An act relating to miscellaneous amendments to laws relating to motor vehicles

The formal statement of purpose listing all 13 purposes of the bill was removed from the unofficial version.

Separate provisions for individuals 'detained for six months or more' (as distinct from those 'sentenced to serve a period of imprisonment') were removed for nondriver IDs, operator's licenses, and learner's permits. The unofficial version only covers the 'sentenced to serve' category.

A provision requiring the DMV Commissioner to provide an anatomical gift form with nondriver ID cards and place an indicator on the card for those who execute it was removed.

A provision amending 28 V.S.A. section 102 to add a specific responsibility for the Commissioner of Corrections to coordinate with DMV on providing credentials to eligible incarcerated individuals was removed from the unofficial version.

Violations of the Smugglers' Notch vehicle operation prohibition are now classified as a moving violation subject to 5 points on the driver's record under 23 V.S.A. section 2502, in addition to the increased civil penalties of $10,000 (or $20,000 if traffic is substantially impeded).

The timing for license or registration suspension after a bad check or insufficient funds payment changed from 'not promptly paid as required by the Commissioner' to 'not immediately paid,' removing the Commissioner's discretion over the payment window.

New definitions were added to the purchase and use tax chapter: 'trailer' (including semi-trailers and fifth-wheel trailers per 23 V.S.A. section 4(40)), 'shipping weight' (stock as-built weight of a new vehicle prior to optional equipment, passengers, or cargo), and 'year' (365 days). Trailers are now explicitly listed as subject to the 6 percent purchase, use, and titling tax.

Snowmobile penalty structure changed: the official version specified $450 for a first offense and $500 for a second or subsequent offense within three years with a mandatory non-reducible penalty provision. The unofficial version shows a flat $135 civil penalty per violation under subsection (c).

New provisions allow individuals sentenced to 6+ months in state custody to receive a free ($0.00) nondriver ID card, replacement operator's license, or replacement learner's permit upon release from the correctional facility. The Department of Corrections must inquire about eligibility during reentry planning and coordinate with DMV to provide documents at release.

The three-month window for claiming a trade-in value exclusion from the purchase and use tax is extended day-for-day for National Guard or U.S. Armed Forces members deployed outside Vermont, plus an additional 60 days after return.

License surrender when applying for a nondriver identification card changed from optional ('At the option of the applicant') to mandatory ('An applicant shall surrender').

New license plate display rules prohibit coloring, tinting, or changing numerals and letters on plates from their issued appearance, and prohibit covering plates with any material that changes or tints the color of the plate or its characters.

The requirement for the DMV to maintain a public website list of vehicles with filed certificates of abandoned motor vehicle (including make, plate number, model, year, and applicant contact information) was removed.

Smugglers' Notch civil penalties increased tenfold: from $1,000 to $10,000 for standard violations and from $2,000 to $20,000 for violations that substantially impede traffic. A second or subsequent conviction within three years doubles the penalty.

Operating a prohibited vehicle in Smugglers' Notch is now also a moving violation subject to 5 points on the driver's record under section 2502, in addition to the civil penalties.

Maximum towing fee for abandoned motor vehicles from public property decreased from $250 back to $125. Payment structure simplified to allow payment to either a towing service or an appropriate State agency.

The purchase and use tax (6%) is now explicitly extended to vehicles with a shipping weight up to 10,099 pounds registered under section 367 (other than farm trucks) and to trailers, for both purchase and use/titling.

New definitions added to the purchase and use tax chapter: 'purchase price' (for outright purchases and leases), 'taxable cost,' 'month' (30 days), 'shipping weight' (stock as-built weight excluding optional equipment, passengers, cargo, and fuel but including standard fluids), 'trailer' (including semi-trailers and fifth-wheel trailers), and 'year' (365 days).

Salvage title electronic signature provisions simplified: removed the detailed NIST level 2 authentication requirement and replaced with a general statement that documents may be signed electronically. The list of 'supporting documents' was narrowed from bills of sale, title documents, odometer disclosure forms, and powers of attorney to just power of attorney and odometer disclosure forms. The insurer indemnification provision was removed.

Insufficient funds provision changed from suspending licenses if amounts are 'not promptly paid' to 'not immediately paid,' tightening the payment deadline before suspension.

Smugglers' Notch civil penalties increased from $1,000 to $10,000 for first offense and from $2,000 to $20,000 when traffic is substantially impeded. The provision making it a moving violation with points assessed was removed.

