46.2-1548 - Transferable license plates.
§ 46.2-1548. Transferable license plates.
In lieu of registering each vehicle of a type described in this section, amanufacturer, distributor, or dealer owning and operating any motor vehicleon any highway may obtain a license plate bearing the legend provided in §46.2-1549 from the Department, on application therefor on the prescribed formand on payment of the fees required by law. These license plates shall beattached to each vehicle as required by subsection A of § 46.2-711. Eachplate shall bear a distinctive number, and the name of the Commonwealth,which may be abbreviated, together with the word "dealer" or adistinguishing symbol indicating that the plate is issued to a manufacturer,distributor, or dealer. Month and year decals indicating the date ofexpiration shall be affixed to each license plate. Any license plates soissued may, during the calendar year or years for which they have beenissued, be transferred from one motor vehicle to another, used or operated bythe manufacturer, distributor, or dealer, who shall keep a written record ofthe motor vehicle on which the dealer's license plates are used. This recordshall be in a format approved by the Commissioner and shall be open toinspection by any law-enforcement officer or any officer or employee of theDepartment.
Display of a transferable manufacturer's, distributor's, or dealer's licenseplate or plates on a motor vehicle shall subject the vehicle to therequirements of §§ 46.2-1038 and 46.2-1056.
All manufacturer's, distributor's, and dealer's license plates shall beissued for a period of twelve consecutive months except, at the discretion ofthe Commissioner, the periods may be adjusted as may be necessary todistribute the registrations as equally as practicable on a monthly basis.The expiration date shall be the last day of the twelfth month of validity orthe last day of the designated month. Every license plate shall be renewedannually on application by the owner and by payment of fees required by law,such renewal to take effect on the first day of the succeeding month.
The Commissioner may offer an optional multi-year license plate registrationto manufacturers, distributors, and dealers licensed pursuant to this chapterprovided that he has chosen to offer optional multi-year licensing to suchpersons pursuant to § 46.2-1521. When such option is offered and chosen bythe licensee, all annual and twelve-month fees due at the time ofregistration shall be multiplied by the number of years or fraction thereofthe licensee will be licensed pursuant to § 46.2-1521.
(1988, c. 865, § 46.1-550.5:6; 1989, c. 727; 1990, c. 197; 1991, c. 712;1995, cc. 767, 816; 2008, cc. 304, 753.)