U.S. flag An official website of the United States government.

Dot gov

The .gov means it's official.
Federal government websites always use a .gov or .mil domain. Before sharing sensitive information online, make sure you’re on a .gov or .mil site by inspecting your browser's address (or "location") bar.

SSL

This site is also protected by an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate that's been signed by the U.S. government. The https:// means all transmitted data is encrypted  — in other words, any information or browsing history that you provide is transmitted securely.

Dealer License and License Plate Requirements

  1. Home
  2. Motor Vehicle
  3. Dealer License and License Plate Requirements

Dealer License and License Plate Requirements

This is a summary of information regarding the requirements to obtain Alabama dealer licenses and dealer license plates. Information presented contains all changes in Act 2019-244 effective October 1, 2020.

Step 1: Obtaining an Alabama Motor Vehicle Dealer License

Applications for an Alabama dealer regulatory license must be submitted to the department electronically. To apply: Visit the Motor Vehicle License Portal . Upon submission of the license application, a transmittal sheet will be provided that lists which documents must be mailed to the department.

Who is required to be licensed?

All new and used motor vehicle dealers, including motorcycle and trailer dealers (excluding trailers not subject to titling), wholesale dealers and rebuilders.

What are the dealer license fees?

  • Master Dealer License: $125.00
  • Each additional place of business: $ 5.00
  • Off-site sales license: $25.00
  • Master Off-site Sales License: $25.00

(Off-site sales licenses must be purchased at least 10 calendar days prior to sale. Visit the Motor Vehicle License Portal to apply for an off-site license.)
A facilitator of an off-site sale is required to obtain a master off-site sales license. The facilitator will be required to verify the off-site license of participating dealers.  The facilitator must list each participating dealer’s off-site sale license number on the application.  If the dealer and facilitator are the same entity, only the master off-site sales event license is required.

What are the bonding requirements?

All licensees are required to submit to the department a continuous bond in the amount of $50,000.
All dealers are required by law to become designated agents of the department. The dealer bond also satisfies the designated agent bonding requirement.

What are the insurance requirements?

Each dealer must maintain blanket liability insurance coverage for all vehicles owned or associated with the business. Minimum insurance limits are:

  • $25,000 bodily injury/person/accident
  • $50,000 combined bodily injury/accident
  • $25,000 property damage/accident or a combined single limit of $75,000/accident

Step 2: Obtaining Alabama Dealer and Manufacturer License Plates

After the dealer regulatory license has been obtained, the dealer must visit the county licensing office to purchase the appropriate privilege license(s) (Sections 40-12-51, 40-12-62, or 40-12-169).  Dealer plates will be issued by the Department of Revenue, contingent upon proof of the appropriate privilege licenses.  Dealer plates may be requested in the Motor Vehicle License portal.

Who qualifies for each type of license plate?

Dealer (D) and motorcycle dealer plates may be obtained by licensed motor vehicle dealers.  Manufacturer plates may be obtained by manufacturers of private passenger automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, truck tractors, or trailers, if the manufacturing facility is located in Alabama.

Are there any restrictions on the number of dealer, dealer transit and manufacturer plates that can be obtained?

Dealer (D) and motorcycle dealer plate restrictions:

  • New motor vehicle dealers may obtain a combined total of 25 dealer and motorcycle dealer license plates
  • Used motor vehicle dealers may obtain a combined total of 5 dealer and motorcycle dealer license plates
  • Licensed new or used dealers may purchase an additional combined total of 25 dealer and motorcycle dealer license plates if they complete applications for certificates of title for 300 or more title transfers in this state during the previous dealer regulatory license year.

There are no limitations on the number of manufacturer and motorcycle manufacturer plates that can be purchased by manufacturers.

What are the fees associated with the plates?

  • Dealer: $26.00
  • Dealer motorcycle: $18.00
  • Manufacturer: $26.00
  • Motorcycle manufacturer: $18.00

These fees cannot be refunded or prorated.

Who may legally operate vehicles displaying dealer (D) plates?

  • Prospective purchasers, limited to 72 hours of use
  • Owners of the dealership
  • Partners of the dealership
  • Corporate officers of the dealership
  • Employees of the dealership

Are there limitations on the types of vehicles the plates may be used upon?

  • May be used on vehicles on temporary loan from a dealer to a customer whose vehicle is being serviced or repaired by the dealer.
  • May be used on vehicles on temporary loan to a high school for the purpose of student driver education.
  • May only be displayed on vehicles in the dealer’s/manufacturer’s inventory.
  • May be used for one payload trip only on trucks or truck tractors in a dealer’s inventory with more than 2 axles on the power unit or a GVW exceeding 26,000 pounds. Limited to 72 hours of usage.

If the dealer charges customers a fee for the uses above, dealer plates cannot be displayed on the vehicle.
Motor Vehicle dealers may display standard plates on vehicles in a dealer’s inventory.  Ad valorem tax is not due when this occurs.

If the dealer license is revoked or forfeited, all dealer plates shall be returned to the Department within 10 calendar days.

Prohibited uses of dealer (D) plates

  • Rental or lease vehicles
  • Tow trucks
  • Service trucks or vans
  • Other service vehicles
    Penalties
  • $100 for first violation
  • $500 for each subsequent violation
  • Willful misstatements/documents filed with erroneous information in order to obtain license plates carry a criminal penalty of a Class A misdemeanor and a civil penalty of $1,000 to be assessed by the department.
  • Violating the dealer license law is a Class A misdemeanor.
  • $5,000 civil penalty for failure to maintain a blanket motor vehicle liability insurance policy.

Reporting Requirements

If a dealer or manufacturer license plate is lost or stolen, this fact must be reported to law enforcement and a report maintained for audit purposes.

If a plate becomes mutilated to the point that it is illegible, the plate must be returned to the Department, and a replacement plate will be issued upon payment of the appropriate fee (Section 40-12-265, Code of Alabama 1975).

When a motor vehicle is withdrawn from inventory, the licensed dealer shall purchase an Alabama license plate and register the vehicle.

Motor vehicle dealer,  motorcycle dealer, and manufacturer license plates may not be used in lieu of regular issued license plates as a means of avoiding registration and ad valorem tax requirements.

For more details, please see Sections 40-12-390 through 40-12-400 and 40-12-264, Code of Alabama 1975.