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

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

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.