The Vermont Statutes Online
The Vermont Statutes Online have been updated to include the actions of the 2023 session of the General Assembly.
NOTE: The Vermont Statutes Online is an unofficial copy of the Vermont Statutes Annotated that is provided as a convenience.
Title 23 : Motor Vehicles
Chapter 007 : Registration
Subchapter 005 : Display of Number Plates
(Cite as: 23 V.S.A. § 511)-
§ 511. Manner of display [Effective until November 1, 2023]
(a) Number plates. A motor vehicle operated on any highway shall have displayed in a conspicuous place either one or two number plates as the Commissioner may require. Such number plates shall be furnished by the Commissioner and shall show the number assigned to such vehicle by the Commissioner. If only one number plate is furnished, the same shall be securely attached to the rear of the vehicle. If two are furnished, one shall be securely attached to the rear and one to the front of the vehicle. The number plates shall be kept entirely unobscured, and the numerals and letters thereon shall be plainly legible at all times. They shall be kept horizontal, shall be so fastened as not to swing, excepting, however, there may be installed on a motor truck or truck tractor a device that would, upon contact with a substantial object, permit the rear number plate to swing toward the front of the vehicle, provided such device automatically returns the number plate to its original rigid position after contact is released, and the ground clearance of the lower edges thereof shall be established by the Commissioner pursuant to the provisions of 3 V.S.A. chapter 25.
(b) Validation sticker. A registration validation sticker shall be unobstructed and shall be affixed as follows:
(1) for vehicles issued registration plates with dimensions of approximately 12 x 6 inches, in the lower right corner of the rear registration plate; and
(2) for vehicles issued a registration plate with a dimension of approximately 7 x 4 inches, in the upper right corner of the rear registration plate.
(c) Violation. A person shall not operate a motor vehicle unless number plates and a validation sticker are displayed as provided in this section.
(d) Failure to display a validation sticker. An operator cited for violating subsection (c) of this section with respect to failure to display a validation sticker on a pleasure car, motorcycle, or truck that could be registered for less than 26,001 pounds shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $5.00, which penalty shall be exempt from surcharges under 13 V.S.A. § 7282(a), if he or she is cited within the 14 days following the expiration of the motor vehicle’s registration.
(e) Temporary and in-transit registration plates. A motor vehicle issued a temporary or in-transit registration plate under sections 312, 458, 463, and 516-518 of this title operated on any highway shall have the temporary or in-transit registration plate displayed horizontally in a conspicuous place on the rear of the vehicle, including in the rear window. The temporary or in-transit registration plate shall be kept entirely unobscured, and the numerals and letters thereon shall be plainly legible at all times. (Amended 1979, No. 125 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 15, 1980; 2013, No. 189 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 2019, No. 60, § 32; 2021, No. 76, § 1, eff. Sept. 8, 2020; 2023, No. 41, § 13, eff. November 1, 2023.)
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§ 511. Manner of display [Effective November 1, 2023]
(a) Number plates. A motor vehicle operated on any highway shall have displayed in a conspicuous place either one or two number plates as the Commissioner may require. Such number plates shall be furnished by the Commissioner and shall show the number assigned to such vehicle by the Commissioner. If only one number plate is furnished, the same shall be securely attached to the rear of the vehicle. If two are furnished, one shall be securely attached to the rear and one to the front of the vehicle. The number plates shall be kept entirely unobscured, and the numerals and letters thereon shall be plainly legible at all times. They shall be kept horizontal, shall be so fastened as not to swing, excepting, however, there may be installed on a motor truck or truck tractor a device that would, upon contact with a substantial object, permit the rear number plate to swing toward the front of the vehicle, provided such device automatically returns the number plate to its original rigid position after contact is released, and the ground clearance of the lower edges thereof shall be established by the Commissioner pursuant to the provisions of 3 V.S.A. chapter 25.
(b) [Repealed.]
(c) Violation. A person shall not operate a motor vehicle unless a number plate or number plates are displayed as provided in this section.
(d) [Repealed.]
(e) Temporary and in-transit registration plates. A motor vehicle issued a temporary or in-transit registration plate under sections 312, 458, 463, and 516-518 of this title operated on any highway shall have the temporary or in-transit registration plate displayed horizontally in a conspicuous place on the rear of the vehicle, including in the rear window. The temporary or in-transit registration plate shall be kept entirely unobscured, and the numerals and letters thereon shall be plainly legible at all times. (Amended 1979, No. 125 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 15, 1980; 2013, No. 189 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 2019, No. 60, § 32; 2021, No. 76, § 1, eff. Sept. 8, 2020; 2023, No. 41, § 13, eff. November 1, 2023.)
