§ 29-A §1002 — Vehicle and equipment dealer plates

1.
Limitations on use.
A person using a dealer plate may not operate a vehicle owned or controlled by a manufacturer or dealer except for:
1-A.
Limitation on use.
The following provisions govern limitations on use.
2.
Term.
Dealer plates expire on the last day of the month, one year from issuance. The Secretary of State may determine the number and conditions of use of dealer plates.
3.
Penalty.
A violation of subsection 1 or subsection 1‑A is a traffic infraction for which a minimum penalty of $200 must be adjudged for each infraction. That penalty may not be suspended.
4.
Service vehicle.
A licensed new or used car dealer may attach to that dealer's service vehicles specially designed service vehicle plates. These plates may be used only in direct connection with the new or used car license. A dealer may attach a service vehicle plate only to a vehicle used for the service or repair of vehicles sold or being repaired by the dealer. A dealer may not attach a service vehicle plate to a vehicle that delivers parts to individuals or to businesses that are not owned by the dealer.
5.
Equipment dealers.
Unless otherwise prohibited, equipment dealer plates may be attached only for demonstration, emergency and service purposes to the following:
6.
Wreckers.
The following provisions apply to the operation of wreckers and to dealer wrecker plates.
7.
Demonstrating a loaded truck.
A dealer must obtain a written permit from the Secretary of State to demonstrate a loaded truck, truck tractor, trailer, semitrailer or combination of vehicles bearing dealer plates.
8.
Vehicle weighing more than 10,000 pounds.
The following provisions apply to the use of dealer plates on vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds.
9.
Mobile homes.
A mobile home may not be moved over a public way unless the operator of the vehicle hauling it has in possession a permit issued pursuant to section 2382 or a written certificate from the tax collector of the municipality in which the mobile home is situated on the day of the move, identifying the mobile home and stating that all applicable property taxes, including those for the current tax year, have been paid or that the mobile home is exempt from taxes. The tax year is the period from April 1st to March 31st. For the purposes of this subsection, taxes for the current tax year include taxes not yet committed. If the amount of these taxes can not then be determined, the amount must be presumed to be the same as the previous year's taxes until the current year's taxes are assessed. Notwithstanding Title 36, section 506, the tax collector may accept prepayment of these taxes and shall repay any amount paid in excess of that finally assessed, with interest on that amount as provided in Title 36, section 506‑A. If a mobile home was moved into the municipality after April 1st so that no tax was assessed in the previous year and will be moved from the municipality before the commitment of the current year's taxes but after April 1st, the term "previous year's taxes" means taxes estimated by using the prior year's tax rate.
10.
Loss of dealer plate.
Upon the loss of a dealer plate, the dealer immediately shall notify the Secretary of State.
11.
Temporary dealer plate.
If a dealer has written authorization from the Secretary of State, a dealer may use a temporary number plate bearing the registration number issued to that dealer.

Legislative History

PL 1993, c. 683, §A2 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 683, §B5 (AFF). PL 1995, c. 482, §B16 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 117, §1 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 470, §§13-16 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 671, §20 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 434, §§12,13 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 434, §37 (AFF). PL 2003, c. 452, §§Q11-15 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 452, §X2 (AFF). PL 2003, c. 652, §B5 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 652, §B8 (AFF). PL 2005, c. 433, §14 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 433, §28 (AFF). PL 2009, c. 435, §16 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 229, §18 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 216, §31 (AMD). PL 2023, c. 634, §§18, 19 (AMD).