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Dealers · licensing · Florida

How to get a dealer license in Florida.

What it takes to get a used car dealer license in Florida, with a link to the official page for every fact.

Checked October 10, 2026 against the official pages linked below. Licensing agency: Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

The requirements

Licensing agency Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles · source
Surety bond (used dealer) $25,000 (surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit) · source
Pre-licensing education Required — 16 hours pre-licensing dealer training for independent (VI) dealers · source
Place of business Office min. 100 sq ft interior; display space under dealer's exclusive control with street access; posted hours; permanent sign (FAC 15C-7.003); location inspected by compliance examiner · source
License fee $300 per main location · source

Steps

  1. Start with the licensing agency, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles: read its dealer page and get the current application.
  2. Complete the pre-licensing education: 16 hours pre-licensing dealer training for independent (VI) dealers.
  3. Set up your place of business: Office min. 100 sq ft interior; display space under dealer's exclusive control with street access; posted hours; permanent sign (FAC 15C-7.003); location inspected by compliance examiner.
  4. Buy a surety bond: $25,000 (surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit).
  5. Submit the application with the fee: $300 per main location.
  6. If you will finance your own deals, check the separate finance license below before your first contract.

Built from the facts above. Insurance, background checks and zoning rules may also apply; the agency's page has the full list.

Planning to finance your own deals?

Selling cars on retail installment contracts requires a Motor Vehicle Retail Installment Seller license from the Office of Financial Regulation (Fla. Stat. 520.03), even if you assign the contract. Source.

This is a summary, not legal advice. The agency's own page governs. All states