How to Get a Dealer License in Washington
In Washington, dealer licensing runs through the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) — Vehicle & Vessel Dealers and Manufacturers. To get a used car dealer license in Washington you'll need a registered business, a compliant location, a $30,000 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 Washington auto dealer license requirements, real costs, and the exact steps — in plain English. Rules change, so verify everything against the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) — Vehicle & Vessel Dealers and Manufacturers's current pages before you file.
- Surety bond
- $30,000
- License term
- One-year license term; renew annually before expiration (the $325 renewal fee is charged each year).
- Sales threshold
- You must be licensed if you sell more than 4 vehicles registered to you in any 12-month period, or if you buy and sell vehicles for profit at all — Washington's 'more-than-4' (5-in-12) rule.
- Pre-licensing
- Yes for used-vehicle dealers: applicants selling used vehicles must complete an approved dealer-training course and submit the Certificate of Dealer Education with the application. Franchised new-car dealers are exempt.
License types in Washington
| License type | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Motor Vehicle Dealer | Buying and selling new or used cars, trucks, and motor homes at retail and/or wholesale under one motor-vehicle dealer license. |
| Used-vehicle-only Dealer | Same motor-vehicle dealer license, but selling used vehicles only — this endorsement triggers the mandatory dealer-education (training) requirement that new-car dealers are exempt from. |
| Miscellaneous Vehicle Dealer | Trailers, off-road vehicles, and similar — carries a lower ($5,000) bond. |
| Manufactured Home / Travel Trailer Dealer | Manufactured homes, park trailers, and travel trailers — same fee tier and $30,000 bond as motor-vehicle dealers. |
What it costs
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Original dealer license fee | $975 | Motor vehicle / manufactured home / travel trailer / miscellaneous vehicle dealer |
| Annual renewal fee | $325 | License term is one year; renew every year |
| Subagency license | $100 | Additional lot/location; $25 to renew |
| Temporary subagency (off-site sales event) | $100 | Per event; DOL form 430513 |
| Dealer license plates | $50.75 per set | $38.75 to renew, $20.75 to replace per set |
| Motorcycle dealer plates | $44.75 per set | $38.75 to renew |
| Business structure change | $975 | Treated like a new license; address change is $25 per endorsement, name change is free |
Step by step
- Form your business entity and get a Washington UBI number.
- Secure a qualifying established place of business — enclosed commercial building, permanent sign, listed phone, records area, and posted 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (5 days/week) hours.
- If selling used vehicles, complete the required dealer-education course and get your Certificate of Dealer Education.
- Obtain the $30,000 surety bond (DOL form 430205) — or $5,000 for a miscellaneous-vehicle dealer.
- File the Business License Application plus the Vehicle Dealer/Manufacturer Addendum through the Department of Revenue's Business Licensing Service, with a Personal/Criminal History Statement for each owner/officer and the Financial/Source of Funds Statement (form 430206).
- Pay the $975 original license fee.
- Pass the DOL/Washington State Patrol site inspection of your established place of business.
- Set up your e-permits account so you can issue dealer temporary plates and file reports of sale.
Premises & temp tags
Location: Washington requires an 'established place of business' (RCW 46.70.023): a permanent, enclosed commercial building on commercial property in Washington, with a permanent exterior sign showing the business name, a working telephone listed in directory assistance, an on-site area to keep books, records, and files, and posted hours open to the public at least from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., five days a week. A home address will not qualify.
Temp tags / plates: Dealers issue dealer temporary license plates electronically through DOL's e-permits system at the point of sale (valid 60 days). Paper temporary permits have been invalid since September 1, 2023, so every licensee needs an e-permits account.
Washington-specific things to know
- Applications run through the Department of Revenue's Business Licensing Service, but the Department of Licensing regulates dealers and does the site inspection — two agencies touch every application.
- The $30,000 bond is flat for motor-vehicle dealers; only miscellaneous-vehicle dealers get the reduced $5,000 bond (RCW 46.70.070).
- Used-vehicle dealers must complete dealer-education training before licensing — new-car franchised dealers are exempt, a distinction applicants routinely miss.
- Paper temp permits are dead: since September 1, 2023 dealers must issue 60-day dealer temporary plates through the e-permits system, so an e-permits account is effectively required to operate.
Official Washington resources
- Washington DOL — Get Your Vehicle Dealer License ↗
- Washington DOL — Vehicle Dealer Fees ↗
- Washington DOL — Vehicle Dealer Forms ↗
Washington dealer license FAQ
How much does a dealer license cost in Washington?+
Original dealer license fee: $975; Annual renewal fee: $325; Subagency license: $100; Temporary subagency (off-site sales event): $100; Dealer license plates: $50.75 per set; Motorcycle dealer plates: $44.75 per set; Business structure change: $975. Plus the $30,000 surety bond (you pay a small annual premium on that, not the full amount).
How big is the dealer bond in Washington?+
Washington requires a $30,000 surety bond. RCW 46.70.070 sets a $30,000 continuous surety bond for motor-vehicle dealers (and manufactured-home/travel-trailer dealers); miscellaneous vehicle dealers post only $5,000. Filed on DOL form 430205 (Vehicle, Vessel, Vehicle Manufacturer, RTTO or Wrecker Business Bond). A separate bond is required for each business location, and if you hold multiple classifications the highest applicable amount applies.
Do you need a physical lot to get a dealer license in Washington?+
Washington requires an 'established place of business' (RCW 46.70.023): a permanent, enclosed commercial building on commercial property in Washington, with a permanent exterior sign showing the business name, a working telephone listed in directory assistance, an on-site area to keep books, records, and files, and posted hours open to the public at least from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., five days a week. A home address will not qualify.
How many cars can you sell in Washington without a dealer license?+
You must be licensed if you sell more than 4 vehicles registered to you in any 12-month period, or if you buy and sell vehicles for profit at all — Washington's 'more-than-4' (5-in-12) rule.
How long is a Washington dealer license valid?+
One-year license term; renew annually before expiration (the $325 renewal fee is charged each year).
Is dealer training or an exam required in Washington?+
Yes for used-vehicle dealers: applicants selling used vehicles must complete an approved dealer-training course and submit the Certificate of Dealer Education with the application. Franchised new-car dealers are exempt.
How do temporary tags work for Washington dealers?+
Dealers issue dealer temporary license plates electronically through DOL's e-permits system at the point of sale (valid 60 days). Paper temporary permits have been invalid since September 1, 2023, so every licensee needs an e-permits account.
Data verified 2026-07-17. Requirements change — confirm with the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) — Vehicle & Vessel Dealers and Manufacturers before filing.
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