New section requires the Agency of Transportation to update signage at Smugglers' Notch to inform drivers of the increased penalties.

New section establishes a comprehensive texting prohibition for commercial motor vehicle operators on public highways, with definitions for driving, hands-free use, securely mounted devices, and texting. Exemptions include hands-free use, GPS navigation, and vehicles safely stopped off the highway.

License surrender when applying for a nondriver identification card changed from optional ('at the option of the applicant') to mandatory ('an applicant shall surrender').

New emergency exemption allows State agency employees or Vermont municipality employees to operate commercial motor vehicles of 26,001 pounds or more without a CDL during a Governor-declared emergency, if expressly permitted and performing official duties related to emergency governmental functions.

Nondriver ID cards with an imaged likeness may now be renewed by mail, but must be renewed in person at least once every nine years to obtain an updated photograph.

New section requires the DMV to maintain a public website list of vehicles with filed abandoned vehicle applications, including make, plate number or VIN, model, year, and applicant contact information.

Salvage title supporting documents now explicitly may be signed electronically (using NIST level 2 authentication) and shall not require notarized signatures. Insurers must indemnify the DMV for claims arising from title issuance based on such documents.

Abandoned vehicle towing fee increased from $125 to $250. Payment structure changed so the fee goes directly to the towing service upon certificate issuance, or to the Agency of Transportation for vehicles towed from State right-of-way.

Snowmobile penalties restructured from a flat $135 per violation to a tiered system: $450 for first offense and $500 for second or subsequent offense within three years. Penalties are now mandatory and cannot be reduced.

CDL fee structure established: four-year license $108, two-year license $72, one-year nondomiciled license $40, with fee reductions when surrendering a valid Vermont Class D license.

Biennial motorboat registration option added with fees by class: Class A $57, Class 1 $93, Class 2 $155, Class 3 $303 (compared to annual fees of $31, $49, $80, and $153 respectively).

Diesel fuel tax payment provisions restructured: distributors and dealers must use electronic funds transfer, while users may pay by EFT or by mail with postmark date protections for avoiding penalties and interest.

New provisions (Sec. 1(m)-(n), Sec. 3, Sec. 5(h)) allow individuals sentenced to or detained in a correctional facility for six months or more to receive a free nondriver identification card, replacement operator's license, or replacement learner's permit upon release. The Department of Corrections must obtain documentation in advance and coordinate with the DMV to provide these at the time of release.

New emergency exemption allows employees of State agencies or Vermont municipalities to operate a commercial motor vehicle weighing 26,001 pounds or more without a CDL during a Governor-declared emergency, provided the declaration expressly permits it and the individual is performing official duties related to emergency governmental functions.

New Sec. 6 adds a specific responsibility for the Commissioner of Corrections to coordinate with the DMV to provide eligible individuals with identification cards, licenses, permits, and supporting documentation upon release from custody.

The nondriver ID card surrender provision was changed from optional ('at the option of the applicant') to mandatory ('shall surrender'), requiring applicants to surrender a valid Vermont license when applying for an identification card, with a corresponding fee reduction.

Smugglers' Notch civil penalties increased tenfold: from $1,000 to $10,000 for a violation, and from $2,000 to $20,000 when the violation substantially impedes traffic flow on Route 108. The provision assessing five points as a moving violation was removed.

Snowmobile penalties were made mandatory and non-reducible. A specific $135 civil penalty was added for operating an unregistered snowmobile, and penalties of $450 (first offense) and $500 (second or subsequent within three years) were added for section 3202 violations.

The maximum fee for towing an abandoned motor vehicle from public property increased from $125 to $250. A new mechanism was added requiring the Commissioner of Finance and Management to issue payment to towing services or the Agency of Transportation.

A new one-year fee of $40 was established for nondomiciled commercial driver's licenses, with fee reductions when an applicant surrenders a valid Vermont Class D license.

Electronic signature provisions were added for salvage title supporting documents (bills of sale, title documents, odometer disclosure forms, powers of attorney) used to transfer ownership to insurers. Electronic signatures must use a secure authentication system meeting NIST level 2 or higher. Insurers must indemnify the DMV for claims arising from title issuance under these provisions.

The insufficient funds suspension provision was changed from 'immediately paid' to 'promptly paid as required by the Commissioner,' giving the DMV Commissioner discretion over the timeframe before suspending a license or registration for bounced payments.