AB177

Assembly Bill No. 177–Committee on Transportation

CHAPTER..........

AN ACT relating to motor vehicles; revising provisions relating to the issuance to certain disabled persons of special license plates, placards and stickers; revising the period within which the holder of a valid registration must notify the Department of Motor Vehicles of a change of name or residence address; revising provisions relating to the issuance of duplicate number plates and substitute number plates; revising provisions relating to submission to the Department, at the time of registering a vehicle, of evidence of automobile liability insurance; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN

SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Chapter 482 of NRS is hereby amended by adding

thereto the provisions set forth as sections 2 to 7, inclusive, of this

act.

Sec. 2. As used in NRS 482.3835 and 482.384 and sections 4,

5 and 6 of this act, unless the context otherwise requires, the

words and terms defined in NRS 482.3835 and sections 4, 5 and 6

of this act have the meanings ascribed to them in those sections.

Sec. 3. “Duplicate number plate” means a license plate or a

set of license plates issued to a registered owner which repeats the

code of a plate or set of plates previously issued to the owner to

maintain his registration using the same code.

Sec. 4. “Person with a disability of moderate duration”

means a person:

1. With a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk;

and

2. Whose disability has been certified by a licensed physician

as being reversible, but estimated to last longer than 6 months.

Sec. 5. “Person with a permanent disability” means a

person:

1. With a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk;

and

2. Whose disability has been certified by a licensed physician

as irreversible.

Sec. 6. “Person with a temporary disability” means a person:

1. With a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk;

and

2. Whose disability has been certified by a licensed physician

as estimated to last not longer than 6 months.

Sec. 7. “Substitute number plate” means a license plate or a

set of license plates issued in place of a previously issued and

unexpired plate or set of plates. The plate or set of plates does not

repeat the code of the previously issued plate or set.

Sec. 8. NRS 482.010 is hereby amended to read as follows:

482.010 As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise

requires, the words and terms defined in NRS 482.011 to 482.137,

inclusive, and sections 3 and 7 of this act have the meanings

ascribed to them in those sections.

Sec. 9. NRS 482.215 is hereby amended to read as follows:

482.215 1. All applications for registration, except

applications for renewal of registration, must be made as provided in

this section.

2. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 482.294, applications

for all registrations, except renewals of registration, must be made in

person, if practicable, to any office or agent of the Department or to

a registered dealer.

3. Each application must be made upon the appropriate form

furnished by the Department and contain:

(a) The signature of the owner, except as otherwise provided in

subsection 2 of NRS 482.294, if applicable.

(b) His residential address.

be based, unless the vehicle is deemed to have no base. The

Department shall use this declaration to determine the county to

which the governmental services tax is to be paid.

(d) A brief description of the vehicle to be registered, including

the name of the maker, the engine, identification or serial number,

whether new or used, and the last license number, if known, and the

state in which it was issued, and upon the registration of a new

vehicle, the date of sale by the manufacturer or franchised and

licensed dealer in this state for the make to be registered to the

person first purchasing or operating the vehicle.

(e) [Proof satisfactory to the Department or registered dealer

that] Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, if the

applicant is not an owner of a fleet of vehicles or a person

described in subsection 5, a declaration signed by the applicant

that he has provided the insurance required by NRS 485.185 and[,

except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, his signed

declaration that he] will maintain the insurance during the period of

registration. If the application is submitted by electronic means

pursuant to NRS 482.294, the applicant is not required to sign the

declaration required by this paragraph.

(f) If the [insurance is provided by a contract of insurance,]

applicant is an owner of a fleet of vehicles or a person described in

subsection 5, evidence of [that insurance provided by the insurer in

the form of:

(1) A] insurance:

(1) In the form of a certificate of insurance on a form

approved by the Commissioner of Insurance; [or

(2) A]

(2) In the form of a card issued pursuant to NRS 690B.023

which identifies the vehicle and indicates, at the time of application

for registration, coverage which meets the requirements of NRS

485.185[.] ; or

(3) In another form satisfactory to the Department.

