Dealer-related Information

The State of New Hampshire licenses several different categories of dealers: Retail, Wholesale, Transporter, Repairer, Utility, and Recycler. It is common in New Hampshire for a dealer to fall into more than one category.

Inspection

An important part of dealing in motor vehicles is vehicle inspection. Even if vehicle inspection is not part of your dealer license you might still be concerned with the inspection regulations. For example, as a retail dealer you must not sell any unsafe vehicles that don't pass state inspection.

The vehicle inspection rules are lengthy. If inspection and repair isn't your main line of business, you will still want to have a working knowledge of primary state inspection criteria:

• Exhaust system

• Registration

• License plates

• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

• Odometer and speedometer

• steering

• Front end and suspension

• Wheels and tires

• Diagnostics, on-board

• Wipers

• Glass and mirrors

• Horn

• Lights

• Brakes

• Electrical system

The inspection is designed to make sure all motor vehicles are in good and safe working order for New Hampshire roadways. As a dealer you might come across other vehicle features, not clearly related to safety, which might cause problems at the time of inspection.

Your Relationship with the Dealer Desk

Once you are licensed your relationship with the Dealer Desk does not terminate. Each year, when your license is up for renewal, you could be visited by an agent from the DMV Dealer Desk.

In fact, the DMV can ask to see your records at any time of the year and you have to comply as long as they stop by during your regular business hours. The Dealer Desk also needs to be contacted when your business changes hands or goes out of business. The dealer license you hold is issued by the State of New Hampshire and can be revoked if you don't follow all the rules.

Becoming a dealer takes time and can be very complicated. If it is your line of business you will want to learn the process and how to be compliant. Many dealers find the local or state association helpful when it comes to compliance.