Application instructions

Retail dealer license application instructions

Print these instructions for easy reference while you complete each form. For a list of license requirements and links to download license application forms see retail dealer license.

You will need these dealer license application forms:

Motor vehicle dealer two year license application (MV2186)

  1. Complete two copies of form (MV2186), pages 1 and 2.
  2. Legal name means your legal business name as it will appear on your license certificate.
  3. Trade name or DBA (Doing Business As) means a name your business is known by that is not your corporate or legal name. For example, Smith Automotive, Inc. DBA/John's Used Cars.
  4. If you are incorporated or organized as a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) in the state of Wisconsin, fill in the date of incorporation or organization under "Date Licensed in Wisconsin." (If you are incorporated or organized in another state or country, fill in the state or country your company is licensed in under "State of Incorporation or Organization.")
  5. If you will be selling new vehicles, list the makes in the space provided and include a manufacturer's certificate of appointment (franchise agreement) for each make. You may submit your franchise agreement on WisDOT’s Manufacturer/Importer/Distributor Certification of Dealer form (MV2131) or on a similar form provided by the manufacturer.
  6. A branch sales location is a secondary location within the same municipality which has the facilities to operate independently from the main business location.
  7. A sublot is a secondary location in the same municipality which lacks indoor display and service facilities. Only used vehicles may be sold from a sublot.
  8. Answer all yes/no questions.
  9. If you don't own and operate your own service facility, complete the Motor Vehicle Dealer Service Agreement form (MV2085).
  10. If the business entity (sole proprietor, one of the partners in a partnership, corporation or LLC) doesn't own the business real estate, submit a copy of your lease.
  11. A sales tax seller permit is required. To obtain one, contact the Department of Revenue at (608) 266-2776 or on their website under sales and use tax.
  12. Remember to sign and date the dealer license application.
  13. Zoning and local permit approval must be signed on page two of the dealer license application. All applicants must have a local official complete Section A. If the business is located in a township, also have a county official complete Section B for county zoning approval.
  14. Provide directions to your business if the address on the form doesn't include a street name and number.

Entity/owner statement (MV2844)

Complete one copy of the Entity/Owner Statement (MV2844) for each person named on the dealer license application as an owner; partner; corporate officer or shareholder of the corporation; association member; or LLC member or manager. Be sure to fill the form out completely and answer all questions. You may use the back of the form if additional space is needed.

Business facilities statement (MV3180)

Form MV3180 - Fill out your business name and address. Check the box beside each item that applies to your location. Be sure to sign and date the bottom of the form.

$50,000 surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit

A Dealer Bond form (MV2511) is the only acceptable bond form you may submit to show that you have secured a bond. If you will be submitting an irrevocable letter of credit instead of a bond, your bank may complete the WisDOT Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Irrevocable Letter of Credit form (MV1046). For a list of insurance companies accepting applications for bonds, see Insurance companies that accept applications for bonds. The bond or letter of credit must be in force for the entire two-year license period. You'll need to keep the bond or letter of credit in force to renew your dealer license. If your bond or letter of credit expires or is canceled, WisDOT is required to suspend or revoke your dealer license unless a new bond or letter of credit is submitted on or before the date of expiration or cancellation.

Salesperson license application (MV2184)

Form MV2184 - Anyone who will be making out or approving retail sale contracts must have a salesperson license. Each dealership must have at least one licensed salesperson. "Salesperson" includes sales representatives, sales managers and general managers. Salesperson license applicants who have not been licensed as a salesperson in the last five years must pass a written exam. The exams are given at any DMV service center. If you need to take the exam, take your application form to the exam station. The $8 license fee and $5 exam fee will be collected by the examiner. Your exam results and application will be sent to WisDOT by the exam station. You can speed up the process by sending us a copy of your receipt from the exam station with your completed dealer license application packet. For more information on the salesperson license and exam see salesperson license.

