How to get a used car dealer license in Missouri
A practical walkthrough of the Motor Vehicle Dealer application — fees, bond, timeline, and what to expect at each step. Verified against the official agency as of September 2026.
Getting a Motor Vehicle Dealer used-car dealer license in Missouri:
- Surety bond required
- $50,000 ($100,000 for written-agreement title sales)
- Application fee
- $150 per year
- License term
- Expires December 31; issued for up to 2 years
- Typical timeline
- 4 – 8 weeks
- Typical first-year cost
- $800 – $2,500
This guide is informational and does not replace official Missouri requirements. Always verify with the Missouri Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Bureau before applying.
Two numbers worth knowing before you commit. Free calculators dealers actually use — no signup, no email.
Inventory with VIN auto-decode, the deal jacket, and every MO + federal form your sales need. $29/month, free to try — cancel any time.
Who can apply for a Motor Vehicle Dealer license
Missouri requires a Motor Vehicle Dealer license for anyone who sells six or more vehicles in a calendar year. It's issued by the Missouri Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Bureau, which licenses and regulates dealers statewide.
In Missouri this is also commonly called an auto dealer license, car dealer license, or motor vehicle dealer license — all the same Motor Vehicle Dealer authority to sell used vehicles.
- An established place of business in Missouri zoned for vehicle sales, with an office, a display lot for at least the required number of vehicles, and a permanent sign
- A $50,000 motor vehicle dealer surety bond (or $100,000 if you sell under a written agreement without delivering the title at the sale)
- Completion of the required Dealer Education Seminar
- A registered Missouri business entity and sales-tax bond/number
- Garage or general liability insurance on the location
- A passing inspection of the dealership location
Step-by-step process
- 1
Secure a compliant location
Get a Missouri location zoned for vehicle sales with an office, a display lot that meets the minimum-vehicle requirement, and a permanent sign. The state inspects the site before licensing.
- 2
Complete the Dealer Education Seminar
Take the required Dealer Education Seminar — offered by approved providers such as the Missouri Independent Automobile Dealers Association — and keep the certificate of completion to submit with your application.
- 3
Post your surety bond
Buy a $50,000 motor vehicle dealer surety bond, or a $100,000 bond if you'll sell under a written agreement without handing over the title at the time of sale. You pay an annual premium, not the full amount, and must keep it active while licensed.
- 4
Register your business and sales tax
Form your Missouri entity, register for sales tax, and post any required sales-tax bond so you can collect and remit tax on vehicle sales.
- 5
Submit the application and $150 fee
File the dealer application with the Motor Vehicle Bureau, pay the $150 annual license fee, and include your bond, seminar certificate, insurance, business documents, and lot photos.
- 6
Pass inspection and receive your license and plates
An inspector confirms the office, lot, and signage meet requirements. Once approved, you're a licensed Missouri motor vehicle dealer and can obtain dealer number plates to operate.
Missouri dealer license cost — fees breakdown
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
License fee | $150 per year |
Surety bond premium (annual) Premium on the $50,000 (or $100,000) bond, by credit. | $250 – $2,000 |
Dealer Education Seminar Required for new dealers. | ~$50 – $150 |
Dealer plates Number plates obtained after licensing. | Varies |
Business + sales-tax registration Missouri entity filing and sales-tax bond. | Varies |
The Missouri auto dealer bond: $50,000 (or $100,000)
Missouri requires every used-vehicle dealer to post a $50,000 (or $100,000) surety bond. The bond protects buyers from misconduct (odometer fraud, undisclosed liens, deceptive trade practices) and the state from unpaid taxes.
You don't pay the full bond amount up front — you pay an annual premium to a surety company, typically 1-5% of the bond's face value. Your actual premium depends on personal credit and business history.
Missouri requires a $50,000 motor vehicle dealer surety bond — raised from the old $25,000 figure — or a $100,000 bond for dealers who sell under a written agreement without delivering the title at the sale. You pay an annual premium (typically 1–5% of the bond) based on your credit, not the full amount.
Renewal
Missouri dealer licenses and plates expire December 31; the Department of Revenue can issue a license for up to two years. To renew, your monthly sales reports must show at least 8 sales in the last license year, and a renewal filed less than 60 days before expiration carries a $25 fee. Keep your $50,000 bond and insurance current and your location compliant.
Common questions
When do I need a Missouri dealer license?+
Missouri requires a motor vehicle dealer license once you sell six or more vehicles in a calendar year. Selling at that volume without a license from the Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Bureau is illegal.
How much does a Missouri dealer license cost?+
The license fee is $150 per year. Add the surety bond premium (often $250–$2,000/year on the $50,000 bond), the dealer education seminar, insurance, and facility costs — most first-year totals land between $800 and $2,500.
Why is the Missouri dealer bond $50,000?+
Missouri raised the motor vehicle dealer bond to $50,000 (from the older $25,000) to better protect buyers and the state. Dealers who sell under a written agreement without delivering the title at the sale need a $100,000 bond instead. You pay only an annual premium on the bond.
Do I have to take a class to get a Missouri dealer license?+
Yes — new applicants must complete the Dealer Education Seminar from an approved provider (such as the Missouri Independent Automobile Dealers Association) and submit the certificate of completion with the application.
How long is a Missouri dealer license valid?+
Missouri licenses expire December 31, and the Department of Revenue can issue them for up to two years. You'll need at least 8 reported sales in the last license year to renew.
How much does a Missouri dealer license cost?+
Plan for about $800 – $2,500 in the first year. That covers the $150 per year application fee and the $50,000 ($100,000 for written-agreement title sales) surety bond — you pay an annual premium of roughly 1-5% of the bond, not the full amount — plus business-formation, facility, and dealer-plate costs. See the full fees breakdown above.
How do I get dealer plates in Missouri?+
Dealer plates are separate from the license itself. Once your Motor Vehicle Dealer license is approved, you apply for dealer plates and pay a per-plate fee (listed in the fees breakdown above). You can't obtain dealer plates before the license is issued.
Got your MO dealer license? Run your lot in DealerVLO.
Inventory with VIN auto-decode, deal jacket, federal + state forms (including the MO RMV-1 if you're in MA), and your own dealer website at your custom domain. $29/month. 14-day free trial, cancel any time.
Bond amounts, fees, and form rules change. Get a short email when your state does. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.