Dealers · licensing · Massachusetts
How to get a dealer license in Massachusetts.
What it takes to get a used car dealer license in Massachusetts, with a link to the official page for every fact.
Checked October 10, 2026 against the official pages linked below. Licensing agency: your city or town licensing authority (used car dealer license, M.G.L. c.140 §58).
The requirements
| Licensing agency | your city or town licensing authority (used car dealer license, M.G.L. c.140 §58) · source |
|---|---|
| Surety bond (used dealer) | $25,000 (separate bond per business name and per city/town) · source |
| Pre-licensing education | See the official page |
| Place of business | See the official page |
| License fee | See the official page |
In Massachusetts the used car dealer license is issued by the city or town, not a state agency, so lot rules and fees vary locally. The RMV issues dealer plates.
Steps
- Start with the licensing agency, your city or town licensing authority (used car dealer license, M.G.L. c.140 §58): read its dealer page and get the current application.
- Buy a surety bond: $25,000 (separate bond per business name and per city/town).
- Submit the application with the fees listed on the official page.
- 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?
Dealers that finance a sale and keep the contract must be licensed as a motor vehicle sales finance company by the Division of Banks, even with no interest charged. Source.
This is a summary, not legal advice. The agency's own page governs. All states