All Roll Calls
Yes: 360 • No: 51
ConnecticutHB 071602025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
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, TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO THE MOTOR VEHICLE STATUTES, VIDEO PRESENTATION UPON LICENSE RENEWAL, THE HIGHWAY WORK ZONE AND ROADSIDE VEHICLE SAFETY AWARENESS PROGRAM, YELLOW AND BLUE ENVELOPES, ELECTRIC SCOOTERS, ELECTRIC BICYCLES, MOTOR-DRIVEN CYCLES, INSTALLMENT PAYMENT PLANS, LOW-SPEED VEHICLE DEALERS AND FINES FOR VIOLATIONS OF "MOVE OVER" LAW AND AGGRAVATED ENDANGERMENT OF A HIGHWAY WORKER.
Sponsored By: Transportation Committee
Signed by Governor
Summary
To (1) implement the recommendations of the Department of Motor Vehicles, (2) revise the penalties for operating a motor vehicle and vessel while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug, (3) require notice of casual car sales to the department, (4) charge a registration fee for a pontoon boat based on its overall length, and (5) make technical revisions to the motor vehicle statutes.
transportation
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Bill Overview
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31 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 15 costs, 7 mixed.
Drivers face required roadside safety training
Beginning January 1, 2026, license and instruction-permit applicants must pass a highway work-zone and roadside safety course, including a test. Drivers convicted of covered move-over or highway-worker endangerment violations must also complete it; course fees may apply. Effective October 1, 2025, DMV must record the course requirement and completion date for those convicted drivers. Further qualifying convictions trigger suspensions of 30, 60, then 90 days for third or later convictions. This repeat-violation rule lasts until the driver completes 36 straight months without another specified violation.
Driving and boating license blocks expand
Beginning October 1, 2025, covered alcohol- or drug-related driving and boating suspensions cross-count as prior suspensions. A suspension can also trigger loss of the other operating privilege. The state cannot issue safe or temporary boating certificates during specified driving suspensions, revocations, or pending actions. It also cannot issue a driver's license during specified boating suspensions, revocations, or pending actions that may cause either penalty.
Impaired driving and boating penalties connect
Beginning October 1, 2025, a Connecticut vessel DUI conviction also suspends or permanently revokes driving privileges under corresponding driving-DUI tiers. Motor vehicle DUI convictions also suspend boating privileges; third or later convictions permanently revoke them. Qualifying driving and boating convictions cross-count for repeat penalties within the applicable 10-year period, including substantially similar out-of-state offenses. Impaired driving with a passenger under 18 also suspends boating privileges, with permanent revocation for third or later convictions within 10 years. Impaired operation of school buses and other designated child-transport vehicles also triggers boating suspension.
Safety course providers need state certification
Beginning October 1, 2025, roadside safety course providers need nontransferable state certification lasting two years. Applicants pay $350 and must maintain a $50,000 surety bond. They must remain registered and in good standing, with a permanent Connecticut business location and accessible records. They also undergo an investigation, obtain curriculum approval, and send enrollment and completion records electronically. Driving schools must meet their school licensing requirements too.
Vehicle recyclers face stricter license rules
Beginning July 1, 2025, vehicle recyclers must stop operating when their license expires until DMV approves renewal. Renewal requires the renewal fee and surety bond; late applications add $100. After more than 45 expired days, the business must apply for a new license instead. Specified recycler-business, fraud, theft, or property-misuse convictions can also lead to suspension, revocation, or civil penalties. This applies to convictions of licensees and, for firms or corporations, officers or major stockholders.
Vehicle recyclers need two approvals
Beginning July 1, 2025, vehicle recycler businesses need both local location approval and a state recycler license. These requirements apply to anyone establishing, operating, or maintaining a covered recycler yard or business in Connecticut.
Unresolved traffic cases risk license suspension
Beginning October 1, 2025, covered failures to appear, pay, or meet court deadlines are reported to DMV. DMV must give notice that suspension takes effect no later than 60 days afterward unless the judgment is reopened within that period. The notice must explain reopening and how to request a fee waiver. An unresolved reported infraction or violation is dismissed automatically seven years after the report. Missed installments fall under this rule only for plans entered on or after July 1, 2028.
