Manner of display
23 V.S.A. § 511
in effect511. Manner of display
(a) Number plates.
(1) A motor vehicle operated on any highway shall have displayed in a conspicuous place either one or two number plates as the Commissioner may require. The number plates shall be furnished by the Commissioner and shall show the number assigned to the vehicle by the Commissioner. If only one number plate is furnished, the plate shall be securely attached to the rear of the vehicle. If two are furnished, one shall be securely attached to the rear and one to the front of the vehicle.
(2) Except as otherwise provided by law:
(A) Number plates shall be kept entirely unobscured and the numerals and letters on the plates shall be plainly legible at all times.
(B) A person shall not color, tint, or change in any manner the numerals, letters, or background of the plate from their appearance at the time the plate was issued.
(C) A person shall not cover or obscure any numerals or letters on a number plate with any material or substance.
(3) Number plates shall be kept horizontal, shall be so fastened as not to swing, excepting, however, there may be installed on a motor truck or truck tractor a device that would, upon contact with a substantial object, permit the rear number plate to swing toward the front of the vehicle, provided such device automatically returns the number plate to its original rigid position after contact is released, and the ground clearance of the lower edges thereof shall be established by the Commissioner pursuant to the provisions of 3 V.S.A. chapter 25.
(b) [Repealed.]
(c) Violation. A person shall not operate a motor vehicle unless a number plate or number plates are displayed as provided in this section.
(d) [Repealed.]
(e) Temporary and in-transit registration plates. A motor vehicle issued a temporary or in-transit registration plate under section 312, 458, 463, 516, or 517 of this title operated on any highway shall have the temporary or in-transit registration plate displayed horizontally in a conspicuous place on the rear of the vehicle, including in the rear window. The temporary or in-transit registration plate shall be kept entirely unobscured, and the numerals and letters on the plate shall be plainly legible at all times as provided pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.
Amended 1979, No. 125 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 15, 1980; 2013, No. 189 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 2019, No. 60, § 32; 2021, No. 76, § 1, eff. Sept. 8, 2020; 2023, No. 41, § 13, eff. Nov. 1, 2023; 2025, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 26, eff. July 1, 2026.
Source: Vermont General Assembly (legislature.vermont.gov)URL: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/23/007/00511Fetched: 10/21/2026