1. Complete the Required Pre-License Dealer Training
The first step is to complete Florida’s mandatory Pre-License Dealer Training Class, approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).
You don’t need any prior industry experience — just the willingness to learn. Taking the course first saves you time, reduces mistakes, and helps you avoid unnecessary expenses.
At Express Car Time, our pre-license course is:
100% online
Prepared and taught by experienced licensed dealers
Easy to access from your smartphone, tablet, or computer
Self-paced — you can start and stop whenever you want
Once you complete the course, we issue your Certificate of Completion, which you’ll need for your license application.
Tip: Review the lessons and practice quizzes more than once. It will make your state test much easier later.
2. Decide on Your License Type
Florida offers several types of dealer licenses, but for most new dealers there are two common ones:
Retail Dealer License – Allows you to buy from auctions, sell vehicles directly to the public, and to other dealers.
Wholesale Dealer License – Lets you buy from auctions and sell to other licensed dealers, but not directly to the public.
Your choice will depend on whether you plan to sell cars directly to customers or focus on wholesale transactions.
3. Choose Your Business Structure
You can operate as a Sole Proprietor, LLC, Corporation, or Partnership.
While a sole proprietorship is the simplest and least expensive, it exposes you to personal liability.
Most new dealers choose an LLC because it provides liability protection and is flexible if you want to add or remove partners later.
A Corporation is more formal and is often chosen by those planning to raise capital or expand significantly.
If you use a name other than your personal name or your registered company’s name, you will need to register a “fictitious name” (DBA) with the Florida Division of Corporations.
4. Set Up Your Business Entity and EIN
Before you can apply for your dealer license, you need:
A properly registered LLC or Corporation
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS
You can create your LLC online easily and affordably. Express Car Time partners with reliable service providers who make the process faster than doing it yourself through the state website.
5. Submit Digital Fingerprints
Florida law requires all dealer license applicants — and anyone listed on the LLC or Corporation — to undergo a background check using digital fingerprints.
This check helps ensure that applicants do not have disqualifying convictions. If you’re uncertain about your eligibility due to a prior felony or misdemeanor, we can guide you on how to proceed before you invest further.
6. Pass the Florida Dealer License Test
After you’ve completed your training, you must pass the state dealer license exam.
If applying as an LLC or Corporation, at least one member must pass the test.
If applying as an individual or partnership, that person (or all partners) must pass.
We provide study guides, practice tests, and tips to help you pass the exam confidently. The test is straightforward if you review your course materials.
7. Open a Business Bank Account
Florida requires licensed dealers to maintain a separate business bank account for their dealership.
The state doesn’t check your balance — they just want to ensure your dealership’s finances are separate from personal funds.
8. Secure Your Business Location
A proper business location is mandatory. Florida distinguishes between retail and wholesale dealership requirements:
Wholesale Dealers may operate from an office space that complies with zoning rules. In some cases, a home office may be acceptable if it meets state access requirements.
Retail Dealers need a commercial business location with a permanent sign and space to display at least one vehicle for sale.
Before committing to a lease or purchase, check with your local zoning office to confirm that automotive sales are permitted at the address.
9. Obtain a Local Business Tax Receipt
Most Florida counties or municipalities require a Local Business Tax Receipt (formerly called an Occupational License).
This step is usually handled at your county tax collector’s office or your city’s licensing department.
10. Apply for a Florida Resale Certificate
A Florida Annual Resale Certificate for Sales Tax is required to buy vehicles for resale without paying sales tax upfront.
You can apply for this certificate online through the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR).
11. Get a Florida Dealer Surety Bond
All Florida vehicle dealers must obtain a surety bond before receiving their license:
$25,000 bond for Independent (Used-Car) Dealers
$25,000 bond for Wholesale Dealers
The cost of the bond depends on your credit score, but we can help you find competitive rates.
12. Submit Your Dealer License Application
Once you have completed all the previous steps, you’re ready to apply for your Florida Dealer License with the FLHSMV.
Your application package will include:
Proof of training
Business formation documents (LLC/Corp)
Fingerprint clearance
Bond certificate
Lease agreement for your location
Resale certificate
Business tax receipt
A state inspector will review your application and visit your location to confirm it meets requirements. If everything checks out, you’ll receive your Florida Dealer License — often with a temporary license issued right away so you can start operating.