Title 31, Title 31 and Other Vehicles

“Gross weight” means the weight of a vehicle without load plus the maximum weight of any load allowed to be carried on the vehicle. Maximum weight shall be determined by the manufacturer’s allowed gross weight, or as determined by the division.

“Renewal” means the reissuance of a registration, license, or instruction permit, issued under the provisions of chapters 1 — 27 of this title, the term of which has expired.

(a) “Cancellation” means the registration, driver’s license, or instruction permit is annulled and terminated because of some error or defect or because the former bearer is no longer entitled to one, but the cancellation is without prejudice and a new application may be made at …

(a) “Administrator” means the administrator of the division of motor vehicles of this state. (b) “Division” means the division of motor vehicles within the department of revenue of this state acting directly or through its authorized officers and agents.

(a) “Bailee” means a bailee is one to whom possession of personal property has been entrusted by the bailor for a specific purpose resulting from either an express or implied contract, with the understanding that this personal property shall be returned to the bailor or any perso…

(a) “Nonresident” means any person who is not a resident of this state or is temporarily residing in this state as a student or as a member of the armed forces of the United States. (b) “Resident” means a person: (1) Who owns, rents, or leases real estate within the state as his …

(a) “Applicant” means any person, firm, corporation, or association making application under chapters 1 — 27 of this title. (b) “Dealer” means every person engaged in the business of buying, selling, or exchanging vehicles required to be registered under chapters 3 — 9 of this ti…

Except as otherwise provided, the following definitions of the words and phrases in this chapter apply throughout this title.

“Established place of business” means the place actually occupied either continuously or at regular periods by a dealer or manufacturer where the books and records of that business are kept and where a large share of that business is transacted.

(a) “Police officer” means every officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic regulations or the administrator of the division of motor vehicles and up to five (5) subordinates designated by the administrator under the provisions o…

“Local authorities” means every city, town, or other local board or body having authority to enact laws relating to traffic under the constitution and laws of this state.

(a) “Bicycle lane” means a portion of highway right-of-way designated by the state and identified by official traffic control devices (pavement markings) for the exclusive use of bicyclists. The operation and parking of motor vehicles is prohibited within the lane identified for …

(a) “Intersection” means the area embraced within the prelongation or connection of the lateral curb lines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two (2) highways which join one another at, or approximately at, right angles, or the area within which vehi…

“Crosswalk” means: (1) That part of a roadway at an intersection included within the connections of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway measured from the curbs, or in the absence of curbs, from the edges of the traversable roadway; or (2) Any porti…

“Safety zone” means the area or space officially set apart within a roadway for the exclusive use of pedestrians, and which is protected or is marked or indicated by adequate signs to be plainly visible at all times while set apart as a safety zone.

(a) “Business district” means the territory contiguous to and including a highway when within any six hundred feet (600′) along that highway there are buildings in use for business or industrial purposes, including but not limited to hotels, banks or office buildings, railroad st…

(a) “Official traffic control devices” means all signs, signals, markings, and devices not inconsistent with chapters 1 — 27 of this title placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic. …

“Traffic” means pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, and other conveyances either singly or together while using any highway for purposes of travel.

(a)(1) “Antique motor car” means any motor vehicle that is more than twenty-five (25) years old. Unless fully inspected and meeting inspection requirements, the vehicle may be maintained solely for use in exhibitions, club activities, parades, and other functions of public intere…

(a) “Autocycle” means only those motor vehicles that: (1) Do not have more than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground; (2) Are designed to be controlled with a steering wheel and foot pedals for acceleration, braking, or shifting; (3) Are equipped with seating that does not…

“Right-of-way” means the privilege of the immediate use of the highway.

(a) “Park” means, when prohibited, the standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading. (b) “Stop” means, when required, a complete cessation from movement. (c) “Stop, stopping or sta…

If any part or parts of this title are held to be unconstitutional that unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity of the remaining parts of this title.

