is operated 267
from a separate air reservoir tank other than the air reservoir tank used 268
to operate any other compressed air or vacuum operated devices with 269
which the school bus may be equipped. 270
(5) The seating requirements of section 14-273 shall be observed. 271
(6) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 14-98, school buses 272
may be equipped with tires incorporating a metal nonskid device 273
during the period from October fifteenth to April thirtieth, inclusive. 274
(7) Each school bus that is model year 2007 or newer shall be 275
equipped with a crossing control arm mounted on the right end of the 276 Substitute Bill No. 982
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front bumper. 277
(8) Each school bus that is model year 2022 or newer shall be 278
equipped with an extended stop arm. For the purposes of this 279
subdivision, "extended stop arm" means a device attached to a stop 280
semaphore that when activated displays a stop sign and extends more 281
than three feet but not more than six feet from the left side of a school 282
bus. 283
(9) The commissioner shall establish additional standards and 284
requirements for such devices in regulations adopted in accordance 285
with the provisions of chapter 54. 286
Sec. 7. Subsection (f) of section 13a-26 of the general statutes is 287
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 288
1, 2021): 289
(f) The provisions of this part restricting the use and accommodation 290
of motor vehicle traffic on parkways to noncommercial vehicles shall 291
not apply to use of the Merritt and Wilbur Cross Parkways by (1) 292
taxicabs, as defined in section 13b-95, (2) vanpool vehicles, as defined in 293
section 14-1, [or] (3) service buses and motor vehicles with a 294
combination registration that are owned by or under contract to a 295
nonprofit organization, provided (A) such service buses are not more 296
than one hundred twenty inches high, ninety-six inches wide and two 297
hundred eighty-eight inches long, and (B) such motor vehicles with a 298
combination registration are not more than one hundred eight inches 299
high, eighty inches wide and two hundred twenty-eight inches long, or 300
(4) service buses, service buses for students with special needs, or two-301
axle, four-wheeled type II, registered school buses with a gross vehicle 302
weight rating of ten thousand pounds or less, which are owned by or 303
under contract to a public, private or religious school or public school 304
district and which are engaged in the transportation of school children 305
to and from school or school activities, provided (A) such service buses 306
conform to the regulations establishing the maximum weight, length, 307
height or width of vehicles permitted to use such parkways; (B) such 308 Substitute Bill No. 982
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school buses are not more than ninety-eight inches high, eighty-four 309
inches wide and two hundred three inches long; and (C) such service 310
buses for students with special needs are not more than one hundred 311
twenty inches high, ninety inches wide and two hundred eighty-eight 312
inches long. The Office of the State Traffic Administration shall adopt 313
regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 establishing 314
the maximum allowable length and height for any vanpool vehicle 315
using said Merritt and Wilbur Cross Parkways [and, not later than July 316
1, 1984, publish in the Connecticut Law Journal a notice of intent to 317
adopt proposed regulations, as defined in section 4-166,] and reducing 318
the maximum weight, length, height or width of, or limiting the 319
registration classes of, motor vehicles permitted to use such parkways, 320
in order to fully carry out the prohibition on the operation of commercial 321
motor vehicles on such parkways. 322
Sec. 8. Section 14-16c of the general statutes is repealed and the 323
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2021): 324
(a) (1) (A) Any insurance company [which] that takes possession of a 325
motor vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued in this state, 326
that has been declared a total loss and that is offered for sale in this state 327
by such insurance company or its agent as a result of the settlement of a 328
claim for damage or theft, shall stamp the word "SALVAGE" in one-329
inch-high letters not to exceed three inches in length on the vehicle's 330
certificate of title and shall attach to such certificate of title a copy of the 331
appraiser's damage report for such totalled motor vehicle, except that if 332
the insurance company determines that such motor vehicle has ten or 333
more major component parts [which] that are damaged beyond repair 334
and must be replaced, the insurance company shall stamp the words 335
"SALVAGE PARTS ONLY" in one-inch-high letters not to exceed three 336
inches in length on the vehicle's certificate of title. A copy of such 337
certificate shall be sent by the insurance company to the Department of 338
Motor Vehicles. If the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles determines that 339
salvage information required to be reported by an insurance company 340
to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System under 49 USC 341 Substitute Bill No. 982
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Sections 30501 to 30505, inclusive, and 28 CFR Sections 25.51 to 25.57, 342
inclusive, is available to the department on a regular basis from the 343
National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, the commissioner 344
may discontinue the requirement that an insurance company submit a 345
copy of such certificate to the department. (B) Any insurance company 346
[which] that takes possession of a motor vehicle for which a certificate 347
of title has been issued in any state other than this state that has been 348
declared a total loss and that is offered for sale in this state by such 349
insurance company or its agent as a result of the settlement of a claim 350
for damage or theft, shall attach to such certificate of title a copy of the 351
appraiser's damage report for such totalled motor vehicle. 352
(2) (A) Any person, firm or corporation [which] that is a self-insurer 353
and owns a motor vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued 354
in this state, that has been declared a total loss and that is offered for sale 355
in this state by such self-insurer or its agent, shall stamp the word 356
"SALVAGE" in one-inch-high letters not to exceed three inches in length 357
on the vehicle's certificate of title and shall attach to such certificate of 358
title a copy of the appraiser's damage report for such totalled motor 359
vehicle, except that if such self-insurer determines that such motor 360
vehicle has ten or more major component parts [which] that are 361
damaged beyond repair and must be replaced, the self-insurer shall 362
stamp the words "SALVAGE PARTS ONLY" in one-inch-high letters not 363
to exceed three inches in length on the motor vehicle's certificate of title. 364
Any person, firm or corporation [which] that is insured other than by 365
means of self-insurance and owns such a motor vehicle, shall forward 366
the vehicle's certificate of title to the company insuring such vehicle or 367
the company paying the totalled claim. Such insurer shall stamp the 368
