{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/46.2-1544.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/46.2-1544.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/46.2-1544.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/46.2-1544.html"}],"law_id":365045,"edition_id":2,"section_id":365045,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1544","catch_line":"Certificate of title for dealers; penalty","history":"1988, c. 865, \u00a7 46.1-550.5:2; 1989, c. 727; 1995, cc. 767, 816; 2015, c. 615.","full_text":"Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, every dealer shall obtain, on the purchase of each vehicle, a certificate of title issued to the dealer or shall obtain an assignment or reassignment of a certificate of title for each vehicle purchased, except that a certificate of title shall not be required for any new vehicle to be sold as such. Any person found guilty of violating any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\nThe provisions of this section shall also apply to watercraft trailers and watercraft trailer dealers.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1360078,"text":"Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, every dealer shall obtain, on the purchase of each vehicle, a certificate of title issued to the dealer or shall obtain an assignment or reassignment of a certificate of title for each vehicle purchased, except that a certificate of title shall not be required for any new vehicle to be sold as such. Any person found guilty of violating any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":""},"1":{"id":1360079,"text":"The provisions of this section shall also apply to watercraft trailers and watercraft trailer dealers.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":""}},"ancestry":[{"id":52092,"edition_id":2,"name":"Conduct of Business","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":4,"parent_id":52086,"metadata":{"child_laws":25,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:53:22","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:19","permalink":{"id":1458279,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52092,"identifier":"4","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4","url":"\/46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52086,"edition_id":2,"name":"Motor Vehicle Dealers","identifier":"15","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":52085,"metadata":{"child_laws":170,"child_structures":16},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:53:16","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:18","permalink":{"id":1458069,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52086,"identifier":"15","token":"46.2\/IV\/15","url":"\/46.2\/IV\/15\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52085,"edition_id":2,"name":"Dealers and Driver Training Schools","identifier":"IV","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":4,"parent_id":52048,"metadata":{"child_laws":212,"child_structures":25},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:53:16","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:18","permalink":{"id":1458067,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52085,"identifier":"IV","token":"46.2\/IV","url":"\/46.2\/IV\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52048,"edition_id":2,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":101,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":1830,"child_structures":157},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:52:29","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:02","permalink":{"id":1452291,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52048,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":365022,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1528","catch_line":"Examination or audit of licensee; costs","url":"\/46.2-1528\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1528","metadata":false},{"id":365024,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1529","catch_line":"Dealer records","url":"\/46.2-1529\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1529","metadata":false},{"id":365023,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1529.1","catch_line":"Sales of used motor vehicles by dealers; disclosures; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1529.1\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1529.1","metadata":false},{"id":365027,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1530","catch_line":"Buyer's order","url":"\/46.2-1530\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1530","metadata":false},{"id":365025,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1530.1","catch_line":"Purchaser's on-line systems filing fee; collection and remittance","url":"\/46.2-1530.1\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1530.1","metadata":false},{"id":365026,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1530.2","catch_line":"Dealer's manual transaction fee; use in special fund","url":"\/46.2-1530.2\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1530.2","metadata":false},{"id":365028,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1531","catch_line":"Consignment vehicles; contract","url":"\/46.2-1531\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1531","metadata":false},{"id":365031,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1532","catch_line":"Odometer disclosure; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1532\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1532","metadata":false},{"id":365029,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1532.1","catch_line":"Certain disclosures required by manufacturers and distributors","url":"\/46.2-1532.1\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1532.1","metadata":false},{"id":365030,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1532.2","catch_line":"Certain disclosures required by motor vehicle manufacturers; motor vehicle recording devices","url":"\/46.2-1532.2\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1532.2","metadata":false},{"id":365033,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1533","catch_line":"Business hours","url":"\/46.2-1533\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1533","metadata":false},{"id":365032,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1533.1","catch_line":"Test driving vehicle; residence districts","url":"\/46.2-1533.1\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1533.1","metadata":false},{"id":365034,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1534","catch_line":"Signs","url":"\/46.2-1534\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1534","metadata":false},{"id":365035,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1535","catch_line":"Advertisements","url":"\/46.2-1535\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1535","metadata":false},{"id":365036,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1536","catch_line":"Coercing purchaser to provide insurance coverage on motor vehicle; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1536\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1536","metadata":false},{"id":365037,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1537","catch_line":"Prohibited solicitation and compensation","url":"\/46.2-1537\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1537","metadata":false},{"id":365038,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1538","catch_line":"Salesman selling for other than his employer prohibited","url":"\/46.2-1538\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1538","metadata":false},{"id":365040,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1539","catch_line":"Inspection of vehicles required; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1539\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1539","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":365039,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1539.1","catch_line":"Safety inspections or disclosure required before sale of certain trailers; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1539.1\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1539.1","metadata":false},{"id":365041,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1540","catch_line":"Inspections prior to sale not required of certain sellers","url":"\/46.2-1540\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1540","metadata":false},{"id":365042,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1541","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-1541\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1541","metadata":false},{"id":365043,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1542","catch_line":"Temporary registration","url":"\/46.2-1542\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1542","metadata":false},{"id":365044,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1543","catch_line":"Use of old license plates and registration number on another vehicle","url":"\/46.2-1543\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1543","metadata":false},{"id":365045,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1544","catch_line":"Certificate of title for dealers; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1544\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1544","metadata":false},{"id":365048,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1545","catch_line":"Termination of business","url":"\/46.2-1545\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1545","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":365044,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1543","catch_line":"Use of old license plates and registration number on another vehicle","url":"\/46.2-1543\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1543","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":365048,"structure_id":52092,"section_number":"46.2-1545","catch_line":"Termination of business","url":"\/46.2-1545\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1545","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-1544\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1988. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 865 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1988 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1989, chapter 727; in 1995, chapters 767<\/a> and 816<\/a>; in 2015, chapter 615<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1458373,"object_type":"law","relational_id":365045,"identifier":"46.2-1544","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1544","url":"\/46.2-1544\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-1544\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/4\/46.2-1544","dublin_core":{"Title":"Certificate of title for dealers; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-1544","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, every dealer<\/span> shall obtain, on the purchase of each vehicle<\/span>, a certificate of title issued to the dealer<\/span> or shall obtain an assignment or reassignment of a certificate of title for each vehicle<\/span> purchased, except that a certificate of title shall not be required for any new<\/span> vehicle<\/span> to be sold as such. Any person found guilty of violating any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>.<\/p>

The provisions of this section shall also apply to watercraft trailers<\/span> and watercraft trailer dealers<\/span>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCERTIFICATE OF TITLE FOR DEALERS; PENALTY (\u00a7 46.2-1544)\n\nExcept as otherwise provided in this chapter, every dealer shall obtain, on the\npurchase of each vehicle, a certificate of title issued to the dealer or shall\nobtain an assignment or reassignment of a certificate of title for each vehicle\npurchased, except that a certificate of title shall not be required for any new\nvehicle to be sold as such. Any person found guilty of violating any of the\nprovisions of this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\nThe provisions of this section shall also apply to watercraft trailers and\nwatercraft trailer dealers.\n\nHISTORY: 1988, c. 865, \u00a7 46.1-550.5:2; 1989, c. 727; 1995, cc. 767, 816; 2015,\nc. 615.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}