NRS706.478. Short-term lessor not liable for fine or penalty related to impoundment of certain vehicles in unauthorized use if vehicle in care, custody or control of lessee; evidence of care, custody or control; release of vehicle to short-term lessor.

      1.  Notwithstanding any provision of NRS 706.011 to 706.791, inclusive, to the contrary, if the registered owner of a vehicle which is impounded pursuant to NRS 706.476 is a short-term lessor licensed pursuant to NRS 482.363 who is engaged in the business of renting or leasing vehicles in accordance with NRS 482.295 to 482.3159, inclusive, the registered owner is not liable for any administrative fine or other penalty that may be imposed by the Authority for the operation of a passenger vehicle in violation of NRS 706.011 to 706.791, inclusive, if at the time that the vehicle was impounded, the vehicle was in the care, custody or control of a lessee.

      2.  A short-term lessor may establish that a vehicle was subject to the care, custody or control of a lessee at the time that the vehicle was impounded pursuant to NRS 706.476 by submitting to the Authority a true copy of the lease or rental agreement pursuant to which the vehicle was leased or rented to the lessee by the short-term lessor. The submission of a true copy of a lease or rental agreement is prima facie evidence that the vehicle was in the care, custody or control of the lessee.

      3.  Upon the receipt of a true copy of a written lease or rental agreement pursuant to subsection 2 which evidences that the vehicle impounded by the Authority pursuant to NRS 706.476 was under the care, custody or control of a lessee and not the registered owner of the vehicle, the Authority shall release the vehicle to the short-term lessor.

      4.  As used in this section, “short-term lessor” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 482.053.

      (Added to NRS by 1999, 1962)