{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-1508.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-1508.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-1508.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-1508.html"}],"law_id":76803,"edition_id":1,"section_id":76803,"structure_id":15454,"section_number":"46.2-1508","catch_line":"Licenses required; penalty","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 46-514; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-523; 1974, c. 189; 1976, c. 362; 1988, c. 865; 1989, c. 727; 1993, c. 123; 1995, cc. 767, 816; 1997, c. 848; 2000, c. 180; 2014, c. 695; 2015, c. 615; 2018, c. 509; 2022, c. 718.","full_text":"A\n\nIt shall be unlawful for any person to engage in business in the Commonwealth as a motor vehicle dealer or salesperson without first obtaining a license as provided in this chapter. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in business in the Commonwealth as a manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, distributor branch, or factory or distributor representative without first obtaining a license from the Department. Every person licensed as a manufactured home dealer under Chapter 4.2 (§ 36-85.16 et seq.) of Title 36 shall obtain a certificate of dealer registration as provided in this chapter. Every person licensed as a watercraft dealer under Chapter 8 (§ 29.1-800 et seq.) of Title 29.1 and who offers for sale watercraft trailers shall obtain a certificate of dealer registration as provided in this chapter but shall not be required to obtain a dealer license unless he also sells other types of trailers. Any nonprofit organization exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, after having obtained a nonprofit organization certificate as provided in this chapter, may consign donated motor vehicles to licensed Virginia motor vehicle dealers. Any person licensed in another state as a motor vehicle dealer may sell motor vehicles at wholesale auctions in the Commonwealth after having obtained a certificate of dealer registration as provided in this chapter. The offering or granting of a motor vehicle dealer franchise in the Commonwealth shall constitute engaging in business in the Commonwealth for purposes of this section, and no new motor vehicle may be sold or offered for sale in the Commonwealth unless the franchisor of motor vehicle dealer franchises for that line-make in the Commonwealth, whether such franchisor is a manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, distributor branch, or otherwise, is licensed under this chapter. In the event a license issued to a franchisor of motor vehicle dealer franchises is suspended, revoked, or not renewed, nothing in this section shall prevent the sale of any new motor vehicle of such franchisor’s line-make manufactured in or brought into the Commonwealth for sale prior to the suspension, revocation or expiration of the license.\n\t\t\tViolation of any provision of this subsection shall constitute a Class 1 misdemeanor, and such violation may also serve as the basis for injunctive relief pursuant to subsection B or C.B\n\nThe Board may file a motion with the circuit court for the county or city in which a person who violated any provision of subsection A is located, or with the circuit court for the City of Richmond, and, upon a hearing and for cause shown, the court may grant an injunction restraining such person from violating any provision of subsection A, regardless of whether an adequate remedy at law exists. A single act in violation of the provisions of subsection A is sufficient basis to authorize the issuance of an injunction. The Board shall not be required to post an injunction bond or other security.C\n\nAny licensed motor vehicle dealer who sustains injury or damage to his business or property by reason of a violation of subsection A by any person that is not licensed as required by subsection A may file a motion with the circuit court for the county or city in which a person alleged to have committed such violation is located, and, upon a hearing and for cause shown, the court may grant a temporary or permanent injunction prohibiting any further such violation. A single act in violation of the provisions of subsection A shall be sufficient basis to show injury or damage to the business or property of the licensed motor vehicle dealer. A licensed motor vehicle dealer shall not be required to post an injunction bond or other security.D\n\nIf the Board, pursuant to subsection B, or a licensed motor vehicle dealer, pursuant to subsection C, is awarded an injunction, the court may also award reasonable attorney fees and costs.E\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, a manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, distributor branch, or factory or distributor representative engaged in the manufacture or distribution of all-terrain vehicles or off-road motorcycles that does not also manufacture or distribute in the Commonwealth any motorcycle designed for lawful use on the public highways shall not be required to obtain a license from the Department.F\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, any manufacturer or distributor of transit buses that sells transit buses to a local government authority or nonprofit provider in the Commonwealth for the purposes of public transportation, as defined in 49 U.S.C. § 5302, shall not be required to obtain a manufacturers license from the Department of Motor Vehicles or a dealers license from the Motor Vehicle Dealer Board for such sales. For purposes of this subsection, “transit bus” means a rubber-tired automotive vehicle used for the provision of public transportation service by or for a recipient of federal or state funding allocated annually by the Commonwealth Transportation Board.