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General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 5366
February Session, 2022
AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO THE MOTOR VEHICLE
STATUTES.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:
Section 1. Section 14-16c of the 2022 supplement to the general 1
statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof 2
(Effective October 1, 2022): 3
(a) (1) (A) Any insurance company that takes possession of a motor 4
vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued in this state, that 5
has been declared a total loss and that is offered for sale in this state by 6
such insurance company or its agent as a result of the settlement of a 7
claim for damage or theft, shall stamp the word "SALVAGE" in one-8
inch-high letters not to exceed three inches in length on the vehicle's 9
certificate of title and shall attach to such certificate of title a copy of the 10
appraiser's damage report for such totalled motor vehicle, except that if 11
the insurance company determines that such motor vehicle has ten or 12
more major component parts that are damaged beyond repair and must 13
be replaced, the insurance company shall stamp the words "SALVAGE 14
PARTS ONLY" in one-inch-high letters not to exceed three inches in 15
length on the vehicle's certificate of title. A copy of such certificate shall 16
be sent by the insurance company to the Department of Motor Vehicles. 17
If the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles determines that salvage 18 Substitute Bill No. 5366
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information required to be reported by an insurance company to the 19
National Motor Vehicle Title Information System under 49 USC Sections 20
30501 to 30505, inclusive, and 28 CFR Sections 25.51 to 25.57, inclusive, 21
is available to the department on a regular basis from the National 22
Motor Vehicle Title Information System, the commissioner may 23
discontinue the requirement that an insurance company submit a copy 24
of such certificate to the department. (B) Any insurance company that 25
takes possession of a motor vehicle for which a certificate of title has 26
been issued in any state other than this state that has been declared a 27
total loss and that is offered for sale in this state by such insurance 28
company or its agent as a result of the settlement of a claim for damage 29
or theft, shall attach to such certificate of title a copy of the appraiser's 30
damage report for such totalled motor vehicle. 31
(2) (A) Any person, firm or corporation that is a self-insurer and owns 32
a motor vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued in this 33
state, that has been declared a total loss and that is offered for sale in 34
this state by such self-insurer or its agent, shall stamp the word 35
"SALVAGE" in one-inch-high letters not to exceed three inches in length 36
on the vehicle's certificate of title and shall attach to such certificate of 37
title a copy of the appraiser's damage report for such totalled motor 38
vehicle, except that if such self-insurer determines that such motor 39
vehicle has ten or more major component parts that are damaged 40
beyond repair and must be replaced, the self-insurer shall stamp the 41
words "SALVAGE PARTS ONLY" in one-inch-high letters not to exceed 42
three inches in length on the motor vehicle's certificate of title. Any 43
person, firm or corporation that is insured other than by means of self-44
insurance and owns such a motor vehicle, shall forward the vehicle's 45
certificate of title to the company insuring such vehicle or the company 46
paying the totalled claim. Such insurer shall stamp the word 47
"SALVAGE" in one-inch-high letters not to exceed three inches in length 48
on the certificate of title except that if the insurance company determines 49
that such motor vehicle has ten or more major component parts that are 50
damaged beyond repair and must be replaced, the insurer taking 51
possession of such motor vehicle shall stamp the words "SALVAGE 52 Substitute Bill No. 5366
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PARTS ONLY" in one-inch-high letters not to exceed three inches in 53
length on the motor vehicle's certificate of title and shall return such 54
certificate to such person, firm or corporation. A copy of such certificate 55
shall be sent by the person, firm or corporation to the Department of 56
Motor Vehicles. If the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles determines that 57
salvage information required to be reported by a self-insurer to the 58
National Motor Vehicle Title Information System under 49 USC Sections 59
30501 to 30505, inclusive, and 28 CFR Sections 25.51 to 25.57, inclusive, 60
is available to the department on a regular basis from the National 61
Motor Vehicle Title Information System, the commissioner may 62
discontinue the requirement that a self-insurer submit a copy of such 63
certificate to the department. (B) Any person, firm or corporation that is 64
a self-insurer and owns a motor vehicle for which a certificate of title has 65
been issued in any state other than this state that has been declared a 66
total loss and that is offered for sale in this state by such self-insurer or 67
its agent, shall attach to such certificate of title a copy of the appraiser's 68
damage report for such totalled motor vehicle. 69
(3) For purposes of this subsection, "major component part" has the 70
same meaning as provided in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 71
14-149a. 72
(b) Any insurance company or its agent taking possession of a motor 73
