September 22nd, 2026
A step-by-step look at the costs of getting a California used car dealer license, from your pre-license class to DMV fees, bond, and insurance.
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Posted in: Dealer Licensing
July 11th, 2026
Under Vehicle Code 11721, DMV cancels a dealer license automatically the day a surety bond lapses. Three steps to keep your bond current and your license safe.
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Posted in: Insurance and Financing
July 18th, 2025
Dealer-only auctions, tax deductions, dealer plates, and financing perks: what a California vehicle dealer license unlocks for full-time and part-time dealers.
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Posted in: Dealer Licensing
May 28th, 2024
Who needs a California vehicle salesperson license, who is exempt, the fees and background check, how long it lasts, and the rules for displaying it at work.
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Posted in: Dealer Licensing
April 12th, 2024
Live Scan fingerprinting sends prints electronically to the Department of Justice for the background check that every California dealer and salesperson needs.
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Posted in: Dealer Licensing
October 13th, 2023
A past felony or misdemeanor does not end your California dealer license plans. How to disclose past convictions on the Personal History Questionnaire form.
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Posted in: Dealer Licensing
September 12th, 2023
California requires a surety bond or cash deposit before DMV issues or renews a dealer license. Bond amounts, requirements, and what a bond actually costs.
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Posted in: Insurance and Financing
August 7th, 2023
Garage liability insurance covers bodily injury and property damage from dealership operations. How it works and why dealers need more than general liability.
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Posted in: Insurance and Financing
April 30th, 2023
The DMV's Occupational Licensing Online Portal lets California dealers apply, renew, and modify licenses, pay fees, and schedule inspections online from home.
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Posted in: DMV Compliance
December 28th, 2021
Buy Here Pay Here dealers sell cars and carry the loan. California law sets contract, label, interest rate, and servicing rules for in-house car financing.
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Posted in: Insurance and Financing
December 21st, 2021
An auto broker endorsement lets a California dealer negotiate vehicle purchases for clients. What brokers do, how to qualify, and the records DMV requires.
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Posted in: Dealer Licensing
December 13th, 2021
The FTC Used Car Rule requires a Buyers Guide on every vehicle offered for sale. What the guide must show, when it changes, and the penalties for skipping it.
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Posted in: DMV Compliance
December 8th, 2021
California's Car Buyer's Bill of Rights (AB 68) sets cancellation rights, finance mark-up caps, and disclosure forms. What retail dealers must do to comply.
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Posted in: DMV Compliance
November 23rd, 2021
California dealer plates come with strict rules on placement, registration cards, and permitted use. Who can use them, how to order more plates, and violations.
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Posted in: DMV Compliance
November 8th, 2021
Assembly Bill 174 ended printed California Vehicle Code books. Here is where dealers get the electronic code book and the DMV memo that explains the change.
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Posted in: DMV Compliance
November 2nd, 2021
DMV procedural memo VIN-2021-02 details county fee changes for vehicle theft deterrence and fingerprint identification. New rates for Siskiyou and Santa Cruz.
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Posted in: DMV Compliance
September 2nd, 2021
You can sell cars from home with a California wholesale dealer license, but zoning, office space, and dealer-only sales rules change how the business works.
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Posted in: Dealer Licensing
June 15th, 2020
Office, signage, display area, license display, business license, records: the California dealer location requirements DMV inspects before you sell any cars.
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Posted in: DMV Compliance
