Welcome to the California Dealer Playbook. This is your field manual for launching and running a successful dealership in California. Inside, you'll find step-by-step licensing guides, compliance checklists, a full directory of California dealer auctions, local city resource pages, DMV-approved education, and practical growth tools. Use this page as your map. When you're ready, follow the links to go deeper on any topic—or book time with our team to get hands-on help with paperwork, location compliance, bond and insurance placement, auction access, and inspection prep.
Becoming a dealer in California follows a predictable path: choose the right license, complete education, form your business, secure a compliant location, obtain your bond and insurance, submit a clean DMV application, pass inspection, and enroll with auctions. The Playbook walks you through every step, then helps you run smarter once you're live—pricing, sourcing, marketing, and operations. Each section below summarizes what you'll find and where to go next.
If you're just starting, begin with licensing. We explain each license type—retail, wholesale, broker endorsement, motorcycle, dismantler—so you can choose the right path. Then we break down education requirements, business formation basics, location and signage rules, bond and insurance, DMV forms, timelines, and inspection expectations. You'll also see common pitfalls to avoid and downloadable checklists you can use to stay organized.
Protect your license from day one. This section outlines the rules that matter most in California: bond renewals, insurance coverage, required postings and disclosures, advertising with your dealer number, record-keeping, deal jackets, and continuing education. You'll learn what to track, when to renew, and how to pass an audit if you're ever reviewed.
Dealer auctions are where you'll find margin. Auction Guru is your directory for California's major auction networks with clear, practical instructions for registration and access: CarMax, Manheim, Copart, IAA, ADESA, ACV, and key independents. Each profile covers accepted license types, how to sign up, typical inventory and fees, buying strategy, condition reports, and transport planning. New to auctions? Start with our prep checklist and lane strategy tips, then branch into the specific networks you plan to use.
Zoning, signage enforcement, and inspection logistics vary by location. These city pages collect what you need for your area—local DMV and Occupational Licensing contacts, relevant city or county zoning portals, nearby auctions, and vendor partners who understand dealer requirements. Use these to plan your location search, confirm display area and signage rules, and find local service providers.
If you want expert support to move faster and avoid mistakes, our Deluxe Dealer Package walks you step-by-step from idea to inspection. We help you choose and form your entity, place your bond and insurance, select a compliant location, assemble and submit a clean DMV application, prep for inspection, and enroll with the auctions you plan to use. Many dealers choose this done-with-you approach to save time and reduce risk in their first year.
Dealer education is more than a requirement—it's how you run a compliant, profitable operation. Our DMV-approved pre-licensing and renewal courses combine self-paced modules with live instruction and Q&A so you understand the "why" behind each rule. You'll also find webinars on auctions, sourcing, reconditioning, pricing, and digital retail. If you've been putting off education, start here and get your certificate on file before your application.
Once you're licensed and live, focus on speed to margin and consistency. The growth tools section covers practical topics like sourcing below wholesale, reading and trusting condition reports, bidding discipline, transport math, reconditioning workflow, photo standards, pricing strategy with market data, online listing quality, lead handling, reviews, and basic bookkeeping and tax considerations for California. Each guide is written to be implement-today practical and links to companion templates and calculators.
Common questions about California dealer licensing, inspection, auctions, and renewals including: Do I need a lot for retail? How long does licensing take? What size bond do I need? Can I buy at Manheim or Copart with a wholesale license? What should my sign look like? How do DMV inspections work?
To make setup faster, we provide ready-to-use resources you can download and customize: dealer license checklist, sample DMV application packet, inspection readiness checklist, auction day checklist, startup budget template, and a simple bond cost estimator. Use them to organize your documents, prep your location, and save time on your first applications and purchases.
New dealers who want a clear path to approval. Wholesale and retail operators who need to understand inspection and compliance. Brokers looking to add structure to their client process. Salvage buyers entering Copart or IAA. Existing dealers who want to improve sourcing, pricing, and marketing. If you need a single source of truth for California rules, forms, and auction access, you're in the right place.
Skim the sections to find your current step. Click into the detailed guide for that topic. Download the checklist that matches where you are. If you want help, schedule a setup consultation and we'll walk you through the process and timelines based on your city and license type.
California Dealer Academy is a California-focused organization dedicated to training, licensing support, and dealer success. Our courses are DMV-approved, and our setup team works with new and experienced dealers across the state. We stay current on inspection expectations, location compliance, and auction enrollment requirements so you can avoid roadblocks and move forward confidently.
Get licensed the right way, the first time. Source better inventory with less risk. Build a compliant, profitable dealership you're proud to run. The California Dealer Playbook will guide you through every step—and our team is here when you want expert help.