reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 17 - General Offenses and Jurisdiction › § 1703. Defacing identifying numbers

§ 1703. Defacing identifying numbers
A person who willfully changes or attempts to change, or who tampers with, obliterates, defaces, or in any manner interferes with the original or assigned motor number or manufacturer’s serial number of any motor vehicle or vessel, or with any of the secret or identifying numbers placed by the manufacturer of a motor vehicle or vessel by the Commissioner or any of the parts thereof upon the vehicle or vessel or parts, shall be fined not more than $1,000.00 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both, for the first offense and fined not more than $5,000.00 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both, for each subsequent offense. (Amended 1991, No. 164 (Adj. Sess.), § 6.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 17 - General Offenses and Jurisdiction › § 1704. Possession prima facie evidence of violation

§ 1704. Possession prima facie evidence of violation
The possession by a person of a motor vehicle or vessel, the motor or manufacturer’s serial or Commissioner assigned identifying number of which has been changed, tampered with, obliterated, or defaced, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of the provisions of section 1703 of this title, unless the person applies to the Commissioner for the assignment of a new number as provided in section 1702 of this title. (Amended 1991, No. 164 (Adj. Sess.), § 7.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 17 - General Offenses and Jurisdiction › § 1704a. Alteration of odometers

§ 1704a. Alteration of odometers
Any person who sells, attempts to sell, or causes to be sold any motor vehicle, highway building appliance, motorboat, all-terrain vehicle, or snowmobile and has actual knowledge that the odometer, hubometer reading, or clock meter reading has been changed, tampered with, or defaced without disclosing same and a person who changes, tampers with, or defaces, or who attempts to change, tamper with, or deface, any gauge, dial, or other mechanical instrument, commonly known as an odometer, hubometer, or clock meter, in a motor vehicle, highway building appliance, motorboat, all-terrain vehicle, or snowmobile, which, under normal circumstances and without being changed, tampered with, or defaced, is designed to show by numbers or words the distance which the motor vehicle, highway building appliance, motorboat, all-terrain vehicle, or snowmobile travels, or who willfully misrepresents the odometer, hubometer, or clock meter reading on the odometer disclosure statement or similar statement, title, or bill of sale shall be fined not more than $1,000.00 for a first offense and fined not more than $2,500.00 for each subsequent offense. (Added 1969, No. 201 (Adj. Sess.); amended 1983, No. 141 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. Jan. 1, 1985; 1997, No. 59, § 77, eff. June 30, 1997; 2001, No. 69, § 3.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 17 - General Offenses and Jurisdiction › § 1705. Impersonating an inspector or examiner

§ 1705. Impersonating an inspector or examiner
A person who falsely impersonates or attempts to impersonate a motor vehicle inspector, examiner, or State Police shall be imprisoned not more than six months or fined not more than $100.00, or both.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 17 - General Offenses and Jurisdiction › § 1709. Report of convictions to Commissioner of Motor Vehicles

§ 1709. Report of convictions to Commissioner of Motor Vehicles
The Judicial Bureau and every court having jurisdiction over offenses committed under any law of this State or municipal ordinance regulating the operation of motor vehicles on the highways shall forward a record of any conviction to the Commissioner within 10 days for violation of any State or local law relating to motor vehicle traffic control, other than a parking violation. (Amended 1965, No. 85, operative Feb. 1, 1967; 1965, No. 194, § 10; 1967, No. 138; 1969, No. 290 (Adj. Sess.), § 11; 1973, No. 25, § 2, eff. March 15, 1973; 1973, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 19, 1974; 2005, No. 37, § 9.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 17 - General Offenses and Jurisdiction › § 1711. Felony or misdemeanor

§ 1711. Felony or misdemeanor
A person who, whether present or absent, aids, abets, induces, procures, or causes the commission of an act that, if done directly by him or her, would be a felony or a misdemeanor under a provision of this title, is guilty of the same felony or misdemeanor. (Added 1993, No. 212 (Adj. Sess.), § 3.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 19 - Parking; Police Courts › § 1741. Definition

§ 1741. Definition
As used in this chapter, the word “town” shall apply to a town or incorporated village only and the word “selectboard” shall apply to the selectboard of a town and the trustees of an incorporated village only. (Added 1961, No. 103, § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 19 - Parking; Police Courts › § 1742. Creation

§ 1742. Creation
A police court may be created by any town having a population of 1,000 or more according to the preceding U.S. census with the sole jurisdiction of receiving waiver of service of process and trial, admission of violation, and fines from violators of parking ordinances of the town and for the sole purpose and with the sole authority of carrying out the provisions of this chapter. (Added 1961, No. 103, § 2; amended 2019, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 208.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 19 - Parking; Police Courts › § 1743. Powers

