Enrolled Copy S.B. 55
1 VEHICLE REGISTRATION REVISIONS
2 2020 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Jacob L. Anderegg
5 House Sponsor: Marc K. Roberts
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill amends provisions related to dismissal of penalties for failure to register a
10 vehicle.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 < amends provisions to allow a court to dismiss an action against an individual for the
14 individual's failure to register a vehicle if the individual can show proof of proper
15 registration within certain time constraints.
16 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
17 None
18 Other Special Clauses:
19 None
20 Utah Code Sections Affected:
21 AMENDS:
22 41-1a-1303, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2015, Chapter 412
23 53-8-209, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 149
24
25 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
26 Section 1. Section 41-1a-1303 is amended to read:
27 41-1a-1303. Driving without registration or certificate of title.
28 (1) Except as provided in Section 41-1a-211 or 41-1a-1303.5, a person may not drive
29 or move, or an owner may not knowingly permit to be driven or moved upon any highway any
S.B. 55 Enrolled Copy
30 vehicle of a type required to be registered in this state:
31 (a) that is not properly registered or for which a certificate of title has not been issued
32 or applied for; or
33 (b) for which the required fee has not been paid.
34 (2) [A] Subject to Subsection 53-8-209(3), a violation of this section is an infraction.
35 Section 2. Section 53-8-209 is amended to read:
36 53-8-209. Inspection by officers -- Certificate of inspection.
37 (1) A peace officer may stop, inspect, and test a vehicle at any time upon reasonable
38 cause to believe that:
39 (a) a vehicle is unsafe or not equipped as required by law; or
40 (b) the vehicle's equipment is not in proper adjustment or repair.
41 (2) (a) (i) If a vehicle is found to be in unsafe condition or any required part or
42 equipment is not present or is not in proper repair and adjustment, the officer may give a
43 written notice to the driver and shall send a copy to the division.
44 (ii) The notice shall:
45 (A) require that the vehicle be placed in safe condition and the vehicle's equipment in
46 proper repair and adjustment;
47 (B) specify the repairs and adjustments needed; and
48 (C) require that a safety inspection certificate be obtained within five days.
49 (b) If a vehicle is, in the reasonable judgment of the peace officer, hazardous to
50 operate, the peace officer may require that the vehicle:
51 (i) not be operated under its own power; or
52 (ii) be driven to the nearest garage or other place of safety.
53 (c) (i) If the owner or driver does not comply with the notice requirements and secure a
54 safety inspection certificate within five days, the vehicle may not be operated on the highways
55 of this state.
56 (ii) A violation of Subsection (2)(c)(i) is an infraction.
57 (3) An owner or driver of a vehicle is not guilty of an infraction and is not required to
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Enrolled Copy S.B. 55
58 pay a fee or fine if the citation was issued for:
59 (a) expired registration in violation of Section 41-1a-201 or 41-1a-1303, and:
60 (i) the citation was issued within two months after the expiration of the vehicle's
61 registration; and
62 (ii) the owner or driver registers the vehicle within 14 days after the citation was
63 issued; or
64 (b) a violation of Section 41-1a-205, 41-6a-1601, or 53-8-205 or any other equipment
65 related infraction under Title 41, Chapter 6a, Part 16, Vehicle Equipment, and the owner or
66 driver obtains a safety inspection, emissions inspection, or proof of repair, as applicable, within
67 14 days after the citation was issued.
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Statutes affected: Introduced: 53-8-209
Enrolled: 53-8-209