vehicle in accordance with subsection (a) of this section or any person, 74
firm or corporation that owns such motor vehicle shall copy the 75
certificate and give the original of such certificate, with a copy of the 76
appraiser's damage report attached thereto, to any subsequent 77
purchaser of the motor vehicle that has been declared a total loss. The 78
name and address of any such purchaser shall be recorded on the 79
original and the copy, as provided on the certificate. The copy shall 80
serve only as a record of transfers of the total loss motor vehicle. 81
(c) Any insurance company that takes possession of a motor vehicle 82
for which a certificate of title has been issued in this state, as a result of 83
a full settlement of a claim for damage or theft, but is unable to obtain 84
the title to the vehicle from the insured or any lienholder of record for 85 Substitute Bill No. 5366
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the vehicle may apply to the department for a certificate of title, 86
SALVAGE title or SALVAGE -PARTS ONLY title, as described in 87
subsection (a) of this section. The application for a certificate of title 88
pursuant to this subsection shall (1) be on a form prescribed by the 89
commissioner, and (2) include [documents as required by the 90
commissioner in lieu of the documents required under subsection (a) of 91
this section, and (3) include evidence satisfactory to the commissioner] 92
an attestation that the insurance company (A) provided at least [two 93
notices] one notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by 94
commercial delivery service that provides evidence of delivery to the 95
insured and any lienholder of record for the vehicle indicating the 96
insurance company's intention to apply for a certificate of title as the 97
owner of the vehicle, and (B) made payment to the insured or any 98
lienholder of record in full settlement of the claim involving the vehicle. 99
The commissioner may issue a certificate of title pursuant to this 100
subsection only in the name of the insurance company not earlier than 101
thirty days after the date of the payment described in subparagraph (B) 102
of subdivision [(3)] (2) of this [section] subsection is made. 103
(d) The person, firm, company or corporation required to stamp 104
"SALVAGE" on the certificate of title shall stamp the following 105
statement on the face of any original or copy of such certificate issued in 106
accordance with this section: "WARNING: ALL PURCHASERS OF THE 107
MOTOR VEHICLE DESCRIBED HEREIN MUST RECORD THEIR 108
NAME AND ADDRESS ON THE REVERSE SIDE. THIS VEHICLE 109
CANNOT BE REGISTERED OR RETITLED WITHOUT PASSING 110
INSPECTION UNDER SECTION 14 -103a. THIS DOCUMENT MUST 111
BE SUBMITTED AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION." 112
(e) No motor vehicle for which a copy of a certificate of title has been 113
made in accordance with this section may be operated upon any 114
highway in this state, except that an owner of any such motor vehicle 115
who is a motor vehicle dealer or repairer licensed under the provisions 116
of section 14-52 may operate such vehicle for the purpose of presenting 117
the vehicle for inspection pursuant to section 14-103a. If such vehicle 118 Substitute Bill No. 5366
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fails to comply with the minimum standards, it shall be transported 119
from the site of such inspection. If any such motor vehicle is rebuilt for 120
sale or use, the owner shall apply to the Commissioner of Motor 121
Vehicles for an original certificate of title and present the vehicle for 122
inspection pursuant to section 14-103a. The certificate of title issued in 123
accordance with this section [must] shall be presented at the time of 124
inspection, unless waived by the commissioner for good cause. 125
(f) If an insurance company requests that a used car dealer licensed 126
under the provisions of section 14-52 take possession of a motor vehicle 127
that is subject to an insurance claim and subsequently a total loss claim 128
is not paid by the insurance company with respect to such motor 129
vehicle, the used car dealer may, if such motor vehicle has been 130
abandoned at the place of business of the used car dealer for more than 131
thirty days, apply to the department for a certificate of title in the name 132
of the used car dealer without surrendering the certificate of title. The 133
application for a certificate of title pursuant to this subsection shall (1) 134
be on a form prescribed by the commissioner, and (2) include an 135
attestation that the used car dealer provided at least two notices by 136
certified mail, return receipt requested or by commercial delivery 137
service that provides evidence of proof of delivery, to the owner of the 138
vehicle and any lienholder of record, requesting to have the motor 139
vehicle removed from the place of business. 140
[(f)] (g) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a motor 141
vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued in this state, that 142
has been declared a total loss in settlement of a claim for theft, having 143
no damage to a major component part or having damage not exceeding 144
(1) fifteen per cent of the retail value of such motor vehicle, as 145
determined in accordance with the provisions of section 38a-353, or (2) 146
one thousand dollars as evidenced by an insurance adjuster's damage 147
appraisal report, shall not be required to have its certificate of title 148
stamped in accordance with the provisions of this section provided 149
proof of such damage or lack of damage to a major component part, is 150
