Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252 – Definitions
Terms Used In Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Affirmed: In the practice of the appellate courts, the decree or order is declared valid and will stand as rendered in the lower court.
- All-terrain vehicle: shall mean any vehicle manufactured for off-road use and issued a manufacturer's statement or certificate of origin, as required by the commission, that cannot be issued a registration certificate and license to operate on the public roads of this state because, at the time of manufacture, the vehicle does not meet the safety requirements prescribed by Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
- Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
- area of responsibility: shall mean the licensee's area of principal sales and service responsibility as specified by the franchise in effect with any licensee of the commission. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Bankruptcy: Refers to statutes and judicial proceedings involving persons or businesses that cannot pay their debts and seek the assistance of the court in getting a fresh start. Under the protection of the bankruptcy court, debtors may discharge their debts, perhaps by paying a portion of each debt. Bankruptcy judges preside over these proceedings.
- Boat: means a component of a marine product that is not equipped with an outboard or inboard/outboard motor attached thereto. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Boat package: means a boat that is equipped from its manufacturer or distributor with an inboard, outboard, or inboard/outboard motor or engine attached thereto, installed thereon, or shipped or invoiced together as a package. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Commission: means the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission created by this Chapter or its designee. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Dealer: means any person licensed to sell a motor vehicle, specialty vehicle, or recreational product subject to regulation by this Chapter. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Dealer-operator: shall mean the natural person designated in the franchise as the operator of a motor vehicle dealership. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Distributor branch: means a branch office maintained by a person, resident or nonresident, who in whole or in part sells or distributes motor vehicles or recreational products to motor vehicle or recreational products dealers, or for directing or supervising, in whole or in part, its representatives. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Established place or established place of business: shall mean a permanently enclosed building or structure either owned, leased, or rented, which meets local zoning or municipal requirements, and regularly occupied by a person, easily accessible to the public at which the regular business of a licensee will be carried on in good faith, and, at which place of business shall be kept and maintained the books, records, and files necessary to conduct the business; and shall not mean residences, tents, temporary stands, lots, or any temporary quarters. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Factory branch: means a branch office maintained by a person who fabricates, manufactures, or assembles motor vehicles or recreational products, for the sale of motor vehicles or recreational products to distributors, or for the sale of motor vehicles or recreational products to motor vehicle or recreational products dealers, or for directing or supervising, in whole or in part, its representatives. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Franchise: means any written contract or selling agreement between a motor vehicle or recreational products dealer, a motor vehicle lessor, or a specialty vehicle dealer and a manufacturer, motor vehicle lessor franchisor, or converter of a new motor vehicle or specialty vehicle or its distributor or factory branch by which the motor vehicle or recreational products dealer, motor vehicle lessor, or specialty vehicle dealer is authorized to engage in the business of selling or leasing the specific makes, models, or classifications of new motor vehicles, recreational products, or specialty vehicles marketed or leased by the manufacturer, motor vehicle lessor franchisor, or converter and designated in the franchise agreement or any addendum thereto. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Intestate: Dying without leaving a will.
- Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
- Lease facilitator: means a person, other than a motor vehicle or recreational products dealer or a bona fide employee of a motor vehicle or recreational products dealer, or a motor vehicle lessor or a bona fide employee of a motor vehicle lessor, who engages in one or both of the following activities:
(a) Holds himself out to any person as a "motor vehicle leasing company" or "motor vehicle leasing agent" or uses a similar title, for the purpose of soliciting or procuring a person to enter into a contract or agreement to become the lessee of a motor vehicle or recreational product that is not, and will not be, titled in the name of and registered to the lease facilitator. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Licensee: means any person who is required to be licensed by the commission pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Manufacturer: means any person, resident or nonresident, who fabricates, manufactures, or assembles motor vehicles, recreational products, or new, remanufactured, reconditioned, or rebuilt motor vehicle or marine motors. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Marine dealer: means any person who holds a bona fide contract or franchise with a manufacturer or distributor of marine products, except for either of the following:
(a) A person engaged in the business of renting or selling new or used watercraft or boats adapted to be powered only by an occupant's energy and who holds a license as a recreational products dealer pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Marine product: means a new or used watercraft, boat, marine motor, and a boat or watercraft trailer. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Marine product salesman: means any natural person employed by a licensee of the commission whose duties include the selling, leasing, or offering for sale or lease, financing or insuring marine products on behalf of the licensee and who holds a motor vehicle salesman license under the provisions of this Chapter. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Mortgage: The written agreement pledging property to a creditor as collateral for a loan.