word "SALVAGE" in one-inch-high letters not to exceed three inches in 369
length on the certificate of title except that if the insurance company 370
determines that such motor vehicle has ten or more major component 371
parts [which] that are damaged beyond repair and must be replaced, the 372
insurer taking possession of such motor vehicle shall stamp the words 373
"SALVAGE PARTS ONLY" in one-inch-high letters not to exceed three 374
inches in length on the motor vehicle's certificate of title and shall return 375 Substitute Bill No. 982
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such certificate to such person, firm or corporation. A copy of such 376
certificate shall be sent by the person, firm or corporation to the 377
Department of Motor Vehicles. If the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles 378
determines that salvage information required to be reported by a self-379
insurer to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System under 380
49 USC Sections 30501 to 30505, inclusive, and 28 CFR Sections 25.51 to 381
25.57, inclusive, is available to the department on a regular basis from 382
the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, the commissioner 383
may discontinue the requirement that a self-insurer submit a copy of 384
such certificate to the department. (B) Any person, firm or corporation 385
[which] that is a self-insurer and owns a motor vehicle for which a 386
certificate of title has been issued in any state other than this state that 387
has been declared a total loss and that is offered for sale in this state by 388
such self-insurer or its agent, shall attach to such certificate of title a copy 389
of the appraiser's damage report for such totalled motor vehicle. 390
(3) For purposes of this subsection, "major component part" has the 391
same meaning as provided in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 392
14-149a. 393
(b) Any insurance company or its agent taking possession of a motor 394
vehicle in accordance with subsection (a) of this section or any person, 395
firm or corporation [which] that owns such motor vehicle shall copy the 396
certificate and give the original of such certificate, with a copy of the 397
appraiser's damage report attached thereto, to any subsequent 398
purchaser of the motor vehicle that has been declared a total loss. The 399
name and address of any such purchaser shall be recorded on the 400
original and the copy, as provided on the certificate. The copy shall 401
serve only as a record of transfers of the total loss motor vehicle. 402
(c) Any insurance company that takes possession of a motor vehicle 403
for which a certificate of title has been issued in this state, as a result of 404
a full settlement of a claim for damage or theft, but is unable to obtain 405
the title to the vehicle from the insured or any lienholder of record for 406
the vehicle may apply to the department for a certificate of title, 407
SALVAGE title or SALVAGE -PARTS ONLY title, as described in 408 Substitute Bill No. 982
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subsection (a) of this section. The application for a certificate of title 409
pursuant to this subsection shall (1) be on a form prescribed by the 410
commissioner, (2) include documents as required by the commissioner 411
in lieu of the documents required under subsection (a) of this section, 412
and (3) include evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that the 413
insurance company (A) provided at least two notices by certified mail, 414
return receipt requested, to the insured and any lienholder of record for 415
the vehicle indicating the insurance company's intention to apply for a 416
certificate of title as the owner of the vehicle, and (B) made payment to 417
the insured or any lienholder of record in full settlement of the claim 418
involving the vehicle. The commissioner may issue a certificate of title 419
pursuant to this subsection only in the name of the insurance company 420
not earlier than thirty days after the date of the payment described in 421
subparagraph (B) of subdivision (3) of this section is made. 422
[(c)] (d) The person, firm, company or corporation required to stamp 423
"SALVAGE" on the certificate of title shall stamp the following 424
statement on the face of any original or copy of such certificate issued in 425
accordance with this section: "WARNING: ALL PURCHASERS OF THE 426
MOTOR VEHICLE DESCRIBED HEREIN MUST RECORD THEIR 427
NAME AND ADDRESS ON THE REVERSE SIDE. THIS VEHICLE 428
CANNOT BE REGISTERED OR RETITLED WITHOUT PASSING 429
INSPECTION UNDER SECTION 14 -103a. THIS DOCUMENT MUST 430
BE SUBMITTED AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION." 431
[(d)] (e) No motor vehicle for which a copy of a certificate of title has 432
been made in accordance with this section may be operated upon any 433
highway in this state, except that an owner of any such motor vehicle 434
who is a motor vehicle dealer or repairer licensed under the provisions 435
of section 14-52 may operate such vehicle for the purpose of presenting 436
the vehicle for inspection pursuant to section 14-103a. If such vehicle 437
fails to comply with the minimum standards, it shall be transported 438
from the site of such inspection. If any such motor vehicle is rebuilt for 439
sale or use, the owner shall apply to the Commissioner of Motor 440
Vehicles for an original certificate of title and present the vehicle for 441 Substitute Bill No. 982
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inspection pursuant to section 14-103a. The certificate of title issued in 442
accordance with this section must be presented at the time of inspection, 443
unless waived by the commissioner for good cause. 444
[(e)] (f) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a motor 445
vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued in this state, that 446
has been declared a total loss in settlement of a claim for theft, having 447
no damage to a major component part or having damage not exceeding 448
(1) fifteen per cent of the retail value of such motor vehicle, as 449
determined in accordance with the provisions of section 38a-353, or (2) 450
one thousand dollars as evidenced by an insurance adjuster's damage 451
appraisal report, shall not be required to have its certificate of title 452
stamped in accordance with the provisions of this section provided 453
proof of such damage or lack of damage to a major component part, is 454
attached to such certificate. 455
[(f)] (g) No insurance company and no firm or corporation [which] 456
that is a self-insurer may sell or transfer any totalled or salvaged motor 457
vehicle, major component parts or any other parts of a motor vehicle to 458
any person, firm or corporation [which] that is not licensed under the 459
provisions of subparts (D) or (H) of part III of this chapter. No person, 460
firm or corporation licensed as a new or used car dealer who holds a 461
permit pursuant to the provisions of section 14-65 may sell or transfer 462
any totalled or salvaged motor vehicle with a certificate of title stamped 463
"SALVAGE PARTS ONLY" or any motor vehicle [which] that has ten or 464
more major component parts damaged beyond repair and in need of 465
replacement to any person, firm or corporation which is not licensed 466
under the provisions of subpart (H) of this part or under a similar 467