Electric low-speed dealers gain licensing path
Beginning July 1, 2025, DMV can license businesses that marketed new electric low-speed vehicles under manufacturer or importer contracts before that date. A contract is required for each make; the license permits new sales, incidental used sales, and repairs. Licensing and renewal cost $340 every two years, and applicants need a $25,000 surety bond. Late renewal adds $100; licenses expired more than 45 days cannot be renewed. The license cannot transfer and must be surrendered and is revoked when the business is sold or transferred.
Class one e-bikes gain trail access
Beginning October 1, 2025, class 1 e-bikes can use qualifying natural-surface bicycle or multiuse paths designated for nonmotorized traffic. These paths have cleared and graded soil without added surfacing materials. Local ordinances can still ban class 1 e-bikes on a path. This change does not remove the statutory restriction for class 2 e-bikes.
E-bikes and scooters skip emissions inspections
Beginning October 1, 2025, electric bicycles and electric scooters are exempt from Connecticut's periodic motor vehicle emissions inspections. Owners avoid the inspection requirement and associated costs. The law does not state a savings amount.
Free envelopes support disability communication
DMV must design yellow envelopes and awareness materials about accommodations and communication with people with cognitive or physical disabilities or autism. It must consult disability advocates and public safety groups, then distribute materials to covered motor vehicle and public safety locations and EMS personnel. After receiving them, covered locations and personnel must provide envelopes and available materials free when eligible people or representatives request them.
Older vehicle owners gain simpler titling
DMV must create a simpler title-request process for vehicles more than 20 model years old. The vehicle must be registered with DMV and have received no title when first registered. By February 1, 2026, DMV must describe the process and any recommended law changes to the legislature's transportation committee. The law sets no launch date or fee for this process.
Vehicle customers can get repayment orders
Beginning July 1, 2025, the DMV commissioner can order covered vehicle businesses to repay customers harmed by the business. Repayment can be ordered alongside other penalties or instead of them. The law sets no repayment amount and does not guarantee an award.
Small multifamily parking gets an exemption
Beginning October 1, 2025, parking facilities at multifamily homes with four or fewer units receive an exemption. The requirements in section 3 of Public Act 25-55 do not apply to those facilities.
Some vehicle businesses skip filing licenses
Beginning January 1, 2026, covered dealers, driverless vehicle rental or leasing businesses, and authorized contractors can use DMV's electronic filing system without an electronic issuance license. The exemption applies only when they act under the law's specified dealer, rental, leasing, or contractor authority. DMV cannot issue these entities a separate electronic issuance license.
Responders get more disability awareness training
The state equity commission must coordinate first-responder training on communicating with people with cognitive or physical disabilities or autism. Beginning January 1, 2026, police training must cover blue and yellow envelopes and interactions involving autism, cognitive impairment, or nonverbal learning disorder. Police training minimums remain 27 hours for State Police basic or field training, 14 for other police, and one for review training. The optional fire-service program must cover envelopes and these interactions; relevant fire and State Police curricula must be available free. Public Health's annual approved EMS training list must include the same topics, using available funds.
Clearer labels and warnings for e-bikes
Beginning October 1, 2025, manufacturers must give e-bikes sold in Connecticut visible labels showing class, top speed, and motor wattage. Label type must be at least nine points. Sellers cannot offer nonqualifying vehicles as class 1, 2, or 3 e-bikes, including certain throttle-powered vehicles exceeding 20 mph on motor power alone. This also covers vehicles configured, or intended to be configured, outside the state’s e-bike definition. Using terms like “e-bike” for a nonqualifying vehicle requires a clear written warning before sale and in digital or print ads, stating its legal class, possible motor-vehicle rules, and possible lack of crash insurance coverage.
Drivers face cyclist and pedestrian penalties
Beginning October 1, 2025, specified failures to yield to bicycle, electric bicycle, or electric scooter riders carry an extra charge. That charge equals 100% of the fine for the violation. Drivers also face fines up to $1,000 when failing to use reasonable care severely harms or kills a vulnerable road user. This includes electric scooter riders and requires that the harmed person used reasonable care on the public way.
