How to Get a Dealer License in New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, dealer licensing runs through the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). To get a used car dealer license in New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire auto dealer license requirements, real costs, and the exact steps — in plain English. Rules change, so verify everything against the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)'s current pages before you file.
- Surety bond
- $25,000
- License term
- Annual — dealer registration and plates run on a yearly cycle, and the surety bond must be filed annually (RSA 261:100). Confirm the current renewal month/date with the DMV.
- Sales threshold
- Selling 5 or more motor vehicles at retail to the general public in a consecutive 12-month period makes a person a retail vehicle dealer requiring registration (RSA 259:89-a). Selling fewer than 5 keeps you a casual/private seller.
- Pre-licensing
- None — New Hampshire imposes no dealer pre-licensing education course or exam. Requirements are the bond, an established place of business, the application and fees, and local zoning approval.
License types in New Hampshire
| License type | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Retail Vehicle Dealer | Selling motor vehicles to the general public; triggered at 5 or more retail sales in a consecutive 12-month period (RSA 259:89-a) — the standard used-car dealer class. |
| Auto Wholesale Dealer | An established business buying registrable vehicles for resale to other dealers; sells fewer than 5 at retail in any 12 months (RSA 259:5-a). |
| Automotive Recycling Dealer | Salvage/recycling operations dealing in vehicles or parts (also bond-required). |
| Utility Dealer | Dealers in utility trailers/vehicles, a separate lower-fee registration. |
What it costs
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First dealer number plate / registration | $400 | First plate, per RSA 261:141 |
| Each additional dealer plate | $24 | RSA 261:141 |
| Temporary dealer plate | $1 each | RSA 261:141 |
| Surety bond premium | Varies | The $25,000 bond face amount is statutory; the annual premium you pay a surety is market-priced, not a state fee |
Step by step
- Secure a compliant established place of business in NH and obtain local zoning/municipal approval for a dealership at that location.
- Obtain a $25,000 surety bond (RSA 261:98) from a NH-authorized surety, or arrange coverage under an approved dealers-association bond (RSA 261:101).
- Complete the DMV dealer registration application (application procedures now live in DMV rules).
- Submit the application, bond, and supporting documents and pay the fees ($400 first plate, $24 each additional, $1 per temp plate).
- DMV reviews and, if satisfied, issues the certificate of registration and dealer number plates — a separate certificate for each name/location (RSA 261:104, 261:106).
- Begin operations, issue 20-day temp plates on sales and file the required sale notices, and renew registration and re-file the bond annually.
Premises & temp tags
Location: A bona-fide established place of business in New Hampshire — the auto-wholesale-dealer definition is built around 'an established place of business,' and RSA 261:106 requires a separate certificate of registration for each city/town location and each business name. Specific physical-premises standards (office, display lot, sign, hours) are set by DMV administrative rule and local zoning; confirm current premises specs with the DMV dealer unit.
Temp tags / plates: On a sale, the dealer issues a temporary plate and the purchaser may operate the vehicle for up to 20 consecutive days without paying a registration fee (RSA 261:109). The dealer must immediately notify the DMV of the sale, including the purchaser's details and the temp-plate number (RSA 261:110). Temp plates cost $1 each, and loaning assigned dealer plates is prohibited.
New Hampshire-specific things to know
- New Hampshire has no state sales/use tax, so there is no dealer sales-tax collection, resale certificate, or tax-remittance step common in other states.
- Two statutory bond figures exist — RSA 261:98 (2011) says $25,000 flat, while RSA 261:100 (1998) still lists legacy tiered amounts; use $25,000 as current and confirm with the DMV.
- Multi-lot or multi-DBA operators need a separate registration/certificate for each business name and each city/town (RSA 261:106); association-bond members get only one name in one community of coverage.
- Loaning assigned dealer plates is prohibited (RSA 261:108), and operating without the required bond is a misdemeanor that can cost the dealer temp-plate authority and the registration itself.
Official New Hampshire resources
- NH Division of Motor Vehicles ↗
- RSA Chapter 261 — Registration of Vehicles (dealers, bonds, plates, temp tags) ↗
- RSA Chapter 259 — Definitions (retail 259:89-a, wholesale 259:5-a) ↗
New Hampshire dealer license FAQ
How much does a dealer license cost in New Hampshire?+
First dealer number plate / registration: $400; Each additional dealer plate: $24; Temporary dealer plate: $1 each; Surety bond premium: Varies. 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 New Hampshire?+
New Hampshire requires a $25,000 surety bond. RSA 261:98 (amended 2011) sets a flat $25,000 surety bond for retail vehicle, auto wholesale, and automotive recycling dealers. Note an unrepealed conflict: RSA 261:100 (1998) still lists legacy tiered amounts by years in business ($10,000-$20,000); the later, specific 2011 enactment ($25,000) is the operative figure, but confirm the current filing amount with the DMV. An approved dealers-association may file a $100,000 blanket bond covering members (RSA 261:101), which covers one name in one community.
Do you need a physical lot to get a dealer license in New Hampshire?+
A bona-fide established place of business in New Hampshire — the auto-wholesale-dealer definition is built around 'an established place of business,' and RSA 261:106 requires a separate certificate of registration for each city/town location and each business name. Specific physical-premises standards (office, display lot, sign, hours) are set by DMV administrative rule and local zoning; confirm current premises specs with the DMV dealer unit.
How many cars can you sell in New Hampshire without a dealer license?+
Selling 5 or more motor vehicles at retail to the general public in a consecutive 12-month period makes a person a retail vehicle dealer requiring registration (RSA 259:89-a). Selling fewer than 5 keeps you a casual/private seller.
How long is a New Hampshire dealer license valid?+
Annual — dealer registration and plates run on a yearly cycle, and the surety bond must be filed annually (RSA 261:100). Confirm the current renewal month/date with the DMV.
Is dealer training or an exam required in New Hampshire?+
None — New Hampshire imposes no dealer pre-licensing education course or exam. Requirements are the bond, an established place of business, the application and fees, and local zoning approval.
How do temporary tags work for New Hampshire dealers?+
On a sale, the dealer issues a temporary plate and the purchaser may operate the vehicle for up to 20 consecutive days without paying a registration fee (RSA 261:109). The dealer must immediately notify the DMV of the sale, including the purchaser's details and the temp-plate number (RSA 261:110). Temp plates cost $1 each, and loaning assigned dealer plates is prohibited.
Data verified 2026-07-17. Requirements change — confirm with the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) before filing.
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