§ 261:111 — Retail Vehicle Dealer's Use of Dealer Registration

New Hampshire § 261:111

• Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
• Title XXI: MOTOR VEHICLES
• Ch. 261: CERTIFICATES OF TITLE AND REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES
• Subdivision: Registration by Motor Vehicle Manufacturers or Dealers

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I. A retail dealer and member of the dealer's family domiciled in the dealer's household, may use the dealer's registration on vehicles owned by the dealer for personal use.
II. Motor vehicles owned by the dealer which are designed for and engaged in the day-to-day business activities of the dealership, including but not limited to the transportation of freight or merchandise, such as auto parts delivery trucks, shall not be so registered. Wreckers, ramp trucks, and service trucks may be registered if incidental to the business activities of the dealership and marked not for hire.
III. The dealer's employees who are employed full-time in the retail motor vehicle business may be issued a dealer plate on motor vehicles owned by the dealer, at the dealer's discretion, for personal use outside of normal business hours and no person other than such employees shall operate such motor vehicles. For purposes of this paragraph, the dealer's employees shall include employees of a dealership management company solely engaged in the day-to-day business operations of the dealership. Personal use shall require that the motor vehicle be in saleable condition, with all legally required window stickers as appropriate, in view to the general public.
IV. Motorized or non-motorized vehicles owned by the dealer shall not be rented or otherwise used while registered under the dealer's registration, except for demonstration purposes, for use by a franchisor or distributor or agent or employee thereof, or for loaning or renting to a customer whose vehicle is being serviced in connection with the vehicle business.
V. Dealer registration shall not be used on motorized or non-motorized vehicles owned by another person unless there exists a valid consignment agreement, or unless the vehicle is being demonstrated or transported in connection with service or sales.
VI. A retail vehicle dealer may use the dealer registration to operate a vehicle on the ways of this state when transporting the vehicle from a place of purchase to the dealer's place of business if the vehicle bears a valid inspection sticker from any state unless a clear violation of RSA 266:1 is apparent from visual observation.
VII. A truck owned by a licensed retail dealer may be driven on a way with a gross vehicle weight in excess of the weight limits specified in RSA 266:18-a without having obtained a certification therefor from the commissioner under RSA 266:18-d if all requirements in this paragraph are met. The truck shall be driven in loaded or unloaded condition only for demonstration purposes or by a customer whose truck is being serviced or repaired by the dealer. No person may use the same truck for a period exceeding 72 hours or more than once in any 12-month period. The dealer shall affix a dedicated dealer registration plate to the truck. Documentation of operation pursuant to this paragraph shall remain with the vehicle at all times while in use. The dealer shall maintain records of operation pursuant to this paragraph for 3 years.

Legislative History

1911, 133:4. 1921, 119:25. 1925, 36:1. PL 100:43. RL 116:53. 1947, 177:6. RSA 260:52. 1981, 146:1. 1997, 179:10. 2010, 290:5, eff. Sept. 11, 2010. 2014, 245:2, eff. Sept. 19, 2014. 2015, 198:3, eff. Sept. 4, 2015.