§ 1743. Powers
The chief of police designated by the selectboard of the town shall be the judge of the court and may exercise the powers and perform the functions and duties thereof. However, the judge shall appoint another police officer of the town to act as acting judge whenever the judge is temporarily away from the town or unable to serve by reason of illness or disqualification. The acting judge shall exercise the same powers and perform the same functions and duties as the designated judge. The judge shall specify reasonable hours when the police court is to be opened. (Added 1961, No. 103, § 3; amended 1973, No. 249 (Adj. Sess.), § 76, eff. April 9, 1974.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 19 - Parking; Police Courts › § 1746. Violations; admission; waiver

§ 1746. Violations; admission; waiver
(a) Any person who has violated any ordinance of the town that regulates, districts, or defines the time, place, or manner of parking vehicles in the town and who has not been convicted of any violation of the parking ordinances more than twice before in the same calendar year may, within three business days after the date of such violation, by a statement signed by him or her, admit the violation and waive the issuance of any process and a trial by jury or hearing, and may voluntarily pay to the police court of the town the prescribed penalty.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, whenever in the opinion of the court the gravity of the offense requires a fine in excess of the prescribed penalty, as provided in section 1749 of this chapter, the court may refuse to accept the signed statement and penalty and refer the matter to the State’s Attorney who may proceed against the offender in the manner prescribed by law. In that event, the signed statement and penalty shall be returned to the offender and shall not be considered as an admission or used as evidence in any court in this State. (Added 1961, No. 103, § 6; amended 2017, No. 11, § 53; 2017, No. 93 (Adj. Sess.), § 18; 2019, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 209.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 19 - Parking; Police Courts › § 1747. Signed statement

§ 1747. Signed statement
The court shall treat the signed statement, if accepted and accompanied by the prescribed penalty, as a plea of guilty and shall make an entry thereof on its records. No costs, fees, or other charges may be assessed against any person so admitting a violation of any such ordinance or shall be allowed or paid to any officer or person because of the violation, but the penalty shall be accepted by the court in full discharge of the criminal liability of the person as a result of the violation. (Added 1961, No. 103, § 7; amended 2019, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 210.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 19 - Parking; Police Courts › § 1748. Collection record

§ 1748. Collection record
The court shall retain all such signed statements for a period of two years from the date thereof and shall keep a record, available to the public at any reasonable time, of all money collected and all other official acts done in connection therewith. (Added 1961, No. 103, § 8.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 19 - Parking; Police Courts › § 1749. Penalty

§ 1749. Penalty
(a) The penalty that may be voluntarily paid by any person so violating any ordinance regulating metered parking in the town shall be $1.00. For other violations involving parking a penalty not to exceed $5.00 for the first violation and not to exceed $15.00 for the second or subsequent offense within 30 days of a previous violation shall be paid. Other violations of the ordinances of the town shall be punished in the manner prescribed by law.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a person violating a parking ordinance for persons with disabilities may be fined not more than $25.00 for each offense. (Added 1961, No. 103, § 9; amended 1977, No. 249 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 19, 1978; 1981, No. 5; 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 147.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 19 - Parking; Police Courts › § 1750. Collections

§ 1750. Collections
All money so collected by the court in any one month shall be covered into the treasury of the town on the first day of the following month with a statement of the names of the persons from whom the money was collected and the amount paid by each and the date on which the same was collected. However, the court may turn over the money collected during any shorter period at the end of the period with a statement of the same. (Added 1961, No. 103, § 10.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 19 - Parking; Police Courts › § 1751. Referendum

§ 1751. Referendum
Sections 1741-1750 and 1752 of this title shall take effect when they have been adopted by a majority of the voters of the town, present and voting at any regular or special meeting warned for that purpose. (Added 1961, No. 103, § 11, eff. May 3, 1961.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 19 - Parking; Police Courts › § 1752. Parked vehicles

§ 1752. Parked vehicles
(a) Whenever a motor vehicle is parked on the highways of the town contrary to an ordinance of the town regulating parking so as to interfere with the policing, construction, or maintenance of the highways, including the removal of snow, the police department of the town may cause the motor vehicle to be towed away at the expense of the owner in an amount to be determined by the legislative body of the municipality, provided signs indicating that vehicles may be towed away at the owner’s expense shall be posted conspicuously at or near all areas affected where parking is restricted by ordinance of the town.
(b) The police department and any other enforcement personnel, if authorized by specific action of the local legislative body of a municipality, may impound by use of a so-called “Denver Boot” or other immobilizing device, any vehicle, the owner of which has four or more unpaid parking violations in a calendar year; providing notice that the vehicle in question is subject to impoundment is sent to the offender by first-class mail at least 15 days prior to impoundment. (Added 1961, No. 103, § 12; amended 1967, No. 292 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 1977, No. 249 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 19, 1978; 1983, No. 47, § 1; 1983, No. 177 (Adj. Sess.).)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 19 - Parking; Police Courts › § 1753. Ordinances authorizing removal