Buyer's License Application (MV2941)

Form MV2941 - Motor vehicle dealers who employ or contract with individuals to buy motor vehicles held by wholesale auctions or other deale​rs on their behalf must apply for a Buyer's License. Buyer's Licenses are optional; you are not required to have one as a condition of being a licensed dealer.

Salvage Buyer Identification (BID) Card Application (MV2651)

Form MV2651 - Motor vehicle dealers are eligible to have Salvage Buyer identification (BID) cards for themselves and their employees. BID cards are optional; you are not required to have one as a condition of being a licensed dealer. If you wish to bid on vehicles offered for sale at salvage pools, you will need a BID card to do so.

Motor vehicle dealer service agreement (MV2085)

Form MV2085 - If you don't have your own service department, complete the service agreement form with a nearby service facility. Disregard this form if you do have your own service department.

Lease

If the business entity (sole proprietor, one partner in a partnership, corporation or LLC) doesn't own the business real estate, submit a copy of your lease. The lease must name the business entity as lessee (tenant) and it must be valid at least through the two-year licensing period.

Fees

See the Motor Vehicle Dealer Two Year License Application form MV2186 for the correct fee amounts. You will need to write two checks--one payable to the Department of Financial Institutions for the dealer finance license and one payable to Registration Fee Trust for dealer and salesperson licenses and plates. The minimum you are required to pay includes the dealer license, at least one salesperson license, and at least two dealer license plates. Additional plates are available at $10 each.

Department of Financial Institutions

Motor vehicle dealer licensing law requires all motor vehicle and recreational vehicle dealers to pay a two-year fee of $20 to the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) for processing a dealer license. This fee is not refundable. If the dealership will have any involvement in originating finance transactions or consumer leases, whether you retain them or immediately assign them to a financial institution, the two-year fee is $100 for a dealer finance license.

The dealer finance license allows you to originate installment contracts and/or consumer leases and carry an amount financed up to a total of $100,000. If you do originate and carry sales finance contracts and/or consumer leases, you may want to contact DFI's Division of Banking to be sure you understand consumer credit and leasing laws. To get a copy of the laws or discuss any questions or problems you might have with the dealer finance license or consumer credit law, call DFI's Division of Banking at (608) 261-7578.

Before mailing your application materials

Check to be sure that:

  • Two copies of the Motor Vehicle Dealer Two Year License Application form (MV2186) are completely filled in, signed and dated.
  • The original $50,000 Dealer Bond form (MV2511) or Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Irrevocable Letter of Credit form (MV1046) is enclosed.
  • An Entity/Owner Statement (MV2844) is completed and enclosed for each individual with an ownership interest.
  • The Business Facilities Statement (MV3180) is completed and enclosed.
  • You've enclosed at least one completed Salesperson/Representative Application form (MV2184) OR a copy of the fee receipt if the exam was required. (The exam station will forward the salesperson application to WisDOT.)
  • You completed and enclosed a Motor Vehicle Dealer Service Agreement (MV2085) if you don't own and operate your own service department.
  • A copy of valid lease for the business real estate during the licensing period unless the license applicant owns it.
  • Two fee checks are enclosed; one payable to the Department of Financial Institutions and one payable to Registration Fee Trust.

What happens next?

The WisDOT Dealer Section will review your application for completeness, and conduct any necessary background investigations. WisDOT will contact you by letter or phone if we need more information to complete your application. Your license will be delayed if we have to return something to you or contact you for more information.

As soon as the information is reviewed, you'll receive your dealer and salesperson licenses, dealer plates, and a resource guide to teach you about the rules and regulations for motor vehicle dealers.

Consider registering for an upcoming dealer training course as well. All new dealer applicants are encouraged to attend.

Apply by mail only - mail all original signed application forms to the following address:

Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation
Dealer and Agent Section
PO Box 7909
Madison, WI 53707-7909

Make your check payable to Registration Fee Trust.

Questions?

Email Wisconsin DMV email service