How to Get a Dealer License in Florida: Cost & Requirements

Last updated: October 2, 2026

Florida’s used-car dealer license is the Vehicle Independent (VI) license from FLHSMV. The checklist is longer than most states’: $300 license fee, a $25,000 surety bond, mandatory garage liability insurance ($25,000 combined single limit + $10,000 PIP), an approved pre-licensing dealer class, FDLE fingerprints for every officer, and a location a compliance examiner has approved. And the trigger comes fast — three vehicles bought, sold, or displayed in any 12-month period makes you a dealer in Florida’s eyes.

Florida licenses dealers by type: VI (independent/used), VF (franchised/new), VW (wholesale, dealer-to-dealer only), VA (auction), SD (salvage), plus separate mobile home and RV licenses. Most first-time applicants want the VI — and auctions that sell retail need a VI too, not a VA.

What Florida Actually Requires

• Approved location first — a regional Motorist Services compliance examiner must approve your office and display space under Rule 15C-7.003 before you apply.
• Pre-licensing dealer class — from an FLHSMV-approved dealer training school; the certificate of completion goes in with your application. Independent dealers also owe 8 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle.
• $25,000 surety bond (form 86020) or an irrevocable letter of credit (form 86057), renewed annually.
• Garage liability insurance — required, not optional: $25,000 combined single-limit BI/PD plus $10,000 PIP. VI, VW, and VA applicants may substitute general liability coupled with a business auto policy at the same minimums; salvage dealers are exempt.
• FDLE electronic fingerprinting for every officer of the dealership, through an approved provider.
• FEIN, Florida sales tax number, registered entity, and lease — the application (form HSMV 86056) goes to your regional office with all of it attached.

What It Costs

Item	Cost	Renewal
VI dealer license (original)	$300	$75/yr primary location; $50 supplemental; biennial option
Surety bond (penal sum $25,000)	Premium varies by credit	Annual
Garage liability insurance	Quoted to your operation	Continuous requirement
Pre-licensing class + FDLE fingerprints	School- and provider-set	Class one-time; CE 8 hrs/2 yrs
Florida LLC (Sunbiz)	$125	$138.75 annual report

How to Get Licensed, In Order

1. Register the entity at Sunbiz ($125 LLC) and get your FEIN — FLHSMV requires proof of both.
2. Get the location approved by your regional compliance examiner under Rule 15C-7.003, with a lease in the entity’s name.
3. Take the pre-licensing class at an FLHSMV-approved school and keep the certificate.
4. Get fingerprinted (every officer) through an FDLE-approved provider.
5. Bind the bond and insurance — $25,000 bond plus garage liability at the state minimums.
6. File HSMV 86056 with the $300 fee, sales tax number, and every document above at your regional office.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cars can I sell in Florida without a dealer license?

Two in any 12-month period. Florida Statute 320.27 presumes anyone who buys, sells, displays, or deals in three or more motor vehicles in any 12-month period is in the business and must hold a dealer license. For mobile homes and RVs the threshold is just one.

How much does a Florida dealer license cost?

$300 for the original VI license, then $75 per year to renew the primary location ($50 per supplemental location), with an optional biennial renewal. Add the $25,000 surety bond premium, garage liability insurance, the FLHSMV-approved pre-licensing class, and FDLE fingerprinting fees.

Is insurance required for a Florida dealer license?

Yes. Florida requires garage liability insurance with at least $25,000 combined single-limit bodily injury and property damage coverage plus $10,000 personal injury protection. Independent, auction, and wholesale dealers may substitute a general liability policy coupled with a business automobile policy at the same minimums. Salvage dealers are exempt.

When does a Florida dealer license expire?

Independent (VI), wholesale (VW), and auction (VA) licenses expire April 30; franchised (VF) licenses expire December 31. Independent dealers must also complete 8 hours of continuing education before each 2-year renewal cycle, including at least 2 hours on legal or legislative issues.

Forming the company, taxes, insurance, and hiring are covered in our full guide to starting a business in Florida.

Sources

Source	What It Covers
FLHSMV — Dealer/Broker Licenses	Full application steps, insurance minimums, fingerprinting
FLHSMV — Required Fees	$300 original, $75/$50 renewals, biennial option
Florida Statute §320.27	Three-vehicle presumption, $25,000 bond, expirations, CE hours
FLHSMV — Types of Licenses	VI/VF/VW/VA/SD and mobile home/RV license codes

Comparing states? See our dealer license guides for every state we cover.