§32-5-152.1. Owner not liable for violation where vehicle leased to another; notice requirement; owner's liability upon failure to maintain vehicle.

(a) The owner of any motor vehicle leased to another shall not be liable for a state, county, or municipal traffic or parking violation occurring while the leased vehicle was not in the owner's possession or control, if upon notice of the violation, the owner notifies the clerk of the court in which the case is pending of the name and address of the lessee of the vehicle on the date the violation occurred. The notice shall be notarized on a form prescribed by the Director of the Administrative Office of Courts. If the owner fails to submit the notice, the court in which the case is heard may take such action as the interests of justice require, including finding the owner of the motor vehicle liable for the violation.

(b) After providing the name and address of the lessee, the owner shall not be required to attend a hearing on the offense, unless notified that the offense occurred through a mechanical failure of the vehicle which resulted from the owner's failure to maintain the vehicle.

(c) The owner of any leased vehicle shall be liable for any violation which was caused by the owner's failure to properly maintain the vehicle. The lessee claiming the violation resulted from the owner's failure to properly maintain the vehicle shall notify the clerk of the court in which the case is pending along with the owner of the vehicle of the claim within seven days after receiving notice of the violation or at least 10 days prior to the date the case will be heard by the court, whichever is later.

(Acts 1981, No. 81-660, p. 1076.)