Definitions of Key DMV Terms
Used in Explanations

Administrative Per Se - Any person who operates a motor vehicle in Connecticut is presumed to have given their consent to a chemical analysis of their breath, blood and urine. Any individual failing a analysis test or refusing to take a chemical test is subject to an administrative suspension, following due process, of their operator's license.

Assignment of Ownership - Refers to the transfer of a claim, right, interest, or property for the purpose of registering or titling a motor vehicle.

Bill of Sale - Refers to a written exchange of a motor vehicle, from a seller to a buyer, for an amount of money or its equivalent.

CDL License -  Refers to a Commercial Driver’s License issued by DMV to an individual and it allows that individual to drive a commercial motor vehicle.

Class Codes - Refers to a collection of motor vehicle categories which stipulate the types of registrations that are issued for motor vehicles.

Combination Registration/Plates - Means the type of registration and plates issued to a motor vehicle which is used for both private passenger and commercial purposes if that vehicle does not have a gross vehicle weight in excess of 12,500 pounds.

Early American Plates (also know as antique plates) - Refers to a license plate which is given only to a motor vehicle 20 years old or older, is being preserved because of the historic interest and is not altered or modified from the original manufacturer’s specification.

Emissions Test – Refers to the Connecticut Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) program test, which is conducted at official test stations. Emissions for vehicles that are 1995 and older are measured by analyzing pollutant concentrations in tailpipe exhaust. Some vehicles are driven on a dynamometer, a treadmill-type simulator of real-world driving conditions. For vehicles model year 1996 or newer, a scan tool is plugged into the vehicle’s On-Board Diagnostic Second Generation (OBDII) computer system to download data to determine if emissions components are malfunctioning.

Go-Karts - Go-karts are motor vehicles of a class NOT eligible for registration and would therefore be prohibited from both roads and sidewalks.

Go-Peds - Go-peds fall under the same provisions as "bicycle with helper motors". See moped definition.

H-13 - Refers to a form entitled " Application for Registration and Certificate of Title." This form is used to register any motor vehicle for the first time.

Immediate Family - Refers to a direct relation as in brother, sister, mother, father, child or spouse.

Interstate - Means a connection between two or more states.

In-Transit Registration - Refers to a temporary registration issued to an out-of-state resident by DMV, solely for the purpose of transporting a motor vehicle out of Connecticut with the intent of registering that motor vehicle in another state.

Intrastate - Refers to existing within the boundaries of a state.

Marker Plates - Refers to a registration (license) plate that is required on a registered motor vehicle.

Minor Filing (Financial Responsibility) - Refers to insurance filing for a motor vehicle registered to a minor.

Mopeds - A "motor-driven cycle" (also known as a moped) means any motorcycle, motor scooter or bicycle with an attached motor with a seat height of not less than 26 inches and a motor that produces five brake horsepower or less. A "motor driven cycle" would not be required to be registered, however, it would require that the operator have a valid driver’s license to operate on the road.  If you are sixteen or seventeen years of age, you must wear a helmet while operating a moped. The motor driven cycle is prohibited from operation on sidewalks, limited-access highways and turnpikes under Connecticut State Law Title 14 Sec. 14-286.

Motorcycle - Motorcycle means a motor vehicle, with or without a side car, having not more than three wheels in contact with the ground and a saddle or seat on which the rider sits or a platform on which the rider stands and includes bicycles having a motor attached, except bicycles propelled by means of a helper motor (moped) as defined in Connecticut State Law Title 14 Sec 14-286, but does not include a vehicle having a completely or partially enclosed driver’s seat and a motor which is not in the enclosed area.

Motor Scooters - Many motor scooters are motorcycles and would require a registration and driver's license with an "M" endorsement to operate on the road. Some motor scooters fall under the definition of a "motor driven cycle" (moped) as found in Connecticut State Law Title 14 Sec. 14-286. A "motor driven cycle" would not be required to be registered, however, it would require that the operator have a valid driver’s license to operate on the road. The legal age to obtain a driver’s license in Connecticut is 16 years of age.

In order for any scooter to be operated on the street it must have all the statutory equipment such as brakes, lights, horn and mirrors. Motorcycle class motor scooters are motor vehicles which are prohibited from sidewalks under the provisions of Connecticut State Law Title 14 Sec. 14-250a.

Odometer - Refers to an instrument located on a motor vehicle’s dash board, or a motorcycle’s instrumentation panel, that indicates the distance traveled by that motor vehicle.

Operator Number - Refers to the nine digit number assigned by DMV to an individual upon successful completion of a driver’s test. The number is found in the upper center of the operator’s photo license.

Q-1 - Refers to a supplemental assignment of ownership form. The Q-1 is used when the back of the title is already completed and the vehicle still requires a transfer of ownership or can be used as a bill of sale.

Record Transfer - Refers to adding or deleting of information contained on a motor vehicle registration.

Restoration - Refers to the reinstatement of a suspended operator’s license or registration.

Revoke - An administrative action taken by the DMV to render a credential null and void.

Safety Inspection - An inspection of a motor vehicle to ensure the proper working condition of a vehicle’s mechanical equipment.

Salvage Vehicle - Refers to a motor vehicle composed of discarded or damaged material. Also any vehicle that has been assigned to an insurance company is considered salvaged.

Special Interest Plates - Refers to license plates that are specially designed for a qualified, nonprofit organization and displays the organization’s unique logo. There are certain eligibility requirements that a non-profit organization must meet. Please go here for more information.

Subreg - (sub-registration) Refers to the replacement of a current plate with another license plate. This procedure allows a customer to retain time on the existing plate and transfer that time to the newly issued plate.

Suspension - Refers to an administrative action disallowing continued use of an operator license or registration credential for a period of time.

Temporary Registration Plates - Refers to temporary plates issued by DMV to a customer for a limited amount of time. In many instances, temporary registrations and plates are used to bring a motor vehicle in for a safety inspection.

Vanity Plates - Refers to an automobile license plate bearing a combination of letters and/or numbers selected by a purchaser.

Vehicle Transfer - Refers to the transferring of marker plates from one vehicle to another.

Work Permit - Refers to a license issued by DMV for work purposes only and is given to an individual who has been suspended and who meets DMV’s criteria. This license is to be used only for the purpose of allowing an individual to travel to and from their respective workplace.