2006 Code of Virginia § 46.2-602 - Titling and registration of foreign market vehicles

46.2-602. Titling and registration of foreign market vehicles.

A. The Department shall not issue a permanent certificate of title orregistration for a foreign market vehicle until the applicant submits proofthat the vehicle complies with federal safety requirements.

B. The Department shall accept as proof that a foreign market vehiclecomplies with federal safety requirements documents from either the UnitedStates Department of Transportation or the United States Customs Servicestating that the vehicle conforms or has been brought into conformity withfederal safety requirements.

C. The certificate of title of any foreign market vehicle titled under thissection shall contain an appropriate notation that the owner has submittedproof that it complies with federal safety requirements.

D. Any foreign market vehicle previously titled in the Commonwealth shall betitled and registered without further proof of compliance with federal safetyrequirements. If, however, proof of compliance is not submitted to theDepartment, the certificate of title shall contain an appropriate notationthat the owner of the foreign market vehicle has not submitted proof that thevehicle complies with federal safety requirements.

E. No foreign market vehicle manufactured prior to 1968 shall be subject tothis section.

F. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A of this section, theDepartment shall issue a nonnegotiable title for a foreign market vehicle onsubmission of a complete application for a title including all necessarydocuments of ownership. A negotiable title will be issued on proof ofcompliance as provided in subsection A of this section. The Department shallshow on the face of any title issued under this section any negotiablesecurity interests in the motor vehicle as provided in 46.2-636 through46.2-643.

G. The Department shall not transfer the title to a foreign market vehicle ifownership of the vehicle is evidenced by a nonnegotiable title, unless thenonnegotiable title owner is deceased. If the nonnegotiable title owner isdeceased, a new, nonnegotiable title may be issued to the legatee ordistributee in accordance with 46.2-633 and 46.2-634.

H. A nonnegotiable title may be issued for the purpose of recording a lien. Anegotiable certificate of title shall be issued on proof of compliance withall regulations prescribed in this section.

I. Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, the Department shallissue, on application, a temporary, nonrenewable 180-day registration to aforeign market vehicle upon:

1. Proof that the vehicle has been brought into compliance with all federalsafety requirements and that the applicant is merely waiting for documentaryreleases from the Federal Department of Transportation;

2. Proof of satisfactory passage of a Virginia safety inspection; and

3. Submission of a complete application for a title, including all necessarydocuments of ownership.

J. The Department shall withhold delivery of the certificate of title duringthe 180-day period of conditional registration and shall not issue thepermanent title until the requirements of subsection A of this section havebeen met.

K. Upon application, the Department shall issue a temporary one-trip permitfor the purpose of transporting a foreign market vehicle from the port ofentry to the applicant's home or to a conversion facility. The one-trippermit shall be issued in accordance with 46.2-651.

(1986, c. 613, 46.1-41.2; 1989, c. 727.)