Georgia Used Motor Vehicle Dealer License Surety Bond: Requirements, Cost, and Online Application
Georgia used motor vehicle dealers are currently required to maintain a $50,000 surety bond as part of the state licensing process. Effective July 1, 2026, Georgia Senate Bill 293 increased the statutory bond amount from $35,000 to $50,000 under O.C.G.A. § 43-47-8(d)(1). The bond is required in connection with licensing through the Georgia State Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers and Used Motor Vehicle Parts Dealers and protects purchasers and certain successors in title against qualifying losses caused by specified dealer misconduct.
Dealers who need a new or renewal bond can complete the secure A1SuretyBonds.com online application to obtain pricing and begin the bonding process.
Apply Online for Your Georgia Used Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond
What Is a Georgia Used Motor Vehicle Dealer License Surety Bond?
The Georgia Used Motor Vehicle Dealer License Surety Bond is a license bond required of businesses licensed as used motor vehicle dealers in Georgia.
Unlike conventional business insurance, the bond primarily protects the persons identified by Georgia law rather than protecting the dealer itself. Under the current statute, the bond is payable to the Governor of Georgia for the use and benefit of purchasers of used motor vehicles and their vendees or successors in title.
There are three parties to the bond:
Principal: The licensed Georgia used motor vehicle dealer.
Obligee: The State of Georgia, with the licensing requirement administered by the Georgia State Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers and Used Motor Vehicle Parts Dealers.
Surety: The authorized surety company issuing the bond and financially backing the dealer's bonded obligations.
The bond does not mean that every dispute between a customer and dealership automatically results in a valid bond claim. Coverage is determined by the statutory obligation, the applicable bond form, the underlying transaction, and the facts of the particular claim.
Who Needs This Bond in Georgia?
A person or business seeking a Georgia Used Motor Vehicle Dealer License must satisfy Georgia's bonding requirement as part of the licensing process.
Georgia law requires the bond for each license or supplemental license associated with an established place of business. This means an additional licensed dealership location can require its own bond rather than a single bond covering every location. O.C.G.A. § 43-47-8(d)(1) expressly applies the bonding requirement to each license or supplemental license issued in connection with an established place of business.
The Georgia Secretary of State's licensing FAQ similarly states that when a dealer opens a second location under the same dealership name, each location must have its own surety bond and signed power of attorney.
Georgia separately licenses used motor vehicle parts dealers. Their statutory bond requirement is currently $10,000, so applicants should not confuse that bond with the $50,000 Used Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond.
Georgia Used Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond Amount
As of September 2026, the required Georgia used motor vehicle dealer bond amount is:
| License Type | Required Bond Amount | Notes | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Used Motor Vehicle Dealer | $50,000 | Increased from $35,000 effective July 1, 2026 | O.C.G.A. § 43-47-8(d)(1) |
| Used Motor Vehicle Parts Dealer | $10,000 | Separate license and bond requirement | O.C.G.A. § 43-47-8(d)(1) |
Georgia Senate Bill 293, signed in 2026, specifically amended the statute by replacing the former $35,000 used-dealer amount with $50,000. The amendment became effective July 1, 2026.
Important 2026 Georgia Bond Update
Some Georgia Secretary of State forms, rules, and older online documents continue to display the previous $35,000 requirement. For example, the currently accessible older application PDF and Rule 681-3-.01 still reference $35,000.
Those materials have not all been updated to reflect Senate Bill 293. The enacted statute now states $50,000, effective July 1, 2026. Applicants should therefore use the current statutory requirement and confirm that the bond form being issued reflects the Board's current filing requirements.
Legal Authority and Licensing Agency
The primary statutory authority is:
O.C.G.A. § 43-47-8(d)(1)
The law requires a used motor vehicle dealer, for each applicable license or supplemental license connected with an established place of business, to post a surety bond issued by a surety company authorized to do business in Georgia.
The licensing authority is the:
Georgia State Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers and Used Motor Vehicle Parts Dealers
The Board operates through the Georgia Secretary of State's Professional Licensing Boards Division.
Under the amended statute, the bond is filed with the division director prior to or immediately upon the granting of the license and must be acceptable as to both form and the solvency of the surety.
The Secretary of State's current licensing guide also identifies a Surety Bond with Power of Attorney as a required part of the used motor vehicle dealer application package.
What Does the Georgia Used Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond Cover?
Georgia law defines the bond's protection more specifically than simply saying it guarantees that the dealer will "follow all laws."
The bond is intended for the benefit of purchasers of used motor vehicles and their vendees or successors in title. It is conditioned to cover qualifying losses, damages, and expenses caused by:
Misrepresentation;
Deceptive practices;
Unfair practices; or
Breach of warranty relating to a used motor vehicle.
These protections are stated directly in O.C.G.A. § 43-47-8(d)(1).
A bond claim is not the same thing as making a claim under ordinary insurance. If the surety pays a valid claim under the dealer bond, the bonded dealer may be legally responsible for reimbursing the surety for the amount paid and related expenses, subject to the applicable surety agreement and law.
The Georgia Secretary of State also allows qualifying consumers to request information concerning a dealer's bond when pursuing a claim.
How Much Does a Georgia Used Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond Cost?
The $50,000 bond amount is not the amount the dealer normally pays.
The bond amount represents the maximum penal sum of the surety bond. The premium is the price paid to obtain the bond.
A1SuretyBonds.com pricing will depend on the underwriting program available for the applicant. Because no fixed A1SuretyBonds.com premium has been specified for this page, applicants should complete the secure online application to receive current pricing.
