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General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 7160
January Session, 2025
AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND CONCERNING
PENALTIES FOR OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE AND VESSEL
WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF INTOXICATING LIQUOR OR ANY
DRUG, PONTOON BOATS, TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO THE
MOTOR VEHICLE STATUTES, VIDEO PRESENTATION UPON
LICENSE RENEWAL AND THE SAFE DRIVING PRACTICES COURSE.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:
Section 1. Section 14-15e of the general statutes is repealed and the 1
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2026): 2
(a) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, no 3
person, firm or corporation shall engage in the business of electronically 4
filing applications for the issuance of a certificate of registration or a 5
certificate of title for motor vehicles with the Department of Motor 6
Vehicles, unless such person, firm or corporation holds an electronic 7
issuance license issued by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. 8
(2) A motor vehicle dealer licensed in accordance with section 14-52 9
and acting pursuant to subsection (c) of section 14-12, subsection (b) of 10
section 14-61 or section 14-61a, a person, firm or corporation engaging 11
in the business of leasing or renting motor vehicles [licensed] without 12
drivers in this state and acting pursuant to section 14-15 or a contractor 13
authorized pursuant to subsection (b) of section 14-41, may use the 14 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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department's electronic system for filing applications for the issuance of 15
a certificate of registration or certificate of title, as the case may be, 16
without obtaining an electronic issuance license. The commissioner 17
shall not issue an electronic issuance license to any such motor vehicle 18
dealer, person, firm or corporation or contractor. 19
(3) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may require any person, 20
firm or corporation that files, on average, five or more applications for 21
the issuance of a certificate of registration or a certificate of title for 22
motor vehicles each month with the Department of Motor Vehicles to 23
file such applications electronically and obtain an electronic issuance 24
license. Any such person, firm or corporation that fails or refuses to file 25
an application for such issuance electronically upon the request of the 26
commissioner shall pay a fee of twenty-five dollars to the commissioner 27
for each such application submitted. 28
(b) Each applicant for an electronic issuance license shall submit an 29
application containing such information as the [commissioner] 30
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may require and pay a license fee in 31
the amount of two hundred fifty dollars. Each license may be renewed 32
biennially according to renewal schedules established by the 33
commissioner to effect staggered renewal of such licenses. If the 34
adoption of a staggered system results in the expiration of any license 35
more or less than two years from its issuance, the commissioner may 36
charge a prorated amount for such license fee. Not less than forty-five 37
days prior to the date of expiration of each such license, the 38
commissioner shall send or transmit to each licensee, in a manner 39
determined by the commissioner, an application for renewal. Any 40
licensee that has not filed the application for renewal accompanied by 41
the license fee of two hundred fifty dollars prior to the expiration date 42
of such license shall no longer be permitted to use the department's 43
electronic system for filing applications for the issuance of a certificate 44
of registration or certificate of title pursuant to section 14-15d, as 45
amended by this act. An application for renewal filed with the 46
commissioner after the date of expiration shall be accompanied by a late 47
fee of one hundred dollars. The commissioner shall not renew any 48 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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license under this section that has been expired for more than forty-five 49
days. 50
(c) Each applicant for, or holder of, an electronic issuance license shall 51
furnish surety bonds in the following amounts: (1) Twenty thousand 52
dollars conditioned upon the applicant or holder complying with the 53
provisions of any state or federal law or regulation relating to the 54
conduct of filing applications for the issuance of a certificate of 55
registration or certificate of title and provided as indemnity for any loss 56
sustained by any customer of such licensee by reason of the licensee's 57
failure to comply with such laws or regulations; (2) twenty thousand 58
dollars provided as security for any monetary loss suffered by the 59
department as a result of the loss, destruction or misuse of any number 60
plates assigned to such licensee by the department pursuant to 61
subsection (f) of this section; and (3) five thousand dollars provided as 62
security for any monetary loss suffered by the department due to such 63
licensee's failure to remit registration and title fees received pursuant to 64
section 14-15d, as amended by this act. The surety bond furnished 65
pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be executed in the 66
name of the state of Connecticut for the benefit of any aggrieved 67
customer, but the penalty of the bond shall not be invoked except upon 68
order of the [commissioner] Commissioner of Motor Vehicles after a 69
hearing before the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of 70
chapter 54. The commissioner shall assess an administrative fee of two 71
hundred dollars against any electronic issuance licensee for failing to 72
provide proof of bond renewal or replacement on or before the date of 73
the expiration of the existing bond. 74
(d) The [commissioner] Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may, after 75
notice and an opportunity for a hearing pursuant to the provisions of 76
chapter 54, refuse to issue or renew a license to a person, firm or 77
corporation to engage in the business of electronically filing applications 78
for the issuance of a certificate of registration or certificate of title for 79
motor vehicles with the department (1) if the applicant for, or holder of, 80
such a license, or [an officer or major stockholder,] if the applicant or 81
licensee is a firm or corporation, a director, officer, partner or owner of 82 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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the firm or corporation or other individual who exercises substantial 83
control over the firm or corporation or who has more than a twenty-five 84
per cent ownership interest in the firm or corporation, has been found 85
liable in a civil action for, or has been convicted of, a violation of any 86
provision of law (A) pertaining to the business of electronic filing 87
applications for the issuance of a certificate of registration or certificate 88
of title, or (B) involving fraud, larceny, stalking, embezzlement, bribery 89
or deprivation or misappropriation of property, in the courts of the 90
United States or any state, or (2) for any reason the commissioner 91
reasonably deems necessary. Upon renewal of such license, a licensee 92
shall make full disclosure of any such civil judgment or conviction 93
under penalty of false statement. Each applicant for the issuance of such 94
license, or if the applicant is a firm or corporation, each [officer or major 95
stockholder of such firm or corporation] director, officer, partner or 96
owner of the firm or corporation or other individual who exercises 97
substantial control over the firm or corporation or who has more than a 98
twenty-five per cent ownership interest in the firm or corporation, shall 99
be fingerprinted and shall submit to state and national criminal history 100
records checks, conducted in accordance with section 29-17a. 101
(e) The [commissioner] Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall not 102
issue or renew an electronic issuance license unless the commissioner 103
determines (1) the issuance or renewal is likely to improve access to 104
services offered by the department or manage the number of 105
transactions conducted at the main office or branch office of the 106
department and will not compromise the integrity and security of the 107
department's electronic system, and (2) the applicant for such license is 108
capable of ensuring the adequate control and proper use of number 109
plates and other materials to be provided by the department pursuant 110
to subsection (f) of this section. 111
(f) (1) The [department] Department of Motor Vehicles shall provide 112
each electronic issuance licensee with an inventory of number plates and 113
other materials to be used solely for the registration of transactions 114
performed pursuant to the provisions of section 14-15d, as amended by 115
this act. Such licensee shall be responsible for all number plates assigned 116 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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to such licensee by the department. 117
(2) If a person, firm or corporation holds an electronic issuance license 118
that is no longer valid, or if an electronic issuance licensee is no longer 119
conducting its business, such person, firm or corporation or licensee 120
shall return to the [commissioner] Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, not 121
later than five business days after such license becoming invalid or the 122
termination of such business, (A) any number plates or other materials 123
supplied by the commissioner to enable such person, firm or 124
corporation or licensee to perform the registration of transactions 125
pursuant to section 14-15d, as amended by this act, and (B) any 126
applications for such transactions that were not acted upon or 127
completed by such person, firm or corporation or licensee when it was 128
conducting its business. A violation of any provision of this subdivision 129
shall be an infraction. 130
(g) No electronic issuance licensee shall (1) include the words 131
"Department of Motor Vehicles" or "DMV" or other indication of the 132
department in the name of the licensee's business, or (2) act in any 133
manner that misleads consumers to believe that such licensee represents 134
or is otherwise affiliated with the department. 135
(h) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of subsection (f) of this 136
section, the [commissioner] Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may, after 137
notice and an opportunity for a hearing pursuant to the provisions of 138
chapter 54, impose a civil penalty of not more than two thousand dollars 139
on any person, firm or corporation who violates any provision of this 140
section. 141
Sec. 2. Subsection (a) of section 14-52a of the general statutes is 142
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 143
1, 2026): 144
(a) The [commissioner] Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may, after 145
notice and hearing, refuse to grant or renew a license to a person, firm 146
or corporation to engage in the business of selling or repairing motor 147
vehicles pursuant to the provisions of section 14-52 if the applicant for, 148 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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or holder of, such a license, or [an officer or major stockholder,] if the 149
applicant or licensee is a firm or corporation, a director, officer, partner 150
or owner of the firm or corporation or other individual who exercises 151
substantial control over the firm or corporation or who has more than a 152
twenty-five per cent ownership interest in the firm or corporation, has 153
been found liable in a civil action for odometer fraud or operating a 154
dealer, repairer or motor vehicle recycler business without a license, 155
convicted of a violation of any provision of laws pertaining to the 156
business of a motor vehicle dealer or repairer, including a motor vehicle 157
recycler, or convicted of any violation of any provision of laws involving 158
fraud, larceny or deprivation or misappropriation of property, in the 159
courts of the United States or any state. Upon renewal of such license, a 160
licensee shall make full disclosure of any such civil judgment or 161
conviction under penalty of false statement. Each applicant for such a 162
license, or if the applicant is a firm or corporation, each director, officer, 163
partner or owner of the firm or corporation or other individual who 164
exercises substantial control over the firm or corporation or who has 165
more than a twenty-five per cent ownership interest in the firm or 166
corporation, shall be fingerprinted and submit to state and national 167
criminal history records checks, conducted in accordance with section 168
29-17a. The commissioner may require a person, firm or corporation to 169
submit its application electronically. 170
Sec. 3. Subsection (b) of section 14-36d of the general statutes is 171
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 172
2025): 173
(b) The commissioner may renew or produce a duplicate of any 174
motor vehicle operator's license, commercial driver's license or identity 175
card without personal appearance of the license or card holder if (1) the 176
commissioner has on file a photograph or digital image of the applicant 177
that meets the specifications and standards prescribed by the 178
commissioner and may be used on such license or identity card, (2) the 179
commissioner has satisfactory evidence of the identity of the applicant, 180
(3) the commissioner is satisfied that the applicant is a legal resident of 181
this state, (4) in the case of a renewal, the applicant personally appeared 182 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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to renew such license or identity card within the time limitations 183
specified in [state or federal law] 6 CFR 37.25, as amended from time to 184
time, or a shorter period of time at the discretion of the commissioner, 185
and (5) the applicant meets all other requirements for the renewal or 186
duplicate issuance of a license or identity card. 187
Sec. 4. Subsection (a) of section 14-36j of the general statutes is 188
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 189