provision of law of any other state. Any sale or transfer in violation of 468
the provisions of this section shall constitute an unfair method of 469
competition and an unfair or deceptive act or practice, as defined by 470
section 42-110b. 471
(h) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1-350b and the 472
requirements of section 1-350d that a signature on a power of attorney 473
executed in this state be witnessed by two witnesses and acknowledged 474 Substitute Bill No. 982
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by a notary public, a commissioner of the Superior Court or other 475
individual authorized by law to take acknowledgments, a power of 476
attorney used to support an application for or transfer of a certificate of 477
title by an insurance company or its agent shall only require the 478
signature or electronic signature of the insured who has received or is 479
to receive a total loss settlement of a claim for damage or theft from the 480
insurance company. 481
[(g)] (i) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles [shall] may adopt 482
regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to 483
implement the provisions of this section. 484
Sec. 9. Subsection (a) of section 14-20b of the general statutes is 485
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 486
1, 2021): 487
(a) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, at the request of any veteran 488
or member of the armed forces or the surviving spouse of such veteran 489
or member, shall register any motor vehicle owned or leased for a period 490
of at least one year by such person and shall issue a special certificate of 491
registration and a set of number plates for each such motor vehicle, 492
including a special certificate of registration and a set of number plates 493
for any motor vehicle used exclusively for farming purposes by any 494
veteran or member of the armed forces, or the surviving spouse of such 495
veteran or member, who is engaged in agricultural production as a trade 496
or business. The plates shall expire and be renewed as provided in 497
section 14-22. The commissioner shall charge a fee for such plates, which 498
fee shall cover the entire cost of making such plates and shall be in 499
addition to the fee for registration of such motor vehicle. The 500
commissioner shall charge a fee of fifteen dollars to replace such plates 501
that become mutilated or illegible. As used in this subsection, "member 502
of the armed forces" has the same meaning as provided in section 27-103 503
and "veteran" means any person (1) honorably discharged from, or 504
released under honorable conditions from active service in, the armed 505
forces, or (2) with a qualifying condition, as defined in section 27-103, 506
who has received a discharge other than bad conduct or dishonorable 507 Substitute Bill No. 982
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from active service in the armed forces. 508
Sec. 10. Section 14-96q of the general statutes is repealed and the 509
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2021): 510
(a) A permit is required for the use of colored or flashing lights on all 511
motor vehicles or equipment specified in this section except: (1) Motor 512
vehicles not registered in this state used for transporting or escorting 513
any vehicle or load, or combinations thereof, which is either oversize or 514
overweight, or both, when operating under a permit issued by the 515
Commissioner of Transportation pursuant to section 14-270; or (2) 516
motor vehicles or equipment that are (A) equipped with lights in 517
accordance with this section, (B) owned or leased by the federal 518
government, the state of Connecticut, or any other state, commonwealth 519
or local municipality, and (C) registered to such governmental entity. 520
When used in this section the term "flashing" shall be considered to 521
include the term "revolving". 522
(b) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, or such other person 523
specifically identified in this section, is authorized to issue permits for 524
the use of colored or flashing lights on vehicles in accordance with this 525
section, at the commissioner's or such person's discretion. Any person, 526
firm or corporation other than the state or any metropolitan district, 527
town, city or borough shall pay an annual permit fee of twenty dollars 528
to the commissioner for each such vehicle. Such fee shall apply only to 529
permits issued by the commissioner. 530
(c) A flashing blue light or lights may be used on a motor vehicle 531
operated by an active member of a volunteer fire department or 532
company, [or] an active member of an organized civil preparedness 533
auxiliary fire company or an active member of a volunteer ambulance 534
association or company who has been issued a permit by the chief 535
executive officer of such department, [or] company or association to use 536
a flashing blue light or lights while on the way to or at the scene of a fire 537
or [other] emergency requiring such member's services. Such permit 538
shall be on a form provided by the commissioner and may be revoked 539 Substitute Bill No. 982
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by such chief executive officer or successor. The chief executive officer 540
of each volunteer fire department or company, [or] organized civil 541
preparedness auxiliary fire company or volunteer ambulance 542
association or company shall keep on file, on forms provided by the 543
commissioner, the names and addresses of members who have been 544
authorized to use a flashing blue light or lights as provided in this 545
subsection. Such listing shall also designate the registration number of 546
the motor vehicle on which authorized a flashing blue light or lights are 547
to be used. 548
[(d) A green light or lights, including a flashing green light or lights, 549
may be used on a motor vehicle operated by an active member of a 550
volunteer ambulance association or company who has been issued a 551
permit by the chief executive officer of such association or company to 552
use such a light or lights, while on the way to or at the scene of an 553
emergency requiring such member's services. Such permit shall be on a 554
form provided by the commissioner and may be revoked by such chief 555
executive officer or successor. The chief executive officer of each 556
volunteer ambulance association or company shall keep on file, on 557
forms provided by the commissioner, the names and addresses of 558
members who have been authorized to use a flashing green light or 559
lights as provided in this subsection. Such listing shall also designate the 560
registration number of the vehicle on which the authorized flashing 561
green lights are to be used.] 562
[(e)] (d) The commissioner may issue a permit for a flashing red light 563
or lights which may be used on a motor vehicle or equipment (1) used 564
by paid fire chiefs and their deputies and assistants, up to a total of five 565
individuals per department, (2) used by volunteer fire chiefs and their 566
deputies and assistants, up to a total of five individuals per department, 567
(3) used by members of the fire police on a stationary vehicle as a 568
warning signal during traffic directing operations at the scene of a fire 569
