A truck tractor and trailer or semitrailer combination may be operated with dealer plates if the dealer is licensed as a new vehicle dealer or used vehicle dealer and heavy trailer dealer and if the trailer or semitrailer does not contain a load.

Sec. 14. 29-A MRSA §1003, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:

2. Permissible use. A loaner plate may be used on a vehicle owned by the licensee for the sole purpose of loaning the vehicle to a customer when the customer's vehicle is disabled and in the garage for repairs. The limit on the use of the loaned vehicle is 7 consecutive days. The Secretary of State may extend the period to no more than 30 days. A fee for the use of a loaner plate may not be charged to a customer.

Sec. 15. 29-A MRSA §1253, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 and affected by Pt. B, §5, is amended to read:

2. Compliance with federal law. The State must comply with the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986, Public Law 99- 570, Title XII, and regulations adopted under that Act in issuing or suspending a commercial license. In the case of any conflict between the federal statute or regulation and a statute or rule of this State, the federal statute or regulation must apply and take precedence. To ensure compliance, the Secretary of State shall adopt rules.

These rules must include, but are not limited to, provisions that:

A. Provide for full state participation in the national commercial driver's license clearinghouse;

B. Require commercial drivers to have a single license;

C. Reduce and prevent commercial motor vehicle accidents, fatalities and injuries by disqualifying commercial drivers who have committed serious traffic or other designated offenses from operating commercial motor vehicles;

D. Protect public safety by removing from public ways a commercial driver who has: