(a) Authority of commissioner. No provision of this chapter shall be construed to prohibit the commissioner from suspending or revoking any registration or any operator's license issued under the provisions of any statute relating to motor vehicles, or from suspending the right of any person to operate a motor vehicle in this state, or from suspending or revoking the right of any nonresident to operate, or the right to any operation of, any motor vehicle within this state, for any cause that he deems sufficient, with or without a hearing. Whenever any certificate of registration is suspended or revoked, all evidence of the same shall be delivered forthwith to the commissioner or to any person authorized by the commissioner to receive the same, and the commissioner or any person authorized by the commissioner may seize such certificate of registration and all evidence of the same. Except as otherwise provided by law, the commissioner may cancel any such suspension or revocation and may return such certificate of registration or restore the operator's license either with or without an additional fee, provided no certificate of registration or operator's license which has been suspended for any definite term, except as provided in subsection (k) of this section, shall be returned or restored until the term of suspension has been completed. Any appeal taken from the action of the commissioner shall not act as a stay of suspension or revocation except with his consent. No service of process shall be necessary in connection with any of the prescribed activities of the commissioner, but a notice forwarded by bulk certified mail to the address of the person registered as owner or operator of any motor vehicle as shown by the records of the commissioner shall be sufficient notice to such person that the certificate of registration or operator's license is revoked or under suspension.

(b) Suspension of operator's license or privilege. (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) or (3) of this subsection, whenever the holder of any motor vehicle operator's license has been convicted or has forfeited any bond taken or has received a suspended judgment or sentence for any of the following violations, the commissioner shall, without hearing, suspend such person's operator's license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state as follows: For a first violation of subsection (a) or subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 14-224 or section 14-110, 14-215 or 53a-119b, for a period of not less than one year and, for a subsequent violation thereof, for a period of not less than two years; for a violation of subsection (a) of section 14-222 or subsection (c) of section 14-224, for a period of not less than thirty days or more than ninety days and, for a subsequent violation thereof, for a period of not less than ninety days; for a violation of subdivision (2) or (3) of subsection (b) of section 14-224, for a period of not less than ninety days and for a subsequent violation thereof, for a period of not less than one year; for a first violation of subsection (b) of section 14-147, for a period of not less than ninety days and, for a subsequent violation thereof, for a period of not less than five years; for a first violation of subsection (c) of section 14-147, for a period of not less than thirty days and, for a subsequent violation thereof, for a period of not less than one year.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 14-111b and except as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection, whenever the holder of any motor vehicle operator's license or youth instruction permit who is less than eighteen years of age or whenever a person who does not hold an operator's license who is less than eighteen years of age has been convicted or has forfeited any bond taken or has received a suspended judgment or sentence for any of the following violations, the commissioner shall suspend such person's operator's license or privilege to obtain an operator's license as follows: For a first violation of subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of section 14-219 or subdivision (4) of subsection (b) of section 14-219, for a period of sixty days and, for a second violation thereof, for a period of ninety days and, for a third or subsequent violation thereof, for a period of six months; for a first violation of subsection (a) of section 14-222, for a period of six months and, for a subsequent violation thereof, for a period of one year; for a violation of subsection (c) of section 14-224, for a period of six months and, for a subsequent violation thereof, for a period of one year; for a first violation of section 14-296aa, for a period of thirty days and, for a second violation thereof, for a period of ninety days and, for a third or subsequent violation thereof, for a period of six months.

(3) The commissioner shall suspend the motor vehicle operator's license of any youth adjudged a youthful offender for a violation of section 14-215 or 14-222, subsection (b) of section 14-223 or subdivision (2) or (3) of subsection (b) or subsection (c) of section 14-224 for six months for a first offense and one year for a second or subsequent offense.

(4) Whenever any person who has not been issued a motor vehicle operator's license under section 14-36 is convicted of a second or subsequent violation of subsection (a) of section 14-36: (A) The commissioner shall suspend such person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle, (B) such suspension shall remain in effect for a period of ninety days, and (C) the commissioner shall not issue an operator's license to such person under section 14-36 until such period of suspension has expired and all applicable requirements for such license have been satisfied by such person.

(c) Suspension of license after fatal accident. Repealed by P.A. 95-260, S. 23, 24.