§ 1753. Ordinances authorizing removal
The selectboard of a town, the trustees of a village, or the board of aldermen of a city may enact ordinances authorizing the removal of motor vehicles parked without authorization on publicly or privately owned land and including, by illustration and not limitation, public, municipal, or private parking lots, drives, and ways. The owner of the motor vehicle may be required to pay reasonable towing and storage charges, as determined by the legislative body of the municipality, for which a lien may be imposed against the motor vehicle and its owner, or both, which may be in addition to any criminal penalty. (Added 1967, No. 292 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 1977, No. 249 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. April 19, 1978; 1983, No. 47, § 2; 1989, No. 9, § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 19 - Parking; Police Courts › § 1754. Form of payment

§ 1754. Form of payment
As a condition of employment on behalf of a municipality, a person hired to remove illegally parked motor vehicles may accept a personal check but in any case is required to accept cash or a certified or bank check, and must also recognize at least two national bank credit cards, any of which may be used as payment for any towing and storage charges. (Added 1977, No. 249 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. April 19, 1978; amended 1989, No. 9, § 2.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 21 - Title to Motor Vehicles › § 2002. Fees [Effective January 1, 2024]

§ 2002. Fees [Effective January 1, 2024]
(a) The Commissioner shall be paid the following fees:
(1) for any certificate of title, including a salvage certificate of title, or an exempt vehicle title, $42.00;
(2) for each security interest noted upon a certificate of title, including a salvage certificate of title, $14.00;
(3) for a certificate of title after a transfer, $42.00;
(4) for each assignment of a security interest noted upon a certificate of title, $14.00;
(5) for a duplicate certificate of title, including a salvage certificate of title, $42.00;
(6) for an ordinary certificate of title issued upon surrender of a distinctive certificate, $42.00;
(7) for filing a notice of security interest, $14.00;
(8) for a certificate of search of the records of the Department of Motor Vehicles, for each motor vehicle searched against, $27.00;
(9) for filing an assignment of a security interest, $14.00;
(10) for a certificate of title after a security interest has been released, $42.00;
(11) for a certificate of title for a motor vehicle acquired by a veteran with financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and exempt from registration fees pursuant to section 378 of this title, no fee;
(12) for a corrected certificate of title, $42.00.
(b) If an application, certificate of title, or other document required to be mailed or delivered to the Commissioner under any provision of this chapter is not delivered to the Commissioner within 10 days from the time it is required to be mailed or delivered, the Commissioner shall collect, as a penalty, an amount equal to the fee required for the transaction. (Added 1969, No. 297 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971; amended 1979, No. 202 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, Pt. III, eff. Sept. 1, 1980; 1983, No. 60, § 6; 1983, No. 129 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 1985, No. 118 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 1987, No. 112, § 1; 1989, No. 51, § 45; 1995, No. 47, § 13, eff. April 20, 1995; 2001, No. 102 (Adj. Sess.), § 27, eff. May 15, 2002; 2005, No. 175 (Adj. Sess.), § 38; 2009, No. 50, § 53; 2011, No. 128 (Adj. Sess.), § 21; 2015, No. 50, § 33a, eff. Jan. 1, 2016; 2015, No. 159 (Adj. Sess.), § 44; 2017, No. 206 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; 2023, No. 78, § G.137, eff. January 1, 2024.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 21 - Title to Motor Vehicles › § 2003. Power and duties of Commissioner

§ 2003. Power and duties of Commissioner
(a) The Commissioner shall prescribe and provide suitable forms of applications, certificates of title, notices of security interests, and all other notices and forms necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
(b) The Commissioner may:
(1) make necessary investigations to procure information required to carry out the provisions of this chapter;
(2) adopt and enforce reasonable rules to carry out the provisions of this chapter;
(3) assign a new identification number to a vehicle if it has none, or its identification number is destroyed or obliterated, and shall issue a new certificate of title showing the new identification number for a fee of $5.00. (Added 1969, No. 297 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971; amended 1983, No. 60, § 2.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 21 - Title to Motor Vehicles › § 2004. Hearing

§ 2004. Hearing
A person aggrieved by an act or omission to act of the Commissioner under this chapter is entitled, upon request, to a hearing in accordance with section 105 of this title. (Added 1969, No. 297 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 21 - Title to Motor Vehicles › § 2005. Appeal

§ 2005. Appeal
A person aggrieved by an act or omission of the Commissioner under this chapter may appeal to the Superior Court for Washington County in the same manner as is provided for in other civil actions. (Added 1969, No. 297 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971; amended 2019, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 211.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 21 - Title to Motor Vehicles › § 2011. Certificate of origin