1, 2026): 190
(a) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall amend the regulations 191
adopted pursuant to sections 14-36f and 14-78 concerning the content of 192
safe driving instruction courses offered at drivers' schools, high schools 193
and other secondary schools to require the eight hours of instruction 194
required by such regulations to include, for applicants to whom a 195
learner's permit or youth instruction permit is issued, two hours of 196
instruction concerning the statutory provisions, including penalties, 197
applicable to drivers who are less than eighteen years of age, the 198
dangers of teenage driving, the cognitive development of adolescents, 199
the responsibilities and liabilities of parents of teenage drivers, and 200
related topics deemed by the commissioner to be appropriate. Such 201
course may be offered in person in a congregate setting, through 202
distance learning or through a combination of both in-person in a 203
congregate setting and distance learning, provided such distance 204
learning is conducted in real-time by an instructor, requires camera use 205
by any applicant and has interactive components such as mandatory 206
interactions, participation or testing. 207
Sec. 5. Subsection (d) of section 14-44c of the general statutes is 208
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 209
1, 2025): 210
(d) On and after November 18, 2024, the commissioner shall request 211
a driver's record from the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, in 212
accordance with 49 CFR 382.725, as amended from time to time, for any 213
person who applies for, renews, transfers or upgrades a commercial 214 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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driver's license or a commercial learner's permit. The commissioner 215
shall use information obtained from the Drug and Alcohol 216
Clearinghouse solely for the purpose of determining whether such 217
person is qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle and shall not 218
disclose such information to any other person or entity not directly 219
involved in determining whether such person is qualified to operate a 220
commercial motor vehicle. If the commissioner receives notification 221
pursuant to 49 CFR 382.501(a), as amended from time to time, that such 222
person is prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle, the 223
commissioner shall not issue, renew or upgrade the commercial driver's 224
license or commercial learner's permit. If such person currently holds a 225
commercial driver's license or commercial learner's permit, the 226
commissioner shall, not later than sixty days after the date the 227
commissioner receives such notification, [: (1) Downgrade the 228
commercial driver's license to a Class D operator's license, or (2) cancel 229
the commercial learner's permit] disqualify such person from holding a 230
commercial driver's license or a commercial driver's instruction permit. 231
The commissioner may restore such person's commercial driver's 232
license or commercial learner's permit if (1) the Drug and Alcohol 233
Clearinghouse changes such person's status from prohibited to not 234
prohibited, and (2) such person fulfills applicable reinstatement 235
requirements and pays the restoration fee in accordance with the 236
provisions of section 14-50b. Any person who is denied a commercial 237
driver's license or a commercial learner's permit, or whose license or 238
permit is [downgraded or cancelled] disqualified pursuant to this 239
subsection, shall be granted an opportunity for a hearing in accordance 240
with the provisions of chapter 54. 241
Sec. 6. Subsection (b) of section 14-44e of the general statutes is 242
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 243
1, 2025): 244
(b) The commissioner shall not issue a commercial driver's license or 245
a commercial learner's permit to any applicant who does not meet the 246
physical qualification standards set forth in 49 CFR 391, as amended 247
from time to time. As required by 49 CFR 383.71(h), each applicant for a 248 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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commercial driver's license or commercial learner's permit shall provide 249
to the commissioner a copy of a medical examiner's certificate, prepared 250
by a medical examiner, as defined in 49 CFR 390.5, indicating that such 251
applicant is medically certified to operate a commercial motor vehicle. 252
For each applicant who has submitted such medical certification and 253
who has also certified, in accordance with 49 CFR 383.71(b) and 254
subsection (c) of section 14-44c, that such applicant operates in 255
nonexcepted interstate commerce, the commissioner shall post a 256
medical certification status of "certified" on the Commercial Driver's 257
License Information System driver record for such applicant. The holder 258
of a commercial driver's license who has not been examined and 259
certified as qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle during the 260
preceding twenty-four months, or a shorter period as indicated by the 261
medical examiner submitting such certificate, shall be required to 262
submit a new medical certificate. The commissioner shall not issue a 263
commercial driver's license or commercial learner's permit to any 264
applicant or holder who fails to submit the medical certification 265
required by this section. If the holder of a commercial driver's license or 266
commercial learner's permit fails to submit a new medical examiner's 267
certificate before the expiration of twenty-four months or the period 268
specified by the medical examiner, whichever is shorter, the 269
commissioner shall, not later than sixty days after the date that such 270
holder's medical status becomes uncertified, [: (1) Downgrade the 271
commercial driver's license to a Class D operator's license; or (2) cancel 272
the commercial learner's permit] disqualify such person from holding a 273
commercial driver's license or a commercial driver's instruction permit. 274
The commissioner may restore such person's commercial driver's 275
license or commercial learner's permit if such person fulfills applicable 276
reinstatement requirements and pays the restoration fee in accordance 277
with the provisions of section 14-50b. Any applicant or holder who is 278
denied a commercial driver's license or a commercial learner's permit, 279
or whose license or permit is disqualified, suspended, revoked or 280
cancelled pursuant to this subsection, shall be granted an opportunity 281
for a hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. 282 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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Sec. 7. Subsection (a) of section 14-58 of the general statutes is 283
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 284
2025): 285
(a) Each new car dealer, used car dealer or repairer before engaging 286
in such business shall make a separate sworn application to the 287
commissioner for a license to engage in such business in each place of 288
business conducted by such dealer. The application shall include any 289
information that may be required by the commissioner on blanks to be 290
furnished by said commissioner. Each application shall be accompanied 291
by a fee of one hundred forty dollars for each place of business 292
conducted by the applicant, together with the fee for the type of license 293
for which the applicant is [making application] applying, and such fee 294
or fees shall not be subject to prorating and shall not be subject to refund. 295
No such license shall be transferable. When such licensee adds buildings 296
or [adjacent land to] land directly bordering or sharing a common 297
boundary with such licensee's licensed place of business, without any 298
intervening highway or private roadways, the commissioner may 299
require the licensee to furnish satisfactory evidence of compliance with 300
the provisions of section 14-54, or with other applicable provisions of 301
law, administered by the municipality wherein such business is located, 302
concerning building or zoning requirements. When a change of officers 303
of a corporation engaged in such business is made, a notice of the change 304
shall be sent to the commissioner within a period of fifteen days from 305
the date of the change. The commissioner may suspend the license of 306
any corporation, after notice and hearing, when the newly appointed or 307
elected officers cannot be considered as qualified to conduct the 308
business as provided in section 14-51, as amended by this act. 309
Sec. 8. Section 14-64 of the general statutes is repealed and the 310
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025): 311
(a) The commissioner may suspend or revoke the license or licenses 312
of any licensee or impose a civil penalty of not more than one thousand 313
dollars for each violation on any licensee or both, when, after notice and 314
hearing, the commissioner finds that the licensee: 315 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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(1) [has] Has violated any provision of any statute or regulation of 316
any state or any federal statute or regulation pertaining to its business 317
as a licensee or has failed to comply with the terms of a final decision 318
and order of any state department or federal agency concerning any 319
such provision; [or] 320
(2) [has] Has failed to maintain such records of transactions 321
concerning the purchase, sale or repair of motor vehicles or major 322
component parts, as required by such regulations as shall be adopted by 323
the commissioner, for a period of [two] three years after such purchase, 324
sale or repairs, provided the records shall include the vehicle 325
identification number and the name and address of the person from 326
whom each vehicle or part was purchased and to whom each vehicle or 327
part was sold, if a sale occurred; [or] 328
(3) [has] (A) Has failed to allow inspection of such records by the 329
commissioner or the commissioner's representative during normal 330
business hours, provided written notice stating the purpose of the 331
inspection is furnished to the licensee, or (B) has failed to allow 332
inspection of such records by any representative of the Division of State 333
Police within the Department of Emergency Services and Public 334
Protection or any organized local police department, which inspection 335
may include examination of the premises to determine the accuracy of 336
such records; [or] 337
(4) [has] Has made a false statement as to the condition, prior 338
ownership or prior use of any motor vehicle sold, exchanged, 339
transferred, offered for sale or repaired if the licensee knew or should 340
have known that such statement was false; [or] 341
(5) [is] Is not qualified to conduct the licensed business, applying the 342
standards of section 14-51, as amended by this act, and the applicable 343
regulations; [or] 344
(6) [has] Has violated any provision of sections 42-221 to 42-226, 345
inclusive; [or] 346 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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(7) [has] Has failed to fully execute or provide the buyer with (A) an 347
order as described in section 14-62, (B) the properly assigned certificate 348
of title, or (C) a temporary transfer or new issue of registration; [or] 349
(8) [has] Has failed to deliver a motor vehicle free and clear of all liens, 350
unless written notification is given to the buyer stating such motor 351
vehicle shall be purchased subject to a lien; [or] 352
(9) [has] Has violated any provision of sections 14-65f to 14-65j, 353
inclusive, and section 14-65l; [or] 354
(10) [has] Has used registration number plates issued by the 355
commissioner, in violation of the provisions and standards set forth in 356
sections 14-59 and 14-60 and the applicable regulations; [or] 357
(11) [has] Has failed to secure or to account for or surrender to the 358
commissioner on demand official registration plates or any other official 359
materials in its custody; or 360
(12) [has] Has been convicted, or if the licensee is a firm or 361
corporation, an officer or major stockholder has been convicted, of a 362
violation of any provision of laws pertaining to the business of a motor 363
vehicle dealer or repairer, including a motor vehicle recycler, or of any 364
violation involving fraud, larceny or deprivation or misappropriation of 365
property, in the courts of the United States or of any state, or has failed 366
to make full disclosure of any such conviction. 367
(b) In addition to, or in lieu of, the imposition of any other penalties 368
authorized by this section, the commissioner may order any such 369
licensee to make restitution to any aggrieved customer. 370
Sec. 9. Subsection (a) of section 14-67i of the general statutes is 371
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 372
2025): 373
(a) No person, firm or corporation shall establish, operate or maintain 374
a motor vehicle recycler's yard or motor vehicle recycler's business, 375
unless (1) a certificate of approval of the location to be used therefor has 376 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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been procured from the board or authority designated by local charter, 377
regulation or ordinance in the town, city or borough wherein such yard 378
or business is located or is proposed to be located, except that in any 379
town or city having a zoning commission, combined planning and 380
zoning commission and a board of appeals, such certificate shall be 381
obtained from the board of appeals, and (2) such person, firm or 382
corporation holds a motor vehicle recycler's license issued pursuant to 383
section 14-67l, as amended by this act. 384
Sec. 10. Section 14-67l of the general statutes is repealed and the 385
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025): 386
(a) Upon receiving [such] a certificate of approval pursuant to section 387
14-67i, as amended by this act, each applicant for an issuance of a motor 388
vehicle recycler's license shall (1) submit such certificate of approval to 389
the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, (2) pay a fee of two hundred 390
eighty dollars to the commissioner for the examination of the location 391
or proposed location of each such motor vehicle recycler's yard or 392
business, (3) pay a license fee of seven hundred five dollars to the 393
