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Dealers · licensing · Ohio

How to get a dealer license in Ohio.

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

Checked October 10, 2026 against the official pages linked below. Licensing agency: Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

The requirements

Licensing agency Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles · source
Surety bond (used dealer) $75,000 (raised from $25,000 effective April 1, 2026) · source
Pre-licensing education Required — used motor vehicle dealer training course, min. 6 hours (ORC 4517.05: 6-24 hrs), completed within 6 months before applying · source
Place of business Permanent enclosed building (not residence/tent/shed); display lot at least 3,500 sq ft with hard surface; permanent office at least 180 sq ft on the lot; permanent sign with exact business name, letters at least 6 inches; posted business hours and staffed office. · source
License fee See the official page

Steps

  1. Start with the licensing agency, Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles: read its dealer page and get the current application.
  2. Complete the pre-licensing education: used motor vehicle dealer training course, min. 6 hours (ORC 4517.05: 6-24 hrs), completed within 6 months before applying.
  3. Set up your place of business: Permanent enclosed building (not residence/tent/shed); display lot at least 3,500 sq ft with hard surface; permanent office at least 180 sq ft on the lot; permanent sign with exact business name, letters at least 6 inches; posted business hours and staffed office.
  4. Buy a surety bond: $75,000 (raised from $25,000 effective April 1, 2026).
  5. 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 Ohio; 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