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SB441 • 2026

License plates; use, special permit, validity period.

An Act to amend and reenact § 46.2-719 of the Code of Virginia, relating to use of license plates; special permit; validity period.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Bagby
Last action
2026-04-08
Official status
Acts of Assembly Chapter
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details about record-keeping requirements or limitations on renewals beyond the initial permit period, which were included in the candidate explanation.

License Plates: Special Permits and Validity Periods

This act changes the rules for special permits that allow using someone else's license plates on a different car when their car is being repaired, extending the permit period from five days to up to thirty days.

What This Bill Does

  • Extends the validity of special permits allowing the use of another vehicle's license plates during repairs from five days to up to thirty days.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People whose cars are being repaired at licensed motor vehicle dealerships.
  • Licensed motor vehicle dealerships that repair vehicles.
  • The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Terms To Know

Special Permit
A document issued by the DMV allowing someone to use another car's license plates on their own car temporarily.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if the repairs take longer than thirty days.
  • It is unclear how this change will affect existing permit processes or regulations outside of Virginia.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-08 Governor

    Approved by Governor-Chapter 500 (effective 7/1/2026)

  2. 2026-04-08 Governor

    Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0500)

  3. 2026-04-01 Senate

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB441)

  4. 2026-03-31 Senate

    Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

  5. 2026-03-31 Governor

    Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  6. 2026-03-31 House

    Signed by Speaker

  7. 2026-03-31 Senate

    Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

  8. 2026-03-31 Governor

    Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  9. 2026-03-30 Senate

    Signed by President

  10. 2026-03-30 Senate

    Enrolled

  11. 2026-03-30 Senate

    Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB441ER)

  12. 2026-03-10 House

    Read third time

  13. 2026-03-10 House

    Passed House Block Vote (99-Y 0-N 0-A)

  14. 2026-03-09 House

    Read second time

  15. 2026-03-05 Transportation

    Reported from Transportation (21-Y 0-N)

  16. 2026-03-03 Department of Motor Vehicles

    Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)

  17. 2026-02-20 Department of Motor Vehicles

    Assigned HTRAN sub: Department of Motor Vehicles

  18. 2026-02-05 Senate

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB441)

  19. 2026-02-04 House

    Placed on Calendar

  20. 2026-02-04 House

    Read first time

  21. 2026-02-04 Transportation

    Referred to Committee on Transportation

  22. 2026-01-28 Senate

    Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  23. 2026-01-27 Senate

    Read second time

  24. 2026-01-27 Senate

    Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  25. 2026-01-26 Senate

    Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

  26. 2026-01-26 Senate

    Read first time

  27. 2026-01-26 Senate

    Passed by for the day

  28. 2026-01-26 Senate

    Passed by for the day

  29. 2026-01-26 Senate

    Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (38-Y 0-N 0-A)

  30. 2026-01-26 Senate

    Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  31. 2026-01-22 Transportation

    Reported from Transportation (14-Y 0-N)

  32. 2026-01-13 Senate

    Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102992D

  33. 2026-01-13 Transportation

    Referred to Committee on Transportation

Official Summary Text

Use of license plates; special permit; validity period.
Extends from five to 30 days the validity period of a special permit authorizing 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. The bill removes the provisions authorizing the renewal of such permit and limiting such renewals to once per permit.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
An Act to amend and reenact §
46.2-719
of the Code of Virginia, relating to use of license plates; special permit; validity period.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §
46.2-719
of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§
46.2-719
. Permit for emergency use of license plates.
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
of five
not to exceed 30
days from its issuance.
On its expiration, application may be made for a renewal permit in the manner provided for the original permit, but only one renewal permit shall be issued to cover any one emergency.
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.