2011 Indiana Code
TITLE 9. MOTOR VEHICLES
ARTICLE 18. MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND LICENSE PLATES
CHAPTER 13. RECOVERY VEHICLE REGISTRATION

IC 9-18-13
Chapter 13. Recovery Vehicle Registration

IC 9-18-13-1
License plates; design and issuance
Sec. 1. The bureau shall design and issue a license plate that will designate a registered vehicle as a recovery vehicle.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6.

IC 9-18-13-2
Transport operator plates; display
Sec. 2. A vehicle registered as a recovery vehicle is not required to display a transport operator license plate on either:
(1) the recovery vehicle; or
(2) the vehicle being towed by the recovery vehicle.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6.

IC 9-18-13-3
Registration; qualifications; highway operation
Sec. 3. (a) To qualify for registration as a recovery vehicle, a vehicle must be:
(1) capable of lifting and pulling a disabled, a wrecked, an abandoned, an improperly parked, or a burnt vehicle by attaching a pickup bar with an adequate chain or steel structured lifting apparatus to the vehicle in lift;
(2) equipped with a power driven winch;
(3) equipped with proper emergency lighting for the recovery vehicle and the vehicle in lift;
(4) capable of attaching safety chains on the vehicle in lift; and
(5) capable of traveling the highways safely at least at the minimum speed limit.
(b) A vehicle that meets the qualifications listed in subsection (a) must be registered as a recovery vehicle under this chapter to operate on a highway.
(c) A person may not operate a vehicle:
(1) that has the qualifications listed in subsection (a);
(2) that is not registered under this chapter as a recovery vehicle; and
(3) on a highway.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6.

IC 9-18-13-4
Financial responsibility
Sec. 4. (a) A person who operates a recovery vehicle must meet the minimum standards for financial responsibility that are set forth in IC 9-25.
(b) A recovery vehicle may be registered only if proof of financial responsibility in amounts required under IC 9-25 is produced at the time of registration. The bureau shall retain a record of that proof in the bureau's files. (c) The bureau may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to carry out this section.
(d) A person may not operate a recovery vehicle on a highway in violation of this section.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6.

IC 9-18-13-5
Exemption of certain vehicles
Sec. 5. A truck registered as a vehicle having a declared gross weight greater than sixteen thousand (16,000) pounds, or a tractor having a declared gross weight greater than twenty thousand (20,000) pounds, that is owned by a person and used to lift or pull a vehicle or combination of vehicles is exempt from this chapter if the vehicle or combination of vehicles being pulled are:
(1) owned by the same person who owns or operates the truck or tractor used as the pulling vehicle;
(2) leased by the same person who owns or operates the truck or tractor used as the pulling vehicle; or
(3) owned or leased to a subsidiary or other related corporation of the person owning or operating the truck or tractor used as the pulling vehicle.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6.

IC 9-18-13-6
International Registration Plan registration
Sec. 6. A recovery vehicle registered under this chapter may be registered under the International Registration Plan and be issued an apportioned license plate.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6.

IC 9-18-13-7
Operation of unqualified vehicle
Sec. 7. A person may not operate a vehicle:
(1) that is not qualified to register as a recovery vehicle under this chapter;
(2) for the purpose of lifting and pulling:
(A) a disabled;
(B) a wrecked;
(C) an abandoned;
(D) an improperly parked; or
(E) a burnt vehicle; and
(3) on a highway.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6.

IC 9-18-13-8
Registration and highway operation violations; infraction; detention of vehicle
Sec. 8. (a) A person who violates section 3 of this chapter commits a Class C infraction.
(b) A vehicle that is: (1) in violation of section 3 of this chapter; and
(2) used on a highway to tow a disabled or an improperly parked vehicle;
shall be detained by the law enforcement officer until the person who owns the recovery vehicle shows the law enforcement officer proof of proper registration.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6.

IC 9-18-13-9
Financial responsibility violations; infraction
Sec. 9. A person who violates section 4 of this chapter commits a Class C misdemeanor.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6.

IC 9-18-13-10
Operation of unqualified vehicle violations; infraction
Sec. 10. A person who violates section 7 of this chapter commits a Class C infraction.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6.