Unless otherwise provided by law, an individual may not operate a vehicle on a public highway of this state unless the vehicle has a distinctive number assigned to the vehicle by the department, and two number plates, bearing the distinctive number conspicuously displayed, horizontally and in an upright position, one on the front and one on the rear of the vehicle, each securely fastened, except number plates assigned to a housetrailer must be attached to the rear of the housetrailer. An individual may operate a motor vehicle on a public highway of this state with a valid temporary registration permit. A temporary registration permit obtained from the department of transportation or a licensed motor vehicle dealer must be displayed on the rear window, the rearmost driver's side window, or in the location of the rear license plate. The
temporary registration permit must be clearly visible and free of any obstructions. Number plates assigned to a motorcycle or trailer must be attached to the rear of the motorcycle or trailer and may be displayed vertically. When only one number plate is furnished for an apportioned vehicle registered under the international registration plan as authorized in section 39-19-04, truck tractor, or semitrailer, the plate must be attached to the front of the apportioned vehicle or truck tractor and the rear of the semitrailer. The bottom of each number plate must be at a height of not less than twelve inches [30.48 centimeters] above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands. Each plate must be mounted in a visible manner that clearly displays the distinctive number assigned to the vehicle and the name of the state on the plate. As far as is reasonably possible, the plates must at all times be kept free and clear of mud, ice, or snow so as to be clearly visible and all number plates, markers, or evidence of registration or licensing except for the current year must be removed from the vehicle. All vehicle license plates issued by the department are the property of the department for the period for which the plates are valid. An annual registration tab or sticker for the current registration year must be displayed on each number plate, in the area designated by the department for the tab or sticker, in those years for which tabs or stickers are issued in lieu of number plates.
39-04-12. Contents of number plates - Size of letters and numerals on plates - Reflectorized - Tabs or stickers. 1. Number plates must be of metal or other suitable material bearing the name of the state, either in full or by abbreviation, the number of the year, the slogan "Peace Garden State" and a distinctive number for assignment to each vehicle. The distinctive number may be in figures or a combination of figures and letters and must be of a size clearly distinguishable by law enforcement officers and individuals generally. To reduce highway accidents at night all number plates and temporary registration permits must be legible for a minimum distance of one hundred feet [30.48 meters] to an approaching motorist by day or night with lawful headlight beams and without other illumination. Each plate must be treated with a reflectorized material according to the specifications prescribed by the department. The department shall furnish for each annual registration a year plate, tab, or sticker to designate the year registration. The plate, tab, or sticker must show the registration year for which issued, and is valid only for that year. 2. The department may provide to an owner of a fleet of one hundred or more vehicles number plates that are valid for as many as six consecutive years and that are exempt from the requirements of evidence of annual validation. The registrant shall file with the department a corporate surety bond in an amount the department determines to be reasonable and adequate, and conditioned that the owner will pay the annual fee at the beginning of each annual registration period for which the number plates are valid.
39-04-13. Duplicates to be obtained of number plate, tab, sticker, or registration card if lost, mutilated, or illegible - Fee. If any number plate, tab, sticker, or registration card issued under the provisions of this chapter is lost, mutilated, or becomes illegible, the person who is entitled thereto shall make immediate application for and obtain a duplicate or substitute upon furnishing information of such fact satisfactory to the department and upon payment of the cost of issuing the duplicate item, not to exceed the sum of five dollars for each duplicate number plate, tab, sticker, or registration card issued. The department may issue a duplicate number plate, tab, sticker, or registration card at no cost to the owner when satisfied the vehicle owner did not receive the original number plate, tab, sticker, or registration card which was issued.