(d) Hearings. The commissioner may hold hearings in each judicial district on all matters arising within such judicial district under the provisions of this chapter. He may use any court room, when the same is not in use by the court, for the purpose of holding hearings and may require the attendance of any officer authorized to serve criminal process, and such officer shall be under the direction of the commissioner. The fees of witnesses and officers shall be the same as in criminal cases before the Superior Court and shall be paid by the Treasurer upon order of the Comptroller.

(e) Enforcement of order. The Superior Court may, by mandamus or other appropriate remedy, upon application of the commissioner, enforce any order issued by the commissioner under the provisions of this section.

(f) Failure to return registration, plates or license. In case of failure forthwith to return any certificate of registration, number plate or plates of any motor vehicle or operator's license upon order of the commissioner, no certificate of registration shall be issued for any motor vehicle licensed by the certificate not returned and no operator's license shall be issued to the negligent party within a period of one year except by an order of the commissioner.

(g) Person not holding Connecticut operator's license. When any person who does not hold a Connecticut operator's license is convicted or has his case nolled or is given a suspended judgment or sentence for a violation of any provision of section 14-36, 14-110 or 14-145, subsection (b) of section 14-147, or section 14-215, 14-224, 14-227a, 14-227m, 14-227n or 14-229, the commissioner shall not issue to him a nonresident or resident operator's license during such period as the commissioner may determine, which period shall not be less than the period provided for suspension in subsection (b) of this section or in subsection (g) of section 14-227a, subsection (c) of section 14-227m or subsection (c) of section 14-227n. When any person is convicted or has his case nolled or is given a suspended judgment or sentence for any violation of any of the provisions of section 14-12, the commissioner shall not issue registration for any motor vehicle owned by such person until thirty days after application therefor.

(h) Perjury or false statement. Whenever any person has been prosecuted for perjury or false statement under the provisions of section 14-110 and the case has been nolled or a suspended sentence or judgment entered, and when the false statement refers to the name or age or a former suspension or former conviction of the applicant, the commissioner shall suspend or withhold such applicant's license for a period of not less than thirty days plus the period of time wherein the applicant was in possession of the void license.

(i) Reversal or reduction of suspension or revocation. (1) Whenever any person has been convicted of any violation of section 14-110, 14-147, 14-215, 14-222 or 14-224 and such person's license has been suspended by the commissioner, such person may make application to the commissioner for the reversal or reduction of the term of such suspension. Such application shall be in writing and shall state specifically the reasons why such applicant believes that the applicant is entitled to such reversal or reduction. The commissioner shall consider each such application and the applicant's driver control record, as defined in section 14-111h, and may grant a hearing to the applicant in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 and section 14-4a.

(2) Any person whose license has been revoked in accordance with subparagraph (C) of subdivision (3) of subsection (g) of section 14-227a or subparagraph (C) of subdivision (3) of subsection (c) of section 14-227m may, at any time after two years from the date of such revocation, request a hearing before the commissioner, conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, and the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection for reversal or reduction of such revocation. The commissioner shall require such person to provide evidence that any reversal or reduction of such revocation shall not endanger the public safety or welfare. Such evidence shall include, but not be limited to, proof that such person has: (A) Successfully completed an alcohol or drug education and treatment program subsequent to such person's most recent conviction or privilege suspension for an offense related to alcohol, controlled substances or drugs, (B) not been convicted of or had a suspension of his or her operating privilege for any offense related to alcohol, controlled substances or drugs during the preceding two years, and (C) has not operated a motor vehicle during the previous two years. The commissioner shall require any person, as a condition of granting such reversal or reduction, to install and maintain an approved ignition interlock device, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (i) of section 14-227a. The approved ignition interlock device shall be installed and maintained for any period during the lifetime of such person in which such person owns or operates a motor vehicle, except that such person may, at any time after fifteen years from the date the commissioner grants such reversal or reduction, request a hearing before the commissioner, conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to remove such ignition interlock device. The commissioner may authorize the removal of such ignition interlock device, for good cause shown, after such fifteen-year period and such hearing. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish standards to implement the provisions of this section.

(j) Ignition interlock device. Any person whose motor vehicle operator's license is suspended by the commissioner and whose license is subsequently restricted to the operation of a motor vehicle that is equipped with an approved, ignition interlock device who fails to comply with the requirements for the installation and use of such device in a motor vehicle owned or operated by such person, as set forth in regulations adopted by the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of subsection (i) of section 14-227a, shall be subject to the reinstatement of such suspension of the person's operator's license until such person demonstrates to the commissioner's satisfaction that such person intends to install and maintain the ignition interlock device for the prescribed period.

