US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

49 U.S.C. § 32702

Definitions

In this chapter—
(1)
“auction company” means a person taking possession of a motor vehicle owned by another to sell at an auction.
(2)
“dealer” means a person that sold at least 5 motor vehicles during the prior 12 months to buyers that in good faith bought the vehicles other than for resale.
(3)
“distributor” means a person that sold at least 5 motor vehicles during the prior 12 months for resale.
(4)
“leased motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle leased to a person for at least 4 months by a lessor that leased at least 5 vehicles during the prior 12 months.
(5)
“odometer” means an instrument or system of components for measuring and recording the distance a motor vehicle is driven, but does not include an auxiliary instrument or system of components designed to be reset by the operator of the vehicle to record mileage of a trip.
(6)
“repair” and “replace” mean to restore to a sound working condition by replacing any part of an odometer or by correcting any inoperative part of an odometer.
(7)
“title” means the certificate of title or other document issued by the State indicating ownership.
(8)
“transfer” means to change ownership by sale, gift, or any other means.

Pub. L. 103–272, § 1(e)108 Stat. 1048Pub. L. 104–287, § 5(61)110 Stat. 3394Pub. L. 112–141, div. C, title I, § 31205(a)126 Stat. 760(, , ; , , ; , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Pub. L. 103–272

Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)

Source (Statutes at Large)

32702(1)

15:1982(8).

Oct. 20, 1972, Pub. L. 92–513, 86 Stat. 947, § 402(6)–(8); added Oct. 28, 1986, Pub. L. 99–579, § 2(b), 100 Stat. 3310.

32702(2)

15:1982(1).

Oct. 20, 1972, Pub. L. 92–513, 86 Stat. 947, § 402(1), (2); added July 14, 1976, Pub. L. 94–364, § 401(2), 90 Stat. 983.

32702(3)

15:1982(2).

32702(4)

15:1982(7).

32702(5)

15:1982(3).

Oct. 20, 1972, Pub. L. 92–513, § 402(3)–(5), 86 Stat. 961; July 14, 1976, Pub. L. 94–364, § 401(1), 90 Stat. 983.

32702(6)

15:1982(4).

32702(7)

15:1982(6).

32702(8)

15:1982(5).

In clause (1), the words “(whether through consignment or bailment or through any other arrangement)” and “such motor vehicle” are omitted as surplus.

In clause (4), the words “a term of” are omitted as surplus.

In clause (5), the words “the distance a motor vehicle is driven” are substituted for “the actual distance a motor vehicle travels while in operation” for clarity and to eliminate unnecessary words.

Pub. L. 104–287

section 1 of the Act of July 5, 1994Public Law 103–272108 Stat. 1049This amends 49:32702(8) and 32705 to clarify the restatement of 15:1982(5) and 1988 by (, ).

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 112–1412012—Par. (5). , which directed insertion of “or system of components” after “instrument”, was executed by making the insertion after “instrument” both places it appeared.

Pub. L. 104–2871996—Par. (8). inserted “any” after “or”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2012 Amendment

Pub. L. 112–141section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141section 101 of Title 23Amendment by effective , see , set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under , Highways.

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Pub. L. 104–287section 8(1) of Pub. L. 104–287section 5303 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .