HB1687: Motor vehicle dealers; disclosure if financing, cancellation of purchaser's contract to buy vehicle.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That §§ 46.2-1530 and 46.2-1542 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 46.2-1530. Buyer's order.

A. Every motor vehicle dealer shall complete, in duplicate, a buyer's order for each sale or exchange of a motor vehicle. A copy of the buyer's order form shall be made available to a prospective buyer during the negotiating phase of a sale and prior to any sales agreement. The completed original shall be retained for a period of four years in accordance with § 46.2-1529, and a duplicate copy shall be delivered to the purchaser at the time of sale or exchange. A buyer's order shall include:

1. The name and address of the person to whom the vehicle was sold or traded.

2. The date of the sale or trade.

3. The name and address of the motor vehicle dealer selling or trading the vehicle.

4. The make, model year, vehicle identification number and body style of the vehicle.

5. The sale price of the vehicle.

6. The amount of any cash deposit made by the buyer.

7. A description of any vehicle used as a trade-in and the amount credited the buyer for the trade-in. The description of the trade-in shall be the same as outlined in subdivision 4 of this subsection.

8. The amount of any sales and use tax, title fee, uninsured motor vehicle fee, registration fee, purchaser's on-line systems filing fee, or other fee required by law for which the buyer is responsible and the dealer has collected. Each tax and fee shall be individually listed and identified.

9. The net balance due at settlement.

10. Any item designated as "processing fee," and the amount charged by the dealer, if any, for processing the transaction. As used in this section processing includes obtaining title and license plates for the purchaser, but shall not include any "purchaser's on-line systems filing fee" as defined in § 46.2-1530.1 or any "dealer's manual transaction fee" as defined in § 46.2-1530.2.

11. Any item designated as "dealer's business license tax," and the amount charged by the dealer, if any.

12. For sales involving dealer-arranged financing, the following notice, printed in bold type no less than 10-point: "THIS SALE IS CONDITIONED UPON APPROVAL OF YOUR PROPOSED RETAIL INSTALLMENT SALE CONTRACT AS SUBMITTED TO OR THROUGH THE DEALER. IF THAT PROPOSED RETAIL INSTALLMENT SALE CONTRACT IS NOT APPROVED UNDER THE TERMS AGREED TO WITH THE DEALER, YOU MAY CANCEL THIS SALE AND ANY DOWN PAYMENT AND/OR TRADE-IN YOU SUBMITTED WILL BE RETURNED TO YOU, PROVIDED THAT ANY VEHICLE DELIVERED TO YOU BY THE DEALER PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT IS RETURNED TO THE DEALER IN THE SAME CONDITION AS DELIVERED TO YOU, NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR EXCEPTED, WITHIN 24 HOURS OF WRITTEN OR ORAL NOTICE TO YOU OF THE CREDIT DENIAL."

13. For sales of used motor vehicles, the disclosure required by § 46.2-1529.1.

If the transaction does not include a policy of motor vehicle liability insurance, the seller shall stamp or mark on the face of the bill of sale in boldface letters no smaller than 18 point type the following words: "No Liability Insurance Included."

A completed buyer's order when signed by both buyer and seller may constitute a bill of sale.

B. The Board shall approve a buyer's order form and each dealer shall file with each original license application its buyer's order form, on which the processing fee amount is stated.

C. If a processing fee is charged, that fact and the amount of the processing fee shall be disclosed by the dealer. Disclosure shall be by placing a clear and conspicuous sign in the public sales area of the dealership. The sign shall be no smaller than eight and one-half inches by eleven inches and the print shall be no smaller than one-half inch, and in a form as approved by the Board.