The Department may file that evidence, return it to the applicant or

otherwise dispose of it.

(g) If required, evidence of the applicant’s compliance with

controls over emission.

4. The application must contain such other information as is

required by the Department or registered dealer[,] and must be

accompanied by proof of ownership satisfactory to the Department.

5. For purposes of the [proof, declaration and] evidence

required by [paragraphs (e) and] paragraph (f) of subsection 3:

(a) Vehicles which are subject to the fee for a license and the

requirements of registration of the Interstate Highway User Fee

Apportionment Act, and which are based in this state, may be

declared as a fleet by the registered owner thereof[,] on his original

application for or application for renewal of a proportional

registration. The owner may file a single certificate of insurance

covering that fleet.

(b) Other fleets composed of 10 or more vehicles based in this

state or vehicles insured under a blanket policy which does not

identify individual vehicles may each be declared annually as a fleet

by the registered owner thereof for the purposes of an application

for his original or any renewed registration. The owner may file a

single certificate of insurance covering that fleet.

provisions of NRS 485.380 may file a copy of his certificate of

self-insurance.

(d) A person who qualifies for an operator’s policy of liability

insurance pursuant to the provisions of NRS 485.186 and 485.3091

may file evidence of that insurance.

Sec. 10. NRS 482.283 is hereby amended to read as follows:

482.283 Each holder of a valid registration, upon changing his

name or place of residence, shall notify the Department of [such]

the change within [10 days thereof] 30 days after the change and

shall include in [such] the notice both the old and new names and

residence addresses.

Sec. 11. NRS 482.285 is hereby amended to read as follows:

482.285 1. If any certificate of registration or certificate of

[ownership] title is lost, mutilated or illegible, the person to whom it

was issued shall immediately make application for and obtain a

duplicate or substitute therefor upon furnishing information

satisfactory to the Department and upon payment of the required

fees.

2. If any license plate or plates or any decal is lost, mutilated or

illegible, the person to whom it was issued shall immediately make

application for and obtain [a] :

(a) A duplicate number plate or a substitute [therefor upon:

(a) Furnishing] number plate;

(b) A substitute decal; or

as appropriate, upon furnishing information satisfactory to the

Department[; and

(b) Payment] and payment of the fees required by

NRS 482.500.

3. If any license plate or plates or any decal is stolen, the

person to whom it was issued shall immediately make application

for and obtain:

(a) A substitute number plate;

(b) A substitute decal; or

as appropriate, upon furnishing information satisfactory to the

Department and payment of the fees required by NRS 482.500.

4. The Department shall issue duplicate number plates or

substitute number plates and, if applicable, a substitute decal, if the

applicant:

(a) Returns the mutilated or illegible plates to the Department or

[certifies under oath] signs a declaration that the plates were lost ,

mutilated or [stolen;] illegible; and

(b) [Makes] Complies with the provisions of subsection 6.

5. The Department shall issue substitute number plates and,

if applicable, a substitute decal, if the applicant:

(a) Signs a declaration that the plates were stolen; and

(b) Complies with the provisions of subsection 6.

6. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, an

applicant who desires duplicate number plates or substitute

number plates must make application for renewal of registration.

Credit must be allowed for the portion of the registration fee and

governmental services tax attributable to the remainder of the

current registration period. In lieu of making application for

renewal of registration, an applicant may elect to make application

solely for:

(a) Duplicate number plates or substitute number plates, and a

substitute decal, if the previous license plates were lost, mutilated

or illegible; or

(b) Substitute number plates and a substitute decal, if the

previous license plates were stolen.

7. An applicant who makes the election described in

subsection 6 retains his current date of expiration for the

registration of the applicable vehicle and is not, as a prerequisite

to receiving duplicate number plates or substitute number plates

or a substitute decal, required to:

(a) Submit evidence of compliance with controls over

emission; or

(b) Pay the registration fee and governmental services tax

attributable to a full 12-month period of registration.

