1. (1) A peace officer may stop, inspect, and test a vehicle at any time upon reasonable cause to believe that:

   1. (a) a vehicle is unsafe or not equipped as required by law;
   2. (b) the vehicle's equipment is not in proper adjustment or repair; or
   3. (c) the vehicle has been in an accident and a post accident investigation is necessary.

2. (2)

   1. (a)

      1. (i) If a vehicle is found to be in unsafe condition or any required part or equipment is not present or is not in proper repair and adjustment, the officer may give a written notice to the driver and shall send a copy to the division.

      2. (ii) The notice shall:

         1. (A) require that the vehicle be placed in safe condition and the vehicle's equipment in proper repair and adjustment;
         2. (B) specify the repairs and adjustments needed; and
         3. (C) require that a safety inspection certificate be obtained within 14 days.

   2. (b) If a vehicle is, in the reasonable judgment of the peace officer, hazardous to operate, the peace officer may require that the vehicle:

      1. (i) not be operated under its own power; or
      2. (ii) be driven to the nearest garage or other place of safety.

   3. (c)

      1. (i) If the owner or driver does not comply with the notice requirements and secure a safety inspection certificate within 14 days, the vehicle may not be operated on the highways of this state.
      2. (ii) A violation of Subsection (2)(c)(i) is an infraction.

3. (3) An owner or driver of a vehicle is not guilty of an infraction and is not required to pay a fee or fine if the citation was issued for:

   1. (a) expired registration in violation of Section 41-1a-201 or 41-1a-1303, and:

      1. (i) the citation was issued within two months after the expiration of the vehicle's registration; and
      2. (ii) the owner or driver registers the vehicle within 14 days after the citation was issued; or
   2. (b) a violation of Section 41-1a-205, 41-6a-1601, or 53-8-205 or any other equipment related infraction under Title 41, Chapter 6a, Part 16, Vehicle Equipment, and the owner or driver obtains a safety inspection, emissions inspection, or proof of repair, as applicable, within 14 days after the citation was issued.

Amended by Chapter 345, 2020 General Session