How to Get a Dealer License in Nevada
In Nevada, dealer licensing runs through the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles — Occupational & Business Licensing (OBL), Compliance Enforcement Division. To get a used car dealer license in Nevada you'll need a registered business, a compliant location, a $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 Nevada auto dealer license requirements, real costs, and the exact steps — in plain English. Rules change, so verify everything against the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles — Occupational & Business Licensing (OBL), Compliance Enforcement Division's current pages before you file.
- Surety bond
- $100,000
- License term
- Annual term — every license expires December 31 each year regardless of when issued. Renew before Dec 31 with the $50 fee; a lapsed license reinstates with a $25 late fee (NRS 482.325(3)).
- Sales threshold
- A person may sell no more than three (3) personally-owned vehicles in any 12-month period without a dealer license — selling four or more triggers the license requirement (NRS 482.020(2)).
- Pre-licensing
- None. Nevada's official dealer requirements (OBL-243) include no pre-licensing seminar, dealer-education course, or written exam. The gate is fingerprints plus a background check (OBL-256 waiver) and a physical site inspection.
License types in Nevada
| License type | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Dealer (used) | The standard used-car-lot license — buys and sells vehicles subject to registration for resale. |
| Vehicle Dealer (new/franchise) | Same dealer license but requires Dealer Franchise Certification (OBL-253) from each manufacturer/distributor. |
| Broker | Negotiates vehicle sales without taking title. |
| Rebuilder / Lessor / Distributor | Reconstructed vehicles, leasing, and wholesale-to-dealer distribution — adjacent classes on the same application. |
What it costs
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New license fee | $125 | Non-refundable (NRS 482.325) |
| Fingerprint processing fee | $39 per principal | Each principal listed on the license |
| Surety bond (face amount) | $100,000 | Coverage amount for a car dealer; the annual premium paid to a surety is a fraction of this, based on credit |
| Annual renewal fee | $50 | Due before Dec 31; $25 late/reinstatement fee if it lapses |
Step by step
- Secure an established place of business meeting the building/lot/sign rules; obtain a city/county business license, Nevada Secretary of State entity filing, FEIN, and a Nevada sales/use tax permit via SilverFlume.
- Obtain the $100,000 surety bond (OBL-210) and an automobile liability insurance certificate.
- Complete the Business License Application (OBL-237), a Personal History Questionnaire (OBL-242) for each principal, and the DPS Fingerprint Background Waiver (OBL-256); get fingerprinted.
- Gather two exterior color photos of the lot and sign; new-vehicle dealers add Dealer Franchise Certification (OBL-253).
- Submit the full packet (OBL-335) with the $125 license fee plus $39 per principal fingerprint fee to OBL.
- Pass the DMV site inspection; upon approval receive the license and dealer plates, then enroll in SecureETag.
Premises & temp tags
Location: An established place of business physically in Nevada: a permanent enclosed building large enough for an office plus space to display one or more vehicles, with clearly marked lot boundaries. A permanently affixed sign must show the business name in lettering 8 inches high, formed by lines at least 1 inch wide, legible from the center of the nearest roadway. You submit two color exterior photos showing the sign and pass a DMV site inspection; a city/county business license and automobile liability insurance are also required.
Temp tags / plates: Dealers issue temporary movement placards electronically through the DMV SecureETag system (Dealer Module), printed at the point of sale with roughly a 30-day validity window (NRS 482.423–482.4245). Confirm the exact validity days with the OBL portal.
Nevada-specific things to know
- The bond tier is by vehicle class, not sales volume — car dealers always need the $100,000 bond; only light trailer-only dealers qualify for the $10k/$50k tiers.
- No seminar or exam (unlike CA/TX) — the gate is fingerprints, a background check, and a physical site inspection.
- Every principal on the license must submit fingerprints, a Personal History Questionnaire, and a background waiver; SSN disclosure is statutorily required.
- The license expires on a fixed Dec 31 date regardless of issue date, so a mid-year applicant still renews at year-end.
Official Nevada resources
- Nevada DMV — Occupational & Business Licensing (dealer hub) ↗
- OBL-243 — Dealer Information Sheet (bond, fees, requirements) ↗
- NRS Chapter 482 — Motor Vehicles / dealer licensing ↗
Nevada dealer license FAQ
How much does a dealer license cost in Nevada?+
New license fee: $125; Fingerprint processing fee: $39 per principal; Surety bond (face amount): $100,000; Annual renewal fee: $50. Plus the $100,000 surety bond (you pay a small annual premium on that, not the full amount).
How big is the dealer bond in Nevada?+
Nevada requires a $100,000 surety bond. Surety bond (Form OBL-210) tiered by vehicle TYPE, not sales volume: $100,000 for a standard used/new car dealer, $50,000 for motorcycles and heavier trailers, $10,000 for light utility/boat trailers (≤3,500 lbs). Per NRS 482.345 / OBL-243.
Do you need a physical lot to get a dealer license in Nevada?+
An established place of business physically in Nevada: a permanent enclosed building large enough for an office plus space to display one or more vehicles, with clearly marked lot boundaries. A permanently affixed sign must show the business name in lettering 8 inches high, formed by lines at least 1 inch wide, legible from the center of the nearest roadway. You submit two color exterior photos showing the sign and pass a DMV site inspection; a city/county business license and automobile liability insurance are also required.
How many cars can you sell in Nevada without a dealer license?+
A person may sell no more than three (3) personally-owned vehicles in any 12-month period without a dealer license — selling four or more triggers the license requirement (NRS 482.020(2)).
How long is a Nevada dealer license valid?+
Annual term — every license expires December 31 each year regardless of when issued. Renew before Dec 31 with the $50 fee; a lapsed license reinstates with a $25 late fee (NRS 482.325(3)).
Is dealer training or an exam required in Nevada?+
None. Nevada's official dealer requirements (OBL-243) include no pre-licensing seminar, dealer-education course, or written exam. The gate is fingerprints plus a background check (OBL-256 waiver) and a physical site inspection.
How do temporary tags work for Nevada dealers?+
Dealers issue temporary movement placards electronically through the DMV SecureETag system (Dealer Module), printed at the point of sale with roughly a 30-day validity window (NRS 482.423–482.4245). Confirm the exact validity days with the OBL portal.
Data verified 2026-07-17. Requirements change — confirm with the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles — Occupational & Business Licensing (OBL), Compliance Enforcement Division before filing.
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