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  • Are there limitations on the types of vehicles the plates may be used upon?
View All Dealer and Manufacturer Plates, Dealer License FAQs

Are there limitations on the types of vehicles the plates may be used upon?

• May be used on vehicles on temporary loan from a dealer to a customer whose vehicle is being serviced or repaired by the dealer.

• May be used on vehicles on temporary loan to a high school for the purpose of student driver education.

• May only be displayed on vehicles in the dealer’s/manufacturer’s inventory.

• May be used for one payload trip only on trucks or truck tractors in a dealer’s inventory with more than 2 axles on the power unit or a GVW exceeding 26,000 pounds. Limited to 72 hours of usage.

If the dealer charges customers a fee for the uses above, dealer plates cannot be displayed on the vehicle. Motor vehicle dealers may display standard plates on vehicles in a dealer’s inventory. Ad valorem tax is not due when this occurs. (Section 40-12-264, Code of Alabama 1975)

  • May be used on vehicles on temporary loan from a dealer to a customer whose vehicle is being serviced or repaired by the dealer.
  • May be used on vehicles on temporary loan to a high school for the purpose of student driver education.
  •  May only be displayed on vehicles in the dealer’s/manufacturer’s inventory.
  • May be used for one payload trip only on trucks or truck tractors in a dealer’s inventory with more than 2 axles on the power unit or a GVW exceeding 26,000 pounds. Limited to 72 hours of usage.

If the dealer charges customers a fee for the uses above, dealer plates cannot be displayed on the vehicle. Motor vehicle dealers may display standard plates on vehicles in a dealer’s inventory. Ad valorem tax is not due when this occurs. (§40-12-264, Code of Ala. 1975)

Related FAQs in Dealer and Manufacturer Plates, Dealer License

• New or used dealers or wholesalers may transport vehicles within their inventory using these plates.

• Motor vehicle rebuilders may use dealer transit plates to move vehicles to and from repair points as necessary to complete the restoration, or may be moved as permitted by ALDOR for inspection.

If the dealer, rebuilder, or wholesaler license is revoked or forfeited, all dealer/dealer transit plates shall be returned to the license plate issuing official within 10 calendar days.

  • Dealer: $25
  • Dealer motorcycle: $17
  • Manufacturer: $25
  • Motorcycle manufacturer: $17

These fees cannot be refunded or prorated.

  • Rental or lease vehicles
  • Tow trucks
  • Service trucks or vans
  • Other service vehicles

Penalties:

  • $200 for first violation
  • $500 for each subsequent violation

Willful misstatements/documents filed with erroneous information in order to obtain license plates carry a criminal penalty of a Class A misdemeanor and a civil penalty of $1,000 to be assessed by the department. Violating the dealer license law is a Class A misdemeanor.

There is a $5,000 civil penalty for failure to maintain a blanket motor vehicle liability insurance policy.
(Section 40-12-264, Code of Alabama 1975)

  • Prospective purchasers, limited to 72 hours of use
  • Owners of the dealership
  • Partners of the dealership
  • Corporate officers of the dealership
  • Employees of the dealership
  • Wholesalers
  • Rebuilders
  • New and used dealers
Dealer and motorcycle dealer plates may be obtained by licensed motor vehicle dealers. Manufacturer plates may be obtained by manufacturers of private passenger automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, truck tractors, or trailers, if the manufacturing facility is located in Alabama. (Section 40-12-264, Code of Alabama 1975)