The Vermont Statutes Online
The Statutes below include the actions of the 2025 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.
Subchapter
005
:
DISPLAY OF NUMBER PLATES
(Cite as: 23 V.S.A. § 511)
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§ 511. Manner of display
(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(b) [Repealed.]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(d) [Repealed.]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.)