Independent Dealer-Operator Recertification Program
Effective January 1, 2011, the Independent Dealer-Operator Recertification
Program is a new, required continuing education program administered by the Motor
Vehicle Dealer Board. The new regulations require Independent Dealer-Operators to
recertify every three (3) years by either completing a continuing education
course or successfully passing an examination.
Details on continuing education options are addressed later in this
section under, “Continuing Education Options”.
In developing the Independent Dealer-Operator Recertification Program, the MVDB
took into account feedback from the dealer community, as well as the success of the
two-day course for new Dealer-Operators presented by the Virginia Independent Automobile Dealers Association (VIADA).
Since 2006, thousands of students have participated in dealer operator education.
Many of these students have gone on to pass the test and qualify as Dealer-Operators
for independent dealerships in Virginia. For additional information on becoming a new
Independent Dealer-Operator, please see
How to Become a New Independent Dealer-Operator.
The recertification program aims to educate all Independent
Dealer-Operators regardless of the status and date of their qualification.
Public comments provided valuable feedback on administering this program and led to the
development of the following objectives:
- Flexible continuing education choices that does not disrupt day-to-day business activities;
- Course materials that emphasize recent changes in state and federal laws,
regulations, and court decisions that impact the “used car”
business as well as reinforce knowledge on older laws and regulations;
- Providing reasonable and practical dates to meet the recertification requirement;
- Building professional development and raising standards on the Independent
Dealer-Operator Certification
Dealer-Operators who stay informed of changes in laws and regulations are
more likely to succeed in business, have more satisfied customers, and need less
regulatory oversight.
Program guidelines
There are no grandfather exceptions to recertify as an
Independent Dealer Operator.
A Dealer-Operator’s recertification schedule is based on the month and year in
which you were originally certified as a Dealer-Operator. If you do not recall your
certification date, there is no need to be concerned. The Motor Vehicle Dealer Board
has this information on file and you will receive the recertification notice along
with continuing education material well in advance of your recertification deadline.
This ensures the Independent Dealer-Operator has ample time to schedule the course or
examination without disrupting business activities. This recertification notice and
course material will be mailed to the Dealer-Operator’s home address currently on
file at the Board. Please keep us informed on any home (mailing) address changes.
Email ann.majors@mvdb.virginia.gov,
advising us this is a home mailing address change, your full name, dealer certificate
number if applicable and new address.
We want to emphasize that your recertification deadline date is not tied to you
license renewal for the dealership if you are currently the dealer operator.
However failure to recertify will result in your Dealer-Operator certification
becoming invalid and may jeopardize the dealership’s licenses if you are currently
the Dealer-Operator.
Your recertification deadline date will be clearly marked on the notice.
It is strongly advised not to delay in this process and choose the
continuing education option (described below) which best fits your schedule and learning
style. MVDB does not provide advice on which option you should choose to meet the
recertification requirement; however we can assist with program requirements.
Contacting the course providers below may further assist you on the course offering
that meet your needs.
Continuing Education Options
The following three continuing education options will meet your recertification
requirement. Option 1 and Option 2 are
continuing education course vendors that offer classroom or online recertification courses.
Both the Virginia Independent Automobile Dealers Association (VIADA) and Compass Systems,
Inc will notify MVDB directly when you have completed the course.
If you decide to take the Dealer-Operator examination
(Option 3), DMV notifies MVDB of your examination
result.
OPTION 1- Compass Systems, Inc
This course provider is offering an online continuing education course to meet the dealer operator recertification requirement. To register, please visit www.eProLearn.com or contact the office at 800-296-5585 for Dealer-Operator recertification information.
OPTION 2 – VIADA
This course provider offers an online continuing education course to meet the dealer operator recertification requirement. Their course also allows continued access to the course material after completing recertification. To register, go to www.VADealerRecertification.com or https://viada.org/recertification/. For questions, contact VIADA’s Education Coordinator Vickie London at Vickie@viada.org or call 800-394-1960.
OPTION 3 – Independent Dealer Operator Recertification
Examination (DRC Exam)
This is a recertification examination given at any DMV Customer
Service Centers. You must successfully pass the examination for recertification.
If you fail, you will not be allowed to retake this examination and must take a
course (see Options 1 and 2) in order to remain certified as a Dealer Operator.
If you decide to take the examination, email ann.majors@mvdb.virginia.gov requesting an Examination Authorization (MVDB 46 example). You must present the MVDB 46 along with proper identification (i.e., driver's license, passport, military ID, etc.) before going to the DMV, Customer Service Center. The tese fee is $50 payable to DMV. The DRC test is one attempt only, if you fail the exam, you will not be allowed to re-take and must complete your recertification requirement by choosing Option 1 or 2. Further instructions are provided on the MVDB 46.
(REV: 02/17)