- Motor vehicle: means any motor driven car, van, or truck required to be registered which is used, or is designed to be used, for the transporting of passengers or goods for public, private, commercial, or for hire purposes. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Motor vehicle dealer: means any person, not excluded by Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph who holds a bona fide franchise in effect with a manufacturer or distributor of new motor vehicles, and a license under the provisions of this Chapter or a subsidiary of any such entity. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Motor vehicle lessor: shall mean any person, not excluded by Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph, engaged in the motor vehicle, recreational products, or specialty vehicle leasing or rental business. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Motor vehicle lessor franchisor: means any person who grants a franchise to any person granting the right to lease or rent a motor vehicle, recreational product, or specialty vehicle under its trade name, trademark, or service mark or to sell used motor vehicles, recreational products, or specialty vehicles formerly a part of its rental fleet. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Motor vehicle salesman: means any natural person employed by a licensee of the commission whose duties include the selling, leasing, or offering for sale or lease, financing or insuring motor vehicles, recreational products, or specialty vehicles on behalf of said licensee. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Motorcycle: means a motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground but excluding a tractor, electric-assisted bicycle, and electric-powered scooters not required to be registered. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle salesman: means any natural person employed by a licensee of the commission whose duties include the selling, leasing, or offering for sale or lease, financing or insuring motorcycle or all-terrain vehicles on behalf of said licensee and who holds a motor vehicle salesman license under the provisions of this Chapter. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
- Person: shall mean any natural or juridical person, firm, association, corporation, trust, partnership, limited liability partnership, professional liability corporation, or limited liability company or any other legal entity. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Recreational products: means new and unused motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, marine products, recreational vehicles, and trailers as defined in this Chapter. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Recreational products dealer: means any person who, for a commission or with intent to make a profit or gain of money or other thing of value, buys, sells, brokers, exchanges, auctions, offers, or attempts to negotiate a sale or exchange of an interest in recreational products and who is engaged wholly or in part in the business of buying and selling recreational products in the state of Louisiana. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- recreational vehicle: includes new and used motor homes, new and used travel trailers, new and used fifth-wheel travel trailers, new and used folding camper trailers, and slide-in truck campers. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Recreational vehicle salesman: means any natural person employed by a licensee of the commission whose duties include the selling, leasing, or offering for sale or lease, financing or insuring recreational vehicles on behalf of said licensee and who holds a motor vehicle salesman license under the provisions of this Chapter. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Selling agreement: means any written contract or agreement between a marine dealer and a manufacturer, or its distributor or factory branch, by which the marine dealer is authorized to engage in the business of selling or leasing the specific makes, models, or classifications of marine products marketed or leased by the manufacturer, and designated in the selling agreement or any addendum thereto. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Specialty vehicle: means a motor vehicle manufactured by a second stage manufacturer by purchasing motor vehicle components, including frames and drive trains, and completing the manufacture of finished motor vehicles for the purpose of resale, with the primary manufacturer warranty unimpaired, to a limited commercial market rather than the consuming public. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Specialty vehicle dealer: means any person who holds a bona fide franchise in effect with a converter or second stage manufacturer of specialty vehicles and a license under the provisions of this Chapter or a subsidiary of any such entity. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Subsidiary: shall mean any person engaged in the selling or leasing of motor vehicles, recreational products, or specialty vehicles, in which a majority of the ownership interests of such entity is owned by a holder of a license issued by the commission. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Tow dolly: means a trailer equipped with one or more axles designed to connect to a tow bar on the rear of a motor vehicle that is used to tow another vehicle and is not a type of towable equipment as defined in this Chapter. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Towable equipment: means equipment that is permanently affixed to or integrated upon a trailer intended for use when the trailer is not traveling on a road and where its capability for road travel or transport of other property is incidental or secondary to the primary operational purpose of the equipment including but not limited to towable signage, message boards, generators, lighting tower masts, speed monitoring and traffic cameras, air compressors, water pumps, crash attenuators, or road maintenance equipment such as a pothole patcher or a chipper brush. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Trailer: means every single vehicle without motive power designed for carrying property or passengers wholly on its own structure, drawn by a motor vehicle which carries no part of the weight and load of the trailer on its own wheels and having one or more load carrying axles including but not limited to utility trailers, boat trailers, recreational trailers, semitrailers, livestock trailers, tow dollies and dump trailers, and excluding towable equipment as defined in this Chapter. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Trolling motor: means any self-contained unit composed of an electric motor, propeller, and controls that may be affixed to a boat and that acts as a source, but not typically the primary source, of propulsion for the boat. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.
- Ultimate purchaser: means , with respect to any new motor vehicle, recreational product, or specialty vehicle, the first person, other than a dealer purchasing in his capacity as a dealer, who in good faith purchases such new motor vehicles, recreational products, or specialty vehicles for purposes other than resale. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Used marine dealer: means any person whose business is to sell, or offer for sale, display, or advertise used marine products, or any person who holds a license from the commission and is not excluded by Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Used marine product: means a marine product, the legal title of which has been transferred by a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer to an ultimate purchaser. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Used marine product facility: means any facility which is owned and operated by a licensee of the commission and offers for sale used marine products. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Used motor vehicle: means a motor vehicle, recreational product, or specialty vehicle, the legal title of which has been transferred by a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer to an ultimate purchaser. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Used motor vehicle dealer: means any person whose business is to sell, or offer for sale, display, or advertise used motor vehicles, recreational products, or specialty vehicles, or any person who holds a license from the commission and is not excluded by Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Used motor vehicle facility: means any facility which is owned and operated by a licensee of the commission and offers for sale used motor vehicles, recreational products, or specialty vehicles. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Used motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle: means a motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle, the legal title of which has been transferred by a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer to an ultimate purchaser. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Used motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle dealer: means any person whose business is to sell, or offer for sale, display, or advertise used motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles, or any person who holds a license from the commission and is not excluded by Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Used motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle facility: means any facility which is owned and operated by a licensee of the commission and offers for sale used motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Used recreational vehicle: means a recreational vehicle, the legal title of which has been transferred by a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer to an ultimate purchaser. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Used recreational vehicle dealer: means any person whose business is to sell, or offer for sale, display, or advertise used recreational vehicles, or any person who holds a license from the commission and is not excluded by Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Used recreational vehicle facility: means any facility which is owned and operated by a licensee of the commission and offers for sale used recreational vehicles. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Vehicle: means any motor vehicle, specialty vehicle, or recreational product subject to regulation by this Chapter. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Watercraft: means any contrivance used or designated for navigation on water, including but not limited to a personal watercraft as defined in Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- wholesaler: means any person, resident or nonresident, who in whole or in part sells or distributes vehicles or new, remanufactured, reconditioned, or rebuilt motor vehicle motors to dealers, or who maintains distributor representatives. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
- Wrecker: means any motor vehicle equipped with a boom or booms, winches, slings, tilt beds, or similar equipment designed for towing or recovery of vehicles and other objects which cannot operate under their own power or for some reason must be transported by means of towing. See Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:1252
The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this Chapter, shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this Section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
(1) “All-terrain vehicle” shall mean any vehicle manufactured for off-road use and issued a manufacturer‘s statement or certificate of origin, as required by the commission, that cannot be issued a registration certificate and license to operate on the public roads of this state because, at the time of manufacture, the vehicle does not meet the safety requirements prescribed by La. Rev. Stat. 32:1301 through 1310. This includes vehicles that are issued a title by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, public safety services, such as recreational and sports vehicles, but it shall not include off-road vehicles used for farm purposes, farm equipment, electric-assisted bicycles, or heavy construction equipment.
