Getting a used car dealer license in Wyoming

In Wyoming, used-car dealers are licensed by Wyoming DOT Vehicle Business Regulation.

Before your first retail sale you’ll need a $25,000 surety bond and a business location that meets the state’s rules.

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
Wyoming Vehicle Dealer License, used dot.state.wy.us (source, opens in a new tab)
Issued by
Wyoming DOT Vehicle Business Regulation dot.state.wy.us (source, opens in a new tab)
Surety bond
$25,000; new applicants must wait for application approval before executing bond. dot.state.wy.us (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.
Official fees
MV422: $100 annual if12+ prior-year sales, $25 if fewer. dot.state.wy.us (source, opens in a new tab)
Renewal
Annual; license dates align with bond. dot.state.wy.us (source, opens in a new tab)

Step by step

  1. Make sure you need a used dealer license

    Wyoming's DOT Vehicle Business Regulation issues the Wyoming Vehicle Dealer License for used vehicles. Selling new vehicles takes a franchise, and manufacturers are licensed differently. dot.state.wy.us › vehicle-dealerships.html (source, opens in a new tab) dot.state.wy.us › dealer_compliance.html (source, opens in a new tab)

  2. Set up the business and site

    File the entity articles, get proof of your IRS FEIN and a sales and use tax license, and secure a principal business location with a permanent phone. Get written city or county zoning approval and the occupancy documents, and put up a sign showing the nature of the business, with color photos. dot.state.wy.us › NEW Dealer and Mfg Instructions- checklist.pdf (source, opens in a new tab) dot.state.wy.us › dealer_compliance.html (source, opens in a new tab)

  3. Start fingerprints early

    Each owner and officer completes the background questionnaire, photos and state and national fingerprint cards. Background records can take at least 30 days, and you can submit them before the main application. dot.state.wy.us › NEW Dealer and Mfg Instructions- checklist.pdf (source, opens in a new tab) dot.state.wy.us › vehicle-dealerships.html (source, opens in a new tab)

  4. Apply

    Submit form MV422 with the supporting documents and fee: $100 a year if you had 12 or more sales the previous year, $25 if fewer. Blank or incorrect applications are returned. dot.state.wy.us › vehicle-dealerships.html (source, opens in a new tab) dot.state.wy.us › NEW Dealer and Mfg Instructions- checklist.pdf (source, opens in a new tab)

  5. Wait for approval, then sign the bond

    New applicants wait for approval before executing the $25,000 bond; signing it early conflicts with the instructions. Then execute it as instructed and complete issuance. You don't pay that amount: a surety company charges you a premium, a fraction of it, set mainly by your credit. dot.state.wy.us › vehicle-dealerships.html (source, opens in a new tab) dot.state.wy.us › NEW Dealer and Mfg Instructions- checklist.pdf (source, opens in a new tab)

  6. Keep records and renew

    Keep daily inventory and sales records for three years. The license renews every year, on dates aligned with your bond. dot.state.wy.us › dealer_compliance.html (source, opens in a new tab) dot.state.wy.us › vehicle-dealerships.html (source, opens in a new tab)

The location

Office
Principal business location, permanent phone; daily inventory/sales records retained three years. dot.state.wy.us (source, opens in a new tab)
Sign
Business-nature sign and color photos required. dot.state.wy.us (source, opens in a new tab)
Zoning and home-based lots
Written city/county zoning approval and occupancy documents. dot.state.wy.us (source, opens in a new tab)

Before you apply

Entity articles, IRS FEIN proof, sales/use-tax license; owner/officer questionnaire/photos and state/national fingerprints. dot.state.wy.us (source, opens in a new tab)

Forms

MV422 Vehicle Dealer and Manufacturer Application; dealer bond; background supplemental questionnaire and fingerprint cards. Official hub links forms. dot.state.wy.us (source, opens in a new tab)

Get the current versions from dot.state.wy.us; we don’t host copies.

Not the license you’re after?

Franchise required for new MSO vehicles; manufacturer license differs. dot.state.wy.us (source, opens in a new tab)

What trips people up

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

The hardest part: beginning fingerprints early and waiting to execute bond until approval.

Easy mistakes:

Questions

How much does a Wyoming dealer license cost?

$100 a year if you had 12 or more sales the previous year, $25 if fewer. The bond premium and the site cost more. dot.state.wy.us › MV-422 Vehicle Dealer and manufacturer License App 10-21.pdf (source, opens in a new tab) dot.state.wy.us › vehicle-dealerships.html (source, opens in a new tab)

When should I get the bond?

After your application is approved, not before. dot.state.wy.us › vehicle-dealerships.html (source, opens in a new tab) dot.state.wy.us › NEW Dealer and Mfg Instructions- checklist.pdf (source, opens in a new tab)

How long does the background check take?

At least 30 days, which is why you can submit fingerprints before the main application. dot.state.wy.us › vehicle-dealerships.html (source, opens in a new tab) dot.state.wy.us › NEW Dealer and Mfg Instructions- checklist.pdf (source, opens in a new tab)

Sources

Not affiliated with the Wyoming DOT. Not legal advice. Requirements change; always confirm with the state.