Vehicle Services
New Vehicle Dealership
- Must complete an Application for Delaware Dealership License (Form MV29) that shall include a criminal history background check and a Signature Authorization (Form MV26) before the dealership may be approved.
- Must check with the Division of Motor Vehicles for availability of business name. If the name requested is already in use or close to another dealership’s name, it will be necessary to choose another business name.
- Must submit a letter of franchise from the manufacturer for each make of vehicle being sold.
- Must have an office located on the premises with a desk and filing cabinet adequate to maintain records.
- Must have a sign on the premises measuring at least 24” x 36” showing the name of the business.
- Must have an adequate display lot large enough for a minimum of 5 vehicles.
- Must have a telephone installed in the office and listed in the business name. Must attach documentation to application.
- Must attach proof of liability insurance coverage showing how many dealer tags are insured to the application.
- Contact the Planning and Zoning Office if located outside of town or city limits. If located within city or town limits, contact the office in charge of zoning for written approval. (The office is normally located in city hall.) Zoning approvals are required to be submitted with the dealer application. Listed below are the addresses and telephone numbers for the office in each county:
NEW CASTLE COUNTY KENT COUNTY SUSSEX COUNTY Planning & Zoning
Dept. of Land Use
New Castle Gov’t Ctr.
87 Read’s Way
Corp. Commons
New Castle, De 19720
Phone: 395-5400Planning & Zoning
Kent County Admin Complex
555 Bay Road
Dover, DE 19901
Phone: 744-2471Planning & Zoning
Sussex Co. Admin. Bldg
2 The Circle
Georgetown, DE 19947
Phone: 855-7878 - Must have entrance permit from the Department of Transportation if the business
is located on a state-maintained road. A copy must be attached to
the Application for Delaware Dealership License. Listed below are
the addresses and telephone numbers for each county:
NEW CASTLE COUNTY KENT COUNTY SUSSEX COUNTY 250 Bear-Christiana Rd
Bear, DE 19701
Phone: 326-4523930 Public Safety Blvd
Dover, DE 19901
Phone: 760-2424Rt. 113 & Rd. 431
Georgetown, DE 19947
Phone: 853-1300 - Business name must be registered with the Prothonotary’s Office in the
county where the business is located. There is a filing fee. Listed
below are the addresses and telephone numbers for each county:
NEW CASTLE COUNTY KENT COUNTY SUSSEX COUNTY Daniel L. Herrmann Crthse
1020 N. King St
Wilmington, DE 19801-3349
Phone: 577-2400 xt.153Kent Co. Crthse
38 The Green
Dover, DE 19901
Phone: 739-3184Sussex Co. Crthse
10 The Circle
Georgetown, DE 19947
Phone: 856-5742 - Must obtain an annual business license from the Division of
Revenue and a copy of the receipt must be attached to the Application
for Delaware Dealership License. If the business is within city or
town limits, a city business license must be obtained as well. "A
wholesale license must also be obtained before any vehicles can be
sold to another dealer for resale." Listed below are the addresses and
telephone numbers for each county:
NEW CASTLE COUNTY KENT COUNTY SUSSEX COUNTY Division of Revenue
Carvel Office Bldg.
820 N. French St.
Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: 577-3300Division of Revenue
Thomas Collins Bldg.
540 S. Dupont Hwy.
Suite A
Dover, DE 19901
Phone: 744-1085Division of Revenue
422 N. Dupont Hwy
Georgetown, DE 19947
Phone: 856-5358OR: Toll Free 1-800-292-7826 (in Delaware only)
- Must obtain a Delaware personal criminal history from the State Bureau of Identification, 1407 North Dupont Highway, Dover, Delaware 19901 (302-739-5882). There is a charge for this service.
- Only after inspection of the business location and approval by the Division of Motor Vehicles, can a license be issued to an applicant.
- The fee for each dealer tag is $10.00. All dealer tags expire on December 31 and may be renewed 90 days prior to December 31. Two-year renewals may be authorized for established dealers.
- A registered dealer is not permitted to share a lot or office with another dealer.
- Dealers must provide an estimate of the number of vehicles they expect to sell in the first year of business. Thereafter, the number of dealer tags authorized is based on the number of vehicles sold each year.
- Dealer licenses expire on December 31 and must be renewed through the Division. Dealers must supply the Division a record of vehicles sold the previous 12 months. The sales record will be used to determine the number of dealer tags authorized for the renewal. The initial license will only be issued for one year or less so an adequate count of vehicles sold can be obtained prior to your license renewal.
- Dealers must sell a minimum of five (5) vehicles per year to maintain a dealer license.
