How To Get A Car Dealer License In California

California Dealer License Training at www.californiadealer.com

California Dealers Licenses are granted by the California Department of Motor Vehicles in Sacramento, California. The Autmobile Dealer Training Association is approved by the California Department of Motor Vehicles to provider California dealers with their mandatory training.

To learn more about how to become a California Dealer or renew your California Dealers license go to www.californiadealer.com

California Dealer License Steps

1. Take 6 Hour Live Dealer Training Webinar
2. You must have a place of business to sell your motor vehicles
3. You must have a display lot for your vehicles
4. You need a permanent business sign
5. Obtain a dealer garage insurance policy for your vehicle inventory
6. Provide a dealer surety bond in the amount of $50,000
7. Mail California Dealer License Application Packet to California Department of Motor Vehicles

Take 6 Hour Live Dealer Training Webinar

The easiest way to obtain your California Dealer License is to take your 6 hour live webinar as your first step. The 6 hour webinar can be taken via Zoom on any computer or phone. You do not have to have a webcam or microphone but you must click the chat button on Zoom to ensure you are taking the webinar. We cover the entire licensing process including completing all the paperwork needed to apply for your California Dealer License. The webinar takes 6 hours and at the end of your webinar you will be mailed your Official DMV Certificate of Completion that you must submit with your dealer license application. You can enroll in your 6 hour dealer webinar by clicking here or visit www.californiadealer.com

You must have a place of business to sell your motor vehicles

In order to obtain your California Dealer License , you must have a place of business to be used for the purpose of selling motor vehicles. You can locate your California Car Dealership in any commercially zoned area that allows an automotive business. Be sure to check your local zoning laws to make sure you will be allowed to operate you business in your chosen location. You must keep all books, records, and licenses in your building at all times. If the State of California wants to see your dealers license records, you must be able to produce these records at any time. Your place of business must contain a working telephone that is registered in your dealership name. The State of California wants to make sure your customers are able to contact you at any time. Cell phones and cordless phones that reach from another building do not qualify. Remember, you must check your local zoning ordinances to make sure an automotive business is allowed at the location you have chosen for your California Dealer License.

You must have a display lot for your vehicles

You must have a display lot with room for at least one motor vehicles. This lot must be for the exclusive use of your business. You must make sure that any neighboring business's customer's vehicles are not parked on your lot. Any vehicles located on your lot must be for sale and the lot must have an unobstructed view from the nearest public street. All of the vehicles you hold for resale must be located on this lot. You are not allowed to sell or "curb" your vehicles at any location that is not listed on your California Dealers License.

You need a permanent business sign

You will need a permanent business sign. This sign can be on the exterior of the business building or erected on the display area. The sign must contain the name of your dealership and your hours of operation and be at least 2x2 feet. The State of California wants to make sure your customers know your hours of operation so they can contact you when necessary. The sign requirement must be met before you are granted and California Dealer License.

Obtain dealer a garage insurance policy for your vehicle inventory

Before you get your California Dealer License, you must obtain a dealer garage insurance policy . A dealer garage insurance policy covers you when you drive your demo's, it covers your customers when they are test driving your vehicles, and it covers you if someone falls and breaks a leg on your lot. You must have a dealer garage policy in effect before you obtain an California Dealers License. Dealer garage insurance can also be very expensive. You can easily spend $200.00 per month for a bare bones liability policy and several thousand dollars a month for large comprehensive policies. Always get multiple quotes on dealer insurance because the cost varies greatly from agent to agent for the same coverage. One agent may charge $4,500 a year, while another agent may charge $1,500 for the exact same policy. Also, never let the sticker shock of dealer garage insurance quotes keep you from obtaining your California Dealers License. As you become established, one good vehicle sale in January can pay your entire annual insurance premium. For a free quote on your dealer garage insurance policy, please go to the Dealer Garage Insurance page.

Provide a dealer surety bond in the amount of $50,000

When you apply for your California Dealers License, you will be required to provide a dealer surety bond in the amount of $50,000. ATV Dealers are required to post a $10,000 bond. A dealer surety bond can be obtained by an insurance agent and protects customers against dealer fraud. If a dealer is dishonest, and sells vehicles with mechanical problems without disclosing them, the dealer will have many unhappy customers. The more unhappy customers a dealer has, there is a very good chance the dealer can have their dealer license revoked. If the dealer is bankrupt and goes out of business after having their license revoked, customers can gain a financial settlement from the dealer bond . Don't worry, if you operate your California car dealership with the highest ethical standards, you should never have a claim against your dealer surety bond . Dealer bonds are priced according to your credit scores. If you have good credit, you should be able to obtain a dealer surety bond for about $175.00 a year. If you credit is less than perfect, you may see much higher prices for your dealer surety bond . To get a free quote on your California dealer surety bond , please visit the Dealer Surety Bond page .

Mail California Dealer License Application Packet to California Department of Revenue

When you have completed the steps above you will need to call the California Department of Revenue to make sure you are including all the necessary documents in your California Dealer License Application packet. Always call them before mailing your dealer packet so you can also find out the exact licensing fees to obtain your California Dealers License. The dealer license fees depend on the month of the year, along with the number of dealer license plates you request. Your check will need to be made out for the correct amount or your dealer license approval could be delayed by 4-6 weeks.

Good Luck In Obtaining Your California Dealer License!

To find out how to get an California Dealer License , you can call the California Department of Motor Vehicles at 1-800-921-1117.

Click here for California Dealer License Checklist

Click here for a New California Dealer License Application

Click here for a Used California Dealer License Application

Click here for a California Vehicle Dealer Handbook

California Dealer Licensing Fees

California Dealer FAQ

You will need the following forms in order to obtain your California Dealer License

Application for Occupational License Part C
Original Application for Occupational License Part A
Surety Bond
Application for Occupational License Personal History Questionnaire
Authorization to Release Financial Information
Property Use Verification for Dealers License
Appointment of Director of Agent for Service of Process