§ 17D-2A-6 — Investigation by duly authorized law-enforcement officer to include inquiry regarding required security; notice by officer or court to Division of Motor Vehicles

(a) At the time of investigation of a motor vehicle offense or crash the State Police or other law-enforcement agency or when a vehicle is stopped by a law-enforcement officer for reasonable cause, the officer of the agency making the investigation shall inquire of the operator of any motor vehicle involved and, by an inquiry through the on-line insurance verification program established in accordance with section six-a of this article if available as to the existence upon the vehicle or vehicles of the evidence of insurance or other security required by the provisions of this code and upon a finding by the law-enforcement agency, officer or agent thereof that the security required by the provisions of this article is not in effect, as to any vehicle, he or she shall notify the Division of Motor Vehicles of the finding within five days: Provided, That the law-enforcement officer or agent may not stop vehicles solely to inquire as to the certificate of insurance.

(b) A defendant who is charged with a traffic offense that requires an appearance in court shall present the court at the time of his or her appearance or subsequent appearance with proof that the defendant had security at the time of the traffic offenses as required by this article subject to verification by the court through the Division of Motor Vehicles or its agent or by an on-line insurance verification program if available.

(c) If, as a result of the defendant's failure to show proof, the court determines that the defendant has violated this article, the court shall notify the Division of Motor Vehicles within five days.

Legislative History

2010 Reg. Sess., SB394; 2006 Reg. Sess., SB644; 1999 Reg. Sess., SB150; 1996 Reg. Sess., HB4490; 1984 Reg. Sess., HB1400; 1982 Reg. Sess., SB288; 1981 Reg. Sess., SB386