Replacing lost or damaged plates, tags, or emblems

Upon the loss, defacement, or destruction of a number plate or plates, tag or emblem issued upon any vehicle, or where the number plate, tag, or emblem has become illegible or is in such condition as to be difficult to read, the owner of the vehicle shall make application for a new number plate or plates, tag, or emblem upon such form as shall be prescribed by the county director of finance. The owner shall be required, in addition to other requirements, to make a complete statement as to the cause of the loss, defacement, or destruction of the original number plate or plates, tag, or emblem. Upon the filing of such form, the director of finance shall issue a new number plate or plates, tag, or emblem and shall charge the owner a fee to be fixed by the director of finance equal to the costs of the number plate, tag, or emblem, plus the administrative cost of furnishing the plate, tag, or emblem and effecting the replacement. [RL 1935, pt of §2157; am L 1937, c 214, §1, subs 5; RL 1945, §5709; am L 1951, c 162, §3; am L 1953, c 158, §2; RL 1955, §130-8; am L 1967, c 236, §1; HRS §249-8]