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House approves changes to vehicle registration notices and two-year option for some vehicles
Summary
The House passed second-substitute HB 514 to let registrants receive both email and postcard notices (with options around default) and to allow optional two‑year registrations for certain vehicles; the bill passed and will go to the Senate.
The Utah House on Feb. 27 approved second-substitute House Bill 514, which changes how the Division of Motor Vehicles sends registration reminders and allows an optional two-year registration period for certain vehicles.
Sponsor Representative DeFe said the bill arose from a personal experience at the DMV and subsequent discussions with the commission; it would permit registrants to receive both an email and a postcard reminder and would make two-year registrations available for electric vehicles and other vehicles that do not require emissions testing (trailers, off-highway vehicles), with the full fee paid up front.
Floor debate focused on whether the default should be email or postcard. Representative Chu offered a second substitute that would make postcard reminders the default for the first reminder unless a registrant opted out; proponents argued older and rural residents relied on postcards and that a previous similar change had caused enforcement and revenue problems. Representative DeFe said the DMV had expressed concern about postcard default costs and left the choice to the will of the body. Representatives recounted prior problems when postcards were discontinued and noted that the two-year registration is optional and would include a refund provision coordinated with another bill for early sale of vehicles.
Representative Chu's substitute was adopted and the House recorded 73 yes votes, 0 no; the measure was transmitted to the Senate for its consideration.
