2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 29-A: MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC › Chapter 13: FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND INSURANCE › Subchapter 2: GENERAL FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY › 29-A §1602. Proof demanded

§1602. Proof demanded
1.  Demand.
On receipt of an accident report required under section 2251, the Secretary of State shall demand of the owner or operator proof of financial responsibility under section 1605.
This subsection does not apply to:
A. The owner of a vehicle operated by a person that obtained possession or control without the owner's express or implied consent;   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
B. The owner or operator of a vehicle involved in an accident when the Secretary of State is satisfied that neither the owner nor the operator caused the accident;   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
C. The owner or operator of a vehicle involved in an accident caused by an act of a 3rd party that was a motor vehicle violation of which that 3rd party has been convicted or adjudicated;   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
D. The owner or operator of a vehicle involved in an accident in which damage or injury was caused only to the person or property of the owner or operator, unless at the time of the accident that owner or operator was violating provisions of this Title;   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
E. The operator of a motor vehicle licensed by the Public Utilities Commission;   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
F. An owner or operator of a vehicle covered by a policy, in effect at the time of the accident;   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
G. An operator who is not the owner of a vehicle and who is covered by a policy, in effect at the time of the accident, for the operation of vehicles not owned by the operator;   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
H. The operator or owner of a vehicle if the liability of the operator or owner for damages resulting from the accident is, in the judgment of the Secretary of State, covered by any other form of policy. A policy is effective under this paragraph:
(1) If it is issued by an insurer, insurance company or surety company authorized to do business in this State; or
(2) If the vehicle is not registered in this State, or was registered outside the State at the effective date of the policy, if the policy meets the amounts of financial responsibility required by section 1605;   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
I. The operator of a vehicle owned by the State or a political subdivision, or by a corporation that has complied with section 1605, subsection 3, paragraph C; or   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
J. The owner of a vehicle operated by another individual 18 years of age or older when the owner was not negligent in giving consent to that individual to use the vehicle.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
2.  Suspension.
If within 30 days of the date of demand the required proof has not been given, the Secretary of State shall:
A. Suspend the license of that person;   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
B. Suspend the registration of a vehicle owned by that person; or   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
C. Suspend or deny the right to apply for a driver's license or vehicle registration.   [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
3.  Duration of suspension.
The suspension or period of denial must continue until the person provides proof of financial responsibility under section 1605.
[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
4.  Restricted license.
If the Secretary of State finds that suspension imposes an extreme hardship for which there is no other practical remedy and that the safety of the public will not be impaired and if judgment has not been rendered, the Secretary of State may issue a restricted license, subject to restrictions, conditions and immediate suspension if misused.
[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
5.  Waiver.
The Secretary of State may waive the requirement of filing proof of financial responsibility 3 years from the date of demand for compliance, if no further proof is required under this subchapter.
[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
6.  Insurance report.
Within 15 days of receipt of notice from the Secretary of State that a policy was carried at the time of the accident or that the liability for damages was covered by another form of insurance or bond, an insurance carrier shall notify the Secretary of State if that policy was not in effect at the time of the accident. The Secretary of State may impose an administrative penalty of $50 for each day after 15 days that the insurance carrier fails to notify the Secretary of State as required in this subsection.
[PL 1997, c. 176, §4 (AMD).]
7.  Erroneous information.
If erroneous information of financial responsibility is furnished, the Secretary of State shall take appropriate action after the receipt of correct information.
[PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1993, c. 683, §A2 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 683, §B5 (AFF). PL 1997, c. 176, §4 (AMD).