attached to such certificate. 151 Substitute Bill No. 5366
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[(g)] (h) No insurance company and no firm or corporation that is a 152
self-insurer may sell or transfer any totalled or salvaged motor vehicle, 153
major component parts or any other parts of a motor vehicle to any 154
person, firm or corporation that is not licensed under the provisions of 155
subparts (D) or (H) of part III of this chapter. No person, firm or 156
corporation licensed as a new or used car dealer who holds a permit 157
pursuant to the provisions of section 14-65 may sell or transfer any 158
totalled or salvaged motor vehicle with a certificate of title stamped 159
"SALVAGE PARTS ONLY" or any motor vehicle that has ten or more 160
major component parts damaged beyond repair and in need of 161
replacement to any person, firm or corporation which is not licensed 162
under the provisions of subpart (H) of this part or under a similar 163
provision of law of any other state. Any sale or transfer in violation of 164
the provisions of this section shall constitute an unfair method of 165
competition and an unfair or deceptive act or practice, as defined by 166
section 42-110b. 167
[(h)] (i) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1-350b and the 168
requirements of section 1-350d that a signature on a power of attorney 169
executed in this state be witnessed by two witnesses and acknowledged 170
by a notary public, a commissioner of the Superior Court or other 171
individual authorized by law to take acknowledgments, a power of 172
attorney used to support an application for or transfer of a certificate of 173
title by an insurance company or its agent shall only require the 174
signature or electronic signature of the insured who has received or is 175
to receive a total loss settlement of a claim for damage or theft from the 176
insurance company. 177
[(i)] (j) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may adopt regulations, 178
in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the 179
provisions of this section. 180
Sec. 2. Subsection (d) of section 14-164c of the 2022 supplement to the 181
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 182
thereof (Effective October 1, 2022): 183 Substitute Bill No. 5366
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(d) No motor vehicle subject to the inspection requirements of this 184
section shall be operated upon the highways of this state unless such 185
vehicle has been presented for inspection in accordance with a schedule 186
for inspection and compliance as established by the commissioner. The 187
commissioner shall grant waivers from compliance with standards for 188
vehicles which fail any required inspection and require an unreasonable 189
cost of repair to bring the vehicle into compliance or require additional 190
time to make emissions-related repairs to the vehicle. The commissioner 191
may determine compliance of a vehicle that has failed an emissions 192
retest by means of a complete physical and functional diagnosis and 193
inspection of the vehicle, in accordance with the provisions of 40 CFR 194
Part 51.360, showing that no additional emissions-related repairs are 195
needed. An extension of time, not to exceed the period of inspection 196
frequency, may be granted to obtain needed repairs on a vehicle in the 197
case of economic hardship of the owner. An extension of time, not to 198
exceed ninety days, may be granted to obtain emissions-related repairs 199
on a vehicle. Only one [such] extension of time may be granted for any 200
vehicle. The commissioner may design a sticker to be affixed to the 201
windshield of each vehicle which shall bear the date of expiration of the 202
assigned inspection period on both sides. The commissioner may also 203
design a sticker to be affixed to the windshield of each vehicle that is 204
exempt from the requirements of this chapter, which sticker shall bear 205
the date, if any, on which such vehicle is no longer exempt and is 206
required to be presented for inspection. As used in this section, 207
"unreasonable cost of repair" means cost of repair in excess of the 208
amounts required to be expended by Title 40, Part 51.360 of the Code of 209
Federal Regulations, as amended from time to time. 210
Sec. 3. Subsection (k) of section 14-164c of the 2022 supplement to the 211
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 212
thereof (Effective October 1, 2022): 213
(k) (1) The commissioner, with approval of the Secretary of the Office 214
of Policy and Management, shall establish, and from time to time 215
modify, the inspection fees, not to exceed twenty dollars for each 216 Substitute Bill No. 5366
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biennial inspection or reinspection required pursuant to this chapter for 217
inspections performed at official emissions inspection stations. Such 218
fees shall be paid in a manner prescribed by the commissioner. If the 219
costs to the state of the emissions inspection program, including 220
administrative costs and payments to any independent contractor, 221
exceed the income from such fees, such excess costs shall be borne by 222
the state. Any person whose vehicle has been inspected at an official 223
emissions inspection station shall, if such vehicle is found not to comply 224
with any required standards, have the vehicle repaired and have the 225
right within sixty consecutive calendar days to return such vehicle to 226
the same official emissions inspection station for one reinspection 227
without charge, provided, where the sixtieth day falls on a Sunday, legal 228
