172 LAWS OF MARYLAND

than one-half inch in width. Such plates or markers shall be
of a distinctly different color or shade each year, to be desig-
nated and selected by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, and
there shall be at all times a marked contrast between the color
of the number plates and that of the numerals or letters
thereon. In the case of motorcycles one number plate or
marker shall be furnished, the letters and figures thereon
to be at least one inch high and one-eighth of an inch in width.
The certificate provided for in this section and the right to use
the number plate or marker aforesaid shall expire at midnight
on December thirty-first of each and every year.

RECORDS—EXPIRATION OF REGISTRATION IN CASE

OF SALE.

134. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall keep a rec-
ord of all statements filed with him and all certificates issued
by him, which record shall be open to public inspection. Upon
the transfer of ownership of any motor vehicle, its certificate
of registration and the right to use the number plates or
markers aforesaid, shall expire, and upon surrender to said
Commissioner of such certificate and number plates, he shall
refund for the remaining months in the year the proportion-
able part of the fee for the registration of such motor vehicle
for the entire year, the amount so refunded to be computed as
to entire months and no fraction of months, and said Commis-
sioner may, at his discretion reassign the distinguishing
mark or number contained or described in such certificate. In
the event any plate or marker issued by said Commissioner
under the provisions of this or the preceding section shall be
lost or destroyed, he shall issue a duplicate thereof at cost
price. In the event that said Commissioner shall be unable to
immediately furnish any plate or marker herein provided for
to the person entitled thereto, he may issue a certificate to such
person, stating that such marker has been ordered and giv-
ing the number and general design thereof, and such person
may thereafter provide and use a temporary plate or marker
similar in form to the plate or marker herein provided for
until said required plate or marker has been so furnished.

REGISTRATION BY MANUFACTURERS AND
DEALERS.

135. Every manufacturer of or dealer in motor vehicles,
including individuals, corporations and copartnerships, may,
instead of registering each motor vehicle owned or controlled
by him, it or them, make application upon a blank provided by
the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for a general distinguish-
ing number or mark, and said Commissioner may, if satisfied