D. If the dealer delivers to the customer a vehicle purchased by the customer that is conditional on dealer-arranged financing at terms agreed to by the dealer and purchaser at time of sale and delivery of the vehicle to the purchaser, the dealer shall disclose the following to the customer:

"IF YOU ARE FINANCING THIS VEHICLE, PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE. IF YOU HAVE SIGNED A PROPOSED RETAIL INSTALLMENT SALE CONTRACT THAT THE DEALER WILL ASSIGN TO A SEPARATE FINANCIAL SOURCE, THEN THE SALE OF THE VEHICLE IS CONDITIONED UPON THE ACCEPTANCE OF YOUR PROPOSED CONTRACT BY THAT SEPARATE FINANCIAL SOURCE ON A BASIS AGREED UPON BETWEEN THE DEALER AND THE FINANCIAL SOURCE. IF THAT PROPOSED RETAIL INSTALLMENT SALE CONTRACT IS NOT ACCEPTED BY THE SEPARATE FINANCIAL SOURCE AND UPON WRITTEN OR ORAL NOTICE TO YOU, EITHER YOU OR THE DEALER MAY CANCEL THIS SALE. IN THE EVENT OF CANCELLATION, ANY DOWN PAYMENT AND/OR TRADE-IN YOU SUBMITTED TO THE DEALER AS PART OF THIS SALE WILL BE RETURNED TO YOU, PROVIDED THAT THE VEHICLE DELIVERED TO YOU BY THE DEALER IS RETURNED IN THE SAME CONDITION AS DELIVERED, NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR EXCEPTED, WITHIN 24 HOURS OF NOTICE OF EITHER PARTY'S CANCELLATION. IN THE EVENT THAT YOU REFUSE TO LAWFULLY RETURN THE VEHICLE WITHIN 24 HOURS AFTER NOTICE OF CANCELLATION, THE DEALER MAY REPOSSESS THE VEHICLE WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE PROVIDED THE DEALER ENFORCES ITS RIGHT TO POSSESSION IN ACORDANCE WITH THE LAW AND WITHOUT BREACH OF THE PEACE. IN THE EVENT THE DEALER FAILS TO RETURN YOUR DOWN PAYMENT AND/OR TRADE-IN WITHIN THREE DAYS AFTER YOU RETURN THE VEHICE IN THE CONDITION REQUIRED BY THIS NOTICE, THE DEALER MAY BE HELD LIABLE UNDER SUBDIVISION A 16 OF § 59.1-200 OF THE VIRGINIA CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT (§ 59.1-196 ET SEQ.) FOR ALL DAMAGES INCURRED."

§ 46.2-1542. Temporary registration.

A. Notwithstanding §§ 46.2-617 and 46.2-628, whenever a dealer licensed by the Board sells or conditionally sells and delivers to a purchaser a motor vehicle, the dealer may issue temporary license plates and a certificate of temporary registration. The temporary license plates and the certificates for temporary registration shall be obtained from the Commissioner or may be printed according to terms set by the Commissioner and may be issued if (i) the dealer has the title or the certificate of origin for the vehicle or (ii) is unable at the time of the sale to deliver to the purchaser the certificate of title or certificate of origin for the vehicle because the certificate of title or certificate of origin is lost or is being detained by another in possession or for any other reason beyond the dealer's control. The temporary registration certificate shall bear its date of issuance, the name and address of the purchaser, the identification number of the vehicle, the registration number to be used temporarily on the vehicle, the name of the state in which the vehicle is to be registered, the name and address of the person from whom the dealer acquired the vehicle, and whatever other information may be required by the Commissioner. A copy of the temporary registration certificate and a bona fide buyer's order shall be delivered to the purchaser and shall be in the possession of the purchaser at all times when operating the vehicle. One copy of the certificate shall be retained by the dealer, which copy may be retained in electronic format under terms set by the Commissioner, and shall be subject to inspection at any time by the Department's agents. The original of the certificate shall be forwarded by the dealer to the Department directly on issuance to the purchaser if the vehicle is to be titled outside the Commonwealth, along with the physical or electronic application for title. The issuance of a temporary certificate of registration to a purchaser pursuant to this section shall have the effect of vesting sufficient interest in the vehicle in the purchaser for the period that the certificate remains effective for purposes of allowing the purchaser (a) to obtain and provide insurance coverage for the vehicle, including but not limited to insurance indemnifying the purchaser against liability or providing for recovery for damage to or loss of the vehicle and (b) to operate the vehicle as if the purchaser had full rights of ownership, all subject to cancellation by applicable law or agreement between the dealer and the purchaser prior to the time the dealer submits an application for title along with all required fees. If the dealer, seller, or purchaser exercises the statutory or contractual rights to cancel a purchaser's contract to buy a vehicle before application for title to the vehicle has been submitted to the Department in the name of the purchaser, the dealer shall have the right to possession of the vehicle without claim of possession by the purchaser within 24 hours of written or oral notice to the purchaser and without regard to the provision of Title 8.9A, provided the dealer's right to possession is enforced otherwise in accordance with law and without breach of the peace. In the event of cancellation, the purchaser shall have such rights and remedies as are enumerated in § 46.2-1530, in addition to any other rights and remedies available by statute or contract.

