No person may possess a manufacturer's vehicle identification number plate unless it is attached to the vehicle or vehicle part to which it was originally affixed by the manufacturer, nor may a person have any facsimile of such a plate. This section does not prohibit possession of legitimate plates by persons:

1. (1) Whose possession is incident to a contract to supply them to a manufacturer of new motor vehicles or when the plates are in possession of a manufacturer of new vehicles or the manufacturer's employee who possesses them within the scope of his work;
2. (2) Who are authorized in writing by the secretary of revenue to possess the plates. A violation of this section is a Class 6 felony.

Source: SL 1983, ch 230 , § 10; SL 1989, ch 255 , § 11.