or emergency, (4) used by chief executive officers of emergency medical 570
service organizations, as defined in section 19a-175, the first or second 571
deputies, or if there are no deputies, the first or second assistants, of such 572 Substitute Bill No. 982
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an organization that is a municipal or volunteer or licensed 573
organization, (5) used by local fire marshals, or (6) used by directors of 574
emergency management. 575
[(f)] (e) The commissioner may issue a permit for a yellow or amber 576
light or lights, including a flashing yellow or amber light or lights, which 577
may be used on motor vehicles or equipment that are (1) specified in 578
subsection [(e)] (d) of this section, (2) maintenance vehicles, or (3) 579
vehicles transporting or escorting any vehicle or load or combinations 580
thereof, which is or are either oversize or overweight, or both, and being 581
operated or traveling under a permit issued by the Commissioner of 582
Transportation pursuant to section 14-270. A yellow or amber light or 583
lights, including a flashing yellow or amber light or lights, may be used 584
without obtaining a permit from the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles 585
on wreckers registered pursuant to section 14-66, on vehicles of carriers 586
in rural mail delivery service or on vehicles operated by construction 587
inspectors employed by the state of Connecticut, authorized by the 588
Commissioner of Transportation, used during the performance of 589
inspections on behalf of the state. The Commissioner of Transportation 590
shall maintain a list of such authorized construction inspectors, 591
including the name and address of each inspector and the registration 592
number for each vehicle on which the lights are to be used. 593
[(g)] (f) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may issue a permit for 594
a white light or lights, including a flashing white light or lights, which 595
may be used on a motor vehicle or equipment as specified in subdivision 596
(1), (2), (4), (5) or (6) of subsection [(e)] (d) of this section. A vehicle being 597
operated by a member of a volunteer fire department or company or a 598
volunteer emergency medical technician may use flashing white head 599
lamps, provided such member or emergency medical technician is on 600
the way to the scene of a fire or medical emergency and has received 601
written authorization from the chief law enforcement officer of the 602
municipality to use such head lamps. Such head lamps shall only be 603
used within the municipality granting such authorization or from a 604
personal residence or place of employment, if located in an adjoining 605 Substitute Bill No. 982
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municipality. Such authorization may be revoked for use of such head 606
lamps in violation of this subdivision. For the purposes of this 607
subsection, the term "flashing white lights" shall not include the 608
simultaneous flashing of head lamps. 609
[(h)] (g) The commissioner may issue a permit for emergency 610
vehicles, as defined in subsection (a) of section 14-283, to use a blue, red, 611
yellow, or white light or lights, including a flashing light or lights or any 612
combination thereof, except as provided in subsection (j) of this section. 613
[(i)] (h) The commissioner may issue a permit for ambulances, as 614
defined in section 19a-175, which may, in addition to the flashing light 615
or lights allowed in subsection [(h)] (g) of this section, use flashing lights 616
of other colors specified by federal requirements for the manufacture of 617
an ambulance. If the commissioner issues a permit for any ambulance, 618
such permit shall be issued at the time of registration and upon each 619
renewal of such registration. 620
[(j)] (i) A green, yellow or amber light or lights, including a flashing 621
green, yellow or amber light or lights or any combination thereof, may 622
be used on a maintenance vehicle owned and operated by the 623
Department of Transportation. 624
[(k)] (j) No person, other than a police officer or inspector of the 625
Department of Motor Vehicles operating a state or local police vehicle, 626
shall operate a motor vehicle displaying a steady blue or steady red 627
illuminated light or both steady blue and steady red illuminated lights 628
that are visible externally from the front of the vehicle. 629
[(l)] (k) Use of colored and flashing lights except as authorized by this 630
section shall be an infraction. 631
Sec. 11. Subsections (b) to (e), inclusive, of section 14-36 of the general 632
statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof 633
(Effective October 1, 2021): 634
(b) (1) A person eighteen years of age or older who does not hold a 635 Substitute Bill No. 982
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motor vehicle operator's license may not operate a motor vehicle on the 636
public highways of the state for the purpose of instruction until such 637
person has applied for and obtained an adult instruction permit from 638
the commissioner. Such person shall not be eligible for an adult 639
instruction permit if such person has had a motor vehicle operator's 640
license or privilege suspended or revoked. An applicant for an adult 641
instruction permit shall, as a condition to receiving such permit, pass a 642
vision screening conducted by the Department of Motor Vehicles or 643
submit to the commissioner the results of a vision examination 644
conducted by a licensed medical professional, as defined in section 14-645
46b. Such medical professional shall certify that the applicant meets the 646
vision standards established in regulations adopted pursuant to section 647
14-45a, as amended by this act. An adult instruction permit shall entitle 648
the holder, while such holder has the permit in his or her immediate 649
possession, to operate a motor vehicle on the public highways, provided 650
such holder is under the instruction of, and accompanied by, a person 651
who holds an instructor's license issued under the provisions of section 652
14-73 or a person twenty years of age or older who has been licensed to 653
operate, for at least four years preceding the instruction, a motor vehicle 654
of the same class as the motor vehicle being operated and who has not 655
had his or her motor vehicle operator's license suspended by the 656
commissioner during the four-year period preceding the instruction. 657
The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall not issue a motor vehicle 658
operator's license to any person holding an adult instruction permit who 659
has held such permit for less than ninety days unless such person (A) is 660
a member of the armed forces on active duty outside the state, or (B) has 661
previously held a motor vehicle operator's license. (2) A person holding 662
a valid out-of-state motor vehicle operator's license may operate a motor 663
vehicle for a period of thirty days following such person's establishment 664
of residence in Connecticut, if the motor vehicle is of the same class as 665
that for which his or her out-of-state motor vehicle operator's license 666
was issued. (3) No person may cause or permit the operation of a motor 667
vehicle by a person under sixteen years of age. 668
(c) (1) A person who is sixteen or seventeen years of age and who has 669 Substitute Bill No. 982
