How to Get a Dealer License in Georgia
In Georgia, dealer licensing runs through the Georgia State Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers (licensing, via the Secretary of State) — titling, TAVT, and temporary permits handled by the Georgia Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division. To get a used car dealer license in Georgia you'll need a registered business, a compliant location, a $50,000 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 Georgia auto dealer license requirements, real costs, and the exact steps — in plain English. Rules change, so verify everything against the Georgia State Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers (licensing, via the Secretary of State) — titling, TAVT, and temporary permits handled by the Georgia Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division's current pages before you file.
- Surety bond
- $50,000
- License term
- Two-year term; licenses expire September 30 of each even-numbered year and are renewed through the Secretary of State board.
- Sales threshold
- Selling more than 5 vehicles in a 12-month period generally requires a dealer license, but the '5-car rule' is not a safe harbor — anyone selling as a business can be required to license. Verify with the Board.
- Pre-licensing
- A Board-approved pre-licensing seminar is required before applying — a one-day, 4-hour course covering Georgia dealer law. The certificate must be submitted with the application. Approved providers include GIADA.
License types in Georgia
| License type | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Used Motor Vehicle Dealer (retail) | Buying, selling, and displaying used vehicles to retail customers from an established place of business. |
| Wholesale Used Motor Vehicle Dealer | Dealer-to-dealer and auction transactions only — no sales to the retail public. |
| Used Motor Vehicle Parts Dealer | Dismantling, rebuilding, or selling used parts / salvage — a separate registration under the same board. |
What it costs
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $170 | Plus a $10 processing fee at initial application |
| License renewal fee | $150 | Biennial term — verify the current renewal fee with the Board |
| Pre-licensing seminar | ~$159 | Board-approved 4-hour course; GIADA is one approved provider (fee varies by provider) |
| Surety bond (face amount) | $50,000 | Annual premium is a fraction of the face value, based on credit |
| Temporary Operating Permit (TOP) stock | Varies | Purchased from an approved dealer association based on prior-year sales; must be issued free to the buyer |
Step by step
- Form your business entity and obtain your local business license and zoning approval.
- Secure a compliant established place of business — office or lot, permanent sign, and a working phone listed in the licensee's name.
- Complete the Board-approved 4-hour pre-licensing seminar and keep your certificate.
- Obtain the used motor vehicle dealer surety bond ($50,000).
- Submit the Used Motor Vehicle Dealer application to the Secretary of State board with the fees, bond, seminar certificate, and lot photos.
- Pass the Board's premises inspection.
- Register with the Georgia Department of Revenue (DRIVES / Electronic Title & Registration) to issue titles and TOPs and to collect and remit TAVT.
Premises & temp tags
Location: You must maintain an 'established place of business' under Board Rule 681-6 — a permanent sales office or open lot with a permanent (non-banner) sign identifying it as a used car dealership, a working telephone listed in the licensee's name, and books/records kept on site. Local zoning approval is required. A home-based dealer cannot operate inside the residence — the business must be in a detached building that zoning allows.
Temp tags / plates: At the point of sale a Georgia dealer must issue one free Temporary Operating Permit (TOP) valid for 25 days while the title is processed. TOPs are printed on state-spec heavy stock; since July 1, 2025 dealers buy TOP stock from approved dealer associations based on prior-year sales volume, and charging the buyer for a TOP is prohibited.
Georgia-specific things to know
- Two agencies, two jobs: the Secretary of State board LICENSES the dealer, but the Department of Revenue handles TITLING, temporary permits, and taxes — you must set up with both.
- Georgia doesn't charge sales tax on dealer vehicle sales. Instead a one-time Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) is collected at titling via Electronic Title Registration (reported on Form MV-7D).
- Paper temp tags are tightly controlled — TOPs are free to the buyer, valid 25 days, and since July 1, 2025 the stock is rationed to dealers by an approved association based on last year's sales.
- A home-based lot must operate from a detached building (never inside the home) with zoning approval, and the Board inspects the premises before issuing the license.
Official Georgia resources
- GA Secretary of State — Used Motor Vehicle Dealer Board ↗
- GA Dept. of Revenue — Dealer Registration & Business Partners ↗
- GA Dept. of Revenue — Dealer-Issued Temporary Operating Permits ↗
Georgia dealer license FAQ
How much does a dealer license cost in Georgia?+
Application fee: $170; License renewal fee: $150; Pre-licensing seminar: ~$159; Surety bond (face amount): $50,000; Temporary Operating Permit (TOP) stock: Varies. Plus the $50,000 surety bond (you pay a small annual premium on that, not the full amount).
How big is the dealer bond in Georgia?+
Georgia requires a $50,000 surety bond. Raised from $35,000 to $50,000 by Senate Bill 293, effective July 1, 2026. New applicants post the $50,000 bond; existing $35,000 bonds carry over until the September 30, 2026 renewal. Confirm the current amount with the Board before binding — the premium you actually pay is a small percentage of the face value.
Do you need a physical lot to get a dealer license in Georgia?+
You must maintain an 'established place of business' under Board Rule 681-6 — a permanent sales office or open lot with a permanent (non-banner) sign identifying it as a used car dealership, a working telephone listed in the licensee's name, and books/records kept on site. Local zoning approval is required. A home-based dealer cannot operate inside the residence — the business must be in a detached building that zoning allows.
How many cars can you sell in Georgia without a dealer license?+
Selling more than 5 vehicles in a 12-month period generally requires a dealer license, but the '5-car rule' is not a safe harbor — anyone selling as a business can be required to license. Verify with the Board.
How long is a Georgia dealer license valid?+
Two-year term; licenses expire September 30 of each even-numbered year and are renewed through the Secretary of State board.
Is dealer training or an exam required in Georgia?+
A Board-approved pre-licensing seminar is required before applying — a one-day, 4-hour course covering Georgia dealer law. The certificate must be submitted with the application. Approved providers include GIADA.
How do temporary tags work for Georgia dealers?+
At the point of sale a Georgia dealer must issue one free Temporary Operating Permit (TOP) valid for 25 days while the title is processed. TOPs are printed on state-spec heavy stock; since July 1, 2025 dealers buy TOP stock from approved dealer associations based on prior-year sales volume, and charging the buyer for a TOP is prohibited.
Data verified 2026-07-17. Requirements change — confirm with the Georgia State Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers (licensing, via the Secretary of State) — titling, TAVT, and temporary permits handled by the Georgia Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division before filing.
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