How to Get a Dealer License in Utah
In Utah, dealer licensing runs through the Utah State Tax Commission — Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division (MVED). To get a used car dealer license in Utah you'll need a registered business, a compliant location, a $75,000 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 Utah auto dealer license requirements, real costs, and the exact steps — in plain English. Rules change, so verify everything against the Utah State Tax Commission — Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division (MVED)'s current pages before you file.
- Surety bond
- $75,000
- License term
- All MVED licenses expire June 30 each year and are not prorated — a one-year term renewed annually, with the annual renewal training.
- Sales threshold
- Selling, displaying, or offering three (3) or more new or used motor vehicles for sale in any 12-month period triggers the 'dealer' definition and the license requirement (Utah Code §41-3-102).
- Pre-licensing
- Required — each owner/partner/officer/member must complete an eight-hour pre-licensing training seminar from an MVED-approved provider (online or in person) and submit the signed certificate. A shorter annual continuing-education class (about 3 hours) is required to renew.
License types in Utah
| License type | What it covers |
|---|---|
| New or Used Motor Vehicle Dealer | The standard used-car dealer license — sells new and/or used cars and large trailers. $127 application, $75,000 bond. |
| Motorcycle / ATV / Snowmobile / Small-Trailer Dealer | Powersports and small trailers (750–1,999 lbs unladen). $51 application, $10,000 bond. |
| Special Equipment Dealer | Off-road and special equipment sales. |
| Owner / Salesperson License | Each owner, partner, officer or member is issued an owner license to sell; separately employed salespeople must also be licensed. |
What it costs
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $127 | New/used MV or large-trailer dealer ($51 for motorcycle/ATV/snowmobile/small-trailer) |
| Surety bond (face amount) | $75,000 | Coverage amount; the annual premium paid to a surety is a fraction of this |
| Dealer plates | $12 each + handling | Five-plate maximum initially; one additional plate per 25 vehicles sold thereafter |
| BCI/FBI fingerprint background check | $30 per owner/officer | Per UCA §41-3-205.5 |
Step by step
- Complete the dealer license application TC-301 ('Bonded Motor Vehicle Business Application') using the exact legal name registered with the Utah Dept. of Commerce; every owner/officer signs.
- Submit an FBI fingerprint card plus Fingerprint Waiver (TC-465) and pay the $30 BCI check for each owner/officer, with a passport-type photo of each.
- Have the surety complete the TC-450 $75,000 bond (notarized), and obtain a Utah sales-tax number by filing TC-69 (a federal EIN is needed first).
- Complete the mandatory 8-hour pre-licensing training and include the certificate.
- Secure the physical location (office + 24 sq ft sign + 3-car contiguous display lot) and include a photo of the location showing the sign.
- Submit the complete packet to MVED; allow about 5-10 working days for the site inspection, then 3-5 working days after a passing inspection to receive the license.
Premises & temp tags
Location: A permanent, established Utah place of business (TC-300): a permanent enclosed office for records, not shared with another business and meeting local zoning; a display lot for at least three vehicles, set off by a fence, chain, or other approved method; and office, sign, and display area contiguous so no one passes through another business to reach the dealership. A permanent sign of at least 24 square feet, painted on or affixed to the building (or cemented into the ground), must show the dealership's exact licensed name.
Temp tags / plates: Dealers issue paper temporary permits ('temp tags') valid 45 days from issuance, in consecutive number order, displayed in the rear plate area. Dealers obtain permits via the Utah Motor Vehicle Portal using Form TC-756 and keep a TC-452 Temporary Permit Record; extensions require MVED phone pre-approval.
Utah-specific things to know
- Name-conflict screening: MVED won't license a dealer with a similar name; the name on the application, bond, and physical sign must match exactly — clear it with MVED and file the trade name with the Dept. of Commerce first.
- In-house financing ('buy-here-pay-here') requires a separate notification filing under the Utah Consumer Credit Code with the Dept. of Financial Institutions.
- New-vehicle/new-powersport dealers may also have to register under Utah's franchise acts with the Dept. of Commerce.
- Hard June 30 expiry with no proration, and lost/stolen dealer plates cannot be replaced until after the June 30 expiration.
Official Utah resources
- MVED — Dealer License Overview ↗
- MVED — TC-300 Requirements for a Dealer License (PDF) ↗
- Utah Code Title 41 Chapter 3 (Motor Vehicle Business Regulation) ↗
Utah dealer license FAQ
How much does a dealer license cost in Utah?+
Application fee: $127; Surety bond (face amount): $75,000; Dealer plates: $12 each + handling; BCI/FBI fingerprint background check: $30 per owner/officer. Plus the $75,000 surety bond (you pay a small annual premium on that, not the full amount).
How big is the dealer bond in Utah?+
Utah requires a $75,000 surety bond. Corporate surety bond for a motor vehicle dealer, filed on Form TC-450 ('Bond of Motor Vehicle Dealer, Crusher or Body Shop'), signed by an owner/officer before a notary and executed by the surety's attorney-in-fact. Motorcycle/ATV/snowmobile/small-trailer dealers post $10,000.
Do you need a physical lot to get a dealer license in Utah?+
A permanent, established Utah place of business (TC-300): a permanent enclosed office for records, not shared with another business and meeting local zoning; a display lot for at least three vehicles, set off by a fence, chain, or other approved method; and office, sign, and display area contiguous so no one passes through another business to reach the dealership. A permanent sign of at least 24 square feet, painted on or affixed to the building (or cemented into the ground), must show the dealership's exact licensed name.
How many cars can you sell in Utah without a dealer license?+
Selling, displaying, or offering three (3) or more new or used motor vehicles for sale in any 12-month period triggers the 'dealer' definition and the license requirement (Utah Code §41-3-102).
How long is a Utah dealer license valid?+
All MVED licenses expire June 30 each year and are not prorated — a one-year term renewed annually, with the annual renewal training.
Is dealer training or an exam required in Utah?+
Required — each owner/partner/officer/member must complete an eight-hour pre-licensing training seminar from an MVED-approved provider (online or in person) and submit the signed certificate. A shorter annual continuing-education class (about 3 hours) is required to renew.
How do temporary tags work for Utah dealers?+
Dealers issue paper temporary permits ('temp tags') valid 45 days from issuance, in consecutive number order, displayed in the rear plate area. Dealers obtain permits via the Utah Motor Vehicle Portal using Form TC-756 and keep a TC-452 Temporary Permit Record; extensions require MVED phone pre-approval.
Data verified 2026-07-17. Requirements change — confirm with the Utah State Tax Commission — Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division (MVED) before filing.
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