{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-1548.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-1548.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-1548.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-1548.html"}],"law_id":73069,"edition_id":1,"section_id":73069,"structure_id":14806,"section_number":"46.2-1548","catch_line":"Transferable license plates","history":"1988, c. 865, \u00a7 46.1-550.5:6; 1989, c. 727; 1990, c. 197; 1991, c. 712; 1995, cc. 767, 816; 2008, cc. 304, 753.","full_text":"In lieu of registering each vehicle of a type described in this section, a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer owning and operating any motor vehicle on any highway may obtain a license plate bearing the legend provided in \u00a7 46.2-1549 from the Department, on application therefor on the prescribed form and on payment of the fees required by law. These license plates shall be attached to each vehicle as required by subsection A of \u00a7 46.2-711. Each plate shall bear a distinctive number, and the name of the Commonwealth, which may be abbreviated, together with the word “dealer” or a distinguishing symbol indicating that the plate is issued to a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer. Month and year decals indicating the date of expiration shall be affixed to each license plate. Any license plates so issued may, during the calendar year or years for which they have been issued, be transferred from one motor vehicle to another, used or operated by the manufacturer, distributor, or dealer, who shall keep a written record of the motor vehicle on which the dealer’s license plates are used. This record shall be in a format approved by the Commissioner and shall be open to inspection by any law-enforcement officer or any officer or employee of the Department.\n\t\tDisplay of a transferable manufacturer’s, distributor’s, or dealer’s license plate or plates on a motor vehicle shall subject the vehicle to the requirements of \u00a7\u00a7 46.2-1038 and 46.2-1056.\n\t\tAll manufacturer’s, distributor’s, and dealer’s license plates shall be issued for a period of twelve consecutive months except, at the discretion of the Commissioner, the periods may be adjusted as may be necessary to distribute the registrations as equally as practicable on a monthly basis. The expiration date shall be the last day of the twelfth month of validity or the last day of the designated month. Every license plate shall be renewed annually 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.\n\t\tThe Commissioner may offer an optional multi-year license plate registration to manufacturers, distributors, and dealers licensed pursuant to this chapter provided that he has chosen to offer optional multi-year licensing to such persons pursuant to \u00a7 46.2-1521. When such option is offered and chosen by the licensee, all annual and twelve-month fees due at the time of registration shall be multiplied by the number of years or fraction thereof the licensee will be licensed pursuant to \u00a7 46.2-1521.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":263114,"text":"In lieu of registering each vehicle of a type described in this section, a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer owning and operating any motor vehicle on any highway may obtain a license plate bearing the legend provided in \u00a7 46.2-1549 from the Department, on application therefor on the prescribed form and on payment of the fees required by law. These license plates shall be attached to each vehicle as required by subsection A of \u00a7 46.2-711. Each plate shall bear a distinctive number, and the name of the Commonwealth, which may be abbreviated, together with the word “dealer” or a distinguishing symbol indicating that the plate is issued to a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer. Month and year decals indicating the date of expiration shall be affixed to each license plate. Any license plates so issued may, during the calendar year or years for which they have been issued, be transferred from one motor vehicle to another, used or operated by the manufacturer, distributor, or dealer, who shall keep a written record of the motor vehicle on which the dealer’s license plates are used. This record shall be in a format approved by the Commissioner and shall be open to inspection by any law-enforcement officer or any officer or employee of the Department.\n\t\tDisplay of a transferable manufacturer’s, distributor’s, or dealer’s license plate or plates on a motor vehicle shall subject the vehicle to the requirements of \u00a7\u00a7 46.2-1038 and 46.2-1056.\n\t\tAll manufacturer’s, distributor’s, and dealer’s license plates shall be issued for a period of twelve consecutive months except, at the discretion of the Commissioner, the periods may be adjusted as may be necessary to distribute the registrations as equally as practicable on a monthly basis. The expiration date shall be the last day of the twelfth month of validity or the last day of the designated month. Every license plate shall be renewed annually 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.\n\t\tThe Commissioner may offer an optional multi-year license plate registration to manufacturers, distributors, and dealers licensed pursuant to this chapter provided that he has chosen to offer optional multi-year licensing to such persons pursuant to \u00a7 46.2-1521. When such option is offered and chosen by the licensee, all annual and twelve-month fees due at the time of registration shall be multiplied by the number of years or fraction thereof the licensee will be licensed pursuant to \u00a7 46.2-1521.","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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-1548\/","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 5 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 197; in 1991, chapter 712; in 1995, chapters 767<\/a> and 816<\/a>; in 2008, chapters 304<\/a> and 753<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":68641,"section_number":"46.2-1552.1","catch_line":"Use of dealer's license plates or temporary transport plates for demonstrating trucks or tractor trucks","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1552.1\/"},{"id":56634,"section_number":"46.2-1553","catch_line":"Operation without license plate prohibited","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1553\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":80603,"section_number":"46.2-1038","catch_line":"When turn signals required; exceptions","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1038\/"},{"id":75928,"section_number":"46.2-1056","catch_line":"When safety glass required","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1056\/"},{"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":65556,"section_number":"46.2-1549","catch_line":"Dealer's, manufacturer's, and distributor's license plates to distinguish between various types of dealers","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1549\/"},{"id":67466,"section_number":"46.2-711","catch_line":"Furnishing number and design of plates; displaying on vehicles required","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-711\/"}],"permalink":{"id":231397,"object_type":"law","relational_id":73069,"identifier":"46.2-1548","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1548","url":"\/46.2-1548\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-1548\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/5\/46.2-1548","dublin_core":{"Title":"Transferable license plates","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-1548","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