B. A temporary certificate of registration issued by a dealer to a purchaser pursuant to this section shall expire when the certificate of title to the vehicle is issued by the Department in the name of the purchaser and the permanent license plates have been affixed to the vehicle, but in no event shall any temporary certificate of registration issued under this section be effective for more than thirty days from the date of its issuance. In the event that the dealer fails to produce the old certificate of title or certificate of origin to the vehicle or fails to apply for a replacement certificate of title pursuant to § 46.2-632, thereby preventing delivery to the Department or purchaser before the expiration of the temporary certificate of registration, the purchaser's temporary rights may terminate and the purchaser shall have the right to return the vehicle to the dealer and obtain a full refund of all payments made toward the purchase of the vehicle, provided the purchaser provides notice to the dealer of a decision to return the vehicle before issuance of a title for the vehicle by the Department, less any damage to the vehicle incurred while ownership was vested in the purchaser, and less a reasonable amount for use not to exceed one-half the amount allowed per mile by the Internal Revenue Service, as provided by regulation, revenue procedure, or revenue ruling promulgated pursuant to § 162 of the Internal Revenue Code, for use of a personal vehicle for business purposes.

C. Notwithstanding subsection B of this section, if the dealer fails to deliver the certificate of title or certificate of origin to the purchaser within thirty days, a second temporary certificate of registration may be issued. However, the dealer shall, not later than the expiration of the first temporary certificate, deliver to the Department an application for title, copy of the bill of sale, all required fees and a written statement of facts describing the dealer's efforts to secure the certificate of title or certificate of origin to the vehicle. On receipt of the title application with attachments as described herein, the Department shall record the purchaser's rights hereunder to the vehicle and may authorize the dealer to issue a second thirty-day temporary certificate of registration. If the dealer does not produce the certificate of title or certificate of origin to the vehicle before the expiration of the second temporary certificate, the purchaser's rights to the vehicle under this section may terminate and he shall have the right to return the vehicle as provided in subsection B of this section.

D. If the dealer is unable to produce the certificate of title or certificate of origin to the vehicle within the sixty-day period from the date of issuance of the first temporary certificate, the Department may extend temporary registration for an additional period of up to ninety days, provided the dealer makes application in the format required by the Department. If the dealer does not produce the certificate of title or certificate of origin to the vehicle before the expiration of the additional ninety-day period, the purchaser's rights hereunder to the vehicle may terminate and he shall have the right to return the vehicle as provided in subsection B of this section.

E. The Commissioner, on determining that the provisions of this section or the directions of the Department are not being complied with by a dealer, may suspend, after a hearing, the right of the dealer to issue temporary certificates of registration.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That 46.2-1542 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

46.2-1542. Temporary registration.

