What defines a dealer in Virginia, according to the state code?

In Virginia, a dealer is defined primarily by the volume of vehicle transactions conducted over a specified timeframe. Specifically, selling five or more vehicles within a 12-month period establishes an individual or entity as a dealer under the state code. This threshold is significant as it sets a clear distinction between casual sellers, who may sell fewer vehicles without the need for a dealer's license, and those who are engaged in the business of selling vehicles as a profession.

While buying, selling, and exchanging vehicles could be aspects of what a dealer does, the crucial defining factor in Virginia’s regulation is the quantity of vehicles sold within the designated period. Furthermore, merely repairing vehicles or auctioning them does not meet the requirements for being categorized as a dealer according to the law. Thus, the correct answer highlights the importance of transactional volume as the threshold for dealer classification in Virginia.