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Division of Motor Vehicles

Dealer Services


Used Vehicle Dealership

  1. Must complete an Application for Delaware Dealership License (Form MV29) that shall include a criminal history background check and a Signature Authorization (Form MV26) before the dealership may be approved.
  2. All corporations must be incorporated in Delaware and in good standing with the Division of Corporations. Must attach evidence of incorporation to the application.
  3. Delaware driver's license must have been issued to ALL owners at least 90 days prior to issuance of approval on the application.
  4. Must check with the Division of Motor Vehicles for availability of business name. If the name requested is already in use or close to another dealership's name, it will be necessary to choose another business name.
  5. Must have an office located on the premises with a desk and filing cabinet adequate to maintain records.
  6. Must have a sign on the premises measuring at least 24" x 36" showing the name of the business.
  7. Must have an adequate display lot large enough for a minimum of 5 vehicles.
  8. Must have a telephone installed in the office and listed in the business name. Must attach documentation to application.
  9. Must have proof of liability insurance coverage showing how many dealer tags are insured attached to the application.
  10. Contact the Planning and Zoning Office if located outside of town or city limits. If located within city or town limits, contact the office in charge of zoning for written approval. (The office is normally located in city hall. Zoning approvals are required to be submitted with the dealer application. Listed below are the addresses and telephone numbers for office in each county:
    New Castle County
    Planning & Zoning
    Dept. of Land Use
    New Castle Gov’t Ctr.
    87 Read’s Way
    Corp. Commons
    New Castle, De 19720
    Phone: 302.395.5400

    Kent County
    Planning & Zoning
    Kent County Admin Complex
    555 Bay Road
    Dover, DE 19901
    Phone: 302-760-2266

    Sussex County
    Planning & Zoning
    Sussex Co. Admin. Bldg
    2 The Circle
    PO Box 589
    Georgetown, DE 19947
    Phone: 302.855.7700
  11. Must have entrance permit from the Department of Transportation if the business is located on a state-maintained road. A copy must be attached to the Application for Delaware Dealership License.  Listed below are the addresses and telephone numbers for each county:
    New Castle County
    250 Bear-Christiana Rd
    Bear, DE 19701
    Phone: 302.326.4679

    Kent County
    930 Public Safety Blvd
    Dover, DE 19901
    Phone: 302.760.2433

    Sussex County
    23697 Dupont Hwy
    Georgetown, DE 19947
    Phone: 302.853.1340
  12. A business is only required to register with the Prothonotary's office if they are using a "doing business as" (DBA) which is a different name from the corporation. There is a filing fee. Listed below are the addresses and telephone numbers for each county:
    New Castle County
    New Castle County Courthouse
    500 North King Street
    Lower Level 1
    Wilmington, DE 19801-3349
    Phone: 302.255.0800

    Kent County
    Kent County Courthouse
    414 Federal Street
    Dover, DE 19901
    Phone: 302.735.1900

    Sussex County
    Sussex County Courthouse
    1 The Circle
    Suite 2
    Georgetown, DE 19947
    Phone: 302.855.7055
  13. Must obtain an annual business license from the Division of Revenue and a copy of the receipt must be attached to the Application for Delaware Dealership License. "A wholesale license must also be obtained before any vehicles can be sold to another dealer for resale." If the business is within city or town limits, a city business license must be obtained as well. Listed below are the addresses and telephone numbers for each county:
    New Castle County
    Division of Revenue
    Carvel Office Bldg.
    820 N. French St.
    Wilmington, DE 19801
    Phone: 302.577.8200

    Kent County
    Division of Revenue
    Thomas Collins Bldg.
    540 S. Dupont Hwy.
    Suite A
    Dover, DE 19901
    Phone: 302.744.1085

    Sussex County
    Division of Revenue
    20653 Dupont Blvd.
    Suite 2
    Georgetown, DE 19947
    Phone: 302.856.5358
    or: Toll Free 800.292.7826 (in Delaware only)
  14. Must obtain a Delaware personal criminal history from the Delaware State Bureau of Identification. Located in Kent County at: 655 Bay Rd., Dover, Delaware 19901, 800.464.4357. Located in Sussex County at: Troop 4, on the corner of Shortly Road and Route 113, across from the DMV, 302.739.2528. Located in New Castle County at: Troop 2, on Rt. 40, in Bear, just west of the Fox Run Shopping Center, between Rt. 72, and Rt. 896, 302.739.2528. There is a charge for this service.
  15. Only after inspection of the business location and approval by the Division of Motor Vehicles, can a license be issued to an applicant.
  16. The fee for each dealer tag is . All dealer tags expire on December 31 and may be renewed 90 days prior to December 31. Two-year renewals may be authorized for established dealers.
  17. A registered dealer is not permitted to share a lot or office with another dealer.
  18. Dealers must provide an estimate of the number of vehicles they expect to sell in the first year of business. Thereafter, the number of dealer tags authorized is based on the number of vehicles sold each year.
  19. Dealer licenses expire on December 31 and must be renewed through the Division. Dealers must supply the Division a record of vehicles sold the previous 12 months. The sales record will be used to determine the number of dealer tags authorized for the renewal. The initial license will only be issued for one year or less so an adequate count of vehicles sold can be obtained prior to your license renewal.
  20. Dealers must sell a minimum of five (5) vehicles per year to maintain a dealer license.