(2) “Ambulance” means a vehicle used exclusively for providing emergency and nonemergency medical care to an injured or ill person or transporting an injured or ill person, if the vehicle provides all of the following:
(a) A driver’s compartment.
(b) A compartment to accommodate an emergency medical care technician or paramedic and two injured or ill persons so positioned that one of the injured or ill persons can be given intensive life-support during transit.
(c) Equipment and supplies for emergency care of an injured or ill person where the ill person is located or at the scene of an injury-producing incident as well as in transit.
(d) Two-way radio communication capability.
(e) Equipment for light rescue or extrication procedures.
(3) “Boat” means a component of a marine product that is not equipped with an outboard or inboard/outboard motor attached thereto.
(4) “Boat package” means a boat that is equipped from its manufacturer or distributor with an inboard, outboard, or inboard/outboard motor or engine attached thereto, installed thereon, or shipped or invoiced together as a package. The boat package may include a trailer invoiced from the manufacturer of the boat. For the purposes of this Chapter, the boat package brand shall be determined by the brand of the boat.
(5) “Broker” means a person who, for a fee or commission, arranges or offers to arrange a transaction involving the sale, for purposes other than resale, of a new motor vehicle or recreational product, and who is not:
(a) A motor vehicle dealer or recreational products dealer, or bona fide employee of a motor vehicle dealer, when acting on behalf of a motor vehicle or recreational products dealer.
(b) A manufacturer, distributor, convertor, or bona fide employee of a manufacturer, distributor, or convertor, when acting on behalf of a manufacturer, distributor, or convertor.
(c) At any point in the transaction, the bona fide owner of the motor vehicle or recreational product involved in the transaction.
(6) “Commission” means the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission created by this Chapter or its designee.
(7)(a) “Community or territory” or “area of responsibility” shall mean the licensee‘s area of principal sales and service responsibility as specified by the franchise in effect with any licensee of the commission.
(b) The area of responsibility of a licensee shall not be comprised of an area less than the applicable area provided for in Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph, unless approved by the commission pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter, or if, on August 15, 2001, such dealer had an effective contractual agreement for a smaller area of responsibility.
(c) A marine dealer‘s area of responsibility shall mean the marine dealer’s area of principal sales and service responsibility as specified by the contract, franchise, or selling agreement in effect with the manufacturer or distributor. The marine manufacturer or distributor shall designate and provide to the commission in writing the marine dealer’s area of responsibility when the contract is granted or, should there be contracts in existence on August 15, 2004, without such designation, the commission shall require the manufacturer or distributor to designate the area of responsibility. The manufacturer or distributor shall adopt uniform procedures to establish the area of responsibility that is assigned to a marine dealer. The uniform procedures shall include market research information from identified credible industry sources that project product sales of the brand of marine product for which the contract or franchise agreement is granted. In the absence of such designation by the manufacturer or distributor, or in the event that the area of responsibility designated by the manufacturer or distributor is rejected by the commission and such decision by the commission is affirmed on appeal, the marine dealer’s area of responsibility shall mean either of the following:
(i) The area within a fifteen-mile radius of the dealership if the dealership is located in a parish containing a population of three hundred thousand persons or more.
(ii) The area within a thirty-mile radius of the dealership if the dealership is located in a parish containing a population of less than three hundred thousand persons.
(8) “Converter” or “secondary manufacturer” means a person who prior to the retail sale of motor vehicles or trailers, assembles, installs, or affixes a body, cab, or special equipment to a chassis, or who substantially adds, subtracts from, or modifies a previously assembled or manufactured motor vehicle or trailer, but does not include towable equipment as defined in this Chapter.
(9) “Dealer” means any person licensed to sell a motor vehicle, specialty vehicle, or recreational product subject to regulation by this Chapter.
(10) “Dealer-operator” shall mean the natural person designated in the franchise as the operator of a motor vehicle dealership.
