California Dealer Academy is a California DMV-accredited dealer education provider (occupational licensing #CCC0007). We do not provide licensing education for Nevada. This page is an informational summary of Nevada's requirements, sourced from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (Nevada DMV). For approved Nevada education providers, visit https://dmv.nv.gov.
To get a dealer license in Nevada: apply through the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (Nevada DMV), choose your license type, submit a $100,000 surety bond, and pay the required fees. Nevada publishes no hour-based pre-licensing education requirement. Licenses are issued for 1-year terms.
| License | Description | Who Needs It |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Vehicle Dealer — All Other Vehicles | Licensed to buy, sell, or exchange cars, trucks, and SUVs. Requires $100,000 bond. | Standard used and new car dealers |
| Motorcycle / Off-Highway Vehicle Dealer | Licensed for motorcycles and off-highway vehicles only. Requires $50,000 bond. | Motorcycle and OHV dealers |
| Auto Broker | Arranges vehicle purchases for clients. Requires $100,000 bond (same as standard dealer). | Auto brokers |
Source: Nevada DMV
Nevada does not publish an hour-based pre-licensing education requirement for dealer applicants. NRS 482.345 governs application, bonding, and place-of-business; it does not set an hour mandate. Applicants may demonstrate experience and general knowledge through not less than 30 semester hours of approved coursework (NAC 489.310) or equivalent industry experience. Confirm current requirements directly with Nevada DMV.
Source: Nevada DMV Dealer Education
Nevada requires a $100,000 surety bond for most dealer license types. After 5+ consecutive years of clean compliance, dealers can request a 50% bond reduction ($100k → $50k, $50k → $25k). Non-payment triggers 30-day cancellation notice to DMV and license suspension.
Source: Nevada DMV Licensing Guide
| Fee | Amount | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial license fee | $125 | one-time | Confirm with Nevada DMV |
| Renewal fee | $50 | annually (due Dec 31) | Confirm with Nevada DMV |
| Fingerprint fee | $39 | per person | Confirm with Nevada DMV |
| Dealer plate fee | $16 | per plate | Confirm with Nevada DMV |
Office: Physical business location in Nevada required with display signage.
Signage: Permanent exterior sign required. Submit 2 color photos of exterior with sign.
Source: Nevada DMV Licensing Guide
Nevada dealer licenses are valid for 1 year. No continuing education is required after the initial pre-licensing course (one-time requirement).
Submit your application. Required documents typically include: proof of identity for all owners, Secretary of State business filing (if applicable), surety bond, education certificate, and proof of an established business location. Nevada dealer applications are filed through Nevada DMV's Occupational and Business Licensing (OBL) online system. Contact Occupational and Business Licensing: https://dmv.nv.gov.
Physical auctions: Nevada has a wholesale auction presence, including Manheim dealer-only auction locations serving the state (including the Las Vegas area). Bidding requires an active dealer license and standard auction credentialing (commonly via AuctionACCESS).
Digital auctions: You don't have to be near a physical auction location to source inventory. Platforms like ACV Auctions and OPENLANE are 100% online, dealer-license-only marketplaces with nationwide inventory — vehicles are professionally inspected on-site by the platform and shipped to you.
National Independent Automobile Dealers Association. Nevada has no state-specific independent dealer association, so independent dealers in the state are served directly by the national NIADA, which maintains state membership pathways. The Nevada Franchised Auto Dealers Association (NFADA) exists but represents franchised new-car dealers only.
If you're a California dealer exploring Nevada, here is how the requirements compare:
| Category | California | Nevada |
|---|---|---|
| Education | 6-hour DMV-approved course (CA CVC §11704.5) | Nevada requires pre-licensing education but specific hours are not published. California requires a fixed 6-hour DMV-approved course. |
| Bond | $50,000 per dealer (CA CVC §11710) | Nevada's standard dealer bond is $100,000 — double California's $50,000. Motorcycle/OHV dealers require $50,000, matching California's retail requirement. |
| License Term | 2-year cycle | Nevada uses continuous bonds (no expiration) with annual premiums. California bonds are term-based aligned with the license period. |
The key difference: Nevada requires a $100,000 bond for standard auto dealers — double California's $50,000. However, after 5 clean years you can reduce it by 50%. This is the highest bond in the proving set, and a genuine shock for California dealers considering Nevada expansion.
Nevada does not publish an hour-based pre-licensing education requirement. NRS 482.345 sets no hour mandate; applicants may show experience via 30 semester hours of approved coursework (NAC 489.310) or equivalent experience. Confirm current requirements directly with Nevada DMV.
The base license fee is $125. A $100,000 surety bond is required. Other costs may include business registration, office setup, and signage.
No. California Dealer Academy is not approved to provide Nevada dealer education.
If you're licensing in California, explore our complete guides:
California Dealer License Guide City-by-City Resources California Bond Requirements
Page verified 2026-08-03. Source: Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles. For the most current requirements, always consult the state agency directly.
