31-2-201. Registration required; timelines.

(a) Except as provided in W.S. 31-2-224 and subsection (q) of this section, every owner, or if applicable, operator or lessee, of a vehicle which will be operated or driven upon any highway in Wyoming, shall be required to obtain registration at the following times:

(i) Annually not later than the last day of the annual registration month. Applications may be by mail;

(ii) Upon transfer of ownership of a vehicle:

(A) Within sixty (60) days if transferred and temporary license permits issued by a licensed dealer;

(B) Within sixty (60) days if transferred by an out-of-state dealer, regardless of when the out-of-state temporary permit expires;

(C) Within sixty (60) days if transferred under the provisions of W.S. 31-2-104(h). Vehicles may be operated by the transferee during this sixty (60) day period when accompanied by a notarized bill of sale;

Within sixty (60) days if transferred under the provisions of W.S. 31-2-104(h). Vehicles may be operated by the transferee during this sixty (60) day period when accompanied by a signed bill of sale that substantially conforms with the form provided in W.S. 31-2-104(h)(ii);

(D) Within forty-five (45) days for other transfer. Vehicles may be operated by the transferee during this forty-five (45) day period when accompanied by a properly executed title for the vehicle transferring interest in the vehicle to the transferee.

(iii) Upon becoming a resident in the case of a previous nonresident owner;

(iv) Notwithstanding paragraph (iii) of this subsection, immediately when the vehicle is being operated by a person not from this state for transportation to or from, or for the purpose of gainful employment or any trade, profession or occupation within this state.

(A) Repealed by Laws 2009, Ch. 16, § 4.

(B) Repealed by Laws 2009, Ch. 16, § 4.

(C) Repealed by Laws 2009, Ch. 16, § 4.

(b) Repealed by Laws 2009, Ch. 16, § 4.

(c) Repealed by Laws 2009, Ch. 16, § 4.

(d) Repealed by Laws 2009, Ch. 16, § 4.

(e) Repealed by Laws 2009, Ch. 16, § 4.

(f) Repealed by Laws 2009, Ch. 16, § 4.

(g) Repealed by Laws 2009, Ch. 16, § 4.

(h) Repealed by Laws 2009, Ch. 16, § 4.

(j) Any nonresident owner, lessee or operator of a vehicle that is not a commercial vehicle, who is employed in this state on a temporary or full-time basis may choose to purchase a temporary worker registration permit from the county treasurer in lieu of registering the vehicle pursuant to paragraph (a)(iv) of this section and paying the fees pursuant to W.S. 31-3-101, provided the vehicle displays a valid registration and license plate from another jurisdiction and is properly insured. Application for the temporary worker registration permit shall be made to the county treasurer in the manner and form prescribed by the department and shall be submitted with proof of valid insurance. The temporary worker registration permit shall bear a distinctive number assigned to the vehicle, an expiration date and at all times be prominently displayed and clearly visible on the vehicle in a manner prescribed by the department. Fees collected under this subsection shall be deposited in the county general fund. The fee for a temporary worker registration permit shall be fifty dollars ($50.00) per each month of required registration, and shall not exceed one hundred twenty (120) days per vehicle.

(k) W.S. 31-2-225 notwithstanding, upon compliance with W.S. 39-15-107(b) and 39-16-107(b), if applicable, an owner of a commercial vehicle that is not a Wyoming based commercial vehicle as defined by W.S. 31-18-201(a)(vi), a nonresident owner of a vehicle not employed in this state, or any owner upon transfer of ownership or lease, may, as an alternative to registration, obtain one (1) temporary registration permit in a twelve (12) month period authorizing operation of the vehicle on the highways of this state for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days from the date of issuance of the temporary registration permit. Any registration issued under this section shall bear a distinctive number assigned to the vehicle, an expiration date and at all times be prominently displayed and clearly visible on the vehicle in the manner prescribed by the department. Application for a temporary registration permit shall be made to the county treasurer in the manner and form prescribed by the department. A temporary registration permit under this subsection shall be considered an initial registration under W.S. 31-1-101(a)(xxx). The fee for the temporary registration permit shall be an amount equal to the following fractions of the annual registration fees for the vehicle required under W.S. 31-3-101:

(i) Up to thirty (30) days at one-tenth (.10);

(ii) Up to sixty (60) days at two-tenths (.20);

(iii) Up to ninety (90) days at three-tenths (.30).