commissioner for each motor vehicle recycler's yard or business, and (4) 394
submit a surety bond in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars. 395
(b) Any surety bond submitted pursuant to subsection (a) or (d) of 396
this section shall be conditioned upon the applicant or licensee 397
complying with the provisions of any state or federal law or regulation 398
relating to the business of operating a motor vehicle recycler's yard and 399
provided as indemnity for any loss sustained by any aggrieved 400
customer by reason of any acts of the licensee constituting grounds for 401
suspension or revocation of the license or such licensee going out of 402
business. Each surety bond shall be executed in the name of the state of 403
Connecticut for the benefit of any aggrieved customer, but the penalty 404
of the bond shall not be invoked except upon order of the commissioner 405
after a hearing held in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. The 406
commissioner shall assess an administrative fee of two hundred dollars 407
against any licensee for failing to provide proof of bond renewal or 408
replacement on or before the date of the expiration of the existing bond. 409 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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(c) Except as provided in subsection [(e)] (f) of this section, upon 410
receipt of such certificate of approval, the payment of the required fees, 411
the submission of such surety bond and observance of regulations 412
required, the commissioner may issue a license, provided the 413
commissioner may refuse to grant a license to a person, firm or 414
corporation to engage in the business of operating a motor vehicle 415
recycler's yard if the applicant for such license or, [an officer or major 416
stockholder,] if the applicant is a firm or corporation, a director, officer, 417
partner or owner of the firm or corporation or other individual who 418
exercises substantial control over the firm or corporation or who has 419
more than a twenty-five per cent ownership interest in the firm or 420
corporation, has been convicted of a violation of any provision of laws 421
pertaining to the business of a motor vehicle dealer or repairer, 422
including a motor vehicle recycler, in the courts of the United States or 423
of this state or any state of the United States, in accordance with the 424
hearing requirements provided for in section 14-67p. 425
(d) Any license may be renewed on a biennial basis upon payment of 426
a fee of seven hundred dollars and submission of a surety bond in the 427
amount of twenty-five thousand dollars. Upon the expiration date of a 428
license, the licensee shall cease to conduct such licensee's business until 429
such time as the licensee's application for renewal, accompanied by such 430
renewal fee and surety bond, is approved by the commissioner. An 431
application for renewal filed with the commissioner after the date of 432
expiration shall be accompanied by a late fee of one hundred dollars. 433
The commissioner shall not renew any recycler's license under this 434
section that has been expired for more than forty-five days and the 435
holder of any such expired license may apply for a new license in 436
accordance with the provisions of this section. 437
(e) Each such licensee shall, instead of registering each motor vehicle 438
owned by the licensee, apply to the commissioner for a general 439
distinguishing number and mark, and the commissioner may issue to 440
the applicant a certificate of registration containing the distinguishing 441
number and mark assigned to such licensee and, thereupon, each motor 442
vehicle owned by such licensee shall be regarded as registered under 443 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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such general distinguishing number and mark. No licensee may be 444
issued more than three registrations under a general distinguishing 445
number and mark in a year, unless the licensee applies for an additional 446
registration to the commissioner, in such form and containing such 447
information as the commissioner may require to substantiate such 448
request. The commissioner may issue to each such licensee such 449
additional registrations as the commissioner deems necessary. The 450
licensee shall issue to each person driving such motor vehicle a 451
document indicating that such person is validly entrusted with the 452
vehicle, which document shall be carried in the motor vehicle. The 453
commissioner shall determine the form and contents of such document. 454
For the registration of each motor vehicle under a general distinguishing 455
number and mark, the commissioner shall charge a fee at the rate of 456
seventy dollars per year. Such licensee shall furnish proof of financial 457
responsibility satisfactory to the commissioner, as described in section 458
14-112. Such number plates may be used as provided for under section 459
14-67n. 460
[(e)] (f) Each applicant for a recycler's license shall be required to 461
certify that, to the best of such applicant's knowledge and belief, all the 462
property to be used for the operation of the yard and business is in 463
compliance with the provisions of all applicable provisions of title 22a 464
and all regulations adopted by the Commissioner of Energy and 465
Environmental Protection pursuant to the provisions of said title. Upon 466
receipt of such certification and completed application, the 467
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall notify the Commissioner of 468
Energy and Environmental Protection. The notification shall include a 469
statement of the location of the subject property and a legal description 470
thereof. Within forty-five days of receipt of such notification, the 471
Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall inform the 472
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles if there is any reason to believe that 473
the property that is proposed to be licensed is not in compliance with 474
the above referenced statutory and regulatory requirements. If the 475
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles is informed that there is any such 476
reason to believe that the subject location is not in compliance with such 477 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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requirements, said commissioner may (1) refuse to issue the license, or 478
(2) issue the license subject to such conditions, including, but not limited 479
to, the remediation of the conditions causing the suspected violation or 480
violations, as are acceptable to the Commissioner of Energy and 481
Environmental Protection. 482
Sec. 11. Section 14-73 of the general statutes is repealed and the 483
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 484
(a) (1) No person shall be employed by a drivers' school to give 485
instruction in driving a motor vehicle unless such person is licensed to 486
act as an instructor or master instructor by the [commissioner] 487
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. 488
(2) The drivers' school employing an instructor's licensee or a master 489
instructor's licensee shall be responsible for ensuring any such licensee 490
is in compliance with the requirements of this part and any regulations 491
adopted under section 14-78. 492
(b) Application for an instructor's license or a master instructor's 493
license shall be in writing and shall contain such information as the 494
[commissioner] Commissioner of Motor Vehicles requires. Each 495
applicant for an instructor's license or a master instructor's license, or 496
for any renewal thereof, shall be fingerprinted and shall furnish 497
evidence satisfactory to the [commissioner] Commissioner of Motor 498
Vehicles that such applicant: (1) Is of good moral character considering 499
such person's state and national criminal history records checks 500
conducted in accordance with section 29-17a, and record, if any, on the 501
state child abuse and neglect registry established pursuant to section 502
17a-101k. If any applicant for a license or the renewal of a license has a 503
criminal record or is listed on the state child abuse and neglect registry, 504
the commissioner shall make a determination of whether to issue or 505
renew an instructor's license or master instructor's license in accordance 506
with the standards and procedures set forth in section 14-44 and the 507
regulations adopted pursuant to said section; (2) has held a license to 508
drive a motor vehicle for the past five consecutive years and has a 509 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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driving record satisfactory to the commissioner, including no record of 510
a conviction or administrative license suspension for a drug or alcohol-511
related offense during such five-year period; (3) has passed a physical 512
examination, administered not more than ninety days prior to the date 513
of application, by a physician, physician assistant or an advanced 514
practice registered nurse licensed to practice within the state and the 515
physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse 516
certifies that the applicant is physically fit to operate a motor vehicle and 517
provide instruction in driving; (4) has received a high school diploma or 518
has an equivalent academic education; and (5) has completed an 519
instructor training course of forty-five clock hours given by a school or 520
agency approved by the commissioner, except that any such course 521
given by an institution under the jurisdiction of the board of trustees of 522
the Connecticut State University System shall be approved by the 523
commissioner and the State Board of Education. During the period of 524
licensure, an instructor shall notify the commissioner, within forty-eight 525
hours, of an arrest or conviction for a misdemeanor or felony, or an 526
arrest, conviction or administrative license suspension for a drug or 527
alcohol-related offense. Upon such notification, the commissioner may 528
suspend, revoke or withdraw the instructor's license or master 529
instructor's license pursuant to the provisions of section 14-79. 530
(c) The [commissioner] Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may deny 531
the application of any person for an instructor's license or a master 532
instructor's license if the commissioner determines that the applicant 533
has made a material false statement or concealed a material fact in 534
connection with such person's application for the instructor's license or 535
master instructor's license. 536
(d) The [commissioner] Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall 537
conduct such written, oral and practical examinations, as the 538
commissioner deems necessary, to determine whether an applicant has 539
sufficient skill in the operation of motor vehicles to ensure their safe 540
operation, a satisfactory knowledge of the motor vehicle laws and the 541
ability to impart such skill and knowledge to others. If the applicant 542
successfully completes the examinations and meets all other 543 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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requirements of this section, the commissioner shall issue an instructor's 544
license or a master instructor's license, as the case may be, to such 545
applicant. The license shall be valid for use only in connection with a 546
drivers' school or schools licensed pursuant to section 14-69. If the 547
applicant fails the examination, such applicant may apply for 548
reexamination after five days. The license and the license renewal shall 549
be valid for two years. 550
(e) The licensee shall be reexamined periodically in accordance with 551
standards specified in regulations adopted under section 14-78. 552
(f) The [commissioner] Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may 553
establish, by regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of 554
chapter 54, standards and procedures for the training and licensing of 555
master instructors who are qualified to train driving instructors. 556
(g) The fee for an instructor's license, or for any renewal thereof, shall 557
be one hundred dollars. The fee for a master instructor's license, or for 558
any renewal thereof, shall be two hundred dollars. If the [commissioner] 559
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles has not received a complete renewal 560
application and fee on or before the expiration date of an applicant's 561
license, such applicant shall be charged, in addition to the renewal fee, 562
a late fee in an amount equal to the fee for such applicant's license. The 563
commissioner shall not renew an instructor's license or a master 564
instructor's license that has expired for more than sixty days and the 565
holder of any such expired license may apply for a new license in 566
accordance with the provisions of this section. 567
(h) An instructor's licensee or a master instructor's licensee shall 568
prominently display or wear an identification badge issued by the 569
employing drivers' school at all times when providing classroom or 570
behind-the-wheel instruction. Such identification badge shall include 571
the licensee's name, photograph and license number, the expiration date 572
of such license and the name of the employing drivers' school. The 573
employing drivers' school shall be responsible for ensuring an 574
instructor's licensee and master instructor's licensee wears such 575 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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identification badge in accordance with the provisions of this 576
subsection. 577
(i) Any person who is not licensed in accordance with this section 578
shall be guilty of a class B misdemeanor if such person: (1) Engages in 579
the business of providing, for compensation, instruction in driving a 580
motor vehicle; or (2) is employed by a drivers' school to give instruction 581
in driving a motor vehicle. 582
Sec. 12. Section 14-51 of the general statutes is repealed and the 583
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025): 584
(a) As used in this subpart: 585
(1) "New car dealer" includes any person, firm or corporation 586
engaged in the business of merchandising new motor vehicles under a 587
manufacturer's or importer's contract for each such make of vehicle who 588
may, incidental to such business, sell used motor vehicles and repair 589
motor vehicles. Such person shall be qualified to conduct such business 590
