Important: Read about new rules regarding dealer record keeping. [1]
To register as a retail dealer licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles in New York State
You can also call the Office of Vehicle Safety and Clean Air at 1-518-474-4653 to get the forms, or call 1-518-474-0919 to get more information.
You must submit
If you do not have your Certificate of Authority, do not submit an application with DMV yet!
The Certificate of Authority and Sales Tax ID number are issued by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (DTF). You may apply by visiting the NY State DTF website [6]. Be sure to record your Sales Tax ID on the Original Facility Application.
If you do not have your Proof of Business Name, do not submit an application with DMV yet!
Corporations and LLCs: You must submit a copy of your Filing Receipt from the Department of State. Instructions to file can be found on the NY State Department of State website [9].
Partnerships and Individuals Using an Assumed Name: You must submit a copy of your “Business Certificate of Assumed Name”. Contact your county clerk to obtain your business certificate.
If you do not have your proof of Workers Compensation Insurance, do not submit an application with DMV yet!
If you have any employees (family included) you must submit proof of Workers Compensation Insurance. You can visit the NY State Workers Compensation Board website [8] for instructions on this process. If you do not have any employees, indicate that on your application.
If you do not have your Surety Bond, do not submit an application with DMV yet!
DMV does not provide Surety Bonds; you must contact a surety insurance company and have them fill out the Dealer Bond Under NY State Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 415 (6-B) (pdf) [5] (VS-3). Be sure that the business name and mailing address on your bond exactly matches those that show on your application.
The amount of the bond depends on the number of vehicles you anticipate selling (used motor vehicle dealers):
Vehicles Sold in Calendar Year | Bond Amount |
---|---|
50 or fewer | $20,000 |
More than 50 | $100,000 |
Franchised dealers selling cars, SUVs, light trucks, etc. * Dealers selling only trailers, motorcycles, vehicles over 10,000 pounds, ATVs, boats, snowmobiles are exempt from the bond requirements. | $50,000 |
You must submit a hard copy of your application, associated documents and fee to this address
NYS DMV
Bureau of Consumer & Facility Services
Application Unit
P.O. Box 2700
Albany, NY 12220-0700
You will be contacted by a clerk from Vehicle Safety’s Application Processing Unit.
Once your application is reviewed for completeness at our Albany office, it will be sent to a regional office for review. They will contact you to schedule an on-site investigation.
When the automotive facilities inspector (AFI) arrives to inspect your facility, they will be checking that you have the following items
In addition to the supplies listed above, the AFI will examine your location for these characteristics
If approved, the DMV will issue you a certificate of registration, MV-50s (Retail Certificates of Sale) and a dealer plate letter (if applicable).
DMV does not provide official dealer signs. You may purchase these signs from various sign shops and automotive supply stores.
Your sign needs
All forms must comply with current Regulations for Motor Vehicle Dealers and Transporters (pdf) [2] (CR-78).
These items may be purchased through these vendors2
DMV does not provide Surety Bonds, you must contact a surety insurance company and have them fill out Dealer Bond Under NY State Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 415 (6-B) (pdf) [5] (VS-3) . Be sure that the business name and mailing address on your bond exactly matches those that show on your application.
The amount of the bond depends on the number of vehicles you anticipate selling (used motor vehicle dealers)
Vehicles Sold in Calendar Year | Bond Amount |
---|---|
50 or fewer | $20,000 |
More than 50 | $100,000 |
Franchised dealers selling cars, SUVs, light trucks, etc. * Dealers selling only trailers, motorcycles, vehicles over 10,000 pounds, ATVs, boats, snowmobiles are exempt from the bond requirements. | $50,000 |
To apply for a snowmobile dealer business certificate you must use form Application for a Snowmobile Dealer Registration (pdf) [17] (RV-253).