Dealer license cost by state
What a used-car dealer license costs depends on the state: its own license and plate fees, plus a surety bond in nearly every state. The bond’s face amount runs from $10,000 in New Jersey to $100,000 in Alaska, Arizona and Nevada. 18 states ask for $50,000 and 11 for $25,000.
That’s the bond’s face amount, not what you pay: a surety company charges a yearly premium, usually a small percentage of it, set mainly by your credit.
The table has each state’s bond and official fees, 50 states in all, each figure linked to the official source it came from. Each state’s own page adds the course, location rules, forms and steps.
Work out your first-year cost
Pick your state and the bond amount and state fees fill in from the table below. Add the premium a surety company quoted you, or the rate they gave you, and anything else your state asks you to pay for. Nothing you type leaves this page: the calculator runs in your browser and saves nothing.
Bond and fees by state
| State | Surety bond | Official fees |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $50,000 continuous bond; also satisfies the Designated Agent bond requirement. revenue.alabama.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | $125 master license; $5 each additional location; $25 dealer plate ($17 motorcycle), not refundable or prorated. revenue.alabama.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Alaska | $100,000 for motor vehicle dealers; $25,000 motorcycle-only. Original/certified bond, signed and notarized with power of attorney. dmv.alaska.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | $50 registration for two years. DLR002 rev. 11/17/2022 lists first-plate totals $88–$276 depending on local tax area. dmv.alaska.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Arizona | $100,000 used retail dealer surety bond. apps.azdot.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | $100 license + $15 application; dealer plate $30 + postage; DPS background charge $22.44 + fingerprint vendor fee. Additional lender authority costs apply only if needed. apps.azdot.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Arkansas | $25,000 corporate surety bond, on a bond form approved by the state. If you license several locations, one $100,000 bond can cover them. media.ark.org (source, opens in a new tab) | License certificate $250 a year, for January 1 to December 31; each additional location $125. A license expired 31 days to 6 months needs a $35 late fee, and one not renewed within 6 months expires permanently. media.ark.org (source, opens in a new tab) |
| California | $50,000 retail dealer bond. dmv.ca.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | $175 application + $1 family-support fee + $16 exam. Optional dealer plate $92 plus county fees. Out-of-state fingerprint card $42/person if applicable. dmv.ca.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Colorado | $50,000 dealer/wholesaler bond in official 9/30/2024 checklist. sbg.colorado.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | For licenses issued July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027: original dealer license $900, renewal $734; original salesperson license $217 (renewal $168); each additional location $376. Fees change every July 1. sbg.colorado.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Connecticut | $60,000 motor vehicle dealer bond. portal.ct.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | $140 application + $560 two-year used-dealer license = $700; dealer plate $140 + $5 safety fee = $145, initial maximum three. portal.ct.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Delaware | Not every dealer needs a bond. A dealer that finances a retail sale itself without charging interest, and isn't already bonded with the Banking Commissioner, must file a $25,000 surety bond with the Department of Finance before getting its annual license. The DMV's dealer chapter itself has no bond requirement. delcode.delaware.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | DMV dealer license application $100 (renewal $50), plus a separate $100 annual motor vehicle dealer license fee paid to the Department of Finance. delcode.delaware.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Florida | $25,000 surety bond or qualifying irrevocable letter of credit. flhsmv.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | Independent dealer license $300 for the first year (or $375 for a two-year license); each supplemental location $50 a year. leg.state.fl.us (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Georgia | $50,000 surety bond, payable to the Governor for the benefit of buyers, filed with a signed power of attorney. Raised from $35,000 by a 2026 amendment to O.C.G.A. 43-47-8, effective July 1, 2026. sos.ga.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | Application fee $170, plus a $10 processing fee charged on every application. Expedited license verification costs $40 (3–5 business days) or $115 (same day). goals.sos.ga.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Hawaii | Primary financial route is $50,000 inventory/flooring credit line. If applicant cannot reasonably obtain it, Board may approve bond instead: $25,000 below 60 vehicles/month on annual basis; $100,000 at 60 or more. Do not treat bond alternative as automatic. cca.hawaii.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | Used dealer applications July even-year–June odd-year: Honolulu $588, other counties $393. July odd-year–June even-year: Honolulu $319, other counties $221. October 2026 falls in $588/$393 period. cca.hawaii.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Idaho | $20,000 retail; wholesale $40,000. Cash/CD alternative subject to statutory hold; three claim-free years may allow later bond exemption, not initial exemption. itd.idaho.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | ITD3170: $190 dealer application + $300 ICAR contribution = $490; supplemental location $44. itd.idaho.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Illinois | $50,000 per licensed location; bond or certificate of deposit. Main page says first 60 months. ilsos.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | License $1,000 annually, $500 for second-half initial applicants; master plate $45, duplicate $13, additional duplicates $151. ilsos.