holiday or [a] day on which the commissioner has established that 229
special circumstances or conditions exist that have caused emissions 230
inspection to be impracticable, such person may return such vehicle for 231
reinspection on the next day. The commissioner shall assess a late fee of 232
twenty dollars against the owner of a motor vehicle that has not 233
presented such motor vehicle for (A) an emissions inspection within 234
thirty days following the expiration date of the assigned inspection 235
period, or [that has not presented such motor vehicle for] (B) a 236
reinspection within sixty days following a test failure or ninety days of 237
such failure if an extension was granted, as the case may be, or both 238
subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this subdivision. The commissioner may 239
waive such late fee when it is proven to the commissioner's satisfaction 240
that the failure to have the vehicle inspected within thirty days of the 241
assigned inspection period or during the sixty-day or ninety-day 242
reinspection period was due to exigent circumstances. If ownership of 243
the motor vehicle has been transferred, the new owner shall have such 244
motor vehicle inspected within thirty days of the registration of such 245
motor vehicle. The commissioner may specify a longer period for all 246
new owners to achieve compliance after a transfer of ownership if 247
circumstances require closure or limited operations of the Department 248
of Motor Vehicles or emissions inspection stations. After the expiration 249
of such thirty-day period, or the period specified by the commissioner, 250
the commissioner shall require the payment of the late fee specified in 251 Substitute Bill No. 5366
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this subdivision. If the thirtieth day falls on a Sunday, legal holiday or 252
[a] day on which the commissioner has established that special 253
circumstances or conditions exist that have caused emissions inspection 254
to be impracticable, such vehicle may be inspected on the next day and 255
no late fee shall be assessed. 256
(2) If the commissioner authorizes a licensed dealer or repairer to 257
conduct emissions inspections of 1996 model year and newer vehicles 258
required by this chapter, the commissioner may authorize such licensee 259
to charge a fee, not to exceed twenty dollars for each biennial inspection 260
or reinspection. 261
(3) Upon the registration of each new motor vehicle subject to the 262
inspection requirements of this chapter, or of each motor vehicle that is 263
four or less model years of age that has not been registered previously 264
in this state, the commissioner may issue a sticker indicating the exempt 265
status of such motor vehicle and the date on which the motor vehicle is 266
scheduled to be presented for inspection. Any such sticker that may be 267
issued shall be displayed on the motor vehicle in accordance with 268
subsection (d) of this section. On and after July 1, 2002, the commissioner 269
shall charge a fee of forty dollars in addition to any other fees required 270
for such registration. All receipts from the payment of such fee shall be 271
deposited in the Special Transportation Fund. 272
Sec. 4. Subsection (c) of section 14-50 of the 2022 supplement to the 273
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 274
thereof (Effective October 1, 2022): 275
(c) The commissioner shall waive any operator's license or 276
registration fee, including any renewal fee, in the case of any person in 277
the active service of the armed forces of the United States who was a 278
legal resident of Connecticut at the time of [his or her] such person's 279
induction; and for one licensing period to any person who is a veteran, 280
as defined in section 27-103, which person applies for such operator's 281
license or registration within two years following the date of separation. 282
[and was a legal resident of Connecticut at the time of his or her 283 Substitute Bill No. 5366
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induction.] The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance 284
with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this subsection. 285
Sec. 5. Subsection (b) of section 27-102a of the general statutes is 286
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 287
1, 2022): 288
(b) Any member of the armed forces of any state or of any reserve 289
component of the armed forces of the United States who has been called 290
to active service in the armed forces of any state of the United States 291
shall be exempt from the payment of any fine or late fee assessed for 292
failure to renew a motor vehicle operator's license or motor vehicle 293
registration or for failure to have emissions inspection performed in a 294
timely manner provided such member renews the license or registration 295
or has the member's vehicle inspected at an official emissions inspection 296
station no later than [sixty] ninety days following the date such member 297
is released from the qualifying military service. 298
Sec. 6. Section 14-140 of the general statutes is repealed and the 299
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2022): 300
(a) Any person who has been arrested by an officer for a violation of 301
any provision of any statute relating to motor vehicles may be released, 302
upon [his] such person's own recognizance, by such officer in [his] such 303
officer's discretion, unless such violation is of a provision relating to 304
driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs or 305
using a motor vehicle without permission of the owner or evading 306
