(a) It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to drive or move, or for an owner knowingly to permit to be driven or moved, upon any highway, any vehicle of a type required to be registered under this chapter which is not registered within the time period prescribed by law, or for which a certificate of title has not been issued or applied for within the time period prescribed by law, or for which the appropriate fee has not been paid when and as required under this chapter.
(b) When an application accompanied by the proper fee has been made for registration and certificate of title for a vehicle, the vehicle may be operated temporarily pending complete registration upon displaying a duplicate application, duly verified, or other evidence of the application or otherwise under rules promulgated by the Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration.
(c) The purchaser of any new or used motor vehicle may operate the vehicle upon the public highways prior to making application for or obtaining registration thereof, if the person carries in the vehicle at all times a title to the vehicle which is assigned to the purchaser or a notarized bill of sale evidencing the transfer of the vehicle to the purchaser.