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HB 1118

AN ACT to amend and reenact sections 39-04-11, 39-04-12, 39-04-36, 39-04-37, and 39-04-56 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to display of temporary registration permits; and to provide a penalty.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26)

ND HB1118 tightens temporary permit rules: clear display/visibility, 100-foot legibility, extends transferee window to 75 days, and makes forging/altering permits a class C felony.

Filed with Secretary Of State 03/26
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Bill Summary · HB 1118

HB 1118 — Summary (North Dakota): Display and Enforcement of Temporary Registration Permits

Status / Sponsor
- Introduced by the Transportation Committee at the request of the Highway Patrol (69th Legislative Assembly, 2025 session).
- Purpose: clarify where and how temporary registration permits must be displayed, tighten legibility/visibility standards, extend temporary registration time for vehicle transferees, and add criminal penalties for forging/altering temporary permits.

What the bill does — key provisions
- Display locations (39-04-11)
- A valid temporary registration permit obtained from the Department of Transportation or a licensed motor vehicle dealer must be displayed on one of the following: the rear window, the rearmost driver's-side window, or in the location of the rear license plate.
- The permit must be clearly visible to the rear and free of any obstructions.
- Maintains existing plate display rules (two plates front/rear where required; 12-inch minimum plate height; motorcycles/trailers rear-mounted, vertical display allowed).

  • Legibility requirement (39-04-12)

    • All number plates and temporary registration permits must be legible to an approaching motorist for a minimum distance of 100 feet (day or night with lawful headlights). Plates must be reflectorized per Department specifications.

  • Temporary registration for vehicle transfers (39-04-36)

    • Extends the director’s authority to issue a temporary registration certificate permitting a transferee to operate a vehicle while obtaining permanent registration from 30 days to 75 days after acquisition.
    • The temporary certificate remains printable on the reverse of each vehicle registration card and available from licensed dealers, law enforcement, and motor vehicle branch offices.

  • New unlawful act (39-04-37)

    • Adds a prohibition making it unlawful to operate (or knowingly permit operation of) a motor vehicle when the owner is a state resident employed in this state and does not have a required temporary registration permit (cross-references 39-04-18.2).

  • Forgery/alteration penalty (39-04-56)

    • Forging, counterfeiting, altering with fraudulent intent, or using an altered/forged registration card or temporary registration permit is specified as criminal conduct; the bill elevates such acts to a class C felony.

Who is affected
- Vehicle owners and transferees (individuals purchasing/receiving vehicles): must follow new display and visibility rules and may rely on a longer temporary registration window (75 days) to obtain permanent registration.
- Licensed motor vehicle dealers: must provide/display temporary permits per the specified locations and ensure permits meet visibility/legibility standards.
- Department of Transportation / DMV: may need to update forms, registration cards, and guidance; ensure temporary permits meet reflectorized/legibility standards.
- Law enforcement and prosecutors: clearer statutory standards and a felony penalty for forged/altered temporary permits strengthen enforcement options.

Procedural / implementation notes
- The changes amend North Dakota Century Code sections: 39‑04‑11, 39‑04‑12, 39‑04‑36, 39‑04‑37, and 39‑04‑56.
- The bill reflects requests from the Highway Patrol and includes committee and senate amendments refining display language.
- Administrative implementation may require updated registration cards and dealer guidance; expected fiscal impact is likely modest (form/system updates and enforcement workload).

Practical effect
- Standardizes permitted display locations for temporary permits and requires unobstructed visibility and 100‑foot legibility, aiding law enforcement identification of valid temporary registrations.
- Gives transferees more time (75 days) to obtain permanent registration.
- Increases penalties for fraudulent use or creation of registration documents, deterring counterfeiting and misuse.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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