(11) “Designated successor” means the spouse, child, grandchild, parent, brother, or sister, of a dealer who, in the case of a deceased dealer, is entitled to inherit the dealer’s ownership interest in the dealership under the terms of the dealer’s will; the spouse, or other person who has otherwise been designated in writing by a deceased dealer to succeed him in the motor vehicle dealership, such designation having been furnished to the manufacturer; or the spouse, or other person who, under the laws of intestate succession of this state is entitled to inherit the interest; or who, in the case of an incapacitated dealer, has been appointed by a court in a proceeding interdicting the dealer as the legal representative of the dealer’s property. The terms shall also include the appointed and qualified personal representative and testamentary trustee of a deceased dealer.
(12) “Distributor” or “wholesaler” means any person, resident or nonresident, who in whole or in part sells or distributes vehicles or new, remanufactured, reconditioned, or rebuilt motor vehicle motors to dealers, or who maintains distributor representatives.
(13) “Distributor branch” means a branch office maintained by a person, resident or nonresident, who in whole or in part sells or distributes motor vehicles or recreational products to motor vehicle or recreational products dealers, or for directing or supervising, in whole or in part, its representatives.
(14) “Distributor representative” means any officer, agent, or employee employed by a distributor, distributor branch, or wholesaler.
(15) “Established place or established place of business” shall mean a permanently enclosed building or structure either owned, leased, or rented, which meets local zoning or municipal requirements, and regularly occupied by a person, easily accessible to the public at which the regular business of a licensee will be carried on in good faith, and, at which place of business shall be kept and maintained the books, records, and files necessary to conduct the business; and shall not mean residences, tents, temporary stands, lots, or any temporary quarters.
(16) “Factory branch” means a branch office maintained by a person who fabricates, manufactures, or assembles motor vehicles or recreational products, for the sale of motor vehicles or recreational products to distributors, or for the sale of motor vehicles or recreational products to motor vehicle or recreational products dealers, or for directing or supervising, in whole or in part, its representatives.
(17) “Factory representative” means any officer, agent, or employee employed by a person who fabricates, manufactures, or assembles motor vehicles or recreational products, or by a factory branch, for the purpose of making or promoting the sale of his, its, or their motor vehicles or recreational products, or for supervising or contacting his, its, or their dealers or prospective dealers.
(18) “Financial institution” means any person organized to engage in the business of banking pursuant to the laws of the United States or Title 6 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950.
(19) “Fire truck” means any one of the following:
(a) A pumper fire apparatus, which is a vehicle equipped with a permanently mounted fire pump of 750 gpm (2850 L/min) rated capacity or greater, a water tank of at least 500 gal (1900 L), and hose body. The primary purpose of this type of apparatus is to combat structural and associated fires.
(b) An initial attack fire apparatus, which is a vehicle equipped with an attack pump of 250 through 700 gpm (950 through 2650 L/min), a water tank, and minimum hose and equipment, that is designed primarily for rapid response and initiating a fire attack on structural, vehicular, or vegetation fires and supporting associated fire department operations.
(c) A mobile water supply fire apparatus, which is a vehicle equipped with a water tank of at least 1000 gal (3800 L) and designed primarily for transporting water to fire emergency scenes to be applied by other vehicles or pumping equipment.
(d) An aerial ladder and elevating platform fire apparatus, which is a vehicle equipped with a permanently mounted, power-operated aerial ladder or with a passenger carrying platform attached to the uppermost boom of a series of telescoping, articulating, or telescoping and articulating booms and designed to provide rescue capability from elevated positions and the positioning of firefighters and elevated master streams for fire suppression tasks.
(20) “Franchise” means any written contract or selling agreement between a motor vehicle or recreational products dealer, a motor vehicle lessor, or a specialty vehicle dealer and a manufacturer, motor vehicle lessor franchisor, or converter of a new motor vehicle or specialty vehicle or its distributor or factory branch by which the motor vehicle or recreational products dealer, motor vehicle lessor, or specialty vehicle dealer is authorized to engage in the business of selling or leasing the specific makes, models, or classifications of new motor vehicles, recreational products, or specialty vehicles marketed or leased by the manufacturer, motor vehicle lessor franchisor, or converter and designated in the franchise agreement or any addendum thereto. For purposes of this Chapter, any written modification, amendment, or addendum to the original franchise agreement, which changes the rights and obligations of the parties to the original franchise agreement, shall constitute a new franchise agreement, effective as of the date of the modification, amendment, or addendum.
(21) “Lease facilitator” means a person, other than a motor vehicle or recreational products dealer or a bona fide employee of a motor vehicle or recreational products dealer, or a motor vehicle lessor or a bona fide employee of a motor vehicle lessor, who engages in one or both of the following activities:
(a) Holds himself out to any person as a “motor vehicle leasing company” or “motor vehicle leasing agent” or uses a similar title, for the purpose of soliciting or procuring a person to enter into a contract or agreement to become the lessee of a motor vehicle or recreational product that is not, and will not be, titled in the name of and registered to the lease facilitator.
(b) Otherwise solicits a person to enter into a contract or agreement to become a lessee of a vehicle that is not, and will not be, titled in the name of and registered to the lease facilitator, or who is otherwise engaged in the business of securing lessees or prospective lessees of motor vehicles or recreational products that are not, and will not be, titled in the name of and registered to the facilitator.
(22) “Licensee” means any person who is required to be licensed by the commission pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter.
(23) “Low-speed vehicle” means a four-wheeled vehicle with a maximum speed of not less than twenty miles per hour but not more than twenty-five miles per hour that possesses the minimum motor vehicle equipment appropriate for vehicle safety as required by 49 C.F.R. § 571.500.
(24) “Manufacturer” means any person, resident or nonresident, who fabricates, manufactures, or assembles motor vehicles, recreational products, or new, remanufactured, reconditioned, or rebuilt motor vehicle or marine motors.
