Florida Dealer License

Florida Dealer License Training Podcast

Find out more about Florida Dealer Licensing at FloridaDealer.com

To obtain a Florida dealer license you need a $25,000 Used Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond (Used) and the "Obligee" must be the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Get Your Free Florida Dealer Bond Quote from Delus Johnson

To find out how to get an Florida Dealer License, you can call the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles at 850-617-3003 or follow these step by step Florida Dealer License instructions.

Download Florida Dealer License Application

In order for you to start your application process of a Florida Dealer License, you must download a Florida Dealer License Application Form HSMV 86056. You can call 850-617-3003 to have Florida Dealer License Application Form HSMV 86056 mailed to you or you can download your Florida Dealer License Application here

Business Building

You must have a business building before you are granted a Florida Dealer License. You must have an office with appropriate office furniture. Your business location cannot be a residence. You must store all of your official Florida Dealers License records at this location. You will need to keep records of all sales and be ready to produce these records to any official with the State of Florida that is conducting an official records inspection. You may have your Dealer License records inspected at any time and the records must be located at your business at all times. You must prove to the state that you own or lease the business. Proof of ownership or a copy of your lease must be provided with your Florida Dealer License Application. You dealership must be the primary business at your licensed location.

Florida Dealer Surety Bond or Letter of Credit for $25,000

To obtain a Florida dealer license you need a $25,000 Used Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond (Used) and the "Obligee" must be the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. You must provide the State of Florida with a Florida Dealer Surety bond in the amount of $25,000 or an irrevocable letter of credit before obtaining your Florida Dealer License. Dealer bonds and irrevocable letters of credit are designed to protect Florida motor vehicle buyers from fraudulent dealers. If you are a dishonest Florida dealer your customers can file a financial claim against your Florida dealer bond or irrevocable letter of credit. If you operate your Florida dealership with the highest ethical standards and disclose all mechanical flaws to your customers before the sale, you should never have to worry about financial claims against your Florida Dealer bond or irrevocable letter of credit.

Get a Free Dealer Surety Bond Quote from Delus Johnson

Florida Dealer Garage Insurance Policy

Before you are granted a Florida Dealer License, you must show the State of Florida that you have an active Florida Dealer Garage Insurance Policy. Florida Dealer insurance will protect your customers when they are taking your demonstration units for a test drive. It is a very specialized insurance that must be carried by every Florida Dealer. If you are a non franchised Florida dealer selling used vehicles you will need $25,000 combined single limit coverage, $25,000 property damage coverage, and $10,000 personal injury protection. If you are a franchised Florida Dealer selling new motor vehicles you will need $25,000 combined single limit liability coverage including bodily injury and property damage with $10,000 of personal injury protection. Obtain your Florida Dealer Insurance by clicking here.

Click here for a free Florida Dealer Insurance Quote!

Register Your Business Name With the Florida Secretary of States Office

Before you are issued a Florida Dealers License you must register your business name with the Florida Secretary of States Division of Corporations. The Florida Secretary of State wants to know every business that is operating within the State of Florida. You may file articles of incorporation or just do a simple fictitious name registration. Be sure to consult with an attorney that specializes in Florida Motor Vehicle laws to find out what type of business registration is best for your dealership. You can file your business names at www.sunbiz.org. Be sure to include proof of registration with your Florida Dealer License Application packet. If you incorporate your Florida dealership you must include the Florida Articles of Incorporation with your FL Dealer License application packet.

Attend Florida Dealer Educational Seminar

All dealers must attend the state mandated Florida Dealer Educational course before you are granted a Florida Dealer License. The Florida Dealer Class is a two day course that will last a total of 16 hours. In your Florida Dealer Class you will learn about Florida motor vehicle dealer laws, Federal dealer compliance, how to report sales, etc. Approved Florida Dealer License providers are listed below. Be sure to include your FL Dealer Class Certificate of Completion in your dealer application packet.

Get a Free Dealer Surety Bond Quote from Delus Johnson

Approved Florida Dealer License Educational Providers

Advanced Dealer Training Institute
1656 Linda Lou Drive
West Palm Beach, Florida 33415
888-791-9511
561-791-9511
800-607-4926
www.mvdti.com

Florida Auto Dealer School
6822 22nd Avenue North, PMB # 117
St. Petersburg, Florida 33710
866-884-0549
-727-538-5047
www.F-A-D-S.com

Dealer Consulting Services, Inc.
7537 NW 7th Avenue
Miami, Florida 33150
305-758-9321
954-615-2332
www.dcsmiami.com

Fast Compliance, LLC
6000 Metro West Blvd. Suite 200 Online Classes only
Orlando, Florida 32835
407-299-1800
1-800-942-4537
www.fastcompliance.com

Florida Dealer Schools, Inc.
7880 West Oakland Park Boulevard, Suite 304
Sunrise, Florida 33351
Sunrise: 954-615-2332
Tampa: 813-322-3790
West Palm Beach: 561-961-1465
Orlando: 407-648-4030
www.floridadealerschools.com

Florida Sales Tax Number

You must apply for and obtain a Florida Sales Tax Number before you obtain your Florida Dealer License. You can download complete Florida Sales Tax instructions here.

