Minnesota Statutes Transportation (Ch. 160-174A) § 168.36. Unlawful use of unregistered vehicle certificate, plates

Subdivision 1. Misdemeanor; use of vehicle or certificate. Any person who shall use or cause any motor vehicle to be used or operated in violation of the provisions of this chapter or while a certificate of registration of a motor vehicle issued to the person is suspended or revoked, or who shall knowingly deliver a motor vehicle to another to be used or operated in violation of this chapter, or who shall violate any of the provisions thereof, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Subd. 2. Misdemeanor; use of plates or certificate. Any person who shall loan or use any number plate or registration certificate upon or in connection with any motor vehicle except the one for which the same was duly issued, or upon any such motor vehicle after such certificate or plates, or the right to use the same, have expired, or any person who shall retain in possession or shall fail to surrender, as herein provided, any such number plate or registration certificate shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person who manufactures, buys, sells, uses or displays motor vehicle license number plates, motor vehicle registration certificates, or tax receipts issued by this state or any other state, territory or district in the United States, without proper authority from such state, territory or district of the United States, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Subd. 3. Misdemeanor; use of altered plates or certificate. Any person who shall deface or alter any registration certificate or number plate or retain the same in possession after it has been defaced or altered shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Subd. 4. Officer may seize registration plates. If a peace officer stops a motor vehicle and determines, through a check of the motor vehicle registration record system, that the vehicle is being operated while the certificate of registration for the vehicle is revoked, the officer may immediately seize the vehicle's registration plates and destroy the plates or return them to the commissioner of public safety.