(25) “Marine dealer” means any person who holds a bona fide contract or franchise with a manufacturer or distributor of marine products, except for either of the following:
(a) A person engaged in the business of renting or selling new or used watercraft or boats adapted to be powered only by an occupant’s energy and who holds a license as a recreational products dealer pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter.
(b) A person engaged in the business of renting or selling new or used trolling motors who otherwise would not be required to be licensed as any classification of dealer in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter.
(26) “Marine motor” or “marine engine” means a motor that is a component of a marine product that is sold separately from a boat when delivered to the marine dealer by the distributor or manufacturer. The term shall not include a trolling motor.
(27) “Marine product” means a new or used watercraft, boat, marine motor, and a boat or watercraft trailer. The term also includes an outboard motor or a boat with an inboard/outboard motor attached to it. The term shall not include any of the following:
(a) A watercraft or marine motor if the watercraft or marine motor is used primarily for commercial or government purposes.
(b) A new or used watercraft or boat adapted to be powered only by the occupant’s energy.
(c) A trolling motor.
(28) “Marine product line” means a particular model of a marine product designed for recreational or commercial use on water.
(29) “Marine product salesman” means any natural person employed by a licensee of the commission whose duties include the selling, leasing, or offering for sale or lease, financing or insuring marine products on behalf of the licensee and who holds a motor vehicle salesman license under the provisions of this Chapter.
(30) “Motorcycle” means a motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground but excluding a tractor, electric-assisted bicycle, and electric-powered scooters not required to be registered.
(31)(a) “Motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle dealer” means any person who, for a commission or with intent to make a profit or gain of money or other thing of value, buys, sells, brokers, exchanges, auctions, offers, or attempts to negotiate a sale or exchange of an interest in motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles and who is engaged wholly or in part in the business of buying and selling motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles in the state of Louisiana and who holds a license as a recreational products dealer under the provisions of this Chapter.
(b) The term shall also include anyone not licensed under this Chapter, who sells motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles and who rents on a daily basis motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles, not of the current year or immediate prior year models, that have been titled previously to an ultimate purchaser.
(c) “Motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle dealer” shall not include any of the following:
(i) Receivers, trustees, administrators, executors, guardians, or other persons appointed by or acting under the judgment or order of any court.
(ii) Public officers while performing their official duties.
(iii) Employees of motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle dealers when engaged in the specific performance of their duties as such employees.
(iv) Mortgagees or secured parties as to sales of motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles constituting collateral on a mortgage or security agreement.
(v) Insurance companies.
(vi) Auctioneers or auction houses who are not engaged in the auction of motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles as the principal part of their business, including but not limited to the following auctions: estate auctions, bankruptcy auctions, farm equipment auctions, or government auctions.
(32) “Motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle salesman” means any natural person employed by a licensee of the commission whose duties include the selling, leasing, or offering for sale or lease, financing or insuring motorcycle or all-terrain vehicles on behalf of said licensee and who holds a motor vehicle salesman license under the provisions of this Chapter.
(33) “Motor home” means a motor vehicle designed as an integral unit to be used as a conveyance upon the public streets and highways and for use as a temporary or recreational dwelling and having at least four of the following permanently installed systems which meet American National Standards Institute and National Fire Protection Association standards in effect as of the date of manufacture, two of which shall be systems specified below in Subparagraph (a), (d), or (e) of this Paragraph:
(a) Cooking facilities.
(b) Ice box or mechanical refrigerator.
(c) Potable water supply including plumbing and a sink with faucet either self-contained or with connections for an external source, or both.
(d) Self-contained toilet or a toilet connected to a plumbing system with connection for external water disposal, or both.
(e) Heating or air conditioning system, or both, separate from the vehicle engine or the vehicle engine electrical system.
(f) A one hundred ten/one hundred fifteen volt alternating current electrical system either with its own power supply or with a connection for an external source, or both, or a liquefied petroleum system and supply.
(34) “Motor vehicle” means any motor driven car, van, or truck required to be registered which is used, or is designed to be used, for the transporting of passengers or goods for public, private, commercial, or for hire purposes.
(35)(a) “Motor vehicle dealer” means any person, not excluded by Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph who holds a bona fide franchise in effect with a manufacturer or distributor of new motor vehicles, and a license under the provisions of this Chapter or a subsidiary of any such entity. Such duly franchised and licensed motor vehicle dealers shall be the sole and only persons entitled to sell, publicly solicit, and advertise the sale of new motor vehicles as such.
(b) The term “motor vehicle dealer” does not include any of the following:
(i) Receivers, trustees, administrators, executors, guardians, or other persons appointed by or acting under judgment or order of any court.
(ii) Public officers while performing or in operation of their duties.
(iii) Employees of persons enumerated in Item (i) of this Subparagraph when engaged in the specific performance of their duties as such employees.
(iv) Financial institutions engaged in the sale of motor vehicles for the collection of debts secured thereby.
(36)(a) “Motor vehicle lessor” shall mean any person, not excluded by Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph, engaged in the motor vehicle, recreational products, or specialty vehicle leasing or rental business. It shall also include a subsidiary of any such entity.
(b) The term “motor vehicle lessor” does not include any of the following:
(i) Receivers, trustees, administrators, executors, guardians, or other persons appointed by or acting under judgment or order of any court.
(ii) Public officers while performing or in the operation of their duties.