(a) “Covered heavy-duty tow and recovery vehicle” means a vehicle that is transporting a disabled vehicle from the place where the vehicle became disabled to the nearest appropriate repair facility; and, provided the vehicle has a gross vehicle weight that is equal to or exceeds …

(a) “Automobile transporter” means any vehicle combination designed and used for the transport of assembled highway vehicles, including truck camper units. An automobile transporter shall not be prohibited from the transport of cargo or general freight on a backhaul, provided it …

(a) “Essential parts” means all integral and body parts of a vehicle of a type that must be registered under chapters 3 — 9 of this title, the removal, alteration, or substitution of which would tend to conceal the identity of the vehicle or substantially alter its appearance, mo…

“Foreign vehicle” means every vehicle, of a type that must be registered under chapters 3 — 9 of this title, brought into this state from another state, territory or country, other than in the ordinary course of business by or through a manufacturer or dealer, and not registered …

“Farm vehicle” means every vehicle which is designed for and used for agricultural purposes and used by the owner of the vehicle or family member(s) or employee(s) or designees of the owner, in the conduct of the owner’s agricultural operations, which use shall include the delive…

“Mobile equipment” means every vehicle not designed or used primarily for the transportation of persons or property and only incidentally operated or moved over a highway, including but not limited to: ditch digging apparatus, well boring apparatus, and road construction or maint…

Within the department of revenue there shall be a division of motor vehicles. The division will be responsible for activities assigned to it by law, including, but not limited to, motor vehicle registration, testing and licensing of motor vehicle operators, inspection of motor ve…

The administrator shall upon request furnish a certified abstract of the record of any operator on file fully designating the motor vehicles, if any, registered in the name of the operator, the record of all convictions of the operator of any of the provisions of this title, and …

(a) All records of the division of motor vehicles, other than those declared by law to be confidential for the use of the division of motor vehicles, shall be open to public inspection during office hours. Any copies or photostatic copies of any records, books, papers, documents,…

The administrator of the division of motor vehicles may destroy any records of the division of motor vehicles that have been maintained on file for three (3) years which are obsolete and of no further service in carrying out the powers and duties of the division of motor vehicles…

The division of motor vehicles shall examine and determine the genuineness, regularity, and legality of every application for registration of a vehicle, and for an operator’s or chauffeur’s license and of any other application lawfully made to the division of motor vehicles, and …

The division of motor vehicles is authorized to take possession of any registration card, permit, license, or registration plate issued by it upon expiration, revocation, cancellation, or suspension, or which is fictitious, or which has been unlawfully or erroneously issued.

The division of motor vehicles may publish a synopsis or summary of the laws of this state regulating the operation of vehicles and may deliver a copy of the summary without charge with each original vehicle registration and with each original operator’s or chauffeur’s license.

(a) In the performance of their duties under this title, the administrator of the division of motor vehicles, or any duly authorized assistant, or hearing officer or officers appointed by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles, may summon witnesses in behalf of the s…

Whenever, by virtue of § 31-2-17, notice to any person, firm, or corporation is required, or in any other instance when notice may be required, the notice shall consist of personal delivery to the person, firm, or corporation involved, or by mailing of a registered or certified l…

Any person aggrieved by any order of the administrator of the division of motor vehicles may appeal the order to the sixth division district court by filing, within ten (10) days from the date of the notice to such person of the issuance of the order appealed from, a petition in …

The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall appoint any subordinates that he or she may require for the proper performance of his or her duties. He or she shall appoint investigators who shall be empowered to investigate the application for any motor vehicle license…

The division of motor vehicles, department of revenue shall, upon request, furnish registration and license information to the public. The division shall collect ten dollars ($10.00) for each request. However, if the request is made by any governmental agency, bureau or departmen…

In all administrative hearings conducted by personnel of the division of motor vehicles involving the issuance, revocation, or suspension of licenses to operate vehicles or the registration of vehicles, a taped recording of that hearing may be made part of the record. In case of …

(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, the administrator of the division of motor vehicles is authorized to enter into reciprocal agreements on behalf of the state with the duly authorized representatives of any state of the United States, the District of Columbia, or a…

(a) The department of human services, child support enforcement shall periodically within each year furnish the division of motor vehicles, department of revenue with a list or compilation of names of individuals, together with such other identifying information and in such form …

The division of motor vehicles is authorized to impose a fee on returned checks, which shall not exceed fifty dollars ($50.00) per returned check.

Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee whose license has been suspended shall not be required to surrender the license to the division of motor vehicles for the period of suspension. In the event a licensee is found to be operating a motor vehicle while under suspens…