A. Notwithstanding 46.2-617 and 46.2-628, whenever a dealer licensed by the Board sells or conditionally sells and delivers to a purchaser a motor vehicle, the dealer may issue temporary license plates and a certificate of temporary registration. The temporary license plates and the certificates for temporary registration shall be obtained from the Commissioner or may be printed according to terms set by the Commissioner and may be issued if (i) the dealer has the title or the certificate of origin for the vehicle or (ii) is unable at the time of the sale to deliver to the purchaser the certificate of title or certificate of origin for the vehicle because the certificate of title or certificate of origin is lost or is being detained by another in possession or for any other reason beyond the dealer's control. The temporary registration certificate shall bear its date of issuance, the name and address of the purchaser, the identification number of the vehicle, the registration number to be used temporarily on the vehicle, the name of the state in which the vehicle is to be registered, the name and address of the person from whom the dealer acquired the vehicle, and whatever other information may be required by the Commissioner. A copy of the temporary registration certificate and a bona fide buyer's order shall be delivered to the purchaser and shall be in the possession of the purchaser at all times when operating the vehicle. One copy of the certificate shall be retained by the dealer, which copy may be retained in electronic format under terms set by the Commissioner, and shall be subject to inspection at any time by the Department's agents. The original of the certificate shall be forwarded by the dealer to the Department directly on issuance to the purchaser if the vehicle is to be titled outside the Commonwealth, along with the physical or electronic application for title. The issuance of a temporary certificate of registration to a purchaser pursuant to this section shall have the effect of vesting sufficient interest in the vehicle in the purchaser for the period that the certificate remains effective for purposes of allowing the purchaser (a) to obtain and provide insurance coverage for the vehicle, including but not limited to insurance indemnifying the purchaser against liability or providing for recovery for damage to or loss of the vehicle and (b) to operate the vehicle as if the purchaser had full rights of ownership, all subject to cancellation by applicable law or agreement between the dealer and the purchaser prior to the time the dealer submits an application for title along with all required fees. If a dealer exercises his statutory or contractual rights to cancel a purchaser's contract to buy a vehicle before [ title to the vehicle has been issued application for title to the vehicle has been submitted to the Department ] in the name of the purchaser, the dealer shall have the right to immediate possession of the vehicle without claim of possession by the purchaser and without regard to the provisions of Title 8.9A.

B. A temporary certificate of registration issued by a dealer to a purchaser pursuant to this section shall expire when the certificate of title to the vehicle is issued by the Department in the name of the purchaser and the permanent license plates have been affixed to the vehicle, but in no event shall any temporary certificate of registration issued under this section be effective for more than thirty days from the date of its issuance. In the event that the dealer fails to produce the old certificate of title or certificate of origin to the vehicle or fails to apply for a replacement certificate of title pursuant to 46.2-632, thereby preventing delivery to the Department or purchaser before the expiration of the temporary certificate of registration, the purchaser's temporary rights may terminate and the purchaser shall have the right to return the vehicle to the dealer and obtain a full refund of all payments made toward the purchase of the vehicle, provided the purchaser provides notice to the dealer of a decision to return the vehicle before issuance of a title for the vehicle by the Department, less any damage to the vehicle incurred while ownership was vested in the purchaser, and less a reasonable amount for use not to exceed one-half the amount allowed per mile by the Internal Revenue Service, as provided by regulation, revenue procedure, or revenue ruling promulgated pursuant to 162 of the Internal Revenue Code, for use of a personal vehicle for business purposes.

C. Notwithstanding subsection B of this section, if the dealer fails to deliver the certificate of title or certificate of origin to the purchaser within thirty days, a second temporary certificate of registration may be issued. However, the dealer shall, not later than the expiration of the first temporary certificate, deliver to the Department an application for title, copy of the bill of sale, all required fees and a written statement of facts describing the dealer's efforts to secure the certificate of title or certificate of origin to the vehicle. On receipt of the title application with attachments as described herein, the Department shall record the purchaser's rights hereunder to the vehicle and may authorize the dealer to issue a second thirty-day temporary certificate of registration. If the dealer does not produce the certificate of title or certificate of origin to the vehicle before the expiration of the second temporary certificate, the purchaser's rights to the vehicle under this section may terminate and he shall have the right to return the vehicle as provided in subsection B of this section.

D. If the dealer is unable to produce the certificate of title or certificate of origin to the vehicle within the sixty-day period from the date of issuance of the first temporary certificate, the Department may extend temporary registration for an additional period of up to ninety days, provided the dealer makes application in the format required by the Department. If the dealer does not produce the certificate of title or certificate of origin to the vehicle before the expiration of the additional ninety-day period, the purchaser's rights hereunder to the vehicle may terminate and he shall have the right to return the vehicle as provided in subsection B of this section.

E. The Commissioner, on determining that the provisions of this section or the directions of the Department are not being complied with by a dealer, may suspend, after a hearing, the right of the dealer to issue temporary certificates of registration.