46.2-1992.44 - Use of dealer's license plates, generally.
§ 46.2-1992.44. Use of dealer's license plates, generally.
A. Dealer's license plates may be used on trailers in the inventory oflicensed trailer manufacturers, distributors, and dealers in the Commonwealthwhen operated on the highways of Virginia by dealers or dealer-operators,their spouses, or employees of manufacturers, distributors, and dealers aspermitted in this article. Except as otherwise explicitly permitted in thisarticle, it shall be unlawful for any dealer to cause or permit: (i) use ofdealer's license plates on trailers other than those held in inventory forsale or resale; (ii) dealer's license plates to be lent, leased, rented, orplaced at the disposal of any persons other than those permitted by thisarticle to use dealer's license plates; and (iii) use of dealer's licenseplates on any vehicle other than a trailer or watercraft trailer. It shall beunlawful for any dealer to cause or permit dealer's license plates to be usedon:
1. Vehicles such as tow trucks, wrecking cranes, or other service vehicles;
2. Vehicles used to deliver or transport (i) trailers; (ii) portions ofvehicles; (iii) vehicle components, parts, or accessories; or (iv) fuel;
3. Courtesy vehicles; or
4. Vehicles used in conjunction with any other business.
B. A dealer may permit his license plates to be used in the operation of atrailer:
1. By any person whom the dealer reasonably believes to be a bona fideprospective purchaser who is either accompanied by a licensed salesperson orhas the written permission of the dealer;
2. When the plates are being used by a customer on a trailer owned by thedealer in whose repair shop the customer's trailer is being repaired; or
3. By a person authorized by the dealer on a vehicle that is being operatedto or from (i) a point of sale, (ii) an auction, (iii) a repair facility forthe purpose of mechanical repairs, painting, or installation of parts oraccessories, or (iv) a dealer exchange.
The dealer shall issue to the prospective purchaser, customer whose traileris being repaired, or other person authorized under subdivision 3 of thissubsection, a certificate on forms provided by the Department, a copy ofwhich shall be retained by the dealer and open at all times to the inspectionof the Commissioner or any of the officers or agents of the Department. Thecertificate shall be in the immediate possession of the person operating orauthorized to operate the trailer. The certificate shall entitle a person tooperate with dealer's license plates under (i) subdivision 1 or 2 of thissubsection for a specific period of no more than five days or (ii)subdivision 3 of this subsection for no more than twenty-four hours. No morethan two certificates may be issued by a dealer to the same person undersubdivision 1 or 2 of this subsection for successive periods.
(1996, cc. 1043, 1052; 1998, c. 827.)