28-2153. Registration requirement; exceptions;
assessment; violation; classification


A. A person shall not operate, move or leave standing on a highway a motor vehicle,
trailer or semitrailer unless the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer has been
registered with the department for the current registration year or is properly
registered for the current registration year by the state or country of which the owner
or lessee is a resident.


B. A resident shall not operate, move or leave standing on a highway a motor
vehicle, trailer or semitrailer that is:


1. Owned by a nonresident and that is primarily under the control of a resident of
this state for more than seven months unless the motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer
has been registered with the department for the current registration year.


2. Leased by the resident for more than twenty-nine days unless the motor vehicle,
trailer or semitrailer has been registered with the department for the current
registration year.


C. This section applies to a trailer or semitrailer without motive power unless the
vehicle is disabled or is being towed as an abandoned vehicle at the direction of a law
enforcement agency.


D. This section does not apply to:


1. A farm tractor.


2. A trailer used solely in the operation of a farm for transporting the
unprocessed fiber or forage products of a farm or any implement of husbandry designed
primarily for or used in agricultural operations and only incidentally operated or moved
on a highway.


3. A road roller or road machinery, including a power sweeper, that is temporarily
operating or moved on the highway.


4. An owner permitted to operate a vehicle under special provisions relating to
lienholders, manufacturers, dealers and nonresidents.


5. Motorized or nonmotorized equipment designed primarily for and used in mining
operations and only incidentally operated or moved on a highway.


6. A motor vehicle that is being towed by a tow truck that has been registered and
for which a permit has been obtained pursuant to section 28-1108.


7. A golf cart used in the operation of a golf course or only incidentally operated
or moved on a highway.


8. Wheeled equipment. For the purposes of this paragraph, "wheeled equipment"
means:


(a) A compressor.


(b) A forklift or a hay squeeze machine that is designed to load hay in an off-road
situation.


(c) A portable cement mixer.


(d) A single axle tow dolly as defined in section 28-1095.


(e) A tar pot.


(f) A water trailer used for watering livestock or for agricultural or domestic
purposes.


(g) A welder.


(h) Any other similar item designed and used primarily for construction or building
trade purposes.


9. An all-terrain vehicle or an off-road recreational motor vehicle operating on a
dirt road that is located in an unincorporated area of this state. For the purposes of
this paragraph, "dirt road" means an unpaved or ungraveled road that is not maintained by
this state or a city, town or county of this state.


10. A person operating an off-highway vehicle who is participating in an off-highway
vehicle special event as defined in section 28-1171.


11. An all-terrain vehicle or an off-highway vehicle as defined in section 28-1171
that is only incidentally operated or moved on a highway.


E. A person who owns or operates a trailer that is exempt from registration
pursuant to subsection D, paragraph 2 of this section shall notify the county assessor of
the exemption, and the assessor shall assess the trailer.


F. A person who violates subsection E of this section is guilty of a class 2
misdemeanor.