§ 451. Dealer’s certificate
(a) Instead of registering each motor vehicle owned by him or her, a dealer may apply
under oath to the Commissioner, upon forms prescribed and furnished by the Commissioner
for that purpose, and accompanied by such additional information and certifications
as the Commissioner may reasonably require, for a general distinguishing number for
such motor vehicles. If the Commissioner is satisfied that the applicant meets all
the requirements of section 4 and chapter 7 of this title and is qualified to engage
in such business, the Commissioner may issue to the applicant a certificate of registration
containing the name, place of residence, and address of such applicant, the general
distinguishing number assigned, and such additional information as the Commissioner
may determine. If a dealer has a place of business or agency in more than one city
or town, he or she shall file an application and secure a certificate of registration
for each place of business or agency. The place of business or agency shall mean a
place in any town where motor vehicles owned by a dealer are regularly kept or exposed
for sale in the custody or control of the dealer or a salesman, employee, or agent
of such dealer. In his or her discretion, the Commissioner may assign the same distinguishing
number with more than one certificate to any dealer who has separate places of business
within the same or an adjacent city or town within Vermont. The Commissioner may allow
a dealer having one distinguishing number with more than one certificate to maintain
only one central area for the maintenance of records required by law to be kept, including
those required by section 466 of this title and for the transfer of motor vehicles. This location must be in Vermont and must
be disclosed on the application prior to approval and may be changed only with the
approval of the Commissioner or his or her agent. Dealer registration plates shall
contain letters indicating the type of dealer certificate issued before the distinguishing
number.
(b) With the prior approval of the Commissioner, a Vermont dealer may display vehicles
on a temporary basis, but in no instance for more than 14 consecutive days, at a fair,
show, exhibition, or other off-site location. New vehicles may only be displayed off-site
within the manufacturer’s stated area of responsibility in the franchise agreement.
No sales may be transacted at these off-site locations. A dealer desiring to display
vehicles temporarily at an off-site location shall notify the Commissioner in a manner
prescribed by the Commissioner no less than two days prior to the first day for which
approval is requested.
(c) A dealer in new or used motor vehicles may temporarily transfer possession of a vehicle
owned by the dealer on consignment to a registered auction dealer or Vermont licensed
auctioneer to be sold at public or private wholesale auction by the auction dealer
or Vermont licensed auctioneer.
(d) The issuance of snowmobile, motorboat, and all-terrain vehicle dealer registrations
are governed by this chapter and sections 3204, 3305, and 3504 of this title, respectively. (Amended 1965, No. 204, § 2; 1995, No. 19, § 11, eff. April 17, 1995; 1995, No. 112 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. April 22, 1996; 1999, No. 31, § 3; 2013, No. 57, § 8; 2015, No. 50, § 2.)