335.18 DISPLAY OF PLACARDS ISSUED TO MANUFACTURERS OR DEALERS.

   (a)   Any placards issued by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles and bearing the distinctive number assigned to a manufacturer, dealer or distributor pursuant to Ohio R.C. 4503.27 may be displayed on any motor vehicle, other than commercial tractors, or on any motorized bicycle owned by the manufacturer, dealer or distributor or lawfully in the possession or control of the manufacturer, his agent or employee, dealer, his agent or employee, the distributor, his agent or employee, and shall be displayed on no other motor vehicle or motorized bicycle. Such placards may be displayed on commercial tractors only when such tractors are in transit from a manufacturer to a dealer, from a distributor to a dealer or distributor, or from a dealer to a purchaser, or when such tractors are being demonstrated for sale or lease, and shall not be displayed when such tractors are being used for delivery, hauling, transporting or other commercial purpose.

   (b)   No person shall display any placard in violation of this section.

   (c)   Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor on a first offense; on a second offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree; on each subsequent offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.