If you want to become a motor vehicle dealer in California, you have to get your occupational license from the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Fortunately, obtaining an auto dealer license in California is straightforward. This article will outline the steps you need to take to get licensed and provide additional resources to help you get started.
A motor vehicle dealer is defined as a person who sells, leases, exchanges, or offers for sale, lease, or exchange, any new or used motor vehicle. This includes sales of motorcycles, off-highway vehicles, and recreational vehicles. California distinguishes between motor vehicle dealers based on the type of vehicles they sell.
To obtain a license to operate as a motor vehicle dealer in California, you must first apply with the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
The California DMV regulates the sale of motor vehicles in California to protect consumers from fraudulent and dishonest business practices. That is where the California motor vehicle dealer licenses come into play, which you will need if you want to go into business selling new or used vehicles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, or recreational vehicles.
But, in order to get a license, dealers must demonstrate that they are qualified to operate their business in a fair, honest, and lawful manner. Dealers may also need a physical location where they can do business and display their inventory, depending on their license type.
While the application process for a motor vehicle dealer license isn’t necessarily complicated, the numerous documents required can make it seem confusing when getting started.
The first step is to determine which type of license you need. In California, there are four types of licenses:
Once you identify which license applies to you, you will need to meet the remaining requirements.
The next step is to complete the Dealer Education and Examination Program. This program is designed to ensure that you understand the laws and regulations related to selling motor vehicles in California.
The education requirement can be fulfilled by either taking a six-hour pre-licensing course offered by a DMV-approved provider or completing an approved home study course.
After you have completed the education requirement, you must pass an examination administered by the DMV. The exam covers various topics, including California motor vehicle laws, dealer licensing requirements, and recordkeeping. The 40-question exam is multiple-choice, and you must earn a score of at least 70% to pass. You get three attempts to pass the exam, but you must wait at least one week between each attempt.
When you pass the exam, you’ll need to submit an education and examination Certificate of Completion along with your license application.
The next step is to get your California Motor Vehicle Dealer License Bond. Also known as an auto dealer bond, this type of surety bond is designed to protect the state and consumers against fraudulent and unethical practices of licensed auto dealers. Unlike insurance, an auto dealer surety bond does not protect the vehicle dealer from loss or injury. Instead, the bond ensures the auto dealer will follow the rules established by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and any relevant California laws.
Like most bonds, there are three parties to a California Motor Vehicle Dealer License Bond: the principal, the obligee, and the surety company that guarantees the bond. The principal is the party required to get a bond, in this case, the motor vehicle dealer applying for the license. The obligee is the entity that requires the bond, which is the California DMV.
The required bond amount for a California auto dealer bond depends on the specific type of dealer license you apply for. For example, Motorcycle dealers, motorcycle lessor-retailers, ATV dealers, and wholesale-only dealers (selling less than 25 vehicles per year) only need a $10,000 surety bond. However, new motor vehicle dealers selling more than 25 vehicles annually have a $50,000 surety bond requirement.
How much you pay for your bond is a percentage of the total bond amount, called your premium. This amount varies and depends primarily on your credit and your industry experience. Typically, the premium for a California auto dealer bond starts around 1% to 5%, and may possibly be higher for individuals with nonstandard credit and little to no experience. Dealers with excellent credit and significant experience may pay as little as 1% of the bond amount for their bond.
For your free quote, contact South Coast Surety or fill out this short online application today! After you apply, one of our surety experts will contact you with your quote. If you have nonstandard credit, we still encourage you to apply for your bond! At South Coast Surety, we work with several markets for nonstandard credit to try and find you the best quote available.
The next step in the licensing process is to prepare all the required forms you need to submit with your application. Make sure to choose the appropriate application packet to fill out: New Dealer Applications Forms Packet or Used Dealer Applications Forms Packet. This includes:
You may also need to provide the following supporting documents along with your application:
The above list may not be all-encompassing, so check the DMV’s requirements before finalizing your application.
The final step in the licensing process is to submit your application and pay all necessary fees. The California DMV accepts applications by mail or delivered in person to the nearest DMV office.
When you submit your California Motor Vehicle Dealer License application, expect to pay a $175 non-refundable processing fee, plus an additional $70 for each branch location. Additional fees (as of 2022) include:
Another requirement for the license is to submit to a background check, which comes with another fee. For an initial background check, there is a fingerprint processing fee of $49. If you have been fingerprinted in the past 12 months, you will only pay a $32 fee.
Refer to the DMV’s website to determine who checks or money orders should be made payable to (different fees may be required to be paid to different CA departments). After your application has been processed and approved, you will receive your dealer license certificate and license plates in the mail.
We hope you found this article helpful, and if you have any questions regarding your surety bonding needs in the future, we would love to hear from you at 949-361-1692.
I have processed 2 defective title bonds through South Coast Surety and I am the type that gets worried for any little detail and want to make sure everything is done correctly the first time to prevent double work for myself and everybody. Knowing how I am both times I had to call customer service and they answered every little question I had in a very nice and gratifying way that made me feel I would not have any problems in which I did not. South Coast Surety has the ultimate best customer service.
Gaby - CA
May 2019
I was shopping for a surety bond for the first time and having trouble communicating with several different companies. When I contacted South Coast Surety they responded quickly and performed the transaction quick and easy. I might have been able to find a lower price, but their professionalism was worth a couple extra dollars.
KG C. - CA
April 2019
We are opening up a Mental Health Residential Treatment Center and needed a Surety bond since we will be handling some clients cash resources. I reached out to South Coast Surety, they sent me an application, paid our premium and had our bond sent to us immediately. Everyone I spoke to and emailed was courteous, attentive and responded very quickly. We will most definitely continue to get all of our bond services from South Coast.
John F. - CA
September 2021
Great customer service from South Coast Surety. When I had questions about the bond and process, their customer service team assisted me with a sense of urgency and answered my questions. I recommend using their services. I will be a returning customer.
P&C B. - CA
April 2021
I needed a surety bond and was referred by another company to south coast. I am very impressed with the level of customer service in every stage of issuing the bond, the rapid response to the get the bond issued and communication with the team. Great team and awesome service. I highly recommend South Coast Surety for you bond needs.
Mirwais A. - CA
March 2021
I was in need of obtaining my CA Insurance Bond. I was able to obtain my required Bond quote online within minutes. I approved the quote and requested the Bond to be issued. On the same day, I received the Evidence of Coverage. Could not ask for better pricing or better service. I highly recommend South Coast Surety to meet a wide range of Bonding needs.
Udo G. - NJ
January 2018
South Coast Surety has been proudly providing surety support to all fifty U.S. states for twenty years. Starting out as a small agency with a dream in San Clemente, California, we have steadily grown into one of the largest bond-only agencies in the nation. We write all commercial bonds and contract bonds for every American business and industry. Our greatest achievement is helping our clients grow their business alongside our own through coaching and obtaining larger bonding limits at the best rates. We work hard for our clients and take pride in bonding businesses that have been declined by our competitors.