Click here for a free Florida Dealer Insurance Quote!

Federal Tax Identification Number

You show the State of Florida that you have a Federal Tax ID Number. Applying for a Federal Tax Identification Number is free and can be done at www.taxformw9.com. Be sure to include your Federal Tax Identification Number with your Florida Dealer Application

Federal Compliance Issues

The State of Florida requires you to follow all Federal Dealer Compliance issues. Learn about important Federal Compliance in your ADTA Dealer Ethics, Profit, and Compliance manual.

Fingerprints

You must submit fingerprint cards before you get your Florida Dealers License. The State of Florida wants to make sure you have no substantial criminal history before you obtain an FL Dealers License. You can obtain fingerprint cards at any Florida Department of Motor Vehicles office. Click here to locate a Florida DMV Office near you.

Get a Free Dealer Surety Bond Quote from Delus Johnson

Proper Florida Dealer License Fees

The State of Florida charges Florida dealers to pay a $300 Florida State Dealer License fee for each main location. You should call 850-617-3003 before sending in your Dealer Application to make sure you are writing your check for the correct amount. Incorrect fees can lead to extensive delays in obtaining your Florida license. Make you checks payable to DHSMV.

Mail FL Dealer License Application Packet

When you have completed all the steps above be sure to call 850-617-3003 to make sure you are including all the correct documents and license fees. Then mail your completed Florida Dealer License Application, license fees, original surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit, copy of proof of ownership or lease, copy of Florida dealer training certificate of completion, copy of fictitious name registration and/or articles of incorporation, copy of corporate papers if incorporated, Florida sales tax number, Federal Tax ID number, and fingerprint cards to:

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Dealer Licensing Section MS 65
Neil Kirkman Building A312
2900 Apalachee Parkway
Tallahassee, FL 32399

Get a Free Dealer Surety Bond Quote from Delus Johnson

If you want to obtain an Florida Dealers license all you need to do is submit a dealer application to the Florida Motor vehicle Division, obtain a dealer surety bond form an insurance agency or bonding company, submit your fingerprints, have a building and lot, if you are a wholesale dealer you will not need a lot, post a sign on you building and submit some photographs, register your business with the Florida Corporation Commission, and have a computer and internet access, I am going to show you how to easily obtain your Florida dealers license.

First I want to show you some valuable contact information for Florida Dealers, Florida dealers are regulated by the Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor
Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles
2900 Apalachee Parkway
Room A312
MS# 65 Neil Kirkman Building
Tallahassee, Florida 32399

Dealer Licensing Information
850-617-3003
dealerservices@flhsmv.gov

www.flhsmvgov
There are several types of dealers licenses in Florida, here are the different type of Florida dealer licenses you have:

Vehicle Franchised dealer: Allows a licensed dealer to sell new motor vehicles under an established agreement with a manufacturer, importer or distributor.
Service facility: Any franchised dealer wishing to operate their service and repair facility at a location other than their licensed dealership must also be licensed to operate the service only facility. No vehicle sales, new or used, are permitted at this facility.
Vehicle Independent dealer: Allows the licensed dealer to buy, sell or deal in used motor vehicles.
Vehicle Wholesale dealer: Allows the licensed dealer to buy, sell or deal in motor vehicles only at wholesale with other licensed dealers. A licensed wholesale motor vehicle dealer is licensed to engage eclusively in the business of buying, selling or dealing in motor vehicles at wholesale or through motor vehicle auctions.
Vehicle Auction dealer : Allows licensed auction dealers to sell motor vehicles and recreational vehicles by the bid process where buyers are licensed motor vehicle dealers. Auctions that plan to sell motor vehicles at retail are required to be licensed as an independent dealer with a VI prefi license
Salvage dealer: Allows a licensed salvage dealer to engage in the business of acquiring salvaged or wrecked motor vehicles for the purpose of reselling them, or for parts.
Mobile home dealer : Allows licensed mobile home dealers to buy, sell or deal in mobile homes. Mobile home dealers may also sell recreational vehicles after applying for a recreational vehicle endorsement on their license with FLHSMV.
Mobile home broker (BH): Allows a licensed mobile home broker to deal eclusively in used mobile homes and act as the agent or intermediary on behalf of the owner or seller of a used mobile home which is for sale, or who assists or represents the seller in finding a buyer for a used mobile home.
Recreational motor vehicle dealer (RV): Allows a licensed recreational vehicle dealer to engage eclusively in buying, selling or brokering new recreational vehicles.
Recreational used motor vehicle dealer (RU): Allows a licensed recreational vehicle dealer to engage eclusively in buying and selling used recreational vehicles. information.
I want you go in depth in the 7 Steps to an Florida Dealers License
Step 1-Complete Application
The first thing you need to do to obtain an Florida dealers license is to complete an Florida dealer license application in it’s entirety. Submit Dealer Application Form 86056
If you make mistakes on the application it will be returned, so you want to spend some time and ensure there are not mistakes on the application.
A separate application must be submitted for each type of license, entity change, change location or name change, branch or subsequent dealer license.
If there is a change in business entity, after you become a licensed dealer, a new application must be submitted with all applicable paperwork, including a new bond and a new dealer license number will be assigned.
You can download your application at the https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/forms/86056.pdf lets take a look at an Florida dealers license application:

