Georgia retail dealer license

You must have your license application signed and notarized by a registered notary. Be sure not to sign the dealer license application until you are in the presence of a registered notary. You must pass a fingerprinting criminal background check before you are granted a Georgia Used Motor Vehicle Dealer License. The State of Georgia wants to ensure they are not granting a dealer license to anyone with a known criminal background, such as stealing a car or embezzling money from an employer.

You can begin your Georgia background check by visiting www. You may also call them at You will be asked an ORI number. Your Verification Code will be Z. Be sure to include any paperwork you are provided in the packet you send to the Georgia State Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle dealers. You may obtain a dealer surety bond from most insurance agents or a bonding company.

Your dealer surety bond will be dependent on your credit score. Be sure to include your original dealer surety bond in your dealer application packet so the State of Georgia will grant your dealers license much quicker. The State of Georgia requires you obtain dealer insurance before you are granted a Georgia dealers license.

You will need to obtain what is known a Georgia Dealer Garage Insurance policy. Garage keepers or automobile liability insurance is not acceptable. The location on the certificate of insurance must have the exact address of your Georgia dealership location. Be sure to include your original certificate of insurance in your Georgia dealer license application packet. The State of Georgia requires you to submit a photograph of your business location before you are granted a used motor vehicle dealer license.

You must show the building, lot, and sign. You may have to submit more than one photograph to ensure that your photograph requirements are met.

If your business is located in a building that houses multiple offices the State of Georgia requires your photograph to show your business name on the marquee of the office complex and a photograph of your suite door with your Georgia dealer license name of the door. The State of Georgia requires you to have a working telephone in the building that houses your Georgia dealership. According to Georgia statute the working telephone you have must not be a cellular phone or a cordless phone that reaches from another building, which means you must have a land line.

The State of Georgia wants to ensure your customers can contact you if they have questions about a vehicle they have purchased from your or if they have questions about a vehicle they are interested in purchasing from you. In order to maintain a Georgia Dealer License you must be accessible to your customers.

You must apply for a Georgia Sales Tax License before obtaining your dealers license. Be sure to include your Georgia Sales tax license application number or your sales tax number in your dealer license application packet. You must verify your identity before you obtain your Georgia dealer license. If you are a United States resident 18 years of age or older you must submit a copy of your drivers license, passport, military id, or tribal identification card, nexus card, merchant marine document, or an Employment Authorization Document.

If you are not a US citizen but are a legal resident of the United States you must submit a copy of your current immigration documents with either your Alien number or your I number and SEVIS number. You can download the Georgia Secure and Verifiable Document by clicking here. You must submit a notarized zoning certification that informs the State of Georgia your Georgia dealership is meeting all local zoning requirements. You may operate your Georgia Dealership from your home if you have met all of your local zoning requirements.

Be sure to contact your city or county Planning and Zoning office to find out if you can operate a Georgia dealer lot at your location of interererst before you being the linsensure process. You must have your local Zoning Commissioner sign and notarize a zoning certification, which you must include in your Georgia dealer license application packet. You must attend a mandatory 4 hour pre-dealer license dealer educational seminar before the State of Georgia will grant your dealer license.

You may find a list of Georgia Dealer License Educational providers below. E Learning Companies Be sure to include your certificate of completion provided by your dealer educational provider in your Georgia Dealer License application packet. Be sure to enclose a check or money order for your dealer license fees of the State of Georgia may reject your dealer license application.

Be sure to call to verify the current dealer license fees. Incorrect fees could delay the granting of your dealers license by several weeks. Be sure to enclose payment for the correct dealer license fee. For more information on obtaining a Georgia Dealer License please visit www. I always recommend this as the first step in obtaining a Georgia dealers license.

The cost of a dealer surety bond is based on your credit score and the cost of your insurance is based upon your driving record. I am often asked what it costs to obtain a Georgia dealers license and I can never answer that question accurately because the total cost will depend on your credit score and your driving record. If you have a couple of blemishes on your credit score, the price of your bond can increase dramatically. Bond must epire on March 31 of even years.

Bond must be in eact name of the business. GA independent dealer licenses expire every 2 years on March 31 of even-numbered years. Submitting a dealer license application is a complex process —call the Professional Licensing Boards Division at with any additional questions.

The renewal fees are:. Contact the manufacturers of the motor vehicles you plan to sell to begin your franchise agreement. However, as a franchise dealer you must still register your dealership with the Business Registration Unit—see our section on GA Car Dealer Registration below.

The process involves completing applications, providing a variety of proofs such as your business license, sales tax certificate, and established place of business , and paying applicable fees. If you have additional questions about this process, contact the Business Registration Unit for assistance. Franchise dealer —Also known as a new car dealer , sets up their dealer license with the car manufacturer supplying their business AND also applies for business registration with the GA DOR.

Is on the lot of a used car dealership. In which trading, selling, or buying are conducted on a permanent basis. Set up a landline telephone specifically for your business.