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not had a motor vehicle operator's license or right to operate a motor 670
vehicle in this state suspended or revoked may apply to the 671
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for a youth instruction permit. The 672
commissioner may issue a youth instruction permit to an applicant after 673
the applicant has (A) passed a [vision screening and] test as to 674
knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the 675
road, (B) has paid the fee required by subsection (v) of section 14-49, (C) 676
has passed a vision screening conducted by the Department of Motor 677
Vehicles or submitted to the commissioner the results of a vision 678
examination conducted by a licensed medical professional, as defined 679
in section 14-46b, that certifies that the applicant meets the vision 680
standards established in regulations adopted pursuant to section 14-45a, 681
as amended by this act, and (D) has filed a certificate, in such form as 682
the commissioner prescribes, requesting or consenting to the issuance of 683
the youth instruction permit and the motor vehicle operator's license, 684
signed by [(A)] (i) one or both parents or foster parents of the applicant, 685
as the commissioner requires, [(B)] (ii) the legal guardian of the 686
applicant, [(C)] (iii) the applicant's spouse, if the spouse is eighteen years 687
of age or older, or [(D)] (iv) if the applicant has no qualified spouse and 688
such applicant's parent or foster parent or legal guardian is deceased, 689
incapable, domiciled outside of this state or otherwise unavailable or 690
unable to sign or file the certificate, the applicant's stepparent, 691
grandparent, or uncle or aunt by blood or marriage, provided such 692
person is eighteen years of age or older. The commissioner may, for the 693
more efficient administration of the commissioner's duties, appoint any 694
drivers' school licensed in accordance with the provisions of section 14-695
69 or any secondary school providing instruction in motor vehicle 696
operation and highway safety in accordance with section 14-36e to issue 697
a youth instruction permit, subject to such standards and requirements 698
as the commissioner may prescribe in regulations adopted in 699
accordance with chapter 54. Each youth instruction permit shall expire 700
two years from the date of issuance or on the date the holder of the 701
permit is issued a motor vehicle operator's license, whichever is earlier. 702
Any holder of a youth instruction permit who attains eighteen years of 703
age may retain such permit until the expiration of such permit. (2) The 704 Substitute Bill No. 982
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youth instruction permit shall entitle the holder, while such holder has 705
the permit in his or her immediate possession, to operate a motor vehicle 706
on the public highways, provided such holder is under the instruction 707
of, and accompanied by, a person who holds an instructor's license 708
issued under the provisions of section 14-73 or a person twenty years of 709
age or older who has been licensed to operate, for at least four years 710
preceding the instruction, a motor vehicle of the same class as the motor 711
vehicle being operated and who has not had his or her motor vehicle 712
operator's license suspended by the commissioner during the four-year 713
period preceding the instruction. (3) Unless the holder of the permit is 714
under the instruction of and accompanied by a person who holds an 715
instructor's license issued under the provisions of section 14-73, no 716
passenger in addition to the person providing instruction shall be 717
transported unless such passenger is a parent or legal guardian of the 718
holder of the permit. (4) The holder of a youth instruction permit who 719
(A) is an active member of a certified ambulance service, as defined in 720
section 19a-175, (B) has commenced an emergency vehicle operator's 721
course that conforms to the national standard curriculum developed by 722
the United States Department of Transportation, and (C) has had state 723
and national criminal history records checks conducted by the certified 724
ambulance service or by the municipality in which such ambulance 725
service is provided, shall be exempt from the provisions of subdivisions 726
(2) and (3) of this subsection only when such holder is [en route] driving 727
to or from the location of the ambulance for purposes of responding to 728
an emergency call. (5) The commissioner may revoke any youth 729
instruction permit used in violation of the limitations imposed by 730
subdivision (2) or (3) of this subsection. 731
(d) (1) No motor vehicle operator's license shall be issued to any 732
applicant who is sixteen or seventeen years of age unless the applicant 733
has held a youth instruction permit and has satisfied the requirements 734
specified in this subsection. The applicant shall (A) present to the 735
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles a certificate of the successful 736
completion (i) in a public secondary school, a technical education and 737
career school or a private secondary school of a full course of study in 738 Substitute Bill No. 982
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motor vehicle operation prepared as provided in section 14-36e, (ii) of 739
training of similar nature provided by a licensed drivers' school 740
approved by the commissioner, or (iii) of home training in accordance 741
with subdivision (2) of this subsection, including, in each case, or by a 742
combination of such types of training, successful completion of: Not less 743
than forty clock hours of behind-the-wheel, on-the-road instruction for 744
applicants to whom a youth instruction permit is issued on or after 745
August 1, 2008; (B) present to the commissioner a certificate of the 746
successful completion of a course of not less than eight hours relative to 747
safe driving practices, including a minimum of four hours on the nature 748
and the medical, biological and physiological effects of alcohol and 749
drugs and their impact on the operator of a motor vehicle, the dangers 750
associated with the operation of a motor vehicle after the consumption 751
of alcohol or drugs by the operator, the problems of alcohol and drug 752
abuse and the penalties for alcohol and drug-related motor vehicle 753
violations; and (C) pass an examination which may include a 754
comprehensive test as to knowledge of the laws concerning motor 755
vehicles and the rules of the road in addition to the test required under 756
subsection (c) of this section and shall include an on-the-road skills test 757
as prescribed by the commissioner. At the time of application and 758
examination for a motor vehicle operator's license, an applicant sixteen 759
or seventeen years of age shall have held a youth instruction permit for 760
not less than one hundred eighty days, except that an applicant who 761
presents a certificate under subparagraph (A)(i) or subparagraph (A)(ii) 762
of this subdivision shall have held a youth instruction permit for not less 763
than one hundred twenty days and an applicant who is undergoing 764
training and instruction by the driver training unit for persons with 765
disabilities in accordance with the provisions of section 14-11b shall 766
