Getting a used car dealer license in Ohio

In Ohio, used-car dealers are licensed by Ohio BMV Dealer Licensing.

Before your first retail sale you’ll need a $75,000 surety bond, a 6-hour 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
Used motor vehicle dealer autodealers.ohio.gov (source, opens in a new tab)
Issued by
Ohio BMV Dealer Licensing autodealers.ohio.gov (source, opens in a new tab)
Surety bond
$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) 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
At least 6 hours of classroom or equivalent online training from an approved provider (a college or university, or a dealer trade association of at least 5 years' standing), with questions on each lesson. codes.ohio.gov (source, opens in a new tab)
Exam
Course includes questions on the material. codes.ohio.gov (source, opens in a new tab)
Official fees
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)
Site inspection
Yes. BMV Investigations inspects the location, before or after the license is issued, and can return at any time while it's held. autodealers.ohio.gov (source, opens in a new tab)

Step by step

  1. Make sure you need a used dealer license

    Used-car retail in Ohio needs a used motor vehicle dealer license from Ohio BMV Dealer Licensing. New-car dealers, leasing dealers and salespersons hold different licenses. autodealers.ohio.gov › home (source, opens in a new tab) codes.ohio.gov › rule-4501:1-3-11 (source, opens in a new tab)

  2. Take the 6-hour course

    Complete at least 6 hours of classroom or equivalent online training from an approved provider, a college or university or a dealer trade association of at least 5 years' standing. The course includes questions on each lesson. codes.ohio.gov › rule-4501:1-3-02 (source, opens in a new tab)

  3. Line up the bond or net worth

    New used-dealer applicants need a $75,000 bond under the rule effective April 1, 2026; the bond can satisfy the $75,000 net-worth requirement. You don't pay that amount: a surety company charges you a premium, a fraction of it, set mainly by your credit. Ignore older bond figures from before 2026. codes.ohio.gov › rule-4501:1-3-11 (source, opens in a new tab) codes.ohio.gov › rule-4501:1-3-08 (source, opens in a new tab)

  4. Find a lot that qualifies

    You need a display lot of at least 3,500 sq ft, not counting driveways or the office, with a hard surface kept free of dust, mud and standing water. A permanent barrier, such as fencing, curbing or landscaping, must separate it from homes or other businesses, and the site must meet local building and zoning rules. codes.ohio.gov › rule-4501:1-3-08 (source, opens in a new tab) codes.ohio.gov › rule-4501:1-3-11 (source, opens in a new tab)

  5. Set up the office

    At least 180 contiguous sq ft with hard-surface walls, a desk, three chairs and a filing cabinet. Keep a business phone in service at all times with the number posted in public view, and post your hours near the entrance: at least 5 hours a week, at least 2 of them between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. codes.ohio.gov › rule-4501:1-3-08 (source, opens in a new tab)

  6. Sign a lease or show the deed

    The lease must be in the applicant's name and run at least 3 months; if you own the site, use the deed. codes.ohio.gov › rule-4501:1-3-08 (source, opens in a new tab)

  7. Apply online

    File through the BMV Dealer Licensing portal with your Secretary of State registration certificate (and any trade name), a BCI criminal history record for each owner, photographs of the location, and the lease or deed. autodealers.ohio.gov › new-motor-vehicle-dealer (source, opens in a new tab) codes.ohio.gov › rule-4501:1-3-08 (source, opens in a new tab)

  8. Pay the fees

    The two-year initial total is $250.25: the $50 permit, the required master plate at $50.25 and $150 for the title-defect fund. Additional plates are $10.25 each. autodealers.ohio.gov › dealer-licensing-fees (source, opens in a new tab)

  9. Expect an inspection

    BMV Investigations inspects the location, before or after the license is issued, and can come back at any time while you hold it. The license runs for two years. autodealers.ohio.gov › new-motor-vehicle-dealer (source, opens in a new tab) autodealers.ohio.gov › dealer-licensing-fees (source, opens in a new tab)

The location

Display lot
A display lot of at least 3,500 sq ft, not counting driveways or the office, with a hard surface kept free of dust, mud and standing water. codes.ohio.gov (source, opens in a new tab)
Office
An office of at least 180 contiguous sq ft with hard-surface walls, furnished with at least a desk, three chairs and a filing cabinet. A business phone in service at all times, its number posted in public view. Business hours posted near the entrance: at least 5 hours a week, with at least 2 of them between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays. codes.ohio.gov (source, opens in a new tab)
Zoning and home-based lots
The site must meet local building and zoning rules, and a permanent barrier (fence, curbing, landscaping or similar) must separate the lot from homes or other businesses. You need a lease of at least 3 months in the applicant's name, or a deed. codes.ohio.gov (source, opens in a new tab)

Before you apply

$75,000 net worth or qualifying surety bond; lease/deed evidence. codes.ohio.gov (source, opens in a new tab)

Forms

The application is filed online through the BMV Dealer Licensing portal. Supporting documents: the Secretary of State registration certificate (and any trade name), a BCI criminal history record for each owner, photographs of the location, and the lease or deed. autodealers.ohio.gov (source, opens in a new tab)

Get the current versions from autodealers.ohio.gov; we don’t host copies.

Not the license you’re after?

New motor vehicle dealer, leasing dealer and salesperson licenses are different authorities. codes.ohio.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: securing a 3,500-sq-ft display site plus compliant office while qualifying for the new $75,000 bond.

Easy mistakes:

Questions

How much does an Ohio dealer license cost?

The BMV's two-year initial total is $250.25: the $50 permit, the $50.25 master plate and $150 for the title-defect fund. You also pay a premium on the $75,000 bond (or show $75,000 net worth), plus the course and the location. autodealers.ohio.gov › dealer-licensing-fees (source, opens in a new tab) codes.ohio.gov › rule-4501:1-3-11 (source, opens in a new tab)

How big does the lot have to be?

At least 3,500 sq ft, not counting driveways or the office, with a hard surface. codes.ohio.gov › rule-4501:1-3-08 (source, opens in a new tab)

Is there a test?

The required course includes questions on each lesson. We couldn't confirm a separate state exam. codes.ohio.gov › rule-4501:1-3-02 (source, opens in a new tab)

Sources

Not affiliated with the Ohio BMV. Not legal advice. Requirements change; always confirm with the state.