Dealers · licensing · Hawaii
How to get a dealer license in Hawaii.
What it takes to get a used car dealer license in Hawaii, with a link to the official page for every fact.
Checked October 10, 2026 against the official pages linked below. Licensing agency: Hawaii Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board.
The requirements
| Licensing agency | Hawaii Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board · source |
|---|---|
| Surety bond (used dealer) | $25,000 (under 60 used units a month) or $100,000 (over 60); a bond is accepted only if a $50,000 inventory or flooring line of credit cannot reasonably be obtained · source |
| Pre-licensing education | See the official page |
| Place of business | Office not shared with other businesses (secured files) plus showroom or 3 marked display stalls; site plan/photos required; trailer/portable office allowed with extra photos · source |
| License fee | See the official page |
Steps
- Start with the licensing agency, Hawaii Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board: read its dealer page and get the current application.
- Set up your place of business: Office not shared with other businesses (secured files) plus showroom or 3 marked display stalls; site plan/photos required; trailer/portable office allowed with extra photos.
- Buy a surety bond: $25,000 (under 60 used units a month) or $100,000 (over 60); a bond is accepted only if a $50,000 inventory or flooring line of credit cannot reasonably be obtained.
- Submit the application with the fees listed on the official page.
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?
In-house financing can need its own license in some states. This summary has no note on one for Hawaii; ask the state's financial regulator before you write your first contract.
This is a summary, not legal advice. The agency's own page governs. All states