If an assigned or replacement VIN plate was issued and it becomes damaged or mutilated, the owner shall submit a notarized statement of facts describing how the VIN plate became damaged or mutilated to the county treasurer. A duplicate VIN plate bearing the same numbers as previously assigned may be issued as follows:

1. (1) If the mutilated VIN plate is still affixed to the vehicle, the applicant must make the vehicle available to the inspecting official and the applicant shall remove the VIN plate in the inspecting official's presence and the inspecting official shall affix the replacement VIN plate on the vehicle; or

2. (2) If the VIN plate is already detached, the applicant shall surrender it to the inspecting official, who shall affix the replacement VIN plate on the vehicle.

   Any replacement or assigned VIN plate which is damaged prior to or during application or a replacement VIN plate on which a numbering error occurs shall be returned to the department by the inspecting official. Each replacement or assigned VIN plate being returned shall be rendered unusable prior to mailing by cutting the VIN plate in half diagonally without destroying the legibility of the control number.

Source: 13 SDR 59, effective November 27, 1986; 13 SDR 129, 13 SDR 134, effective July 1, 1987 ; 43 SDR 36, effective September 19, 2016 .

General Authority: SDCL 32-3-57 (1)(4) .

Law Implemented: SDCL 32-3-22.

Prior versions effective: 1987-07-01.