This guide is for educational purposes only and represents professional experience within California's dealer-licensing process. It is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Always verify details with the California DMV Occupational Licensing Division and your city's business-license department.
All applications are filed through the DMV Occupational Licensing Portal (OL Portal) at https://ol.dmv.ca.gov. Paper packets are no longer accepted.
Choose from:
Selecting correctly ensures the DMV prompts you for the right bond, photos, and forms.
The DMV generates a personalized digital checklist for your license type. Download or print it so you can track progress as you upload files.
The Live Scan process is how the DMV and Department of Justice verify that every owner/officer meets the legal standards to hold a dealer license.
Results are sent directly from DOJ to DMV — you cannot upload them yourself, but the receipt proves you completed the process.
Complete this digital form in the portal for every owner/officer. Disclose prior licenses, bankruptcies, or criminal charges honestly. The DMV cross-checks answers with your Live Scan results; discrepancies slow processing.
Enter your official business address (must match lease, bond, insurance). Add your primary bank name — needed for sales-tax and registration verification.
Request your initial dealer plates:
You can request extras after approval.
You are personally responsible for confirming that your location is zoned for vehicle sales. The DMV no longer requires a signed zoning letter — but your city or county business-license department will verify zoning as part of your business-license application.
Pro Tip: Apply for your business license immediately after signing your lease. Most cities automatically route your request through zoning review, saving you from delays later when DMV confirms your address. If the property is not correctly zoned, your business-license office will notify you before the DMV ever sees your application — giving you a chance to fix it early.
Upload your $50,000 dealer bond (or $10,000 for motorcycle dealers). Ensure the business name and address match your application exactly.
Preferred Provider: Magic 98 Insurance — ask for Mike Gonzalez and mention Garrett from California Dealer Academy for dealer-specific bond support.
Apply online at cdtfa.ca.gov. Upload your Seller's Permit PDF to the portal.
If your public name differs from your LLC or Corp name, file a DBA with your county and upload the recorded copy.
Provide clear photos of:
Label each photo clearly before uploading.
This form is required for all dealer license applicants.
The ADM 9050 legally authorizes the DMV Director to receive legal service of process on your behalf for any civil actions related to your dealership license.
Complete your 6-hour DMV-approved dealer education course and upload your certificate.
California Dealer Academy is a DMV-approved provider with a 100% student pass rate.
After uploading your education certificate, schedule your 40-question exam through the portal. You must score at least 70%. If you don't pass on the first try, you can retake after a short waiting period.
Use your dashboard to monitor:
You'll see status updates for Live Scan results and document reviews in real time.
If anything is missing or mismatched, the DMV will flag your file with a "Hold."
Fix the highlighted section and resubmit — your application returns to active review instantly.
After your application passes review, the DMV will schedule an on-site inspection through the portal.
Bring a binder with printed copies of all uploaded documents for reference. Most inspections take 30–60 minutes.
After successful inspection:
Typical timeline: 6–10 weeks from start to approval if your application is error-free.
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Applying online is simpler than ever — if you understand each step. California Dealer Academy helps you complete your digital application, finish Live Scan correctly, and pass inspection the first time.
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