responsibility for personal injury or property damage or involves the 307
death or serious injury of another, in which cases such person shall not 308
be released on [his] such person's own recognizance. 309
(b) If any person so arrested or summoned wilfully fails to appear for 310
any scheduled court appearance at the time and place assigned, or if any 311
person charged with an infraction involving the use of a motor vehicle, 312
or with a motor vehicle violation specified in section 51-164n, fails to 313
pay the fine and any additional fee imposed or send in [his] such 314 Substitute Bill No. 5366
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person's plea of not guilty by the answer date or wilfully fails to appear 315
for any scheduled court appearance which may be required, or if any 316
person fails to pay any surcharge imposed under section 13b-70, any fee 317
imposed under section 51-56a or any cost imposed under section 54-143 318
or 54-143a, a report of such failure shall be sent to the commissioner by 319
the court having jurisdiction. The provisions of this section shall be 320
extended to any nonresident owner or operator of a motor vehicle 321
residing in any state, the proper authorities of which agree with the 322
commissioner to revoke, until personal appearance to answer the charge 323
against [him, his] such person, such person's motor vehicle registration 324
certificate or operator's license, upon [his] such person's failure to 325
appear for any scheduled court appearance. Any infractions or 326
violations, for which a report of failure to appear has been sent to the 327
commissioner under this subsection, that have not otherwise been 328
disposed of shall be dismissed by operation of law seven years after 329
such report was sent. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 14-111, 330
the commissioner shall not suspend the operator's license of any person 331
solely for failure to pay any fines, fees or other charges associated with 332
an infraction involving the use of a motor vehicle. 333
(c) The commissioner may enter into reciprocal agreements with the 334
proper authorities of other states, which agreements may include 335
provisions for the suspension or revocation of licenses and registrations 336
of residents and nonresidents who fail to appear for trial at the time and 337
place assigned. 338
(d) Any judgment under this section shall be opened upon the 339
payment to the clerk of the Superior Court of a fee of forty dollars. Such 340
filing fee may be waived by the court. 341
(e) In addition, the provisions of subsection (b) of this section shall 342
apply to sections 29-322, 29-349 and 29-351. 343
Sec. 7. Section 14-45a of the 2022 supplement to the general statutes 344
is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective 345
October 1, 2022): 346 Substitute Bill No. 5366
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(a) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations, in 347
accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, concerning the licensing 348
of persons with health problems. Such regulations shall (1) include basic 349
standards for licensing decisions with respect to the most common and 350
recurrent health problems, such as visual and neurological 351
impairments, (2) include procedures for the referral of individual cases 352
to the medical advisory board, and (3) specify vision standards that are 353
necessary for a person to operate a motor vehicle safely. 354
(b) Prior to issuing a motor vehicle operator's license to a person who 355
has not previously been issued a license in this state or whose 356
Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license expired more than two 357
years prior to the application date, the commissioner may require such 358
person to (1) pass a vision screening conducted by the Department of 359
Motor Vehicles to determine if the person meets vision standards 360
specified in the regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (a) of this 361
section, or (2) submit to the commissioner the results of a vision 362
examination conducted by a licensed medical professional, as defined 363
in section 14-46b, that certifies that such person meets such vision 364
standards. 365
(c) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue a motor vehicle 366
operator's license to a person who wears eyeglasses with bioptic lenses, 367
provided such person otherwise meets the vision standards specified in 368
the regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section and 369
the requirements for such license. 370
Sec. 8. (NEW) (Effective from passage) The Commissioner of Motor 371
Vehicles shall include, as part of the annual report required under 372
section 4-60 of the general statutes submitted to the Governor, a report 373
for the preceding fiscal year regarding (1) the number of special number 374
plates offered by the commissioner pursuant to part III of chapter 246 of 375
the general statutes, (2) the number of special number plates issued by 376
the commissioner, (3) the amount of fees collected upon such issuance, 377
and (4) the accounts in which such fees were deposited. 378 Substitute Bill No. 5366
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Sec. 9. Section 14-42 of the general statutes is repealed and the 379
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2022): 380
(a) An application for an operator's license or identity card shall be 381
made on forms furnished by the commissioner. The applications shall 382
be in such form and contain such provisions and information as the 383
