HF4935

Purpose

This portion of the bill makes changes to how disability plates are handled when a vehicle is sold or replaced. It adds rules for transferring disability plates to a replacement vehicle and clarifies that buyers receive regular plates at no extra cost for the remainder of the current registration period.

Main Provisions

• When ownership of a vehicle with disability plates is transferred, the owner must remove the disability plates from that vehicle.
• The buyer is entitled to receive regular plates for the vehicle at no cost for the remainder of the current registration period.
• Disability plates may be transferred to a replacement vehicle only if:
  • the replacement vehicle is listed under section 168.012 subdivision 1, and
  • if the replacement involves a single plate for a motorcycle or motorized bicycle, the replacement vehicle must be a motorcycle or motorized bicycle and owned or primarily operated by the permanently physically disabled person.
• To transfer disability plates to the replacement vehicle, the transfer must be done with notification to the commissioner.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 168.021 subdivision 2a to add a clear process for transferring disability plates when ownership changes, including a requirement to remove the plates from the old vehicle and to permit transfer to a replacement vehicle under specific conditions.
• Establishes that buyers receive regular plates at no cost for the remainder of the registration period after a vehicle sale.
• Adds a notification mechanism to authorize transferring disability plates to a replacement vehicle, with conditions tied to the replacement vehicle’s eligibility and ownership status.

Practical Effects

• Disabled vehicle owners and buyers will face standardized steps for plate transfers, potentially reducing confusion.
• Replacement vehicles used by permanently physically disabled individuals may use disability plates if the stipulated conditions are met, with the process requiring notification to the state.

Terminology Inclusion

• disability plate(s)
• plate transfer
• ownership transfer
• regular plate(s)
• replacement vehicle
• notification to the commissioner
• permanently physically disabled person
• motorcycle
• motorized bicycle
• section 168.012 subdivision 1
• 168.021 subdivision 2a
• 168.12 subdivision 1

Relevant Terms - disability plate - plate transfer - ownership transfer - regular plates - replacement vehicle - notification to the commissioner - permanently physically disabled person - motorcycle - motorized bicycle - 168.012 subdivision 1 - 168.021 subdivision 2a - 168.12 subdivision 1