1997 Minnesota Statutes

     168.15 Rights as to registration certificates and number 
  plates. 

    Subdivision 1.    Transfer of ownership.  Except as 
 provided in subdivision 3, upon the transfer of ownership, 
 destruction, theft, dismantling as such, or the permanent 
 removal by the owner thereof from this state of any motor 
 vehicle registered in accordance with the provisions of this 
 chapter, the right of the owner of such vehicle to use the 
 registration certificate and number plates assigned such vehicle 
 shall expire, and such certificate and any existing plates shall 
 be, by such owner, forthwith returned, with transportation 
 prepaid, to the registrar with a signed notice of the date and 
 manner of termination of ownership, giving the name and post 
 office address, with street and number, if in a city, of the 
 person to whom transferred.  No fee may be charged for a return 
 of plates under this section.  When the ownership of a motor 
 vehicle shall be transferred to another who shall forthwith 
 register the same in the other's name, the registrar may permit 
 the manual delivery of such plates to the new owner of such 
 vehicle.  When seeking to become the owner by gift, trade, or 
 purchase of any vehicle for which a registration certificate has 
 been theretofore issued under the provisions of this chapter, a 
 person shall join with the registered owner in transmitting with 
 the application the registration certificate, with the 
 assignment and notice of sale duly executed upon the reverse 
 side thereof, or, in case of loss of such certificate, with such 
 proof of loss by sworn statement, in writing, as shall be 
 satisfactory to the registrar.  Upon the transfer of any motor 
 vehicle by a manufacturer or dealer, for use within the state, 
 whether by sale, lease, or otherwise, such manufacturer or 
 dealer shall, within ten days after such transfer, file with the 
 registrar a notice or report containing the date of such 
 transfer, a description of such motor vehicles, and the name, 
 street and number of residence, if in a city, and the post 
 office address of the transferee, and shall transmit therewith 
 the transferee's application for registration thereof. 

    Subd. 2.    Transfer of engine.  Upon the transfer of 
 any automobile engine or motor, except a new engine or motor, 
 transferred with intent that the same be installed in a new 
 automobile, and whether such transfer be made by a manufacturer 
 or dealer, or otherwise, and whether by sale, lease or 
 otherwise, the transferor shall, within two days after such 
 transfer, file with the registrar a notice or report containing 
 the date of such transfer and a description, together with the 
 maker's number of the engine or motor, and the name and post 
 office address of the purchaser, lessee, or other transferee.  

    Subd. 3.    Vehicles of lessors; transfers.  
 Notwithstanding subdivision 1, a motor vehicle lessor licensed 
 under section 168.27, subdivision 2, 3, or 4, may transfer 
 license plates issued to one rental motor vehicle owned by the 
 lessor to another rental motor vehicle, owned by the lessor and 
 not previously registered in Minnesota or another jurisdiction, 
 if within ten days of the transfer the lessor registers the 
 vehicle to which the license plates were transferred.  Upon 
 registration, the lessor must pay all taxes and fees due on the 
 registration of the vehicle to which the license plates were 
 transferred, plus a transfer fee of $15.  The fee must be 
 deposited in the highway user tax distribution fund.  For 
 purposes of this subdivision, "rental motor vehicle" means a 
 vehicle used for rentals or leases of 30 days or less. 

    HIST: (2681) 1921 c 461 s 10; 1923 c 418 s 10; 1927 c 89; 1984 
 c 489 s 1; 1986 c 444; 1996 c 455 art 4 s 9; 1997 c 135 s 2 

*   NOTE:  This section was amended by Laws 1996, chapter 455, 
*article 4, section 9 which is repealed effective June 30, 1999.  
*Laws 1996, chapter 455, article 4, section 15.