CHAPTER 186
An Act to amend and reenact § 46.2-1550 of the Code of Virginia, relating to dealer's license plates; permitted uses.
[H 608]
Approved April 6, 2026
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 46.2-1550 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 46.2-1550 . Use of dealer's and manufacturer's license plates, generally.
A. Dealer's license plates may be used on vehicles in the inventory of licensed motor vehicle manufacturers, distributors, and dealers in the Commonwealth when operated on the highways of Virginia by dealers or dealer-operators, their spouses, or employees of manufacturers, distributors, and dealers as permitted in this article, which shall include business, personal, and family purposes. Except as otherwise explicitly permitted in this article, it shall be unlawful for any dealer to cause or permit: (i) use of dealer's license plates on vehicles other than those held in inventory for sale or resale; (ii) dealer's license plates to be lent, leased, rented, or placed at the disposal of any persons other than those permitted by this article to use dealer's license plates; and (iii) use of dealer's license plates on any vehicle of a type for which their use is not authorized by this article. Manufacturer's license plates may be used on company vehicles as defined in § 46.2-602.2 operated on the highways of Virginia as provided in § 46.2-602.2 and as permitted by this article. It shall be unlawful for any dealer to cause or permit dealer's license plates to be used on:
1. Motor vehicles such as tow trucks, wrecking cranes, or other service motor vehicles;
2. Vehicles used to deliver or transport (i) other vehicles; (ii) portions of vehicles; or (iii) vehicle components, parts, or accessories; or (iv) fuel , except when such delivery or transport consists of five gallons or less in a safety-approved or U.S. Department of Transportation-approved container ;
3. Courtesy vehicles; or