2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 4. Sales and Distribution of Motor Vehicles › Part 1. Dealers › 61-4-102. Dealer plates -- restriction of use -- fees

61-4-102. Dealer plates -- restriction of use -- fees.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), the department shall furnish a dealer licensed under this part with one or more sets of numbered dealer plates in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(2) Dealer plates may not be issued to a new or used dealer whose business is restricted to the sale of motorcycles, power sports vehicles, or trailers.
(3) (a) In addition to the fees required under the provisions of 61-4-101 and 61-4-124, an applicant for a dealer's license shall pay an annual fee of $25 for each set of numbered dealer plates requested and issued.
(b) The number of dealer plates that may be issued to a dealer must be determined as follows:
(i) a dealer is entitled to one set of dealer plates upon the issuance of an original license or a renewed license;
(ii) an applicant qualified for a license renewal is entitled to additional sets of numbered plates based on the following formula:
(A) 5% of the first 100 motor vehicle sales for the previous year; plus
(B) 3% of the next 100 motor vehicle sales for the previous year; plus
(C) 2% of motor vehicle sales in excess of 200 for the previous year; and
(iii) a dealer is entitled to additional sets of dealer plates during a license term as the dealer's sales incrementally meet or exceed the requirements of the formula established in subsection (3)(b)(ii). However, the aggregate number of sets of dealer plates issued to a dealer under this subsection (3)(b)(iii) may not exceed the combined number allowed under subsections (3)(b)(i) and (3)(b)(ii).
(4) (a) A dealer is authorized to use and display dealer plates on a motor vehicle, except a motorcycle, held for bona fide sale by the dealer and that is operated by or under the control of the dealer, the dealer's spouse, officers, or employees.
(b) For purposes of this subsection (4):
(i) the term "officers" includes only the persons listed on the manufacturer's franchise agreement or the importer's distribution agreement and the term "employees" means persons upon whom the dealer has paid social security taxes as a full-time employee; and
(ii) the display of a Monroney label or a buyer's guide label, as required by 61-4-123(2), on a motor vehicle bearing dealer plates is prima facie evidence that the motor vehicle is offered for bona fide sale by the dealer.
(5) Dealer plates may not be used or displayed on motor vehicles used for hire, lease, or rental.
(6) (a) A dealer is accountable for each set of numbered dealer plates issued and, except as provided in subsection (6)(b), shall file an annual report with the department certifying the disposition of each set of dealer plates assigned to the dealer and specifying the name, address, and occupation of the person primarily using each set of plates.
(b) Upon reassignment of one or more sets of dealer plates to another person, within 15 days of the reassignment, the dealer shall notify the department, in a manner prescribed by the department, of the name, address, and occupation of the person to whom the plates were assigned.
History: Ap. p. Subd. 5, Sec. 1, Ch. 158, L. 1933; re-en. Sec. 1759.4, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 72, L. 1937; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 245, L. 1955; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 256, L. 1965; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 354, L. 1969; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 226, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 244, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 535, L. 1977; Sec. 53-118, R.C.M. 1947; Ap. p. Sec. 6, Ch. 75, L. 1917; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 207, L. 1919; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 199, L. 1921; re-en. Sec. 1760, R.C.M. 1921; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 107, L. 1923; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 88, L. 1927; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 182, L. 1929; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 103, L. 1933; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 38, Ex. L. 1933; re-en. Sec. 1760, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 138, L. 1937; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 125, L. 1939; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 154, L. 1943; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 200, L. 1945; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 201, L. 1945; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 221, L. 1951; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 215, L. 1953; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 41, L. 1955; amd. Sec. 228, Ch. 147, L. 1963; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 178, L. 1963; amd. Sec. 30, Ch. 121, L. 1965; amd. Sec. 12-105, Ch. 197, L. 1965; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 226, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 243, L. 1977; Sec. 53-122, R.C.M. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 53-118(part), 53-122(part); amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 228, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 443, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 503, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 28, Ch. 516, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 383, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 22, Ch. 409, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 299, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 155, Ch. 542, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 103, Ch. 596, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 35, Ch. 329, L. 2007.