1. A. Until July 1, 1983, every person registering a motor vehicle in this state, except a licensed used car dealer, at the time of registration of such vehicle, shall certify the existence of security with respect to such vehicle on a form prescribed by the Department.

   Any person who knowingly issues or promulgates a false or fraudulent writing in connection with this subsection or otherwise fails to comply with this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be subject to a fine not exceeding Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).

   Motor carriers required by the Corporation Commission, or any other entity, to maintain liability insurance are hereby exempt from Sections 47-7-600 through 47-7-610 of this title.

2. B. On and after July 1, 1983:

   1. 1. The owner of a motor vehicle registered in this state shall carry in such vehicle at all times a current owner's security verification form listing the vehicle or an equivalent form which has been issued by the Department and shall produce such form upon request for inspection by any law enforcement officer or representative of the Department of Public Safety and, in case of a collision, the form shall be shown upon request to any person affected by said collision.
   2. 2. Every person registering a motor vehicle in this state, except a motor vehicle which is not being used upon the public highways or public streets, or a manufactured home while said manufactured home is on a permanent foundation, at the time of registration of such vehicle, shall certify the existence of security with respect to such vehicle by surrendering to a motor license agent or other registering agency a current owner's security verification form or an equivalent form issued by the Department. A motor license agent or other registering agency shall require the surrender of such form prior to processing an application for registration or renewal.

   3. 3. The following shall not be required to carry an owner's or operator's security verification form or an equivalent form from the Department during operation of the vehicle and shall not be required to surrender such form for vehicle registration purposes:

      1. a. any vehicle owned or leased by the federal or state government, or any agency or political subdivision thereof,
      2. b. any vehicle bearing the name, symbol, or logo of a business, corporation or utility on the exterior and which is in compliance with the provisions of Sections 47-7-600 through 47-7-610 of this title according to records of the Department of Public Safety which reflect a deposit, bond, self-insurance, or fleet policy,
      3. c. any vehicle authorized for operation pursuant to a permit number issued by the Interstate Commerce Commission or the Corporation Commission,
      4. d. any licensed taxicab, and
      5. e. any vehicle owned by a licensed used motor vehicle dealer.
   4. 4. Any person who knowingly issues or promulgates false or fraudulent information in connection with either an owner's or operator's security verification form or an equivalent form which has been issued by the Department of Public Safety shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be subject to a fine not exceeding Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
3. C. Each motor license agent is authorized to charge a fee of One Dollar and fifty cents ($1.50) to each person to whom said agent issues a certificate of registration and who is required to surrender proof of financial responsibility pursuant to the provisions of Sections 47-7-600 through 47-7-610 of this title. Said fee may be retained by the agent as compensation for his services in processing the proof of financial responsibility and for processing the driver's license information, insurance verification information, and other additional information furnished to the agent pursuant to Section 1112 of this title, if such agent does not receive the maximum compensation as authorized by law.

Laws 1976, SB 269, c. 176, § 2, eff. December 11, 1976; Amended by Laws 1980, HB 1746, c. 235, § 8, eff. January 1, 1981; Amended by Laws 1982, HB 1759, c. 355, § 6, emerg. eff. July 1, 1982; Amended by Laws 1983, HB 1406, c. 49, § 1; Amended by Laws 1990, HB 2155, c. 298, § 1.