61-3-342. Temporary registration permit -- validity -- expiration. (1) Any purchaser of a motor vehicle who is unable to fully complete the process of applying for a certificate of title because the previously issued certificate of title is lost, in the possession of third parties, in the process of reissuance in this state or elsewhere, or subject to a disputed, preexisting security interest may, upon making affidavit to that effect upon a form prescribed by the department and upon the payment of all applicable registration fees and taxes, plus an additional fee of $2 to be collected by the county treasurer and remitted to the department, obtain a temporary registration permit from the county treasurer. The temporary registration permit, when issued by the county treasurer, is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance. The purchaser, upon displaying the temporary registration permit in the manner prescribed by the department, may operate the vehicle during the period stated in the temporary registration permit without displaying the number plates or plate for the current year. The county treasurer may not sell, and a person may not purchase, more than one 60-day temporary registration permit for any vehicle, the ownership of which has not changed since the issuance of the previous 60-day temporary registration permit.
     (2) The department may authorize the county treasurer to extend the previously issued temporary registration permit for an additional 60-day period if:
     (a) an unusual circumstance prevents the owner of a vehicle from presenting the certificate of title within the 60-day period permitted under subsection (1);
     (b) the owner requests, on a form prescribed by the department, an extension of the time for which the temporary registration permit is valid and pays a $10 fee.
     (3) Upon the expiration of the second 60-day temporary registration permit, if the purchaser still cannot present the previously issued certificate of title, properly assigned to the purchaser by the prior owner, or if a dispute remains as to any preexisting, perfected security interests created by the prior owner or the owner's assignee, the department may authorize the county treasurer to register the vehicle and advise the purchaser that the registration will not be renewed at the end of the registration period unless:
     (a) the previously issued certificate of title has been surrendered to the department, its authorized agent, or the county treasurer and the process for issuing a certificate of title has been completed; or
     (b) the purchaser complies with the requirements of 61-3-208.

     History: En. Sec. 5, Ch. 138, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 53-109.3; amd. Sec. 28, Ch. 614, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 209, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 503, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 604, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 65, Ch. 477, L. 2003.