§ 2011. Certificate of origin
When a new vehicle is delivered in this State by the manufacturer to his or her agent or his or her franchised dealer, the manufacturer shall execute and deliver to his or her agent or his or her franchised dealer a certificate of origin in the form prescribed by the Commissioner, and no person shall bring into this State any new vehicle unless he or she has in his or her possession the certificate of origin as prescribed by the Commissioner. The certificate of origin shall contain the manufacturer’s vehicle identification number of the motor vehicle, the name of the manufacturer, the make of the vehicle, the model year, number of cylinders, a general description of the body, if any, and the type of model. When a new vehicle is sold in this State, the manufacturer, his or her agent, or his or her franchised dealer shall execute and deliver to the purchaser, in case of an absolute sale, assignment of the certificate of origin or if other than absolute sale, assignment of the certificate of origin subject to contract, signed or executed by the manufacturer, his or her agent, or his or her dealer, with the genuine names and business or residence addresses of both stated thereon, and certified to have been executed with full knowledge of the contents and with the consent of both purchaser and seller. For good cause shown, the Commissioner may accept any other satisfactory evidence of the information required under this section. (Added 1969, No. 297 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971; amended 1983, No. 60, § 3; 2019, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 212.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 21 - Title to Motor Vehicles › § 2012. Exempted vehicles

§ 2012. Exempted vehicles
No certificate of title need be obtained for:
(1) a vehicle owned by the United States, unless it is registered in this State;
(2) a vehicle owned by a manufacturer or dealer and held for sale, even though incidentally moved on the highway or used for purposes of testing or demonstration, or used by an educational institution approved by the Agency of Education for driver training purposes, or a vehicle used by a manufacturer solely for testing;
(3) a vehicle owned by a nonresident of this State and not required by law to be registered in this State;
(4) a vehicle regularly engaged in the interstate transportation of persons or property for which a currently effective certificate of title has been issued in another state;
(5) a self-propelled wheelchair or invalid tricycle;
(6) a motorcycle that has less than 300 cubic centimeters of engine displacement or a motorcycle powered by electricity with less than 20 kilowatts of engine power;
(7) any trailer with an unladened weight of 1,500 pounds or less;
(8) a motor-driven cycle;
(9) any other type of vehicle designed primarily for off-highway use and deemed exempt by the Commissioner; or
[Subdivision (10) as currently effective; see also subdivision (10) and contingent effective date of amendment note set out below.]
(10) a vehicle that is more than 15 years old.
[Subdivision (10) as amended by 2023, No. 41, § 25; see also subdivision (10) set out above and contingent effective date of amendment note set out below.]
(10) a vehicle that is more than 15 years old on January 1, 2024. (Added 1969, No. 297 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971; amended 1971, No. 54, § 1, eff. April 14, 1971; 1977, No. 20, § 11; 1983, No. 60, § 7; 2009, No. 152 (Adj. Sess.), § 19k, eff. Sept. 1, 2010; 2011, No. 46, § 11; 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 269, eff. Feb. 14, 2014; 2015, No. 50, § 33a, eff. Jan. 1, 2016; 2023, No. 41, § 25.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 21 - Title to Motor Vehicles › § 2012. Exempted vehicles

§ 2012. Exempted vehicles
No certificate of title need be obtained for:
(1) a vehicle owned by the United States, unless it is registered in this State;
(2) a vehicle owned by a manufacturer or dealer and held for sale, even though incidentally moved on the highway or used for purposes of testing or demonstration, or used by an educational institution approved by the Agency of Education for driver training purposes, or a vehicle used by a manufacturer solely for testing;
(3) a vehicle owned by a nonresident of this State and not required by law to be registered in this State;
(4) a vehicle regularly engaged in the interstate transportation of persons or property for which a currently effective certificate of title has been issued in another state;
(5) a self-propelled wheelchair or invalid tricycle;
(6) a motorcycle that has less than 300 cubic centimeters of engine displacement or a motorcycle powered by electricity with less than 20 kilowatts of engine power;
(7) any trailer with an unladened weight of 1,500 pounds or less;
(8) a motor-driven cycle;
(9) any other type of vehicle designed primarily for off-highway use and deemed exempt by the Commissioner; or
(10) a vehicle that is more than 15 years old on January 1, 2024. (Added 1969, No. 297 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971; amended 1971, No. 54, § 1, eff. April 14, 1971; 1977, No. 20, § 11; 1983, No. 60, § 7; 2009, No. 152 (Adj. Sess.), § 19k, eff. Sept. 1, 2010; 2011, No. 46, § 11; 2013, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 269, eff. Feb. 14, 2014; 2015, No. 50, § 33a, eff. Jan. 1, 2016; 2023, No. 41, § 25.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 21 - Title to Motor Vehicles › § 2013. When certificate required; issuance of exempt vehicle title upon request

