SENATE BILL 439

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

James G. Taylor

AN ACT

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; MODIFYING REQUIREMENTS FOR DISPLAY OF TEMPORARY DEMONSTRATION PLATES; AMENDING A SECTION OF THE NMSA 1978.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. Section 66-3-18 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 38, as amended) is amended to read:

     "66-3-18. DISPLAY OF REGISTRATION PLATES AND TEMPORARY PERMITS AND PLATES--DISPLAYS PROHIBITED AND ALLOWED.--

          A. The registration plate shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle for which it is issued; however, the registration plate shall be attached to the front of a road tractor or truck tractor. The plate shall be securely fastened at all times in a fixed horizontal position at a height of not less than twelve inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom of the plate. It shall be in a place and position so as to be clearly visible, and it shall be maintained free from foreign material and in a condition to be clearly legible.

          B. [Except for] Temporary demonstration plates and temporary permits shall be firmly affixed to the inside left rear window of the vehicle to which it is issued, unless such display presents a safety hazard or the temporary permit is not visible or readable from that position, in which case, the temporary permit shall be displayed in such a manner that it is clearly visible from the rear or left side of the vehicle. [Temporary demonstration plates shall be displayed as provided for in Subsection A of this section.]

          C. No vehicle while being operated on the highways of this state shall have displayed either on the front or the rear of the vehicle any registration plate, including tab or sticker, other than one issued or validated for the current registration period by the department or any other licensing authority having jurisdiction over the vehicle. No expired registration plate, tab or sticker shall be displayed on the vehicle other than an expired special registration plate which may be exhibited on the front of the vehicle.

          D. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the use of a promotional or advertising plate on the front of the vehicle."

- 2 -