Manny,
Below please find the Code of Virginia title re: Special License Plates
(section 46.2-725). Also below is a response I received from
DMV. It would appear that we would need to find a friendly
legislator to introduce the measure and receive authorization from the
General Assembly.
In a nutshell, the requirements are bolded below, per the Code.
Additional requirements would apply to authorize a special revenue
sharing plate to fund a broad public purpose (this might be an option if
VAC partnered with another entity). In researching the issue, I
found DMV currently offers some 150 plates. Of note, a
"Wildlife Conservationist" plate has been authorized as has one
for Ducks Unlimited. Many other enthusiast/hobby groups, such as
hunters, have also been authorized.
Unless VAC wants to advance the funds for this ($3,500) and risk that
they be forfeited after 2 years, it would be advised to gauge constituent
interest to determine if it can meet the 350 prepaid application
requirement. A easy way to do this would be to ask in newsletters
and membership meetings.
No license plates provided for in this article shall be developed by
the Department until the Commissioner receives (i) an administrative fee
of $3,500 from the individual, group, entity, or organization seeking a
special license plate authorized under this article or (ii) at least 350
prepaid applications therefor. If 350 or more prepaid applications are
submitted to the Commissioner (i) within 180 days of the effective date
of the authorization associated with the applications, or (ii) after
payment of the administrative fee and within two years of the effective
date of the authorization associated with the applications, such license
plates shall be developed and issued. Such administrative fee shall be
paid by cash or check within 180 days of the effective date of the
authorization therefor and shall be refunded in the event 350 or more
prepaid applications are submitted to the Commissioner within two years
of the effective date of the authorization. If the administrative fee has
not been received by the Commissioner by the end of the 180-day period,
no such license plates shall be issued. If the administrative fee has
been received by the Commissioner by the end of the 180-day period, but
350 or more prepaid applications have not been received on or before the
last day of the second year from the date the license plates were last
authorized, no such license plates shall be issued and the administrative
fee shall not be refunded.
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§ 46.2-725. Special license plates, generally.
A. No series of special license plates shall be created or issued by the
Commissioner or the Department except as authorized in this article. No
special license plates in any series not provided for in this article and
no registration decal for any such license plate shall be issued,
reissued, or renewed on or after July 1, 1995. However, subject to the
limitations contained in subdivisions 1 and 2 of subsection B of this
section, the Commissioner may issue, when feasible, special license
plates that are combinations of no more than two series of special
license plates authorized in this article and currently issued by the
Department; in addition to the state registration fee, the fee for any
such combination shall be equal to the sum of the fees for the two series
plus the fee for reserved numbers and letters, if applicable. The
provisions of subdivisions 1 and 2 of subsection B of this section shall
not apply to special license plates that are combinations of two series
of special license plates authorized in this article and currently issued
by the Department if one of the two combined designs, when feasible,
incorporates or includes the international symbol of access.
B. Except as otherwise provided in this article:
1. For special license plates authorized or reauthorized prior to July 1,
2003, no license plates provided for in this article shall be issued
until the Commissioner receives at least 350 prepaid applications
therefor. In the event that 350 or more prepaid applications have not
been received on or before the last day of the second year from the date
the license plates were last authorized, no such license plates shall be
issued unless the license plates are reauthorized by the General
Assembly. Such reauthorized license plates shall remain subject to the
provisions of this article.
2. For special license plates authorized or reauthorized on or after July
1, 2003, no license plates provided for in this article shall be
developed by the Department until the Commissioner receives (i) an
administrative fee of $3,500 from the individual, group, entity, or
organization seeking a special license plate authorized under this
article or (ii) at least 350 prepaid applications therefor. If 350 or
more prepaid applications are submitted to the Commissioner (i) within
180 days of the effective date of the authorization associated with the
applications, or (ii) after payment of the administrative fee and within
two years of the effective date of the authorization associated with the
applications, such license plates shall be developed and issued. Such
administrative fee shall be paid by cash or check within 180 days of the
effective date of the authorization therefor and shall be refunded in the
event 350 or more prepaid applications are submitted to the Commissioner
within two years of the effective date of the authorization. If the
administrative fee has not been received by the Commissioner by the end
of the 180-day period, no such license plates shall be issued. If the
administrative fee has been received by the Commissioner by the end of
the 180-day period, but 350 or more prepaid applications have not been
received on or before the last day of the second year from the date the
license plates were last authorized, no such license plates shall be
issued and the administrative fee shall not be refunded.
3. No additional license plates shall be issued or reissued in any series
that, after five or more years of issuance, has fewer than 200 active
sets of plates. No such license plates shall be issued or reissued unless
reauthorized by the General Assembly. Such reauthorized license plates
shall remain subject to the provisions of this article.
