Virginia House Bill HB95

Virginia 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/30/23
• Refer: 12/30/23

Caption

Stolen license plates; DMV required to cancel or invalidate such license plate & issue replacement.

Impact

The impact of HB95 is primarily operational, affecting how the DMV processes stolen license plates and issues replacements. This bill is intended to streamline the response to license plate theft, ensuring that stolen plates are promptly canceled and that individuals can obtain replacements without undue delay. By improving the administrative process within the DMV, the bill aims to enhance the security and tracking of vehicle registrations and help mitigate issues related to the misuse of stolen plates.

Summary

House Bill 95 addresses the issue of stolen license plates by amending the Code of Virginia to mandate that the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) cancel or invalidate stolen plates once reported. The bill outlines the process for individuals whose license plates have been stolen to notify the DMV directly or through law enforcement, which initiates the cancellation and replacement process for those plates. Additionally, the DMV is required to maintain a record of the theft in its database and communicate this information to any third parties involved.

Contention

While the bill seems aimed at efficiency, there may be concerns regarding the accuracy of database notifications and the potential for erroneous cancellations if the theft reports are not correctly processed. Additionally, there might be discussions around the responsibilities placed on individuals to report recoveries of their stolen plates and how these processes are communicated by the DMV. Stakeholders might debate the implementation aspects and the resources required for the DMV to handle these changes effectively.