How to get a dealer license in Wyoming

WYDOT says any person engaged in the business of selling or exchanging three or more vehicles in Wyoming in any consecutive 12-month period must get a Wyoming Vehicle Dealer License (W.S. 31-16-103). The statute's dealer definition also covers anyone who buys and sells or exchanges six or more new vehicles over 26,000 lbs GVWR in 12 consecutive months (W.S. 31-16-101(a)(xviii)). No one but a licensed dealer may display a vehicle for sale unless the title is in the displayer's name (W.S. 31-16-102).

• Used Vehicle Dealer (12 or more retail sales a year): Selling or exchanging used vehicles at retail. Needs a principal place of business with display space for at least five vehicles. $100 a year.
• Used Vehicle Dealer (fewer than 12 retail sales a year): Smaller used dealers. Needs a permanent commercial building with a sign showing the business phone number, but no display space. $25 a year, one demo plate and no full use plates.
• New Vehicle Dealer: Selling new vehicles, or new and used, under a franchise or sales and service agreement with the manufacturer. Franchise papers go with the application.
• Wyoming Based Manufacturer: Manufacturing, building or assembling new vehicles in Wyoming and selling them. Needs city or county approval to manufacture at the location. $100 a year.
• Direct Sale Manufacturer: A manufacturer of new vehicles that sells and services its own line make to the public at a facility in Wyoming. Granted only for a line make that no other Wyoming new vehicle dealer sells.
• Motor Vehicle Manufacturer's License: Out-of-state manufacturers constructing or assembling motor vehicles of a type subject to registration in Wyoming.
• Dealer license for repossessors and lenders: Repossession businesses that repossessed at least 12 vehicles in the past 12 full months, and banks or lenders that make loans secured by vehicles. Repossessors need not have a principal place of business.
• Temporary 90-day vehicle dealer permit: Lets an applicant operate for up to 90 days while WYDOT completes its investigation of the application.
• Temporary recreational vehicle display and sales permit: Out-of-state recreational vehicle dealers not licensed in Wyoming who want to display and sell RVs at an event. $500 fee, apply at least 90 days ahead.

Surety bond. $25,000 for every dealer class, from a corporate surety licensed in Wyoming, on WYDOT's Vehicle Dealer Bond form (MV-424) approved as to form by the attorney general. It guarantees return of the license, dealer plates and temporary permits, and is conditioned that the dealer will not commit fraud or violate laws on the conduct of the business. New applicants must wait until WYDOT approves the application before having the bond executed. A new one-year bond is filed with each annual application (no continuation certificates), signatures must be notarized, and the principal's name must match the Secretary of State record exactly. The license dates match the bond dates.

Insurance. Form MV-422 and the dealer statutes (W.S. 31-16) list no insurance requirement for the license itself. WYDOT's dealer rules (Chapter 5, Section 8(a)) require every dealer to show proof of liability insurance, as required by W.S. 31-4-103, to the county treasurer in each county where it buys demo or full use plates. W.S. 31-4-103 points to the owner's policy minimums in W.S. 31-9-405(b): $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $20,000 for property damage.

Place of business. Dealers selling 12 or more vehicles in 12 months need a site with a permanent building that is not used as, or attached to, a residence, space on or next to it to display at least five vehicles, and an exterior sign permanently attached to the building or land, with letters clearly visible from the highway, showing the nature of the business. Dealers selling fewer than 12 need a permanent commercial building in Wyoming and a sign that also shows the business phone number, with no display space required. All dealers need a dedicated business phone number (a published number for dealers selling 12 or more), books and records kept at the location, declared business hours posted there, and written zoning approval from the city or county. WYDOT's rules say the building must be roofed and walled and built for permanent use, the display space cannot be part of another business's parking lot or a roadway, and only one dealer may occupy a location. Applicants send color photos of the building, sign and display area and a copy of any lease.

Background check. Every new applicant, including each owner, partner, member or corporate officer, must pass a state and national criminal history check. Send the background check questionnaire, a color photo, two fingerprint cards (taken by local law enforcement) and a $39 fee in certified funds payable to "Attorney General - DCI" for each person. These can be sent before the application. Processing takes at least 30 days, and no license is issued until the results are reviewed. WYDOT may deny a license for a felony involving fraud, forgery, embezzlement, theft or similar crimes in the 10 years before applying, among other grounds (W.S. 31-16-103(c)).

Pre-license education. Wyoming does not require a pre-license course for this license.

1. If you are a corporation, LLC or LP, register with the Wyoming Secretary of State, and get a federal EIN.
2. Get a Wyoming Sales/Use Tax License from the Wyoming Department of Revenue.
3. Set up a principal place of business that fits your sales tier and get written zoning approval from the city or county.
4. Send each owner's background check questionnaire, color photo, two fingerprint cards taken by local law enforcement, and $39 fee payable to Attorney General - DCI.
5. Complete Form MV-422 with photos, lease, zoning letter, articles, EIN proof and sales tax license, and mail it with the $25 or $100 fee to WYDOT Motor Vehicle Services in Cheyenne.
6. After WYDOT approves the application, have the $25,000 bond executed on Form MV-424 with notarized signatures and file it.
7. Display your license, show proof of liability insurance to buy demo plates from your county treasurer, and buy temporary permits from Opsec Security.
8. Renew every year before the license expires with a new MV-422, a new bond and the fee.

Official forms:

• Application for Wyoming Vehicle Dealer and Manufacturer License (MV-422)
• Vehicle Dealer Bond (MV-424)
• Instructions for Executing Bonds
• Background Check Supplemental Information Questionnaire
• Requirements for New License Application (checklist)
• Requirements for Renewal Applicants (checklist)

Yes, if you sell fewer than 12 vehicles in 12 months. That license needs a permanent commercial building in Wyoming with a sign showing the business phone number, but no vehicle display space. Dealers selling 12 or more need space to display at least five vehicles.

Dealer-only auctions sell to licensed dealers, so you need a dealer license to buy there. AuctionACCESS (auctionaccess.com), which provides credentialing for over 400 auction marketplaces and online channels, limits membership to licensed, credentialed vehicle dealers and their authorized representatives.

Every year. The license is valid for one year and its dates match the bond. Before the old license expires, mail a new Form MV-422 with 12 months of actual retail sales, the fee, a new $25,000 bond and any changed documents. New owners or officers must complete the background check. If the license expires before you renew, you must surrender your dealer plates, unused temporary permit seals and license and apply again as a new applicant.

This is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm the details with the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), Motor Vehicle Services 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 Wyoming.