Dealer Licensing in Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) oversees all dealer license applications.

When you apply for a car dealer license in MN, be prepared to put in some legwork, which includes (but is not limited to):

  • Obtaining zoning verification for your approved commercial location.
  • Complying with the state’s worker’s compensation laws.
  • Purchasing liability insurance and a surety bond.

Ready for the forms and details? We'll guide you through below.

Who Needs a Dealer License?

 In Minnesota you are required to have a dealer license if you: 

  • Directly sell or lease more than 5 vehicles within 12 months (new or used).
  • Conduct consignment sales of cars.
  • Broker the sale or lease of cars.
  • Sell parts and/or scrap metal from used cars. 

Apply for a MN Dealer License

 To apply for a Minnesota dealer license, bring the following to your local DVS:

Mail the above to:

Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Driver and Vehicle Services
445 Minnesota Street, Suite 186
St. Paul, MN 55101

This application has a lot of moving parts and can easily become overwhelming—don’t hesitate to call the Minnesota DVS at (651) 201-7800 with any questions you may have. 

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