Distinctive number; form of number plates

§ 411. Distinctive number; form of number plates. 1. No person shall operate or drive a motorcycle on the public highways of this state unless such motorcycle shall have a distinctive number assigned to it by the commissioner and a number plate issued by the commissioner with a number corresponding to that of the certificate of registration conspicuously displayed on the rear of such motorcycle, securely fastened so as to prevent the same from swinging.

2. Such number plates shall be of such material, form, design and dimensions and contain or set forth such distinguishing number or other identification marks as the commissioner shall prescribe, provided, however, that there shall be at all times a marked contrast between the color of the number plates and that of the numerals or letters thereon, and provided further that no motorcycle shall display the number plates of more than one state at a time, nor shall any plate be used other than those issued by the commissioner.

3. No person shall operate or drive a motorcycle upon the public highways of this state having displayed thereon a number plate not proper for such motorcycle under the provisions of this chapter and, upon conviction for this offense, the number plate shall be surrendered to the court for delivery to the commissioner.

4. No person shall knowingly authorize or permit a number plate issued for a motorcycle owned and registered by him to be displayed on any motorcycle other than a motorcycle to which such number plate has been assigned by the commissioner, or upon which such number plate may legally be displayed under a temporary certificate of registration issued by a dealer under the provisions of section four hundred twenty of this chapter.