Agency 20 - DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES

AGENCY SUMMARY

The Department of Motor Vehicles is responsible for the administration of the motor vehicle license, registration and title laws; the issuance, suspension, and revocation of driver's licenses; the examination of applicants for and holders of driver's licenses; the administration, training, disciplining, and assignment of examiners of applicants for driver's licenses; the administration of the safety responsibility laws, fuel tax laws, the provisions of Title 46.2 of the Code of Virginia relating to transportation safety, and dealer licensing laws; the registration of carriers of passengers or property and vehicles that may be required to be registered under the International Registration Plan or pay road tax as described under Chapter 27 (§ 58.1-2700 et seq.) of Title 58.1 of the Code of Virginia under the International Fuel Tax Agreement; the audit of carriers of passengers or property for compliance with registration and road tax requirements; proof of financial responsibility; and any other services that may be required to create a single point of contact for motor carriers operating within and without the Commonwealth. The Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles may promulgate regulations necessary to carry out the laws administered by the department. The department is authorized to collect certain types of privileged information and disclose that information, as prescribed by law, for a reasonable fee. Code of Virginia, Title 46.2, Chapter 2, Article 1.

The department is authorized to register motor vehicles and issue license plates and validation decals therefor, and it is the state agency for recordation and certification of title to motor vehicles, liens thereon, and transfers of ownership. Code of Virginia, Title 46.2, Chapter 6. It is authorized to license operators and commercial drivers, to issue identification cards and to adopt regulations to determine the process by which applicants for driver's licenses prove that they are residents of the Commonwealth. Code of Virginia, Title 46.2, Chapter 3. The department is required to suspend or revoke the driving privileges of residents and nonresidents convicted of certain offenses. Code of Virginia, Title 46.2, Chapter 3, Article 12. It is authorized to issue disabled parking license plates and placards. Code of Virginia, Title 46.2, Chapter 12.1.

The department may adopt regulations to provide for the special examination or re-examination of persons desiring to qualify or retain their privilege to operate commercial motor vehicles as that term is defined in the federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 and for the granting of licenses or permits suitably endorsed for qualified applicants. The commissioner is authorized to promulgate regulations addressing variances granted for commercial drivers transporting hazardous wastes or materials. Code of Virginia, Title 46.2, Chapter 3, Article 6.1. Certain accident reports are required to be made to the department, and reports are or may be required in various other instances. The department is required to accept and maintain certain records for specified periods and to provide abstracts or transcripts of records under certain circumstances. Code of Virginia, Title 46.2, Chapter 3, Article 11. It may require owners and operators to furnish proof of financial responsibility, and insurers and sureties must report to the department cancellation and initiation of motor vehicle liability policies or surety bonds executed for that purpose. Code of Virginia, Title 46.2, Chapter 3, Article 15. The department is authorized to promulgate regulations relating to the administration of a statewide driver improvement program and may order attendance at driver improvement clinics. Code of Virginia, Title 46.2, Chapter 3, Article 19.

The department may promulgate regulations concerning the issuance of license plates and the registration of antique motor vehicles. Code of Virginia, Title 46.2, Chapter 6, Article 10. The department is authorized to promulgate regulations relating to the licensing and operation of commercial driver training schools. Code of Virginia, Title 46.2, Chapter 17.

The department is authorized to license any person engaged in business in the Commonwealth as a motor vehicle manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, distributor branch, or factory or distributor representative. The department is authorized to license any person engaged in business in the Commonwealth as a dealer or salesperson of motor homes, travel trailers, trailers or motorcycles. The commissioner is authorized to issue dealer license plates, temporary transport license plates and 30-day license plates to motor vehicle dealers and to register manufactured home dealers, watercraft trailer dealers and foreign dealers. Code of Virginia, Title 46.2, Chapters 19 (T & M Motor Vehicles), 19.1 (Trailer Dealers), and 19.2 (Motorcycle Dealers). The department is authorized to provide dealer license plates, temporary transport license plates and 30-day license plates to the Motor Vehicle Dealer Board for issuance to automobile and truck dealers (Code of Virginia, Title 46.2, Chapter 15) and to license salvage dealers, rebuilders, salvage pools, vehicle removal operators and demolishers (Code of Virginia, Title 46.2, Chapter 16).

The department is responsible for the collection and disbursement to other state agencies and localities of taxes on the sale, use, and rental of motor vehicles and manufactured homes. Code of Virginia, Title 58.1, Chapter 24. It is also responsible for the collection and disbursement to other transportation agencies of motor fuel and alternative fuels taxes and road taxes for the Commonwealth. Code of Virginia, Title 58.1, Chapters 22 and 27. The department is responsible for the reconciliation of rebates to taxpayers and state disbursements to local governments resulting from the Personal Property Tax Relief Act of 1998. Code of Virginia, Title 58.1, Chapter 35.1.

The department pays localities, through the collection of fees, for the disposal of abandoned vehicles. Code of Virginia, Title 46.2, Chapters 6 and 12. Also through the collection of fees, the department supports statewide emergency medical services, driver improvement, and vehicle safety and air quality maintenance programs. Code of Virginia, Title 46.2, Chapters 3, 6 and 10.

The department is responsible for the administration of the truck weigh station program and is authorized to monitor trucks and other vehicles utilizing roadways in the Commonwealth; determine compliance with state and federal statutes pertaining to size, weight, registration, safety, and licensing; and handle the entire administrative process for liquidated damages. Code of Virginia, Title 46.2, Chapter 2.

The department is authorized to issue waivers of the requirements for vehicle sun-shading and tinting films to individuals for medical reasons. Code of Virginia, Title 46.2, Chapter 10, Article 6. It is authorized to promulgate regulations for the administration of motorcycle rider safety training courses and associated licensing practices. Code of Virginia, Title 46.2, Chapter 10, Article 23.

The department is authorized to supervise, regulate and control all motor carriers. It is authorized to issue certificates of public convenience and necessity and grant temporary operating authority to motor carriers, and it may approve transfers or assignments of certificates or licenses. The department is authorized to license and make regulations governing motor carrier transportation and to make regulations governing the operation of motor vehicles under lease. Code of Virginia, Title 46.2, Chapter 20. It is also responsible for regulating particular types of motor carriers: household goods carriers, contract passenger carriers, contract bus carriers, common carriers, irregular route common carriers, and sight-seeing carrers, and is authorized to certify operators of excursion trains. Code of Virginia, Title 46.2, Chapters 20 and 21.

The department is authorized to audit motor carriers and the Attorney General or the Department of Motor Vehicles may institute a suit to recover motor vehicle license fees assessed on an apportionment or allocation basis pursuant to reciprocal agreements with other jurisdictions. Code of Virginia, Title 46.2, Chapter 6, Article 7.

The department operates under the supervision of the Secretary of Transportation. Regulations and forms are available at the department's principal office at 2300 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220 (mailing address, P.O. Box 27412, Richmond, VA 23269). Some forms and regulations are also available at the department's customer service centers located throughout the Commonwealth, via the Internet and from license agents in numerous communities. Internet address: http://www.dmvnow.com