72-9-102. Definitions.

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A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Effective 5/6/2026

As used in this chapter:

(a)"Commercial vehicle" includes:

(i)an interstate commercial vehicle;

(ii)an intrastate commercial vehicle; and

(iii)a tow truck.

(b)"Commercial vehicle" does not include the following vehicles for purposes of this chapter:

(i)equipment owned and operated by the United States Department of Defense when driven by any active duty military personnel and members of the reserves and national guard on active duty including personnel on full-time national guard duty, personnel on part-time training, and national guard military technicians and civilians who are required to wear military uniforms and are subject to the code of military justice;

(ii)firefighting and emergency vehicles, operated by emergency personnel, not including commercial tow trucks;

(iii)recreational vehicles that are driven solely as family or personal conveyances for noncommercial purposes; or

(iv)vehicles owned by the state or a local government.

(2)"Interstate commercial vehicle" means a self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property if the vehicle:

(a)has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 10,001 or more pounds, or gross combination weight rating or gross combination weight of 10,001 or more pounds, whichever is greater;

(b)is designed or used to transport more than eight passengers, including the driver, for compensation;

(c)is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation; or

(i)is used to transport materials designated as hazardous in accordance with 49 U.S.C. Sec. 5103; and

(ii)is required to be placarded in accordance with regulations under 49 C.F.R., Subtitle B, Chapter I, Subchapter C.

(3)"Intrastate commercial vehicle" means a motor vehicle, vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer used or maintained for business, compensation, or profit to transport passengers or property on a highway only within the boundaries of this state if the commercial vehicle:

(i)has a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight, or gross combination weight rating or gross combination weight of 26,001 or more pounds, whichever is greater, and is operated by an individual who is 18 years old or older; or

(ii)has a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 16,001 or more pounds and is operated by an individual who is under 18 years old;

(i)is designed to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver; or

(ii)is designed to transport more than 12 passengers, including the driver, and has a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 13,000 or more pounds; or

(c)is used in the transportation of hazardous materials and is required to be placarded in accordance with 49 C.F.R. Part 172, Subpart F.

(4)"Motor carrier" means a person engaged in or transacting the business of transporting passengers, freight, merchandise, or other property by a commercial vehicle on a highway within this state and includes a tow truck business.

(5)"Owner" as pertaining to a vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor, means the same as that term is defined in Section 41-1a-102 .

(6)"Property owner" means the owner or lessee of real property.

(7)"State impound yard" means the same as that term is defined in Section 41-1a-102 .

(8)"Tow truck" means a motor vehicle constructed, designed, altered, or equipped primarily for the purpose of towing or removing damaged, disabled, abandoned, seized, or impounded vehicles from a highway or other place by means of a crane, hoist, tow bar, tow line, dolly, tilt bed, or other means.

(9)"Tow truck motor carrier" means a motor carrier that is engaged in or transacting business for tow truck services.

(10)"Tow truck operator" means an individual that performs operations related to a tow truck service as an employee or as an independent contractor on behalf of a tow truck motor carrier.

(11)"Tow truck service" means the functions and any ancillary operations associated with recovering, removing, and towing a vehicle and its load from a highway or other place by means of a tow truck.

(12)"Towing entity" means:

(a)a political subdivision of this state;

(b)a state agency;

(c)an interlocal agency created under Title 11, Chapter 13, Interlocal Cooperation Act; or

(d)a special service district created under Title 17D, Chapter 1, Special Service District Act.

(13)"Transportation" means the actual movement of property or passengers by motor vehicle, including loading, unloading, and any ancillary service provided by the motor carrier in connection with movement by motor vehicle, which is performed by or on behalf of the motor carrier, its employees or agents, or under the authority of the motor carrier, its employees or agents, or under the apparent authority and with the knowledge of the motor carrier.

Amended by Chapter 432 , 2026 General Session