Factors that may affect the premium include:
Personal credit history of the business owner(s)
Bankruptcy, tax lien, judgment, or collection history
Prior bond claims
Length of time in business
Applicants with strong credit will generally qualify for more favorable rates than applicants presenting higher underwriting risk. Typically the bond premium for a 2 year bond term for a qualifying account is $438.00
Bond amount: $50,000
Premium: The amount you actually pay to purchase the bond.
Completing the online application allows A1SuretyBonds.com to determine the applicable rate and available surety program.
Apply for a Georgia Used Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond
How to Get a Georgia Used Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond
The bonding process can generally be completed in six steps:
Confirm your licensing requirement.
Determine that you are applying for or renewing a Georgia Used Motor Vehicle Dealer License and identify every licensed location requiring a bond.Complete the secure online bond application.
Provide the dealer and ownership information requested by A1SuretyBonds.com.Receive your approval and premium.
Underwriting requirements vary depending on the surety program and applicant qualifications.Purchase the bond.
Once the quote is accepted and payment is completed, the bond can be prepared.Receive the executed bond and required surety documentation.
Georgia licensing materials require the bond to be accompanied by the surety's power of attorney.File the bond as part of your Georgia licensing or renewal process.
Follow the current Georgia Secretary of State filing instructions for your application type.
Apply for a Georgia Used Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond
Filing and Renewal Requirements
Georgia's used motor vehicle dealer licenses operate on a biennial licensing cycle.
The Georgia Secretary of State states that renewal is required every two years, and current agency guidance identifies September 30 of even-numbered years as the applicable expiration/renewal date.
Georgia issued a memorandum to bond providers in 2022 specifically changing the used motor vehicle dealer expiration date from March 31 to September 30 of even-numbered years.
Older Georgia application instructions state that the bond:
Must expire September 30 of an even-numbered year;
Must show the exact licensed business name;
Must be signed;
Must include the surety power of attorney; and
Requires a separate bond for each licensed location.
Because that application document still references the former $35,000 bond amount, applicants should rely on current law for the $50,000 amount while following the Board's current instructions regarding execution and filing.
Georgia Used Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond vs. General Motor Vehicle Dealer Bonds
Dealer bond requirements are established on a state-by-state basis. Bond amounts, obligees, bond forms, cancellation provisions, licensing agencies, and expiration dates can differ significantly.
Georgia's current requirement is particularly important because the bond amount changed from $35,000 to $50,000 on July 1, 2026.
Dealers operating in other states should not assume Georgia's requirements apply elsewhere.
Learn more about motor vehicle dealer bond requirements by state.
Why Apply Through A1SuretyBonds.com?
A1SuretyBonds.com helps businesses obtain license and permit surety bonds throughout the United States, including Georgia dealer bonds.
Applicants can benefit from:
A secure online application;
Access to established surety markets;
Assistance identifying state-specific bond requirements;
Efficient processing of license and permit bond applications;
Experience with motor vehicle dealer surety bonds; and
Practical assistance with bond execution and filing requirements;
No hidden or additional fees.
Because dealer bonds are regulated products, the correct bond amount, principal name, obligee, bond form, and effective dates all matter. Working with a surety bond agency familiar with licensing requirements can help prevent avoidable filing problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Georgia Used Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond?
The current statutory bond amount is $50,000. Senate Bill 293 increased the amount from $35,000 to $50,000 effective July 1, 2026.
Why do some Georgia websites and forms still say $35,000?
Several Georgia Secretary of State forms and administrative-rule pages have not yet been updated to reflect the 2026 statutory amendment. The enacted version of O.C.G.A. § 43-47-8(d)(1) establishes the current amount as $50,000.
Is the $50,000 bond amount what I have to pay?
No. The $50,000 amount is the bond's required penal sum. Your premium is the price charged by the surety for issuing the bond and is generally only a percentage of the bond amount.
Does every Georgia dealership location need its own bond?
Generally, yes. Georgia law requires a bond for each license or supplemental license issued in connection with an established place of business. The Secretary of State also states that additional licensed locations require separate bonds.
When does the Georgia used motor vehicle dealer bond expire?
Georgia uses a September 30 expiration date in even-numbered years for the used motor vehicle dealer licensing cycle. The state formally changed the expiration date from March 31 to September 30 beginning with the newer licensing cycle.
What happens if my bond is cancelled?
Georgia requires at least 30 days' written notice to the Board before cancellation initiated by the licensee. If a cancelled bond is not replaced within 10 days after the cancellation becomes effective, the Board may revoke the dealer's license.
Is a dealer bond the same as business insurance?
No. Liability insurance generally protects the insured business against covered risks. A dealer surety bond primarily guarantees obligations owed by the dealer to persons protected under the statute. If the surety pays a valid bond claim, the dealer may be responsible for reimbursing the surety.
Can I apply for my Georgia dealer bond online?
Yes. Dealers can submit a secure application through A1SuretyBonds.com to receive underwriting and pricing for the required Georgia Used Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond.
Apply for Your Georgia Used Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond Online
Georgia used motor vehicle dealers must meet the state's current $50,000 bonding requirement when applicable to their licensing or renewal transaction.
A1SuretyBonds.com can help you obtain the required dealer bond and provide the properly executed surety documentation needed for your licensing process.
Apply Online for Your Georgia Used Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond
Parent category:
Motor Vehicle Dealer Surety Bonds
Online application:
Apply for a Georgia Used Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond
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Georgia Tag Agents License Surety Bond
Georgia Used Motor Vehicle Parts Dealer License Surety Bond