Dealer compliance guide
Getting licensed and staying licensed in Georgia, in plain English. When you're ready, GIADA's dealer consultants can help with every step.
Dealer bonds are now $50,000
Senate Bill 293 (2026) raised the surety bond for used motor vehicle dealers from $35,000 to $50,000, effective July 1, 2026. The bond for used parts dealers stays at $10,000. If your bond is still written for $35,000, talk to your bond agent.
Getting licensed
Six steps to a Georgia dealer license
- Step 1
Take the pre-license seminar
The person who will be the designee on the license attends a Board-approved, 4-hour pre-license seminar. You then have one year to submit your application.
Learn more - Step 2
Get your surety bond
Used motor vehicle dealers need a $50,000 surety bond (raised from $35,000 by SB 293, effective July 1, 2026). Used parts dealers need $10,000.
- Step 3
Get garage liability insurance
Proof of insurance is part of the application. GIADA members save up to 12% through partner agencies.
Learn more - Step 4
Set up your place of business
Retail and wholesale dealers have the same core requirements: the bond, the seminar, and an established place of business.
- Step 5
Get fingerprinted and apply
The designee is fingerprinted, and the completed application goes to the Secretary of State. GIADA members can have our dealer consultants review it first.
- Step 6
Wait for approval
GIADA advises that approval typically takes 8 to 10 weeks when the application is complete and doesn't go to Board review.
Staying licensed
Renew by September 30 of every even year
Renewals open July 1 and are filed online with the Secretary of State. Miss the deadline and late window, and your dealership has to stop selling until a reinstatement, which is a whole new application, is approved.
Your renewal checklist
- 6 hours of Board-approved CE (at least 1 on tags and titles), reported in CE Broker
- A new $50,000 surety bond dated to the new license expiration
- A current garage liability insurance certificate
- Renew online with the Secretary of State. Renewals can't be mailed in.
Official sources
State links
Rules change. These are the official pages GIADA tracks.
- Used Motor Vehicle Dealer board (Georgia SOS) (opens in a new tab)
- How-to guide: Used Motor Vehicle Dealers (opens in a new tab)
- Continuing education rules (opens in a new tab)
- CE Broker guide for dealers (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- Board rules, Chapter 681 (opens in a new tab)
- Find your Georgia legislators (opens in a new tab)
Forms & supplies
Dealer forms
Buyers guides, bills of sale, buyer's orders, Georgia state forms, dealer packs and lot supplies are available from the GIADA store.