Wholesale dealer license

Wholesale Dealer PlateWholesale dealers cannot sell to the public. Wholesale dealers can only sell, offer or negotiate sales of motor vehicles to licensed dealers only. Motor vehicle salvage pools, which sell salvaged vehicles to licensed dealers, are also licensed as motor vehicle wholesale dealers. If you wish to sell or lease vehicles to the general public, you will need a retail dealer license. For information about applying for a retail dealer license, see retail dealer license application instructions.

Wholesale dealer plates are issued for use on Wisconsin highways. Dealers are responsible for knowing and complying with local and state regulations when operating vehicles outside Wisconsin. The use of dealer plates outside of Wisconsin is not advised. Wholesalers can only use the Wholesale dealer plates for business purposes, not personal use.

To qualify for a Wholesale dealer license, you must meet all the following requirements:

  1. Posted notice that sales are restricted to licensed dealers only.
  2. A permanent business location with indoor office space.
  3. An outdoor vehicle display lot adjacent to the business office. The minimum size of the vehicle display lot must be equal to the size of a standard parking stall, in accordance with local or county zoning requirements.
  4. An outdoor sign showing business name, business hours posted on or next to the entrance door.
  5. Zoning and local permit approval for the location.
  6. 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
  7. A two-year lease if you do not own the business real estate.
  8. Dealer license fee, dealer plate fee and individual license (Salvage Buyer Identification Card only) fees.
  9. You will be required to comply with an inspection of the business location before the license is issued.
  10. You must be at least 18 years old.
  11. You must be of good character and must not have been convicted of a serious crime directly related to the sale of motor vehicles.
  12. Applicants need to attend a training course.

Required application forms / documents / fees

  1. Wholesale Two-Year License Application MV2860
  2. 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.
  3. Wholesale Business Facilities Statement MV3188
  4. Salvage Buyer Identification (BID) Card Application MV2651 (optional)
  5. $25,000 Financial Coverage
    • Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Irrevocable Letter of Credit MV1046 or Dealer Bond MV2511
  6. Two-year lease if you do not own the business real estate
  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. Application fees: dealer license, dealer plates, individual licenses (Salvage Buyer Identification Card only)

How to renew and/or amend your current license

*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.

*NEW* New dealer application (wholesale dealer checklist) and dealer renewal application can now be emailed to DOT processing: Application-Renewal Email Instructions.

Apply by mail - all required forms must be arranged in the order shown on the wholesale dealer checklist.

Mail all original signed application forms to the following address:

Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation
Dealer and Agent Section
PO Box 7909
Madison, WI 53707-7909

Questions?

Email Wisconsin DMV email service