How to Get a Dealer License in Oregon
In Oregon, dealer licensing runs through the Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (DMV), a division of ODOT — Business Regulation / Licensing. To get a used car dealer license in Oregon 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 Oregon auto dealer license requirements, real costs, and the exact steps — in plain English. Rules change, so verify everything against the Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (DMV), a division of ODOT — Business Regulation / Licensing's current pages before you file.
- Agency
- Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (DMV), a division of ODOT — Business Regulation / Licensing
- Surety bond
- $50,000
- License term
- Three-year term — a certificate 'expires three years after the date of issuance or renewal' (ORS 822.020). Renew every 3 years for $1,100 (+$350 per extra location); a $150 late charge applies if not paid by the due date.
- Sales threshold
- Selling more than five (5) vehicles in a calendar year triggers the dealer-certificate requirement — you may sell up to 5 personally owned vehicles a year, and the 6th makes you a dealer (ORS 822.005 / 822.015).
- Pre-licensing
- Required — 8 hours of pre-licensing education from a DMV-approved provider (e.g., Certified Dealer Education School, Your Pace Online, or the OIADA school) before applying. No separate state exam beyond course completion.
License types in Oregon
| License type | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Dealer (retail) | Buys, sells, brokers, or trades used or new motor vehicles to the public under a single 3-year Vehicle Dealer Certificate; must maintain a place of business. |
| Wholesale dealer activity | Sells only to other licensed dealers or at auction — covered under the same certificate by activity type rather than a distinct license. |
| Other vehicle categories | Trailers, motorcycles, recreational/travel-trailer, and all-terrain vehicles, each elected on the same application. |
| Dismantler (separate certificate) | Vehicle dismantling — a separate certificate and application, not a dealer type. |
What it costs
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle dealer certificate fee | $1,100 | Single place of business, covering the full 3-year term (ORS 822.700) |
| Each additional place of business | $350 | Per additional physical location listed on the certificate |
| Surety bond (face amount) | $50,000 | Coverage amount; the premium paid to a surety is a fraction of this |
| Late renewal / corrected certificate | $150 / $30 | Statutory charges under ORS 822.700 |
Step by step
- Complete the 8-hour pre-licensing education course from a DMV-approved provider and get the certificate of completion.
- Establish a qualifying place of business (commercial location, permanent sign, zoning-compliant lot/office) and gather business registration.
- Obtain the $50,000 surety bond (or letter of credit) written for the certificate term (ORS 822.030).
- Complete the Application for a Vehicle Dealer Certificate (Form 735-370), listing your categories and each place of business.
- Submit the application, bond, education certificate, and fee ($1,100 single location; +$350 each additional) to DMV Business Licensing; DMV reviews and may inspect the premises.
- Wait for approval (about 2-3 weeks) before conducting any dealer business, then receive your certificate and dealer plates and register for the Vehicle Privilege Tax with the Dept. of Revenue.
Premises & temp tags
Location: A bona fide established place of business — a commercial location (not a P.O. box or purely residential address) where records are kept and business is conducted, with a permanent sign identifying the dealership and a lot/office adequate for the vehicle categories on the certificate. Local zoning must permit the auto-dealer use, and each separate physical location must be listed on the certificate (the $350 additional-location fee).
Temp tags / plates: Oregon uses paper trip permits rather than adhesive temp tags; licensed dealers may issue them so a buyer can legally drive before plates/title process. A light-vehicle trip permit is $35 and valid 21 days. Dealers submit title/registration paperwork through DMV (or an EVR integrator).
Oregon-specific things to know
- No state sales tax on vehicles, but there IS a Vehicle Privilege Tax: dealers owe one-half of 1% (0.005) of the retail sales price on qualifying new vehicles — a tax on the dealer, not the buyer.
- Oregon residents who buy a qualifying vehicle from an out-of-state dealer owe the mirror 0.5% Vehicle Use Tax.
- The privilege tax is filed quarterly through the Dept. of Revenue's Revenue Online, not collected at the DMV counter — dealers must register a Vehicle Privilege Tax account.
- The document processing fee is capped by statute: $250 with an EVR integrator, $200 without (ORS 822.043), and charging it obligates the dealer to prepare and submit all title/registration paperwork.
Official Oregon resources
- Oregon DMV — Become a Vehicle Dealer ↗
- ORS Chapter 822 — Regulation of Vehicle-Related Businesses ↗
- Oregon DOR — Vehicle Privilege and Use Taxes ↗
Oregon dealer license FAQ
How much does a dealer license cost in Oregon?+
Vehicle dealer certificate fee: $1,100; Each additional place of business: $350; Surety bond (face amount): $50,000; Late renewal / corrected certificate: $150 / $30. 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 Oregon?+
Oregon requires a $50,000 surety bond. Surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit set by ORS 822.030 — $50,000 for each year the certificate is valid, written to cover the full 3-year term. Certain niche categories (e.g., some trailer-only dealers) can carry lower statutory amounts, so confirm your category's figure with Business Licensing.
Do you need a physical lot to get a dealer license in Oregon?+
A bona fide established place of business — a commercial location (not a P.O. box or purely residential address) where records are kept and business is conducted, with a permanent sign identifying the dealership and a lot/office adequate for the vehicle categories on the certificate. Local zoning must permit the auto-dealer use, and each separate physical location must be listed on the certificate (the $350 additional-location fee).
How many cars can you sell in Oregon without a dealer license?+
Selling more than five (5) vehicles in a calendar year triggers the dealer-certificate requirement — you may sell up to 5 personally owned vehicles a year, and the 6th makes you a dealer (ORS 822.005 / 822.015).
How long is a Oregon dealer license valid?+
Three-year term — a certificate 'expires three years after the date of issuance or renewal' (ORS 822.020). Renew every 3 years for $1,100 (+$350 per extra location); a $150 late charge applies if not paid by the due date.
Is dealer training or an exam required in Oregon?+
Required — 8 hours of pre-licensing education from a DMV-approved provider (e.g., Certified Dealer Education School, Your Pace Online, or the OIADA school) before applying. No separate state exam beyond course completion.
How do temporary tags work for Oregon dealers?+
Oregon uses paper trip permits rather than adhesive temp tags; licensed dealers may issue them so a buyer can legally drive before plates/title process. A light-vehicle trip permit is $35 and valid 21 days. Dealers submit title/registration paperwork through DMV (or an EVR integrator).
Data verified 2026-07-17. Requirements change — confirm with the Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (DMV), a division of ODOT — Business Regulation / Licensing before filing.
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