Ind. Code ch. 9-18.1-6

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-6-1 Conditions for registration as recovery vehicle

Sec. 1. A vehicle that satisfies the following conditions may be registered as a recovery vehicle: (1) The vehicle is 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) The vehicle is equipped with a power driven winch. (3) The vehicle is equipped with proper emergency lighting for the recovery vehicle and the vehicle in lift. (4) The vehicle is capable of attaching safety chains on the vehicle in lift. (5) The vehicle is capable of traveling the highways safely at least at the minimum speed limit. [Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-13-3.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.326.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-6-2 Registration as recovery vehicle required to operate recovery vehicle; violation

Sec. 2. A person may not operate a recovery vehicle unless the vehicle is registered as a recovery vehicle under this chapter. A person that violates this section commits a Class C infraction. [Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-13-8.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.326.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-6-3 Use of vehicle not qualified to register as recovery vehicle; violation

Sec. 3. A person may not operate a vehicle on a highway: (1) that is not qualified to register as a recovery vehicle under this chapter; and (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. A person that violates this section commits a Class C infraction. [Pre-2016 Revision Citation: 9-18-13-7.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.326.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-6-4 Registration fee

Sec. 4. (a) Except as provided in subsection (e), the fee to register a recovery vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than sixteen thousand (16,000) pounds is five hundred four dollars ($504). (b) Except as provided in subsection (e), the fee to register a recovery vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating equal to or less than sixteen thousand (16,000) pounds is seventy-two dollars ($72). (c) Except as provided in subsection (d), a fee imposed and collected under subsection (a) or (b) shall be distributed as follows: (1) Twenty-five cents ($0.25) to the state construction fund. (2) Fifty cents ($0.50) to the state motor vehicle technology fund. (3) Two dollars and ninety cents ($2.90) to the highway, road and street fund. (4) Four dollars ($4) to the crossroads 2000 fund. (5) One dollar and twenty-five cents ($1.25) to the emergency communications fund. (6) Three dollars and ten cents ($3.10) to the commission fund (except as provided in subsection (f)). (7) Any remaining amount to the motor vehicle highway account. (d) A fee described in subsection (a) that is collected under the International Registration Plan shall be distributed as set forth in IC 9-18.1-5-10.5. (e) The fee to register a recovery vehicle for a period other than twelve (12) months is the amount determined under the following formula: STEP ONE: Determine the number of months remaining until the vehicle's next registration date under IC 9-18.1-11. A partial month shall be rounded to one (1) month. STEP TWO: Multiply the STEP ONE result by one-twelfth (1/12). STEP THREE: Multiply the STEP TWO product by the applicable registration fee under subsection (a) or (b) for the vehicle. A fee imposed and collected under this subsection that is not collected under the International Registration Plan shall be distributed under subsection (c). A fee imposed and collected under this subsection that is collected under the International Registration Plan shall be distributed under subsection (d). (f) Beginning after June 30, 2024, when a fee imposed under subsection (a) or (b) is collected by the department of state revenue, instead of depositing three dollars and ten cents ($3.10) into the commission fund as required by subsection (c)(6), the department shall instead deposit ninety percent (90%) of that amount into the motor carrier regulation fund established by IC 8-2.1-23-1, and the remainder shall be deposited in the commission fund. [Pre-2016 Revision Citations: 9-29-5-30; subsection (b) formerly 9-29-5-30.1.] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.326. Amended by P.L.256-2017, SEC.117; P.L.185-2018, SEC.35; P.L.108-2019, SEC.171; P.L.205-2025, SEC.55; P.L.152-2026, SEC.101.

Ind. Code § 9-18.1-6-5 Applicability; exception

Sec. 5. This chapter does not apply to a truck or tractor with a declared gross weight of more than sixteen thousand (16,000) pounds that is used to lift or pull a vehicle or combination of vehicles if: (1) the same person that owns or operates the truck or tractor also owns or leases the vehicle or combination of vehicles; or (2) the vehicle or combination of vehicles are owned by or leased to a subsidiary or related corporation of the person that owns or operates the truck or tractor. As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.326.