Motor vehicles; presumption of sale at retail; prerequisite for registration; penalties for failure of payment

Section 25. For the purposes of this chapter, every transfer of the registration of a motor vehicle or trailer, as defined in section one of chapter ninety, shall be presumed to be a sale at retail. Upon the return of the certificate of registration, as required by section two of said chapter ninety, the registrar of motor vehicles shall forthwith inform the commissioner of the date of transfer and the names and addresses of the former and new owners.

No certificate of registration shall be issued by the registrar of motor vehicles to the new owner until such new owner shall furnish evidence, on such forms as shall be prescribed by the commissioner and the registrar of motor vehicles, that any tax due under the provisions of this chapter has been paid in accordance with regulations of the commission.

If payment of any such tax due is made by check, credit card, debit card or any other payment method and the amount is not duly paid, the registrar of motor vehicles shall withhold issuance of the certificate of title for the motor vehicle, and shall prohibit the transfer or swap of the registration, and shall suspend or revoke any learner's permit, license to operate motor vehicles, certificate of registration or title, number plate, sticker, decal or other item for which the check, credit card, debit card or other payment method was tendered and order the return of the same forthwith. The holder of said registration for which such check, credit card, debit card or other payment method was used, may not apply for, receive or renew any learner's permit, license to operate motor vehicles, certificate of registration or title, number plates, stickers, decals or any other items issued under the provisions of chapter ninety or chapter ninety D until said amount has been duly paid.