Download Your Free Ohio Dealer License Startup Guide

Download Free Ohio Dealer License Startup Guide

How to Obtain a Dealer License in Ohio
-Take Dealer Course
-Establish Business Entity
-Get Dealer Surety Bond
-Have Location Zoned for Dealer License
-Get Fingerprints
-Enter Dealer Auctions and Make $$$$$$$

12 Steps to an Ohio Dealers License

Dealer License Success Playlist

1. Take Dealer Education Course

Any person applying for an Ohio used motor vehicle dealer’s license that has not held a dealer license in the past 2 years is required to take a 6 hour dealer educational course. You may take your dealer license training course online by watching a series of videos. You must take the licensing training within the 6 months prior to your application. You will receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of the course. Be sure to submit the certificate in your dealer application packet. The Dealer Educational Classes are held online and in Cleveland. If you have questions about the dealer class call us at 800-369-2467 or, view the Dealer Class Schedule or Enroll For Your Ohio Dealer License Class Now!

Very, very helpful. Very glad I had to take the course. Jim Gerrick Brooklyn, Ohio.

2. Establish Business Entity

Any entity planning to transact business in Ohio, such as a dealership, must register with the Ohio Secretary of State’s office. Sole Proprietors & Partnerships are excluded. All dealers in Ohio must have an Ohio Vendor License. Business entities must also obtain a Federal Tax ID.  Registering your business with the Secretary of State. obtaining an Ohio Vendor License, and obtaining a Federal Tax ID is covered in greater detail in the dealer course. We also provide a link to one of our approved partners that can register your business entity with the Secretary of State, apply for your Vendor Number, and obtain your Federal Tax ID for you at a minimal cost, usually in less than 24 hours.

Course was very informative and fast paced. I am very confident in the steps to take in order to receive my dealership license. Thank you. Appollonia Cleaves Lakewood, Ohio

I highly recommend this class. Very informative if you are interested in starting your own business selling cars. Alison Cassano
Grove City, Ohio

3. Electronic Fingerprinting

Before you receive your dealer license from the registrar of motor vehicles you must be electronically fingerprinted. For a complete list of fingerprinting locations in Ohio visit the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.ohioattorneygeneral.com to find an electronic fingerprinting location near you. Some locations allow you to walk in but others required an appointment. The price varies depending on the location that conducts your fingerprinting. If you do not live in Ohio you must call the Dealer Licensing Section at 614-752-7636 to obtain your fingerprint card.

I recommend this class to anyone opening a used car lot or that has been in the car lot business for a long time. Osama Iwas
Cleveland, Ohio

Great class. 6 hours flew by. Very knowledgeable and well spoken. Trisha Stefanitsis Pickerington, Ohio

Great high speed dealer training that’s very understandable. Feel very confident about starting my first business venture. Thank you! Jeremy Reeder Cleveland, Ohio

4. Have Location Zoned for Dealer License

You must have a place of business to be used solely for the purpose of selling motor vehicles. It must be physically separated from any other business or residence with a permanent barrier which cannot be moved. You must have a permanent office in the building that has at least 180 square feet. Your office must include, at minimum, a desk and three chairs. You must also have at least one filing cabinet. The office must have permanent lighting and heating. You must also have a working telephone that is answered in the dealership name. Be sure to check your local zoning ordinances to ensure an automotive business is allowed at the location you have chosen for your dealership. We will discuss building requirements extensively in class.

Very professional speaker, good information, exactly what we need to get a dealership started. Austin A Wojey Georgetown, Ohio

Display Lot
You must have a display lot with at least 3500 square feet. The display lot can be located on the exterior of your building, or the interior of your building, or a combination of square footage located inside and outside the building. The display lot, like your building, must be separated from any other business, repair shop, or residence with a permanent physical barrier. This is required to deter any vehicles from a neighboring business or residence from parking on the dealership display lot. You are allowed to have an additional display in addition to your main display lot which is referred to as an expanded display lot. Your expanded lot must be have at least 2000 square feet of space. The expanded display lot must be within 200 feet of your dealership right of way. All paperwork regarding the sale of any vehicle must take place at the dealership building and not at the expanded display lot. We will cover expanded display lots in detail in your class.

I was always thinking the dealer course was a waste of time. But today after taking this class, I found out that I didn’t know anything about cars and I needed this class. Thank you very much. Mohammad Althalidi Cincinnati, Ohio

Business Sign and Photographs
You will need a permanent business sign. The dealership name must be displayed in letters on the sign that are at least 6 inches high or larger. The sign can be mounted on the exterior of the business building or erected on the display area and must be prominently displayed. Your sign must have the exact name of your dealership as it is listed on your dealer’s application. Most printing companies can produce a permanent business sign at minimal costs. Be sure the letters in the dealership name are at least 6 inches high. You must send photographs of your business. The photographs must include your display lot, both inside & outside of your office, your business sign, posted business hours, posted business telephone, and expanded display lot if applicable.  Business hours must be prominently displayed near the entrance to the office. You may post your business hours on the front of the building, on a window, or on the business sign. You must maintain records on all vehicles purchased, leased, and sold. Records must be stored either via paper or electronically at the dealership location. Documents for electronic titles must be kept at least 5 years. You will review an entire section on exactly what records to keep in your dealer training class.

Fantastic course. Highly recommended to anyone interested in obtaining a dealers license. Bryce Devore Pickerington, Ohio

5. Dealer Surety Bond

You must have a net worth of at least $75,000 in order to apply for an Ohio dealer license. You must also obtain a $75,000 dealer surety bond. A surety bond is based on your credit score. If you have good credit, a $75,000 dealer surety bond should cost about $600 to $700. If you have a couple of blemishes on your credit score, the price of you dealer surety bond could go up. You can make payments on your bond which should improve your credit score which may lead to lower bond prices upon renewal. You will be emailed a link to submit your bond quote to the bond carrrier that issues bonds to dealers with your credit score. It is very easy to estimate your net worth, just add up all of your assets then subtract your liabilities. In other words, take the value of everything you own and subtract your total debt to find out your net worth. The State of Ohio wants to ensure each dealer is financially secure before being issued a dealer’s license. After you receive your Ohio Used Dealer License you should have no problem maintaining a net worth of at least $75,000.

Amazing class to take for anyone looking to get into the business. Daniel Musa Hudson, Ohio

6. Submit Dealer Application

You must submit your Ohio Used Motor Vehicle Dealer Application to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). The dealer license application must be submitted online. The BMV no longer accepts mailed in dealer license applications.  The application must be completed correctly and in its entirety. Mistakes on your dealer application can cause significant delays in your licensing process. We will complete an online Used Motor Vehicle Dealer Application in your dealer course to ensure it is completed correctly.

Very in depth with all points of what is need to get a dealership started, would highly recommend. Janelle Durham Jackson, OH

7. Physical Lot Inspection

Before you receive your Ohio used dealer license, BMV investigation personnel will conduct a lot inspection. The BMV wants to make sure that you have met all of the physical requirements which includes the office building located on the display lot, desk, chairs, filing cabinet, lighting & heating, display lot, displayed telephone number and office hours, etc.  All requirements must be met before applying for your Ohio used dealer’s license.

Then Submit Your Dealer Application & License Fees Online.