in accordance with the requirements of section 14-52a, as amended by 591
this act. 592
(2) "Used car dealer" includes any person, firm or corporation 593
engaged in the business of merchandising motor vehicles other than 594
new who may, incidental to such business, repair motor vehicles. [A 595
used car dealer] "Used car dealer" does not include any person, firm or 596
corporation engaged in the business of leasing or renting motor vehicles 597
that offers for sale or sells used motor vehicles incidental to its primary 598
business, if (A) such person, firm or corporation is licensed in 599
accordance with the provisions of section 14-15, and (B) the motor 600
vehicles that it offers for sale were formerly the subject of one or more 601
lease agreements to which it was a party and the actual or prospective 602
purchaser is the original lessee pursuant to a purchase option specified 603
in a lease agreement. Such person shall be qualified to conduct such 604
business in accordance with the requirements of section 14-52a, as 605
amended by this act. 606 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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(3) "Repairer" includes any person, firm or corporation qualified to 607
conduct such business in accordance with the requirements of section 608
14-52a, as amended by this act, having a suitable facility and having 609
adequate equipment, engaged in repairing, overhauling, adjusting, 610
assembling or disassembling any motor vehicle or making minor repairs 611
to any motor vehicle, including repairs and replacement of cooling, 612
electrical, fuel and exhaust systems, brake adjustments, relining and 613
repairs, wheel alignment and balancing and repair and replacement of 614
shock absorbers. "Repairer" does not include a person engaged in 615
making repairs to tires, upholstering, glazing, general blacksmithing, 616
welding and machine work on motor vehicle parts when parts involving 617
such work are disassembled or reassembled by a licensed repairer. 618
(4) "Motor vehicle" does not include a low-speed vehicle. 619
(b) The lubricating of motor vehicles, adding or changing of oil or 620
other motor vehicle fluids, changing of tires and tubes, including the 621
balancing of wheels, or installing of batteries or light bulbs, windshield 622
wiper blades or drive belts shall not be construed as the repairing of 623
motor vehicles under the provisions of this subpart. 624
Sec. 13. Section 14-166 of the general statutes is repealed and the 625
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025): 626
(a) The acquisition of a certificate of title shall not be required and the 627
issuance of a certificate of title by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles 628
shall not be required for the following: (1) A vehicle owned by the 629
United States, unless it is registered in this state; (2) a vehicle owned by 630
a manufacturer or dealer and held for sale, even though incidentally 631
moved on the highway or used for purposes of testing or 632
demonstration; or a vehicle used by a manufacturer solely for testing; 633
(3) a vehicle owned by a nonresident of this state and not required by 634
law to be registered in this state; (4) a vehicle regularly engaged in the 635
interstate transportation of persons or property for which a currently 636
effective certificate of title has been issued in another state; (5) a vehicle 637
moved solely by animal power; (6) an implement of husbandry; (7) 638 Substitute Bill No. 7160
LCO 21 of 50
special mobile equipment; (8) a self-propelled wheel chair or invalid 639
tricycle; (9) any trailer having a gross weight not in excess of three 640
thousand pounds; (10) any vehicle for which a temporary registration 641
has been issued pursuant to section 14-12 for the purpose of permitting 642
a nonresident owner who purchases a vehicle in Connecticut to 643
transport such vehicle to such owner's home state; (11) a motor vehicle 644
owned by the state or any town, city or borough within the state; and 645
(12) a motor vehicle registered temporarily for inspection purposes 646
pursuant to section 14-12. 647
(b) The acquisition of a certificate of title for any motor vehicle older 648
than twenty model years old shall not be required. The commissioner 649
shall issue a certificate of title for a motor vehicle older than twenty 650
model years old at the request of the owner and charge such owner any 651
fees required by section 14-192. Notwithstanding the provisions of 652
section 14-176, the commissioner shall not require a surety bond as a 653
condition of issuing a certificate of title for any motor vehicle older than 654
twenty model years old. 655
(c) Part III of this chapter does not apply to: (1) A vehicle moved 656
solely by animal power; (2) an implement of husbandry; (3) special 657
mobile equipment; (4) a self-propelled wheel chair or invalid tricycle; 658
and (5) any trailer having a gross weight not in excess of three thousand 659
pounds. 660
Sec. 14. Section 15-133 of the general statutes is repealed and the 661
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 662
(a) The rules prescribed by this section shall apply on all state and 663
federal waters. 664
(b) No person shall use a vessel in a manner that unreasonably or 665
unnecessarily interferes with free and proper navigation. Anchoring 666
under a bridge, in a narrow channel or in a congested water not 667
designated as an anchorage area is such interference, except in case of 668
emergency. 669 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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(c) No person shall alter, deface or remove any capacity information 670
label affixed to any vessel. 671
(d) No person shall operate a vessel: (1) While under the influence of 672
intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both, or (2) while such person has an 673
elevated blood alcohol content. For the purposes of this section and 674
sections 15-140l and 15-140n, "elevated blood alcohol content" means: 675
(A) A ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person that is eight-676
hundredths of one per cent or more of alcohol, by weight, or (B) if such 677
person is under twenty-one years of age, a ratio of alcohol in the blood 678
of such person that is two-hundredths of one per cent or more of alcohol, 679
by weight. For the purposes of this section and sections 15-132a, 15-140l, 680
15-140n, 15-140o and 15-140q, as amended by this act, "operate" means 681
that the vessel is underway or aground and not moored, anchored or 682
docked. 683
(e) In any prosecution for a violation of subdivision (1) of subsection 684
(d) of this section, evidence concerning the amount of alcohol in the 685
defendant's blood or urine at the time of the alleged offense, as shown 686
by a chemical analysis of the defendant's blood, breath or urine, 687
otherwise admissible under subsection (a) of section 15-140r, shall be 688
admissible only at the request of the defendant. 689
(f) No person shall operate a vessel or engage in any activity contrary 690
to the regulations adopted by the commissioner. 691
(g) No person shall moor a vessel to, obstruct, remove, damage or 692
destroy any navigation aid or any device used to mark a restricted area. 693
(h) Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (d) of this 694
section shall: 695
(1) For conviction of a first violation, (A) be fined not less than five 696
hundred dollars or more than one thousand dollars, and (B) be (i) 697
imprisoned not more than six months, forty-eight consecutive hours of 698
which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, or (ii) 699
imprisoned not more than six months, with the execution of such 700 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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sentence of imprisonment suspended entirely and a period of probation 701
imposed requiring as a condition of such probation that such person 702
perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 703
14-227e, and (C) (i) have such person's safe boating certificate or 704
certificate of personal watercraft operation, if any, or right to operate a 705
vessel that requires a safe boating certificate for operation suspended 706
for one year, and (ii) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license 707
or nonresident operating privilege suspended in accordance with the 708
provisions of subparagraph (C)(i) of subdivision (1) of subsection (g) of 709
section 14-227a, as amended by this act; 710
(2) [for] For conviction of a second violation not later than ten years 711
after a prior conviction for the same offense, (A) be fined not less than 712
one thousand dollars or more than four thousand dollars, (B) be 713
imprisoned not more than two years, one hundred twenty consecutive 714
days of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, and 715
sentenced to a period of probation requiring as a condition of such 716
probation that such person perform one hundred hours of community 717
service, as defined in section 14-227e, and (C) (i) have such person's safe 718
boating certificate or certificate of personal watercraft operation, if any, 719
or right to operate a vessel that requires a safe boating certificate for 720
operation suspended for three years or until the date of such person's 721
twenty-first birthday, whichever is longer, and (ii) have such person's 722
motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege 723
suspended in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph (C)(i) of 724
subdivision (2) of subsection (g) of section 14-227a, as amended by this 725
act; and 726
(3) [for] For conviction of a third and subsequent violation not later 727
than ten years after a prior conviction for the same offense, (A) be fined 728
not less than two thousand dollars or more than eight thousand dollars, 729
(B) be imprisoned not more than three years, one year of which may not 730
be suspended or reduced in any manner, and sentenced to a period of 731
probation requiring as a condition of such probation that such person 732
perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 733
14-227e, and (C) (i) have such person's safe boating certificate or 734 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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certificate of personal watercraft operation, if any, or right to operate a 735
vessel that requires a safe boating certificate for operation permanently 736
revoked upon such third offense, and (ii) have such person's motor 737
vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege 738
permanently revoked in accordance with the provisions of 739
subparagraph (C)(i) of subdivision (3) of subsection (g) of section 14-740
227a, as amended by this act. For purposes of the imposition of penalties 741
under subdivision (2) or (3) of this subsection, a conviction under the 742
provisions of subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (d) of this section or 743
subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227a shall constitute 744
a prior conviction of the same offense. 745
(i) The suspension of a safe boating certificate or certificate of 746
personal watercraft operation or right to operate a vessel that requires a 747
safe boating certificate for operation imposed under subsection (h) of 748
this section shall take effect immediately upon expiration of any period 749
in which an appeal of any conviction under subsection (d) of this section 750
may be taken, provided if an appeal is taken, the suspension shall be 751
stayed during the pendency of such appeal. If the suspension or 752
revocation takes effect, the defendant shall return, not later than the 753
second business day after the suspension or revocation takes effect, by 754
personal delivery or first class mail, the safe boating certificate or 755
certificate of personal watercraft operation issued to the defendant. 756
(j) Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (b) of this 757
section shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars. Any person 758
who violates the provisions of subsection (c) or (g) of this section shall 759
be fined not less than one hundred dollars and not more than five 760
hundred dollars. Any person who violates any of the provisions of 761
subsection (f) of this section shall have committed an infraction. 762
(k) (1) A record shall be kept by the Superior Court of any conviction 763
relating to the operation of a vessel. A summary of such record, with a 764
statement of the number of the operator's safe boating certificate or 765
certificate of personal watercraft operation shall, not later than five days 766
after such conviction, forfeiture or any other disposition or nolle, be 767 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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transmitted to the commissioner by such court. Each court shall report 768
each conviction under subsection (d) of this section to the 769
[commissioner. The commissioner] Commissioners of Energy and 770
Environmental Protection and Motor Vehicles. The Commissioner of 771
Energy and Environmental Protection shall suspend the safe boating 772
certificate or certificate of personal watercraft operation of the person 773
reported as convicted for the period of time required by subsection (h) 774
of this section. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall suspend the 775
motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege, if 776
any, of the person reported as convicted in accordance with the 777
provisions of subsection (h) of this section and for the period of time 778
required by subsection (g) of section 14-227a, as amended by this act. 779
(2) The safe boating certificate, right to operate a vessel that requires 780
a safe boating certificate for operation or certificate of personal 781
watercraft operation of a person found guilty under subsection (d) of 782
this section who is under eighteen years of age shall be suspended by 783
the [commissioner] Commissioner of Energy and Environmental 784
Protection for the period of time set forth in subsection (h) of this section, 785
or until such person attains the age of eighteen years, whichever period 786
is longer. 787
Sec. 15. Subsections (g) and (h) of section 14-227a of the general 788
statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof 789
(Effective October 1, 2025): 790
(g) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this 791
section shall: 792
(1) For conviction of a first violation, (A) be fined not less than five 793
