Getting a used car dealer license in Nebraska

In Nebraska, used-car dealers are licensed by Nebraska Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board.

Before your first retail sale you’ll need a $50,000 surety bond, a pre-licensing course and a business location that meets the state’s rules. The state also inspects the location.

This page gathers what a new independent lot needs, each fact linked to the official source it came from.

Sources checked · details re-checked against official sources

At a glance

License
Motor vehicle dealer (combination motor vehicle/motorcycle/trailer licensing) mvilb.nebraska.gov (source, opens in a new tab)
Issued by
Nebraska Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board mvilb.nebraska.gov (source, opens in a new tab)
Surety bond
$50,000; Nebraska-registered agent must sign. mvilb.nebraska.gov (source, opens in a new tab) 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.
Pre-licensing course
Effective January 1, 2026: four-hour pre-license education, certificate within prior 12 months. Providers listed include NEIADA (nedealertraining.com) and Automobile Dealer Training Association (nebraskadealers.com). mvilb.nebraska.gov (source, opens in a new tab)
Official fees
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)
Renewal
Annual December 31 expiration; renewal opens October 1; sales reporting October–September. Education documentation required. mvilb.nebraska.gov (source, opens in a new tab)
Site inspection
Yes: Board investigator schedules after paperwork review. mvilb.nebraska.gov (source, opens in a new tab)

Step by step

  1. Make sure you need a dealer license

    Nebraska's Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board issues dealer licenses covering motor vehicles, motorcycles and trailers. Auction dealers are licensed differently, with a $100,000 bond. mvilb.nebraska.gov › dealer-license-application (source, opens in a new tab)

  2. Take the four-hour course

    Since January 1, 2026, new dealers need four hours of pre-license education, with a certificate from the 12 months before applying. Providers include NEIADA (nedealertraining.com) and the Automobile Dealer Training Association (nebraskadealers.com). Older guidance without this step is out of date. mvilb.nebraska.gov › renewals (source, opens in a new tab) mvilb.nebraska.gov › dealer-license-application (source, opens in a new tab)

  3. Set up the location

    You need one contiguous area where ten or more vehicles can be displayed, and you must be open at least 40 hours a week, 20 of them during regular business hours, with a dealership phone. Keep vehicle records separate, and have repair facilities and tools (or an equipped mobile repair truck) for warranty work. The site must conform to zoning, and a lease must run at least through December 31 of the license year. Photograph your sign for the application. mvilb.nebraska.gov › dealer-app.pdf (source, opens in a new tab)

  4. Bond and insurance

    Register the entity, get auto insurance and workers' compensation (or a waiver), and the $50,000 bond, signed by a Nebraska-registered agent. You don't pay that amount: a surety company charges you a premium, a fraction of it, set mainly by your credit. mvilb.nebraska.gov › APPLICATION FOR DEALER LICENSE INSTRUCTIONS_0.pdf (source, opens in a new tab) mvilb.nebraska.gov › dealer-license-application (source, opens in a new tab)

  5. Apply online

    Submit the online application with the service agreement and supporting documents. A Board investigator schedules the inspection after reviewing the paperwork. mvilb.nebraska.gov › dealer-license-application (source, opens in a new tab)

  6. Pay after approval

    The fee is paid after inspection and approval: the Board's form lists $250, but since July 18, 2026 the statute lets the Board charge up to $1,000, so check the current amount. Approval issues the license and a Treasurer certificate; then get plates from the county treasurer. mvilb.nebraska.gov › dealer-app.pdf (source, opens in a new tab) nebraskalegislature.gov › statutes.php (source, opens in a new tab)

  7. Keep it current

    Licenses expire December 31 each year, and renewal opens October 1. You report sales for October to September and show your education documents. mvilb.nebraska.gov › renewals (source, opens in a new tab) mvilb.nebraska.gov › dealer-app.pdf (source, opens in a new tab)

The location

Display lot
One contiguous area where ten or more vehicles can be displayed presentably. mvilb.nebraska.gov (source, opens in a new tab)
Office
Open at least 40 hours a week, 20 of them during regular business hours, with a dealership phone. Keep vehicle records separate from other business or personal records, and have repair facilities and tools (or an equipped mobile repair truck) for warranty work and repairs. mvilb.nebraska.gov (source, opens in a new tab)
Sign
A dealership sign; include a photograph of it with the application. mvilb.nebraska.gov (source, opens in a new tab)
Zoning and home-based lots
The site must conform to local zoning; send a zoning permit or a letter from the proper authority. If you lease, the lease must not end before December 31 of the license year. mvilb.nebraska.gov (source, opens in a new tab)

Before you apply

Entity registration, auto insurance and workers compensation or waiver. mvilb.nebraska.gov (source, opens in a new tab)

Forms

Online Dealer License Application, Service Agreement, Workers Compensation Waiver; bond and insurance instructions on agency page. mvilb.nebraska.gov (source, opens in a new tab)

Get the current versions from mvilb.nebraska.gov; we don’t host copies.

Not the license you’re after?

Auction dealer differs, including $100,000 bond. mvilb.nebraska.gov (source, opens in a new tab)

What trips people up

Our read of the requirements above, not official guidance or statistics.

The hardest part: meeting new 2026 education requirements before site approval.

Easy mistakes:

Questions

How much does a Nebraska dealer license cost?

The Board's form lists $250, paid after approval; since July 2026 the law allows up to $1,000, so confirm the current fee. The bond premium, insurance and site cost more. mvilb.nebraska.gov › dealer-app.pdf (source, opens in a new tab) nebraskalegislature.gov › statutes.php (source, opens in a new tab)

Is there a course?

Yes. Since January 1, 2026, a four-hour pre-license course, completed within 12 months before you apply. mvilb.nebraska.gov › renewals (source, opens in a new tab)

How many cars must the lot hold?

At least ten, in one contiguous display area. mvilb.nebraska.gov › dealer-app.pdf (source, opens in a new tab)

Sources

Not affiliated with the Nebraska DMV. Not legal advice. Requirements change; always confirm with the state.