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":275764,"text":"It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in business in the Commonwealth as a motor vehicle dealer or salesperson without first obtaining a license as provided in this chapter. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in business in the Commonwealth as a manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, distributor branch, or factory or distributor representative without first obtaining a license from the Department. Every person licensed as a manufactured home dealer under Chapter 4.2 (§ 36-85.16 et seq.) of Title 36 shall obtain a certificate of dealer registration as provided in this chapter. Every person licensed as a watercraft dealer under Chapter 8 (§ 29.1-800 et seq.) of Title 29.1 and who offers for sale watercraft trailers shall obtain a certificate of dealer registration as provided in this chapter but shall not be required to obtain a dealer license unless he also sells other types of trailers. Any nonprofit organization exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, after having obtained a nonprofit organization certificate as provided in this chapter, may consign donated motor vehicles to licensed Virginia motor vehicle dealers. Any person licensed in another state as a motor vehicle dealer may sell motor vehicles at wholesale auctions in the Commonwealth after having obtained a certificate of dealer registration as provided in this chapter. The offering or granting of a motor vehicle dealer franchise in the Commonwealth shall constitute engaging in business in the Commonwealth for purposes of this section, and no new motor vehicle may be sold or offered for sale in the Commonwealth unless the franchisor of motor vehicle dealer franchises for that line-make in the Commonwealth, whether such franchisor is a manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, distributor branch, or otherwise, is licensed under this chapter. In the event a license issued to a franchisor of motor vehicle dealer franchises is suspended, revoked, or not renewed, nothing in this section shall prevent the sale of any new motor vehicle of such franchisor’s line-make manufactured in or brought into the Commonwealth for sale prior to the suspension, revocation or expiration of the license.\n\t\t\tViolation of any provision of this subsection shall constitute a Class 1 misdemeanor, and such violation may also serve as the basis for injunctive relief pursuant to subsection B or C.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":275765,"text":"The Board may file a motion with the circuit court for the county or city in which a person who violated any provision of subsection A is located, or with the circuit court for the City of Richmond, and, upon a hearing and for cause shown, the court may grant an injunction restraining such person from violating any provision of subsection A, regardless of whether an adequate remedy at law exists. A single act in violation of the provisions of subsection A is sufficient basis to authorize the issuance of an injunction. The Board shall not be required to post an injunction bond or other security.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":275766,"text":"Any licensed motor vehicle dealer who sustains injury or damage to his business or property by reason of a violation of subsection A by any person that is not licensed as required by subsection A may file a motion with the circuit court for the county or city in which a person alleged to have committed such violation is located, and, upon a hearing and for cause shown, the court may grant a temporary or permanent injunction prohibiting any further such violation. A single act in violation of the provisions of subsection A shall be sufficient basis to show injury or damage to the business or property of the licensed motor vehicle dealer. A licensed motor vehicle dealer shall not be required to post an injunction bond or other security.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":275767,"text":"If the Board, pursuant to subsection B, or a licensed motor vehicle dealer, pursuant to subsection C, is awarded an injunction, the court may also award reasonable attorney fees and costs.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":275768,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, a manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, distributor branch, or factory or distributor representative engaged in the manufacture or distribution of all-terrain vehicles or off-road motorcycles that does not also manufacture or distribute in the Commonwealth any motorcycle designed for lawful use on the public highways shall not be required to obtain a license from the Department.