hundred dollars or more than one thousand dollars, and (B) be (i) 794
imprisoned not more than six months, forty-eight consecutive hours of 795
which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, or (ii) 796
imprisoned not more than six months, with the execution of such 797
sentence of imprisonment suspended entirely and a period of probation 798
imposed requiring as a condition of such probation that such person 799 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 800
14-227e, and (C) (i) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license 801
or nonresident operating privilege suspended for forty-five days and, as 802
a condition for the restoration of such license, be required to install an 803
ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by 804
such person and, upon such restoration, be prohibited for the one-year 805
period following such restoration from operating a motor vehicle unless 806
such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition 807
interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, and (ii) have such person's 808
safe boating certificate or certificate of personal watercraft operation, if 809
any, or right to operate a vessel that requires a safe boating certificate 810
for operation, suspended for the period of time specified in 811
subparagraph (C)(i) of subdivision (1) of subsection (h) of section 15-812
133, as amended by this act; 813
(2) [for] For conviction of a second violation within ten years after a 814
prior conviction for the same offense, (A) be fined not less than one 815
thousand dollars or more than four thousand dollars, (B) be imprisoned 816
not more than two years, one hundred twenty consecutive days of 817
which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, and sentenced 818
to a period of probation requiring as a condition of such probation that 819
such person: (i) Perform one hundred hours of community service, as 820
defined in section 14-227e, (ii) submit to an assessment through the 821
Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch of the degree of 822
such person's alcohol or drug abuse, and (iii) undergo a treatment 823
program if so ordered, and (C) (i) have such person's motor vehicle 824
operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for 825
forty-five days and, as a condition for the restoration of such license, be 826
required to install an ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle 827
owned or operated by such person and, upon such restoration, be 828
prohibited for the three-year period following such restoration from 829
operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a 830
functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-831
227j, except that for the first year of such three-year period, such 832
person's operation of a motor vehicle shall be limited to such person's 833 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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transportation to or from work or school, an alcohol or drug abuse 834
treatment program, an ignition interlock device service center or an 835
appointment with a probation officer, and (ii) have such person's safe 836
boating certificate or certificate of personal watercraft operation, if any, 837
or right to operate a vessel that requires a safe boating certificate for 838
operation, suspended for the period of time specified in subparagraph 839
(C)(i) of subdivision (2) of subsection (h) of section 15-133, as amended 840
by this act; and 841
(3) [for] For conviction of a third and subsequent violation within ten 842
years after a prior conviction for the same offense, (A) be fined not less 843
than two thousand dollars or more than eight thousand dollars, (B) be 844
imprisoned not more than three years, one year of which may not be 845
suspended or reduced in any manner, and sentenced to a period of 846
probation requiring as a condition of such probation that such person: 847
(i) Perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in 848
section 14-227e, (ii) submit to an assessment through the Court Support 849
Services Division of the Judicial Branch of the degree of such person's 850
alcohol or drug abuse, and (iii) undergo a treatment program if so 851
ordered, and (C) (i) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license 852
or nonresident operating privilege permanently revoked upon such 853
third offense, except that if such person's revocation is reversed or 854
reduced pursuant to subsection (i) of section 14-111, such person shall 855
be prohibited from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle 856
is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as 857
defined in section 14-227j, for the time period prescribed in subdivision 858
(2) of subsection (i) of section 14-111, and (ii) have such person's safe 859
boating certificate or certificate of personal watercraft operation, if any, 860
or right to operate a vessel that requires a safe boating certificate for 861
operation, permanently revoked in accordance with the provisions of 862
subparagraph (C)(i) of subdivision (3) of subsection (h) of section 15-863
133, as amended by this act. For purposes of the imposition of penalties 864
for a second or third and subsequent offense pursuant to this subsection, 865
a conviction under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section in 866
effect on October 1, 1981, or as amended thereafter, a conviction under 867 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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the provisions of [either] subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this 868
section, a conviction under the provisions of section 14-227m, as 869
amended by this act, a conviction under the provisions of subdivision 870
(1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n, as amended by this act, a 871
conviction under the provisions of subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection 872
(d) of section 15-133, as amended by this act, a conviction under the 873
provisions of section 15-140l or 15-140n, a conviction under the 874
provisions of section 53a-56b or 53a-60d or a conviction in any other 875
state of any offense the essential elements of which are determined by 876
the court to be substantially the same as subdivision (1) or (2) of 877
subsection (a) of this section, section 14-227m, as amended by this act, 878
subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n, as amended 879
by this act, subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (d) of section 15-133, as 880
amended by this act, or section 15-140l or 15-140n, 53a-56b or 53a-60d, 881
shall constitute a prior conviction for the same offense. 882
(h) (1) Each court shall report each conviction under subsection (a) of 883
this section to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, in accordance with 884
the provisions of section 14-141, [. The commissioner] and to the 885
Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection. The 886
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall suspend the motor vehicle 887
operator's license or nonresident operating privilege of the person 888
reported as convicted for the period of time required by subsection (g) 889
of this section. The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental 890
Protection shall suspend the safe boating certificate or certificate of 891
personal watercraft operations, if any, or right to operate a vessel that 892
requires a safe boating certificate for operation of the person reported as 893
convicted in accordance with the provisions of subsection (g) of this 894
section for the period of time required pursuant to subsection (h) of 895
section 15-133, as amended by this act. The [commissioner] 896
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall determine the period of time 897
required by subsection (g) of this section for suspension of the motor 898
vehicle's license or nonresident operating privilege based on the number 899
of convictions such person has had within the specified time period 900
according to such person's driving history record, notwithstanding the 901 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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sentence imposed by the court for such conviction. (2) The motor vehicle 902
operator's license or nonresident operating privilege of a person found 903
guilty under subsection (a) of this section who, at the time of the offense, 904
was operating a motor vehicle in accordance with a special operator's 905
permit issued pursuant to section 14-37a shall be suspended by the 906
commissioner for twice the period of time set forth in subsection (g) of 907
this section. (3) If an appeal of any conviction under subsection (a) of 908
this section is taken, the suspension of the motor vehicle operator's 909
license or nonresident operating privilege by the commissioner, in 910
accordance with this subsection, shall be stayed during the pendency of 911
such appeal. 912
Sec. 16. Subsection (i) of section 15-140q of the general statutes is 913
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 914
1, 2025): 915
(i) The commissioner shall suspend the operator's safe boating 916
certificate, right to operate a vessel that requires a safe boating certificate 917
for operation or certificate of personal watercraft operation of a person 918
who does not contact the department to schedule a hearing under 919
subsection (e) of this section, who fails to appear at such hearing, or 920
against whom, after a hearing, the commissioner holds pursuant to 921
subsection (g) of this section. Such suspension shall be as of the effective 922
date contained in the suspension notice or the date the commissioner 923
renders a decision, whichever is later, for a period of: 924
(1) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, 925
ninety days if such person submitted to a test and the results of such test 926
indicated that at the time of the alleged offense that such person had an 927
elevated blood alcohol content, or such person was found to have been 928
operating a vessel under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, 929
or both, based on a report filed pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, 930
or (B) one hundred twenty days if such person submitted to a test and 931
the results of such test indicated that the ratio of alcohol in the blood of 932
such person was sixteen-hundredths of one per cent or more of alcohol, 933
by weight, or (C) six months if such person refused to submit to such 934 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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test; 935
(2) [if] If such person has previously had such person's safe boating 936
certificate, right to operate a vessel that requires a safe boating certificate 937
for operation or certificate of personal watercraft operation suspended 938
under this section, (A) except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this 939
subdivision, nine months if such person submitted to a test and the 940
results of such test indicated that at the time of the alleged offense that 941
such person had an elevated blood alcohol content, or such person was 942
found to have been operating a vessel under the influence of 943
intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both, based on a report filed pursuant 944
to subsection (d) of this section, (B) ten months if such person submitted 945
to a test and the results of such test indicated that the ratio of alcohol in 946
the blood of such person was sixteen-hundredths of one per cent or 947
more of alcohol, by weight, and (C) one year if such person refused to 948
submit to such test; and 949
(3) [if] If such person has two or more times previously had such 950
person's safe boating certificate, right to operate a vessel that requires a 951
safe boating certificate for operation or certificate of personal watercraft 952
operation suspended under this section, (A) except as provided in 953
subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, two years if such person 954
submitted to a test and the results of such test indicated that at the time 955
of the alleged offense that such person had an elevated blood alcohol 956
content, or such person was found to have been operating a vessel under 957
the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both, based on a 958
report filed pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, (B) two and one-959
half years if such person submitted to a test and the results of such test 960
indicated that the ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person was 961
sixteen-hundredths of one per cent or more of alcohol, by weight, and 962
(C) three years if such person refused to submit to such test. For 963
purposes of the suspension of the safe boating certificate, right to 964
operate a vessel that requires a safe boating certificate for operation or 965
certificate of personal watercraft operation of a person under 966
subdivision (2) or (3) of this subsection, the suspension under subsection 967
(i) or (j) of section 14-227b, as amended by this act, of the motor vehicle 968 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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operator's license or nonresident operating privilege, if any, of such 969
person shall constitute a previous suspension under this section. 970
Whenever the commissioner suspends the safe boating certificate, right 971
to operate a vessel that requires a safe boating certificate for operation 972
or certificate of personal watercraft operation of a person under this 973
subsection, the commissioner shall mail or electronically transmit a copy 974
of the suspension notice, together with personal identifying information 975
for such person, to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, who shall 976
suspend the motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating 977
privilege, if any, of such person as specified in subsection (i) of section 978
14-227b, as amended by this act. 979
Sec. 17. Subsection (i) of section 14-227b of the general statutes is 980
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 981
1, 2025): 982
(i) (1) The commissioner shall suspend the operator's license or 983
operating privilege of a person who did not contact the department to 984
schedule a hearing, who failed to appear at a hearing, or against whom 985
a decision was issued, after a hearing, pursuant to subsection (h) of this 986