Drivers face tighter license renewal rules
Beginning July 1, 2025, drivers must watch a safety video before every license renewal, rather than every other renewal. Remote license or identity-card renewal requires a prior in-person renewal within federal time limits or a shorter period set by Connecticut. Applicants must also meet all renewal rules, including acceptable photo, identity, and Connecticut residency requirements.
E-bike changes and riding violations penalized
Beginning October 1, 2025, anyone modifying an e-bike so it no longer meets the legal definition must remove its label. Changes that alter its labeled class require a replacement label showing its current class, maximum speed, and motor wattage. Violations carry fines up to $100 for a first offense and $100 to $300 for each later offense. Violations of statutory e-bike riding rules also count as infractions.
Towns can require bike and scooter licenses
Beginning October 1, 2025, towns, cities, and boroughs can set local rules and penalties for bicycles, e-bikes, and electric scooters. They can require annual licenses and registration of sales or ownership changes. Local rules cannot conflict with the specified state laws or State Traffic Administration regulations. The law allows these local requirements; it does not impose them statewide.
Higher course cap and stricter remote lessons
Beginning October 1, 2025, the fee cap for covered required safe-driving courses rises from $150 to $200. This includes the highway work zone and roadside vehicle safety awareness program; providers can charge less than the cap. Beginning January 1, 2026, remote required safe-driving lessons for learner’s or youth instruction permit applicants must happen live. Students must use a camera and take part in interactive activities, such as required participation or testing.
More commercial drivers owe restoration fees
Beginning October 1, 2025, the existing $175 restoration fee covers more commercial driver license and permit actions. It applies after a commercial license is downgraded to Class D or a commercial learner’s permit is canceled. Drivers must pay before the covered restoration, issuance, or upgrade, including restoring a canceled permit or upgrading back to a commercial license.
Tighter oversight for vehicle businesses
Beginning July 1, 2025, covered vehicle businesses must keep vehicle and major-part purchase, sale, and repair records for three years, up from two. Records must include the vehicle identification number, seller’s name and address, and buyer’s name and address if sold. State and local police can inspect required records and business premises to check their accuracy, alongside existing DMV inspections. Dealers and repairers adding adjoining land or buildings can be required to show compliance with building or zoning rules. This expansion rule covers property sharing a boundary with the licensed site, with no highway or private road between them.
Vehicle business applicants face fingerprint checks
Beginning January 1, 2026, people named in dealer, repairer, or electronic issuance license applications must undergo fingerprint-based criminal checks. These include state and national records checks. Electronic issuance screening also covers named people in renewal applications. Specified civil judgments or convictions can support denial or nonrenewal, with notice and a hearing opportunity.
Higher fines for harming roadside workers
Beginning October 1, 2025, maximum fines rise for covered violations when approaching or passing emergency vehicles. Injury to an operator or occupant raises the maximum from $2,500 to $5,000; death raises it from $10,000 to $20,000. For aggravated endangerment of a highway worker, serious injury raises the maximum from $5,000 to $10,000. A worker’s death raises that maximum from $10,000 to $20,000, in addition to other authorized penalties. The highway-worker fines apply upon conviction or a guilty plea.
Drivers gain fine payment installment plans
Beginning July 1, 2028, the Centralized Infractions Bureau must offer online, 12-month payment plans within available resources. Plans cover listed motor vehicle fines and related fees or costs; the setup fee can reach $15. After either of the first two missed payments, drivers get 30 extra days and may owe a $15 late fee. A third missed payment ends the plan and is reported to DMV.
Child scooter riders need protective headgear
Beginning October 1, 2025, scooter riders age 15 or younger must wear properly fitted and fastened protective headgear. The rule applies on traveled highway portions, at skateboarding parks, and at any park. A child's failure to wear it is not an offense. Scooter rental businesses must provide compliant headgear to renters under 16 who lack it, but may charge a rental fee.
Scooter riders gain protections and duties
Beginning October 1, 2025, electric scooters follow specified bicycle rules for passing, yielding, turning, road position, and sidewalk use. Passing drivers must leave at least three feet when the safe-distance rule applies; sidewalk parking cannot block reasonable movement. On public roads, scooters need brakes, rear and side reflectors, and a front white light during legally required times or conditions. Sirens and whistle devices on bicycles, e-bikes, or scooters are prohibited, with violations treated as infractions. Opening a vehicle door into safely moving traffic, or leaving it open beyond passenger-loading needs so it contacts traffic, is also an infraction.
