How to Get a Dealer License in Missouri
In Missouri, dealer licensing runs through the Missouri Department of Revenue — Motor Vehicle Bureau, Dealer Licensing Section. To get a used car dealer license in Missouri you'll need a registered business, a compliant location, a $50,000 or $100,000 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 Missouri auto dealer license requirements, real costs, and the exact steps — in plain English. Rules change, so verify everything against the Missouri Department of Revenue — Motor Vehicle Bureau, Dealer Licensing Section's current pages before you file.
- Surety bond
- $50,000 or $100,000
- License term
- Renew through the mydmv.mo.gov online portal before your license year expires (online filing has been mandatory for all licensees since January 1, 2022 under 12 CSR 10-26.230). A motor vehicle dealer must have made at least 8 sales in the year — 6 for boat, trailer, and powersport dealers — to be eligible to renew.
- Sales threshold
- Selling motor vehicles as a business — generally 6 or more in a year — is dealer activity that requires a license; confirm the current statutory threshold in Chapter 301 RSMo before relying on it. (Separately, a licensed motor-vehicle dealer must make at least 8 sales a year to stay eligible for renewal.)
- Pre-licensing
- First-time used motor vehicle dealers must complete a DOR-approved pre-licensing seminar within the 12 months before applying (Sections 301.550–301.573 RSMo). New franchise, franchise-powersport, wholesale, and auction dealers are exempt. The completion certificate must be in the dealership's name.
License types in Missouri
| License type | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Used Motor Vehicle / Powersport Dealer | Retail sales of used motor vehicles (and used ATVs, motorcycles, personal watercraft) from a bona fide place of business. |
| Franchise Motor Vehicle Dealer | New-vehicle sales under a factory franchise — you must list the franchise trade names and attach the franchise agreement. |
| Wholesale Motor Vehicle Dealer | Dealer-to-dealer and auction sales only — no retail sales to the public. |
| Public / Wholesale Motor Vehicle Auction | Runs vehicle auctions; wholesale auctions are dealer-only, public auctions can sell to retail buyers. |
| Boat, Trailer, RV, Franchise Powersport & Manufacturer | Separate operation classes on the same Form 4682 for boat dealers, trailer dealers, recreational-vehicle dealers, franchise powersport dealers, and manufacturers. |
What it costs
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Motor vehicle dealer license fee | Varies by classification | Filed online through mydmv.mo.gov; see the DOR Dealer Operating Manual for the current fee schedule — verify with the agency. |
| Surety bond or ILC (face amount) | $50,000 or $100,000 | The annual premium you actually pay is a fraction of the face amount, based on credit. |
| Dealer number plates | Per-plate fee | You request plates by type (MV, RV, boat, trailer, powersport) based on prior or estimated sales; see the fee schedule for the current per-plate amount. |
| Pre-licensing seminar (first-time used dealers) | Varies by approved provider | Charged by the approved seminar provider, not the state. |
| Name-based criminal record check | Small per-person fee | Required for every owner/partner/officer via the Missouri State Highway Patrol (machs.mo.gov). |
| Maximum customer administrative (doc) fee | $620.79 | Statutory cap a dealer may charge a customer for licensure year 2026; 10% of any admin fee charged is remitted to the Motor Vehicle Administration Technology Fund (Section 301.558 RSMo). |
Step by step
- Register your business entity with the Missouri Secretary of State (if required), file any DBA, and secure a bona fide place of business with a permanent sign, display lot, and posted hours.
- First-time used dealers: complete a DOR-approved pre-licensing seminar within the 12 months before you apply.
- Obtain a $50,000 or $100,000 corporate surety bond or Irrevocable Letter of Credit and a garage liability insurance policy.
- Get a name-based criminal record check from the Missouri State Highway Patrol (machs.mo.gov) for every owner, partner, and principal officer.
- Have a law-enforcement officer complete the Form 5748 premises inspection and certification.
- Apply and pay fees online through mydmv.mo.gov (Form 4682 covers updates) — you may not buy or sell any vehicle until the Dealer Licensing Section approves the application.
