Apply for a motor dealer licence

Introduction

If your business includes the buying, selling or exchanging of motor vehicles, including cars, trailers, motorcycles and caravans, you'll need a motor dealer licence. This includes online motor dealers offering for sale and selling motor vehicles on their website.

You can apply online for an individual or corporation licence. You can choose a 1-year, 3-year or 5-year licence.

Note: Licensed motor dealers selling vehicles wholly or partly online must now notify NSW Fair Trading that they're an online dealer.

Eligibility

You must:

• be at least 18 years of age
• be considered fit and proper for the purposes of the licence (NSW Fair Trading checks and considers police records)
• not be disqualified from holding a licence as a result of a disciplinary action
• not be a controlled member of a declared organisation
• not have been found guilty in the past 10 years of a motor vehicle stealing offence
• not be bankrupt
• have sufficient financial resources to carry on your business in accordance with the requirements of Fair Trading
• have approval from the relevant local council for physical notified premises.

What you need

• proof of identity
• personal details (name, address and date of birth) of either the individual or business partners
• business details, including the registered name of the business, the address, and incorporation date
• Australian Company Number (ACN) or Australian Business Number (ABN)
• if you're employing a business manager, a completed Manager's Consent Form – PDF
  Note: If there is more than one manager, a separate form must be completed for each manager
• fee payment.

How to apply

1. Check the eligibility requirements.
2. Select the 'Apply online' button.
3. Follow the prompts to apply for your licence.

If you're unable to apply online:

Payment methods and fees

• Visit the NSW Fair Trading website for Motor dealer licensing fees.
• To pay at a service centre, check the payment options available.
• Some service centres do not accept cash payments.

More information

• A corporation must nominate an individual to be manager of the day-to-day business of the licensee. An individual may manage the business themselves or nominate another individual to manage the business.
• Once you're licensed as a motor dealer you must display your licence name and number at your place of business and publish them on any advertising or promotional material.
• If you’re an online motor dealer, you must:
  • display your motor dealer licence number on your website
  • operate under a .au domain
  • maintain an office address and premises for motor vehicle or record storage in New South Wales.
• Motor dealers conducting business online must notify NSW Fair Trading of their online business address (with a .au domain) and additional premises within 20 business days.
• You do not need a motor dealer licence for the following kinds of vehicles:
  • vehicles not acquired for the transport of goods or passengers on public roads (such as agricultural equipment)
  • vehicles with a mass over 4.5 tonnes (these are covered by the Heavy Vehicle National Law)
  • vehicles that are not capable of being registered in NSW, such as quad bikes, Segways, motorised wheelchairs and battery powered bikes.