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Indiana | $25,000; use SF53966 revision R7/03-24. Older bond form versions rejected. in.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | Fee chart rev 9/2023: $30 auto-dealer license; initial dealer plate $40 + $5 service; additional plate $15 + $5. in.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Iowa | $75,000 surety bond. iowadot.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | Dealer license $70. Dealer plates are optional; if you order them, a $70 registration fee plus $40 per plate. Each extension lot $20. iowadot.forms.govos.com (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Kansas | Agency handbook lists $30,000, form D20. ksrevenue.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | Older agency handbook: used license $75/year and repeat inspection $30. ksrevenue.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Kentucky | Commission may require a bond, assets or reliable financial arrangements up to $100,000 after financial review; not an automatic fixed bond for every used applicant. mvc.ky.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | $175 processing + $25 per owner criminal check. mvc.ky.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Louisiana | $50,000 using Commission form or exact required wording. lumvc.louisiana.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | 8/2022 packet: $400 two-year dealer; $25 one-year salesperson; $200 additional location. lumvc.louisiana.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Maine | Projected annual sales initially: 0–50 $25,000; 51–100 $50,000; 101–150 $75,000; 151+ $100,000. Reviewed annually. Inventory count is not the sales metric. legislature.maine.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | $150 initial nonrefundable application + $150 annual used-car license; used-car plate $20. maine.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Maryland | Based on projected sales: 1–250 $15,000; 251–500 $25,000; 501–1,000 $35,000; 1,001–2,500 $50,000; above 2,500 $150,000. mva.maryland.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | Current linked packet: $900 used-dealer license for three years; interchangeable tags $150 each for three years. One gratis salesperson license described on primary page. mva.maryland.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Massachusetts | $25,000 bond or municipal-approved equivalent CD/irrevocable letter of credit. Separate bond for each business name and each city/town. malegislature.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | See the state’s page |
| Michigan | $25,000 vehicle dealer surety bond for Class B. michigan.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | Class B annual fee $160; at least two dealer plates must be purchased. michigan.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Minnesota | $50,000 in DVS dealer application. assets.dps.mn.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | State license directory: initial $250; plates first four $86 each, fifth onward $51 each. mn.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Mississippi | Dealer packet requires $15,000 bond. Do not substitute the separate $5,000 Designated Agent bond. dor.ms.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | Used motor vehicle dealer permit $100; dealer tags $43.75 each for the first 12, then $83.75 each. dor.ms.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Missouri | $50,000 standard bond/irrevocable letter of credit; $100,000 for authorized delayed-title delivery sales. dor.mo.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | Annual license $150 and first plate $50, prorated monthly; later two-year license $300. dor.mo.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Montana | $50,000 continuous bond for used motor vehicles. mvdmt.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | Dealer license $30; each set of numbered dealer plates $25 a year. The Bureau works out your total after reviewing the application. mca.legmt.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Nebraska | $50,000; Nebraska-registered agent must sign. mvilb.nebraska.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | The Board's application (rev. 09-2021) lists a $250 license fee, paid after the inspection and approval. The Board sets the fee; since July 18, 2026 the statute allows up to $1,000, so check the current amount. Licenses expire December 31 each year. mvilb.nebraska.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Nevada | $100,000 for motor vehicle dealer. dmv.nv.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | $125 new license + $40 fingerprint processing per principal. dmv.nv.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| New Hampshire | $25,000 bond or statutory equivalent. dmv.nh.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | Retail vehicle license $125, paid with the application; more fees are assessed on approval. Dealer plates (from January 1, 2026): $800 for the first plate, $48 for each additional one. dmv.nh.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| New Jersey | $10,000 bond. nj.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | $100 wall license + $257.50 set of five plates = $357.50. Fee page carries older January 2007 label; primary licensing page confirms amounts. nj.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| New Mexico | $50,000 bond in agency guide. mvd.newmexico.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | 2017 guide lists $50 nonrefundable application. mvd.newmexico.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| New York | $20,000 if anticipated annual sales are 50 vehicles or fewer; $100,000 above 50. New applicants should use their expected volume, not the franchise bond tier. dmv.ny.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | VS-1DI states $587.50 application/business fees for motor vehicle dealer application. dmv.ny.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| North Carolina | $50,000 first location; $25,000 each additional location; surety or permitted cash bond. ncshp.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | Two-year license: $231 ($115.50/year). First five plates: $92.50 each per two-year term. Additional plates $46.26 each. County regional tax may add cost. ncshp.