South Carolina Motor Vehicle Industry Bonds

**As of Jan 1 2024, SCDMV has increased the bond requirements as listed below.  If your bond renews prior to Jan 1 2024, please complete the application then call our office to adjust the bond amount accordingly - 800-737-4880**


The South Carolina DMV issues several types of licenses for the buying, selling, and trading of motor vehicles, recreational vehicles and motorcycles. The type of business that you wish to operate will determine the type of license and the specific surety bond that is required. 

These licenses require a $50,000 Motor Vehicle Dealer License Surety Bond

  • Motor Vehicle Dealer license: Allows the licensee to sell, retail or wholesale, motor vehicles which may be sold to the general public and any other dealer or wholesaler. 
  • Motor Vehicle Wholesaler license: Wholesalers are limited to selling vehicles to other licensed motor vehicle dealers or other licensed wholesalers. 
  • Recreational Vehicle Dealer license: Allows the licensee to sell, retail or wholesale, RVs.  Motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, or folding camping trailers which are designed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use are considered to be Recreational Vehicles.

These licenses require a $25,000 Motor Vehicle Dealer License Surety Bond

  • Motorcycle Dealer license: Allows the licensee to sell, retail or wholesale, motorcycles to the general public and any other dealer or wholesaler.
  • Motorcycle Wholesaler license: Allows Licensee to sell motorcycles to other licensed motorcycle dealers or other licensed motorcycle wholesalers.

This license requires a $15,000 Motor Vehicle Dealer License surety Bond

  • Motor Vehicle Wholesale Auction license: Allows the licensee to conduct a motor vehicle auction at the licensees place of business.  The wholesale auction license permits the licensee to provide a building or place to conduct the auction.

Each motor vehicle industry license is valid for 12 months and applies to only one dealer at one business location, furthermore, the license is not transferable to any other dealer or location. 


How do I get a Motor Vehicle Dealer license bond for the state of South Carolina?

Simply complete our online application and our staff will respond with your quote and approval. You will need to have the business information and personal information for all owners of the business in order to complete the application.  If you need any assistance, please call and one of our staff will be glad to assist! 

What does a South Carolina  Motor Vehicle Dealer surety bond cost ?

Since surety bonds are based upon personal credit, your bond cost will be directly affected by the personal credit of the business owners.  The base rate for these particular bonds is typically 1% of the bond amount required for accounts that have qualifying credit, 


Additional information on the licensing process can be found at SCDMV Online Dealer License website  or by reviewing the Licensing of Retail and Wholesale Dealers and Wholesale Motor Vehicle Auctions (SCDMV Procedure DE-004)

The Application for a Dealer or Wholesaler License (SCDMV Form DLA-1) is the basic application for your dealer or wholesaler license. You must indicate the type of business you intend to operate, the address of your dealership, and provide information regarding your employees on this application. You must include estimates on the number of vehicles you expect to sell during your first year in business.





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