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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>58993</law_id><section_number>46.2-1561</section_number><catch_line>To whom temporary plates shall not be issued; dealer to forward application for current titling and registration; misstatements and false information</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>46.2-1565.1</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="46.2">Motor Vehicles</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="IV">Dealers and Driver Training Schools</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="15">Motor Vehicle Dealers</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="6">Issuance of Temporary License Plates by Dealers</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>No <span class="dictionary">dealer</span> shall <span class="dictionary">issue</span>, assign, transfer, or deliver temporary <span class="dictionary">license plates</span> to other than the bona fide purchaser or <span class="dictionary">owner</span> of a <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span>, whether or not the <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> is to be registered in the Commonwealth. If the <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> is to be registered in the Commonwealth, the <span class="dictionary">dealer</span> shall submit to the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> a written application for the current titling and registration of the purchased <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span>, accompanied by the prescribed fees. Any <span class="dictionary">dealer</span> who <span class="dictionary">issues</span> temporary <span class="dictionary">license plates</span> to a purchaser who fails or declines to request that his application be forwarded promptly to the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> forthwith shall notify the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of the issuance in the manner provided in this article. No <span class="dictionary">dealer</span> shall lend temporary <span class="dictionary">license plates</span> to any person for use on any <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span>. If the <span class="dictionary">dealer</span> does not have in his <span class="dictionary">possession</span> the certificate of title or <span class="dictionary">certificate of origin</span> he may <span class="dictionary">issue</span> temporary <span class="dictionary">license plates</span> even though the purchaser has current <span class="dictionary">license plates</span> to be transferred. The <span class="dictionary">dealer</span> shall present the title or <span class="dictionary">certificate of origin</span> to the customer or transfer <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> ownership in accordance with &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Electronic titling and registration program" href="/46.2-603.1/">46.2-603.1</a> within 30 days of purchase and after this transaction is completed the customer shall transfer his current <span class="dictionary">license plates</span> to the <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span>. If the title or <span class="dictionary">certificate of origin</span> cannot be produced for a <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> or the <span class="dictionary">dealer</span> fails to transfer <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> ownership in accordance with &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Electronic titling and registration program" href="/46.2-603.1/">46.2-603.1</a> within 30 days, a second set of temporary <span class="dictionary">license plates</span> may be issued provided that a temporary certificate of registration is issued as provided in &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Temporary registration" href="/46.2-1542/">46.2-1542</a>. It shall be unlawful for any person to <span class="dictionary">issue</span> any temporary <span class="dictionary">license plates</span> containing any misstatement of <span class="dictionary">fact</span>, or for any person issuing or using temporary <span class="dictionary">license plates</span> knowingly to insert any false information on their face.</p></section></text><history>1988, c. 865, &#xA7; 46.1-550.5:19; 1989, c. 727; 2005, c. 558; 2012, c. 650; 2015, c. 615.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