(1949 Rev., S. 2456; 1949, S. 1345d; 1951, S. 1346d; 1957, P.A. 612, S. 1, 2, 3; 1959, P.A. 220, S. 1; 1961, P.A. 517, S. 128; February, 1965, P.A. 574, S. 15, 16, 17; 1967, P.A. 263; 1971, P.A. 871, S. 86; P.A. 73-386; P.A. 74-338, S. 53, 94; P.A. 76-42, S. 2; P.A. 78-280, S. 2, 127; P.A. 79-245, S. 1, 2; P.A. 80-438, S. 1; 80-466, S. 18, 25; P.A. 83-534, S. 4–6; P.A. 93-177; P.A. 95-260, S. 23, 24; P.A. 98-182, S. 13, 22; P.A. 02-70, S. 47, 48; May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-1, S. 114; P.A. 03-278, S. 44; P.A. 05-215, S. 2, 5; P.A. 07-167, S. 41; P.A. 08-32, S. 6; 08-150, S. 47, 62; P.A. 09-187, S. 4, 5, 35; P.A. 11-48, S. 54; 11-51, S. 219; 11-213, S. 28; P.A. 12-81, S. 28; 12-178, S. 1; P.A. 14-130, S. 31; 14-228, S. 3; P.A. 16-126, S. 12, 13; P.A. 18-164, S. 10.)