have held such permit for the period of time required by said unit. The 767
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall approve the content of the safe 768
driving instruction at drivers' schools, high schools and other secondary 769
schools. Subject to such standards and requirements as the 770
commissioner may impose, the commissioner may authorize any 771
drivers' school, licensed in good standing in accordance with the 772
provisions of section 14-69, or secondary school driver education 773 Substitute Bill No. 982
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program authorized pursuant to the provisions of section 14-36e, to 774
administer the comprehensive test as to knowledge of the laws 775
concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the road, required pursuant 776
to subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, as part of the safe driving 777
practices course required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this 778
subdivision, and to certify to the commissioner, under oath, the results 779
of each such test administered. Such hours of instruction required by 780
this subdivision shall be included as part of or in addition to any existing 781
instruction programs. Any fee charged for the course required under 782
subparagraph (B) of this subdivision shall not exceed one hundred fifty 783
dollars. Any applicant sixteen or seventeen years of age who, while a 784
resident of another state, completed the course required in 785
subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, but did not complete the safe 786
driving course required in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, shall 787
complete the safe driving course. The commissioner may waive any 788
requirement in this subdivision, except for that in subparagraph (C) of 789
this subdivision, in the case of an applicant sixteen or seventeen years 790
of age who holds a valid motor vehicle operator's license issued by any 791
other state, provided the commissioner is satisfied that the applicant has 792
received training and instruction of a similar nature. 793
(2) The commissioner may accept as evidence of sufficient training 794
under subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of this subsection home 795
training as evidenced by a written statement signed by the spouse of a 796
married minor applicant, or by a parent, grandparent, foster parent or 797
legal guardian of an applicant which states that the applicant has 798
obtained a youth instruction permit and has successfully completed a 799
driving course taught by the person signing the statement, that the 800
signer has had an operator's license for at least four years preceding the 801
date of the statement, and that the signer has not had such license 802
suspended by the commissioner for at least four years preceding the 803
date of the statement or, if the applicant has no spouse, parent, 804
grandparent, foster parent or guardian so qualified and available to give 805
the instruction, a statement signed by the applicant's stepparent, 806
brother, sister, uncle or aunt, by blood or marriage, provided the person 807 Substitute Bill No. 982
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signing the statement is qualified. 808
(3) If the commissioner requires a written test of any applicant under 809
this section, the test shall be given in English, [or] Spanish, Vietnamese 810
or Albanian at the option of the applicant, provided the commissioner 811
shall require that the applicant shall have sufficient understanding of 812
English for the interpretation of traffic control signs. 813
(4) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may adopt regulations, in 814
accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the 815
purposes of this subsection concerning the requirements for behind-the-816
wheel, on-the-road instruction, the content of safe driving instruction at 817
drivers' schools, high schools and other secondary schools, and the 818
administration and certification of required testing. 819
(e) (1) No motor vehicle operator's license shall be issued until (A) the 820
applicant signs and files with the commissioner an application under 821
oath, or made subject to penalties for false statement in accordance with 822
section 53a-157b, and (B) the commissioner is satisfied that the applicant 823
is sixteen years of age or older and is a suitable person to receive the 824
license. 825
(2) Except any applicant described in section 14-36m, an applicant for 826
a new motor vehicle operator's license shall, in the discretion of the 827
commissioner, file, with the application, a copy of such applicant's birth 828
certificate or other prima facie evidence of date of birth and evidence of 829
identity. 830
(3) Before granting a license to any applicant who has not previously 831
held a Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license, or who has not 832
operated a motor vehicle during the preceding two years, the 833
commissioner shall require the applicant to demonstrate personally to 834
the commissioner, a deputy or a motor vehicle inspector or an agent of 835
the commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner directs, that the 836
applicant is a proper person to operate motor vehicles of the class for 837
which such applicant has applied, has sufficient knowledge of the 838 Substitute Bill No. 982
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mechanism of the motor vehicles to ensure their safe operation by him 839
or her and has satisfactory knowledge of the laws concerning motor 840
vehicles and the rules of the road. The knowledge test of an applicant 841
for a class D motor vehicle operator's license may be administered in 842
such form as the commissioner deems appropriate, including audio, 843
electronic or written testing. Such knowledge test shall be administered 844
in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Albanian or any language spoken at 845
home by at least one per cent of the state's population, according to 846
statistics prepared by the United States Census Bureau, based on the 847
most recent decennial census. Each such knowledge test shall include a 848
question concerning highway work zone safety and the responsibilities 849
of an operator of a motor vehicle under section 14-212d. Each such 850
knowledge test shall include not less than one question concerning 851
distracted driving, the use of mobile telephones and electronic devices 852
by motor vehicle operators or the responsibilities of motor vehicle 853
operators under section 14-296aa. If any such applicant has held a 854
license from a state, territory or possession of the United States where a 855
similar examination is required, the commissioner may waive part or all 856
of the examination. If any such applicant is (A) a veteran who applies 857
not later than two years after the date of discharge from the military and 858
who, prior to such discharge, held a military operator's license for motor 859
vehicles of the same class as that for which such applicant has applied, 860
or (B) a member of the armed forces or the National Guard who 861
currently holds a military operator's license for motor vehicles of the 862
same class as that for which such applicant has applied, the 863
commissioner shall waive all of the examination, except in the case of 864