section, as of the effective date contained in the suspension notice, for a 987
period of forty-five days. As a condition for the restoration of such 988
operator's license or operating privilege, such person shall be required 989
to install an ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or 990
operated by such person and, upon such restoration, be prohibited from 991
operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a 992
functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-993
227j, for the longer of either (A) the period prescribed in subdivision (2) 994
of this subsection for the present arrest and suspension, or (B) the period 995
prescribed in subdivision (1), (2) or (3) of subsection (g) of section 14-996
227a, as amended by this act, or subdivision (1), (2) or (3) of subsection 997
(c) of section 14-227m, as amended by this act, or subdivision (1) or (2) 998
of subsection (c) of section 14-227n, as amended by this act, for the 999
present arrest and conviction, if any. 1000
(2) (A) A person twenty-one years of age or older at the time of the 1001 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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arrest who submitted to a test and the results of such test indicated that 1002
such person had an elevated blood alcohol content, or was found to have 1003
been operating a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating 1004
liquor or any drug, or both based on a report filed pursuant to 1005
subsection (d) of this section, shall install and maintain an ignition 1006
interlock device for the following periods: (i) For a first suspension 1007
under this section, six months; (ii) for a second suspension under this 1008
section, one year; and (iii) for a third or subsequent suspension under 1009
this section, two years; (B) a person under twenty-one years of age at the 1010
time of the arrest who submitted to a test and the results of such test 1011
indicated that such person had an elevated blood alcohol content, or was 1012
found to have been operating a motor vehicle under the influence of 1013
intoxicating liquor or any drug, or both based on a report filed pursuant 1014
to subsection (d) of this section, shall install and maintain an ignition 1015
interlock device for the following periods: (i) For a first suspension 1016
under this section, one year; (ii) for a second suspension under this 1017
section, two years; and (iii) for a third or subsequent suspension under 1018
this section, three years; and (C) a person, regardless of age, who refused 1019
to submit to a test or nontestimonial portion of a drug influence 1020
evaluation shall install and maintain an ignition interlock device for the 1021
following periods: (i) For a first suspension under this section, one year; 1022
(ii) for a second suspension under this section, two years; and (iii) for a 1023
third or subsequent suspension, under this section, three years. For 1024
purposes of the suspension of the motor vehicle operator's license or 1025
nonresident operating privilege of a person under subparagraph (A)(ii) 1026
or (A)(iii) of this subsection, subparagraph (B)(ii) or (B)(iii) of this section 1027
or subparagraph (C)(ii) or (C)(iii) of this section, the suspension under 1028
subsection (i) of section 15-140q, as amended by this act, of the safe 1029
boating certificate, right to operate a vessel that requires a safe boating 1030
certificate for operation or certificate of personal watercraft operation, if 1031
any, of such person shall constitute a previous suspension of such 1032
person's operator's license or nonresident operating privilege under this 1033
subsection. Whenever the commissioner suspends the motor vehicle 1034
operator's license or nonresident operating privilege of a person under 1035
this subsection, the commissioner shall mail or electronically transmit a 1036 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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copy of the suspension notice, together with personal identifying 1037
information for such person, to the Commissioner of Energy and 1038
Environmental Protection who shall suspend the safe boating certificate, 1039
right to operate a vessel that requires a safe boating certificate for 1040
operation or certificate of personal watercraft operation, if any, of such 1041
person as specified in subsection (i) of section 15-140q, as amended by 1042
this act. 1043
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this 1044
subsection, a person whose motor vehicle operator's license or operating 1045
privilege has been permanently revoked upon a third offense pursuant 1046
to subsection (g) of section 14-227a, as amended by this act, or 1047
subsection (c) of section 14-227m, as amended by this act, shall be subject 1048
to the penalties prescribed in subdivision (2) of subsection (i) of section 1049
14-111. 1050
Sec. 18. Subsection (a) of section 15-140e of the general statutes is 1051
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1052
1, 2025): 1053
(a) No resident of the state, person owning real property in the state 1054
or person owning a vessel in the state shall operate on the waters of the 1055
state a vessel which is required to be registered or numbered pursuant 1056
to this chapter unless such person has a valid vessel operator license 1057
issued by the United States Coast Guard or has obtained a safe boating 1058
certificate issued by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental 1059
Protection. No owner of a vessel shall knowingly authorize or permit a 1060
person who is less than sixteen years of age who is required by this 1061
section to obtain a safe boating certificate issued by the Commissioner 1062
of Energy and Environmental Protection to operate such vessel on the 1063
waters of the state without a safe boating certificate, unless such person 1064
is under the direct onboard supervision of a person who is at least 1065
eighteen years of age who has been issued a safe boating certificate and 1066
who has held such certificate for at least two years. The Commissioner 1067
of Energy and Environmental Protection shall not issue a safe boating 1068
certificate or temporary safe boating certificate to any person whose 1069 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege is 1070
suspended or revoked, or is subject to any pending action by the 1071
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles that may result in a suspension or 1072
revocation, due to a violation of section 14-227a, as amended by this act, 1073
14-227g, 14-227m, as amended by this act, or 14-227n, as amended by 1074
this act. A safe boating certificate may be suspended or revoked, 1075
pursuant to section 15-132a, 15-133, as amended by this act, 15-140l or 1076
15-140n, and shall be valid for the life of the person to whom it is issued 1077
unless otherwise suspended or revoked. The provisions of this section 1078
shall not apply to any person who, between one hour before sunrise and 1079
one hour after sunset, operates a vessel propelled exclusively by an 1080
electric motor that is rated at one hundred six pounds of thrust or less 1081
on the inland waters of this state upon which motor powered vessels 1082
exceeding ten horsepower are prohibited. 1083
Sec. 19. Subdivision (1) of subsection (e) of section 14-36 of the general 1084
statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof 1085
(Effective October 1, 2025): 1086
(e) (1) No motor vehicle operator's license shall be issued until (A) the 1087
applicant signs and submits to the commissioner, in such manner as the 1088
commissioner directs, an application under oath, or made subject to 1089
penalties for false statement in accordance with section 53a-157b, [and] 1090
(B) the commissioner is satisfied that the applicant is sixteen years of age 1091
or older and is a suitable person to receive the license, and (C) the 1092
applicant's safe boating certificate, right to operate a vessel that requires 1093
a safe boating certificate for operation or certificate of personal 1094
watercraft operation, if any, is not suspended or revoked, or is not 1095
subject to any pending action by the Commissioner of Energy and 1096
Environmental Protection that may result in a suspension or revocation, 1097
due to a violation of subsection (d) of section 15-133, as amended by this 1098
act, or section 15-140l or 15-140n. 1099
Sec. 20. Section 14-227m of the general statutes is repealed and the 1100
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 1101 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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(a) No person shall operate a motor vehicle in which a child under 1102
eighteen years of age is a passenger while such person (1) is under the 1103
influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or both, or (2) has an 1104
elevated blood alcohol content. For the purposes of this section, 1105
"elevated blood alcohol content" means a ratio of alcohol in the blood of 1106
such person that is eight-hundredths of one per cent or more of alcohol, 1107
by weight, except that if such person is operating a commercial motor 1108
vehicle, "elevated blood alcohol content" means a ratio of alcohol in the 1109
blood of such person that is four-hundredths of one per cent or more of 1110
alcohol, by weight, and if such person is under twenty-one years of age, 1111
"elevated blood alcohol content" means a ratio of alcohol in the blood of 1112
such person that is two-hundredths of one per cent or more of alcohol 1113
by weight; and "motor vehicle" includes a snowmobile and all-terrain 1114
vehicle, as those terms are defined in section 14-379. 1115
(b) The provisions of subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (h), (i), (j), (k) and 1116
(l) of section 14-227a, as amended by this act, adapted accordingly, shall 1117
be applicable to a violation of subsection (a) of this section. 1118
(c) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this 1119
section shall: 1120
(1) For conviction of a first violation, (A) be fined not less than five 1121
hundred dollars or more than two thousand dollars, (B) be imprisoned 1122
not more than one year, thirty consecutive days of which may not be 1123
suspended or reduced in any manner, and sentenced to a period of 1124
probation requiring as a condition of such probation that such person: 1125
(i) Perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in 1126
section 14-227e, (ii) submit to an assessment through the Court Support 1127
Services Division of the Judicial Branch of the degree of such person's 1128
alcohol or drug abuse, (iii) undergo a treatment program, including 1129
chemical screening, if so ordered, (iv) submit to an interview and 1130
evaluation by the Department of Children and Families to assess any 1131
ongoing risk posed to any child who was a passenger in the motor 1132
vehicle at the time of the violation, and (v) cooperate with any 1133
programming, treatment, directives or plan if so ordered by the 1134 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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Department of Children and Families, and (C) (i) have such person's 1135
motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege 1136
suspended for forty-five days and, as a condition for the restoration of 1137
such license, be required to install an ignition interlock device on each 1138
motor vehicle owned or operated by such person and, upon such 1139
restoration, be prohibited for the one-year period following such 1140
restoration from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is 1141
equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as 1142
defined in section 14-227j, and (ii) have such person's safe boating 1143
certificate or certificate of personal watercraft operation, if any, or right 1144
to operate a vessel that requires a safe boating certificate for operation 1145
suspended for the period of time specified in subparagraph (C)(i) of 1146
subdivision (1) of subsection (h) of section 15-133, as amended by this 1147
act; 1148
(2) [for] For conviction of a second violation of this section not later 1149
than ten years after a prior conviction for the same offense, (A) be fined 1150
not less than one thousand dollars or more than four thousand dollars, 1151
(B) be imprisoned not more than three years, one hundred eighty 1152
consecutive days of which may not be suspended or reduced in any 1153
manner and sentenced to a period of probation requiring as a condition 1154
of such probation that such person: (i) Perform one hundred hours of 1155
community service, as defined in section 14-227e, (ii) submit to an 1156
assessment through the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial 1157
Branch of the degree of such person's alcohol or drug abuse, (iii) 1158
undergo a treatment program, including chemical screening, if so 1159
ordered, (iv) submit to an interview and evaluation by the Department 1160
of Children and Families to assess any ongoing risk posed to any child 1161
who was a passenger in the motor vehicle at the time of the violation, 1162
and (v) cooperate with any programming, treatment, directives or plan 1163
if so ordered by the Department of Children and Families, and (C) (i) 1164
have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident 1165
operating privilege suspended for forty-five days and, as a condition for 1166
the restoration of such license, be required to install an ignition interlock 1167
device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by such person and, 1168 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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upon such restoration, be prohibited for the three-year period following 1169
such restoration from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor 1170
vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock 1171
device, as defined in section 14-227j, except that for the first year of such 1172
three-year period, such person's operation of a motor vehicle shall be 1173
limited to such person's transportation to or from work or school, an 1174
alcohol or drug abuse treatment program, an ignition interlock device 1175
service center, a treatment program ordered by the Department of 1176
Children and Families or an appointment with a probation officer or 1177
Department of Children and Families caseworker, and (ii) have such 1178
person's safe boating certificate or certificate of personal watercraft 1179
operation, if any, or right to operate a vessel that requires a safe boating 1180
