-
Current through October 23, 2012
As used in this chapter:
(1) The term "Mayor" means the Mayor of the District, or his designated agent.
(2) The term "District" means the District of Columbia.
(3) The term "license" means any operator's permit or any other license or permit to operate a motor vehicle issued under the laws of the District, including:
(A) Any temporary or learner's permit;
(B) The privilege of any person to drive a motor vehicle whether or not such person holds a valid license; and
(C) Any nonresident's operating privilege.
(4) The term "nonresident" means every person who is not a resident of the District.
(5) The term "nonresident's operating privilege" means the privilege conferred upon a nonresident by the laws of the District relating to the operation by such person of a motor vehicle, or the use of a vehicle owned by such person, in the District.
(6) The term "police officer" means an officer or member of the Metropolitan Police force, the United States Park Police force, or the Capitol Police force, or any other person actually and officially engaged in the performance of police duties in connection with guarding the property of the United States or of the District.
(7) The term "specimen" means that quantity of a person's blood, urine, or breath necessary to conduct a chemical test to determine blood-alcohol content or the blood-drug content.
(8) The term "motor vehicle" means all vehicles propelled by internal combustion engines, electricity, or steam. The term "motor vehicle" shall not include personal mobility devices, as defined by § 50-2201.02(12), or a battery-operated wheelchair when operated by a person with a disability.
(9) The term "chemical test" means a test which measures or relates to the properties or actions of chemicals.
(Oct. 21, 1972, 86 Stat. 1016, Pub. L. 92-519, § 1; Sept. 14, 1982, D.C. Law 4-145, § 4(a), 29 DCR 3138; Mar. 15, 1985, D.C. Law 5-176, § 5, 32 DCR 748; May 5, 1992, D.C. Law 9-96, § 3(a), 38 DCR 7274; Mar. 25, 2003, D.C. Law 14-235, § 9, 49 DCR 9788; Mar. 13, 2004, D.C. Law 15-105, § 90(a), 51 DCR 881; Mar. 6, 2007, D.C. Law 16-224, § 208, 53 DCR 10225.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 40-501.
1973 Ed., § 40-1001.
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 14-235 rewrote par. (8) which had read as follows:
"(8) The term 'motor vehicle' means all vehicles propelled by internal-combustion engines, electricity, or steam. The term 'motor vehicle' shall not include battery-operated wheelchairs when operated by a handicapped person at speeds not exceeding 10 miles per hour."
D.C. Law 15-105, in par. (8), validated a previously made technical correction.
D.C. Law 16-224, in par. (8), revived the provisions of D.C. Law 14-235 that expired on October 1, 2005, and substituted "personal mobility devices, as defined by § 50-2201.02(12), or a battery-operated wheelchair when operated by a person with a disability" for "electric personal assistive mobility devices, as defined by § 50-2201.02(12), and battery-operated wheelchairs when operated by a handicapped person at speeds not exceeding 10 miles per hour".
D.C. Law 16-305, in par. (8), purported to substitute "person with a disability" for "handicapped person".
Temporary Amendments of Section
For temporary (225 day) amendment of section, see § 9 of Motor Vehicle Definition Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device Exemption Temporary Amendment Act of 2006 (D.C. Law 16-85, April 4, 2006, law notification 53 DCR 3344).
Emergency Act Amendments
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 9 of Motor Vehicle Definition Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device Exemption Emergency Amendment Act of 2005 (D.C. Act 16-237, December 22, 2005, 53 DCR 249).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 9 of Motor Vehicle Definition Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device Exemption Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2006 (D.C. Act 16-323, March 23, 2006, 53 DCR 2567).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 208 of Personal Mobility Device Emergency Amendment Act of 2006 (D.C. Act 16-528, December 4, 2006, 53 DCR 9826).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 101(c)(1) of Comprehensive Impaired Driving and Alcohol Testing Program Emergency Amendment Act of 2012 (D.C. Act 19-429, July 30, 2012, 59 DCR 9387).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 101(c)(1) of Comprehensive Impaired Driving and Alcohol Testing Program Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2012 (D.C. Act 19-508, October 26, 2012, 59 DCR 12774).
Legislative History of Laws
Law 4-145 was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 4-389, which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Environmental Affairs. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on June 8, 1982, and June 22, 1982, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on July 12, 1982, it was assigned Act No. 4-213 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review.
Law 5-176 was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 5-382, which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Environmental Affairs. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on December 4, 1984, and December 18, 1984, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on January 11, 1985, it was assigned Act No. 5-241 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review.
Law 9-96, the "Comprehensive Anti-Drunk Driving Amendment Act of 1991," was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 9-34, which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on October 1, 1991, and November 5, 1991, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on November 25, 1991, it was assigned Act No. 9-98 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review.
For Law 14-235, see notes following § 50-601.
For Law 15-105, see notes following § 50-203.
For Law 16-224, see notes following § 50-601.
For Law 16-305, see notes following § 50-101.
Change in Government
This section originated at a time when local government powers were delegated to the District of Columbia Council and to a Commissioner of the District of Columbia. The District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act, 87 Stat. 818, § 711 (D.C. Code, § 1-207.11), abolished the District of Columbia Council and the Office of Commissioner of the District of Columbia. These branches of government were replaced by the Council of the District of Columbia and the Office of Mayor of the District of Columbia, respectively. Accordingly, and also pursuant to § 714(a) of such Act (D.C. Code, § 1-207.14(a)), appropriate changes in terminology were made in this section.
Miscellaneous Notes
Expiration of Law 14-235: Section 14 of D.C. Law 14-235 provided that the act shall expire on October 1, 2005.