§ 2013. When certificate required; issuance of exempt vehicle title upon request
(a)(1) Except as provided in section 2012 of this title, the provisions of this chapter shall apply to and a title must be obtained for all motor vehicles at the time of first registration or when a change of registration is required under the provisions of section 321 of this title by reason of a sale for consideration.
(2) In addition, a Vermont resident may apply at any time to the Commissioner to obtain an “exempt vehicle title” for a vehicle that is more than 15 years old. Such titles shall be in a form prescribed by the Commissioner and shall include a legend indicating that the title is issued under the authority of this subdivision. The Commissioner shall issue an exempt vehicle title if the applicant pays the applicable fee and fulfills the requirements of this section, and if the Commissioner is satisfied that:
(A) the applicant is the owner of the vehicle;
(B) the applicant is a Vermont resident; and
(C) the vehicle is not subject to any liens or encumbrances.
(3) Prior to issuing an exempt vehicle title pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection, the Commissioner shall require all of the following:
(A) The applicant to furnish one of the following proofs of ownership, in order of preference:
(i) a previous Vermont or out-of-state title indicating the applicant’s ownership;
(ii) an original or a certified copy of a previous Vermont or out-of-state registration indicating the applicant’s ownership;
(iii) sufficient evidence of ownership as determined by the Commissioner, including bills of sale or original receipts for major components of homebuilt vehicles; or
(iv) a notarized affidavit certifying that the applicant is the owner of the vehicle and is unable to produce the proofs listed in subdivisions (i)-(iii) of this subdivision (3)(A) despite reasonable efforts to do so.
(B) A notarized affidavit certifying:
(i) the date the applicant purchased or otherwise took ownership of the vehicle;
(ii) the name and address of the seller or transferor, if known;
(iii) that the applicant is a Vermont resident; and
(iv) that the vehicle is not subject to any liens or encumbrances.
(C) Assignment of a new vehicle identification number pursuant to section 2003 of this title, if the vehicle does not have one.
(b) The Commissioner shall not require an application for a certificate of title upon the renewal of the registration of a vehicle.
(c) The Commissioner shall note on the face of the registration of each vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued a statement to that effect. (Added 1969, No. 297 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971; amended 1971, No. 54, § 2, eff. April 14, 1971; 1995, No. 112 (Adj. Sess.), § 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1996; 2015, No. 50, § 33a, eff. Jan. 1, 2016; 2019, No. 149 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. July 13, 2020.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 21 - Title to Motor Vehicles › § 2013. When certificate required

§ 2013. When certificate required
(a)(1) Except as provided in section 2012 of this title, the provisions of this chapter shall apply to and a title must be obtained for all motor vehicles at the time of first registration or when a change of registration is required under the provisions of section 321 of this title by reason of a sale for consideration.
(2) [Repealed.]
(3) [Repealed.]
(b) The Commissioner shall not require an application for a certificate of title upon the renewal of the registration of a vehicle.
(c) The Commissioner shall note on the face of the registration of each vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued a statement to that effect. (Added 1969, No. 297 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971; amended 1971, No. 54, § 2, eff. April 14, 1971; 1995, No. 112 (Adj. Sess.), § 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1996; 2015, No. 50, § 33a, eff. Jan. 1, 2016; 2019, No. 149 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. July 13, 2020; 2023, No. 41, § 26.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 21 - Title to Motor Vehicles › § 2015. Application for certificate

§ 2015. Application for certificate
(a) The application for the first certificate of title of a vehicle in this State shall be made by the owner to the Commissioner on the form he or she prescribes and shall contain:
(1) the name, residence, and mail address of the owner;
(2) a description of the vehicle, including, so far as the following data exist, its make, model, identification number, odometer reading, or hubometer reading or clock meter reading on all vehicles, type of body, the number of cylinders, and whether new or used;
(3) the date of purchase by the applicant, the name and address of the person from whom the vehicle was acquired, and the names and addresses of any lienholders in the order of their priority and the dates of their security agreements, and, if a new vehicle, the application shall be accompanied by a manufacturer’s or importer’s certificate of origin; and
(4) any further information the Commissioner reasonably requires to identify the vehicle and to enable him or her to determine whether the owner is entitled to a certificate of title and the existence or nonexistence of security interests in the vehicle.
(5) [Repealed.]
(b) If the application refers to a vehicle purchased from a dealer, it shall contain the name and address of any lienholder holding a security interest created or reserved at the time of the sale and the date of his or her security agreement and be signed by the dealer as well as the owner, and the dealer shall promptly mail or deliver the application to the Commissioner unless title is in the possession of a lienholder at the time of sale, in which case the dealer shall have until 30 calendar days after the date the dealer acquired the vehicle to mail or deliver the application to the Commissioner. The dealer shall not be entitled to the extension if the lien on the vehicle was granted by the dealer to finance vehicle inventory acquisition.
(c) If the application refers to a vehicle last previously registered in another state or country, the application shall contain or be accompanied by:
(1) any certificate of title issued by the other state or country;
(2) any other information and documents the Commissioner reasonably requires to establish the ownership of the vehicle and the existence or nonexistence of security interests in it; and
(3) any other proof of the identity of the vehicle the Commissioner reasonably requires. (Added 1969, No. 297 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971; amended 1983, No. 60, § 8; 1983, No. 141 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1985; 1995, No. 19, § 12, eff. April 17, 1995; 2019, No. 60, § 19; 2021, No. 76, § 5, eff. April 1, 2020; 2021, No. 105 (Adj. Sess.), § 420, eff. July 1, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 21 - Title to Motor Vehicles › § 2016. Commissioner to check identification number

