How to become a car / motor vehicle dealer in Florida

Jan. 24, 2013 - PRLog -- Who needs a car / motor vehicle dealer license in Florida?

Florida law, governed by Section 320.27 Florida Statutes, requires any individual, corporation, or partnership which buys, sells, offers for sale, displays for sale or deals in three or more cars or other motor vehicles in a twelve month period to obtain a car / motor vehicle dealer license issued by the state.  Visit http://www.dblsurety.com to learn more about licensing requirements.

What types of car / motor vehicle dealer licenses exist in Florida?

Type VI – The independent car / motor vehicle dealer license applies to those entities dealing in used motor vehicles only.
Type VF – The franchise car / motor vehicle dealer license applies to those entities selling new cars for a given manufacturer.  This license also allows the entity to sell used cars / motor vehicles.
Type SF – The service facility car / motor vehicle dealer license applies to entities which perform services on cars and other motor vehicles but do not sell or lease them.
Type VW – The wholesale car / motor vehicle dealer license applies to entities who only buy from, sell to, and deal at wholesale.
Type VA – The auction car / motor vehicle dealer license applies to entities that buy or sell cars and other motor vehicles at auction but do not sell them at retail locations.
Type SD – The salvage car / motor vehicle dealer license allows an entity to deal in salvaged or wrecked cars and motor vehicles.

Why do I need a car / motor vehicle dealer license in Florida?

As mentioned above, the car / motor vehicle dealer license is required by Florida Statute 320.27.  The regulation of the car / motor vehicle dealer industry is an attempt to protect the public from harm caused by shady dealings with unscrupulous car / motor vehicle dealers.

Where do I start?

In most cases, anyone applying for a license would think that the application must be completed before anything else.  However, a prospective licensee must first have their dealership site approved by the Division of Motorist Services Regional Offices.  The following requirements are necessary once a site is approved:

Completed application (email us at info@dblsurety.com or call (386) 316-2547 for up-to-date version);
Payment of a $300 per location fee is required and checks should be made payable to the DHSMV;
Original $25,000 car / motor vehicle dealer surety bond (email us at info@dblsurety.com or call (386) 316-2547 for surety bond form);
Proof of location ownership or copy of location lease;
Copy of pre-licensing dealer training certificate;
For car / motor vehicle dealer license types VI, VA, VW, and SD;
• $25,000 garage liability policy with $10,000 in personal injury protection or $25,000 general liability policy with business auto coverage with $10,000 in personal injury protection.
For car / motor vehicle dealer license type VF;
• $25,000 garage liability policy with $10,000 in personal injury protection.
Copy of business registration with the State of Florida;
Copy of articles of incorporation, organization, or partnership agreement;
Sales tax number;
Federal employer identification number; and
Fingerprints.

More about the Florida $25,000 car / motor vehicle dealer surety bond

The $25,000 Florida car / motor vehicle dealer surety bond requirement is meant to act as a form of recourse against those unscrupulous car dealers mentioned earlier.  The surety bond can be claimed on if a consumer files a complaint with the State of Florida and offers reimbursement for damages to the consumer caused by violations of the regulations which govern car / motor vehicle dealer licensees.

The car / motor vehicle dealer surety bond can be obtained relatively easy for well-qualified applicants.  It requires an application which includes basic information about the company and a credit check which is performed by the surety company.  The application can be found here, by calling DBL Surety at (386) 316-2547, or requesting it by email info@dblsurety.com.  Even those individuals with bad or struggling credit can obtain the car / motor vehicle dealer surety bond relatively easy using the same process.  Visit http://www.dblsurety.com/fl_bonds/florida_car_dealer_sure... for more information.

About DBL Surety, LLC

DBL Surety, LLC is a surety bond only insurance agency which specializes in the placement of license, permit, commercial, and contract surety bonds.  We offer a streamlined application process and superior customer service.  Visit http://www.dblsurety.com for a free, competitive, no-obligation quote and experience the DBL Surety Difference today!