Licensing Requirements

In Oregon, generally, to sell any vehicle that is not your own and used for personal or household use, you need to have a dealer's license. Becoming an automobile dealer in Oregon is a matter of applying and submitting the following items together to the DMV Business Unit in Salem:

• Completed application for three-year license

• Signed three-year surety bond ($40,000)

• Liability insurance certification―must use the DMV form and have it stamped by your insurance company

• Education certificate from approved provider or DMV Certificate of Exemption (Form 370C)

• Fee payment of $1,003 for first location

• Plate billing list (renewal applications only)

Forms and fees may be turned in at the DMV Business Unit in Salem, or may be mailed to the office. Dealer application packets are also available by calling (503) 945-5052 or by requesting them by mail at the following address:

• Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Business Regulation

• 1905 Lana Ave. NE

• Salem OR 97314

A $40,000 bond form from the Oregon DMV must be completed, signed and sealed by your bonding company with the applicant's signature as well.

Another necessary form is the liability insurance certification form provided by the DMV, which must be completed, signed, and stamped by your insurance company. The DMV also accepts an insurance company form furnished by the insurance company as long as it duplicates the DMV form. "ACORD" binders or forms are not accepted by the Oregon DMV.

New dealers must receive eight hours of education per year while renewing dealers must receive five hours per year. Dealer education certificates must be furnished by one of three approved organizations, listed below with phone numbers:

• Oregon Independent Auto Dealers Association (OIADA), (503) 362-6839 or 800-447-0302

• Dealer Title Services (DTS) Inc., 800-852-5040 or (503) 251-9071

• Dealer Education School (OVDA), (503) 399-9199 or 1-877-451-2277

Education certificates must be original, and copies are not accepted.

The fee for a three-year dealer certificate from the Oregon DMV is $1,003 plus $230 for each additional location. The fee includes one plate, and additional plates are $45 each.

Dealer applications take between seven and 10 working days to process, and no dealer business can take place until the application has been approved.