commercial motor vehicle licenses, the commissioner shall only waive 865
the driving skills test for such applicant who meets the conditions set 866
forth in 49 CFR 383.77. For the purposes of this subsection, "veteran" 867
means any person who was discharged or released under conditions 868
other than dishonorable from active service in the armed forces and 869
"armed forces" has the same meaning as provided in section 27-103. 870
When the commissioner is satisfied as to the ability and competency of 871
any applicant, the commissioner may issue to such applicant a license, 872
either unlimited or containing such limitations as the commissioner 873 Substitute Bill No. 982
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deems advisable, and specifying the class of motor vehicles which the 874
licensee is eligible to operate. 875
(4) If any applicant or operator license holder has any health problem 876
which might affect such person's ability to operate a motor vehicle 877
safely, the commissioner may require the applicant or license holder to 878
demonstrate personally or otherwise establish that, notwithstanding 879
such problem, such applicant or license holder is a proper person to 880
operate a motor vehicle, and the commissioner may further require a 881
certificate of such applicant's condition, signed by a medical authority 882
designated by the commissioner, which certificate shall in all cases be 883
treated as confidential by the commissioner. A license, containing such 884
limitation as the commissioner deems advisable, may be issued or 885
renewed in any case, but nothing in this section shall be construed to 886
prevent the commissioner from refusing a license, either limited or 887
unlimited, to any person or suspending a license of a person whom the 888
commissioner determines to be incapable of safely operating a motor 889
vehicle. Consistent with budgetary allotments, each motor vehicle 890
operator's license issued to or renewed by a person who is deaf or hard 891
of hearing shall, upon the request of such person, indicate such 892
impairment. Such person shall submit a certificate stating such 893
impairment, in such form as the commissioner may require and signed 894
by a licensed health care practitioner. 895
(5) The issuance of a motor vehicle operator's license to any applicant 896
who is the holder of a license issued by another state shall be subject to 897
the provisions of sections 14-111c and 14-111k. 898
Sec. 12. Subsection (b) of section 14-45a of the general statutes is 899
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 900
1, 2021): 901
(b) Prior to issuing a motor vehicle operator's license to a person who 902
has not previously been issued a license in this state or has not operated 903
a motor vehicle within the preceding two years, the commissioner may 904
require such person to (1) pass a vision screening conducted by the 905 Substitute Bill No. 982
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Department of Motor Vehicles to determine if the person meets vision 906
standards specified in the regulations adopted pursuant to subsection 907
(a) of this section, or (2) submit to the commissioner the results of a 908
vision examination conducted by a licensed medical professional, as 909
defined in section 14-46b, that certifies that such person meets such 910
vision standards. 911
Sec. 13. Subsection (a) of section 14-279b of the general statutes is 912
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 913
1, 2021): 914
(a) Whenever a violation of section 14-279 is detected and recorded 915
by a live digital video school bus violation detection monitoring system, 916
a state or municipal police officer shall review the evidence file which 917
shall include two or more digital photographs, recorded video or other 918
recorded images. [and a signed affidavit of a person who witnessed such 919
violation live.] If, after such review, such officer determines that there 920
are reasonable grounds to believe that a violation of section 14-279 has 921
occurred, such officer shall authorize the issuance of a summons for 922
such alleged violation. If such officer authorizes the issuance of a 923
summons for such alleged violation, the law enforcement agency shall, 924
not later than [ten] thirty days after the alleged violation, mail a 925
summons to the registered owner of the motor vehicle together with a 926
copy of two or more digital photographs, recorded video or other 927
recorded images. [and a signed affidavit of a person who witnessed such 928
violation live.] 929
Sec. 14. (Effective from passage) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles 930
shall study compliance with the laws regarding the sale and repair of 931
fire apparatus in the state. Such study shall include, but need not be 932
limited to, (1) the number of times in the last five years that the 933
commissioner imposed a civil penalty pursuant to section 14-51a of the 934
general statutes or conducted investigations and held hearings pursuant 935
to section 14-65k of the general statutes with regards to the sale or repair 936
of fire apparatus, (2) the number of times in the last five years that the 937
commissioner requested the Attorney General apply to the Superior 938 Substitute Bill No. 982
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Court for an order temporarily or permanently restraining and 939
enjoining a person or entity selling or repairing fire apparatus from 940
violating sections 14-51 to 14-65j, inclusive, of the general statutes, (3) a 941
summary of all complaints received regarding the sale or repair of fire 942
apparatus, and (4) any recommendations for legislation to ensure any 943
person, firm or corporation selling or repairing fire apparatus is 944
properly licensed by the commissioner. Not later than February 1, 2022, 945
the commissioner shall submit a report on its findings and any 946
recommendations to the joint standing committee of the General 947
Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation, in 948
accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. 949
Sec. 15. Subsection (a) of section 14-44e of the general statutes is 950
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 951
1, 2021): 952
(a) (1) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall not issue a 953
commercial driver's license to any person unless such person is a 954
resident of this state and has passed a knowledge and skills test for 955
driving a commercial motor vehicle which complies with the minimum 956
federal standards established by 49 CFR 383, Subparts G and H, as 957
amended, and has satisfied all other requirements of this section and 958
sections 14-44b, 14-44c and 14-44g, in addition to other requirements for 959
an operator's license imposed by the general statutes and regulations of 960
the commissioner. 961
(2) On and after February 7, 2022, the commissioner shall not (A) 962
administer a commercial driver's license skills test to a person who is 963
applying for or upgrading to a class A or class B commercial driver's 964
license, or applying for a "P" or "S" endorsement, until the commissioner 965
has verified with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that 966
such person has undergone the entry level driver training required 967
under 49 CFR Part 380, as amended from time to time, and (B) 968
