28-2052. Title and registration of foreign vehicles

A. Except as provided in subsection E of this section, the owner of a foreign vehicle that has been registered in another state or country and for which an application for a certificate of title is made shall surrender to the department the license plates assigned to the vehicle, the registration card, the certificate of ownership or other evidence of foreign registration and satisfactory evidence of ownership showing that the applicant is the lawful owner or possessor of the vehicle.

B. If in the course of interstate operation of a vehicle registered in another state or country it is desirable to retain registration of the vehicle in the other state or country, the applicant need not follow the requirements of subsection A of this section but shall submit evidence of the foreign registration and ownership for inspection. The department shall register the vehicle on a proper showing of evidence of registration but shall not issue a certificate of title for the vehicle.

C. The department may inspect a foreign vehicle before issuing a certificate of title or before registration, including examination and inspection to establish compliance with section 28-955, under conditions and standards as required by the director of environmental quality. The department may establish procedures to accept vehicle inspections completed in another state.

D. Before the department issues a certificate of title to a vehicle imported into this country, the owner shall obtain a certificate of compliance that states that the vehicle meets all federal vehicle equipment and emissions equipment requirements. This subsection does not apply to a golf cart manufactured or modified before June 17, 1998 or neighborhood electric vehicle manufactured or modified before June 17, 1998.

E. The department may establish procedures to accept evidence that the certificate of title or certificate of ownership has been voided or destroyed by another state.