commissioner may determine, except as provided in subsection (b) of 384
this section. 385
(b) The commissioner shall require any person [applying] who 386
applies for an operator's license or identity card, or any person who 387
applies to renew such license or card and did not previously consent to 388
make an anatomical gift through inclusion on the state donor registry, 389
maintained pursuant to section 14-42a, to indicate whether such person 390
consents or declines to make an anatomical gift through inclusion in the 391
state donor registry. [maintained pursuant to section 14-42a] In the case 392
of a person who applies to renew an operator's license or identity card 393
and previously consented to make an anatomical gift through inclusion 394
in the state donor registry, the commissioner shall not require such 395
person to reaffirm such consent. An operator's license issued to a person 396
who has authorized inclusion on such donor registry shall have a donor 397
symbol imprinted on such license or identity card. 398
Sec. 10. Subsection (b) of section 14-66 of the general statutes is 399
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 400
1, 2022): 401
(b) The commissioner, or an inspector authorized by the 402
commissioner, shall examine each wrecker, including its number, 403
equipment and identification, and shall determine the mechanical 404
condition of such wrecker and whether or not it is properly equipped to 405
do the work intended. A wrecker shall be deemed properly equipped if 406
there are [two] flashing yellow lights installed and mounted on such 407
wrecker that (1) show in all directions at all times, and (2) [indicate the 408
full width of such wrecker. Such lights shall be mounted not less than 409
eight feet above the road surface and] are as close to the back of the cab 410 Substitute Bill No. 5366
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of such wrecker as practicable. Such lights shall be in operation when 411
such wrecker is towing a vehicle and when such wrecker is at the scene 412
of an accident or the location of a disabled motor vehicle. In addition, 413
each wrecker shall be equipped with a spot light mounted so that its 414
beam of light is directed toward the hoisting equipment in the rear of 415
such wrecker. The hoisting equipment of each wrecker shall be of 416
sufficient capacity to perform the service intended and shall be securely 417
mounted to the frame of such vehicle. A fire extinguisher shall be carried 418
at all times on each wrecker which shall be in proper working condition, 419
mounted in a permanent bracket on each wrecker and have a minimum 420
rating of eight bc. A set of three flares in operating condition shall be 421
carried at all times on each wrecker and shall be used between the 422
periods of one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise 423
when the wrecker is parked on a highway while making emergency 424
repairs or preparing to pick up a disabled vehicle to remove it from a 425
highway or adjoining property. No registrant or operator of any 426
wrecker shall offer to give any gratuities or inducements of any kind to 427
any police officer or other person in order to obtain towing business or 428
recommendations for towing or storage of, or estimating repairs to, 429
disabled vehicles. No licensee shall require the owner to sign a contract 430
for the repair of such owner's damaged vehicle as part of the towing 431
consideration or to sign an order for the repair of, or authorization for 432
estimate until the tow job has been completed. No licensee shall tow a 433
vehicle in such a negligent manner as to cause further damage to the 434
vehicle being towed. 435
Sec. 11. Subdivision (6) of section 14-1 of the 2022 supplement to the 436
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 437
thereof (Effective October 1, 2022): 438
(6) "Autocycle" means a motor vehicle that meets the requirements of 439
a motorcycle under 49 CFR Part 571, and (A) does not have more than 440
three wheels in contact with the ground, (B) is designed to be controlled 441
with a steering [wheel] mechanism and foot pedals for acceleration, 442
braking or shifting, (C) has a seat or seats that are fully or partially 443 Substitute Bill No. 5366
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enclosed and in which the occupants sit with their legs forward, and (D) 444
is equipped with safety belts, in accordance with section 14-100a, for all 445
occupants; 446
Sec. 12. Section 14-65f of the general statutes is repealed and the 447
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2022): 448
(a) (1) Prior to performing any repair work on a motor vehicle, a 449
motor vehicle repair shop shall obtain a written authorization to 450
perform the work, on an invoice signed by the customer, that includes 451
an estimate in writing of the maximum cost to the customer of the parts 452
and labor necessary for the specific job authorized. A repair shop shall 453
not charge for work done or parts supplied without a written 454
authorization or in excess of the estimate unless the customer gives 455
consent orally or in writing. 456
(2) In addition to, or as part of, the written authorization set forth in 457
subdivision (1) of this subsection, a motor vehicle repair shop shall 458
obtain a written acknowledgment that the customer is aware of his or 459
her right to choose the licensed repair shop where the motor vehicle will 460
be repaired. Such acknowledgment shall read as follows: "I am aware of 461
my right to choose the licensed repair shop where the damage to the 462
motor vehicle will be repaired." A repair shop shall not repair a motor 463
