How to get a dealer license in Nebraska

Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-1401.26 defines a motor vehicle dealer as 'any person, other than a bona fide consumer, actively and regularly engaged in the act of selling, leasing for a period of thirty or more days, or exchanging new or used motor vehicles.' The section sets no minimum number of sales. The Board licenses dealers under the Motor Vehicle Industry Regulation Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-1401 to 60-1441). The DMV says any consumer who transfers a vehicle must first title and register it in their own name and pay sales tax, and that failing to do so is a Class IV felony. Licensed dealers are exempt from that rule.

• Combination dealer license for new vehicles (franchised dealer): Dealers selling new vehicles. The combination license covers new and used motor vehicles, motorcycles and trailers, but new vehicle dealers must include their franchise agreement with the application.
• Trailer-only dealer license: Dealers who sell only trailers. They are exempt from the auto liability insurance and dealer education requirements.
• Motorcycle-only dealer license: Dealers who sell only motorcycles.
• Motor vehicle auction dealer license: Auto auctions. They file a $100,000 bond instead of the $50,000 dealer bond.
• Wrecker or salvage dealer license: Businesses that buy vehicles to dismantle them and sell the parts, or to sell them as scrap.
• Supplemental motor vehicle dealer license: Licensed dealers adding a location. The Board's forms page offers a Supplement Location application for motor vehicle or trailer dealers.
• Dealer's agent license: A person who acts as a buying agent for one or more motor vehicle, motorcycle or trailer dealers (Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-1401.11).
• Special event permit: Licensed Nebraska dealers who want to display and sell at a community event approved by the Board. Otherwise dealers may sell only at their licensed place of business.

Surety bond. A $50,000 corporate surety bond for motor vehicle, trailer and motorcycle dealers, on the form approved by the Nebraska Attorney General and signed by a Nebraska registered agent (Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-1419(2)). Auction dealers need a $100,000 bond. The bond is filed with the first application and again with every renewal, and it must reflect the dealership's ownership (owner, partnership, corporation or LLC). The Board says the bond does not need to be notarized.

Insurance. Dealers file a certificate of automobile liability insurance from a carrier authorized in Nebraska, in the exact dealership name and address. It must show 'any auto' or 'all owned autos', at least $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident and $25,000 property damage per accident, and the Board as certificate holder. Trailer-only dealers are exempt. The dealership must also file a workers' compensation insurance certificate or a workers' compensation waiver. At renewal, coverage must start on or before January 1.

Place of business. The location must meet local zoning, shown by a zoning permit or a letter from the zoning authority, and have one contiguous area to display ten or more motor vehicles, motorcycles or trailers. The sign must be permanent, visible from the main avenue of traffic, and show the dealership name in letters at least 8 inches high. The dealership needs a working landline listed with Directory Assistance in its exact name, and it must be open 40 hours a week, at least 20 of them between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., with hours posted. If you lease, the lease must run through December 31. You need your own service facility or a Service Agreement with a business in the same county. A Board investigator inspects the site before the license is approved.

Background check. Applicants with an unpardoned felony, a misdemeanor involving fraud or conversion, a civil judgment involving fraud, misrepresentation or conversion, or pending felony charges must submit a background report and interview with a Board investigator. We found no fingerprint requirement in Board materials. Individual applicants must include their Social Security number (Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-1411.01).

Pre-license education. Required (8 hours). Approved courses and details.

1. If the business is a corporation or LLC, register it with the Nebraska Secretary of State.
2. Unless you will be a franchised or trailer-only dealer, complete 8 hours of Board-approved dealer education within the 12 months before you apply.
3. Set up a zoned location with a display area for ten or more vehicles, a permanent sign with 8-inch letters, a listed landline and at least 40 posted hours a week.
4. Arrange your own service facility or a Service Agreement with a business in your county.
5. Get a $50,000 surety bond signed by a Nebraska registered agent, an auto liability insurance certificate, and workers' compensation proof or a waiver.
6. Apply online through the Board's portal, upload the documents, zoning letter, lease and photos of the business and sign, and pay the fee.
7. Pass the site inspection by a Board investigator, then take the Treasurer's Certificate to your County Treasurer for dealer plates.

Official forms:

• Dealer License Application (online portal)
• Instructions for Dealer License Application (revised 01/2026)
• Motor Vehicle, Trailer or Motorcycle Dealer Bond, $50,000
• Auction Dealer Bond, $100,000
• Bond Instructions
• Certificate of Insurance Instructions and Sample
• Service Agreement and Workers Compensation Waiver (online portal)

No. Every Nebraska dealer location needs one contiguous area that can display ten or more vehicles, motorcycles or trailers, plus a permanent sign with 8-inch letters, a listed landline and 40 posted business hours a week.

The Board licenses auto auctions as motor vehicle auction dealers, which need a $100,000 bond. AuctionACCESS (auctionaccess.com), which provides credentials for over 400 auction marketplaces and online channels across North America, limits membership to licensed vehicle dealers and their authorized representatives, so a dealer license is needed to buy at dealer-only auctions.

All licenses expire December 31 and are renewed every year online. The Board emails licensees on October 1 when renewal opens. Combination dealers report vehicles sold from October 1 to September 30 and submit a new bond, an insurance certificate, continuing education certificates and, if eligible, a workers' compensation waiver. The Board's renewals page says non-franchise dealers need 4 hours of continuing education dated within the prior 12 months. The Board then mails the new license and a Treasurer's Certificate for dealer plates.

This is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm the details with the Nebraska Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board before you apply. Last verified October 20, 2026.

Planning the business side too? Read how to start a car dealership. Used cars you offer for sale need an FTC Buyers Guide in the window. Selling your own car instead? See how to sell a car in Nebraska.