Any person holding a registration card and license plate or license plates with decal who disposes of, elects not to use the vehicle for which it was issued on the highways in the Commonwealth, or transfers another valid license plate to the vehicle, may surrender, prior to the beginning of the registration period, the license plates or license plates with decals and registration card or provide other evidence of registration of the vehicle to the Commissioner with a statement that the vehicle for which the license plate or license plate with decal was issued has been disposed of, election has been made not to use the vehicle on the highways in the Commonwealth, or another valid license plate has been transferred to the vehicle and request a refund of the fee paid. The Commissioner shall retain five dollars of the fee to cover the costs incurred in issuing the plates and processing the refund.

The Commissioner shall refund to the applicant a proration, in six-month increments, of the total cost of the registration and license plates or license plates with decals if application for the refund is made when there are six or more months remaining in the registration period. The Commissioner shall not provide a refund when otherwise eligible if the applicant chooses not to return the license plates to the Department. No charge or deduction shall be assessed for any refund made under this subsection.

Code 1950, § 46-94; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-97; 1972, c. 609; 1976, c. 339; 1977, c. 236; 1988, c. 704; 1989, c. 727; 2019, cc. 149, 193.