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Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (Last Updated: June 14,2023) |
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Title14 Motor Vehicles. Use of the Highway by Vehicles. Gasoline |
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SubTitle14-19a-1_14-19a-9. Standards for the Issuance of Special Number Plates |
| Sec. 14-19a-1. Definitions |
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For the purposes of sections 14-19a-1 to 14-19a-9, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, the following terms shall have the following meanings: (1) "Certificate of registration" means the certificate of motor vehicle registration issued to a person who is either a member in good standing of a qualified organization, or who is certified as qualified by an institution of higher education, and who makes application therefor; (2) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of motor vehicles or his designee; (3) "Institution of higher education" means a constituent unit of the state system of higher education as defined in section 10a-1 of the Connecticut General Statutes, or an independent college or university as defined in section 10a-37 (d) of the Connecticut General Statutes; (4) "Number plate" means any sign or marker furnished by the commissioner on which is displayed the registration number assigned to a motor vehicle by the commissioner; (5) "Organization" means an association, corporation, group, society or other organized body of persons other than an institution of higher education, that has a more or less constant membership, a body of officers, a purpose, and a charter or set of regulations; (6) "Special number plate" means a number plate or plates issued in accordance with section 14-19a of the Connecticut General Statutes. |
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(Effective July 25, 1994; Amended June 2, 2004) |
| Sec. 14-19a-2. Standards |
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(a) A certificate of registration and a special number plate shall be issued only to an individual or individuals, and not to an organization, association, social group or business entity which is not an individual person or persons. (b) A certificate of registration and a special number plate shall be issued only to an applicant who is a member in good standing of an organization which qualifies in accordance with section 14-19a-3, or is certified by a Connecticut institution of higher education in accordance with section 14-19a-6. (c) A certificate of registration and a special number plate shall be issued by the commissioner for a passenger motor vehicle, for a passenger and commercial motor vehicle, as defined in section 14-1 (a) of the Connecticut General Statutes, which is eligible for combination registration, a camper as defined in section 14-1 (a) of the Connecticut General Statutes, and for any other class or classes of motor vehicle(s) that the commissioner deems appropriate. (d) A certificate of registration and a special number plate shall be issued only to an owner or owners of a motor vehicle, or to a lessee of a motor vehicle who is listed on the certificate of registration and is legally responsible for the renewal of registration of such vehicle. The commissioner may require proof that the lessee is responsible for registration renewal, and that the lessor agrees to surrender the certificate of registration and special number plate upon expiration of such lease. (e) A certificate of registration and a special number plate shall be issued to joint owners of a motor vehicle if one of the joint owners is qualified therefor and the name of such owner is listed on the certificate of registration of such vehicle. |
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(Effective July 25, 1994; Amended June 2, 2004) |
| Sec. 14-19a-3. Procedures for qualification of an organization |
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(a) An organization is qualified if the organization meets the criteria of section 14-19a-4, and the officers of the organization file an application for qualification on a form or in a format approved by the commissioner. A corporation, voluntary association, society or other organization required to be registered with the Connecticut Secretary of the State may be required to submit proof that the organization isin good standing. (b) The application shall be made by members of the organization guaranteeing at least four hundred (400) special number plates. (c) If the application for qualification filed by an organization in accordance with subsection (a) of this section is not approved by the commissioner, the commissioner shall provide reasons for such disapproval in writing. (d) The commissioner shall maintain a listing of qualified organizations which shall be made available to interested parties without cost at the department. (e) Notwithstanding prior approval of an organization, the commissioner may revoke a previous approval of the organization for failure to comply with Section 14-19a-4 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, or may require the officers of a previously approved organization to submit additional proof of the qualifications of the organization if the commissioner has reliable information that such organization may no longer be qualified. Such revocation shall be in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 54 of the Connecticut General Statutes. |
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(Effective July 25, 1994; Amended June 2, 2004) |
| Sec. 14-19a-4. Criteria for qualification of an organization |
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An organization to be qualified shall submit proof acceptable to the commissioner that it meets the following criteria: (a) It is a non-profit organization as demonstrated in its charter or by-laws and any Internal Revenue Service ruling, copies of which may be required by the commissioner; (b) The primary purpose of the organization is service to the community through a specific program which has as its goal improvement in public health, education or general welfare, and the organization is not limited to social activities. Organizations of military service veterans, towns, municipal corporations, organizations of police or firefighters, and similar public service organizations, need not comply with this subsection; (c) The legend of the organization and its emblem are not obscene, do not promote, advertise or endorse a product, brand or service provided for sale, and do not promote any specific religious belief. An organization, association or trade group whose primary purpose is to advertise or promote commerce is not eligible; (d) The legend of the organization and its emblem as they appear on the special number plate does not infringe or otherwise violate a trademark, trade name, service mark, copyright or other proprietary right or property right, and the organization has the right to use the legend and emblem. The commissioner may require from the officers of the organization a statement under oath that the organization is authorized to use the legend and emblem and that no infringement or violation of any property right exists, together with an agreement to hold harmless the State of Connecticut or any of its agents or employees for any liability as a result of an infringement or violation of any such right; (e) The organization shall have its headquarters or a base of operations in this state, and if it is a chapter or branch of an international, national or regional organization located in this state, it shall be in good standing and authorized in writing by the parent organization to use the legend and emblem thereof; (f) The organization shall designate one of its officers or members as a contact person responsible for all communications with the commissioner. The name, address and telephone number of such person shall be filed with the commissioner. Such person shall be responsible for verifying current membership and good standing of a person in such organization when so requested by the commissioner; (g) The organization through its contact person shall submit to the commissioner a distinctive emblem which shall appear on each special number plate issued to a member of such organization. Such emblem shall be approved by the commissioner. (h) Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, an organization which consists exclusively of volunteers, and which provides significant community service, may qualify for the issuance of special number plates as determined in the sole discretion of the commissioner. |
