Wholesale auction and wholesale salvage pool auction dealer license

 

An auction company may need one of several motor vehicle business licenses based on who owns the vehicles it sells and who buys them.

Wholesale Auction License (AUC License)

The motor vehicle wholesale auction dealer license allows a business to conduct wholesale auctions in which vehicles owned by licensed dealers are sold to other licensed dealers. A wholesale auction dealer will need both an auction dealer license and a wholesale dealer license.

Wholesale Salvage Pool License (WSP License)

If your business will be a motor vehicle salvage pool, which auctions off salvage vehicles to licensed dealers, you will need a Wholesale dealer license instead of the wholesale auction dealer license.

Motor Vehicle Dealer License (MV License)

If your business will hold auctions in which you sell vehicles owned by someone other than licensed dealers, or in which you auction off vehicles to the general public, you may need a retail motor vehicle dealer license. For more information on retail auction activities and license requirements, see Auction license requirements.

To qualify for a wholesale dealer license you must meet all of the following requirements:

  • A permanent business location with an indoor office space
  • An outdoor vehicle display lot adjacent to the business office, unless all vehicles will be displayed outdoors
  • A $25,000 surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit. For a list of insurance companies accepting applications for bonds, see Insurance companies that accept applications for bonds.
  • Zoning and local permit approval for the location
  • An outdoor sign showing your business name
  • A sign with you business hours posted on or next to the entrance door
  • Posted notice that sales are restricted to licensed dealers only
  • A valid lease for the business real estate during the licensing period, unless the license applicant owns it
  • Fees for a two-year wholesale dealer license, dealer plate fee, and fees for a two-year auction dealer license
  • You must be at least 18 years old

Steps to apply for a wholesale auction/wholesale salvage pool auction dealer license:

  1. See wholesale dealer license application instructions and auction dealer license application instructions. Print the instructions for your reference while completing application forms online.
  2. Complete and print the dealer license application forms noted below. You must submit all of the following application materials, except those list as optional below. You may complete forms online before you print them.
  3. Mail your original completed and signed application forms and fees to the Dealer and Agent Section at the address below.

Forms to apply for a wholesale auction/wholesale salvage pool auction dealer license:

Auction license forms:

  • Motor Vehicle Auction Dealer License Application MV2492
  • Entity/Owner Statement MV2844
    • If your business has more than one owner, print and submit a form for each owner, partner, LLC member or manager, corporate officer or shareholder
  • Auction Business Facilities Statement MV3189
  • Articles of Incorporation (for corporations) or Articles of Organization (for LLCs) document
  • Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Irrevocable Letter of Credit MV1046or
  • Dealer Bond MV2511 and $25,000 bond-original must be submitted

Wholesale dealer license forms:

  • Wholesale Two-Year License Application MV2860
  • Entity/Owner Statement MV2844
    • If your business has more than one owner, print and submit a form for each owner, partner, LLC member or manager, corporate officer or shareholder
  • Wholesale Business Facilities Statement MV3188
  • Salvage Buyer Identification (BID) Card Application MV2651 (optional)
  • Articles of Incorporation (for corporations) or Articles of Organization (for LLCs) document
  • Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Irrevocable Letter of Credit MV1046 or
  • Dealer Bond MV2511 and $25,000 bond-original must be submitted

Wholesale salvage pool dealer license forms:

  • Wholesale Two-Year License Application MV2860
    • If you are applying for a Wholesale Salvage Pool License, please check the designated box on the MV2860 form. There is not a separate application form for the Wholesale Salvage Pool License.
  • Entity/Owner Statement MV2844
    • If your business has more than one owner, print and submit a form for each owner, partner, LLC member or manager, corporate officer or shareholder
  • Wholesale Business Facilities Statement MV3188
  • Salvage Buyer Identification (BID) Card Application MV2651 (optional)
  • Articles of Incorporation (for corporations) or Articles of Organization (for LLCs) document
  • Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Irrevocable Letter of Credit MV1046 or
  • Dealer Bond MV2511 and $25,000 bond-original must be submitted

For more information:

Application by mail only

Because the application forms require signatures of authorities and witnesses, they cannot be submitted online. Mail all completed applications to the following address:

Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation
Dealer & Agent Section
P.O. Box 7909
Madison, WI 53707-7909

Questions?

Email Wisconsin DMV email service