vehicle without such acknowledgment, which may be transmitted by 464
facsimile or by electronic mail. 465
(b) If the repair shop is unable to estimate the cost of repair because 466
the specific repairs to be performed are not known at the time the vehicle 467
is delivered to the repair shop, the written authorization required by this 468
section need not include an estimate of the maximum cost of parts and 469
labor. In such a case, prior to commencing any repairs, the repair shop 470
shall notify the customer of the work to be performed and the estimated 471
maximum cost to the customer of the necessary parts and labor, obtain 472
the customer's written or oral authorization and record such 473
information on the invoice. 474 Substitute Bill No. 5366
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(c) If, during the course of performing repair work, the repair shop 475
discovers that repairs other than those authorized are needed or that the 476
cost of authorized repairs will exceed the estimate, the repair shop shall 477
not proceed with the repairs without first obtaining the customer's 478
additional written or oral consent and recording such information on 479
the invoice. 480
(d) No repair shop shall have a claim against a motor vehicle for 481
repairs, other than for repairs actually performed and authorized, in an 482
amount greater than that authorized by the customer under the 483
provisions of sections 14-65e to 14-65j, inclusive, as amended by this act. 484
(e) If a motor vehicle is delivered to a repair shop at a time when the 485
shop is not open for business, the authorization to repair the vehicle and 486
the estimate of the cost of parts and labor may be given orally but shall 487
be recorded on the invoice. 488
(f) Unless requested by a customer, the requirement for a repair shop 489
to furnish an advance written estimate shall not apply to repair work for 490
which the total cost for parts and labor is less than fifty dollars. 491
(g) (1) Unless otherwise requested by a customer, a motor vehicle 492
repair shop shall, when repairing a motor vehicle, follow the collision 493
repair procedures, guidelines, recommendations or service bulletins 494
issued by the original equipment manufacturer, provided such 495
procedures, guidelines, recommendations or service bulletins do not 496
prohibit the use of recycled parts, as defined in subsection (b) of section 497
14-53a. 498
(2) A motor vehicle repair shop may install a recycled part on a motor 499
vehicle provided such recycled part is of like kind and quality of the part 500
being replaced and is from a motor vehicle that is the same model as the 501
motor vehicle being repaired. 502
(3) A motor vehicle repair shop shall repair a motor vehicle, in a 503
manner determined by such motor vehicle repair shop, to ensure the 504
safe operation of the motor vehicle and reasonably mitigate the 505 Substitute Bill No. 5366
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diminished value of the motor vehicle. 506
[(g)] (h) Violation of any provision of this section shall be an 507
infraction. 508
Sec. 13. Section 14-65e of the general statutes is repealed and the 509
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2022): 510
For the purposes of sections 14-65f to 14-65j, inclusive, as amended 511
by this act, and section 14 of this act "motor vehicle repair shop" or 512
"repair shop" means a new car dealer, a used car dealer, a repairer, or a 513
limited repairer, as defined in section 14-51, or their agents or 514
employees. 515
Sec. 14. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2022) (a) No person or entity, other 516
than the owner of the motor vehicle, shall require, request, encourage or 517
cause a motor vehicle repair shop to: (1) Repair the motor vehicle in an 518
unsafe manner, as determined by the repair shop or original 519
manufacturer of the motor vehicle, or (2) install an aftermarket part, as 520
defined in subsection (b) of section 14-53a of the general statutes. 521
(b) Violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction. 522
Sec. 15. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a 523
Removable Windshield Placard Advisory Council that shall be within 524
the Department of Motor Vehicles for administrative purposes only. The 525
advisory council shall (1) review the laws in other states concerning the 526
issuance and use of removable windshield placards for persons who are 527
blind and persons with disabilities, (2) recommend best practices to the 528
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for clear and concise policies and 529
regulations regarding the issuance and use of removable windshield 530
placards pursuant to section 14-253a of the general statutes, and (3) 531
make educational materials available to medical professionals, law 532
enforcement officers and the general public regarding the proper 533
issuance and use of such removable windshield placards. 534
(b) The advisory council shall consist of thirteen members, appointed 535 Substitute Bill No. 5366
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as follows: (1) Seven appointed by the Governor; (2) one appointed by 536
the speaker of the House of Representatives; (3) one appointed by the 537
president pro tempore of the Senate; (4) one appointed by the majority 538
leader of the House of Representatives; (5) one appointed by the 539
majority leader of the Senate; (6) one appointed by the minority leader 540
of the House of Representatives; and (7) one appointed by the minority 541
leader of the Senate. 542
(c) All initial appointments to the advisory council shall be made not 543
