DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
Division of Motor Vehicles – Titles and Registrations Section
1 CCR 204-14
DEPOT LICENSE PLATES

Basis:	 	This regulation is promulgated under the authority of 42-1-204, 42-3-116, 42-3-120, 42-3-121 (1) (d) and 42-3-301 CRS.    

Purpose:  The following rules and regulations are promulgated to establish criteria for the issuance     
	    of depot plates.

1.0	Definitions
1.1	“Depot License Plates” or “Depot Tags” – means a numbered plate issued by the department authorizing the movement of dealership vehicles to and from the dealer’s place of business or storage for the purpose of completing work that involves repairing, painting, upholstering, polishing or other similar types of work.
1.2	“Department” – for purposes of this regulation means the department of revenue, state registrations section.
2.0  	Requirements
2.1	All applicants for depot plates shall complete and submit to the Department of Revenue, Registration Section, an application for the issuance of depot plates.  
2.2	Only the Department of Revenue, Registration Section shall issue depot plates.  All issued depot plates are subject to statutory and material fees that are assessed at the point of issuance.
2.3	All depot plates will have a thirty (30) day grace period for renewal.  An annual fee described in 42-3-116 CRS, must be remitted with each application.  The fee for replacement of a lost or mutilated depot plate will be the issuance fee identified in 42-3-116 CRS plus the material fee identified in 42-3-301 CRS.  
2.4	Depot plates shall be limited to one plate per mechanic or service technician employed by the approved licensed dealership.  The owner or authorized representative of the dealership shall, at the time of application or renewal, verify the number of mechanics or service technicians currently on the payroll.  False information on the application or renewal request may result in denial of the application, cancellation and denial of any plates issued.  Applicants suspected of providing false information shall be referred to the Auto Industry Division, Motor Vehicle Dealer Board.      

2.5	A depot plate may be used by the dealership to transport vehicles to and from the dealer’s place of business or storage for the purpose of completing work that involves repairing, painting, upholstering, polishing or other similar types of work on the vehicle.  A depot plate may also be used for road testing the vehicle after repair. Movement of a vehicle using a depot plate for any purpose other than those listed above shall constitute private use.
2.6	When the vehicle is being repaired or refurbished, the dealer shall provide written verification of authorization for repair.  The verification shall be in the vehicle, available for inspection by an authorized law enforcement agency any time the vehicle is being used upon the streets or highways of the state.
2.7	Depot plates shall be mounted in such a position as to be visible from the back of the vehicle.  Depot plates shall not be permanently attached or affixed to any vehicle.  Depot plates must be maintained in a clearly legible condition at all times.  
2.8	It is the responsibility of the dealer to assure that a vehicle being driven using a depot plate is in safe, roadworthy condition.
2.9	Pursuant to 42-3-116(4) (b) violation of the restrictions and methods of use of depot plates may result in sanctions including loss of plate privileges.
2.10	Dealers subject to loss of one or more depot plates may request a hearing, in writing, within thirty days of receiving notice of the pending action.  If a hearing is not requested, within thirty days, the depot plates in question may be suspended.  If so, the plate must be surrendered to the Department of Revenue, Registration Section within ten days of the date of notice of the suspension.
2.11	The hearing shall be held at the Department of Revenue, Enforcement Business Group, Hearing Section.  The presiding hearing officer shall be an authorized representative designated by the Executive Director.  The law enforcement officer or Department investigator who submits the documents and affidavit related to the action in question need not be present at the hearing unless his or her presence is required by the presiding officer, or requested by the dealer at the time the written request for hearing is submitted.  If the law enforcement officer or investigator is not present at the hearing, the written documents and affidavit submitted by the officer or investigator may be used by the hearing officer.
2.12	Lost or stolen depot plates shall be reported within seventy-two (72) hours to the local law enforcement agency and the Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles, Registration Section using form number DR2283 Affidavit for Lost or Stolen License Plates/Permits.  All depot plates shall be replaced for the original statutory fee identified in 42-3-116 CRS and the material fees identified 42-3-301 CRS.
2.13	Whenever the dealership for which repair work was being performed ceases to operate or whenever the appropriate dealer’s license has been suspended, denied, revoked, or expired, all depot plates issued to such business must be surrendered within seventy-two (72) hours to the Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles, Registration Section at the cost of the dealership.  The Department will not refund any portion of the original fee paid when the plates are surrendered.
2.14	Applications, renewals, and replacements may be conducted via postal mail.  The dealer must provide a pre-paid envelope for plates to be mailed to them if delivery by mail is requested.  Depot plates will not be mailed to non-Colorado addresses.  The department reserves the right to validate a dealer’s address to ensure that it is a legitimate business address for that dealer prior to accepting, approving or completing any depot license plate transaction.
2.15	Secure and verifiable identification will be required on all issuances and replacements of depot license plates.  The dealership shall provide a letter of authorization to the department listing all authorized personnel that may conduct depot license plate transactions with the department.
2.16	All applicants shall have dealer license status verified with the Motor Vehicle Dealer Board through the Auto Industry Division.