certificate for operation suspended for the period of time specified in 1181
subparagraph (C)(i) of subdivision (2) of subsection (h) of section 15-1182
133, as amended by this act; and 1183
(3) [for] For a third or subsequent conviction of a violation of this 1184
section not later than ten years after a prior conviction for the same 1185
offense, (A) be fined not less than two thousand dollars or more than 1186
eight thousand dollars, (B) be imprisoned not more than five years, two 1187
years of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, and 1188
sentenced to a period of probation requiring as a condition of such 1189
probation that such person: (i) Perform one hundred hours of 1190
community service, as defined in section 14-227e, (ii) submit to an 1191
assessment through the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial 1192
Branch of the degree of such person's alcohol or drug abuse, (iii) 1193
undergo a treatment program, including chemical screening, if so 1194
ordered, (iv) submit to an interview and evaluation by the Department 1195
of Children and Families to assess any ongoing risk posed to any child 1196
who was a passenger in the motor vehicle at the time of the offense, and 1197
(v) cooperate with any programming, treatment, directives or plan if so 1198
ordered by the Department of Children and Families, and (C) (i) have 1199
such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating 1200
privilege permanently revoked upon such third offense, except that if 1201
such person's revocation is reversed or reduced pursuant to subsection 1202 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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(i) of section 14-111, such person shall be prohibited from operating a 1203
motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, 1204
approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, for the 1205
time period prescribed in subdivision (2) of subsection (i) of section 14-1206
111, and (ii) have such person's safe boating certificate or certificate of 1207
personal watercraft operation, if any, or right to operate a vessel that 1208
requires a safe boating certificate for operation permanently revoked in 1209
accordance with the provisions of subparagraph (C)(i) of subdivision (3) 1210
of subsection (h) of section 15-133, as amended by this act. For purposes 1211
of the imposition of penalties for a second or third and subsequent 1212
offense pursuant to this subsection, a conviction under the provisions of 1213
subsection (a) of this section, subsection (a) of section 14-227a, 1214
subsection (a) of section 14-227g, subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) 1215
of section 14-227n, as amended by this act, subdivision (1) or (2) of 1216
subsection (d) of section 15-133, as amended by this act, section 15-140l 1217
or 15-140n, subsection (a) of section 53a-56b or subsection (a) of section 1218
53a-60d or a conviction in any other state of any offense, the essential 1219
elements of which are determined by the court to be substantially the 1220
same as the elements of the aforementioned provisions, shall constitute 1221
a prior conviction for the same offense. 1222
Sec. 21. Section 14-227n of the general statutes is repealed and the 1223
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2025): 1224
(a) (1) No person shall operate a school bus, student transportation 1225
vehicle or other motor vehicle specially designated for carrying children 1226
while such person (A) is under the influence of intoxicating liquor or 1227
any drug or both, or (B) has an elevated blood alcohol content. 1228
(2) No person shall operate a school bus, student transportation 1229
vehicle or other motor vehicle specially designated for carrying children 1230
in which a child under eighteen years of age is a passenger while such 1231
person (A) is under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or 1232
both, or (B) has an elevated blood alcohol content. 1233
(3) For the purposes of this section, "motor vehicle specially 1234 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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designated for carrying children" means any motor vehicle, except for a 1235
registered school bus or student transportation vehicle as defined in 1236
section 14-212, that is designated or used by a person, firm or 1237
corporation for the transportation of children to or from any program or 1238
activity organized primarily for persons under the age of eighteen years, 1239
with or without charge to the individual being transported, but does not 1240
include a passenger motor vehicle normally used for personal, family or 1241
household purposes that is operated by a person without a public 1242
passenger endorsement; and "elevated blood alcohol content" means a 1243
ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person that is eight-hundredths of 1244
one per cent or more of alcohol, by weight, except that if such person is 1245
operating a commercial motor vehicle, "elevated blood alcohol content" 1246
means a ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person that is four-1247
hundredths of one per cent or more of alcohol, by weight, and if such 1248
person is under twenty-one years of age, "elevated blood alcohol 1249
content" means a ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person that is two-1250
hundredths of one per cent or more of alcohol, by weight. 1251
(b) The provisions of subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (h), (i), (j), (k) and 1252
(l) of section 14-227a, as amended by this act, adapted accordingly, shall 1253
be applicable to violations of subdivisions (1) and (2) of subsection (a) 1254
of this section. 1255
(c) (1) Any person who violates subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of 1256
this section shall: (A) Be fined not more than ten thousand dollars, (B) 1257
be imprisoned not less than one year or more than ten years, thirty 1258
consecutive days of which shall not be suspended or reduced in any 1259
manner, and sentenced to a period of probation requiring as a condition 1260
of such probation that such person (i) perform one hundred hours of 1261
community service, as defined in section 14-227e, (ii) submit to an 1262
assessment through the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial 1263
Branch of the degree of such person's alcohol or drug abuse, and (iii) 1264
undergo a treatment program, including chemical screening, if so 1265
ordered, and (C) (i) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license 1266
or nonresident operating privilege suspended for forty-five days and, as 1267
a condition for the restoration of such license, be required to install an 1268 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by 1269
such person and, upon such restoration, be prohibited for a three-year 1270
period following such restoration from operating a motor vehicle unless 1271
such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition 1272
interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, except that for the first 1273
year of such three-year period, such person's operation of a motor 1274
vehicle shall be limited to such person's transportation to or from work 1275
or school, an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program, an ignition 1276
interlock device service center or an appointment with a probation 1277
officer, and (ii) have such person's safe boating certificate or certificate 1278
of personal watercraft operation, if any, or right to operate a vessel that 1279
requires a safe boating certificate for operation suspended for the period 1280
of time specified in subparagraph (C)(i) of subdivision (1) of subsection 1281
(h) of section 15-133, as amended by this act. 1282
(2) Any person who violates subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this 1283
section shall: (A) Be fined not more than ten thousand dollars, (B) be 1284
imprisoned not less than one year or more than ten years, one hundred 1285
twenty consecutive days of which may not be suspended or reduced in 1286
any manner, and sentenced to a period of probation requiring as a 1287
condition of such probation that such person (i) perform one hundred 1288
hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, (ii) submit to 1289
an assessment through the Court Support Services Division of the 1290
Judicial Branch of the degree of such person's alcohol or drug abuse, and 1291
(iii) undergo a treatment program, including chemical screening, if so 1292
ordered, and (C) (i) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license 1293
or nonresident operating privilege suspended for forty-five days and, as 1294
a condition for the restoration of such license, be required to install an 1295
ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by 1296
such person and, upon such restoration, be prohibited for a three-year 1297
period following such restoration from operating a motor vehicle unless 1298
such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition 1299
interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, except that for the first 1300
year of such three-year period, such person's operation of a motor 1301
vehicle shall be limited to such person's transportation to or from work 1302 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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or school, an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program, an ignition 1303
interlock device service center or an appointment with a probation 1304
officer, and (ii) have such person's safe boating certificate or certificate 1305
of personal watercraft operation, if any, or right to operate a vessel that 1306
requires a safe boating certificate for operation suspended for the period 1307
of time specified in subparagraph (C)(i) of subdivision (1) of subsection 1308
(h) of section 15-133, as amended by this act. 1309
Sec. 22. Subsection (b) of section 15-144 of the general statutes is 1310
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 1311
2025): 1312
(b) (1) The owner shall pay a fee to the Commissioner of Motor 1313
Vehicles for deposit with the State Treasurer for each vessel so 1314
numbered or registered in accordance with the following schedule and 1315
subdivisions of this subsection: 1316
T1 Overall Length Overall Length
T2 at least less than fee at least less than fee
T3 (feet) (feet) (feet) (feet)
T4 12 $ 7.50 40 41 $270.00
T5 12 13 11.25 41 42 292.50
T6 13 14 15.00 42 43 315.00
T7 14 15 18.75 43 44 322.50
T8 15 16 22.50 44 45 330.00
T9 16 17 30.00 45 46 337.50
T10 17 18 37.50 46 47 345.00
T11 18 19 45.00 47 48 352.50
T12 19 20 52.50 48 49 360.00
T13 20 21 60.00 49 50 367.50
T14 21 22 67.50 50 51 375.00
T15 22 23 75.00 51 52 382.50
T16 23 24 82.50 52 53 390.00
T17 24 25 90.00 53 54 397.50
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T19 26 27 105.00 55 56 412.50
T20 27 28 112.50 56 57 420.00
T21 28 29 120.00 57 58 427.50
T22 29 30 127.50 58 59 435.00
T23 30 31 135.00 59 60 442.50
T24 31 32 142.50 60 61 450.00
T25 32 33 150.00 61 62 457.50
T26 33 34 157.50 62 63 465.00
T27 34 35 165.00 63 64 472.50
T28 35 36 172.50 64 65 480.00
T29 36 37 180.00 65 and over 525.00
T30 37 38 202.50
T31 38 39 225.00
T32 39 40 247.50
(2) For purposes of [this] the schedule provided in subdivision (1) of this 1317
subsection, "overall length" is the horizontal distance between the 1318
foremost part of the stem and the aftermost part of the stern, excluding 1319
bowsprits, bumpkins, rudders, outboard motor brackets and similar 1320
fittings or attachments. [(2)] (3) The fee payable under this subsection 1321
with respect to any vessel used primarily for purposes of commercial 1322
fishing shall not exceed twenty-five dollars, provided in the tax year of 1323
the owner of such vessel ending immediately preceding the date of 1324
registration, not less than fifty per cent of the adjusted gross income of 1325
such owner as determined for purposes of the federal income tax is 1326
derived from commercial fishing, subject to proof satisfactory to the 1327
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. [(3)] (4) The fee payable under this 1328
subsection with respect to any vessel constructed primarily of wood, the 1329
construction of which is completed not less than fifteen years prior to 1330
the date such fee is paid, shall be in an amount equal to fifty per cent of 1331
the fee otherwise payable, or if such construction is completed not less 1332
than twenty-five years prior to the date such fee is paid, such fee shall 1333
be in an amount equal to twenty-five per cent of the fee otherwise 1334
payable. [(4)] (5) Fees payable under this subsection shall not be 1335 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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required with respect to (A) any vessel owned by a flotilla of the United 1336
States Coast Guard Auxiliary or owned by a nonprofit corporation 1337
acting on behalf of such a flotilla, provided no more than two vessels 1338
from any such flotilla or nonprofit corporation shall be granted such an 1339
exemption, and (B) any vessel built by students in an educational 1340
institution and used for the purposes of such institution, including such 1341
research as may require the use of such vessel. [(5) The fee payable 1342
under this subsection with respect to any pontoon boat, exclusive of any 1343
houseboat, shall be forty dollars.] (6) The fee payable under this 1344
subsection with respect to any canoe with a motor or any vessel owned 1345
by a nonprofit organization shall be seven dollars and fifty cents. (7) The 1346
fee payable under this subsection with respect to any vessel less than 1347
fifteen feet in length equipped with a motor the horsepower of which is 1348
less than fifteen, shall be seven dollars and fifty cents. (8) The owner of 1349
any vessel used actively, as required under this subdivision, in 1350
operational activities of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary shall 1351
not be required to pay the applicable fee in accordance with the schedule 1352
in this subsection, provided (A) if the applicable fee under the schedule 1353
for such vessel is greater than one hundred eighty dollars, the owner 1354
shall be required to pay the amount of fee in excess of one hundred 1355
eighty dollars, and (B) the owner shall not be entitled to exemption from 1356
the applicable fee as allowed in this subdivision for any vessel 1357
registration year unless the application for registration of such vessel 1358
includes a statement, certified by an officer of the United States Coast 1359
