Auction Dealer License

An auction company needs two or more motor vehicle business licenses based on who owns the vehicles it sell and who buys them, or based on the type of vehicle sold, salvage vs. non-salvage.

There are four auction business types:

  • If your business holds auctions in which vehicles owned by licensed dealers are sold to other licensed dealers
  • If your business will be a motor vehicle salvage pool, which auctions off salvage vehicles to licensed dealers
    • This type of auction dealer will need both an auction dealer license (AUC) and a wholesale salvage pool dealer license (WSP)
  • If your business holds auctions in which you sell vehicles owned by someone other than licensed dealers, or in which you auction off vehicles to the public
  • If your business wishes to auction both vehicles owned by other dealers and salvage vehicles you will need the auction dealer license (AUC), wholesale salvage pool license (WSP), and a wholesale dealer license (WHL) or a motor vehicle dealer license (MV).
To qualify for any of the auction business types listed above, you must meet all the following requirements:
  1. A permanent business location with an indoor office space
  2. An outdoor vehicle display lot adjacent to the business office, unless all vehicles will be displayed outdoors
  3. A sign with you business hours posted on or next to the entrance door
  4. Posted notice that sales are restricted to licensed dealers only
    • This requirement does not apply to auctions who hold a motor vehicle dealer license (AUC/MV)
  5. Zoning and local permit approval for the location
  6. Financial requirement - for a list of surety companies accepting applications for bonds, see Insurance companies that accept applications for bonds
    • For AUC/WSP and AUC/WHL licenses, a $25,000 dealer bond or irrevocable letter of credit
    • For AUC/MV licenses, a $50,000 dealer bond or irrevocable letter of credit
  7. A two-year lease if you do not own the business real estate
  8. Required application fee
    • Wholesale dealer license or motor vehicle dealer license
    • Auction dealer license
    • Dealer plate fee - auctions applying for a wholesale salvage pool license are not eligible for plates
    • Individual licenses
      • At least 1 salesperson for motor vehicle dealer license (required)
      • Buyer's License (optional only for AUC/MV license applicant)
      • Salvage Buyer Identification Card (optional)
  9. Complete and mail LFS 180 Form and payment directly to the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) (required for MV license)
    • Questions? Call DFI for assistance, 608-261-7578
  10. You will be required to comply with an inspection of the business location before the license is issued
  11. You must be at least 18 years old
  12. You must be of good character and must not have been convicted of a serious crime directly related to the sale of motor vehicles
Required application forms / documents /fees

Your business holds auctions in which vehicles owned by licensed dealers are sold to other licensed dealers.

  1. Motor Vehicle Auction Dealer License Application MV2492
  2. Auction Business Facilities Statement MV3189
  3. Wholesale Two-Year License Application MV2860
  4. 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
  5. Wholesale Business Facilities Statement MV3188
  6. Salvage Buyer Identification (BID) Card Application MV2651 (optional)
  7. Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization
    • If your business is established as a corporation or a limited liability company, the State of Wisconsin requires a photocopy of your Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization as filed with the Department of Financial Institutions or the governing body in the state where the corporation was established.
  8. $25,000 financial coverage
    • Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Irrevocable Letter of Credit MV1046 or Dealer Bond MV2511
  9. Two-year lease contract if you do not own the business real estate
  10. Application fee: dealer license, dealer plates, individual licenses

Your business offers a motor vehicle salvage pool, which auctions off salvage vehicles to licensed dealers.

  1. Motor Vehicle Auction Dealer License Application MV2492
  2. Auction Business Facilities Statement MV3189
  3. Wholesale Two-Year License Application MV2860
  4. Entity/Owner Statement MV2844.
    • If your business has more than own owner, print and submit a form for each owner, partner, LLC member or manager, corporate officer or shareholder
  5. Wholesale Business Facilities Statement MV3188
  6. Salvage Buyer Identification (BID) Card Application MV2651 (optional)
  7. Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization
    • If your business is established as a corporation or a limited liability company, the State of Wisconsin requires a photocopy of your Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization as filed with the Department of Financial Institutions or the governing body in the state where the corporation was established.
  8. $25,000 financial coverage
    • Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Irrevocable Letter of Credit MV1046 or Dealer Bond MV2511
  9. Two-year lease contract if you do not own the business real estate
  10. Application fee: dealer license, dealer plates, individual licenses

Your business holds auctions in which you sell vehicles owned by someone other than licensed dealers or in which you auction off vehicles to the public.

  1. Motor Vehicle Auction Dealer License Application MV2492
  2. Auction Business Facilities Statement MV3189
  3. Motor Vehicle Dealer Two Year License Application MV2186
  4. LFS 180 Form and payment - complete and mail this form with payment directly to the Department of Financial Institutions. Questions? Call DFI for assistance, 608-261-7578.

