As used in this section and sections 14-219, 14-240, 14-261, 14-261a and 14-262:
(1) “Gross weight” means the light weight of a vehicle plus the weight of any load thereon, provided, in the case of a tractor-trailer unit, “gross weight” means the light weight of the tractor plus the light weight of the trailer or semitrailer plus the weight of the load thereon.
(2) “Semitrailer” means any vehicle of the trailer type so designed and used in conjunction with a motor vehicle that some part of its own weight and load rests upon or is carried by another vehicle.
(3) “Trailer” means any rubber-tired vehicle without motive power drawn or propelled by a motor vehicle, including, but not limited to, a semitrailer.
(4) “Truck” means every motor vehicle designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.
(5) “Tractor” or “truck tractor” means a motor vehicle that is a non-cargo-carrying power unit used for drawing a trailer or two trailers for commercial purposes, except that a truck tractor and semitrailer engaged in the transportation of automobiles may transport motor vehicles on part of the power unit.
(6) “Tractor-trailer unit” means a combination of a tractor and trailer or a combination of a tractor and a semitrailer.
(7) “Converter dolly” means an axle to which is attached a hook engaged to an eye at the rear of a trailer and normally used in conjunction with the last trailer of a commercial vehicle combination.
(8) “Commercial vehicle combination” means a combination of vehicles consisting of a truck tractor and two trailers, with the length of each trailer being not more than twenty-eight feet, exclusive of safety and energy conservation devices, such as rear view mirrors, turn signal lamps, marker lamps, steps and handholds for entry and egress, flexible fender extensions, mudflaps and splash and spray suppressant devices, load-induced tire bulge, refrigeration units, air compressors or air shields and other devices, which the secretary of the federal Department of Transportation may interpret as necessary for the safe and efficient operation of such vehicles, provided no such device has by its design or use the capability to carry cargo.
(9) “Class 1 license” means a license designated class 1 by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles in accordance with the provisions of section 14-36a.
(10) “Commercial driver's license” or “CDL” means a license issued by a state which has enacted into law legislation in conformity with the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986, Title XII, P.L. 99-570, which has been issued to an individual in accordance with the standards specified in the Code of Federal Regulations Title 49, Part 383, as amended, and which authorizes such individual to operate a class of commercial motor vehicle.
(11) “CDL equivalent license” means a license issued by a state which has not enacted into law legislation in conformity with the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986, Title XII, P.L. 99-570, but which, in the judgment of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, has been issued to an individual in accordance with standards no less stringent than those specified in the Code of Federal Regulations Title 49, Part 383, as amended, with respect to the knowledge, skills and driving record necessary for the individual to safely operate a commercial vehicle combination.
(12) “Endorsement” means an authorization to the commercial driver's license required to permit the individual to operate a commercial vehicle combination pursuant to the Code of Federal Regulations Title 49, Section 383.93, as amended.
(13) “Endorsed commercial driver's license” or “endorsed CDL” means a commercial driver's license as defined in subdivision (10) of this section with an endorsement as defined in subdivision (12).
(14) “Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, association, copartnership, company, firm or other aggregation of individuals.
(15) “Fullmount” means a combination of vehicles as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations Title 23, Part 658, as amended.
(16) “Saddlemount” means a combination of vehicles as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations Title 23, Part 658, as amended.
(17) “Dromedary box” means a cargo-carrying container mounted on the frame of a tractor and located behind the cab.
(18) “Articulated bus” means a motor vehicle designed and used for the purposes of carrying public transit passengers, with two separate passenger compartments connected by a kingpin or similar joint, and may be composed of a tractor section and a trailer section, or a forward portion with no motive power and a trailer section with a power unit.
(P.A. 83-21, S. 1, 5; P.A. 84-372, S. 1, 9; P.A. 89-171, S. 2, 5; P.A. 93-307, S. 6, 34; P.A. 95-79, S. 41, 189; P.A. 97-304, S. 26, 31; P.A. 07-232, S. 6.)
History: P.A. 84-372 excluded safety and energy conservation devices from consideration in determining length of trailers in Subdiv. (8); P.A. 89-171 added definitions of “class 1 license”, “commercial driver's license”, “CDL equivalent license”, “endorsement” and “endorsed commercial driver's license”; P.A. 93-307 amended the section by adding new Subdivs. (15) and (16) defining “fullmount” and “saddlemount”, effective June 29, 1993; P.A. 95-79 redefined “person” to include a limited liability company, effective May 31, 1995; P.A. 97-304 added definition of “dromedary box” in Subdiv. (17), effective July 8, 1997; P.A. 07-232 added Subdiv. (18) defining “articulated bus”, effective July 1, 2007.