History: 1959 act amended Subsec. (k) to include reference to Secs. 14-219 and 14-222 and deleted reference to a second violation of Sec. 14-222; 1961 act amended Subsec. (b) to delete provision for suspension for violation of any statute relating to motor vehicles; 1965 act deleted reference to repealed statute and substituted “subsection (a) of section 14-227a” in Subsecs. (b), (h) and (k); 1967 act clarified provisions of Subsec. (c); 1971 act included reference to prosecution for false statement in Subsec. (i); P.A. 73-386 deleted reference to “second” violation of Sec. 14-222(a) in Subsec. (b); P.A. 74-338 deleted provision allowing suspension of license when license holder has had his case nolled upon payment of any sum of money in Subsec. (b); P.A. 76-42 substituted Sec. 53a-119b for reference to repealed Sec. 14-229; P.A. 78-280 replaced county with judicial district in Subsec. (e); P.A. 79-245 replaced reference to “registered or certified” mail with “bulk certified” mail in Subsec. (a); P.A. 80-438 amended Subsec. (k) to add provision re treatment and rehabilitation programs; P.A. 80-466 amended Subsec. (g) to add reference to single license plate; P.A. 83-534 amended Subsec. (b) to delete a violation of “subsection (a) of section 14-227a” from the list of violations with specified periods of license suspension to reflect inclusion of such suspension periods in Sec. 14-227a, amended Subsec. (h) to include the period provided for suspension “in subsection (h) of section 14-227a”, and amended Subsec. (k) to delete the authorization for a person convicted of a violation of “subsection (a) of section 14-227a” to apply to the commissioner for a reversal of the suspension or revocation of his license imposed as a result of such conviction and to delete provision that authorized the commissioner to require such person to participate in a treatment or rehabilitation program as a condition to the return of his license; P.A. 93-177 amended Subsec. (c) to add provision re the inadmissibility in a civil or criminal proceeding of the fact of a license suspension when the operator waives his right to a hearing and consents to the license suspension for a period of not less than one year; P.A. 95-260 repealed Subsec. (c) re suspension of license following fatal accident, effective June 13, 1995; P.A. 98-182 divided Subsec. (b) into Subdivs. and in Subdiv. (2) allowed the commissioner to suspend the operator's license of a person who has been arrested for a felony and for whom there is an outstanding warrant for rearrest for failure to appear, effective July 1, 1998; P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (b)(1) to delete reference to periods of suspension of an operator's license for a first and a subsequent violation of Sec. 14-145 and amended Subsec. (k) to delete references to Secs. 14-145, 14-219 and 14-229, to eliminate provision re application to commissioner for reversal or reduction of term of suspension for any person who has had his case nolled or judgment or execution suspended or has forfeited his bond and to add provision re such application for any person who has had his or her license suspended in accordance with Sec. 14-111c or 14-111n, to allow a person whose license is suspended for specified violations to apply to commissioner for the reduction of the term of such suspension, deleting references throughout Subsec. to reversal of the revocation, to require commissioner to consider each application for reversal or reduction of the term of suspension and the applicant's driver control record and to allow commissioner to grant a hearing to applicant, to eliminate provisions re filing of a trial fee, and to make technical changes for purposes of gender neutrality, effective July 1, 2002; May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-1 amended Subsec. (h) to make a technical change, effective July 1, 2002; P.A. 03-278 made a technical change in Subsec. (b)(1), effective July 9, 2003; P.A. 05-215 amended Subsec. (b)(1) to reduce from five years to two years the minimum period of suspension for a subsequent violation of Sec. 14-224(a), 14-110, 14-215 or 53a-119b, effective October 1, 2005, and applicable to any suspension of an operator's license on or after October 1, 2000, and amended Subsec. (k) to designate existing provisions as Subdiv. (1) and make technical changes therein and add Subdiv. (2) authorizing a person whose license has been revoked in accordance with Sec. 14-227a(g)(3)(C) on or after October 1, 1999, to apply for reversal or reduction of such revocation; P.A. 07-167 amended Subsec. (k)(2) by changing required time period after date of revocation from 10 years to 6 years, replacing provision re application to commissioner with provision re request for a hearing before commissioner, conducted in accordance with chapter 54, and added provisions re evidence, installation and maintenance of ignition interlock device and adoption of regulations; P.A. 08-32 amended Subsec. (b)(1) to add exception re provisions of new Subsec. (b)(2) and make a technical change, added new Subsec. (b)(2) re suspension provisions for certain violations by holders of operator's licenses who are less than 18 years of age and redesignated existing Subsec. (b)(2) as Subsec. (b)(3), effective August 1, 2008; P.A. 08-150 amended Subsec. (b)(2) to require commissioner to suspend operator's license of holder who is less than 18 years of age for first violation of Sec. 14-219(b)(4), effective August 1, 2008, and added Subsec. (l) re ignition interlock device, effective October 1, 2008; P.A. 09-187 amended Subsec. (b)(1) to provide penalty for violation of Sec. 14-224(c) and subsequent violation of Sec. 14-224(b) and to require suspension of privilege to operate motor vehicle in this state for violations which require suspension of operator's license, effective July 8, 2009, and amended Subsec. (b)(2) to provide that holder of learner's permit who is less than 18 years of age and person less than 18 years of age who does not hold an operator's license shall have privilege to obtain operator's license suspended for listed violations and amended Subsec. (k)(2) to delete “on or after October 1, 1999”, effective October 1, 2009; P.A. 11-48 amended Subsec. (k)(2) to require ignition interlock device be installed and maintained “for a period of ten years after the date of the granting of such reversal or reduction” rather than “from the date such reversal or reduction is granted until ten years has passed since the date of such revocation”, effective January 1, 2012; P.A. 11-51 made identical changes as P.A. 11-48, effective January 1, 2012; P.A. 11-213 amended Subsec. (a) to delete references to delivery or seizure of operator's license following suspension or revocation, add provisions re restoration of license and make technical changes, deleted former Subsec. (b)(3) re suspension of license upon arrest for a felony and issuance of rearrest warrant for failure to appear, deleted former Subsec. (d) re notice to municipal officials of revocation or suspension of license or registration and former Subsec. (j) re filing of surety and redesignated existing Subsecs. (e) to (i), (k) and (l) as Subsecs. (d) to (h), (i) and (j) and amended Subsec. (i)(1) to delete reference to license suspension in accordance with Sec. 14-111c or 14-111n; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (b) to add exception re Subdiv. (3) in Subdivs. (1) and (2), replace “learner's permit” with “youth instruction permit” in Subdiv. (2), add Subdiv. (3) re required license suspension periods for youth adjudged youthful offender for violation of certain offenses, and add Subdiv. (4) re sanctions for person not issued operator's license who is convicted of second or subsequent violation of Sec. 14-36(a); P.A. 12-178 amended Subsec. (i)(2) to allow request for a hearing re reversal or reduction of revocation after 2 years, rather than 6 years, from date of revocation, require evidence that person has not been convicted of offense related to alcohol, controlled substances or drugs during preceding 2 years, rather than 6 years, replace provision re 10-year period for installation and maintenance of ignition interlock device with provisions re lifetime requirement and exception that person may apply after 15 years to remove ignition interlock device and commissioner may grant application and authorize removal for good cause shown after a hearing, effective January 1, 2013; P.A. 14-130 amended Subsec. (b) by adding “or subdivision (1) of subsection (b)” re first violation of Sec. 14-224 and adding “subdivision (2) or (3)” re violation of Sec. 14-224(b) in Subdiv. (1) and by adding “subdivision (2) or (3) of” re violation of Sec. 14-224(b) and making a technical change in Subdiv. (3); P.A. 14-228 amended Subsec. (j) to replace provision re period of resuspension with provision re reinstatement of suspension until person demonstrates intent to install and maintain ignition interlock device for prescribed period, effective July 1, 2015; P.A. 16-126 amended Subsec. (g) by replacing reference to Sec. 14-227a(a) with reference to Sec. 14-227a and by adding references to Secs. 14-227m and 14-227n and Secs. 14-227m(c) and 14-227n(c) and amended Subsec. (i)(2) by adding reference to Sec. 14-227m(c)(3)(C); P.A. 18-164 amended Subsec. (i)(2) to designate existing provision re alcohol education and treatment program as Subpara. (A) and amend same to add “or drug” and provision re when program is to be completed, to designate existing provision re conviction of any offense related to alcohol, controlled substances or drugs as Subpara. (B) and amend same to add provision re suspension of operating privilege, and to add Subpara. (C) re not operating a motor vehicle during previous two years, effective July 1, 2018.