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":275769,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, any manufacturer or distributor of transit buses that sells transit buses to a local government authority or nonprofit provider in the Commonwealth for the purposes of public transportation, as defined in 49 U.S.C. § 5302, shall not be required to obtain a manufacturers license from the Department of Motor Vehicles or a dealers license from the Motor Vehicle Dealer Board for such sales. For purposes of this subsection, “transit bus” means a rubber-tired automotive vehicle used for the provision of public transportation service by or for a recipient of federal or state funding allocated annually by the Commonwealth Transportation Board.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15454,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicle Dealer Licenses","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13356,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:55:10","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:55:10","permalink":{"id":231157,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15454,"identifier":"2","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/2","url":"\/46.2\/IV\/15\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13356,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicle Dealers","identifier":"15","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13355,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:42","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:42","permalink":{"id":231067,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13356,"identifier":"15","token":"46.2\/IV\/15","url":"\/46.2\/IV\/15\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13355,"edition_id":1,"name":"Dealers and Driver Training Schools","identifier":"IV","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:42","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:42","permalink":{"id":231065,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13355,"identifier":"IV","token":"46.2\/IV","url":"\/46.2\/IV\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12770,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12770,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":76803,"structure_id":15454,"section_number":"46.2-1508","catch_line":"Licenses required; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1508\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/2\/46.2-1508","metadata":false},{"id":82941,"structure_id":15454,"section_number":"46.2-1508.1","catch_line":"Licensure of certain nonprofit organizations","url":"\/46.2-1508.1\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/2\/46.2-1508.1","metadata":false},{"id":76206,"structure_id":15454,"section_number":"46.2-1508.2","catch_line":"Display, parking, selling, advertising sale of certain used motor vehicles prohibited","url":"\/46.2-1508.2\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/2\/46.2-1508.2","metadata":false},{"id":85171,"structure_id":15454,"section_number":"46.2-1509","catch_line":"Application for license or certificate of dealer registration","url":"\/46.2-1509\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/2\/46.2-1509","metadata":false},{"id":59611,"structure_id":15454,"section_number":"46.2-1510","catch_line":"Dealers required to have established place of business","url":"\/46.2-1510\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/2\/46.2-1510","metadata":false},{"id":64335,"structure_id":15454,"section_number":"46.2-1511","catch_line":"Dealer-operator to have certificate of qualification","url":"\/46.2-1511\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/2\/46.2-1511","metadata":false},{"id":59416,"structure_id":15454,"section_number":"46.2-1512","catch_line":"Salesperson to have certificate of qualification","url":"\/46.2-1512\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/2\/46.2-1512","metadata":false},{"id":65502,"structure_id":15454,"section_number":"46.2-1513","catch_line":"Continued operation on loss of a dealer-operator holding certificate of qualification","url":"\/46.2-1513\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/2\/46.2-1513","metadata":false},{"id":72572,"structure_id":15454,"section_number":"46.2-1514","catch_line":"Action on applications; hearing on denial; denial for failure to have established place of business","url":"\/46.2-1514\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/2\/46.2-1514","metadata":false},{"id":78462,"structure_id":15454,"section_number":"46.2-1515","catch_line":"Location to be specified; display of license; change of location","url":"\/46.2-1515\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/2\/46.2-1515","metadata":false},{"id":77529,"structure_id":15454,"section_number":"46.2-1516","catch_line":"Supplemental sales locations","url":"\/46.2-1516\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/2\/46.2-1516","metadata":false},{"id":83855,"structure_id":15454,"section_number":"46.2-1517","catch_line":"Changes