(a) Except for a vehicle registered under AS 28.10.152 or 28.10.155, a vehicle required to be registered under this chapter shall be registered under the procedures set out in this section.

(b) [Repealed, § 29 ch 6 FSSLA 1996.]

(c) [Repealed, § 29 ch 6 FSSLA 1996.]

(d) A registered vehicle retains the same biennial expiration date regardless of the ownership of the vehicle.

(e) The registration of a vehicle expires on the last day of the month to which the vehicle is assigned.

(f) Upon request of the owner and payment of the proportionate prorated applicable fees, a vehicle registered under this section shall have its registration period extended in monthly increments to allow biennial registration to occur in the month of the owner's choice, except that registration may not extend beyond the expiration of an emissions inspection and maintenance certificate required for the vehicle. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this chapter, upon request of the owner, payment of the annual fee set out in AS 28.10.421(h), payment of any annual vehicle registration tax due under AS 28.10.431(l), and, if applicable, payment of one-half of the biennial emission control inspection program fee imposed under AS 28.10.423, the department shall register a vehicle used for commercial purposes for a one-year period.

(g) The department shall issue to the registered owner, upon receipt of the proper application and fees, registration plates, tabs, and registration form displaying the month and year in which the registration expires.

(h) The department shall mail or deliver notice of registration expiration to the registered owner of record at the owner's mailing address or electronic mail address as shown in the records of the department. An owner of a vehicle subject to registration who has received notice under this subsection may renew registration of the vehicle on the department's Internet website or by returning the notice form, together with appropriate fees, to the department by mail postmarked not later than the fifth day of the registration renewal period shown on the vehicle's current registration or notice form. Upon receipt of a timely registration renewal application and the appropriate fees and taxes, the department shall renew the registration and mail the current registration card and registration plates or tabs to the owner at the owner's mailing address as shown in the department's records.

(i) If a vehicle is held for sale by a dealer, the requirement of registration and payment of fees and taxes does not apply until the vehicle is sold to a party other than another dealer. The exemption from payment of fees and taxes under this subsection applies only if

(1) the dealer is registered with the state; and

(2) the vehicle for which the exemption is sought can be shown to be part of the dealer's inventory at the time of exemption.

(j) The purchaser of a vehicle for which registration and taxes have been held in abeyance under (i) of this section shall register the vehicle within five working days of purchase and pay the prorated fees and taxes required by the department.

(k) The department shall prorate fees in monthly increments to allow for registration of vehicles in more or less than one-year periods when required by any provision of this section.

(l) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, the following vehicles are not required to be registered biennially and shall be registered one time only:

(1) a vehicle qualifying for registration under AS 28.10.181(d); or

(2) a vehicle owned by a person who is 65 years of age or older; this paragraph applies to only one vehicle owned by the person who is 65 years of age or older.