Getting a used car dealer license in Utah

In Utah, used-car dealers are licensed by Utah State Tax Commission Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division.

Before your first retail sale you’ll need a $75,000 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

At a glance

License
Used Motor Vehicle Dealer dmv.utah.gov (source, opens in a new tab)
Issued by
Utah State Tax Commission Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division dmv.utah.gov (source, opens in a new tab)
Surety bond
$75,000. dmv.utah.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
Eight hours for all owners/partners/officers/members. Approved providers include Independent Dealer Solutions, Easy MVED, MVED Utah and others listed. dmv.utah.gov (source, opens in a new tab)
Official fees
$127 license; $30 prints/person; $12 plate plus handling ($2.50 for 1–2 plates). mved.utah.gov (source, opens in a new tab)
Renewal
Annual June30, no proration; three-hour annual training. $127 license; plate renewal $10.50. dmv.utah.gov (source, opens in a new tab)
Site inspection
Yes: MVED officer before issuance. mved.utah.gov (source, opens in a new tab)

Step by step

  1. Make sure you need a used dealer license

    Utah's Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division (MVED), part of the State Tax Commission, issues the Used Motor Vehicle Dealer license. Motorcycle and small-trailer dealers, and franchise dealers, are licensed differently. dmv.utah.gov › dealer-license (source, opens in a new tab)

  2. Set up the business and site

    Register with Commerce, get an EIN and a sales tax number (form TC69), and secure the location. Utah forbids unlicensed sales from home, and the site must meet local zoning. dmv.utah.gov › dealer-license (source, opens in a new tab) mved.utah.gov › places-of-business (source, opens in a new tab)

  3. Every owner takes the training

    All owners, partners, officers and members complete eight hours of training from an approved provider, such as Independent Dealer Solutions, Easy MVED or MVED Utah. dmv.utah.gov › dealer-license (source, opens in a new tab)

  4. Set up the premises

    You need a bounded display area for at least three vehicles, next to the office and sign. The permanent, enclosed office keeps records secure and is used only by your dealership. The permanent business-name sign is 24 sq ft, and your license number goes on the sign or building. mved.utah.gov › places-of-business (source, opens in a new tab)

  5. Fingerprints, bond and photos

    Each owner is fingerprinted ($30 per person) and signs the fingerprint waiver (TC465); unsigned waivers are a common snag. The bond is $75,000 on form TC450. Add photos, and plate insurance if you're requesting plates. You don't pay that amount: a surety company charges you a premium, a fraction of it, set mainly by your credit. dmv.utah.gov › dealer-license (source, opens in a new tab) mved.utah.gov › license-fees (source, opens in a new tab)

  6. Apply

    Submit form TC301 with the fees: $127 for the license and $12 per plate plus handling. Incomplete packets are returned, and the names must match everywhere. dmv.utah.gov › dealer-license (source, opens in a new tab) mved.utah.gov › license-fees (source, opens in a new tab)

  7. Inspection and license

    An MVED officer inspects the site 5–10 working days after your application arrives, and the license follows 3–5 working days after you pass. mved.utah.gov › places-of-business (source, opens in a new tab) dmv.utah.gov › dealer-license (source, opens in a new tab)

  8. Keep it current

    Licenses renew every year by June 30 with no proration: $127, plus $10.50 per plate. Owners complete three hours of training a year. dmv.utah.gov › dealer-license (source, opens in a new tab) mved.utah.gov › license-fees (source, opens in a new tab)

The location

Display lot
Bounded display for at least three vehicles; contiguous with office/sign. mved.utah.gov (source, opens in a new tab)
Office
Permanent enclosed office with secure records, exclusive to dealer. mved.utah.gov (source, opens in a new tab)
Sign
Permanent 24 sq ft business-name sign; license number on sign/building. mved.utah.gov (source, opens in a new tab)
Zoning and home-based lots
Local zoning compliance; unlicensed home sales forbidden. mved.utah.gov (source, opens in a new tab)

Before you apply

Commerce registration, EIN/sales-tax number, owner fingerprints/waivers/photos, plate insurance if plates requested. dmv.utah.gov (source, opens in a new tab)

Forms

TC301 Bonded Motor Vehicle Business Application; TC450 bond; TC465 fingerprint waiver; TC69 tax registration. Downloads on primary page. dmv.utah.gov (source, opens in a new tab)

Get the current versions from dmv.utah.gov; we don’t host copies.

Not the license you’re after?

Motorcycle/small-trailer and franchise licenses differ. dmv.utah.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: coordinating every owner’s training/fingerprints and names.

Easy mistakes:

Questions

How much does a Utah dealer license cost?

$127 for the license, $30 per person for fingerprints and $12 per plate plus handling. The premium on the $75,000 bond and the site cost more. mved.utah.gov › license-fees (source, opens in a new tab) dmv.utah.gov › dealer-license (source, opens in a new tab)

How long does it take?

An MVED officer inspects 5–10 working days after your application arrives, and the license is issued 3–5 working days after you pass. dmv.utah.gov › dealer-license (source, opens in a new tab)

Can I sell cars from home in Utah?

No. Unlicensed home sales are forbidden, and the dealership needs its own office and display area. mved.utah.gov › places-of-business (source, opens in a new tab)

Sources

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