in form of ownership, make, name","url":"\/46.2-1517\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/2\/46.2-1517","metadata":false},{"id":80930,"structure_id":15454,"section_number":"46.2-1518","catch_line":"Display of salesperson's license; notice on termination","url":"\/46.2-1518\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/2\/46.2-1518","metadata":false},{"id":74284,"structure_id":15454,"section_number":"46.2-1519","catch_line":"License and registration fees; additional to other licenses and fees required by law","url":"\/46.2-1519\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/2\/46.2-1519","metadata":false},{"id":76642,"structure_id":15454,"section_number":"46.2-1520","catch_line":"Collection of license and registration fees; payments from fund","url":"\/46.2-1520\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/2\/46.2-1520","metadata":false},{"id":58873,"structure_id":15454,"section_number":"46.2-1521","catch_line":"Issuance, expiration, and renewal of licenses and certificates of registration","url":"\/46.2-1521\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/2\/46.2-1521","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":82941,"structure_id":15454,"section_number":"46.2-1508.1","catch_line":"Licensure of certain nonprofit organizations","url":"\/46.2-1508.1\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/2\/46.2-1508.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-1508\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 13 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1958, chapter 541; in 1974, chapter 189; in 1976, chapter 362; in 1988, chapter 865; in 1989, chapter 727; in 1993, chapter 123; in 1995, chapters 767<\/a> and 816<\/a>; in 1997, chapter 848<\/a>; in 2000, chapter 180<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 695<\/a>; in 2015, chapter 615<\/a>; in 2018, chapter 509<\/a>; in 2022, chapter 718<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":62299,"section_number":"46.2-1158.01","catch_line":"Exceptions to motor vehicle inspection requirement","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1158.01\/"},{"id":65454,"section_number":"46.2-1503.4","catch_line":"General powers and duties of Board","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1503.4\/"},{"id":58873,"section_number":"46.2-1521","catch_line":"Issuance, expiration, and renewal of licenses and certificates of registration","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1521\/"},{"id":82643,"section_number":"46.2-1545.2","catch_line":"Exclusion of transit buses, all-terrain vehicles, and off-road motorcycles","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1545.2\/"},{"id":66388,"section_number":"46.2-1557.3","catch_line":"Exclusion of transit buses, all-terrain vehicles, and off-road motorcycles","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1557.3\/"},{"id":79165,"section_number":"46.2-644.1","catch_line":"Titling of all-terrain vehicles and off-road motorcycles","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-644.1\/"},{"id":59478,"section_number":"46.2-644.3","catch_line":"Acquisition of all-terrain vehicle or off-road motorcycle by dealer","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-644.3\/"},{"id":66929,"section_number":"58.1-2405","catch_line":"Basis of tax","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-2405\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":70983,"section_number":"29.1-800","catch_line":"Short title","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-800\/"},{"id":86721,"section_number":"36-85.16","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-85.16\/"}],"permalink":{"id":231159,"object_type":"law","relational_id":76803,"identifier":"46.2-1508","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/2\/46.2-1508","url":"\/46.2-1508\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-1508\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/2\/46.2-1508","dublin_core":{"Title":"Licenses required; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-1508","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in business in the Commonwealth as a motor vehicle dealer<\/span> or salesperson<\/span> without first obtaining a license as provided in this chapter. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in business in the Commonwealth as a manufacturer<\/span>, factory branch<\/span>, distributor, distributor branch<\/span>, or factory or distributor representative<\/span> without first obtaining a license from the Department<\/span>. Every person licensed as a manufactured home dealer<\/span> under Chapter 4.2 (§ 36-85.16<\/a> et seq.) of Title 36 shall obtain a certificate of dealer registration as provided in this chapter. Every person licensed as a watercraft dealer under Chapter 8 (§ 29.1-800<\/a> et seq.) of Title 29.1 and who offers for sale watercraft trailers<\/span> shall obtain a certificate of dealer registration as provided in this chapter but shall not be required to obtain a dealer license unless he also sells other types of trailers. Any nonprofit organization exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, after having obtained a nonprofit