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(Effective July 25, 1994; Amended June 2, 2004) |
| Sec. 14-19a-5. Procedure for qualification of an institution of higher education |
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(a) An institution of higher education shall be qualified upon certification in writing by the Department of Higher Education that it is an accredited institution and in good standing, and upon payment of the fee specified in subsection (b) of this section, if required. (b) The institution shall guarantee in writing to the commissioner that application will be made by members of the institution for at least four hundred (400) special number plates. (c) The commissioner may require the chief executive officer of each qualified institution to verify and approve in writing the legend and emblem for the special number plate issued by the commissioner. |
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(Effective July 25, 1994; Amended June 2, 2004) |
| Sec. 14-19a-6. Qualification of a person for a registration and a special number plate. Procedures |
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(a) A person is qualified for issuance or renewal of a certificate of registration and a special number plate upon receipt by the commissioner of a certification by an institution qualified in accordance with section 14-19a-5 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies that such person has made a contribution of at least fifty dollars ($50) to a scholarship fund or scholarship account at such institution. Such certification shall be on a form or in a format approved by the commissioner. The commissioner may, for ease of administration and in conjunction with the Department of Higher Education, specify procedures for transmittal of such certification by a qualified institution to the Department of Motor Vehicles through the Department of Higher Education. (b) A person is qualified for issuance of a certificate of registration and a special number plate upon receipt by the commissioner of written verification thereof from an organization qualified in accordance with sections 14-19a-3 and 14-19a-4. Such verification shall be transmitted by the contact person designated by the organization in accordance with subsection (f) of section 14-19a-4. (c) A person who is qualified in accordance with subsection (a) or (b) of this section shall make application to the commissioner for a registration and a special number plate on a form approved by the commissioner. |
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(Effective July 25, 1994; Amended June 2, 2004) |
| Sec. 14-19a-7. Issuance of special number plate |
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(a) A special number plate issued to an applicant shall contain number and letter combinations as determined solely by the commissioner, except that a person may request a combination of letters, numbers or both, if available, or transfer the letters, numbers or both from an existing number plate, as provided in section 14-19a-8 (a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. Except as otherwise provided, a certificate of registration and a special number plate shall be subject to all applicable statutes and regulations of this state. (b) The emblem of the organization or institution of higher education shall be of a size prescribed by the commissioner. The composition of the emblem and its location on the number plate shall be as prescribed by the commissioner. (c) The legend of the organization or institution of higher education shall be imprinted on the special number plate at a location and in a manner as prescribed by the commissioner. (d) A special number plate may be surrendered to the commissioner when the individual or organization is no longer qualified. If upon such surrender the registration is transferred and another number plate is issued, the statutory fees for such transfer and such other number plate shall be paid. The commissioner at any time may request verification from an organization or an institution of higher education that a person is qualified. The commissioner may require return of a special number plate for violation of any provision of section 14-19a of the Connecticut General Statutes or sections 14-19a-1 to l4-19a-8, inclusive, of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. (e) A special number plate which is lost or stolen, and has been reported to the appropriate police authorities and the Department of Motor Vehicles, shall not be replaced earlier than one year from the date it was reported lost or stolen. |
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(Effective July 25, 1994; Amended June 2, 2004) |
| Sec. 14-19a-8. Fees |
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(a) An applicant for issuance of a special interest number plate containing number and letter combinations as determined by the commissioner, or containing a combination of letters, numbers or both, or transferred from an existing number plate, shall except as provided in this section, pay a total of sixty-five dollars ($65.00) at the time of initial registration of a motor vehicle having such number plate. Such fee shall be in addition to any fee that may be required for obtaining a vanity or low number plate in accordance with section 14-49 (s) and 14-160, respectively, of the Connecticut General Statutes. A bona fide member of the Purple Heart Association, the Pearl Harbor Veteran's Association or a bona fide member of any veterans' organization shall not be required to pay such fee but shall instead pay a fee of ten dollars ($10.00). (b) The fees provided in subsection (a) of this section shall be one time fees and shall be in addition to other registration fees and renewal fees as required by law. (c) No additional fees for renewal of a registration for a special number plate shall be assessed except those required by law. |
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(Effective July 25, 1994; Amended November 3, 1999; Amended June 2, 2004) |
| Sec. 14-19a-9. Use of special number plate |
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(a) A special number plate shall be issued by the commissioner only in conjunction with the registration of a motor vehicle of the class defined in section 14-19a-2 (c) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. No such plate will be issued without registration of a motor vehicle. (b) A special number plate may be used only as an official motor vehicle number plate. No such special number plate shall be used for any other purpose. |
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(Effective July 27, 1992; Amended June 2, 2004) |