2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 61. Motor Vehicles › Chapter 4. Sales and Distribution of Motor Vehicles › Part 1. Dealers › 61-4-128. Common standards -- dealer plates -- demonstrator plates -- loaner plates -- identification cards -- fees

61-4-128. Common standards -- dealer plates -- demonstrator plates -- loaner plates -- identification cards -- fees.
(1) (a) Dealer, demonstrator, loaner, and courtesy license plates authorized under this part must be designed by the department in a manner that is similar to standard license plates furnished under 61-3-332, but the word "dealer", "demonstrator", "loaner", or "courtesy" must be included in the plate design.
(b) Dealer, demonstrator, loaner, and courtesy license plates must be numbered in a manner that is readily distinguishable from other plate styles issued by the department. The numbering system for dealer plates must contain the distinctive license number assigned by the department to a dealer and a number or alphanumeric identification mark that relates to the assignment of sets of dealer plates to a dealer. The numbering system for demonstrator and loaner plates may be sequential and unrelated to the number of demonstrator plates or the distinctive license number assigned to a dealer, wholesaler, or auto auction.
(c) Dealer, demonstrator, loaner, and courtesy plates issued under this part must be replaced on the same cycle that is required for standard license plates under 61-3-332.
(d) Except as provided in 61-4-124, dealer, demonstrator, loaner, and courtesy plates must display a registration decal, affixed as prescribed by the department, for the calendar year for which use of the plate or plates is authorized under this part.
(2) (a) Identification cards must be designed by the department and furnished to dealers to authorize the demonstration of a motorboat or personal watercraft, a snowmobile, or an off-highway vehicle by a dealer licensed under this part or a customer of a dealer licensed under this part. Each identification card must include the dealer's name and address and the license number assigned by the department to the dealer and must designate the type of power sports vehicle for which its use is authorized, such as a motorboat or personal watercraft, snowmobile, or off-highway vehicle.
(b) The department may use the same numbering system for identification cards as it uses for demonstrator and loaner plates.
(3) (a) Upon issuance of a license to a dealer whose business includes the sale of motorboats or personal watercraft, snowmobiles, or off-highway vehicles, the department shall furnish identification cards to a dealer as follows:
(i) for a dealer who sells motorboats or personal watercraft, one identification card;
(ii) for a dealer who sells snowmobiles, two identification cards; and
(iii) for a dealer who sells off-highway vehicles, two identification cards.
(b) The dealer may obtain additional identification cards for $2, as needed, and upon submitting justification for the need to the department.
(4) (a) An identification card issued to a dealer who sells motorboats or personal watercraft may be displayed on a dealer's motorboat or personal watercraft while the motorboat or personal watercraft is operating for a purpose related to the buying, selling, exchanging, or performance testing of the motorboat or personal watercraft by the dealer, manufacturer, or potential buyer.
(b) An identification card issued to a dealer who sells snowmobiles must be carried by the dealer when demonstrating the dealer's snowmobiles or by the dealer's customer.
(c) An identification card issued to a dealer who sells off-highway vehicles must be carried by the dealer when the dealer's off-highway vehicles are being demonstrated for sale purposes or by the dealer's customer.
(5) (a) All dealer, demonstrator, loaner, and courtesy plates and identification cards issued under this part are expired on the first day following the dealer license expiration date of the year of issue and must be renewed annually.
(b) A dealer, wholesaler, or auto auction that files the annual report as required under 61-4-120, 61-4-124, or 61-4-125 may display or use dealer or demonstrator plates and identification cards assigned for the prior calendar year until the dealer license expiration date.
History: En. Sec. 4, Ch. 329, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 92, Ch. 2, L. 2009; amd. Sec. 12, Ch. 323, L. 2017; amd. Sec. 13, Ch. 389, L. 2021.