Except as provided in § 32-9-3, the term, motor carrier, when used in this chapter means any person, copartnership, corporation, or limited liability company owning, controlling, operating, or maintaining a commercial vehicle.

Source: SDC 1939, § 44.0422; SL 1943, ch 160 ; SL 1953, ch 238 ; SL 1957, ch 230 ; SL 1977, ch 249 , § 18; SL 2014, ch 139 , § 10.