Sec. 14-174. Information in certificate. Prima facie evidence.
Sec. 14-174. Information in certificate. Prima facie evidence. (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; (4) the title number assigned to the vehicle; (5) a
description of the vehicle including, so far as the following data exists, its make, model,
identification number, 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) the mileage reading
as shown on the application; and (7) any other data the commissioner prescribes.
(b) Unless a bond is filed as provided in subdivision (b) of section 14-176, 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 the legend "This
vehicle may be subject to an undisclosed lien" 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, the commissioner 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. In any criminal proceeding, a certified copy of a certificate of title
shall be prima facie evidence as to the ownership of a motor vehicle.
(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) The commissioner shall place a legend on any new or duplicate certificate of
title in accordance with the requirements of section 14-16c, 14-172, 14-178, 14-179 or
42-179. The commissioner shall place a legend on any new or duplicate certificate of
title that the commissioner issues concerning the mileage on a motor vehicle in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Odometer Act, Sections 32701 to 32711,
inclusive, Title 49, United States Code, and any federal regulation adopted under the
authority of said act. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the
provisions of chapter 54, to provide for the placement of additional legends on any
certificate of title, concerning the condition of any motor vehicle or the status of the
title to any motor vehicle, including legends to indicate that a motor vehicle has been
rebuilt or damaged by flood, or that a bond has been posted to obtain the title, as provided
in section 14-176. Such regulations, as may be adopted by the commissioner, shall
provide for an opportunity for a hearing, in accordance with the provisions of chapter
54 and section 14-194, for any person aggrieved by any action, omission or decision of
the commissioner made pursuant to this subsection.
(1957, P.A. 607, S. 10; P.A. 82-460, S. 8; P.A. 86-114, S. 4; P.A. 02-70, S. 5.)
History: P.A. 82-460 amended Subsec. (d) by making a certificate of title prima facie evidence of the ownership of a
vehicle in any criminal proceeding; P.A. 86-114 added requirement that mileage reading as shown on application be shown
on certificate of title; P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (b) to make a technical change for purposes of gender neutrality
and added Subsec. (f) requiring commissioner to place legends on any new or duplicate certificate of title, authorizing
commissioner to adopt regulations for the placement of additional legends on any certificate of title and providing for an
opportunity for a hearing for any person aggrieved by any action, omission or decision of the commissioner made pursuant
to subsection, effective July 1, 2002.
Dealer filling out an application for a buyer held liable for loss to bank lienholder for failure to enter the information
concerning the sales contract dealer made with buyer and assigned to bank. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 491.
Subsec. (d):
Purpose of subsec. is part of legislature's effort to combat trafficking of stolen automobiles, not to protect used automobile dealers from possibility that they will unwittingly sell a salvaged vehicle. 87 CA 687.