    5. Mailing Address
    Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
    Licensed Financial Services Section
    PO Box 7876
    Madison WI 53707-7876

  5. Entity/Owner Statement MV2844
    • If your business has more than one owner, submit a MV2844 form for each owner, partner, LLC member or manager, corporate officer or shareholder
  6. Business Facilities Statement MV3180
  7. Motor Vehicle Dealer Service Agreement MV2085
  8. Salesperson/Representative License Application MV2184 (at least 1 required)
  9. Buyer's License Application MV2941 (optional)
  10. Salvage Buyer Identification (BID) Car Application MV2651 (optional)
  11. Manufacturer/Importer/Distributor Certification of Dealer MV2131 (optional)
    • Required only if you intend to sell new motor vehicles with your motor vehicle license
  12. $50,000 financial coverage
    • Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Irrevocable Letter of Credit MV1046 or Dealer Bond MV2511
  13. Dealer Lessor Bond MV2509 (per Wis. Stat. 344.51)
  14. Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization
    • If your business is established as a corporation or a limited liability company, the State of Wisconsin requires a photocopy of your Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization as filed with the Department of Financial Institutions or the governing body in the state where the corporation was established
  15. Two-year lease contract if you do not own the business real estate
  16. Application fees: dealer license, dealer plates, individual licenses
  17. Complete and mail LFS 180 Form and DFI payment directly to the Department of Financial Institutions. Questions? Call DFI for assistance, 608-261-7578.

Auction license (AUC), wholesale salvage pool license (WSP), motor vehicle dealer license (MV) or wholesale dealer license (WHL)

Your business wishes to auction both vehicles owned by other dealers and salvage vehicles. You will need AUC/WSP/MV licenses or AUC/WSP/WHL licenses.

  1. Motor Vehicle Auction Dealer License Application MV2492
    • Check "Wholesale Salvage Pool" box
  2. Auction Business Facilities Statement MV3189
  3. Entity/Owner Statement MV2844
  4. Motor Vehicle Dealer Two Year License Application MV2186
  5. LFS 180 Form and payment - complete and mail this form with payment directly to the Department of Financial Institutions. Questions? Call DFI for assistance, 608-261-7578

      6. Mailing Address
      Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
      Licensed Financial Services Section
      PO Box 7876
      Madison WI 53707-7876

  6. Business Facilities Statement MV3180
  7. Motor Vehicle Dealer Service Agreement MV2085
    • Required only if you do not own your own vehicle service facilities on the premises
  8. Salesperson/Representative License Application MV2184 (at least 1 required)
  9. Buyer's License Application MV2491 (optional)
  10. Salvage Buyer Identification (BID) Card Application MV2651 (optional)
  11. Manufacturer/Importer/Distributor Certification of Dealer MV2131 (optional)
    • Required only if you intend to sell new motor vehicles with your motor vehicle license
  12. $50,000 financial coverage
    • Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Irrevocable Letter of Credit MV1046 or Dealer Bond MV2511
  13. Dealer Lessor Bond MV2509 (Wis. Stat. 344.51)
  14. Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization
    • If your business is established as a corporation or a limited liability company, the State of Wisconsin requires a photocopy of your Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization as filed with the Department of Financial Institutions or the governing body in the state where the corporation was established.
  15. Two-year lease contract if you do not own the business real estate
  16. Application fees: dealer license, dealer plates, individual licenses
  17. Complete and mail LFS 180 Forms and DFI payment directly to the Department of Financial Institutions. Questions? Call DFi for assistance, 608-261-7578.

  1. Motor Vehicle Auction Dealer License Application MV2492
    • Check "Wholesale Salvage Pool" box
  2. Auction Business Facilities Statement MV3189
  3. Entity/Owner Statement MV2844
  4. Wholesale Two-Year License Application MV2860
  5. Wholesale Business Facilities Statement MV3188
  6. Salvage Buyer Identification (BID) Card Application MV2651 (optional)
  7. $50,000 financial coverage
    • Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Irrevocable Letter of Credit MV1046 or Dealer Bond MV2511
  8. Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization
    • If your business is established as a corporation or a limited liability company, the State of Wisconsin requires a photocopy of your Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization as filed with the Department of Financial Institutions or the governing body in the state where the corporation was established.
  9. Two-year lease contract if you do not own the business real estate
  10. Application fees: dealer license, dealer plates, individual licenses
For More Information

*NEW* New dealer application and dealer renewal application can now be emailed to DOT for processing: Application-Renewal Email Instructions

*NEW* If your dealership is going out of business please complete the MV2199 Out of Business Dealer Statement. Carefully complete all fields on the form, including signature and date on page 2. Please mail your dealer plates, licensing certificate and individual credentials and the MV2199 Out of Business Dealer Statement to the mailing address listed below.

You may also email the MV2199 Out of Business Dealer Statement form to dealerlicensingunit@dot.wi.gov, but you must still mail your dealer plates and credentials to the department.

Apply by mail - complete and mail all required forms/documents and payment to the address below:

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

Questions?​

Email Wisconsin DMV email service