Premises & temp tags
Location: A bona fide place of business — a permanent building/office, a display lot, and a permanent sign (a temporary sign is allowed only with a work order for the permanent one), plus posted business hours and a garage liability insurance policy. A P.O. box is not an acceptable business address. A law-enforcement officer must inspect and certify the location on Form 5748.
Temp tags / plates: Missouri dealers issue temporary permits to buyers at the point of sale; DOR's online Dealer Temporary Registration Permit system processes them (Form 5459 enrolls a dealer for online processing). Permit terms are set by DOR — verify the current validity period.
Missouri-specific things to know
- You cannot buy or sell inventory before the license is approved; if you buy a vehicle first, it must be titled in your own name with all tax and fees paid.
- The bond/ILC amount is $50,000 or $100,000 depending on your operation class — confirm which tier applies before buying the bond.
- Missouri caps the administrative (doc) fee a dealer may charge a customer ($620.79 max for licensure year 2026) and requires 10% of any admin fee to be remitted to the state technology fund.
- For dealerships in a first-class county, a city police officer employed in that same city may perform the Form 5748 inspection — but a sheriff or marshal may not certify it.
Official Missouri resources
- Missouri DOR — Dealers & Lienholders ↗
- Pre-Licensing Seminar Requirements ↗
- mydmv.mo.gov — Online Dealer Licensing Portal ↗
Missouri dealer license FAQ
How much does a dealer license cost in Missouri?+
Motor vehicle dealer license fee: Varies by classification; Surety bond or ILC (face amount): $50,000 or $100,000; Dealer number plates: Per-plate fee; Pre-licensing seminar (first-time used dealers): Varies by approved provider; Name-based criminal record check: Small per-person fee; Maximum customer administrative (doc) fee: $620.79. Plus the $50,000 or $100,000 surety bond (you pay a small annual premium on that, not the full amount).
How big is the dealer bond in Missouri?+
Missouri requires a $50,000 or $100,000 surety bond. A corporate surety bond OR an Irrevocable Letter of Credit (ILC) is required in the amount of $50,000 or $100,000 — the applicable amount depends on your operation class, so confirm which applies with the Dealer Licensing Section or the Dealer Operating Manual.
Do you need a physical lot to get a dealer license in Missouri?+
A bona fide place of business — a permanent building/office, a display lot, and a permanent sign (a temporary sign is allowed only with a work order for the permanent one), plus posted business hours and a garage liability insurance policy. A P.O. box is not an acceptable business address. A law-enforcement officer must inspect and certify the location on Form 5748.
How many cars can you sell in Missouri without a dealer license?+
Selling motor vehicles as a business — generally 6 or more in a year — is dealer activity that requires a license; confirm the current statutory threshold in Chapter 301 RSMo before relying on it. (Separately, a licensed motor-vehicle dealer must make at least 8 sales a year to stay eligible for renewal.)
How long is a Missouri dealer license valid?+
Renew through the mydmv.mo.gov online portal before your license year expires (online filing has been mandatory for all licensees since January 1, 2022 under 12 CSR 10-26.230). A motor vehicle dealer must have made at least 8 sales in the year — 6 for boat, trailer, and powersport dealers — to be eligible to renew.
Is dealer training or an exam required in Missouri?+
First-time used motor vehicle dealers must complete a DOR-approved pre-licensing seminar within the 12 months before applying (Sections 301.550–301.573 RSMo). New franchise, franchise-powersport, wholesale, and auction dealers are exempt. The completion certificate must be in the dealership's name.
How do temporary tags work for Missouri dealers?+
Missouri dealers issue temporary permits to buyers at the point of sale; DOR's online Dealer Temporary Registration Permit system processes them (Form 5459 enrolls a dealer for online processing). Permit terms are set by DOR — verify the current validity period.
Data verified 2026-07-17. Requirements change — confirm with the Missouri Department of Revenue — Motor Vehicle Bureau, Dealer Licensing Section before filing.
Licensed and ready to sell?
Loturn tracks every cost against every VIN and shows real profit on every car, with dealer accounting built in. One flat price.
Start free trial