How to Get a Dealer License in Georgia
Selling used vehicles for profit in Georgia requires a dealer license from the state’s Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers.
This guide covers the requirements, costs, and application process, including whether you need a display lot.
Who Needs a Dealer License in Georgia?
Under O.C.G.A. 43-47-2(17)(A), you need a license if you sell, exchange, or offer to sell used vehicles “for commission or with intent to make a profit”, regardless of how many vehicles you sell.
You do not need a dealer license if you:
- Sell a personal vehicle titled in your name that was not bought for resale
- Sell as a government agency
- Sell through a court-ordered process (repossession, executor, or trustee sale)
- Sell as an insurance company disposing of a vehicle acquired through a claim
- Sell new vehicles as a franchise dealer (franchise dealers register with the Georgia Department of Revenue)
Types of Dealer Licenses in Georgia
Georgia regulates several types of vehicle dealer licenses. This guide focuses on the used motor vehicle dealer license, which is the most common for independent dealers.
| License Type | What It Covers | Licensing Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Used Motor Vehicle Dealer | Buy and sell used vehicles for profit, retail or wholesale | State Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers |
| Franchised / New Motor Vehicle Dealer | Sell new vehicles under a manufacturer franchise agreement | Georgia Department of Revenue |
| Used Motor Vehicle Parts Dealer | Buy, sell, dismantle, or rebuild motor vehicle parts and salvage | State Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers |
For details on the parts dealer license, see the Used Motor Vehicle Parts Dealer FAQ.
Can You Get a Georgia Dealer License Without a Lot?
Yes. The Board confirms directly: “You can operate from an office suite in an office complex”, using the same license and requirements as a lot-based dealer except for the rules specific to displaying vehicles.
In some states, dealers apply for a wholesale dealer license in order to operate without a lot. In Georgia, there is no separate wholesale dealer license. The licensing procedure and requirements are the same for retail dealers and wholesale dealers.
Georgia Dealer License Requirements
Eligibility:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Register a business entity (LLC, corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship)
- Be a Georgia resident, or appoint a Georgia resident as your designated agent for service of process; the license must identify at least one Georgia resident
- Disclose any criminal convictions; the Board evaluates the nature and recency of offenses rather than issuing an automatic denial
Established place of business (lot or office):
- Located in a permanent building, not inside a residence (a detached building on residential property may be allowed if local zoning permits)
- Complies with local zoning requirements; a zoning certification is required with your application
- A permanent sign that is easy for the public to see; must be conspicuous and meet Board sign requirements
- A working landline telephone listed in the business name
- If operating from an office suite, your business name must appear on the complex marquee and on your suite door
- Staffed during posted business hours
- Records must be kept at the licensed location and are open to inspection by the Board, peace officers, and the Georgia Department of Revenue
Insurance:
- A certificate of insurance showing garage liability coverage (automobile liability alone is not accepted)
- Minimum limits: 50K/100K/25K split limits or a $125,000 combined single limit (see Step 4)
Surety bond, fingerprinting, and tax registration:
- A $50,000 surety bond (see Step 5 below)
- A fingerprint-based background check, pre-registered through GBI/GAPS via IdentoGO (see Step 6)
- A sales tax number from the Georgia Department of Revenue
- Completion of a Board-approved pre-licensing seminar within 12 months before applying, or passing a Board-approved examination
How to Get a Georgia Dealer License: Step by Step
Step 1: Register Your Business and Get a Sales Tax Number
Form your business entity and register for a Georgia sales tax number through the Georgia Department of Revenue. You need this number for your dealer license application.
Step 2: Secure Your Established Place of Business
Your business location can be a lot-based dealership or an office. Zoning is set at the county or city level, so contact your local planning and zoning office before signing a lease to confirm the location is zoned for vehicle sales. The application includes a zoning certification form that your local zoning authority must complete and sign. If zoning is not confirmed before you commit to a location, it’s one of the most common sources of application delays.
Step 3: Complete the Pre-Licensing Seminar
Complete a seminar through one of the Board-approved providers. The seminar must be completed within 12 months before submitting your application and cannot exceed one day in length. You will receive a completion certificate to include with your application packet.
As an alternative to the seminar, you may pass a Board-approved examination. Contact the Board for information on approved examination options.
Step 4: Get Your Garage Liability Insurance Certificate
Obtain a certificate of insurance with the Board listed as the certificate holder. The Board accepts either split limits (50K/100K/25K) or a combined single limit of $125,000. Split limits set separate caps for per-person bodily injury, per-accident bodily injury, and property damage; a combined single limit covers all three under one total. Both satisfy the Board’s minimum requirement. Your insurance agent will recommend the format that best fits your coverage needs.
Step 5: Obtain Your $50,000 Georgia Auto Dealer Bond
Every used motor vehicle dealer license requires a $50,000 Georgia auto dealer surety bond. This amount increased from $35,000 to $50,000 effective July 1, 2026, under Senate Bill 293. The requirement applies to both retail and wholesale dealers.