New classifications for scooters and cycles
Beginning October 1, 2025, electric scooters have two or three wheels, handlebars, upright or seated riding, and electric and human power. They weigh no more than 100 pounds and have a maximum speed of 20 mph; e-bikes and one-wheeled vehicles are excluded. Electric scooters are excluded from the motorcycle definition. Motor-driven cycles include one-wheeled vehicles with floorboards or footrests and specified motorcycles, scooters, and motorized bicycles with seats at least 26 inches high. The latter group has gasoline, electric, or hybrid motors under 50 cubic centimeters, at most 3,700 watts, or at most five brake horsepower; e-bikes and electric scooters are excluded.
Police report deadline changes after DUI
Beginning July 1, 2025, officers must prepare reports within six business days after covered impaired-driving arrests. Covered arrests involve refusing a specified test or drug evaluation, or an elevated-alcohol test started within two hours. Officers must send the report to DMV for license proceedings. The law no longer sets a six-business-day deadline for sending it.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Transportation Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/5/2025
APP Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Yes: 38 • No: 12
Senate vote • 3/19/2025
Senate Roll Call Vote 385
Yes: 35 • No: 1
House vote • 3/19/2025
House Roll Call Vote 252 AS AMENDED
Yes: 140 • No: 5
House vote • 3/19/2025
House Roll Call Vote 237 HOUSE AMD A
Yes: 114 • No: 31
House vote • 3/19/2025
TRA Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Yes: 33 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor
7/1/2025legislatureTransmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor
6/27/2025legislatureTransmitted to the Secretary of State
6/27/2025legislaturePublic Act 25-159
6/23/2025legislatureIn Concurrence
6/4/2025legislatureSenate Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A,C
6/4/2025SenateSenate Adopted House Amendment Schedule A,C
6/4/2025SenateSenate Calendar Number 577
6/1/2025SenateFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
6/1/2025SenateTransmitted Pursuant To Joint Rule 17
5/31/2025legislatureHouse Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A,C
5/31/2025HouseHouse Adopted House Amendment Schedule C 10038
5/31/2025HouseBill Passed Temporary
5/30/2025legislatureAmendment Withdrawn, House Amendment Schedule B 9972
5/30/2025legislatureHouse Adopted House Amendment Schedule A 9816
5/30/2025HouseTabled for the Calendar, House
5/7/2025HouseNo New File by Committee on Appropriations
5/7/2025legislatureReported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
5/7/2025legislatureFiled with Legislative Commissioners' Office
5/6/2025legislatureJoint Favorable
5/5/2025legislatureReferred by House to Committee on Appropriations
4/29/2025HouseFile Number 567
4/7/2025legislatureHouse Calendar Number 352
4/7/2025HouseFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House
4/7/2025HouseReported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
4/7/2025legislature
Bill Text
Public Act No. 25-159
5/31/2025
File No. 567
4/7/2025
APP Joint Favorable
3/19/2025
TRA Joint Favorable Substitute
3/19/2025
Raised Bill
3/5/2025
APP Joint Fav. Rpt
APP Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Bill Analysis For File Copy 567
Bill Analysis for HB-7160, as amended by House "A" and "C"
Fiscal Note Addendum for HB-7160
Fiscal Note For File Copy 567
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 10025 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 10038 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 9710 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 9816 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 9918 (No Fiscal Impact)
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 9972 (Potential Revenue Gain)
Fiscal Note for HB-7160, As Amended by House "A" (LCO 9816), House "C" (LCO 10038)
House LCO Amendment #10025 (R)
House LCO Amendment #9710 (J)
House LCO Amendment #9918 (R)
House Roll Call Vote 237 HOUSE AMD A
House Roll Call Vote 252 AS AMENDED
House Schedule A LCO# 9816 (J)
House Schedule B LCO# 9972 (R)
House Schedule C LCO# 10038 (J)
Senate Roll Call Vote 385
Summary for Public Act No. 25-159
TRA Joint Fav. Rpt
TRA Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
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