(iii) Employees of persons, corporations, or associations enumerated in Item (i) of this Subparagraph when engaged in the specific performance of their duties as such employees.
(iv) Financial institutions engaged in the leasing of motor vehicles, recreational products, or specialty vehicles.
(c) Any motor vehicle lessor who rents on a daily basis motor vehicles, recreational products, or specialty vehicles not of the current year or immediate prior year models that have been titled previously to an ultimate purchaser, and who is otherwise not required to obtain a license under this Chapter, shall be subject to the regulation of the Louisiana Used Motor Vehicle Commission.
(37) “Motor vehicle lessor agent” means any natural person, other than a daily rental person, employed by a motor vehicle lessor licensed by the commission whose duties include the leasing, renting or offering for lease or rent motor vehicles, recreational products, or specialty vehicles on behalf of said motor vehicle lessor.
(38) “Motor vehicle lessor franchisor” means any person who grants a franchise to any person granting the right to lease or rent a motor vehicle, recreational product, or specialty vehicle under its trade name, trademark, or service mark or to sell used motor vehicles, recreational products, or specialty vehicles formerly a part of its rental fleet.
(39) “Motor vehicle salesman” means any natural person employed by a licensee of the commission whose duties include the selling, leasing, or offering for sale or lease, financing or insuring motor vehicles, recreational products, or specialty vehicles on behalf of said licensee.
(40) “New marine product” means a marine product, the legal title to which has never been transferred by a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer to an ultimate purchaser.
(41) “New motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle” means a motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle, the legal title to which has never been transferred by a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer to an ultimate purchaser.
(42) “New motor vehicle”, “new recreational product”, or “new specialty vehicle” means a motor vehicle, recreational product, or specialty vehicle, the legal title to which has never been transferred by a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer to an ultimate purchaser.
(43) “New recreational vehicle” means a recreational vehicle, the legal title to which has never been transferred by a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer to an ultimate purchaser.
(44) “Person” shall mean any natural or juridical person, firm, association, corporation, trust, partnership, limited liability partnership, professional liability corporation, or limited liability company or any other legal entity.
(45) “Recreational products” means new and unused motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, marine products, recreational vehicles, and trailers as defined in this Chapter. The term shall not include trolling motors.
(46)(a) “Recreational products dealer” means any person who, for a commission or with intent to make a profit or gain of money or other thing of value, buys, sells, brokers, exchanges, auctions, offers, or attempts to negotiate a sale or exchange of an interest in recreational products and who is engaged wholly or in part in the business of buying and selling recreational products in the state of Louisiana. Duly franchised and licensed recreational products dealers shall be the only persons entitled to sell, publicly solicit, and advertise the sale of new recreational products.
(b) The term shall also include anyone not licensed under this Chapter, who sells recreational products and who rents on a daily basis recreational products, not of the current year or immediate prior year models, that have been titled previously to an ultimate purchaser.
(c) “Recreational products dealer” shall not include any of the following:
(i) Receivers, trustees, administrators, executors, guardians, or other persons appointed by or acting under the judgment or order of any court.
(ii) Public officers while performing their official duties.
(iii) Employees of recreational products dealers when engaged in the specific performance of their duties as such employees.
(iv) Mortgagees or secured parties as to sales of recreational products constituting collateral on a mortgage or security agreement.
(v) Insurance companies.
(vi) Auctioneers or auction houses who are not engaged in the auction of recreational products as the principal part of their business, including but not limited to the following auctions: estate auctions, bankruptcy auctions, farm equipment auctions, or government auctions.
(vii) Any person engaged in the business of renting or selling new or used trolling motors who otherwise would not be required to be licensed as any classification of dealer pursuant to the provisions of this Title.
(47) “Recreational vehicle” means a motorized or towable vehicle that combines transportation and temporary living quarters for travel, recreation, and camping. For purposes of this Chapter, a “recreational vehicle” includes new and used motor homes, new and used travel trailers, new and used fifth-wheel travel trailers, new and used folding camper trailers, and slide-in truck campers.
(48)(a) “Recreational vehicle dealer” means any person who, for a commission or with intent to make a profit or gain of money or other thing of value, buys, sells, brokers, exchanges, auctions, offers, or attempts to negotiate a sale or exchange of an interest in recreational vehicles and who is engaged wholly or in part in the business of buying and selling recreational vehicles in the state of Louisiana and who holds a license as a recreational products dealer under the provisions of this Chapter.
(b) The term shall also include anyone not licensed under this Chapter, who sells recreational vehicles and who rents on a daily basis recreational vehicles, not of the current year or immediate prior year models, that have been titled previously to an ultimate purchaser.
(c) “Recreational vehicle dealer” shall not include any of the following:
(i) Receivers, trustees, administrators, executors, guardians, or other persons appointed by or acting under the judgment or order of any court.
(ii) Public officers while performing their official duties.
(iii) Employees of recreational vehicle dealers when engaged in the specific performance of their duties as such employees.
(iv) Mortgagees or secured parties as to sales of recreational vehicles constituting collateral on a mortgage or security agreement.
(v) Insurance companies.
(vi) Auctioneers or auction houses who are not engaged in the auction of recreational vehicles as the principal part of their business, including but not limited to the following auctions: estate auctions, bankruptcy auctions, farm equipment auctions, or government auctions.