See Sec. 14-111e re suspension of operator's license for misuse of license to procure liquor.

See Sec. 14-111f re suspension of operator's license for possession of counterfeit or altered license.

See Sec. 14-111g re operator's retraining program.

See Sec. 14-227o re discount for ignition interlock device services.

Commissioner may suspend or revoke any operator's license or certificate for any cause that he may deem sufficient. 143 C. 202. Fact that license has been suspended is not proof that operator lacks necessary skill to operate automobile. 146 C. 631. Proper method of appeal from suspension discussed. 148 C. 456. Cited. 176 C. 374; 177 C. 588. Conditions imposed on license holder under section violated right to equal protection under Conn. Const. Amdt. Art. XXI; not narrowly tailored to particular medical condition. 225 C. 499.

Cited. 38 CA 322, 324.

Not unconstitutional because of failure to require hearing. 7 CS 165. Cited. 16 CS 179. Action of commissioner in suspending or revoking operator's license is reviewable; he must not act arbitrarily or abuse his discretion. 20 CS 208. Cited. 24 CS 348. Not a proper remedy to bring an injunction restraining commissioner from interfering with plaintiff's right to drive where plaintiff had adequate legal remedies. 25 CS 512. The revocation of plaintiff's license upheld where there was substantial evidence of violation of Sec. 14-267. 31 CS 325. Cited. 36 CS 586; 37 CS 767.

Commissioner may suspend or revoke any operator's license or right of any person to operate on public highways for any cause he deems sufficient, with or without hearing. 4 Conn. Cir. Ct. 34, 38. Sending notice of suspension to licensee with suffix “Jr.” held sufficient compliance although notice returned unclaimed. Id., 254. Notice mailed by commissioner was sufficient although returned marked “moved, left no address” and defendant was properly convicted for driving without a license; notice required by statute may be constructive notice. 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 72. Cited. Id., 161; Id., 163; 6 Conn. Cir. Ct. 521.

Subsec. (a):

Commissioner has authority to suspend or revoke operator's license for traffic violations occurring in another state; exercise by commissioner of his powers under Subsec. does not give effect to penal law outside jurisdiction of state. 170 C. 140. There is no indication in the legislative history that actual knowledge of a license suspension is required; defendant bears burden of knowing limitations associated with having failed a chemical alcohol test. 245 C. 442.

Cited. 21 CA 496; 31 CA 797; 33 CA 727; 41 CA 866.

Resident of this state who is not a licensed operator in this state and has never been a registered owner in this state is not within class of persons for whom statutory notice is intended. 24 CS 346.

Subsec. (c):

Where a person by careless driving contributes to causing an accidental death, suspension of his license is not unequal treatment or denial of due process; legislature has drawn reasonable distinction between such operators and other careless operators as matter of public policy. 168 C. 94. Cited. Id., 587. Coroner's findings of fact and conclusions are designed to aid commissioner's decision, but cannot be substituted for independent determination by commissioner. 171 C. 705. Cited. 172 C. 263; 202 C. 453; 204 C. 60.

Cited. 4 CA 143; 7 CA 748; 10 CA 90; 27 CA 377.