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  • Lost, stolen, mutilated or damaged dealer and dealer transit plates?
View All Dealer and Manufacturer Plates, Dealer License FAQs

Lost, stolen, mutilated or damaged dealer and dealer transit plates?

If a dealer or manufacturer license plate is lost or stolen, this fact must be reported to law enforcement and a report maintained for audit purposes.

If a plate becomes mutilated to the point that it is illegible, the plate must be returned to theDepartment, and a replacement plate will be issued upon payment of the appropriate fee (Section 40-12-265, Code of Alabama 1975).

If a dealer withdrawn a vehicle from inventory, the licensed dealer shall purchase an Alabama license plate and register the vehicle.

Motor vehicle dealermotorcycle dealer, and manufacturer license plates may not be used in lieu of regular issued license plates as a means of avoiding registration and ad valorem tax requirements.

If a dealer or manufacturer license plate is lost or stolen, this fact must be reported to law enforcement and a report maintained for audit purposes.

If a plate becomes mutilated to the point that it is illegible, the plate must be returned to ALDOR, and a replacement plate will be issued upon payment of the appropriate fee (§40-12-265, Code of Ala. 1975).

If a dealer withdraws a vehicle from inventory, the licensed dealer shall purchase an Alabama license plate and register the vehicle.

Motor vehicle dealer, motorcycle dealer, and manufacturer license plates may not be used in lieu of regular issued license plates as a means of avoiding registration and ad valorem tax requirements.

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)