later than October 1, 2022. The term of each member of the advisory 544
council shall be two years. Any vacancy shall be filled for the remainder 545
of the term in the same manner as original appointments. 546
(d) The Governor shall designate the chairperson of the advisory 547
council from among the members. The advisory council shall meet at 548
least annually and at such other times as the chairperson deems 549
necessary or upon the request of a majority of the members. Members 550
shall serve without compensation. 551
(e) On or before January 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, the advisory 552
council shall submit a report on its activities and any recommendations 553
to the Governor and the joint standing committee of the General 554
Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation, in 555
accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. 556
Sec. 16. Section 14-279 of the general statutes is repealed and the 557
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2022): 558
(a) The operator of any vehicle or motor vehicle, including an 559
authorized emergency vehicle, as defined in section 14-1, shall 560
immediately bring such vehicle to a stop not less than ten feet from the 561
front when approaching and not less than ten feet from the rear when 562
overtaking or following any registered school bus on any highway or 563
private road or in any parking area or on any school property when such 564
bus is displaying flashing red signal lights, except at the specific 565
direction of a traffic officer. Vehicles so stopped for a school bus shall 566 Substitute Bill No. 5366
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not proceed until such school bus no longer displays flashing red signal 567
lights, except that a stopped authorized emergency vehicle may proceed 568
as long as such authorized emergency vehicle is operated pursuant to 569
section 14-283. At the intersection of two or more highways vehicular 570
turns toward a school bus receiving or discharging passengers are 571
prohibited. The operator of a vehicle upon a highway with separate 572
roadways need not stop upon meeting or passing a school bus which is 573
on a different roadway. 574
(b) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this 575
section shall be fined four hundred fifty dollars for the first offense and 576
for each subsequent offense, not less than five hundred dollars nor more 577
than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days or 578
both, except that if such violation is detected by a live digital video 579
school bus violation detection monitoring system, as defined in section 580
14-279a, as amended by this act, such person shall be fined ninety 581
dollars. 582
(c) Upon receipt of a written report from any school bus operator 583
specifying the license plate number, color and type of any vehicle 584
observed by such operator violating any provision of subsection (a) of 585
this section and the date, approximate time and location of such 586
violation, a police officer shall issue a written warning or a summons to 587
the owner of any such vehicle. 588
Sec. 17. Subsection (d) of section 14-279a of the general statutes is 589
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 590
1, 2022): 591
(d) A monitoring system shall be installed so as to record images of 592
the [license] number plate [number] of a motor vehicle only, and shall 593
not record images of the occupants of such motor vehicle or of any other 594
persons or vehicles in the vicinity at the time the images are recorded. 595
Sec. 18. Subsection (b) of section 14-279b of the 2022 supplement to 596
the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 597 Substitute Bill No. 5366
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thereof (Effective October 1, 2022): 598
(b) As provided in subsection (b) of section 14-107, proof of the 599
registration number of the motor vehicle therein concerned shall be 600
prima facie evidence that the owner was the operator thereof, except 601
that, in the case of a leased or rented motor vehicle, such proof shall be 602
prima facie evidence that the lessee was the operator thereof. A 603
photographic or digital still or video image that clearly shows the 604
[license] number plate [number] of a vehicle violating section 14-279, as 605
amended by this act, shall be sufficient proof of the identity of such 606
vehicle for purposes of subsection (b) of section 14-107. 607
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:
Section 1 October 1, 2022 14-16c
Sec. 2 October 1, 2022 14-164c(d)
Sec. 3 October 1, 2022 14-164c(k)
Sec. 4 October 1, 2022 14-50(c)
Sec. 5 October 1, 2022 27-102a(b)
Sec. 6 October 1, 2022 14-140
Sec. 7 October 1, 2022 14-45a
Sec. 8 from passage New section
Sec. 9 October 1, 2022 14-42
Sec. 10 October 1, 2022 14-66(b)
Sec. 11 October 1, 2022 14-1(6)
Sec. 12 October 1, 2022 14-65f
Sec. 13 October 1, 2022 14-65e
Sec. 14 October 1, 2022 New section
Sec. 15 from passage New section
Sec. 16 October 1, 2022 14-279
Sec. 17 October 1, 2022 14-279a(d)
Sec. 18 October 1, 2022 14-279b(b)
Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
Section 3(k)(1) was rewritten for clarity; in Section 7, "spectacles" was
changed to "eyeglasses" for consistency; in Section 15, "from among the
members" was added for clarity; Sections 16, 17 and 18 were rewritten Substitute Bill No. 5366
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for consistency with standard drafting conventions; and Sections 19 and
20 were deleted to conform with the changes being made in Section 16.
TRA Joint Favorable Subst.