Sec. 12. NRS 482.3835 is hereby amended to read as follows:

482.3835 [As used in NRS 482.384, unless the context

otherwise requires, “person] “Person with a disability which limits

or impairs the ability to walk” means a person who:

1. Cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest;

2. Cannot walk without the use of a brace, cane, crutch,

wheelchair or prosthetic or other assistive device, or another person;

3. Is restricted by a lung disease to such an extent that the

person’s forced expiratory volume for 1 second, when measured by

a spirometer, is less than 1 liter, or the arterial oxygen tension is less

than 60 millimeters of mercury on room air while the person is at

rest;

4. Uses portable oxygen;

5. Has a cardiac condition to the extent that the person’s

functional limitations are classified in severity as a Class III or Class

IV according to standards adopted by the American Heart

Association;

6. Is visually handicapped; or

7. Is severely limited in his ability to walk because of an

arthritic, neurological or orthopedic condition.

Sec. 13. NRS 482.384 is hereby amended to read as follows:

482.384 1. Upon the application of a person with a

permanent disability , [which limits or impairs the ability to walk,]

the Department may issue special license plates for a vehicle,

including a motorcycle, registered by the applicant pursuant to this

chapter. [Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, the] The

application must include a statement from a licensed physician

certifying that the applicant is a person with a permanent disability .

[which limits or impairs the ability to walk.] The issuance of a

special license plate to a person with a permanent disability

pursuant to this subsection does not preclude the issuance to such a

person of a special parking placard for a vehicle other than a

motorcycle or a special parking sticker for a motorcycle pursuant to

subsection 6.

2. Every [second] year after the initial issuance of special

license plates to a person [who the Department determines is not

permanently disabled,] with a permanent disability, the Department

shall require the person[, when he applies] to renew his special

license plates[, to include with his application a statement from a

licensed physician certifying that the applicant is a person with a

disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk.] in accordance

with the procedures for renewal of registration pursuant to this

chapter. The Department shall not require a person [who it

determines is permanently disabled] with a permanent disability to

include [such a statement] with his application for renewal[.] a

statement from a licensed physician certifying that the person is a

person with a permanent disability.

3. Upon the application of an organization which provides

transportation for a person with a permanent disability [which

limits or impairs the ability to walk,] , disability of moderate

duration or temporary disability, the Department may issue special

license plates for a vehicle registered by the organization pursuant to

this chapter[.] , or the Department may issue special parking

placards to the organization pursuant to this section to be used on

vehicles providing transportation to such persons. The application

must include a statement from the organization certifying that [the] :

(a) The vehicle for which the special license plates are issued

is used primarily to transport persons with permanent disabilities

[which limit or impair the ability to walk.] , disabilities of moderate

duration or temporary disabilities; or

(b) The organization which is issued the special parking

placards will only use such placards on vehicles that actually

transport persons with permanent disabilities, disabilities of

moderate duration or temporary disabilities.

4. The Department may charge a fee for special license plates

issued pursuant to this section not to exceed the fee charged for the

issuance of license plates for the same class of vehicle.

5. Special license plates issued pursuant to this section must

display the international symbol of access in a color which contrasts

with the background and is the same size as the numerals and letters

on the plate.

6. Upon the application of a person with a permanent

disability [which limits or impairs the ability to walk,] or disability

of moderate duration, the Department may issue:

(a) A special parking placard for a vehicle other than a

motorcycle. Upon request, the Department may issue one additional

placard to an applicant to whom special license plates have not been

issued pursuant to this section.

(b) A special parking sticker for a motorcycle.

The application must include a statement from a licensed physician

certifying that the applicant is a person with a permanent disability

[which limits or impairs the ability to walk.] or disability of

moderate duration.

7. A special parking placard issued pursuant to subsection 6

must:

(a) Have inscribed on it the international symbol of access

which is at least 3 inches in height, is centered on the placard and is

white on a blue background;

(b) Have an identification number and date of expiration[;] of:

(1) If the special parking placard is issued to a person with

a permanent disability, 10 years after the initial date of issuance;

(2) If the special parking placard is issued to a person with

a disability of moderate duration, 2 years after the initial date of

issuance;

of the Department; and

(d) Have a form of attachment which enables a person using the

placard to display the placard from the rearview mirror of the

vehicle.