4. The annual fee for the issuance of any license plates issued pursuant
to this article shall be $10 plus the prescribed fee for state license
plates. Applications for all special license plates issued pursuant to
this article shall be on forms prescribed by the Commissioner. All
special license plates issued pursuant to this article shall be of
designs prescribed by the Commissioner and shall bear unique letters and
numerals, clearly distinguishable from any other license plate designs,
and be readily identifiable by law-enforcement personnel.
No other state license plates shall be required on any vehicles bearing
special license plates issued under the provisions of this article.
All fees collected by the Department under this article shall be paid by
the Commissioner into the state treasury and shall be set aside as a
special fund to be used to meet the expenses of the Department.
C. The provisions of this article relating to registration fees shall
apply only to those vehicles registered as passenger cars, motor homes,
and pick-up or panel trucks, as defined in §
46.2-100. All other vehicle types
registered with special license plates shall be subject to the
appropriate special license plate fees, registration fees and other fees
prescribed by law for such vehicle types.
D. For special license plates that generate revenues that are shared with
entities other than the Department, hereinafter referred to as
"revenue sharing special license plates," and are authorized or
reauthorized on or after July 1, 2003, the General Assembly shall review
all proposed revenue sharing special license plate authorizations to
determine whether the revenues are to be shared with entities or
organizations that (i) provide to the Commonwealth or its citizens a
broad public service that is to be funded, in whole or in part, by the
proposed revenue sharing special license plate authorization and (ii) are
at least one of the following:
1. A nonprofit corporation as defined in § 501 (c) (3) of the United
States Internal Revenue Code;
2. An agency, board, commission, or other entity established or operated
by the Commonwealth;
3. A political subdivision of the Commonwealth; or
4. An institution of higher education whose main campus is located in
Virginia.
No revenue sharing special license plate authorization shall be approved
if, as determined by the General Assembly, it does not meet the criteria
set forth in this subsection.
(1989, c. 727; 1995, c. 747; 1996, cc. 922, 1026; 1997, cc. 774, 816;
2003, c. 923.)
X-Message-Info:
JGTYoYF78jErMp+Sx6L8t49sKORVrZwU
From: Virginia DMV <questions@dmv.state.va.us>
To: VAC VA Audubon Council <flack_d@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2003 21:44:01 "GMT"
X-mailer: AspMail 3.0 (QSMTCA3810)
Subject: RE: Online Transaction
X-OriginalArrivalTime: 29 Oct 2003 21:45:56.0265 (UTC)
FILETIME=[087B3190:01C39E66]
If you wish to reply to this message please visit our Contact Us page at
http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/general/contacts/index.asp
Dear Sirs:
Thank you for visiting www.dmvnow.com.
Special plates are those plates with a special logo or a title that are representative of a special interest or group. To set up a plate design, do the following.
Legislation approved by the General Assembly is necessary to authorize the issuance of all special license plates. By law, special license plates authorized by the General Assembly can be developed and issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) subject to the following statutory requirements:
*If 350 or more prepaid applications are submitted to DMV within 180 days of the effective date of the authorization associated with the applications, the license plates can be developed and issued subject to the appropriate approvals.
*If the $3,500 administrative fee is received by DMV within 180 days of the effective date of the authorization, the license plates can be developed.
*After timely payment of the $3,500 administrative fee, if 350 or more prepaid applications are submitted to DMV within two years of the effective date of the authorization, the license plates can be issued and the administrative fee will be refunded.
*However, if 350 or more prepaid applications are not received by DMV within two years of the effective date of the authorization, the license plates cannot be issued and the administrative fee cannot be refunded. The administrative fee will be refunded only if 350 or more prepaid applications are submitted to DMV within two years of the effective date of the authorization.
*If either (i) the 350 or more prepaid applications, or (ii) the $3,500 administrative fee are not received by DMV within 180 days of the effective date of the authorization, the license plates cannot be developed or issued.
*It is DMV''s policy to designate one group or individual to sponsor newly-authorized special license plates in order to coordinate the design approval process and to facilitate the collection of the applications and the associated fees.
*Sponsor facilitates the collection of the applications and the associated issuance fees, and coordinates the design approval process and payment of the $3,500 administrative fee, when appropriate.
*DMV requires written authorization for use of the design for the plate.
*Sponsor must provide electronic media artwork for plate design.
*The cost for most special license plates for organizations is $10 per year in addition to the prescribed registration fee and any other fees, where applicable. For most revenue sharing license plates, the issuance fee is $25 per year instead of $10.
Further inquiries should be mailed to:
Special Plates Group
P.O. Box 26668
Richmond, VA 23261
If there is anything further we may assist you with, please do not hesitate to contact us. When responding to this E-mail, please re-send it in its entirety, so that we may serve you most efficiently.
Sincerely,
Y. Fleming
E-Correspondence Unit
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
PO BOX 27412
Richmond VA 23269-0001
----- Original Request ----- 269636 ---
My non-profit organization would like to consider offering a specialized license plate to help promote our cause. Could you provide information on requirements, fees, etc. Thanks.
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