Delaware Code Title 21 Sec. 6314 – Suspension and hearing notices
(a) No license issued under this title shall be suspended, revoked or renewal thereof refused, until a written copy of the complaint made has been furnished to the licensee against whom the same is directed. The written notice of complaint shall be sent to the licensee by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the last known address as shown on the license or dealership application or other record of information in possession of the Division. The written notice shall inform the licensee of the following:
(1) This Division’s intention to suspend, revoke or deny renewal of the dealership license.
(2) The nature of the complaint and the law or regulation allegedly violated by the dealership.
(3) The notice shall cite the law or regulation giving the Division authority to act.
(4) The notice shall inform the dealer of its right to request a hearing to dispute the complaint. The hearing must be requested within 10 days from earlier of the dates that the dealer received the certified letter or the Division received the return receipt on the certified letter.
(5) The notice shall inform the dealer of its right to present evidence, to be represented by counsel and to appear personally or by other representative at the hearing.
Terms Used In Delaware Code Title 21 Sec. 6314
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Director: shall mean the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles or the Director's authorized or delegated representative. See Delaware Code Title 21 Sec. 6301
- Division: shall mean the Division of Motor Vehicles. See Delaware Code Title 21 Sec. 6301
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
- Vehicle: means motor vehicles, trailers, recreational vehicles, recreational trailers, mobile homes, and any other device, in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public highway, excepting devices moved by animal power, human power, electric bicycles, off-highway vehicles, special mobile equipment and farm equipment. See Delaware Code Title 21 Sec. 6301
(b) The Division shall inform a dealer requesting a hearing of the date, time and place the hearing shall be held. The notification shall be provided by certified mail, return receipt requested, and shall give at least 20 days prior notice to all parties involved, unless waived by the dealer. The notice shall inform the parties of the Division’s obligation to reach its decision based upon the evidence received.
(c) The Division Director or designated representative may order a temporary emergency dealer license suspension. Any suspension issued under this subsection shall be exempt from the provisions required in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, except as provided herein.
The following guidelines shall apply for this temporary suspension.
(1) If a dealer has 5 outstanding violations of §§ 2306(e) and/or 2509 of this title for not submitting a buyer’s vehicle title application to the Division within the required 30 days from the date of sale; and
(2) A dealer has been provided 5 days’ written notice by the Division to submit the required paperwork but has failed to comply, then the Division will place a temporary emergency dealer license suspension notice on or near the entrance of the dealer’s place of business to notify potential buyers that the dealer’s license is temporarily suspended.
(3) Unauthorized removal of the notice or failure to comply with the temporary emergency dealer license suspension order may result in the immediate permanent suspension of the dealer’s license, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing under subsections (a) and (b) of this section.
(4) The temporary emergency dealer license suspension will be lifted by the Division when the required vehicle title applications and payments are submitted to the division.
(5) A dealer who fails to submit the required vehicle title applications and payments within 10 days after receiving a temporary emergency dealer license suspension may have its dealer license permanently suspended, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing under subsections (a) and (b) of this section.