How to Get a Dealer License in Louisiana (2026)
In Louisiana, dealers are licensed by Louisiana Used Motor Vehicle Commission (LUMVC). The bond is $50,000 (Used motor vehicle dealer). State law sets a sales count that makes you a dealer; the exact wording is below. Every fact below links to the official page it came from.
Louisiana dealer license facts
| Licensing agency | Louisiana Used Motor Vehicle Commission (LUMVC) |
|---|---|
| License name | Used Motor Vehicle Dealer License · Wholesale (Dealer)source |
| Sales that trigger a license | Official threshold: 5 or more sales in a year. Official wording: “sells five or more used motor vehicles which are not registered to and insured by the entity”source |
| Surety bond | $50,000 (Used motor vehicle dealer)source |
| Application / license fees | Used Dealers License, 2-year term: $400; Additional location, 2-year term: $200source |
| Pre-licensing education | Confirm with Louisiana Used Motor Vehicle Commission (LUMVC) |
| Place of business | Confirm with Louisiana Used Motor Vehicle Commission (LUMVC) |
| Wholesale-only license | Wholesale is offered as a checkable sub-designation on the Used Dealers License application (alongside Public, Salvage, etc.), not a separate license type/fee.source |
| Last checked | 2026-09-24 |
Steps to get licensed in Louisiana
- Pick the license. Louisiana issues: Used Motor Vehicle Dealer License, Wholesale (Dealer). A wholesale-only license is available if you only sell to dealers.
- Set up the place of business. Confirm with Louisiana Used Motor Vehicle Commission (LUMVC)
- Buy the surety bond. Required amount: $50,000 (Used motor vehicle dealer).
- Apply to Louisiana Used Motor Vehicle Commission (LUMVC). Published fees: Used Dealers License, 2-year term: $400; Additional location, 2-year term: $200.
Flipping without a license in Louisiana
Official threshold: 5 or more sales in a year. Official wording: “sells five or more used motor vehicles which are not registered to and insured by the entity”source Selling past that line without a license is curbstoning.
Louisiana data on CarFlipIQ
FAQ
Who issues dealer licenses in Louisiana?
Louisiana Used Motor Vehicle Commission (LUMVC) licenses motor vehicle dealers in Louisiana. License types include: Used Motor Vehicle Dealer License, Wholesale (Dealer).
How many cars can I sell in Louisiana without a dealer license?
Official threshold: 5 or more sales in a year. Official wording: "sells five or more used motor vehicles which are not registered to and insured by the entity" Confirm how it applies to you with Louisiana Used Motor Vehicle Commission (LUMVC).
How much is the dealer bond in Louisiana?
The Louisiana dealer surety bond is $50,000 (Used motor vehicle dealer). You pay a surety company a yearly premium, not the full bond amount.
How much does a dealer license cost in Louisiana?
Published state fees: Used Dealers License, 2-year term: $400; Additional location, 2-year term: $200. Add the bond premium, insurance, and the cost of your place of business.
Is there a wholesale-only dealer license in Louisiana?
Wholesale is offered as a checkable sub-designation on the Used Dealers License application (alongside Public, Salvage, etc.), not a separate license type/fee.
Price Louisiana cars before you buy them
Check any vehicle against live Louisiana listings, then decide what to bid.
Not legal advice. Requirements change; confirm with Louisiana Used Motor Vehicle Commission (LUMVC) before you apply. Last checked 2026-09-24.