How to Get a Dealer License in Florida
In Florida, dealer licensing runs through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) — Division of Motorist Services. To get a used car dealer license in Florida you'll need a registered business, a compliant location, a $25,000 surety bond, and the fees below. Whether you're opening a car lot, going wholesale-only, or starting a buy-here-pay-here operation, this guide walks the Florida auto dealer license requirements, real costs, and the exact steps — in plain English. Rules change, so verify everything against the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) — Division of Motorist Services's current pages before you file.
- Agency
- Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) — Division of Motorist Services
- Surety bond
- $25,000
- License term
- One-year license tied to the state dealer year, expiring April 30; renew annually with FLHSMV before expiration.
- Sales threshold
- Selling, or offering for sale, more than 3 motor vehicles in a 12-month period generally requires a dealer license (s. 320.27, F.S.).
- Pre-licensing
- First-time applicants must complete a 16-hour prelicensing dealer training course at an FLHSMV-approved school (franchise VF applicants: 8 hours), covering titling/registration, deceptive-and-unfair-trade-practice law, and financing rules. Renewing dealers take 8 hours of continuing education.
License types in Florida
| License type | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Independent Motor Vehicle Dealer (VI) | Retail and wholesale sales of used motor vehicles — the standard license for a used-car lot (s. 320.27, F.S.). |
| Franchised Motor Vehicle Dealer (VF) | New-vehicle sales under a manufacturer franchise agreement (s. 320.27, F.S.). |
| Wholesale Motor Vehicle Dealer (VW) | Dealer-to-dealer and auction sales only — no retail sales to the public. |
| Motor Vehicle Auction (VA) | Provides auction facilities where dealers buy and sell vehicles among themselves. |
| Salvage Vehicle Dealer (SD) | Deals in salvage, wrecked, or dismantled vehicles and parts (exempt from garage liability insurance). |
What it costs
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Original license application fee | $300 | Per main location, non-refundable; paid to FLHSMV with form HSMV 86056 (mobile-home/RV dealers pay $340). |
| Surety bond (face amount) | $25,000 | The annual premium you actually pay is a fraction of this, based on credit. |
| Garage liability insurance | Varies | Minimum $25,000 combined single-limit (bodily injury + property damage) plus $10,000 personal injury protection; separate from the bond. |
| Prelicensing dealer training course | Typically $100–$200 — verify with the school | 16-hour course at an FLHSMV-approved school; price set by the private school, not the state. |
| Electronic fingerprinting (FDLE) | Typically $50–$75 — verify with the provider | Required for every owner/officer; fee set by the FDLE-approved live-scan service provider. |
| Temporary tag fee (via ETR) | $2 per temp tag | Remitted to FLHSMV through the dealer's certified ETR provider. |
Step by step
- Form your business entity and register the business/fictitious name (d/b/a) with the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz).
- Secure a compliant established place of business — office, display space, permanent sign, and correct local zoning (FAC 15C-7.003).
- Complete the 16-hour FLHSMV-approved prelicensing dealer training course within six months before applying.
- Get electronic fingerprints from an FDLE-approved provider for all owners/officers for the state and federal background check.
- Obtain the $25,000 surety bond (HSMV 86020) or letter of credit, plus garage liability insurance.
- Submit application HSMV 86056 with the $300 fee to your FLHSMV regional office and pass the premises/site inspection.
Premises & temp tags
Location: A permanent, non-residential established place of business that meets local zoning (FAC 15C-7.003): an adequately equipped enclosed office, enough unoccupied display space to store the vehicles offered for sale, a permanent business sign, and posted hours. Selling motor vehicles must be the principal business conducted at the location — a home address will not qualify.
Temp tags / plates: Dealers issue electronic temporary tags through an FLHSMV-certified Electronic Temporary Registration (ETR) provider — print-on-demand, valid 30 days, with one additional 30-day tag allowed. A $2 temporary-tag fee is remitted to FLHSMV through the ETR provider.
Florida-specific things to know
- Florida did NOT go metal-plate-at-sale like Texas — dealers still issue electronic temporary tags through a certified ETR provider and remit the $2 fee, so ETR enrollment is mandatory to operate.
- The surety bond and license both run on the state dealer year (bond expires April 30), so the license must be renewed annually — not the two-year cycle some states use.
- Garage liability insurance is a separate requirement from the surety bond — both are required for a VI dealer, and the insurer must state how many dealer license plates are authorized.
- New independent (VI) applicants need 16 hours of prelicensing; franchise (VF) dealers only 8 — and the course must be completed before, not after, you apply.
Official Florida resources
- FLHSMV — MV/RV/MH Dealer & Broker Licenses ↗
- FLHSMV — Motor Vehicle Dealer Training School Requirements ↗
- FLHSMV — Forms & Publications ↗
Florida dealer license FAQ
How much does a dealer license cost in Florida?+
Original license application fee: $300; Surety bond (face amount): $25,000; Garage liability insurance: Varies; Prelicensing dealer training course: Typically $100–$200 — verify with the school; Electronic fingerprinting (FDLE): Typically $50–$75 — verify with the provider; Temporary tag fee (via ETR): $2 per temp tag. Plus the $25,000 surety bond (you pay a small annual premium on that, not the full amount).
How big is the dealer bond in Florida?+
Florida requires a $25,000 surety bond. A $25,000 surety bond (HSMV 86020) or an equivalent irrevocable letter of credit (HSMV 86057) is required for VI, VF, VW, and VA dealers. The bond runs on the state dealer license year and expires April 30.
Do you need a physical lot to get a dealer license in Florida?+
A permanent, non-residential established place of business that meets local zoning (FAC 15C-7.003): an adequately equipped enclosed office, enough unoccupied display space to store the vehicles offered for sale, a permanent business sign, and posted hours. Selling motor vehicles must be the principal business conducted at the location — a home address will not qualify.
How many cars can you sell in Florida without a dealer license?+
Selling, or offering for sale, more than 3 motor vehicles in a 12-month period generally requires a dealer license (s. 320.27, F.S.).
How long is a Florida dealer license valid?+
One-year license tied to the state dealer year, expiring April 30; renew annually with FLHSMV before expiration.
Is dealer training or an exam required in Florida?+
First-time applicants must complete a 16-hour prelicensing dealer training course at an FLHSMV-approved school (franchise VF applicants: 8 hours), covering titling/registration, deceptive-and-unfair-trade-practice law, and financing rules. Renewing dealers take 8 hours of continuing education.
How do temporary tags work for Florida dealers?+
Dealers issue electronic temporary tags through an FLHSMV-certified Electronic Temporary Registration (ETR) provider — print-on-demand, valid 30 days, with one additional 30-day tag allowed. A $2 temporary-tag fee is remitted to FLHSMV through the ETR provider.
Data verified 2026-07-17. Requirements change — confirm with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) — Division of Motorist Services before filing.
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