(a) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, which incorporate by reference the standards set forth in 49 CFR Parts 382 to 397, inclusive, as amended. Such regulations, adopted by reference to the provisions of 49 CFR Parts 382 to 397, inclusive, as amended, may be made applicable to any motor vehicle or motor carrier, as defined in 49 C.F.R. part 390, which (1) is in intrastate commerce and has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight of eighteen thousand one or more pounds; or (2) is in interstate commerce and has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight of ten thousand one or more pounds; or (3) (A) is designed or used to transport more than eight passengers, including the driver, for compensation, or (B) is designed or used to transport more than fifteen passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation; or (4) is used in the transportation of hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 USC App. 1801 to 1813, inclusive, unless exempted under the provisions of the code or the provisions of subsection (b) of this section.

(b) The provisions relative to maximum hours of service for drivers as set forth in 49 C.F.R. part 395, and as adopted by reference in regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, shall not apply to any driver of a utility service vehicle, as defined in 49 C.F.R. § 395.2, as amended.

(c) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may grant variations or exemptions from, or approve equivalent or alternate compliance with, particular provisions of 49 CFR Parts 382 to 397, inclusive, as amended, when strict compliance with such provisions would entail practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship or would be otherwise adjudged unwarranted, provided any such variation, exemption, approved equivalent or alternate compliance shall, in the opinion of the commissioner, secure the public safety.

(d) Any state or municipal police officer or motor vehicle inspector may (1) inspect any motor vehicle specified in subsection (a) of this section in operation and examine its operator to determine compliance with the provisions of 49 CFR Parts 100 to 199, inclusive, as amended, and 49 CFR Parts 382 to 397, inclusive, as amended, (2) enter upon the premises of any motor carrier, as defined in 49 C.F.R. § 390.5, as amended, for the purpose of inspecting and copying records maintained by such motor carrier, (3) conduct a safety rating procedure, safety audit or compliance review, in accordance with the provisions of 49 C.F.R. part 385, as amended, for any motor carrier that owns or operates any motor vehicle identified in subsection (a) of this section and, subject to notice and opportunity for hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, order any motor carrier with an unsatisfactory safety rating to cease operations until such time as it achieves a satisfactory rating, (4) declare a motor vehicle or its operator out of service, or (5) issue an infractions complaint under the provisions of this section, provided such officer or inspector meets the standards established by the commissioner, in consultation with the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, in regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.

(e) (1) Any person who violates the provisions of this section or any regulations adopted under this section shall, for a first violation, have committed an infraction. (2) The commissioner may impose a civil penalty on any person for a second or subsequent violation of the provisions of this section or any regulations adopted under this section if the acts or conduct on which the conviction is based arise out of the operation of a motor vehicle in intrastate commerce and would, if such acts or conduct had occurred with respect to operation of a motor vehicle in interstate commerce, have subjected such person to a civil penalty under the provisions of 49 CFR Parts 382 to 397, inclusive, as amended. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to specify the amount of such civil penalty provided such amount shall be not less than one thousand dollars nor more than ten thousand dollars. Any person notified of the assessment of a civil penalty under the provisions of this subsection shall be entitled to an opportunity for an administrative hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. If any person fails to comply with the terms of a final decision and order of the commissioner made pursuant to this subsection, the commissioner may suspend any motor vehicle registration issued to such person or such person’s privilege to register any motor vehicle in this state, or prohibit the operation of any motor vehicle owned or operated by such person, until such person complies with the terms of such final decision and order. As used in this section, “person” includes any motor carrier, as defined in 49 C.F.R. § 390.5, as amended.