28-2531. Registration; violation; classification; exceptions

A. A person is guilty of a class 5 felony who:

1. Intentionally removes a manufacturer's serial or identification number from, defaces, alters or destroys a manufacturer's serial or identification number on or knowingly possesses any removed, defaced, altered or destroyed manufacturer's serial or identification number from a motor vehicle.

2. Is in possession of a motor vehicle knowing or having reason to know that a manufacturer's serial or vehicle identification number has been removed, defaced, altered or destroyed without the permission of the department.

3. Knowingly issues a license plate without payment of the full amount of the registration and weight fee payable on the date of issuance of the license plate.

B. A person is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor who:

1. Displays or possesses a registration card or license plate knowing it to be fictitious or to have been stolen, canceled, revoked, suspended or altered.

2. Lends to a person or knowingly permits the use of the person's registration card or license plate by a person not entitled to the card or plate.

3. Knowingly fails or refuses to surrender to the department on demand a license plate that has been suspended, canceled or revoked.

4. Uses a false or fictitious name or address in an application for registration of a vehicle or for a renewal or duplicate of a registration.

5. Knowingly makes a false statement or conceals a material fact or otherwise commits fraud in an application for registration of a vehicle or for a renewal or duplicate of a registration.

6. Knowingly issues a registration card that does not contain all information required to be shown on the card.

7. Knowingly places information on a registration card that does not appear on the certificate of title of the vehicle.

8. Operates on a street or highway a motor vehicle without an emissions control device as required by section 28-955 or with a device that has been dismantled or disconnected or is otherwise inoperative.

9. Displays or possesses a registration card or license plate while operating a vehicle on a highway after the person certifies to the department pursuant to section 28-4152 that the vehicle is nonoperational, is in storage or will not be operated on a highway of this state and does not have evidence of current financial responsibility applicable to the motor vehicle.

10. Intentionally alters, forges or counterfeits a permanent disability removable windshield placard issued by this state or another state or country.

C. This section does not apply to law enforcement officers or employees of the United States, this state or a political subdivision of this state if the violation occurs in the course of their official duties.

D. Subsection A, paragraph 2 of this section does not apply to a towing company that has a vehicle in its possession pursuant to section 9-499.05, 11-251.04, 28-872 or 28-4834 or a business acting in good faith and in the normal course of business and in conformance with all applicable laws.

E. Subsection A, paragraphs 1 and 2 of this section do not apply to a person who, for motor vehicles manufactured before 1981, removes and reinstalls a manufacturer's serial or identification number from a motor vehicle if the removal and reinstallation are reasonably necessary for repair or restoration, unless the person knows or has reason to know that the motor vehicle is stolen.