{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-1547.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-1547.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-1547.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-1547.html"}],"law_id":70428,"edition_id":1,"section_id":70428,"structure_id":14806,"section_number":"46.2-1547","catch_line":"License under this chapter prerequisite to receiving dealer’s license plates; insurance required; Commissioner may revoke plates","history":"1988, c. 865, \u00a7 46.1-550.5:5; 1989, c. 727; 1990, c. 954; 1995, cc. 767, 816; 2015, c. 615.","full_text":"No motor vehicle manufacturer, distributor, or dealer, unless licensed under this chapter, shall be entitled to receive or maintain any dealer’s license plates. It shall be unlawful to use or permit the use of any dealer’s license plates for which there is no automobile liability insurance coverage or a certificate of self-insurance as defined in \u00a7 46.2-368 on any motor vehicle. No dealer’s license plates shall be issued unless the dealer certifies to the Department that there is automobile liability insurance coverage or a certificate of self-insurance with respect to each dealer’s license plate to be issued. Such automobile liability insurance or a certificate of self-insurance shall be maintained as to each dealer’s license plate for so long as the registration for the dealer’s license plate remains valid without regard to whether the plate is actually being used on a vehicle. If insurance or a certificate of self-insurance is not so maintained, the dealer’s license plate shall be surrendered to the Department. The Commissioner shall revoke any dealer’s license plate as to which there is no insurance or a certificate of self-insurance. The Commissioner may also revoke any dealer’s license plate that has been used in any way not authorized by the provisions of this title.\n\t\tThe requirements relating to insurance in this article shall not apply to trailers or watercraft trailers.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":254160,"text":"No motor vehicle manufacturer, distributor, or dealer, unless licensed under this chapter, shall be entitled to receive or maintain any dealer’s license plates. It shall be unlawful to use or permit the use of any dealer’s license plates for which there is no automobile liability insurance coverage or a certificate of self-insurance as defined in \u00a7 46.2-368 on any motor vehicle. No dealer’s license plates shall be issued unless the dealer certifies to the Department that there is automobile liability insurance coverage or a certificate of self-insurance with respect to each dealer’s license plate to be issued. Such automobile liability insurance or a certificate of self-insurance shall be maintained as to each dealer’s license plate for so long as the registration for the dealer’s license plate remains valid without regard to whether the plate is actually being used on a vehicle. If insurance or a certificate of self-insurance is not so maintained, the dealer’s license plate shall be surrendered to the Department. The Commissioner shall revoke any dealer’s license plate as to which there is no insurance or a certificate of self-insurance. The Commissioner may also revoke any dealer’s license plate that has been used in any way not authorized by the provisions of this title.\n\t\tThe requirements relating to insurance in this article shall not apply to trailers or watercraft trailers.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":14806,"edition_id":1,"name":"Dealer's License Plates","identifier":"5","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13356,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:50:03","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:50:03","permalink":{"id":231379,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14806,"identifier":"5","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5","url":"\/46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/","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":60822,"structure_id":14806,"section_number":"46.2-1545.1","catch_line":"Watercraft trailer dealers and watercraft trailers","url":"\/46.2-1545.1\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1545.1","metadata":false},{"id":82643,"structure_id":14806,"section_number":"46.2-1545.2","catch_line":"Exclusion of transit buses, all-terrain vehicles, and off-road motorcycles","url":"\/46.2-1545.2\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1545.2","metadata":false},{"id":75245,"structure_id":14806,"section_number":"46.2-1546","catch_line":"Registration of dealers; fees","url":"\/46.2-1546\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1546","metadata":false},{"id":70428,"structure_id":14806,"section_number":"46.2-1547","catch_line":"License under this chapter prerequisite to receiving dealer's license plates; insurance required; Commissioner may revoke