(m) A one time "in transit" permit may also be purchased for a fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) per vehicle, which entitles a person who obtains a vehicle from any person, other than a licensed Wyoming vehicle dealer, to operate the vehicle on the highways of Wyoming without registration, only for the purpose of removing the vehicle from the state within a period of forty-eight (48) hours from the date of the permit. The applicant for this permit shall be required to provide any documentation necessary, including proof of insurance, to satisfy the county treasurer that the applicant has the lawful right to the vehicle. The permit shall expire forty-eight (48) hours after issuance, or upon leaving the state. The permit shall bear a distinctive number assigned to the vehicle, an expiration date and shall at all times be prominently displayed and clearly visible on the vehicle in a manner prescribed by the department.

(n) A vehicle which is not included as part of a licensed dealer's inventory, is not currently registered in this state or any other jurisdiction and is required to be registered if operated on the public highways of this state may be operated for demonstration purposes, without a load, on the public highways of this state while displaying a demonstration permit. The permit shall be obtained from the department, agent or any authorized person by the department, upon application, presentation of a valid certificate of title and payment of the prescribed fee. The permit shall indicate the dates of demonstration, not exceeding ninety-six (96) hours, and such other information as the department prescribes. The department shall prescribe the manner in which the permit shall be displayed.

(o) A resident found to be in control of a vehicle operated or driven upon any highway for which Wyoming vehicle registration is required shall be rebuttably presumed to be the actual owner of the vehicle, subject to the following:

(i) The department, in consultation with the department of revenue, a county treasurer or a Wyoming peace officer, is authorized to determine that a resident is in control of a vehicle operated or driven upon any highway in Wyoming for which Wyoming vehicle registration is required. Factors that indicate a resident is in control of a vehicle include, but are not limited to the following:

(A) The resident was a purchaser of the vehicle;

(B) The resident operated or stored the vehicle in Wyoming for any period of time;

(C) The resident is a partner, member or shareholder of the business entity that purports to be the owner of the vehicle;

(D) The resident is insured to drive the vehicle.

(ii) Upon a determination that a resident is in control of a vehicle operated or driven upon any highway in Wyoming for which Wyoming vehicle registration is required, the department shall notify the resident in writing that the resident is required to register the vehicle and to pay any sales or use taxes due on the purchase or use of the vehicle in accordance with W.S. 39-15-107(b)(i) or 39-16-107(b)(ii) within thirty (30) days from the date of the notice;

(iii) The department shall promulgate rules necessary to implement this subsection, including rules to provide the resident an opportunity for a hearing and appeal in accordance with the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act. Following a final determination in the appeal in favor of the department, the resident shall owe the taxes and fees determined to be due.

(p) If a resident found to be in control of a vehicle operated or driven upon any highway for which Wyoming vehicle registration is required under subsection (o) of this section fails to pay registration fees or applicable sales or use taxes due within thirty (30) days from the date of the notice required under subsection (o) of this section or within thirty (30) days following a final determination in favor of the department, the person shall be charged a penalty equal to seventy-five percent (75%) of the unpaid registration fees.

(q) Members of the armed forces who register their vehicles in Wyoming, are deployed outside the continental United States for ninety (90) days or more and whose vehicle registrations expire during their term of deployment shall be permitted to register their vehicles no later than fourteen (14) days after returning to Wyoming after deployment. The annual registration month of a vehicle registered under this subsection shall be the month in which the vehicle is registered after deployment. No fees or penalties shall be charged as a result of registration under this subsection and the registration fees charged shall be the same as otherwise provided in this article. Members who register under this subsection shall:

(i) Provide to the county treasurer proper documentation of the deployment; and

(ii) Attest that the vehicle to be registered was not driven between the date the vehicle registration expired and the date of registration under this subsection.