How to Get a Dealer License in New Jersey
In New Jersey, dealer licensing runs through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC) — Business Licensing Services Bureau. To get a used car dealer license in New Jersey you'll need a registered business, a compliant location, a $10,000 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 Jersey auto dealer license requirements, real costs, and the exact steps — in plain English. Rules change, so verify everything against the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC) — Business Licensing Services Bureau's current pages before you file.
- Surety bond
- $10,000
- License term
- Annual term; the dealer license expires March 31 each year and must be renewed, with the surety bond kept in force to coincide with the licensing year.
- Sales threshold
- New Jersey requires a dealer license to engage in the business of buying, selling or dealing in motor vehicles. There is no clean statutory per-year vehicle count like some states; selling vehicles you never titled in your own name ("curbstoning") is prosecuted — verify your specific situation with NJ MVC.
- Pre-licensing
- No pre-licensing course, but applicants must pass an MVC examination on New Jersey dealer statutes and regulations, administered during the site investigation/inspection.
License types in New Jersey
| License type | What it covers |
|---|---|
| New and Used Car Dealership (Codes 55 & 60) | Retail sales of new and/or used motor vehicles from a licensed business location. |
| Used Car Dealership | Retail sales of used motor vehicles only — the standard license for an independent used-car lot. |
| Leasing Dealership | Long-term (one year or more) leasing of vehicles; no vehicle-display space is required for a leasing-only license. |
| Motorcycle Dealership (Code 57) | Sales of motorcycles, using a 3-plate dealer set instead of the standard 5-plate car set. |
What it costs
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dealer (wall) license fee | $100 | Per N.J.S.A. 39:10-19; the license itself expires March 31 each year |
| Dealer plates + registrations (5-plate car set, Codes 55 & 60) | $257.50 | Includes base fee + Transportation Trust Fund, Traumatic Brain Injury, Commission Service and Helicopter fund surcharges |
| Motorcycle dealer plates (3-plate set, Code 57) | $77.00 | For motorcycle dealerships |
| Surety bond (face amount) | $10,000 | Annual premium you pay a surety carrier is a fraction of this, based on credit |
| Fingerprinting / criminal background check | Varies — typically $60–$75 | IdentoGO/MorphoTrust fee for all owners, partners and officers — verify current amount |
Step by step
- Form and register your business entity and secure municipal (zoning) approval for a commercial location.
- Set up a compliant premises — a 72+ sq ft office with desk, chair, landline and working safe, display space for 2+ vehicles, and a permanent exterior sign.
- Obtain the $10,000 surety bond and a certificate of liability insurance ($100,000–$250,000 bodily injury / $25,000 property damage).
- Download and complete the correct application (New & Used Car, Used Car, or Leasing) and submit fingerprint documentation for all owners, partners and officers.
- Mail the application package to the NJ MVC Business Licensing Services Bureau (P.O. Box 170, Trenton, NJ 08666-0170) and undergo the site investigation and MVC examination.
- Pay the license and plate fees upon preliminary approval, then receive your license and dealer plates by mail.
Premises & temp tags
Location: A permanent commercial location that passes MVC site inspection: an enclosed office of at least 72 square feet with a desk, chair, landline telephone and a working safe for vehicle documents, plus municipal (zoning) approval. Dealers must have display space for a minimum of 2 vehicles and a permanent exterior sign affixed to the land or building with lettering legible from the roadway (leasing-only licenses need no display space).
Temp tags / plates: New Jersey temporary tags are issued electronically through the NJ MVC online Temp Tags portal (njportal.com/temptags) — a dealer prints the temporary tag in minutes after buying approved temp-tag paper from an approved vendor. Handwritten temporary tags are no longer used.
New Jersey-specific things to know
- New Jersey's surety bond is only $10,000 — among the lowest in the country — but the premises and site-inspection rules (72 sq ft office, working safe, permanent sign, zoning approval) are strict and are physically verified.
- An applicant (and each owner/officer) must pass an MVC examination on dealer law during the on-site investigation; this catches unprepared applicants off guard.
- Temporary tags are issued only through the state's electronic njportal.com/temptags system, and the license and bond both expire March 31 regardless of when you were first licensed.
Official New Jersey resources
- NJ MVC — How To Get A Dealership License ↗
- NJ MVC — New and Used Car Dealerships and Leasing Licenses ↗
- NJ MVC — Dealer Temporary Tags (online issuance) ↗
New Jersey dealer license FAQ
How much does a dealer license cost in New Jersey?+
Dealer (wall) license fee: $100; Dealer plates + registrations (5-plate car set, Codes 55 & 60): $257.50; Motorcycle dealer plates (3-plate set, Code 57): $77.00; Surety bond (face amount): $10,000; Fingerprinting / criminal background check: Varies — typically $60–$75. Plus the $10,000 surety bond (you pay a small annual premium on that, not the full amount).
How big is the dealer bond in New Jersey?+
New Jersey requires a $10,000 surety bond. New Jersey Administrative Code requires a $10,000 surety bond in the business name, filed with the application; the bond's expiration must coincide with the licensing year (bonds commonly run to March 31). This is a low bond relative to most states.
Do you need a physical lot to get a dealer license in New Jersey?+
A permanent commercial location that passes MVC site inspection: an enclosed office of at least 72 square feet with a desk, chair, landline telephone and a working safe for vehicle documents, plus municipal (zoning) approval. Dealers must have display space for a minimum of 2 vehicles and a permanent exterior sign affixed to the land or building with lettering legible from the roadway (leasing-only licenses need no display space).
How many cars can you sell in New Jersey without a dealer license?+
New Jersey requires a dealer license to engage in the business of buying, selling or dealing in motor vehicles. There is no clean statutory per-year vehicle count like some states; selling vehicles you never titled in your own name ("curbstoning") is prosecuted — verify your specific situation with NJ MVC.
How long is a New Jersey dealer license valid?+
Annual term; the dealer license expires March 31 each year and must be renewed, with the surety bond kept in force to coincide with the licensing year.
Is dealer training or an exam required in New Jersey?+
No pre-licensing course, but applicants must pass an MVC examination on New Jersey dealer statutes and regulations, administered during the site investigation/inspection.
How do temporary tags work for New Jersey dealers?+
New Jersey temporary tags are issued electronically through the NJ MVC online Temp Tags portal (njportal.com/temptags) — a dealer prints the temporary tag in minutes after buying approved temp-tag paper from an approved vendor. Handwritten temporary tags are no longer used.
Data verified 2026-07-17. Requirements change — confirm with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC) — Business Licensing Services Bureau before filing.
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