Section 50-1501.01 - DefinitionsAs used in this subchapter:
(1) The term "motor vehicle" means any vehicle propelled by internal-combustion engine, electricity, or steam. The term "motor vehicle" shall not include a traction engine, road roller, vehicle propelled only upon rails or tracks, personal mobility devices, as the term is defined in section 2(13) of the District of Columbia Traffic Act, 1925, approved March 3, 1925 (43 Stat. 1119; D.C. Official Code § 50-2201.02(13) ), electric mobility devices, as the term is defined in section 2(6A) of the District of Columbia Traffic Act, 1925 approved March 3, 1925 (43 Stat. 1119; D.C. Official Code § 50-2201.02(6A) ), motorized bicycles, as the term is defined in section 2(11A) of the District of Columbia Traffic Act, 1925, approved March 3, 1925 (43 Stat. 1119; D.C. Official Code § 50-2201.02(11A) ), or a battery-operated wheelchair when operated by a person with a disability.(2) The term "person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, or association.(3) The term "owner" means a person who holds the legal title to a motor vehicle or trailer the registration of which is required in the District of Columbia. If a vehicle is the subject of an agreement for the conditional sale or lease thereof with the right of purchase upon performance of the condition stated in the agreement and with an immediate right of possession vested in the conditional vendee or lessee, or if a mortgagor of a vehicle is entitled to possession, then such conditional vendee or lessee or mortgagor shall be deemed the owner for the purpose of these regulations.(4) The term "Director" means the Director of the Department of Transportation of the District of Columbia, including assistants or agents duly designated by the Mayor.(5) The term "dealer" means any person engaged in the business of manufacturing, distributing, or dealing in motor vehicles or trailers.(6) The term "public highway" means any road, street, alley, or way, open to use of the public, as a matter of right, for purposes of vehicular traffic.(7) The term "trailer" means a vehicle without motor power intended or used for carrying property or persons and drawn or intended to be drawn by a motor vehicle, whether such vehicle without motor power carries the weight of the property or persons wholly on its own structure or whether a part of such weight rests upon or is carried by a motor vehicle.(8) The term "farm tractor" means a motor vehicle designed and used primarily for drawing implements of agricultural husbandry.(9) The term "pneumatic tire" means a tire inflated with compressed air.(10) The terms "operate" and "operated" shall include operating, moving, standing, or parking any motor vehicle or trailer on a public highway of the District of Columbia.(10A) The term "class F(I) historic motor vehicle" means any motor vehicle whose manufacturer's model year is at least 25 years old or any motor vehicle which is at least 15 years old and is a make of motor vehicle no longer manufactured; provided, that the motor vehicle has been or is being restored, preserved, or maintained as an exhibition or collector's item because of its special historical value or significance, has not been substantially altered or modified from the manufacturer's original specifications and is used on the public highways for the transportation of passengers or property for occasional pleasure driving or in conjunction with exhibitions, expositions, parades, tours, club activities, or similar activities or events, including transportation directly to or from such activities or events, not exceeding a total driving mileage under all conditions of 1,000 miles annually, but in no event used for general transportation. Motor vehicles which are less than 25 years old but which are 15 or more years old and which qualify as historic motor vehicles shall include the following makes, which are no longer manufactured: Kaiser, Hudson, DeSoto, Nash, Edsel, Studebaker and Packard.(11) The term "class F(II) historic motor vehicle" means any motor vehicle whose manufacturer's model year is at least 25 years old or any motor which is at least 15 years old and is a make of motor vehicle no longer manufactured; provided, that the motor vehicle has been or is being restored, preserved or maintained as an exhibition or collector's item because of its special historical value or significance, has not been substantially altered or modified from the manufacturer's original specifications and is used on the public highways for the transportation of passengers or property in conjunction with exhibitions, expositions, parades, tours, club activities, or similar activities or events, including transportation directly to or from such activities or events, but in no event used for general transportation. Motor vehicles which are less than 25 years old but which are 15 or more years old and which qualify as historic motor vehicles shall include but not be limited to the following makes which are no longer manufactured: Kaiser, Hudson, DeSoto, Nash, Edsel, Studebaker and Packard.(12) "Electric vehicle" shall have the same meaning as provided in section 3(4) of the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1976, approved September 17, 1976 (90 Stat. 1261; 15 U.S.C. § 2502(4) ).Amended by D.C. Law 23-234,§ 2, 68 DCR 003656, eff. 3/16/2021.Amended by D.C. Law 23-203,§ 206, 68 DCR 003417, eff. 3/16/2021.Aug. 17, 1937, 50 Stat. 679, ch. 690, title IV, § 1; Sept. 8, 1950, 64 Stat. 791, ch. 921, §§ 1, 2; Feb. 25, 1978, D.C. Law 2-41, § 2, 24 DCR 3629; Mar. 15, 1985, D.C. Law 5-176, § 11, 32 DCR 748; Mar. 26, 1999, D.C. Law 12-184, § 3(a), 45 DCR 7796; Mar. 25, 2003, D.C. Law 14-235, § 7, 49 DCR 9788; Mar. 13, 2004, D.C. Law 15-105, § 90(a), 51 DCR 881; Mar. 6, 2007, D.C. Law 16-224, § 206, 53 DCR 10225; Mar. 20, 2009, D.C. Law 17-315, § 2(a), 56 DCR 203; Mar. 19, 2013, D.C. Law 19-252, § 102(a), 59 DCR 14932; Apr. 27, 2013, D.C. Law 19-290, § 6(a), 60 DCR 2343.Department of Vehicles and Traffic abolished: See Historical and Statutory Notes following § 50-2201.03.
Section 301 of D.C. Law 19-252 provided that the Mayor shall issue rules to implement the provisions of the act within 180 days of its effective date [Mar. 19, 2013].
Alternative fuels technology, "motor vehicle" defined, see § 50-702. Department of Transportation, powers and duties, see § 50-703. Taxation of personal property, exemption for motor vehicles and trailers, see § 47-1508.