8. A special parking sticker issued pursuant to subsection 6

must:

(a) Have inscribed on it the international symbol of access

which complies with any applicable federal standards, is centered on

the sticker and is white on a blue background;

(b) Have an identification number and a date of expiration[;] of:

(1) If the special parking sticker is issued to a person with a

permanent disability, 10 years after the initial date of issuance; or

(2) If the special parking sticker is issued to a person with a

disability of moderate duration, 2 years after the initial date of

issuance; and

of the Department.

9. Before the date of expiration of a special parking placard

or special parking sticker issued to a person with a permanent

disability or disability of moderate duration, the person shall

renew his special parking placard or special parking sticker. If the

applicant for renewal is a person with a disability of moderate

duration, the applicant must include with his application for

renewal a statement from a licensed physician certifying that the

applicant is a person with a disability which limits or impairs the

ability to walk, and that such disability, although not irreversible,

is estimated to last longer than 6 months. A person with a

permanent disability is not required to submit evidence of a

continuing disability with his application for renewal.

10. The Department, or a city or county, may issue, and charge

a reasonable fee for, a temporary parking placard for a vehicle other

than a motorcycle or a temporary parking sticker for a motorcycle

upon the application of a person with a temporary disability . [which

limits or impairs the ability to walk.] Upon request, the Department,

city or county may issue one additional temporary parking placard

to an applicant. The application must include a certificate from a

licensed physician indicating:

(a) That the applicant has a temporary disability ; [which limits

or impairs the ability to walk;] and

(b) The estimated period of the disability.

[10.] 11. A temporary parking placard issued pursuant to

subsection [9] 10 must:

(a) Have inscribed on it the international symbol of access

which is at least 3 inches in height, is centered on the placard and is

white on a red background; and

(b) Have a form of attachment which enables a person using the

placard to display the placard from the rearview mirror of the

vehicle.

[11.] 12. A temporary parking sticker issued pursuant to

subsection [9] 10 must have inscribed on it the international symbol

of access which is at least 3 inches in height, is centered on the

sticker and is white on a red background.

[12.] 13. A temporary parking placard or temporary parking

sticker is valid only for the period for which a physician has

certified the disability, but in no case longer than 6 months.

[13.] If the temporary disability continues after the period for

which the physician has certified the disability, the person with the

temporary disability must renew the temporary parking placard

or temporary parking sticker before the temporary parking placard

or temporary parking sticker expires. The person with the

temporary disability shall include with his application for renewal

a statement from a licensed physician certifying that the applicant

continues to be a person with a temporary disability and the

estimated period of the disability.

14. A special or temporary parking placard must be displayed

in the vehicle when the vehicle is parked by hanging or attaching the

placard to the rearview mirror of the vehicle. If the vehicle has no

rearview mirror, the placard must be placed on the dashboard of the

vehicle in such a manner that the placard can easily be seen from

outside the vehicle when the vehicle is parked.

[14.] 15. A special or temporary parking sticker must be

affixed to the windscreen of the motorcycle. If the motorcycle has

no windscreen, the sticker must be affixed to any other part of the

motorcycle which may be easily seen when the motorcycle is

parked.

[15.] 16. Special or temporary parking placards, special or

temporary parking stickers, or special license plates issued pursuant

to this section do not authorize parking in any area on a highway

where parking is prohibited by law.

[16.] 17. No person, other than the person certified as being a

person with a permanent disability [which limits or impairs the

ability to walk,] , disability of moderate duration or temporary

disability, or a person actually transporting such a person, may use

the special license plates or a special or temporary parking placard,

or a special or temporary parking sticker issued pursuant to this

section to obtain any special parking privileges available pursuant to

this section.

[17.] 18. Any person who violates the provisions of subsection

[16] 17 is guilty of a misdemeanor.

