Exemption from inspection requirement for late model vehicles

(a) As used in this section: the following terms shall have the following meanings: (1) "Anniversary date" means January 1, 2003 and each January first thereafter, as provided in Section14-164c of the Connecticut General Statutes; (2) "Inspection Fleet" means all motor vehicles that are subject to the periodic inspection and compliance or waiver requirements established in accordance with Section 14-164c of the Connecticut General Statutes; (3) "Model year" means the manufacturer's model year designation of a motor vehicle that appears within the vehicle identification number that is assigned and affixed in accordance with 49 CFR Part 565; (4) "Rolling exemption" means the determination by the commissioner of the class of motor vehicles exempt from periodic inspection and compliance or waiver requirements. The members of the class belong to the four (4) most recent model years, such that, on July 1, 2002, the class shall be comprised of all motor vehicles with model year designations of 2003, 2002, 2001, and 2000 and, on and after the first anniversary date, such designations shall be 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001, with the oldest model year being excluded and the newest model year included on each subsequent anniversary date. (b) On and after July 1, 2002, the commissioner shall exempt from periodic inspection and compliance or waiver requirements established in accordance with Section 14-164c of the Connecticut General Statutes, each motor vehicle that is four (4) or less model years of age, beginning with model years 2003, 2002, 2001 and 2000. The model year designations of motor vehicles four (4) or less model years of age shall be adjusted each year on the anniversary date. The exemption provided by this section shall be a rolling exemption, wherein each new model year that is added shall replace the oldest model year. Motor vehicles of such oldest model year shall, on and after each anniversary date, be added to the inspection fleet and, unless otherwise exempt in accordance with the provisions of subdivisions (1) to (12), inclusive, of subsection (c) of section 14-164c of the Connecticut General Statutes, become subject to the periodic inspection and compliance or waiver requirement. (c) The exemption provided in this regulation shall lapse upon a finding by the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency or by the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation that such exemption causes the state to violate applicable federal environmental or transportation planning requirements. In such event, the commissioner shall mail or cause to be mailed a notice to the registered owner of each motor vehicle that has been exempt. The notice shall inform such owner of the addition of such owner's motor vehicle to the inspection fleet, the requirements to submit to inspection in accordance with a schedule prescribed by the commissioner, and such other information as the commissioner deems necessary to enable the owner to comply with the provisions of section 14-164c of the Connecticut General Statutes.