§ 2016. Commissioner to check identification number
The Commissioner, upon receiving application for a first certificate of title or exempt vehicle title, shall check the identification number of the vehicle shown in the application against the records of vehicles required to be maintained by section 2017 of this title and against the record of stolen and converted vehicles required to be maintained by section 2084 of this title. (Added 1969, No. 297 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971; 2015, No. 50, § 33a, eff. Jan. 1, 2016.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 21 - Title to Motor Vehicles › § 2017. Issuance of certificate; records

§ 2017. Issuance of certificate; records
(a) The Commissioner shall file each application received and, when satisfied as to its genuineness and regularity and that the applicant is entitled to the issuance of a certificate of title, shall issue a certificate of title of the vehicle.
(b) The Commissioner shall maintain at his or her central office a record of all certificates of title issued by him or her for vehicles 15 years old and newer, and of all exempt vehicle titles issued by him or her, under a distinctive title number assigned to the vehicle; under the identification number of the vehicle; alphabetically, under the name of the owner; and, in the discretion of the Commissioner, by any other method he or she determines. The original records may be maintained on microfilm or electronic imaging. (Added 1969, No. 297 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971; amended 1979, No. 187 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 1983, No. 60, § 4; 1991, No. 165 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; 2009, No. 152 (Adj. Sess.), § 16; 2015, No. 50, § 33a, eff. Jan. 1, 2016.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 21 - Title to Motor Vehicles › § 2017. Issuance of certificate; records

§ 2017. Issuance of certificate; records
(a) The Commissioner shall file each application received and, when satisfied as to its genuineness and regularity and that the applicant is entitled to the issuance of a certificate of title, shall issue a certificate of title of the vehicle, without regard to the age of the vehicle.
(b) The Commissioner may issue an electronic certificate of title, provided that the applicant is entitled to the issuance of the certificate of title pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.
(c) The Commissioner shall maintain a record of all certificates of title issued and of all exempt vehicle titles issued under a distinctive title number assigned to the vehicle; under the identification number of the vehicle; alphabetically, under the name of the owner; and, in the discretion of the Commissioner, by any other method the Commissioner determines. The original records may be maintained on microfilm or electronic imaging. (Added 1969, No. 297 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971; amended 1979, No. 187 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 1983, No. 60, § 4; 1991, No. 165 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; 2009, No. 152 (Adj. Sess.), § 16; 2015, No. 50, § 33a, eff. Jan. 1, 2016; 2023, No. 41, § 27.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 21 - Title to Motor Vehicles › § 2018. Information on certificate

§ 2018. Information on certificate
(a) Each certificate of title issued by the Commissioner shall contain:
(1) The date issued.
(2) The name and address of the owner.
(3) The names and addresses of any lienholders, in the order of priority as shown on the application or, if the application is based on a certificate of title, as shown on the certificate; however, no more than two lienholders may appear on a certificate. In the event that there are more than two lienholders on the vehicle, the certificate of title shall contain an appropriate legend as determined by the Commissioner.
(4) The title number assigned to the vehicle.
(5) A description of the vehicle, including, so far as the following data exist, its make, model, identification number, odometer reading, or hubometer reading or clock meter reading on all vehicles, type of body, number of cylinders, whether new or used, and, if a new vehicle, the date of the first sale of the vehicle for use.
(6) Any other data the Commissioner prescribes.
(b) Unless a bond is filed as provided in subdivision 2020(2) of this title, a distinctive certificate of title shall be issued for a vehicle last previously registered in another state or country the laws of which do not require that lienholders be named on a certificate of title to perfect their security interests. The certificate shall contain an appropriate legend as determined by the Commissioner and may contain any other information the Commissioner prescribes. If no notice of a security interest in the vehicle is received by the Commissioner within four months from the issuance of the distinctive certificate of title, he or she shall, upon application and surrender of the distinctive certificate, issue a certificate of title in ordinary form.
(c) The certificate of title shall contain forms for assignment and warranty of title by the owner and for assignment and warranty of title by a dealer, and may contain forms for applications for a certificate of title by a transferee, the naming of a lienholder, and the assignment or release of the security interest of a lienholder.
(d) A certificate of title issued by the Commissioner is prima facie evidence of the facts appearing on it.
(e) A certificate of title for a vehicle is not subject to garnishment, attachment, execution, or other judicial process, but this subsection does not prevent a lawful levy upon the vehicle.
(f) If a vehicle has been returned to the manufacturer after final determination, adjudication, or settlement pursuant to the provisions of 9 V.S.A. chapter 115 or after final determination, adjudication, or settlement under similar laws of any other state, any certificate of title for the vehicle shall contain an appropriate legend as determined by the Commissioner. (Added 1969, No. 297 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971; amended 1983, No. 60, § 5; 1983, No. 141 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1985; 1999, No. 18, § 34, eff. May 13, 1999; 2015, No. 50, § 17.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 21 - Title to Motor Vehicles › § 2019. Mailing or delivering certificate