Guard, that in the preceding year such vessel was used actively in not 1360
less than three separate operational activities of the United States Coast 1361
Guard Auxiliary. (9) Beginning May 4, 2011, all revenue received by the 1362
state in fees for the numbering and registration of vessels under this 1363
section shall be deposited with the Treasurer who shall deposit such 1364
revenue in the General Fund. 1365
Sec. 23. Subsection (a) of section 14-15d of the general statutes is 1366
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 1367
2025): 1368
(a) Each electronic issuance licensee, licensed pursuant to section 14-1369 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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15e, as amended by this act, shall, not later than ten days after the 1370
electronic issuance of a certificate of registration or certificate of title, 1371
submit to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles an application together 1372
with all necessary documents required to obtain a certificate of 1373
registration or certificate [or] of title for the vehicle with the Department 1374
of Motor Vehicles. If such licensee fails to provide the department with 1375
such necessary documents, the department shall not process the 1376
application and shall inform such licensee of the failure to submit a 1377
completed application. 1378
Sec. 24. Section 14-15f of the general statutes is repealed and the 1379
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025): 1380
On and after January 1, 2025, each person, firm or corporation that 1381
the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles permitted or required prior to 1382
October 1, 2024, to file applications for the issuance of a certificate of 1383
registration or a certificate of title electronically with the Department of 1384
Motor Vehicles pursuant to section 14-15d of the general statutes, 1385
revision of 1958, revised to January 1, [2024] 2023, or any regulation 1386
adopted thereunder, shall no longer be permitted to use the 1387
department's electronic system for filing applications for the issuance of 1388
a certificate of registration or a certificate of title unless such person, firm 1389
or corporation holds an electronic issuance license issued pursuant to 1390
section 14-15e, as amended by this act. 1391
Sec. 25. Section 14-44p of the general statutes is repealed and the 1392
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025): 1393
On and after October 1, 2024, each commercial driver's instruction 1394
permit issued by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles prior to October 1395
1, 2024, that is otherwise valid, shall remain valid, according to its terms, 1396
and shall authorize each license holder to drive a commercial motor 1397
vehicle when accompanied in such vehicle by the holder of a 1398
commercial driver's license in accordance with the provisions of section 1399
14-44e of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes, [revision of 1958, 1400
revised to January 1, 2024,] until the expiration of the commercial 1401 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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driver's instruction permit. 1402
Sec. 26. Subsection (b) of section 14-253c of the general statutes is 1403
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 1404
2025): 1405
(b) The advisory council shall consist of (1) the Commissioner of 1406
Motor Vehicles or the commissioner's designee, (2) the Commissioner of 1407
Aging and Disability Services or the commissioner's designee, (3) two 1408
members appointed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, who are 1409
licensed physicians, physician assistants or advanced practice registered 1410
nurses who certify applications for removable windshield placards 1411
while in the course of employment, (4) one member appointed by the 1412
Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services who represents an 1413
organization that advocates on behalf of persons with physical 1414
disabilities, (5) one appointed by the House chairperson of the joint 1415
standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of 1416
matters relating to transportation, (6) one appointed by the Senate 1417
chairperson of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly 1418
having cognizance of matters relating to transportation, who uses 1419
accessible parking or advocates on behalf of such users, (7) one 1420
appointed by the House ranking member of the joint standing 1421
committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters 1422
relating to transportation, who uses accessible parking or advocates on 1423
behalf of such users, (8) one appointed by the Senate ranking member 1424
of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having 1425
cognizance of matters relating to transportation, who is a sworn 1426
member of a municipal police department, and (9) [and] such other 1427
members as the advisory council may prescribe. All initial 1428
appointments to the advisory council shall be made not later than 1429
September 1, 2023. Each member appointed pursuant to subdivisions (3) 1430
to (9), inclusive, of this subsection shall serve for a term of two years and 1431
may serve until such member's successor is appointed. Any vacancy 1432
shall be filled by the appointing authority. The Commissioner of Motor 1433
Vehicles, or the commissioner's designee, shall serve as chairperson of 1434
the advisory council. The advisory council shall meet at such times as it 1435 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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deems necessary and may establish rules governing its internal 1436
procedures. 1437
Sec. 27. Subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of section 14-279c of the 1438
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 1439
thereof (Effective July 1, 2025): 1440
(2) In the case of an alleged violation involving a motor vehicle 1441
registered in the state, the municipality, or its designated agent, shall 1442
send a copy of a citation to the owner of the motor vehicle observed in 1443
the alleged violation not later than thirty days after the date of the 1444
alleged violation. In the case of an alleged violation involving a motor 1445
vehicle registered in another jurisdiction, the municipality, or its 1446
designated agent, shall send a copy of a citation to the address of the 1447
owner that is in the records of the official in the other jurisdiction issuing 1448
such registration not later than sixty days after the alleged violation. 1449
Sec. 28. Subsection (g) of section 14-41 of the general statutes is 1450
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 1451
2025): 1452
(g) The commissioner shall develop, and thereafter revise as needed, 1453
a video presentation concerning current state laws that impact 1454
motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists and ways to practice safe driving 1455
behaviors and reduce transportation-related fatalities and severe 1456
injuries. In developing such video presentation, the commissioner may 1457
use materials and one or more video presentations developed by a 1458
governmental entity, independent contractor or any other party. Upon 1459
every [other] renewal of a motor vehicle operator's license, the 1460
commissioner shall require the licensee to watch such video 1461
presentation prior to issuing such license. 1462
Sec. 29. Subdivision (1) of subsection (d) of section 14-36 of the 1463
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 1464
thereof (Effective July 1, 2025): 1465
(d) (1) No motor vehicle operator's license shall be issued to any 1466 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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applicant who is sixteen or seventeen years of age unless the applicant 1467
has held a youth instruction permit and has satisfied the requirements 1468
specified in this subsection. The applicant shall (A) submit to the 1469
commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner shall direct, a 1470
certificate of the successful completion (i) in a public secondary school, 1471
a technical education and career school or a private secondary school of 1472
a full course of study in motor vehicle operation prepared as provided 1473
in section 14-36e, (ii) of training of similar nature provided by a licensed 1474
drivers' school approved by the commissioner, or (iii) of home training 1475
in accordance with subdivision (2) of this subsection, including, in each 1476
case, or by a combination of such types of training, successful 1477
completion of: Not less than forty clock hours of behind-the-wheel, on-1478
the-road instruction for applicants to whom a youth instruction permit 1479
is issued on or after August 1, 2008; (B) submit to the commissioner, in 1480
such manner as the commissioner shall direct, a certificate of the 1481
successful completion of a course of not less than eight hours relative to 1482
safe driving practices, including a minimum of four hours on the nature 1483
and the medical, biological and physiological effects of alcohol and 1484
drugs, including cannabis, as defined in section 21a-420, and their 1485
impact on the operator of a motor vehicle, the dangers associated with 1486
the operation of a motor vehicle after the consumption of alcohol or 1487
drugs by the operator, the problems of alcohol and drug abuse, the 1488
penalties for alcohol and drug-related motor vehicle violations and a 1489
video presentation specific to the impact of cannabis on the operator of 1490
a motor vehicle and how the ingestion of cannabis can cause impairment 1491
of motor function, reaction time, perception and peripheral vision; and 1492
(C) pass an examination which may include a comprehensive test as to 1493
knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the 1494
road in addition to the test required under subsection (c) of this section 1495
and shall include an on-the-road skills test as prescribed by the 1496
commissioner. At the time of application and examination for a motor 1497
vehicle operator's license, an applicant sixteen or seventeen years of age 1498
shall have held a youth instruction permit for not less than one hundred 1499
eighty days, except that an applicant who presents a certificate under 1500
subparagraph (A)(i) or subparagraph (A)(ii) of this subdivision shall 1501 Substitute Bill No. 7160
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have held a youth instruction permit for not less than one hundred 1502
twenty days and an applicant who is undergoing training and 1503
instruction by the driver training unit for persons with disabilities in 1504
accordance with the provisions of section 14-11b shall have held such 1505
permit for the period of time required by said unit. The commissioner 1506
shall approve the content of the safe driving instruction at drivers' 1507
schools, high schools and other secondary schools. Subject to such 1508
standards and requirements as the commissioner may impose, the 1509
commissioner may authorize any drivers' school, licensed in good 1510
standing in accordance with the provisions of section 14-69, or 1511
secondary school driver education program authorized pursuant to the 1512
provisions of section 14-36e, to administer the comprehensive test as to 1513
knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the 1514
road, required pursuant to subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, as part 1515
of the safe driving practices course required pursuant to subparagraph 1516
(B) of this subdivision, and to certify to the commissioner, under oath, 1517
the results of each such test administered. Such hours of instruction 1518
required by this subdivision shall be included as part of or in addition 1519
to any existing instruction programs. Any fee charged for the course 1520
required under subparagraph (B) of this subdivision shall not exceed 1521
[one hundred fifty] two hundred dollars. Any applicant sixteen or 1522
seventeen years of age who, while a resident of another state, completed 1523
the course required in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, but did not 1524
complete the safe driving practices course required in subparagraph (B) 1525
of this subdivision, shall complete the safe driving practices course. The 1526
commissioner may waive any requirement in this subdivision, except 1527
for [that in] the requirements of subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, in 1528
the case of an applicant sixteen or seventeen years of age who holds a 1529
valid motor vehicle operator's license issued by any other state, 1530
provided the commissioner is satisfied that the applicant has received 1531
training and instruction of a similar nature. 1532
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:
Section 1 January 1, 2026 14-15e Substitute Bill No. 7160
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Sec. 2 January 1, 2026 14-52a(a)
Sec. 3 July 1, 2025 14-36d(b)
Sec. 4 January 1, 2026 14-36j(a)
Sec. 5 October 1, 2025 14-44c(d)
Sec. 6 October 1, 2025 14-44e(b)
Sec. 7 July 1, 2025 14-58(a)
Sec. 8 July 1, 2025 14-64
Sec. 9 July 1, 2025 14-67i(a)
Sec. 10 July 1, 2025 14-67l
Sec. 11 October 1, 2025 14-73
Sec. 12 July 1, 2025 14-51
Sec. 13 July 1, 2025 14-166
Sec. 14 October 1, 2025 15-133
Sec. 15 October 1, 2025 14-227a(g) and (h)
Sec. 16 October 1, 2025 15-140q(i)
Sec. 17 October 1, 2025 14-227b(i)
Sec. 18 October 1, 2025 15-140e(a)
Sec. 19 October 1, 2025 14-36(e)(1)
Sec. 20 October 1, 2025 14-227m
Sec. 21 October 1, 2025 14-227n
Sec. 22 July 1, 2025 15-144(b)
Sec. 23 July 1, 2025 14-15d(a)
Sec. 24 July 1, 2025 14-15f
Sec. 25 July 1, 2025 14-44p
Sec. 26 July 1, 2025 14-253c(b)
Sec. 27 July 1, 2025 14-279c(d)(2)
Sec. 28 July 1, 2025 14-41(g)
Sec. 29 July 1, 2025 14-36(d)(1)
Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
In Section 13(b), "section 14-146" was changed to "section 14-176" for
accuracy; in Section 14(h), "subparagraph (C)(ii)" was changed to
"subparagraph (C)(i)" for accuracy; in Section 14(k), "in accordance with
the provisions of subsection (h) of this section and" was inserted before
"for the period of time" for clarity; in Section 15(h)(1), "in accordance
with the provisions of subsection (g) of this section and" was inserted
before "for the period of time" for clarity; and in Section 29, "practices"
was inserted before "course" for consistency.
TRA Joint Favorable Subst. Substitute Bill No. 7160
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