How to Get a Dealer License in West Virginia
In West Virginia, dealer licensing runs through the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — Dealer Services. To get a used car dealer license in West Virginia you'll need a registered business, a compliant location, a $25,000 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 West Virginia auto dealer license requirements, real costs, and the exact steps — in plain English. Rules change, so verify everything against the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — Dealer Services's current pages before you file.
- Surety bond
- $25,000
- License term
- Annual — the dealer licensing year runs July 1 through June 30 for the vehicle classes. Renewal requires the renewal fee plus the $150 Recovery Fund contribution each year.
- Sales threshold
- Selling (or projecting to sell) 10 or more used motor vehicles in a fiscal year triggers the used-dealer licensing requirement, per WV Code §17A-6-1(a)(2).
- Pre-licensing
- None — West Virginia does not require a pre-licensing education course or exam. It instead requires background/character screening: fingerprinting of all owners/officers, criminal 'no record' investigation reports, a letter of good standing from the WV Tax Department, and a personal-property-tax clearance.
License types in West Virginia
| License type | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Used Only (Duc) | Used motor vehicles only — the core used-car dealer license. |
| New & Used (D) | Dealers selling both new and used motor vehicles. |
| Recreational (Drv) | RVs and recreational vehicles. |
| Auto Auction (Aa) | Vehicle auction operations. |
What it costs
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| License application fee | $250 | Applies to the D, Duc, Drv, and Aa classes |
| Annual renewal fee | $100 | For D / Duc / Drv / Aa |
| Recovery Fund contribution | $150 | Required for both new applications and each renewal |
| Temporary plates | $3.00 per plate | Purchased at a DMV office or by mail |
Step by step
- Request the minimum-requirements packet from Dealer Services by phone or email.
- Contact Dealer Services to schedule a pre-inspection appointment for your lot.
- A DMV inspector delivers the application package and conducts the on-site dealership inspection (sign, premises, insurance).
- Submit the completed application with supporting documents (business license, insurance, personal-property-tax receipt, photos, $25,000 bond).
- The inspector fingerprints all owners/officers and collects information-release signatures; DMV coordinates background checks and tax good-standing letters.
- On approval, DMV issues the license certificate and mails dealer plates; renew annually before June 30.
Premises & temp tags
Location: An established place of business, not just a home address. WV requires photographs of the dealership and of a permanent sign with letters at least 4 inches high, a valid West Virginia business license, and a passing in-person pre-license inspection by a DMV dealer inspector. Liability insurance (20/40/10) must be in place for all classes except License Service.
Temp tags / plates: WV dealers buy temporary plates at $3.00 per plate from the DMV (in person or by mail), and an online 'Temporary Additional Location Request' service is available. Dealer temp-plate issuance is logged and tied to the dealer's license.
West Virginia-specific things to know
- The $150 Recovery Fund payment is due every year — on both the initial application and each annual renewal, on top of the renewal fee.
- The 4-inch sign rule is enforced at inspection; photos of a permanent sign with letters at least 4 inches tall are an explicit documentation requirement.
- Bond exemptions are class-specific — Repo-Financial Institution, Manufacturer, and Transporter classes skip the bond, but a standard used-car dealer (Duc) does not.
- Every owner/officer needs a letter of good standing from the WV Tax Department and a personal-property-tax clearance; unresolved tax issues for any principal can block the whole license.
Official West Virginia resources
- WV DMV — Dealer Licensing ↗
- WV DMV — Dealer & Salesperson Resource Page ↗
- WV Code Chapter 17A, Article 6 (dealer licensing & bond) ↗
West Virginia dealer license FAQ
How much does a dealer license cost in West Virginia?+
License application fee: $250; Annual renewal fee: $100; Recovery Fund contribution: $150; Temporary plates: $3.00 per plate. Plus the $25,000 surety bond (you pay a small annual premium on that, not the full amount).
How big is the dealer bond in West Virginia?+
West Virginia requires a $25,000 surety bond. Confirmed on the DMV dealer page and in WV Code §17A-6-4(f), which requires a $25,000 bond in the form prescribed by the commissioner, from a corporate surety authorized in West Virginia. A used-car dealer (Duc) needs the full bond; Repo-Financial Institution, Manufacturer, and Transporter classes are exempt.
Do you need a physical lot to get a dealer license in West Virginia?+
An established place of business, not just a home address. WV requires photographs of the dealership and of a permanent sign with letters at least 4 inches high, a valid West Virginia business license, and a passing in-person pre-license inspection by a DMV dealer inspector. Liability insurance (20/40/10) must be in place for all classes except License Service.
How many cars can you sell in West Virginia without a dealer license?+
Selling (or projecting to sell) 10 or more used motor vehicles in a fiscal year triggers the used-dealer licensing requirement, per WV Code §17A-6-1(a)(2).
How long is a West Virginia dealer license valid?+
Annual — the dealer licensing year runs July 1 through June 30 for the vehicle classes. Renewal requires the renewal fee plus the $150 Recovery Fund contribution each year.
Is dealer training or an exam required in West Virginia?+
None — West Virginia does not require a pre-licensing education course or exam. It instead requires background/character screening: fingerprinting of all owners/officers, criminal 'no record' investigation reports, a letter of good standing from the WV Tax Department, and a personal-property-tax clearance.
How do temporary tags work for West Virginia dealers?+
WV dealers buy temporary plates at $3.00 per plate from the DMV (in person or by mail), and an online 'Temporary Additional Location Request' service is available. Dealer temp-plate issuance is logged and tied to the dealer's license.
Data verified 2026-07-17. Requirements change — confirm with the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — Dealer Services before filing.
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