§ 2019. Mailing or delivering certificate
The certificate of title shall be mailed or personally delivered, upon proper identification of the individual, to the first lienholder named in it or, if none, to the owner. However, a person is entitled to a personal delivery of only one title in a single day and of no more than three titles in a calendar month. (Added 1969, No. 297 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971; amended 1979, No. 10; 2015, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), § 75.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 21 - Title to Motor Vehicles › § 2020. Withholding of certificate; bond required

§ 2020. Withholding of certificate; bond required
If the Commissioner is not satisfied as to the ownership of the vehicle or that there are no undisclosed security interests in it, the Commissioner may register the vehicle but shall either:
(1) Withhold issuance of a certificate of title until the applicant presents documents reasonably sufficient to satisfy the Commissioner as to the applicant’s ownership of the vehicle and that there are no undisclosed security interests in it.
(2) As a condition of issuing a certificate of title, require an applicant who is a Vermont resident to file with the Commissioner a bond in the form prescribed by the Commissioner and executed by the applicant, and either accompanied by the deposit of cash with the Commissioner or also executed by a person authorized to conduct a surety business in this State. The bond shall be in an amount equal to one and one-half times the value of the vehicle as determined by the Commissioner and conditioned to indemnify any prior owner and lienholder and any subsequent purchaser of the vehicle or person acquiring any security interest in it, and their respective successors in interest, against any expense, loss, or damage, including reasonable attorney’s fees, by reason of the issuance of the certificate of title of the vehicle or on account of any defect in or undisclosed security interest upon the right, title, and interest of the applicant in and to the vehicle. Any such interested person has a right of action to recover on the bond for any breach of its conditions, but the aggregate liability of the surety to all persons shall not exceed the amount of the bond. The bond, and any deposit accompanying it, shall be returned at the end of three years or earlier if the vehicle is no longer registered in this State and the currently valid certificate of title is surrendered to the Commissioner, unless the Commissioner has been notified of the pendency of an action to recover on the bond. The Commissioner shall not issue titles to nonresidents under the provisions of this subdivision. (Added 1969, No. 297 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971; amended 2019, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 213; 2023, No. 41, § 29, eff. July 1, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 21 - Title to Motor Vehicles › § 2021. Refusal of certificate

§ 2021. Refusal of certificate
The Commissioner shall refuse issuance of a certificate of title or an exempt vehicle title if any required fee is not paid or if he or she has reasonable grounds to believe that:
(1) the applicant is not the owner of the vehicle;
(2) the application contains a false or fraudulent statement; or
(3) the applicant fails to furnish required information or documents or any additional information the Commissioner reasonably requires. (Added 1969, No. 297 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971; amended 2015, No. 50, § 33a, eff. Jan. 1, 2016.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 21 - Title to Motor Vehicles › § 2022. Duplicate certificate

§ 2022. Duplicate certificate
(a) If a certificate is lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed or becomes illegible, the first lienholder or, if none, the owner or legal representative of the owner named in the certificate, as shown by the records of the Commissioner, shall promptly make application for and may obtain a duplicate upon furnishing information satisfactory to the Commissioner. It shall be mailed to the first lienholder named in it or, if none, to the owner.
(b) [Repealed.]
(c) A person recovering an original certificate of title for which a duplicate has been issued shall promptly surrender the original certificate to the Commissioner.
(d) When a duplicate certificate of title is issued, the Commissioner shall cause the original certificate of title for that vehicle to be revoked. (Added 1969, No. 297 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971; amended 1983, No. 60, § 9; 1985, No. 106 (Adj. Sess.); 2015, No. 50, § 18.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 21 - Title to Motor Vehicles › § 2024. Resale by dealer