In lieu of registering each vehicle of a type described in this section, a manufacturer<\/span>, distributor<\/span>, or dealer<\/span> owning and operating any motor vehicle<\/span> on any highway<\/span> may obtain a license plate<\/span> bearing the legend provided in \u00a7 46.2-1549<\/a> from the Department<\/span>, on application therefor on the prescribed form and on payment of the fees required by law<\/span>. These license plates<\/span> shall be attached to each vehicle as required by subsection A of \u00a7 46.2-711<\/a>. Each plate shall bear a distinctive number, and the name of the Commonwealth, which may be abbreviated, together with the word “dealer<\/span>” or a distinguishing symbol indicating that the plate is issued to a manufacturer<\/span>, distributor<\/span>, or dealer<\/span>. Month and year decals<\/span> indicating the date of expiration shall be affixed to each license plate<\/span>. Any license plates<\/span> so issued may, during the calendar year or years for which they have been issued, be transferred from one motor vehicle<\/span> to another, used<\/span> or operated by the manufacturer<\/span>, distributor<\/span>, or dealer<\/span>, who shall keep a written record of the motor vehicle<\/span> on which the dealer<\/span>’s license plates<\/span> are used<\/span>. This record shall be in a format approved by the Commissioner<\/span> and shall be open to inspection by any law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span> or any officer or employee of the Department<\/span>.\n\t\tDisplay of a transferable manufacturer<\/span>’s, distributor<\/span>’s, or dealer<\/span>’s license plate<\/span> or plates on a motor vehicle<\/span> shall subject the vehicle to the requirements of \u00a7\u00a7 46.2-1038<\/a> and 46.2-1056<\/a>.\n\t\tAll manufacturer<\/span>’s, distributor<\/span>’s, and dealer<\/span>’s license plates<\/span> shall be issued for a period of twelve consecutive months except, at the discretion of the Commissioner<\/span>, the periods may be adjusted as may be necessary to distribute the registrations as equally as practicable on a monthly basis. The expiration date shall be the last day of the twelfth month of validity or the last day of the designated month. Every license plate<\/span> shall be renewed annually on application by the owner<\/span> and by payment of fees required by law<\/span>, such renewal to take effect on the first day of the succeeding month.\n\t\tThe Commissioner<\/span> may offer an optional multi-year license plate<\/span> registration to manufacturers<\/span>, distributors<\/span>, and dealers<\/span> licensed pursuant to this chapter provided that he has chosen to offer optional multi-year licensing to such persons pursuant to \u00a7 46.2-1521<\/a>. When such option is offered and chosen by the licensee, all annual and twelve-month fees due at the time of registration shall be multiplied by the number of years or fraction thereof the licensee will be licensed pursuant to \u00a7 46.2-1521<\/a>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nTRANSFERABLE LICENSE PLATES (\u00a7 46.2-1548)\n\nIn lieu of registering each vehicle of a type described in this section, a\nmanufacturer, distributor, or dealer owning and operating any motor vehicle on\nany highway may obtain a license plate bearing the legend provided in \u00a7\n46.2-1549 from the Department, on application therefor on the prescribed form\nand on payment of the fees required by law. These license plates shall be\nattached to each vehicle as required by subsection A of \u00a7 46.2-711. Each plate\nshall bear a distinctive number, and the name of the Commonwealth, which may be\nabbreviated, together with the word “dealer” or a distinguishing\nsymbol indicating that the plate is issued to a manufacturer, distributor, or\ndealer. Month and year decals indicating the date of expiration shall be affixed\nto each license plate. Any license plates so issued may, during the calendar\nyear or years for which they have been issued, be transferred from one motor\nvehicle to another, used or operated by the manufacturer, distributor, or\ndealer, who shall keep a written record of the motor vehicle on which the\ndealer’s license plates are used. This record shall be in a format\napproved by the Commissioner and shall be open to inspection by any\nlaw-enforcement officer or any officer or employee of the Department.\n\t\tDisplay of a transferable manufacturer’s, distributor’s, or\ndealer’s license plate or plates on a motor vehicle shall subject the\nvehicle to the requirements of \u00a7\u00a7 46.2-1038 and 46.2-1056.\n\t\tAll manufacturer’s, distributor’s, and dealer’s license\nplates shall be issued for a period of twelve consecutive months except, at the\ndiscretion of the Commissioner, the periods may be adjusted as may be necessary\nto distribute the registrations as equally as practicable on a monthly basis.\nThe expiration date shall be the last day of the twelfth month of validity or\nthe last day of the designated month. Every license plate shall be renewed\nannually on application by the owner and by payment of fees required by law,\nsuch renewal to take effect on the first day of the succeeding month.\n\t\tThe Commissioner may offer an optional multi-year license plate registration\nto manufacturers, distributors, and dealers licensed pursuant to this chapter\nprovided that he has chosen to offer optional multi-year licensing to such\npersons pursuant to \u00a7 46.2-1521. When such option is offered and chosen by the\nlicensee, all annual and twelve-month fees due at the time of registration shall\nbe multiplied by the number of years or fraction thereof the licensee will be\nlicensed pursuant to \u00a7 46.2-1521.\n\nHISTORY: 1988, c. 865, \u00a7 46.1-550.5:6; 1989, c. 727; 1990, c. 197; 1991, c.\n712; 1995, cc. 767, 816; 2008, cc. 304, 753.","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}}