organization certificate as provided in this chapter, may consign donated motor vehicles<\/span> to licensed Virginia motor vehicle dealers<\/span>. Any person licensed in another state as a motor vehicle dealer<\/span> may sell motor vehicles<\/span> at wholesale auctions<\/span> in the Commonwealth after having obtained a certificate of dealer registration as provided in this chapter. The offering or granting of a motor vehicle dealer<\/span> franchise<\/span> in the Commonwealth shall constitute engaging in business in the Commonwealth for purposes of this section, and no new motor vehicle<\/span> may be sold or offered for sale in the Commonwealth unless the franchisor of motor vehicle dealer<\/span> franchises<\/span> for that line-make<\/span> in the Commonwealth, whether such franchisor is a manufacturer<\/span>, factory branch<\/span>, distributor, distributor branch<\/span>, or otherwise, is licensed under this chapter. In the event a license issued to a franchisor of motor vehicle dealer<\/span> franchises<\/span> is suspended, revoked, or not renewed, nothing in this section shall prevent the sale of any new motor vehicle<\/span> of such franchisor’s line-make<\/span> manufactured in or brought into the Commonwealth for sale prior to the suspension<\/span>, revocation<\/span> or expiration of the license.\n\t\t\tViolation of any provision of this subsection shall constitute a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>, and such violation may also serve as the basis for injunctive relief pursuant to subsection B or C. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The Board<\/span> may file a motion<\/span> with the circuit<\/span> court<\/span> for the county or city in which a person who violated any provision of subsection A is located, or with the circuit<\/span> court<\/span> for the City of Richmond, and, upon a hearing<\/span> and for cause shown, the court<\/span> may grant an injunction<\/span> restraining such person from violating any provision of subsection A, regardless of whether an adequate remedy at law<\/span> exists. A single act in violation of the provisions of subsection A is sufficient basis to authorize the issuance of an injunction<\/span>. The Board<\/span> shall not be required to post an injunction<\/span> bond<\/span> or other security. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any licensed motor vehicle dealer<\/span> who sustains<\/span> injury or damage to his business or property by reason of a violation of subsection A by any person that is not licensed as required by subsection A may file a motion<\/span> with the circuit<\/span> court<\/span> for the county or city in which a person alleged to have committed such violation is located, and, upon a hearing<\/span> and for cause shown, the court<\/span> may grant a temporary or permanent injunction<\/span> prohibiting any further such violation. A single act in violation of the provisions of subsection A shall be sufficient basis to show injury or damage to the business or property of the licensed motor vehicle dealer<\/span>. A licensed motor vehicle dealer<\/span> shall not be required to post an injunction<\/span> bond<\/span> or other security. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> If the Board<\/span>, pursuant to subsection B, or a licensed motor vehicle dealer<\/span>, pursuant to subsection C, is awarded an injunction<\/span>, the court<\/span> may also award reasonable attorney fees and costs. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, a manufacturer<\/span>, factory branch<\/span>, distributor, distributor branch<\/span>, or factory or distributor representative<\/span> engaged in the manufacture or distribution of all-terrain vehicles<\/span> or off-road motorcycles<\/span> that does not also manufacture or distribute in the Commonwealth any motorcycle<\/span> designed for lawful use on the public highways<\/span><\/span> shall not be required to obtain a license from the Department<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, any manufacturer<\/span> or distributor of transit buses that sells transit buses to a local government authority or nonprofit provider in the Commonwealth for the purposes of public transportation, as defined in 49 U.S.C. § 5302, shall not be required to obtain a manufacturers<\/span> license from the Department<\/span> of Motor Vehicles<\/span> or a dealers license from the Motor Vehicle Dealer<\/span> Board<\/span> for such sales. For purposes of this subsection, “transit bus<\/span>” means a rubber-tired automotive vehicle used<\/span> for the provision of public transportation service by or for a recipient of federal or state funding allocated annually by the Commonwealth Transportation Board<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nLICENSES REQUIRED; PENALTY (\u00a7 46.2-1508)\n\nA. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in business in the Commonwealth\nas a motor vehicle dealer or salesperson without first obtaining a license as\nprovided in this chapter. