How to Get a Dealer License in Wyoming
In Wyoming, dealer licensing runs through the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), Motor Vehicle Services. To get a used car dealer license in Wyoming 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 Wyoming auto dealer license requirements, real costs, and the exact steps — in plain English. Rules change, so verify everything against the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), Motor Vehicle Services's current pages before you file.
- Surety bond
- $25,000
- License term
- One-year license that expires at midnight preceding the anniversary date (W.S. 31-16-104(d)). Renew annually on the same Form MV-422, and re-submit the $25,000 bond with each renewal.
- Sales threshold
- Selling or exchanging 3 or more vehicles in any consecutive 12-month period requires a dealer license (watercraft and snowmobiles excluded). The 12-vehicle line is a separate tier that flips you into the higher fee, display, and demo-plate rules.
- Pre-licensing
- None. Wyoming has no pre-licensing course or dealer exam. Instead, every owner must pass a state and national criminal background check (questionnaire plus two federal fingerprint cards and a color photo), which adds roughly 30 days.
License types in Wyoming
| License type | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Used Vehicle Dealer — 12 or more retail sales/year | Selling and exchanging used vehicles at the higher-fee tier; triggers the 5-vehicle display rule and demo-plate eligibility. |
| Used Vehicle Dealer — fewer than 12 retail sales/year | Selling used vehicles at the reduced-fee tier with lighter premises rules. |
| New Vehicle Dealer | Selling and exchanging new vehicles (or both new and used) under a manufacturer franchise agreement. |
| Wyoming-Based Manufacturer | Manufacturing or assembling and selling new/unused vehicles within Wyoming. |
What it costs
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual license fee (12+ vehicles/yr) | $100 | Dealers selling 12 or more retail vehicles a year |
| Annual license fee (under 12/yr) | $25 | Reduced tier for dealers selling fewer than 12 retail vehicles a year |
| Fingerprint / background processing | $39 per owner | Certified funds to 'Attorney General – DCI'; two federal fingerprint cards per owner |
| Temp-tag materials (SecureETag) | $1.00/sheet + $3.75/seal | Paper and holographic seals purchased from OpSec Security for online temp-permit issuance |
| Demo / full-use dealer plates | Varies | Paid to the county treasurer per the state registration fee schedule; confirm the amount locally |
Step by step
- Register the business — get a FEIN, a Wyoming Sales/Use Tax License from the Department of Revenue, and Secretary of State registration for any entity.
- Secure a qualifying principal place of business (permanent building, sign, phone, 5-car display if 12+/yr), obtain the city/county approval letter, and take the required photos.
- Complete Form MV-422 for the correct license type and attach franchise or used-vehicle documentation.
- Complete the background-check questionnaire and submit two federal fingerprint cards plus a color photo per owner with the $39/owner DCI fee.
- Mail the application and license fee ($100 or $25) to WYDOT Motor Vehicle Services in Cheyenne.
- After WYDOT approves, file the $25,000 surety bond (Form MV-424), then apply to the county treasurer for plates and set up SecureETag.
Premises & temp tags
Location: The business must operate from a permanent, roofed-and-walled building built for permanent use — not a residence. You need a permanent exterior sign clearly visible from the road, a business telephone published in the dealership's name, and (for dealers selling 12+ vehicles/year) space to display at least 5 vehicles. New or relocating dealers submit color photos and a letter of approval from the city or county. No PO box for the principal place of business.
Temp tags / plates: Dealers issue buyer temporary permits electronically through WYDOT's SecureETag online system, printing on special paper with holographic seals bought from OpSec Security. Demo (dealer) plates come from the county treasurer on a sliding scale, and a prospective-buyer demonstration on a demo plate cannot exceed 7 days.
Wyoming-specific things to know
- Wyoming has no state income tax, but vehicle sales/use tax IS charged — paid to the county treasurer based on the buyer's county of residence, due within 65 days of purchase, and the title cannot be delivered until it's paid (Form 107).
- Two volume tiers matter: the 3-vehicle threshold triggers the license, but crossing 12 retail sales a year flips you into the $100 fee, the 5-car display mandate, and demo-plate eligibility.
- Bond timing is a trap — new applicants must wait for WYDOT approval before buying the bond, while renewals submit it up front.
- Dealers can self-perform $10/VIN inspections on their own inventory, but titling and registration still run through the county clerk, not WYDOT.
Official Wyoming resources
- WYDOT — Vehicle Dealerships ↗
- WYDOT — Existing/Renewal Dealers & Forms ↗
- Wyoming Vehicle Dealer Statutes (W.S. Title 31, Ch. 16) ↗
Wyoming dealer license FAQ
How much does a dealer license cost in Wyoming?+
Annual license fee (12+ vehicles/yr): $100; Annual license fee (under 12/yr): $25; Fingerprint / background processing: $39 per owner; Temp-tag materials (SecureETag): $1.00/sheet + $3.75/seal; Demo / full-use dealer plates: Varies. 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 Wyoming?+
Wyoming requires a $25,000 surety bond. Codified at W.S. 31-16-103(h). Required of all vehicle dealers and Wyoming-based manufacturers, must be approved as to form by the Attorney General, and is conditioned against fraud and statutory violations. Bond timing trap: new applicants must NOT execute the bond until WYDOT notifies them the application is approved; renewals submit the bond with the application (Form MV-424).
Do you need a physical lot to get a dealer license in Wyoming?+
The business must operate from a permanent, roofed-and-walled building built for permanent use — not a residence. You need a permanent exterior sign clearly visible from the road, a business telephone published in the dealership's name, and (for dealers selling 12+ vehicles/year) space to display at least 5 vehicles. New or relocating dealers submit color photos and a letter of approval from the city or county. No PO box for the principal place of business.
How many cars can you sell in Wyoming without a dealer license?+
Selling or exchanging 3 or more vehicles in any consecutive 12-month period requires a dealer license (watercraft and snowmobiles excluded). The 12-vehicle line is a separate tier that flips you into the higher fee, display, and demo-plate rules.
How long is a Wyoming dealer license valid?+
One-year license that expires at midnight preceding the anniversary date (W.S. 31-16-104(d)). Renew annually on the same Form MV-422, and re-submit the $25,000 bond with each renewal.
Is dealer training or an exam required in Wyoming?+
None. Wyoming has no pre-licensing course or dealer exam. Instead, every owner must pass a state and national criminal background check (questionnaire plus two federal fingerprint cards and a color photo), which adds roughly 30 days.
How do temporary tags work for Wyoming dealers?+
Dealers issue buyer temporary permits electronically through WYDOT's SecureETag online system, printing on special paper with holographic seals bought from OpSec Security. Demo (dealer) plates come from the county treasurer on a sliding scale, and a prospective-buyer demonstration on a demo plate cannot exceed 7 days.
Data verified 2026-07-17. Requirements change — confirm with the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), Motor Vehicle Services before filing.
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