Dealers · licensing · New Hampshire
How to get a dealer license in New Hampshire.
What it takes to get a used car dealer license in New Hampshire, with a link to the official page for every fact.
Checked October 10, 2026 against the official pages linked below. Licensing agency: New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles.
The requirements
| Licensing agency | New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles · source |
|---|---|
| Surety bond (used dealer) | $25,000 (separate bond per business name and per community/place of business) · source |
| Pre-licensing education | Not required before licensing; one owner, partner or officer attends a DMV dealer overview session when the license is issued · source |
| Place of business | Permanent enclosed commercial building in NH, open to public; >= 750 sq ft or primarily dedicated to vehicle sales; sign with business name in letters >= 10 in visible from public way; regular business hours = at least 35 hrs/week · source |
| License fee | See the official page |
Steps
- Start with the licensing agency, New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles: read its dealer page and get the current application.
- Set up your place of business: Permanent enclosed commercial building in NH, open to public; >= 750 sq ft or primarily dedicated to vehicle sales; sign with business name in letters >= 10 in visible from public way; regular business hours = at least 35 hrs/week.
- Buy a surety bond: $25,000 (separate bond per business name and per community/place of business).
- 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?
A dealer that writes retail installment contracts needs a Motor Vehicle Retail Seller license from the Banking Department; a dealer that funds its own deals needs a Sales Finance license. Source.
This is a summary, not legal advice. The agency's own page governs. All states