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in\nbusiness in the Commonwealth as a manufacturer, factory branch, distributor,\ndistributor branch, or factory or distributor representative without first\nobtaining a license from the Department. Every person licensed as a manufactured\nhome dealer under Chapter 4.2 (§ 36-85.16 et seq.) of Title 36 shall obtain\na certificate of dealer registration as provided in this chapter. Every person\nlicensed as a watercraft dealer under Chapter 8 (§ 29.1-800 et seq.) of\nTitle 29.1 and who offers for sale watercraft trailers shall obtain a\ncertificate of dealer registration as provided in this chapter but shall not be\nrequired to obtain a dealer license unless he also sells other types of\ntrailers. Any nonprofit organization exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3)\nof the Internal Revenue Code, after having obtained a nonprofit organization\ncertificate as provided in this chapter, may consign donated motor vehicles to\nlicensed Virginia motor vehicle dealers. Any person licensed in another state as\na motor vehicle dealer may sell motor vehicles at wholesale auctions in the\nCommonwealth after having obtained a certificate of dealer registration as\nprovided in this chapter. The offering or granting of a motor vehicle dealer\nfranchise in the Commonwealth shall constitute engaging in business in the\nCommonwealth for purposes of this section, and no new motor vehicle may be sold\nor offered for sale in the Commonwealth unless the franchisor of motor vehicle\ndealer franchises for that line-make in the Commonwealth, whether such\nfranchisor is a manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, distributor branch,\nor otherwise, is licensed under this chapter. In the event a license issued to a\nfranchisor of motor vehicle dealer franchises is suspended, revoked, or not\nrenewed, nothing in this section shall prevent the sale of any new motor vehicle\nof such franchisor’s line-make manufactured in or brought into the\nCommonwealth for sale prior to the suspension, revocation or expiration of the\nlicense.\n\t\t\tViolation of any provision of this subsection shall constitute a Class 1\nmisdemeanor, and such violation may also serve as the basis for injunctive\nrelief pursuant to subsection B or C.\n\nB. The Board may file a motion with the circuit court for the county or city in\nwhich a person who violated any provision of subsection A is located, or with\nthe circuit court for the City of Richmond, and, upon a hearing and for cause\nshown, the court may grant an injunction restraining such person from violating\nany provision of subsection A, regardless of whether an adequate remedy at law\nexists. A single act in violation of the provisions of subsection A is\nsufficient basis to authorize the issuance of an injunction. The Board shall not\nbe required to post an injunction bond or other security.\n\nC. Any licensed motor vehicle dealer who sustains injury or damage to his\nbusiness or property by reason of a violation of subsection A by any person that\nis not licensed as required by subsection A may file a motion with the circuit\ncourt for the county or city in which a person alleged to have committed such\nviolation is located, and, upon a hearing and for cause shown, the court may\ngrant a temporary or permanent injunction prohibiting any further such\nviolation. A single act in violation of the provisions of subsection A shall be\nsufficient basis to show injury or damage to the business or property of the\nlicensed motor vehicle dealer. A licensed motor vehicle dealer shall not be\nrequired to post an injunction bond or other security.\n\nD. If the Board, pursuant to subsection B, or a licensed motor vehicle dealer,\npursuant to subsection C, is awarded an injunction, the court may also award\nreasonable attorney fees and costs.\n\nE. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, a manufacturer, factory\nbranch, distributor, distributor branch, or factory or distributor\nrepresentative engaged in the manufacture or distribution of all-terrain\nvehicles or off-road motorcycles that does not also manufacture or distribute in\nthe Commonwealth any motorcycle designed for lawful use on the public highways\nshall not be required to obtain a license from the Department.\n\nF. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, any manufacturer or\ndistributor of transit buses that sells transit buses to a local government\nauthority or nonprofit provider in the Commonwealth for the purposes of public\ntransportation, as defined in 49 U.S.C. § 5302, shall not be required to\nobtain a manufacturers license from the Department of Motor Vehicles or a\ndealers license from the Motor Vehicle Dealer Board for such sales. For purposes\nof this subsection, “transit bus” means a rubber-tired automotive\nvehicle used for the provision of public transportation service by or for a\nrecipient of federal or state funding allocated annually by the Commonwealth\nTransportation Board.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 46-514; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-523; 1974, c. 189; 1976, c.\n362; 1988, c. 865; 1989, c. 727; 1993, c. 123; 1995, cc. 767, 816; 1997, c. 848;\n2000, c. 180; 2014, c. 695; 2015, c. 615; 2018, c. 509; 2022, c. 718.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}