Dealer plates are issued for a specific term and must be renewed. The expiration date is shown on the plate’s sticker or tab. Operating a vehicle on expired dealer plates is just as illegal as operating a vehicle with expired registration — law enforcement can cite the driver, and DMV can take action against your dealer license.
You are allocated a specific number of dealer plates based on your inventory and business needs. If you need additional plates, you can apply to DMV for more. If plates are lost, stolen, or damaged, you must report that to DMV and apply for replacements. You are accountable for every plate issued to you — DMV maintains a record of your plate inventory, and during audits, they may ask you to account for all plates.
Penalties for plate misuse can include revocation of individual plates, revocation of all plates, fines, and points against your dealer license that can lead to license suspension. Don’t take plate compliance lightly — it’s a visible indicator of how seriously you take your regulatory obligations. A dealer who misuses plates is a dealer who might be cutting corners in other areas too, and DMV knows this.