Virginia Code

Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-719 (2026)

Permit for emergency use of license plates

✓ current as of May 2026

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A. The Commissioner may, in his discretion, grant a special permit for the use of license plates on a vehicle other than the vehicle for which the license plates were issued, when the vehicle for which the license plates were issued is undergoing repairs in a licensed motor vehicle dealer's repair shop and when the license plates are being used on a vehicle owned by the dealer in whose repair shop the vehicle is being repaired.

B. Application for the permit shall be made jointly by the dealer and the person whose vehicle is being repaired, on forms provided by the Department and shall show, in addition to whatever other information may be required by the Commissioner, that an emergency exists which would warrant the issuance of the permit.

C. The permit shall be evidenced by a certificate, issued by the Commissioner, which shall show the date of issuance, the person to whom issued, and the motor number, serial number, or identification number of the vehicle on which the license plates are to be used, and shall be in the immediate possession of the person operating the vehicle at all times while operating it. The certificate shall be valid for a period not to exceed 30 days from its issuance.

D. The Commissioner may, subject to the limitations and conditions set forth in this section, authorize a motor vehicle dealer licensed in the Commonwealth to issue such permit on behalf of the Commissioner in accordance with the provisions of subsections A, B, and C of this section provided such permits are issued only with regard to the transfer in an emergency situation of license plates from a vehicle undergoing repairs in that dealer's repair shop. Any dealer to whom the authority is delegated by the Commissioner shall use the forms provided by the Commissioner and shall maintain in permanent form a record of all permits issued by him and any other relevant information that may be required by the Commissioner. Each record shall be kept by the dealer for not less than three years from the date of entry. The dealer shall allow full access to these records, during regular business hours, to duly authorized representatives of the Department and to law-enforcement officers. One copy of any permit of this kind issued by a dealer and the application form submitted for the permit shall be filed promptly by the dealer with the Department. The Commissioner, on determining that the provisions of this section or the directions of the Department are not being complied with by a dealer, may suspend the right of such dealer to issue license plate transfer permits.

Code 1950, § 46-104.1; 1952, c. 537; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-110; 1978, c. 289; 1989, c. 727; 2026, c. 500.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 2 cases, 2003–2011 · leading case: Morris v. City of Virginia Beach, 707 S.E.2d 479 (Va. Ct. App. 2011).

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Morris v. City of Virginia Beach, 707 S.E.2d 479 (Va. Ct. App. 2011). · cites it 2× “2d at 56 (quoting Code § 46.2-719). The possibility that a permit might have been issued, however, did not preclude the officer from stopping the automobile to investigate whether the permit had in fact been obtained.”

Erie Lawrence v. Commonwealth, 578 S.E.2d 54 (Va. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 2× “” Code § 46.2-719. See also Code § 46.2-720.”

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