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| North Dakota | $25,000 continuous bond. dot.nd.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | $100 annual license, including one plate; additional plates $20, a maximum of two at first. A first application also pays a $100 initial inspection fee. dot.nd.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Ohio | $75,000 for new used-dealer applicants under rule effective April 1, 2026. The bond can satisfy the $75,000 net-worth requirement. codes.ohio.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | Two-year initial total $250.25: permit $50 + required master plate $50.25 + title-defect fund $150. Additional plates $10.25 each. autodealers.ohio.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Oklahoma | $25,000 dealer bond. oklahoma.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | Initial dealer license $600; renewal $300. Licenses are issued for two years. oscn.net (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Oregon | $50,000 bond or qualifying letter of credit. apps.oregon.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | August2026 application: $1,188 original certificate including one plate; $350 additional location; additional plate $55. oregon.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Pennsylvania | $20,000 manufacturer/dealer bond per place of business. Full-agent bond is a different category. pa.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | Board initial dealer application $190; dealer registration plate $70. pa.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Rhode Island | $50,000 bond; separate $50,000 bank credit line also required. dmv.ri.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | $303.50 license payment. dmv.ri.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| South Carolina | $50,000 with original power of attorney. dmv.sc.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | $150 three-year license. dmv.sc.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| South Dakota | $25,000. dor.sd.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | $300 initial used/vehicle dealer license. dor.sd.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Tennessee | $50,000, two consecutive years with aligned dates. tn.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | Dealer license $600, initial and renewal; salesperson license $50. The license runs two consecutive years. tn.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Texas | $50,000, with a two-year bond term matched to the license. txdmv.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | GDN $700/category for two years; dealer plate $90 for term. txdmv.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Utah | $75,000. dmv.utah.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | $127 license; $30 prints/person; $12 plate plus handling ($2.50 for 1–2 plates). mved.utah.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Vermont | New applicant $35,000. Later sales-based tiers: under25 $20,000; 25–100 $25,000; 101–250 $30,000; 251+ $35,000. dmv.vermont.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | $603 one year/$1,206 two years; three plates included; additional allocation by sales, paid additional plates $66. dmv.vermont.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Virginia | Initial applicants: $50,000 for first three consecutive years plus recovery-fund fees. mvdb.virginia.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | $270 dealer, $50 endorsement, $350 annual initial recovery fund, $60 first two plates, $26 additional plate, $50 salesperson; qualification exam $50. mvdb.virginia.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Washington | $30,000 surety bond; applicant and surety must sign with matching business names. dol.wa.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | Dealer license $975; original plate $50.75. BLS initial processing fee varies; trade name $5 if needed. dol.wa.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| West Virginia | $25,000. code.wvlegislature.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | $250 initial application including prescribed plate entitlement, plus $150 recovery fund. Used-dealer additional plates follow sales formula/$5 statutory fee. dmv.wv.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Wisconsin | $50,000 bond or irrevocable letter of credit. wisconsindot.gov (source, opens in a new tab) | Two-year dealer $40; first two plates $150, extras $10; salesperson $8 plus $5 exam. wisconsindot.gov (source, opens in a new tab) |
| Wyoming | $25,000; new applicants must wait for application approval before executing bond. dot.state.wy.us (source, opens in a new tab) | MV422: $100 annual if12+ prior-year sales, $25 if fewer. dot.state.wy.us (source, opens in a new tab) |
Bond amounts are face amounts. Fees are the state’s own, as its sources list them; a course, fingerprints and the bond premium come on top.
Questions
How much is a dealer license?
It depends on the state. You pay the state’s license and plate fees, and in nearly every state you also need a surety bond, whose face amount runs from $10,000 in New Jersey to $100,000 in Alaska, Arizona and Nevada. That’s the bond’s face amount, not what you pay: a surety company charges a yearly premium, usually a small percentage of it, set mainly by your credit. The table on this page lists each state’s bond and fees.
Do I pay the full bond amount?
No. The bond amount is what the surety company guarantees to buyers if a claim is made against you. You pay the surety company a yearly premium for it, usually a small percentage of the face amount, set mainly by your credit.
Which states ask for the smallest and largest dealer bond?
New Jersey asks for the smallest, $10,000. Alaska, Arizona and Nevada ask for $100,000, the largest flat amount. The most common amounts are $50,000 (18 states) and $25,000 (11 states).
Does the bond depend on how many cars I sell?
In some states, yes. Maine, Maryland, New York and Vermont set the bond by how many vehicles you sell or expect to sell, so a new lot usually starts at the lowest tier. Each state’s page has the tiers.
Related
Not affiliated with the state DMVs or any government agency. Not legal advice. Requirements change; always confirm with the state.