Georgia Auto Dealer Bond$35,000 Biennial Requirement

The Georgia State Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers, operating under the Secretary of State, regulates all used motor vehicle dealers. The Board is located at 237 Coliseum Drive in Macon, GA 31217, and can be reached at (478) 207-2440. Note that new car franchise dealers are regulated separately through manufacturer agreements and the Georgia Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Division.

Georgia auto dealer bonds ($35,000) cost $350-$3,500 for a 2-year (biennial) term. With excellent credit (750+), expect $350-$700 (1-2%). Good credit (680-749) costs $700-$1,400 (2-4%). Fair credit (620-679) ranges $1,400-$2,450 (4-7%). Lower credit may require up to $3,500 (10%). Because Georgia uses a biennial term, you pay once every two years rather than annually.

Georgia dealer licenses and bonds expire on September 30 of even-numbered years, regardless of when they were originally issued. The next expiration date is September 30, 2026. The bond certificate holder must be listed as "State Board of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers, 237 Coliseum Drive, Macon, GA 31217." We send renewal reminders 90 days in advance.

Before submitting your dealer application, you must attend a Board-approved pre-licensing seminar. Approved providers include E-Learning, GIADA (Georgia Independent Automobile Dealers Association), Automobile Dealer Training Association (ADTA), and Ron Widener. You must submit proof of attendance with your application. This is a one-time requirement for new applicants.

Under O.C.G.A. 43-47-2(3), an established place of business must be a salesroom or sales office where a permanent business of trading, selling, or buying used motor vehicles is conducted. The location must have a working landline telephone (not cell or VoIP), be commercially zoned, and keep books, records, and files on-site. Dealers operating from an office suite must also comply with these requirements.

Georgia requires a fingerprint-based background check through the GBI/GAPS system. You must first pre-register at ga.state.identogo.com/ata. After Board staff verifies your application is on file, you receive an email notification from GBI/GAPS to schedule your fingerprinting appointment at an IdentoGO location. This step cannot be completed until your application is submitted.

Yes. Approval is possible even with credit challenges. Georgia's $35,000 bond amount is moderate, making it achievable even with challenged credit. Rates for applicants with credit scores in the 500-600 range typically run 5-10% ($1,750-$3,500 for the biennial term).

Yes. Each physical dealership location requires its own separate license and corresponding $35,000 surety bond. Additional lot locations require a $170 fee per lot. The Board may inspect each location to verify compliance with established place of business requirements before issuing supplemental licenses.

If your surety bond expires or is canceled, your dealer license is automatically suspended. You cannot buy, sell, or advertise used motor vehicles during the suspension. The Board may revoke your license if you fail to provide a replacement bond. Reinstatement requires a new bond, applicable fees, and Board approval.