§ 2024. Resale by dealer
If a dealer buys a vehicle, holds it for resale, and obtains the certificate of title from the owner or the lienholder, then the certificate need not be sent to the Commissioner. When the dealer transfers the vehicle to a person, other than by the creation of a security interest, he or she shall simultaneously execute the assignment and warranty of title by filling in the spaces on the certificate of title or as prescribed by the Commissioner or, if title is held by a finance source, execute a form prescribed by the Commissioner that provides proof of the transfer but does not release the lien. The certificate shall be mailed or delivered to the Commissioner with the transferee’s application for a new certificate. (Added 1969, No. 297 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971; amended 2001, No. 69, § 5; 2019, No. 60, § 20.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 21 - Title to Motor Vehicles › § 2025. Involuntary transfers

§ 2025. Involuntary transfers
(a) If the interest of an owner in a vehicle passes to another other than by voluntary transfer, the transferee shall, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, promptly mail or deliver to the Commissioner the last certificate of title, if available, proof of the transfer, and his or her application for a new certificate in the form the Commissioner prescribes.
(b) If the interest of the owner is terminated or the vehicle is sold under a security agreement by a lienholder named in the certificate of title, the transferee shall promptly mail or deliver to the Commissioner the last certificate of title, his or her application for a new certificate in the form the Commissioner prescribes, and an affidavit made by or on behalf of the lienholder that the vehicle was repossessed and that the interest of the owner was lawfully terminated or sold pursuant to the terms of the security agreement. If the lienholder succeeds to the interest of the owner and holds the vehicle for resale, he or she need not secure a new certificate of title but, upon transfer to another person, shall promptly mail or deliver to the transferee or to the Commissioner the certificate, affidavit, and other documents required to be sent to the Commissioner by the transferee.
(c) A person holding a certificate of title whose interest in the vehicle has been extinguished or transferred other than by voluntary transfer shall mail or deliver the certificate to the Commissioner upon request of the Commissioner. The delivery of the certificate pursuant to the request of the Commissioner does not affect the rights of the person surrendering the certificate, and the action of the Commissioner in issuing a new certificate of title is not conclusive upon the rights of an owner or lienholder named in the old certificate. (Added 1969, No. 297 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971; amended 2019, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 214.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 21 - Title to Motor Vehicles › § 2026. Fee to accompany applications

§ 2026. Fee to accompany applications
(a) An application for a certificate of title shall be accompanied by the required fee when mailed or delivered to the Commissioner.
(b) An application for the naming of a lienholder or his or her assignee on a certificate of title shall be accompanied by the required fee when mailed or delivered to the Commissioner. (Added 1969, No. 297 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 21 - Title to Motor Vehicles › § 2027. Issuance of new certificate

§ 2027. Issuance of new certificate
(a) The Commissioner, upon receipt of a properly assigned certificate of title, with an application for a new certificate of title, the required fee, and any other documents required by law, shall issue a new certificate of title in the name of the transferee as owner and mail to the first lienholder named in it or, if none, to the owner.
(b) The Commissioner, upon receipt of an application for a new certificate of title by a transferee other than by voluntary transfer, with proof of the transfer, the required fee, and any other documents required by law, shall issue a new certificate of title in the name of the transferee as owner. If the outstanding certificate of title is not delivered to him or her, the Commissioner shall make demand therefor from the holder thereof.
(c) The Commissioner shall file and retain for five years every surrendered certificate of title so as to permit the tracing of title of the corresponding vehicles. (Added 1969, No. 297 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971; amended 1979, No. 187 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2011, No. 46, § 20; 2019, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 215.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 21 - Title to Motor Vehicles › § 2029. Suspension or revocation of certificate

§ 2029. Suspension or revocation of certificate
(a) The Commissioner shall suspend or revoke a certificate of title or exempt vehicle title, upon notice and reasonable opportunity to be heard in accordance with section 2004 of this chapter, if he or she finds:
(1) the certificate of title or exempt vehicle title was fraudulently procured or erroneously issued; or
(2) the vehicle has been scrapped, dismantled, or destroyed.
(b) Suspension or revocation of a certificate of title does not, in itself, affect the validity of a security interest noted on it.
(c) When the Commissioner suspends or revokes a certificate of title or exempt vehicle title, the owner or person in possession of it shall, immediately upon receiving notice of the suspension or revocation, mail or deliver the certificate to the Commissioner.
(d) The Commissioner may seize and impound any certificate of title or exempt vehicle title which has been canceled, suspended, or revoked. (Added 1969, No. 297 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971; amended 2001, No. 69, § 6; 2015, No. 50, § 33a, eff. Jan. 1, 2016.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 23 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 21 - Title to Motor Vehicles › § 2041. Certain liens and security interests not affected

§ 2041. Certain liens and security interests not affected
This chapter does not apply to or affect:
(1) a lien given by statute or rule of law to a supplier of services or materials for the vehicle;
(2) a lien given by statute to the United States, this State, or any political subdivision of this State;
(3) a security interest in a vehicle created by a manufacturer or dealer who holds the vehicle for sale, but a buyer in the ordinary course of trade from the manufacturer or dealer takes free of the security interest. (Added 1969, No. 297 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971.)