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Law Enforcement Tickets for Temp Tag Violation

Recently we received an email through the TIADA Compliance Consultation Service

Recently we received an email through the TIADA Compliance Consultation Service. Seems a dealer had provided an authorized-agent temporary tag to a person who buys and sells vehicles for the dealership to place on the vehicle they used to drive to and from the auctions throughout the week. 
 
As you know, an authorized-agent tag is assigned to a particular person and can be issued for any length of time up to 60 days. The question is: What can these tags be used for? Test drives, loaners, road tests and transportation (to and from the auction, another dealer or service) are all acceptable uses for a temporary tag. 
 
Therefore, if the dealer put an authorized-agent temporary tag on a vehicle that was primarily being used to go back and forth from the auction this is allowable, correct?
 
No, there are a few things to remember regarding dealers' temporary tags. 
The vehicle is not required to have current inspection.
They may be used to tow a vehicle to and from the auction.
They may only be used on the type of vehicles the dealer is licensed to sell.
Keep the tag receipt in the glove box in case the tag comes off the bumper, and 
Do not use these tags for personal use.
 
If your buyer is using a vehicle to simply drive from auction to auction throughout the week and they are pulled over by local law enforcement, they may have a hard time explaining that the vehicle is not being used for personal use.
 
DMV has provided a chart you can see here, showing the appropriate usage for various tags.
 
One last note on agent tags:  be careful, the dealer is responsible for tolls. The best practice is to use vehicle specific temporary tags. If you use agent specific tags make sure you cancel these tags when they are not being used. These tags are easily counterfeited, and if the tag is not a vehicle specific tag or it has not been canceled, the dealer is responsible for the toll. 

Comments

 
By: JERRY SMITH
On: 01/24/2020 13:49:26
IN THE PAST AND STILL TODAY I DO NOT INSPECT MY CARS WITH METAL DEALER PLATE, THIS ARTICLE WAS A SURPRISE TO ME. WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR A VERY LONG TIME AND I HAVE BEEN UNAWARE OF THIS ACTION . SO DO WE CARRY THE INSPECTION REPORT IN VEHICLE OR JUST LET THE LAW RUN INSPECTION THUR THEIR SYSTEM?
 
By: TIADA
On: 01/27/2020 11:43:45
Law enforcement should be able to run your plates and see the vehicle is inspected. However, we always suggest keeping a current inspection report in the vehicle in case your are pulled over.

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