N.Y. VAT Law § 411

§ 411. Distinctive number; form of number plates. 1. No person shall\noperate or drive a motorcycle on the public highways of this state\nunless such motorcycle shall have a distinctive number assigned to it by\nthe commissioner and a number plate issued by the commissioner with a\nnumber corresponding to that of the certificate of registration\nconspicuously displayed on the rear of such motorcycle, securely\nfastened so as to prevent the same from swinging.\n 2. Such number plates shall be of such material, form, design and\ndimensions and contain or set forth such distinguishing number or other\nidentification marks as the commissioner shall prescribe, provided,\nhowever, that there shall be at all times a marked contrast between the\ncolor of the number plates and that of the numerals or letters thereon,\nand provided further that no motorcycle shall display the number plates\nof more than one state at a time, nor shall any plate be used other than\nthose issued by the commissioner.\n 3. No person shall operate or drive a motorcycle upon the public\nhighways of this state having displayed thereon a number plate not\nproper for such motorcycle under the provisions of this chapter and,\nupon conviction for this offense, the number plate shall be surrendered\nto the court for delivery to the commissioner.\n 4. No person shall knowingly authorize or permit a number plate issued\nfor a motorcycle owned and registered by him to be displayed on any\nmotorcycle other than a motorcycle to which such number plate has been\nassigned by the commissioner, or upon which such number plate may\nlegally be displayed under a temporary certificate of registration\nissued by a dealer under the provisions of section four hundred twenty\nof this chapter.\n