The best time to concentrate on your political agenda and strategy is during the off season.
The time between legislative sessions is frequently the only time when the pace of politics slows enough to get a quick look at where issues may be heading. This time is precious as
it allows candidates, both for incumbents and those preparing to run for office, to organize
their campaigns and raise the appropriate amount of money.

It is during these summer months that many legislative members begin raising money  for
the upcoming election cycle. During the past election, CADA strategically and successfully contributed to a wide variety of candidates. Contributions from CADA members helped maintain our legislative presence and convey the position of auto dealers across the state on important issues to a vast array of legislators. In fact, more than 90% of our contributions went to winning candidates.

CLICK HERE to read this article by CAR lobbyist Jeremy Cottrell. 
 

Periodically, CADA reminds dealers of the limitations covering both full use and demo plates.

Full Use Plates
The key statutory provisions regarding how full plates can be used are below:

42-3-116(6), part (c)

• Full-use dealer plates may be used only for vehicles owned and offered for sale
  by the dealer or wholesaler.

• Full-use dealer plates shall not be used on vehicles owned by dealerships or wholesalers that are commonly used by that dealer as tow trucks or vehicles
  commonly used by that dealer to pick up or deliver parts.

• At the dealer's or wholesaler's discretion, the full-use plate may be transferred from
  one motor vehicle to another motor vehicle. The dealer or wholesaler shall not be required to report any such transfer to the department.

42-3-116(6), part (d)

A motor vehicle dealer or wholesaler may assign a full-use dealer plate only to the following persons:

1. Owners or co-owners of the licensed dealership or wholesale motor vehicle 
       business;

2. An employee of the motor vehicle dealer or wholesaler;

3. To any person, including former, current, and prospective customers, in order to
       serve the legitimate business interest of the motor vehicle dealership or motor
       vehicle wholesale business; and

4. A spouse or dependent child living in the same household as the licensed dealer
       or wholesaler.

CLICK HERE to review the regulations regarding Full Use plates and ensure that you are familiar with the limitations and requirements.

Demo Plates
Demo plates are much more restrictive than dealer full-use plates. Key highlights of the regulations regarding the use of demo plates are below: 

1. A dealer demonstration plate can be displayed ONLY on vehicles owned by
   or consigned to the dealer or the wholesaler.

2. A dealer demo plate may be used on a vehicle operated by a prospective
   buyer. Demonstration drives by a prospective purchaser cannot exceed
   seven (7) calendar days. The dealer must issue an authorization letter to
   any prospective buyer demo-driving the vehicle after the dealer's NORMAL business hours on day one. [The regulation also indicates what must be included in the letter; see attached]. The customer must keep the authorization letter in the vehicle at all times and present it to a law enforcement officer upon request.

3. A prospective buyer may use a dealer demo plate with a dealership employee in the vehicle during the dealer's NORMAL business hours.

4. A dealership employee, during NORMAL business hours of the dealership, may use a dealer demo plate for conducting legitimate dealership business.

5. A dealer demo plate may not be used on any vehicle that has been sold
   and is in the possession of the purchaser, or upon any vehicle leased or
   rented by such dealer.

6. A dealer demo plate may not be used on vehicles that are being delivered
   to the purchaser.

7. Owners and employees of the dealer may not operate a demo-plated vehicle for their private purposes or use a demo plate on any commercial vehicle.

8. Demo plates may not be displayed on any of the following vehicles owned
   by the dealer:

   ●  tow vehicles,
   ●  parts pickup/delivery vehicles,
   ●  service department loaners,
   ●  courtesy shuttle vehicles,
   ●  rental vehicles,
   ●  haulers, or
   ●  any vehicle bearing the dealer's name or advertisement (other than the small
       dealer badge normally affixed to the rear of the vehicle, or the license plate
       holder bearing the dealer's name).

   Such vehicles shall be titled and registered in the name of the dealership.