[18.] 19. The Department may review the eligibility of each

holder of a special parking placard, a special parking sticker or

special license plates, or any combination thereof. Upon a

determination of ineligibility by the Department, the holder shall

surrender the special parking placard, special parking sticker or

special license plates, or any combination thereof, to the

Department.

[19.] 20. The Department may adopt such regulations as are

necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

Sec. 14. NRS 482.500 is hereby amended to read as follows:

482.500 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2 or 3,

whenever upon application any duplicate or substitute certificate of

registration, decal or number plate is issued, the following fees must

be paid:

For a certificate of registration........... $5.00

For every substitute number plate or set of plates 5.00

For every duplicate number plate or set of plates 10.00

For every decal displaying a county name .50

For every other decal, license plate sticker or tab 5.00

2. The following fees must be paid for any replacement plate or

set of plates issued for the following special license plates:

(a) For any special plate issued pursuant to NRS 482.3667,

482.3672, 482.3675, 482.370 to 482.376, inclusive, or 482.379 to

482.3816, inclusive, a fee of $10.

(b) For any special plate issued pursuant to NRS 482.368,

482.3765, 482.377 or 482.378, a fee of $5.

482.37945, for any souvenir license plate issued pursuant to NRS

482.3825 or sample license plate issued pursuant to NRS 482.2703,

a fee equal to that established by the Director for the issuance of

those plates.

3. A fee must not be charged for a duplicate or substitute of a

decal issued pursuant to NRS 482.37635.

4. The fees which are paid for duplicate number plates and

decals displaying county names must be deposited with the State

Treasurer for credit to the Motor Vehicle Fund and allocated to the

Department to defray the costs of duplicating the plates and

manufacturing the decals.

[5. As used in this section:

(a) “Duplicate number plate” means a license plate or a set of

license plates issued to a registered owner which repeat the code of

a plate or set of plates previously issued to the owner to maintain his

registration using the same code.

(b) “Substitute number plate” means a license plate or a set of

license plates issued in place of a previously issued and unexpired

plate or set of plates. The plate or set of plates does not repeat the

code of the previously issued plate or set.]

Sec. 15. Chapter 484 of NRS is hereby amended by adding

thereto the provisions set forth as sections 16, 17 and 18 of this act.

Sec. 16. “Person with a disability of moderate duration” has

the meaning ascribed to it in section 4 of this act.

Sec. 17. “Person with a permanent disability” has the

meaning ascribed to it in section 5 of this act.

Sec. 18. “Person with a temporary disability” has the

meaning ascribed to it in section 6 of this act.

Sec. 19. NRS 484.013 is hereby amended to read as follows:

484.013 As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise

requires, the words and terms defined in NRS 484.014 to 484.217,

inclusive, and sections 16, 17 and 18 of this act have the meanings

ascribed to them in those sections.

Sec. 20. NRS 484.407 is hereby amended to read as follows:

484.407 1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, an

owner or operator of a motor vehicle displaying a special parking

placard, a special parking sticker, a temporary parking placard, a

temporary parking sticker or special plates issued pursuant to NRS

482.384, or special plates for a disabled veteran issued pursuant to

NRS 482.377, may park the motor vehicle for not more than 4 hours

at any one time in a parking zone restricted as to the length of time

parking is permitted, without penalty, removal or impoundment of

the vehicle if the parking is otherwise consistent with public safety

and is done by a person with a permanent disability [which limits or

impairs the ability to walk,] , disability of moderate duration or

temporary disability, a disabled veteran , or a person transporting

any such [a] person.

2. An owner or operator of a motor vehicle displaying special

plates for a disabled veteran issued pursuant to NRS 482.377 may,

without displaying a special license plate, placard or sticker issued

pursuant to NRS 482.384, park in a parking space designated for the

handicapped if:

(a) The parking is done by a disabled veteran; or

(b) A disabled veteran is a passenger in the motor vehicle being

parked.

3. This section does not authorize the parking of a motor

vehicle in any privately or municipally owned facility for parking

off the highway without paying the required fee for the time during

which the vehicle is so parked.

