Dealer Surety Bond by State

A surety bond is required before any state issues a motor vehicle dealer license. The required bond amount, which license types must file, the annual premium cost based on your credit, and how claims against the bond work all vary by state. Select your state for the exact requirements.

Featured States

California Texas Florida New York Ohio

Find Your State

What Every Dealer Surety Bond State Page Covers

Required bond amount and which dealer license types must file
Approved bond providers and the DMV-required bond form number
Annual premium cost range and how personal credit affects the rate
How a buyer or the state files a claim against the bond
Penalties for operating a dealership without a valid surety bond

Trusted by private vehicle sellers nationwide

45% faster sale

Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.

Source: Experian / AutoCheck

$4,000 avg loss

NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.

Source: NHTSA

17.5M private sales/yr

About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.

Source: Cox Automotive 2024

1 in 3 buyers

Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.

Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)

$60–$85 mobile notary

Mobile notaries often charge $60 to $85 a visit, more on weekends, plus travel fees. Most states do not require a notary for a vehicle bill of sale. Check your state guide to see if yours does.

Source: Thumbtack / NNA