Utah § 1a-401 - License plates -- Number of plates -- Reflectorization -- Indicia of registration in lieu of or used with plates.

Full text of Utah Utah Code § 1a-401 — License plates -- Number of plates -- Reflectorization -- Indicia of registration in lieu of or used with plates., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 1a-401. License plates -- Number of plates -- Reflectorization -- Indicia of registration in lieu of or used with plates.

Effective 5/6/2026
41-1a-401.  License plates -- Number of plates -- Reflectorization -- Indicia of registration in lieu of or used with plates.
(1)
(a)Except as provided in Subsections (1)(c), (d), and (e), the division upon registering a vehicle shall issue to the owner:
(i)one license plate for a motorcycle, trailer, or semitrailer;
(ii)one registration decal for a park model recreational vehicle, in lieu of a license plate, which shall be attached in plain sight to the rear of the park model recreational vehicle;
(iii)one registration decal for a camper, in lieu of a license plate, which shall be attached in plain sight to the rear of the camper; and
(iv)one license plate for every other vehicle.
(b)The license plate or registration decal issued under Subsection (1)(a) is for the particular vehicle registered and may not be removed during the term for which the license plate or registration decal is issued or used upon any other vehicle than the registered vehicle.
(c)
(i)Notwithstanding Subsections (1)(a) and (b) and except as provided in Subsection (1)(c)(ii), the division, upon registering a motor vehicle that has been sold, traded, or the ownership of which has been otherwise released, shall transfer the license plate issued to the person applying to register the vehicle if:
(A)the previous registered owner has included the license plate as part of the sale, trade, or ownership release; and
(B)the person applying to register the vehicle applies to transfer the license plate to the new registered owner of the vehicle.
(ii)The division may not transfer a personalized or special group license plate to a new registered owner under this Subsection (1)(c) if the new registered owner does not meet the qualification or eligibility requirements for that personalized or special group license plate under this part or Part 16, Sponsored Special Group License Plates.
(d)
(i)For a vehicle described in Section 41-1a-301, the division upon registering a vehicle shall issue a license plate or set of license plates as provided in that section.
(ii)Except for a street-legal all-terrain vehicle, a motorcycle, or a trailer, for any vehicle not described in Subsection (1)(d)(i), at the request of the registrant, the division upon registering a vehicle may issue two license plates, for display on both the front and rear of the vehicle.
(e)The division upon registering a vehicle may, until inventory of license plate sets is exhausted, but no later than December 31, 2025, issue a set of two plates.
(f)The division shall ensure that license plates are distributed from a central location as soon as practicable, but no later than July 1, 2025.
(2)The division may receive applications for registration renewal, renew registration, and issue a new license plate or registration decal at any time prior to the expiration of registration.
(3)
(a)
(i)Except as provided in Subsection (3)(a)(ii), all license plates to be manufactured and issued by the division shall be treated with a fully reflective material on the plate face that provides effective and dependable reflective brightness during the service period of the license plate.
(ii)Notwithstanding Subsection (3)(a)(i), a historical support special group license plate may be treated with a place face that is partially reflective and provides effective and dependable reflective brightness during the service period of the license plate.
(b)The division shall prescribe all license plate material specifications and establish and implement procedures for conforming to the specifications.
(c)The specifications for the materials used such as the aluminum plate substrate, the reflective sheeting, and glue shall be drawn in a manner so that at least two manufacturers may qualify as suppliers.
(d)The granting of contracts for the materials shall be by public bid.
(4)
(a)The commission may issue, adopt, and require the use of indicia of registration it considers advisable in lieu of or in conjunction with license plates as provided in this part.
(b)All provisions of this part relative to license plates apply to these indicia of registration, so far as the provisions are applicable.
(5)A violation of this section is an infraction.


Amended by Chapter 295, 2026 General Session

Source: official Utah text · Last verified 2026-08-27

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Frequently Asked Questions About Utah § 1a-401

What does Utah Code § 1a-401 cover?

Section 1a-401 ("License plates -- Number of plates -- Reflectorization -- Indicia of registration in lieu of or used with plates.") is part of the Utah Code, the codified statutory law of Utah. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Utah § 1a-401?

A common citation format is "Utah Code § 1a-401" (Utah). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Utah law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Utah official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Utah attorney.

How does Utah § 1a-401 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Utah can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

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