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  • How do I obtain an Alabama Dealer or Manufacturer License Plate?

How do I obtain an Alabama Dealer or Manufacturer License Plate?

After the dealer license has been obtained, the dealer must visit the county licensing office to purchase the appropriate privilege license(s) (Sections 40-12-51, 40-12-62, or 40-12-169). Dealer plates will be issued by the Department of Revenue, contingent upon proof of the appropriate privilege licenses. Dealer plates may be requested in the Motor Vehicle License portal Manufacturers must present their Section 87 license in order to purchase manufacturer license plates.

After the dealer license has been obtained, the dealer must visit the county licensing office to purchase the appropriate privilege license(s) (Sections 40-12-51, 40-12-62, or 40-12-169).

Dealer plates will be issued by the Department of Revenue, contingent upon proof of the appropriate privilege licenses.

Dealer and Manufacturer plates may be requested while the designated agent is logged in their MyDMV account.

Manufacturers must present their Section 87 license in order to purchase manufacturer license plates.

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)