Ownership of title to an off-highway motor vehicle subject to identification under this division may be held by two (or more) coowners as provided in Section 682 of the Civil Code, except that:

(a) A vehicle may be identified in the names of two (or more) persons as coowners in the alternative by the use of the word “or.” A vehicle so identified in the alternative shall be deemed to be held in joint tenancy. Each coowner shall be deemed to have granted to the other coowners the absolute right to dispose of the title and interest in the vehicle. Upon the death of a coowner, the interest of the decedent shall pass to the survivor as though title or interest in the vehicle was held in joint tenancy, unless a contrary intention is set forth in writing upon the application for identification.

(b) A vehicle may be identified in the names of two (or more) persons as coowners in the alternative by the use of the word “or” and if declared in writing upon the application for identification by the applicants to be community property, or tenancy in common, shall grant to each coowner the absolute power to transfer the title or interest of the other coowners only during the lifetime of such coowners.

(c) A vehicle may be identified in the names of two (or more) persons as coowners in the conjunctive by the use of the word “and” and shall thereafter require the signature of each coowner or his personal representative to transfer title to the vehicle, except where title to the vehicle is set forth in joint tenancy, the signature of each coowner or his personal representative shall be required only during the lifetime of the coowners, and upon death of a coowner title shall pass to the surviving coowner.

(d) The department may adopt suitable abbreviations to appear upon the certificate of identification and certificate of ownership to designate the manner in which title to the vehicle is held if set forth by the coowners upon the application for identification.

(Added by Stats. 1971, Ch. 1816.)