                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

SURRENDER OF LICENSE PLATE AND REGISTRATION CARD; REMOVAL BY LAW ENFORCEMENT;
OPERATION OF VEHICLE DENIED (§ 46.2-2139)

A. It shall be unlawful for a permittee or certificate holder whose permit or
certificate has expired or been revoked or suspended or whose renewal thereof
has been denied pursuant to this chapter to fail or refuse to surrender, on
demand, to the Department license plates and registration cards issued under
this title.

B. It shall be unlawful for a vehicle owner who is not the holder of a valid
permit or certificate or whose vehicle is not validly leased to a motor carrier
holding an active permit or certificate to fail or refuse to surrender to the
Department on demand license plates and registration cards issued under this
title.

C. If any law-enforcement officer finds that a vehicle bearing Virginia license
plates or temporary transport plates is in violation of subsection A or B, such
law-enforcement officer may remove the license plate or plates and registration
card. If a law-enforcement officer removes a license plate or registration card,
he shall forward such license plate and registration card to the Department.

D. When informed that a motor carrier vehicle is being operated in violation of
this section, the driver shall drive the vehicle to a nearby location off the
public highways and not remove it or allow it to be moved until the motor
carrier is in compliance with all provisions of this chapter.

HISTORY: 2001, c. 596; 2015, c. 258; 2017, cc. 790, 815.