Step 2 Dealer Surety Bond or Irrevocable letter of credit
You must obtain a dealers surety bond in order to obtain an Florida dealers license. The bond must be a surety bond eecuted by an insurance or bonding company authorized to do business in Florida, and must be in the amounts shown the table below.
You can obtain a dealer surety bond form a bonding company or possibly your insurance agent you can obtain an rrevocable letter or credit from a bank.

And here you see form 86057 the irrevocable letter of credit which can be taken to your bank
Step 3-Insurance
You must show the state of Florida that you have insurance BEFORE the state will issue you a Florida dealers license.
The state of Florida requires every motor vehicle driven on any roadway to be insured, including your demos and all service vehicles owned by the dealership. It is illegal to drive any motor vehicle in Florida without proof of insurance or financial responsibility. It is also illegal for any motor vehicle owner, such as a dealer, to allow anyone else to drive the owner's vehicles, such as your demos, without insurance.
Dealer insurance is a special type of business insurance that is quite unique in that it covers you when your customers are test driving your vehicles, it covers you, or an employee driving a vehicle back & forth from an auction, and it also covers you if someone is injured while on your lot.

Types of Dealer Insurance

Dealer Liability or Garage Liability
• If you customer wrecks your demo into another vehicle, it will cover the other vehicle, not your demo because it is liability only
Dealers Open Lot
• Full coverage for your inventory if your vehicles are damaged by wind, natural disaster, and sometimes hail. It will also cover you in cases of theft. Be sure to carry enough coverage for your inventory
ance policy coupled with a business automobile policy, which shall include, at a minimum, $25,000 combined single-limit liability coverage including bodily injury and property damage protection and $10,000 personal injury protection.

Any dealer in Florida that does not maintain financial responsibility on services vehicles, drives a demo or allows a customer to drive a demo without financial responsibility, could face penalties.
Step 4 FEIN and Florida Ta ID Number
Before you apply for your Florida Used Motor Vehicle License you will need to apply for a Federal Employment Identification Number, sometimes referred to as a Ta ID Number, FEIN, or EIN. This is the number the Internal Revenue Service uses to identify your business for ta purposes. You can apply for your EIN for free at www.irs.gov or via phone at 800-829-4933. When you obtain your EIN, you will need to record it in a safe place.

You will also be required to easily apply for a Florida Sales Ta License at the Florida Deparment of Revenue Website

Step 5-Fingerprints
In order to be granted an Florida dealers license you must pass a background cheick that is conducted when you obtain your fingerprints. Each partner and each applicant who owns 20% or more of the dealership and when obtaining a dealers license for the first time must provide a personal history form and fingerprint card to enable the State to conduct a criminal records check.

If you are not sure where to get your fingerprints you can go to google and search for Florida Fingerprinting and you will see several fingerprinting locations that are probably within 10 minutes of your home
.
Step 6-Building & Lot
You must have a building for your Florida dealers license. Your business building must be a permanent enclosed building owned or leased by you, if you are leasing the building you will be using the lease must be for at lease 6 months, your lease can never end before you dealers license epires. with sufficient space to display vehicles of a kind of vehicle you will be selling. The established place of business must be devoted mainly to the operation of your dealership
Whether you are a retail dealer or a wholesale dealer you must meet local zoning requirements. You can contact the city hall or county court house’s planning a zoning division to ensure the location you want to use as your dealership meets all local zoning requirements for an Florida Dealers license. Applicants should contact their local city or county office to ensure compliance with local zoning ordinances. All owners listed on a wholesale dealer license are required to be an Florida Resident and have an Florida Driver’s License or ID

Step 7-Registering your Business with the Florida Secretary of State
The Florida Secretary of State wants a record of every business operating in the State including the dealership you are getting ready to open. Before you apply for your Florida dealers license you must register your business with the Florida Secretary of States office.
Step 8 Business Sign & Photos
You must have a sign The sign must be permanently erected on the ground or permanently attached to your business building.. banners will not be accepted
You must also enclose photographs of your building including photos of the business, sign, display lot, all 4 sides of building, posted address & hours, office area,

Step 9-Dealer Training Class

Once you obtain your Florida dealers license you must display the license prominently, you are going to work hard to obtain your Florida dealers license, you are going to be proud