(49) “Recreational vehicle salesman” means any natural person employed by a licensee of the commission whose duties include the selling, leasing, or offering for sale or lease, financing or insuring recreational vehicles on behalf of said licensee and who holds a motor vehicle salesman license under the provisions of this Chapter.
(50) “Retail sale” or “sale at retail” means the act or attempted act of selling, bartering, exchanging, or otherwise disposing of a motor vehicle, recreational product, or specialty vehicle to an ultimate purchaser for use as a consumer.
(51) “Satellite warranty and repair center” means a motor vehicle repair facility, other than at a motor vehicle dealer franchised location, approved by a manufacturer or distributor and authorized to perform warranty and other repairs on motor vehicles.
(52) “Selling agreement” means any written contract or agreement between a marine dealer and a manufacturer, or its distributor or factory branch, by which the marine dealer is authorized to engage in the business of selling or leasing the specific makes, models, or classifications of marine products marketed or leased by the manufacturer, and designated in the selling agreement or any addendum thereto. For the purposes of this Paragraph, any written modification, amendment, or addendum to the original selling agreement that changes the rights and obligations of the parties to the original selling agreement shall constitute a new selling agreement, effective as of the date of the modification, amendment, or addendum.
(53) “Specialty vehicle” means a motor vehicle manufactured by a second stage manufacturer by purchasing motor vehicle components, including frames and drive trains, and completing the manufacture of finished motor vehicles for the purpose of resale, with the primary manufacturer warranty unimpaired, to a limited commercial market rather than the consuming public. Specialty vehicle includes ambulances, fire trucks, garbage trucks, hearses, limousines, school buses, street sweepers, vacuum trucks, wreckers, and other similar limited purpose vehicles. Specialty vehicle does not include motor homes as defined in this Section.
(54) “Specialty vehicle dealer” means any person who holds a bona fide franchise in effect with a converter or second stage manufacturer of specialty vehicles and a license under the provisions of this Chapter or a subsidiary of any such entity. Such duly franchised and licensed specialty vehicle dealer shall be the sole person entitled to sell, publicly solicit, and advertise the sale of specialty vehicles.
(55) “Subsidiary” shall mean any person engaged in the selling or leasing of motor vehicles, recreational products, or specialty vehicles, in which a majority of the ownership interests of such entity is owned by a holder of a license issued by the commission.
(56) “Tow dolly” means a trailer equipped with one or more axles designed to connect to a tow bar on the rear of a motor vehicle that is used to tow another vehicle and is not a type of towable equipment as defined in this Chapter. The front or rear wheels of the towed vehicle are secured to and rest upon the tow dolly.
(57) “Towable equipment” means equipment that is permanently affixed to or integrated upon a trailer intended for use when the trailer is not traveling on a road and where its capability for road travel or transport of other property is incidental or secondary to the primary operational purpose of the equipment including but not limited to towable signage, message boards, generators, lighting tower masts, speed monitoring and traffic cameras, air compressors, water pumps, crash attenuators, or road maintenance equipment such as a pothole patcher or a chipper brush. “Towable equipment” does not include portable facilities primarily intended for human or animal occupancy, hygiene, or similar accommodations, including but not limited to portable toilets, livestock trailers, and enclosed facilities for food service preparation and distribution.
(58) “Trailer” means every single vehicle without motive power designed for carrying property or passengers wholly on its own structure, drawn by a motor vehicle which carries no part of the weight and load of the trailer on its own wheels and having one or more load carrying axles including but not limited to utility trailers, boat trailers, recreational trailers, semitrailers, livestock trailers, tow dollies and dump trailers, and excluding towable equipment as defined in this Chapter.
(59) “Trolling motor” means any self-contained unit composed of an electric motor, propeller, and controls that may be affixed to a boat and that acts as a source, but not typically the primary source, of propulsion for the boat.
(60) “Ultimate purchaser” means, with respect to any new motor vehicle, recreational product, or specialty vehicle, the first person, other than a dealer purchasing in his capacity as a dealer, who in good faith purchases such new motor vehicles, recreational products, or specialty vehicles for purposes other than resale. “Ultimate purchaser” shall not include a person who purchases a motor vehicle or recreational product for purposes of altering or remanufacturing the motor vehicle or recreational product for future resale.
(61)(a) “Used marine dealer” means any person whose business is to sell, or offer for sale, display, or advertise used marine products, or any person who holds a license from the commission and is not excluded by Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph.
(b) “Used marine dealer” shall not include any of the following:
(i) Receivers, trustees, administrators, executors, guardians, or other persons appointed by or acting under the judgment or order of any court.
(ii) Public officers while performing their official duties.
(iii) Employees of persons, corporations, or associations defined as “used marine dealers” when engaged in the specific performance of their duties as such employees.
(iv) Mortgagees or secured parties as to sales of marine products constituting collateral on a mortgage or security agreement and who do not maintain a used car lot or building with one or more employed marine product salesman.
(v) Insurance companies who sell motor vehicles to which they have taken title as an incident of payments made under policies of insurance and who do not maintain a used car lot or building with one or more employed marine product salesman.
(vi) Used motor vehicle dealers licensed pursuant to La. Rev. Stat. 32:781 et seq.
(62) “Used marine product” means a marine product, the legal title of which has been transferred by a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer to an ultimate purchaser.
(63) “Used marine product facility” means any facility which is owned and operated by a licensee of the commission and offers for sale used marine products.
(64) “Used motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle” means a motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle, the legal title of which has been transferred by a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer to an ultimate purchaser.