If you also hold or are applying for a used motor vehicle parts dealer license, that license requires a separate $10,000 surety bond.
The bond is a financial guarantee for your customers against losses from fraud, title misrepresentation, or warranty violations in your vehicle sales. Under Georgia law, your bond should never expire or be canceled during your licensure period.
Bond cost:
- Starting at $375 per year with Bryant Surety Bonds (0.75% of the $50,000 bond amount for well-qualified applicants)
- Bryant Surety Bonds works with all credit profiles, including applicants with lower credit scores. Applications use a soft credit pull only, which does not affect your score
- To understand what affects your rate, see how surety bond cost is calculated
Apply now to get a free quote today. Your rate is locked for 90 days from the date you receive it.
Bryant Surety Bonds is licensed to issue surety bonds in Georgia under license number 206289.
Step 6: Complete Fingerprinting
Pre-register for fingerprinting at ga.state.identogo.com/ata. Your application must be on file with the Board before you can book your appointment. After registering, you’ll receive an email from GBI/GAPS to schedule.
Step 7: Submit Your Application and Pay Fees
Applications are submitted through the Board’s GOALS portal (paper applications are no longer accepted). Submit your completed, signed, and notarized application with all required documents and the $170 application fee.
Applications are reviewed at Board meetings held at least six times per year. Your application must be received at least 15 days before a given meeting to be added to that meeting’s agenda. Plan for at least 30 days from a complete submission, and often longer depending on the Board’s meeting calendar.
Step 8: Pass the Preliminary Inspection
Before your license is issued, an inspector will verify your location meets all established-place-of-business requirements. Do not submit your application until your location is ready for inspection.
How Much Does a Georgia Dealer License Cost?
| Cost Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $170 |
| Pre-licensing seminar | Varies by approved provider |
| Garage liability insurance | Varies by provider |
| Surety bond (used motor vehicle dealer) | From $375/year (0.75% of the $50,000 bond amount with Bryant Surety Bonds) |
| Dealer plate registration (DOR) | $80 master plate + $15 per additional plate |
Estimated startup cost: roughly $500 to $1,500 or more, depending on your insurance provider and bond rate.
All fees are subject to change. Verify current amounts with the Board before submitting your application.
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Georgia Dealer License Renewal
Used motor vehicle dealer licenses are valid for 2 years. Per the Board’s current cycle: “License expires September 30, 2026.”
- Renewal opens July 1 of each even-numbered year
- Complete 6 hours of continuing education through a Board-approved provider before renewing
- Register your continuing education in CE Broker: as of January 1, 2026, all licensed dealers must create a CE Broker account and record completed CE coursework there. The Board uses CE Broker to audit compliance. A free basic account is sufficient. See the SOS continuing education page for details.
- Renew online through the Board’s GOALS portal before the expiration date
- Maintain an active surety bond and insurance certificate through the renewal term. Under Georgia law, your bond and insurance may never expire or be canceled during your licensure period.
If you miss the late renewal window, you must reinstate your license, which requires a new application and a $420 reinstatement fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a used motor vehicle dealer license in Georgia?
It’s the official license issued by the Georgia Secretary of State’s Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers, required to buy, sell, or exchange used vehicles for profit in Georgia.
How many cars can I sell in Georgia without a dealer license?
There is no fixed number. Under Georgia law, any sale made with intent to profit requires a license, even a single vehicle. Selling 5 or more vehicles in a year is treated as evidence of unlicensed dealing, not a threshold you can stay under.
Do I need a lot to get a dealer license in Georgia?
No. You can operate from an office with no inventory and no open lot, using the same license as a lot-based dealer. The Board confirms this directly in its FAQ.
Is there a separate wholesale dealer license in Georgia?
No. Licensing is the same for retail and wholesale dealers. Both use the same used motor vehicle dealer license and the same $50,000 bond.
How long does it take to get a Georgia dealer license?
Plan for at least 30 days from a complete application. The Board meets at least six times a year and applications must be received 15 days before a meeting to be reviewed at it.
Can I get bonded with bad credit?
Yes. Bryant Surety Bonds works with all credit profiles, including applicants with lower credit scores. Applications use a soft credit pull only, which does not affect your score.
What’s the difference between a used and a new (franchise) dealer license in Georgia?
A used motor vehicle dealer license, issued by the Secretary of State’s Board, lets you sell used vehicles. Franchise dealers who sell new vehicles under a manufacturer agreement are not licensed by this Board and register with the Georgia Department of Revenue instead.
Do I need a license to sell vehicles at auction in Georgia?
Yes, you need a used motor vehicle dealer license to sell at a dealer auction. If you want to operate or host your own auction, you also need a separate Auction Company License.
Is there a separate license for used auto parts dealers in Georgia?
Yes. The used motor vehicle parts dealer license is a separate license from the same Board, requiring a $10,000 bond and expiring December 31 of odd-numbered years.
Do I need to pay sales tax as a licensed dealer in Georgia?
You need a Georgia sales tax number from the Department of Revenue to apply for your dealer license, and you are responsible for collecting and remitting sales tax on vehicles you sell.
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