Dealer Licensing in Oklahoma

The processes to obtain a new car dealer license versus a used car dealer license in Oklahoma are very different—they’re even handled by different state agencies.

On this page, we’ll go over the requirements for both new and used car dealer licenses.

Oklahoma Car Dealer Licenses

The following Oklahoma agencies handle car dealer license applications:

  • The Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Commission (OMVC) deals with licensing and regulating new car:
    • Dealers and their salespeople.
    • Manufacturers.
    • Factory branches.
    • Distributors and distributor branches.
    • Related representatives
  • The Oklahoma Used Motor Vehicle, Dismantler, & Manufactured Housing Commission deals with licensing and regulating used car:
    • Dealers and salespeople.
    • Wholesales.
    • Rebuilders.
    • Dismantlers.
    • Crushers.

Below, we explain how to apply for new car dealer licenses and used car dealer licenses. For information on how to obtain any other license listed above, refer to the OMVC’s site or Used Motor Vehicle, Dismantler, & Manufactured Housing Commission’s website, respectively.

Applying for a New Car Dealer License in OK

The Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Commission (OMVC) provides an Application Packet for Initial Dealer Franchise License(s), which includes required forms, instructions regarding supporting materials, and fee information. If you start feeling lost, you can refer back to the application packet for guidance.

Requirements for New Car Dealerships

At the OMVC’s discretion, a representative will inspect your new car dealership location to ensure the following aspects of your business are up to standard:

  • Building:
    • Established place of business—can’t be a residence.
    • Permanently enclosed structure; can’t be temporary.
    • Easily accessible to the public.
    • Has an indoor showroom with room to showcase at least 1 motor vehicle, complete with doors big enough for the vehicle to pass through. (This doesn’t apply to medium/heavy duty trucks and motor homes.)
    • Adequate office and public areas where you can conduct business and bookkeeping.
    • Public restroom facilities.
  • Service and parts area:
    • Separate from public areas.
    • Outfitted with tools, parts, and other equipment required for warranty and service needs.
    • Has a way to vent exhaust from vehicles being repaired (doesn’t apply for electric vehicles).
  • Business sign:
    • Identifies your dealership.
    • Visible from the outside.
  • Parking: Must be a paved or gravel parking area for customers.
  • Zoning: Must comply with all local rules and regulations.

As part of the application process, an OMVC agent will inspect your business to make sure it meets all of Oklahoma’s dealership location requirements.

Application & Supporting Documents 

The Application Packet for Initial Dealer Franchise License(s) provided by the OMVC will include all the necessary forms you will need to complete for your application. Make sure to follow the instructions of the packet carefully. In addition to the completed included forms, you will need to provide:

  • A brief history of the business AND each owner or manager who will be active in daily operations.
    • Include any past dealership ownership and employment.
  • A list of names, addresses, phone numbers, and contacts for the manufacturers and/or distributors of the motor vehicles you’ll sell.
  • Dealer Agreements.
    • You can submit your application without these agreements, but your franchise license will be “contingent upon” the OMVC receiving them.
  • 6 pictures of the dealership, which must show the:
    • Outdoor sign.
    • Front of the building.
    • Showroom.
    • Parts area.
    • Service area.
    • Exhaust (vent) system in the service area UNLESS your dealership will only sell electric vehicles.
  • Management Agreement.
    • You must file the Management Agreement with the OMVC if you’re a buyer taking over dealership management prior to licensing and factory approval.
  • Check or money order made payable to “Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Commission” for the $300 fee (per franchise).

Mail your application materials and fees to:

Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Commission
4334 NW Expressway, Suite 183
Oklahoma City, OK 73116

The OMVC reviews applications on the 2nd Tuesday of each month—the deadline to submit your application materials and fees is the Monday 8 days before that meeting

Applying for a new car dealer license is a lot of work—if you need help along the way, contact the OMVC’s dealer license contact at (405) 607-8227, extension 101.

Applying for an OK Used Car Dealer License

The Oklahoma Used Motor Vehicle, Dismantler, & Manufactured Housing Commission provides a used motor vehicle dealer license application packet, which includes instructions and paperwork necessary to apply for your used car dealer license. Make sure you carefully read and refer to this packet while putting together your application materials.

Below, we’ll go over the dealership and application requirements you must meet (outlined in the packet) to apply for your Oklahoma used car dealer license.

Requirements for Used Car Dealerships

All used car dealer applicants must have an established place of business, meaning your dealership must meet all local zoning and occupancy requirements and have a/an:

  • Display area for cars that are for sale.
    • Must be easily accessible to the public.
    • Cars for sale must be distinguishable from other vehicles on the premises.
  • Adequate parking space for the public.
  • Office that is a:
    • Building or separate room within a building on the business premises.
    • Permanent structure; can’t be a tent, stand, or other temporary facility.
    • Space used for the sole purpose of conducting used motor vehicle business and where records, files, books, and other materials are stored.
  • Business telephone, which must be:
    • Listed with directory assistance.
    • Operational at the business location.
  • Public restroom.
  • Business sign that:
    • Measures at least 32 square feet in size UNLESS that size goes against zoning regulations.
    • Is permanently attached to the property; can’t be a banner or otherwise portable.
    • Has permanently affixed letters at least 6 inches tall.
    • Is visible from the nearest roadway.

As part of the used car dealer application process, a representative from the Used Motor Vehicle, Dismantler, & Manufactured Housing Commission will inspect your dealership to ensure it meets all of Oklahoma’s business location requirements. 

Application & Supporting Documents

Below, we’ve outlined what you need to apply for your used car dealer license. Remember, the Oklahoma Used Motor Vehicle, Dismantler, & Manufactured Housing Commission includes many of the required documents—as well as a checklist—within its used motor vehicle dealer application packet.

To apply for a used car dealer license in OK, complete the forms provided in the application packet and submit the following:

  • A copy of your OK driver’s license.
  • Current background check reports from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) for the following 3 searches:
    • Name-based.
    • Sex offender.
    • Violent offender.
  • The original Used Motor Vehicle Dealer’s Surety Bond in the amount of $25,000.
    • Must be signed by you and the surety.
  • A copy of the current Certificate of Incorporation or LLC or copy of the current Certificate of Good Standing from the Oklahoma Secretary of State (SOS).
  • A letter or permit from city or county authorities stating your lot meets all local zoning requirements.
  • Proof of a working telephone listed in directory assistance under your business name and address.
  • Pictures of the:
    • Sales lot.
    • Outside of your sales office.
    • Permanently affixed sign.
  • A check, money order, or cashier’s check for the $600 used car dealer application fee.

Mail your application materials and fees to:

Used Motor Vehicle, Dismantler, & Manufactured Housing Commission
421 NW 13th St., Suite 330
Oklahoma City, OK 73103

The Used Motor Vehicle, Dismantler, & Manufactured Housing Commission reviews applications on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. You must submit your application materials and fees 11 days before that meeting.

Applying for a used car dealer license requires a lot on your end—if you need help along the way, call the Used Motor Vehicle, Dismantler, & Manufactured Housing Commission at (405) 521-3600.

Used Car Dealer Education

On your application, you must indicate when you’ll take the required education program for used car dealers—at least 1 owner must attend the mandatory education program. Refer to the used motor vehicle dealer application packet for program dates and times.

Make sure you obtain sample copies of approved condition of sale documents from the education course; otherwise, you must get approval from the Used Motor Vehicle, Dismantler, & Manufactured Housing Commission to use other forms.

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