(65)(a) “Used motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle dealer” means any person whose business is to sell, or offer for sale, display, or advertise used motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles, or any person who holds a license from the commission and is not excluded by Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph.
(b) “Used motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle dealer” shall not include any of the following:
(i) Receivers, trustees, administrators, executors, guardians, or other persons appointed by or acting under the judgment or order of any court.
(ii) Public officers while performing their official duties.
(iii) Employees of persons, corporations, or associations enumerated in the definition of “used motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle dealer” when engaged in the specific performance of their duties as such employees.
(iv) Mortgagees or secured parties as to sales of motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles constituting collateral on a mortgage or security agreement and who do not maintain a used car lot or building with one or more employed motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle salesman.
(v) Insurance companies who sell motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles to which they have taken title as an incident of payments made under policies of insurance and who do not maintain a used car lot or building with one or more employed motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle salesman.
(vi) Used motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle dealers licensed pursuant to La. Rev. Stat. 32:781 et seq.
(66) “Used motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle facility” means any facility which is owned and operated by a licensee of the commission and offers for sale used motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles.
(67) “Used motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle, recreational product, or specialty vehicle, the legal title of which has been transferred by a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer to an ultimate purchaser.
(68)(a) “Used motor vehicle dealer” means any person whose business is to sell, or offer for sale, display, or advertise used motor vehicles, recreational products, or specialty vehicles, or any person who holds a license from the commission and is not excluded by Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph.
(b) “Used motor vehicle dealer” shall not include any of the following:
(i) Receivers, trustees, administrators, executors, guardians, or other persons appointed by or acting under the judgment or order of any court.
(ii) Public officers while performing their official duties.
(iii) Employees of persons, corporations, or associations enumerated in the definition of “used motor vehicle dealer” when engaged in the specific performance of their duties as such employees.
(iv) Mortgagees or secured parties as to sales of motor vehicles constituting collateral on a mortgage or security agreement and who do not maintain a used car lot or building with one or more employed motor vehicle salesman.
(v) Insurance companies who sell motor vehicles to which they have taken title as an incident of payments made under policies of insurance and who do not maintain a used car lot or building with one or more employed motor vehicle salesman.
(vi) Used motor vehicle dealers licensed pursuant to La. Rev. Stat. 32:781 et seq.
(69) “Used motor vehicle facility” means any facility which is owned and operated by a licensee of the commission and offers for sale used motor vehicles, recreational products, or specialty vehicles.
(70) “Used recreational vehicle” means a recreational vehicle, the legal title of which has been transferred by a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer to an ultimate purchaser.
(71)(a) “Used recreational vehicle dealer” means any person whose business is to sell, or offer for sale, display, or advertise used recreational vehicles, or any person who holds a license from the commission and is not excluded by Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph.
(b) “Used recreational vehicle dealer” shall not include any of the following:
(i) Receivers, trustees, administrators, executors, guardians, or other persons appointed by or acting under the judgment or order of any court.
(ii) Public officers while performing their official duties.
(iii) Employees of persons, corporations, or associations enumerated in the definition of “used recreational vehicle dealer” when engaged in the specific performance of their duties as such employees.
(iv) Mortgagees or secured parties as to sales of recreational vehicles constituting collateral on a mortgage or security agreement and who do not maintain a used car lot or building with one or more employed recreational vehicle salesman.
(v) Insurance companies who sell recreational vehicles to which they have taken title as an incident of payments made under policies of insurance and who do not maintain a used car lot or building with one or more employed recreational vehicle salesman.
(vi) Used recreational vehicle dealers licensed pursuant to La. Rev. Stat. 32:781 et seq.
(72) “Used recreational vehicle facility” means any facility which is owned and operated by a licensee of the commission and offers for sale used recreational vehicles.
(73) “Vehicle” means any motor vehicle, specialty vehicle, or recreational product subject to regulation by this Chapter.
(74) “Watercraft” means any contrivance used or designated for navigation on water, including but not limited to a personal watercraft as defined in La. Rev. Stat. 34:855.2.
(75) “Wrecker” means any motor vehicle equipped with a boom or booms, winches, slings, tilt beds, or similar equipment designed for towing or recovery of vehicles and other objects which cannot operate under their own power or for some reason must be transported by means of towing.
Acts 1985, No. 911, §1; Acts 1986, No. 552, §1; Acts 1987, No. 775, §1; Acts 1989, No. 262, §1; Acts 1989, No. 634, §1; Acts 1990, No. 283, §1, eff. July 5, 1990; Acts 1991, No. 937, §1; Acts 1995, No. 51, §1, eff. June 9, 1995; Acts 1999, No. 1100, §§1, 2; Acts 2001, No. 1054, §1; Acts 2001, No. 1067, §1; Acts 2004, No. 250, §1; Acts 2005, No. 500, §1, eff. July 12, 2005; Acts 2006, No. 352, §1; Acts 2009, No. 403, §1, eff. July 7, 2009; Acts 2010, No. 1036, §1; Acts 2011, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 9, §1; Acts 2012, No. 326, §1; Acts 2013, No. 53, §1; Acts 2013, No. 61, §1; Acts 2013, No. 158, §1, eff. June 7, 2013; Acts 2014, No. 111, §1; Acts 2015, No. 435, §1; Acts 2016, No. 530, §1; Acts 2018, No. 231, §1; Acts 2018, No. 487, §1; Acts 2020, No. 152, §1; Acts 2021, No. 94, §1; Acts 2023, No. 188, §1.