Connecticut State Department of Revenue Services

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PS 92(7)

Wrecker Operators as Motor Carriers

This publication has been superseded by PS 92(7.1)

PURPOSE: This Policy Statement describes the circumstances under which a person operating, or causing to be operated a wrecker is a motor carrier and, accordingly, is required to affix motor carrier road tax identification marker to the wrecker.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Conn. Gen. Stat. §12-478(a) and Conn. Agencies Regs. §12-478-6

"MOTOR CARRIER" INCLUDES any person who operates or causes to be operated any truck, as defined in Conn. Gen. Stat. §14-1, having

  • a registered gross vehicle weight, as defined in Conn. Agencies Regs. §12-478-6, over 18,000 pounds, or
  • a light weight, as defined in Conn. Gen. Stat. §14-1, over 7,500 pounds.

"TRUCK":  A truck, as defined in Conn. Gen. Stat. §14-1, is "a motor vehicle designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.

"WRECKER":  A wrecker, as defined in Conn. Gen. Stat. §14-1, is a "vehicle which is registered, designed, equipped and used exclusively for the purposes of towing or transporting wrecked or disabled motor vehicles for compensation."

CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH PERSON OPERATING A WRECKER IS A MOTOR CARRIER: Where a wrecker is designed and equipped to transport -- rather than to tow -- wrecked or disabled vehicles, the wrecker is a truck.  If the wrecker's registered gross vehicle weight is over 18,000 pounds or its light weight is over 7,500 pounds, the person operating or causing to be operated such a wrecker is a motor carrier.

CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH PERSON OPERATING A WRECKER IS NOT A MOTOR CARRIER: Where a wrecker is designed to tow -- but not to transport -- wrecked or disabled vehicles, the wrecker is not a truck.  The person operating or causing to be operated such a wrecker is not a motor carrier. 

PS 92(7)
Motor carrier road tax
Issued: 8/13/92