Washington's Department of Licensing (DOL) provides information for vehicle dealers on its Web site. Dealers and other vehicle-related businesses can find out about business licenses, vehicle wrecking, Washington's Lemon Law, and more on the DOL's Vehicle and Vessel Dealers page.

On the Vehicle and Vessel Dealers page, the following businesses will find information about the state's regulations:

• Car dealers

• Boat dealers

• Car manufacturers

• Vehicle wrecking companies

• Tow-truck operations

• Hauling companies

• Off-road vehicle and snowmobile sellers

• Scrap-processing operations

The page is a jumping-off point to find the following resources:

• How to apply for a license

• Disciplinary actions for dealers

• Dealer laws and rules

You can also find the following forms and manuals in PDF format on the site:

• Manual for Vehicle Dealers and Manufacturers

• Dealer Check List

• Boat Dealer Manual

More Information

You've got a few other resources for finding out about how to get a dealer license and how to run a dealership. A good place to begin, of course, is with the Washington Department of Licensing. The DOL may be contacted by phone at (360) 664-1400, or at the following address:

• Department of Licensing Master License Service

• P.O. Box 9034

• Olympia, WA 98507

In an industry as highly regulated as the auto dealership business, it's critical that you understand all the laws that apply to your business. If you'd like to read everything in pure legalese that you ever wanted to know about running an auto dealership, the State of Washington can oblige.

The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) both contain comprehensive sections devoted to auto dealers and related businesses. The below links will take you to directories where you can browse topics related to the legal ins and outs of buying and selling vehicles in Washington:

• RCW 46.70: Dealers and Manufacturers

• WAC 308-66: Motor Vehicle Dealers and Manufacturers

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