plates","url":"\/46.2-1547\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1547","metadata":false},{"id":73069,"structure_id":14806,"section_number":"46.2-1548","catch_line":"Transferable license plates","url":"\/46.2-1548\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1548","metadata":false},{"id":65556,"structure_id":14806,"section_number":"46.2-1549","catch_line":"Dealer's, manufacturer's, and distributor's license plates to distinguish between various types of dealers","url":"\/46.2-1549\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1549","metadata":false},{"id":59461,"structure_id":14806,"section_number":"46.2-1549.1","catch_line":"Dealer's promotional license plates","url":"\/46.2-1549.1\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1549.1","metadata":false},{"id":66981,"structure_id":14806,"section_number":"46.2-1549.2","catch_line":"Special license plate combination","url":"\/46.2-1549.2\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1549.2","metadata":false},{"id":72295,"structure_id":14806,"section_number":"46.2-1550","catch_line":"Use of dealer's and manufacturer's license plates, generally","url":"\/46.2-1550\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1550","metadata":false},{"id":75442,"structure_id":14806,"section_number":"46.2-1550.1","catch_line":"Use of dealer's license plates and temporary transport plates on certain vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1550.1\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1550.1","metadata":false},{"id":61332,"structure_id":14806,"section_number":"46.2-1550.2","catch_line":"Issuance and use of temporary transport plates, generally","url":"\/46.2-1550.2\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1550.2","metadata":false},{"id":72427,"structure_id":14806,"section_number":"46.2-1550.3","catch_line":"Alternative print-on-demand program for issuance of temporary transport license plates to dealers and vehicle owners","url":"\/46.2-1550.3\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1550.3","metadata":false},{"id":59153,"structure_id":14806,"section_number":"46.2-1551","catch_line":"Use of dealer's license plates or temporary transport plates on certain vehicles traveling from one establishment to another for purpose of having special equipment installed","url":"\/46.2-1551\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1551","metadata":false},{"id":65898,"structure_id":14806,"section_number":"46.2-1552","catch_line":"Use of dealer's license plates on newly purchased vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1552\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1552","metadata":false},{"id":68641,"structure_id":14806,"section_number":"46.2-1552.1","catch_line":"Use of dealer's license plates or temporary transport plates for demonstrating trucks or tractor trucks","url":"\/46.2-1552.1\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1552.1","metadata":false},{"id":56634,"structure_id":14806,"section_number":"46.2-1553","catch_line":"Operation without license plate prohibited","url":"\/46.2-1553\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1553","metadata":false},{"id":74422,"structure_id":14806,"section_number":"46.2-1554","catch_line":"Movement by manufacturer to place of shipment or delivery","url":"\/46.2-1554\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1554","metadata":false},{"id":87244,"structure_id":14806,"section_number":"46.2-1555","catch_line":"Movement by dealers to salesrooms","url":"\/46.2-1555\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1555","metadata":false},{"id":72569,"structure_id":14806,"section_number":"46.2-1556","catch_line":"Operation under foreign dealer's license","url":"\/46.2-1556\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1556","metadata":false},{"id":70871,"structure_id":14806,"section_number":"46.2-1557","catch_line":"Use of certain foreign-registered motor vehicles in driver education programs","url":"\/46.2-1557\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1557","metadata":false},{"id":80274,"structure_id":14806,"section_number":"46.2-1557.1","catch_line":"Removal of plates by Department of Motor Vehicles investigators; cancellation; reissuance","url":"\/46.2-1557.1\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1557.1","metadata":false},{"id":65801,"structure_id":14806,"section_number":"46.2-1557.2","catch_line":"Penalties for violations of article; service of summons","url":"\/46.2-1557.2\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1557.2","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":75245,"structure_id":14806,"section_number":"46.2-1546","catch_line":"Registration of dealers; fees","url":"\/46.2-1546\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1546","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":73069,"structure_id":14806,"section_number":"46.2-1548","catch_line":"Transferable license plates","url":"\/46.2-1548\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1548","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-1547\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1988. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 865 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1988 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 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 1989, chapter 727; in 1990, chapter 954; in 1995, chapters 767<\/a> and 816<\/a>; in 2015, chapter 615<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":59461,"section_number":"46.2-1549.1","catch_line":"Dealer's promotional license plates","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1549.1\/"},{"id":61332,"section_number":"46.2-1550.2","catch_line":"Issuance and use of temporary transport plates, generally","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1550.2\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":80663,"section_number":"46.2-368","catch_line":"Certificate of self-insurance exempts from chapter","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-368\/"}],"permalink":{"id":231393,"object_type":"law","relational_id":70428,"identifier":"46.2-1547","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1547","url":"\/46.2-1547\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-1547\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1547","dublin_core":{"Title":"License under this chapter prerequisite to receiving dealer’s license plates; insurance required; Commissioner may revoke plates","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-1547","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

No motor vehicle<\/span> manufacturer<\/span>, distributor<\/span>, or dealer<\/span>, unless licensed under this chapter, shall be entitled to receive or maintain any dealer<\/span>’s license plates<\/span>. It shall be unlawful to use or permit the use of any dealer<\/span>’s license plates<\/span> for which there is no automobile liability insurance coverage or a certificate of self-insurance as defined in \u00a7 46.2-368<\/a> on any motor vehicle<\/span>. No dealer<\/span>’s license plates<\/span> shall be issued unless the dealer<\/span> certifies to the Department<\/span> that there is automobile liability insurance coverage or a certificate of self-insurance with respect to each dealer<\/span>’s license plate<\/span> to be issued. Such automobile liability insurance or a certificate of self-insurance shall be maintained as to each dealer<\/span>’s license plate<\/span> for so long as the registration for the dealer<\/span>’s license plate<\/span> remains valid without regard to whether the plate is actually being used<\/span> on a vehicle. If insurance or a certificate of self-insurance is not so maintained, the dealer<\/span>’s license plate<\/span> shall be surrendered to the Department<\/span>. The Commissioner<\/span> shall revoke<\/span> any dealer<\/span>’s license plate<\/span> as to which there is no insurance or a certificate of self-insurance. The Commissioner<\/span> may also revoke<\/span> any dealer<\/span>’s license plate<\/span> that has been used<\/span> in any way not authorized by the provisions of this title.\n\t\tThe requirements relating to insurance in this article shall not apply to trailers or watercraft trailers<\/span>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nLICENSE UNDER THIS CHAPTER PREREQUISITE TO RECEIVING DEALER’S LICENSE\nPLATES; INSURANCE REQUIRED; COMMISSIONER MAY REVOKE PLATES (\u00a7 46.2-1547)\n\nNo motor vehicle manufacturer, distributor, or dealer, unless licensed under\nthis chapter, shall be entitled to receive or maintain any dealer’s\nlicense plates. It shall be unlawful to use or permit the use of any\ndealer’s license plates for which there is no automobile liability\ninsurance coverage or a certificate of self-insurance as defined in \u00a7 46.2-368\non any motor vehicle. No dealer’s license plates shall be issued unless\nthe dealer certifies to the Department that there is automobile liability\ninsurance coverage or a certificate of self-insurance with respect to each\ndealer’s license plate to be issued. Such automobile liability insurance\nor a certificate of self-insurance shall be maintained as to each dealer’s\nlicense plate for so long as the registration for the dealer’s license\nplate remains valid without regard to whether the plate is actually being used\non a vehicle. If insurance or a certificate of self-insurance is not so\nmaintained, the dealer’s license plate shall be surrendered to the\nDepartment. The Commissioner shall revoke any dealer’s license plate as to\nwhich there is no insurance or a certificate of self-insurance. The Commissioner\nmay also revoke any dealer’s license plate that has been used in any way\nnot authorized by the provisions of this title.\n\t\tThe requirements relating to insurance in this article shall not apply to\ntrailers or watercraft trailers.\n\nHISTORY: 1988, c. 865, \u00a7 46.1-550.5:5; 1989, c. 727; 1990, c. 954; 1995, cc.\n767, 816; 2015, c. 615.","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}}