A. Definition: As used in this section, the term "security verification form" shall mean a form, approved by the Insurance Commissioner, verifying the existence of security required by the compulsory insurance law of the State.
B. Production Of Security Verification Form:
1. Any owner or operator of a motor vehicle, while operating or using such vehicle or allowing such vehicle to be operated or used, who shall fail to produce for inspection a valid and current security verification form or equivalent form, issued by the State Department of Public Safety in which the vehicle is registered, reflecting liability coverage, upon request of any police officer or upon the request of any person involved in any collision with said owner or operator, shall be guilty of an offense, and shall be subject to suspension of license and registration. If the state of registration does not require security verification, the owner or operator shall produce for inspection a valid and current security verification form or equivalent form, reflecting coverage that meets or exceeds the coverage required under Oklahoma law.
2. Any person producing proof to the court that liability coverage for the driver was in force at the time of the alleged offense shall be entitled to dismissal of the charge. If proof of security verification is presented to the court no later than the business day preceding the first scheduled court appearance, the dismissal shall be without payment of court costs.
3. Upon conviction, bond forfeiture or deferral of sentence, the Court Clerk shall forward an abstract to the State Department of Public Safety within five (5) days reflecting the action taken by the court.
C. Exemptions: The following shall not be required to carry an owner's or operator's security verification form or an equivalent form from the state department of public safety during operation of the vehicle:
1. Any vehicle owned or leased by the federal or state government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
2. Any vehicle bearing the name, symbol or logo of a business, corporation or utility on the exterior and which is in compliance with the provisions of Oklahoma's compulsory insurance law according to records of the corporation commission which reflect a deposit or fleet policy.
3. Fleet vehicles maintaining current vehicle liability insurance as required by the corporation commission or any other regulating entity.
4. Any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of operating a taxicab or taxicabs shall be exempt if the person, firm or corporation has complied with the provisions of 47 Oklahoma Statutes section 8-104 and as long as the taxicab business is properly registered in the city and has provided proof of financial responsibility during the registration process.
5. Any vehicle owned by a licensed used motor vehicle dealer.
D. Seizure And Towing Of Vehicles:
1. Upon issuing a citation under this section, the law enforcement officer issuing the citation may seize the vehicle and cause it to be towed and stored if the officer has probable cause to believe that the vehicle is not insured as required.
2. If the operator produces what appears to be a valid security verification form and the officer is unable to confirm compliance through the online verification system or noncompliance by a subsequent investigation, the officer shall be prohibited from seizing the vehicle.
3. No vehicle shall be seized and towed under this provision if the vehicle is displaying a temporary license plate that has not expired.
E. Penalty: A violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) plus costs, or imprisonment for not more than thirty (30) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. (Ord. 2015-46, 12-1-2015)
Notes
| 1 | 3. 11 OS § 22-117.1; 47 OS § 7-601 et seq. |