How to Get a Dealer License in Nebraska
In Nebraska, dealer licensing runs through the Nebraska Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board (MVILB). To get a used car dealer license in Nebraska 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 Nebraska auto dealer license requirements, real costs, and the exact steps — in plain English. Rules change, so verify everything against the Nebraska Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board (MVILB)'s current pages before you file.
- Surety bond
- $50,000
- License term
- Annual, on a calendar-year basis — all licenses expire December 31 regardless of issue date, and the online renewal portal opens each year on October 1. The surety bond must expire concurrently on December 31.
- Sales threshold
- Nebraska requires a license once you are 'engaged in the business' of buying, selling, or exchanging motor vehicles; casual or occasional private sales are exempt. There is no reliably confirmed bright-line annual number in statute — confirm with MVILB before relying on a specific figure.
- Pre-licensing
- Required as of Jan 1, 2026 — every non-franchise dealer applying for a new license must submit certificates totaling 8 hours of dealer education (dated within the previous 12 months), administered through the Nebraska Independent Auto Dealers Association (NEIADA). Trailer-only dealers are exempt. No separate state exam.
License types in Nebraska
| License type | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Combination Dealer License | Motor vehicles, motorcycles, and trailers — the standard used-car dealer license. |
| Motorcycle Dealer License | Motorcycles only. |
| Trailer Dealer License | Trailers only; exempt from the 8-hour dealer education requirement and from auto liability insurance. |
| Motor Vehicle Auction Dealer License | Wholesale/auction sales, carrying a higher $100,000 bond. |
What it costs
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Motor vehicle dealer license fee | See Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-1411.01 | The current statute reflects a higher fee than the $400 many older guides cite — confirm the amount charged at online submission before relying on it |
| Surety bond premium | Varies | Annual premium you pay is a fraction of the $50,000 face amount, based on credit — not a state fee |
| Dealer education (NEIADA) | Varies | 8 hours of approved courses, priced by the provider — a new requirement effective Jan 1, 2026 |
| Local zoning permit / business license | Varies | A zoning permit or zoning-authority letter is mandatory |
Step by step
- Complete 8 hours of NEIADA-approved dealer education (non-franchise applicants) within the prior 12 months.
- Secure a compliant location and gather premises documents: sign/business photo, zoning permit or letter, lease (if applicable), and service-facility proof or Service Agreement.
- Obtain the $50,000 AG-approved surety bond, auto liability insurance certificate, and workers'-comp certificate or waiver.
- Submit the online Dealer License Application through the MVILB portal with all documents and pay the license fee electronically.
- The Board reviews for completeness, then an investigator schedules and conducts an on-site dealership inspection.
- On approval, the Board issues a Treasurer's Certificate with the license, authorizing the county treasurer to issue dealer plates.
Premises & temp tags
Location: A permanent business location with a contiguous display area for 10 or more vehicles, a permanent sign showing the exact dealership name in letters at least 8 inches high, a working landline listed in directory assistance under the dealership name, and hours of at least 40 hours/week (with at least 20 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.). The location must conform to zoning (submit a zoning permit or letter), and you must have your own service facility or a Service Agreement with a party in the same county.
Temp tags / plates: Nebraska uses In-Transit decals to move a just-sold vehicle before registration, plus a 30-day plate for nonresidents who will not remain in-state more than 30 days. Purchasers generally must title and register within 30 days of purchase.
Nebraska-specific things to know
- The dealer license fee was recently raised — current statute (60-1411.01) shows a figure above the $400 most third-party guides still cite, so confirm the amount before quoting it.
- A brand-new 8-hour NEIADA dealer-education mandate took effect Jan 1, 2026 for non-franchise new applicants — a requirement most competitor content has not updated.
- The dealership name may not contain 'discount,' 'wholesale,' or 'for less,' and the sign must use 8-inch letters exactly matching the licensed name.
- Every license expires December 31 regardless of when it was issued, and the bond must match — a mid-year applicant still renews at year-end.
Official Nebraska resources
- MVILB — Dealer License Application ↗
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-1411.01 (license fees) & 60-1419 (bond) ↗
- Nebraska DMV — Vehicle Title/Registration Forms ↗
Nebraska dealer license FAQ
How much does a dealer license cost in Nebraska?+
Motor vehicle dealer license fee: See Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-1411.01; Surety bond premium: Varies; Dealer education (NEIADA): Varies; Local zoning permit / business license: 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 Nebraska?+
Nebraska requires a $50,000 surety bond. Per Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-1419 and the MVILB instructions, a motor vehicle, trailer, or motorcycle dealer posts a $50,000 corporate surety bond on the form approved by the Nebraska Attorney General, signed by a Nebraska registered agent; auction dealers post $100,000. The bond must run concurrent with the license (expiring December 31).
Do you need a physical lot to get a dealer license in Nebraska?+
A permanent business location with a contiguous display area for 10 or more vehicles, a permanent sign showing the exact dealership name in letters at least 8 inches high, a working landline listed in directory assistance under the dealership name, and hours of at least 40 hours/week (with at least 20 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.). The location must conform to zoning (submit a zoning permit or letter), and you must have your own service facility or a Service Agreement with a party in the same county.
How many cars can you sell in Nebraska without a dealer license?+
Nebraska requires a license once you are 'engaged in the business' of buying, selling, or exchanging motor vehicles; casual or occasional private sales are exempt. There is no reliably confirmed bright-line annual number in statute — confirm with MVILB before relying on a specific figure.
How long is a Nebraska dealer license valid?+
Annual, on a calendar-year basis — all licenses expire December 31 regardless of issue date, and the online renewal portal opens each year on October 1. The surety bond must expire concurrently on December 31.
Is dealer training or an exam required in Nebraska?+
Required as of Jan 1, 2026 — every non-franchise dealer applying for a new license must submit certificates totaling 8 hours of dealer education (dated within the previous 12 months), administered through the Nebraska Independent Auto Dealers Association (NEIADA). Trailer-only dealers are exempt. No separate state exam.
How do temporary tags work for Nebraska dealers?+
Nebraska uses In-Transit decals to move a just-sold vehicle before registration, plus a 30-day plate for nonresidents who will not remain in-state more than 30 days. Purchasers generally must title and register within 30 days of purchase.
Data verified 2026-07-17. Requirements change — confirm with the Nebraska Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board (MVILB) before filing.
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