Special vehicle license plates for volunteer emergency responders, volunteer firefighters, and volunteer search and rescue personnel
N.D. Cent. Code § 39-04-10.16
in effect39-04-10.16. Special vehicle license plates for volunteer emergency responders,
volunteer firefighters, and volunteer search and rescue personnel.
1. As used in this section:
a. "Fire department" means a certified city fire department, certified rural fire
department, or certified fire protection district that has filed a certificate of
existence under section 18-04-02.
b. "Volunteer emergency responder" means an emergency medical services
provider certified by the department of health and human services and the
individual's squad leader for a continuous period exceeding two years and who
receives an annual compensation of less than ten thousand dollars.
c. "Volunteer firefighter" means an active member in good standing with a North
Dakota fire department who has had a continuous membership for a period
exceeding two years and receives an annual compensation of less than
ten thousand dollars from the fire department.
d. "Volunteer search and rescue personnel" includes water and dive rescue
personnel and means an active member:
(1) Of an organization that at the request of a state entity, political subdivision,
or volunteer fire department deploys, coordinates, and uses available
resources and personnel in locating, relieving the distress of, preserving the
life of, or extracting an individual who is missing, trapped, or lost in remote
areas or waters of the state;
(2) In good standing and with continuous membership for a period exceeding
two years with an organization under paragraph 1; and
(3) Who receives an annual compensation of less than ten thousand dollars
from an organization under paragraph 1.
2. Upon application, the director shall issue red personalized plates to volunteer
emergency responders, volunteer firefighters, and volunteer search and rescue
personnel at no initial or annual cost to the volunteers. Qualified applicants are eligible
to receive one set of plates. Plates may not be displayed on a vehicle with a registered
gross weight exceeding twenty thousand pounds [9071.85 kilograms]. The first three
digits of the plate are the last three digits of the zip code where the volunteer's
department or organization is located. The remaining space may contain up to three
characters of the volunteer's choosing. This plate serves as an entrance pass to all
North Dakota state parks. In cooperation with the volunteer organizations, the director
shall designate qualifications and verification procedures for the plates issued under
this section.
3. On termination of the registrant's eligibility, the registrant shall return the plates to the
director, who shall reissue for a fee of not more than five dollars, and upon payment of
applicable registration fees, another number plate to which that registrant is entitled
under this chapter.
4. If a registrant fails to return the plates to the director, the director, upon notification of
the registrant's ineligibility, may revoke the plates and reissue for a fee of not more
than five dollars, and upon payment of applicable registration fees, another number
plate for which the registrant is entitled under this chapter.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t39c04.pdf#nameddest=39-04-10p16Fetched: 10/16/2026