Sec. 21. NRS 484.408 is hereby amended to read as follows:

484.408 1. Any parking space designated for the

handicapped must be indicated by a sign:

(a) Bearing the international symbol of access with or without

the words “Parking,” “Handicapped Parking,” “Handicapped

Parking Only ” [,”] or “Reserved for the Handicapped,” or any other

word or combination of words indicating that the space is

designated for the handicapped;

(b) Stating “Minimum fine of $100 for use by others” or

equivalent words; and

ground.

2. In addition to the requirements of subsection 1, a parking

space designated for the handicapped which:

(a) Is designed for the exclusive use of a vehicle with a side-

loading wheelchair lift; and

(b) Is located in a parking lot with 60 or more parking

spaces,

must be indicated by a sign using a combination of words to state

that the space is for the exclusive use of a vehicle with a side-

loading wheelchair lift.

3. If a parking space is designed for the use of a vehicle with a

side-loading wheelchair lift, the space which is immediately

adjacent and intended for use in the loading and unloading of a

wheelchair into or out of such a vehicle must be indicated by a sign:

(a) Stating “No Parking” or similar words which indicate that

parking in such a space is prohibited;

(b) Stating “Minimum fine of $100 for violation” or similar

words indicating that the minimum fine for parking in such a space

is $100; and

ground.

4. An owner of private property upon which is located a

parking space described in subsection 1, 2 or 3 shall erect and

maintain or cause to be erected and maintained any sign required

pursuant to subsection 1, 2 or 3, whichever is applicable. If a

parking space described in subsection 1, 2 or 3 is located on public

property, the governmental entity having control over that public

property shall erect and maintain or cause to be erected and

maintained any sign required pursuant to subsection 1, 2 or 3,

whichever is applicable.

5. A person shall not park a vehicle in a space designated for

the handicapped by a sign that meets the requirements of subsection

1, whether on public or privately owned property, unless he is

eligible to do so and the vehicle displays:

(a) Special license plates issued pursuant to NRS 482.384;

(b) A special or temporary parking placard issued pursuant to

NRS 482.384;

(d) Special license plates, a special or temporary parking sticker,

or a special or temporary parking placard displaying the

international symbol of access issued by another state or a foreign

country; or

(e) Special license plates for a disabled veteran issued pursuant

to NRS 482.377.

6. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a person

shall not park a vehicle in a space that is reserved for the exclusive

use of a vehicle with a side-loading wheelchair lift and is designated

for the handicapped by a sign that meets the requirements of

subsection 2, whether on public or privately owned property, unless:

(a) He is eligible to do so;

(b) The vehicle displays the special license plates or placard set

forth in subsection 5; and

lift.

A person who meets the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) may

park a vehicle that is not equipped with a side-loading wheelchair

lift in such a parking space if the space is in a parking lot with fewer

than 60 parking spaces.

7. A person shall not park in a space which:

(a) Is immediately adjacent to a space designed for use by a

vehicle with a side-loading wheelchair lift; and

(b) Is designated as a space in which parking is prohibited by a

sign that meets the requirements of subsection 3,

whether on public or privately owned property.

8. A person shall not use a plate, sticker or placard set forth in

subsection 5 to park in a space designated for the handicapped

unless he is a person with a permanent disability [which limits or

impairs the ability to walk,] , disability of moderate duration or

temporary disability, a disabled veteran , or the driver of a vehicle

in which any such [a] person is a passenger.

9. A person who violates any of the provisions of subsections 5

to 8, inclusive, is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished:

(a) Upon the first offense, by a fine of $100.

(b) Upon the second offense, by a fine of $250 and not less than

8 hours, but not more than 50 hours, of community service.

than $500, but not more than $1,000 and not less than 25 hours, but

not more than 100 hours, of community service.

Sec. 22. 1. This section and sections 1, 3, 7, 8, 11 and 14 of

this act become effective on July 1, 2003.

2. Sections 9 and 10 of this act become effective on October 1,

2003.

3. Sections 2, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13 and 15 to 21, inclusive, of this act

become effective on January 1, 2004.

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