(a) Any person who in the opinion of the commissioner is qualified may apply for a transporter’s registration and number plate. The applicant shall furnish such information as the commissioner requires on forms to be furnished by the commissioner. All transporter registrations issued pursuant to this section shall expire annually on the last day of March. Not later than January 1, 1989, the commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 specifically identifying (1) the types of vehicles which may be registered under a transporter’s number plate and (2) limitations on the use of such plate, including the purposes for which such plate may be used.

      (b) The applicant shall, instead of registering each motor vehicle owned by such applicant or temporarily in the applicant’s custody, have issued to such applicant by the commissioner a general distinguishing number. Thereupon, each motor vehicle owned by the applicant or temporarily in the applicant’s custody shall be regarded as registered under and having assigned to it the distinguishing number. The commissioner shall charge a fee at the rate of two hundred fifty dollars per annum for each general distinguishing number.

      (c) A registrant shall furnish proof of financial responsibility to the commissioner as provided by section 14-112.

      (d) Except as provided in this subsection, no registrant shall rent or allow or cause to be rented, operate or allow or cause to be operated for hire, use or cause to be used for the purpose of conveying passengers, merchandise or freight for hire, or operate as a commercial vehicle with a load, any motor vehicle registered under a transporter number plate. The number plate shall not be loaned to any person and shall not be used by its holder for personal purposes. The registrant who holds a transporter number plate may operate, or cause to be operated by a bona fide employee, motor vehicles for the purpose of transportation or repossession of motor vehicles owned by him or temporarily in his custody. Such number plate may be used for the movement on a contract or other basis of a storage or office trailer, house trailer, modular building or similar, nonpower trailing unit having unitized construction and to which a removable axle assembly is attached. Any dealer in boats may use, or allow or cause to be used, any trailer so registered for the purpose of transporting a boat or boats, together with any necessary equipment, between a demonstration site and his established place of business.

      (e) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (d) of this section shall be fined not less than two hundred fifty dollars nor more than five hundred dollars.