administer a commercial driver's license knowledge test to any person 969
who is applying for a "H" endorsement until the commissioner has 970
verified with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that such 971 Substitute Bill No. 982
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person has undergone the entry level driver training required under 49 972
CFR Part 380, as amended from time to time. The provisions of this 973
subdivision shall not apply to any person who is exempt under 49 CFR 974
Part 383, as amended from time to time. 975
Sec. 16. Subsection (a) of section 14-42a of the general statutes is 976
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 977
1, 2021): 978
(a) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and the Commissioner of 979
Administrative Services shall enter into an agreement with one or more 980
federally designated organ and tissue procurement organizations to 981
provide to such organizations access to the names, dates of birth and 982
other pertinent information of holders of operator's licenses, instruction 983
permits and identity cards issued pursuant to section 1-1h who have 984
registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles an intent to become 985
organ and tissue donors. Such access shall be provided in a manner and 986
form to be determined by the commissioners, following consultation 987
with such organizations, and may include electronic transmission of 988
initial information and periodic updating of information. The 989
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall not charge a fee for such access 990
pursuant to section 14-50a, but may charge such organizations 991
reasonable administrative costs. Information provided to such 992
organizations shall be used solely for identifying such [license] holders 993
as organ and tissue donors. 994
Sec. 17. Section 14-67m of the general statutes is repealed and the 995
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2021): 996
(a) Each motor vehicle recycler licensee shall maintain a suitable 997
office and keep accurate records of all motor vehicles or major 998
component parts thereof received, dismantled or sold. Such records 999
may be handwritten, typewritten or computer-generated. Such records, 1000
vehicles and parts shall be available for inspection during regular 1001
business hours by one or more representatives of the Department of 1002
Motor Vehicles, the Division of State Police within the Department of 1003 Substitute Bill No. 982
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Emergency Services and Public Protection or any organized local police 1004
department. Such inspection shall include examination of the recycler's 1005
premises to determine the accuracy of the required records. Such 1006
records shall include the make, year, engine number, if any, and 1007
identification number of each vehicle, the name and address of the 1008
person from whom each vehicle or part was received and to whom each 1009
vehicle or part was sold, if a sale occurred, a copy of the proof provided 1010
in subsection (c) of this section in the case of a catalytic converter, and 1011
the date of such receipt and sale. The records shall be maintained for a 1012
period of two years after each receipt or sale. Twice a month, each such 1013
licensee shall mail to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles a list of all 1014
motor vehicles received, stating the make, year, engine number, if any, 1015
and identification number of each such vehicle. The list, on a form 1016
approved by the commissioner, shall be mailed or delivered to the 1017
commissioner on or before the twentieth day of each month, covering 1018
the first fifteen days of that month, and on or before the fifth day of each 1019
month, covering the sixteenth through the last day of the preceding 1020
month. A recycler shall report the information contained on such lists to 1021
the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System under 49 USC 1022
Section 30504. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require 1023
the department to report any of such information to said title 1024
information system. 1025
(b) No motor vehicle recycler licensee may receive a motor vehicle 1026
unless the licensee receives the vehicle's certificate of title, if the vehicle 1027
is required to have title, or a copy of the vehicle's certificate of title made 1028
by an insurance company pursuant to section 14-16c, as amended by 1029
this act, at the time of receipt of the vehicle. Upon receipt of any such 1030
certificate or copy, such licensee shall stamp on it the word "JUNKED" 1031
in one-inch-high letters not to exceed three inches in length. Any 1032
certificate of title received, other than a title acquired for use in 1033
connection with the licensee's business, shall accompany the list sent 1034
pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. Any such copy received shall 1035
be maintained for as long as the junk is on the licensee's premises. If the 1036
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles determines that information 1037 Substitute Bill No. 982
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concerning junked motor vehicles required to be reported by a licensee 1038
to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System under 49 USC 1039
Sections 30501 to 30505, inclusive, and 28 CFR Sections 25.51 to 25.57, 1040
inclusive, is available to the department on a regular basis from the 1041
National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, the commissioner 1042
may discontinue the requirement that a licensee submit to the 1043
department (1) a list of vehicles or parts received, in accordance with the 1044
provisions of subsection (a) of this section, and (2) certificates of title or 1045
copies of such certificates, in accordance with the provisions of this 1046
subsection. 1047
(c) No motor vehicle recycler licensee may receive a catalytic 1048
converter of a motor vehicle unless the licensee, at the time of receipt, 1049
obtains from the seller (1) proof of ownership of such motor vehicle, or 1050
(2) proof that the seller is an authorized agent of the owner of such motor 1051
vehicle. 1052
[(c)] (d) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may adopt regulations 1053
in accordance with chapter 54, concerning the records required by this 1054
section. 1055
[(d)] (e) The commissioner may, after notice and hearing, impose a 1056
civil penalty of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five 1057
hundred dollars for each offense on any person, firm or corporation who 1058
violates the provisions of this section. 1059
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:
Section 1 July 1, 2021 14-36g
Sec. 2 October 1, 2021 14-12(b) and (c)
Sec. 3 October 1, 2021 14-140
Sec. 4 October 1, 2021 14-253a(b)
Sec. 5 October 1, 2021 New section
Sec. 6 October 1, 2021 14-275(c)
Sec. 7 October 1, 2021 13a-26(f)
Sec. 8 October 1, 2021 14-16c Substitute Bill No. 982
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Sec. 9 October 1, 2021 14-20b(a)
Sec. 10 October 1, 2021 14-96q
Sec. 11 October 1, 2021 14-36(b) to (e)
Sec. 12 October 1, 2021 14-45a(b)
Sec. 13 October 1, 2021 14-279b(a)
Sec. 14 from passage New section
Sec. 15 October 1, 2021 14-44e(a)
Sec. 16 October 1, 2021 14-42a(a)
Sec. 17 October 1, 2021 14-67m
TRA Joint Favorable Subst.