Vehicle Industry Business License Bond - Broker, Dealer/ Rebuilder/ Lessor, Distributor, Manufacturer, Off-Highway Vehicle
Required for Nevada vehicle industry businesses including brokers, dealers, rebuilders, lessors, distributors, manufacturers, and off-highway vehicle operators to obtain state licensing.
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About This Bond
The Vehicle Industry Business License Bond is a surety bond required by the State of Nevada for businesses operating in the vehicle industry. This bond ensures compliance with state regulations and protects consumers from fraudulent or unethical business practices.
This bond is required for various types of vehicle industry businesses seeking licensure in Nevada, including vehicle brokers, dealers, rebuilders, lessors, distributors, manufacturers, and off-highway vehicle operators. Each business type must obtain the appropriate bond as part of their licensing requirements with the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles.
The bond protects the State of Nevada and consumers who conduct business with licensed vehicle industry operators. It provides financial recourse if the bonded business fails to comply with state laws, regulations, or licensing requirements, or engages in fraudulent activities that result in financial harm to customers.
Bond amounts vary depending on the specific type of vehicle industry business and are determined by Nevada state requirements. The bond term is one year and must be renewed annually to maintain active licensing status.
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At a glance
Nevada Auto Dealer Bond Key Facts
Governed by Nevada Revised Statutes § 482.345 (brokers: § 482.3333).
The basics
What Is an Auto Dealer Bond in Nevada?
A Nevada auto dealer bond is a surety bond you must file with the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to get or renew a vehicle dealer license. Nevada sets the amount by the type of vehicle you sell: most dealers post a $100,000 bond, motorcycle and larger-trailer dealers post $50,000, and small utility or boat trailer dealers post $10,000 (NRS 482.345).
Good to know - Required for every Nevada vehicle dealer license, but the amount is tiered by what you sell (NRS 482.345): $100,000 for dealers of vehicles other than motorcycles, trailers, or travel trailers (and travel trailers with living quarters); $50,000 for motorcycles, horse trailers without living quarters, or utility/special-use trailers with an unladen weight of 3,501 lbs or more; and $10,000 for utility or boat trailers with an unladen weight of 3,500 lbs or less. Brokers file a separate $100,000 bond under NRS 482.3333.
The bond is a promise that you will follow Nevada’s motor vehicle laws and pay valid claims. If you break the law or cause a customer a financial loss — for example, through fraud, a deceptive trade practice, or an unpaid obligation — a customer or the state can file a claim against your bond up to its full amount.
The bond protects the public, not you. If the surety pays a claim, you must repay the surety company. Nevada also lets you make a deposit in lieu of bond, but most dealers post the surety bond because it costs a small premium instead of tying up cash.
If you plan to work as a vehicle broker rather than a dealer, Nevada requires a separate $100,000 broker bond under NRS 482.3333.
Qualification
What You Need to Qualify for a Nevada Auto Dealer Bond
Approval depends on your dealer license type, required coverage amount, and underwriting factors such as credit.
- You are applying for, or renewing, a Nevada vehicle dealer license through the DMV Occupational & Business Licensing (OBL) section.
- You know your dealer type — Nevada sets the bond amount by the kind of vehicle you sell (most dealers post $100,000; motorcycle and certain trailer dealers post $50,000 or $10,000).
- Your bond is written by a corporate surety authorized to do business in Nevada and approved as to form by the Nevada Attorney General.
- You keep the bond continuous — it must stay on file without a lapse for as long as you hold the license.
- You have an established place of business in Nevada and your business details ready (legal business name, ownership, and location).
- You have your other license documents ready: automobile liability insurance certificate and a copy of your city or county business license.
Step by step
How to Get an Auto Dealer Bond in Nevada: Step by Step
Confirm your dealer type and bond amount
Nevada ties your bond amount to what you sell: $100,000 for most vehicle dealers, $50,000 for motorcycles and larger trailers (horse trailers without living quarters or utility/special-use trailers 3,501 lbs or more), and $10,000 for small utility or boat trailers (3,500 lbs or less). Confirm which tier fits your business before you apply.
Get your Business License Application Packet
Download the DMV Business License Application Packet (OBL335). It contains the forms for licensing dealers, distributors, lessors, manufacturers, and rebuilders, along with the checklist of what to submit to Occupational & Business Licensing.
Business License Application Packet (OBL335)Get your Nevada dealer bond
Buy your bond and we handle the paperwork. We issue your Nevada Vehicle Industry Business License Bond (OBL210) in the correct amount for your dealer type and provide it for your DMV application. There is no bond form for you to download, complete, or sign.
Submit your application to DMV Occupational & Business Licensing
File your completed OBL335 packet with the bond (OBL210), your automobile liability insurance certificate, a copy of your city or county business license, and your fingerprints ($39 per principal) to the DMV Occupational & Business Licensing section in Carson City.
Keep your bond active and renew
Nevada requires a continuous bond — keep it on file without a lapse for as long as you hold the license, and renew it with your dealer license. Once licensed, you manage renewals through the Motor Vehicle Industry Portal (MVIP).
Motor Vehicle Industry Portal (MVIP)Paperwork
Nevada Dealer Bond Forms & Documents
The DMV packet with the dealer license application, requirements, and fee schedule for dealers, distributors, lessors, manufacturers, and rebuilders. You complete and submit this.
View formThe Nevada dealer surety bond form — we issue this in the correct amount for your dealer type and provide it for your DMV filing. There is nothing for you to complete.
View formOnline portal to manage and renew your dealer license once you are licensed.
View formYou'll also need
Cost
How Nevada Auto Dealer Bond Pricing Works
You do not pay the full bond amount. The $100,000, $50,000, or $10,000 figure is the coverage — the most a claim can collect. You pay a premium, which is a small percentage of that amount.
Your premium is set by underwriting, mostly your personal credit. Well-qualified applicants pay a low rate. The premium is separate from your DMV license, plate, and fingerprint fees.
Because Nevada tiers the bond by dealer type, a small trailer dealer on a $10,000 bond pays far less than a full motor vehicle dealer on a $100,000 bond.
Worked example
A standard Nevada motor vehicle dealer needs a $100,000 bond. You do not pay $100,000 — you pay a premium, which is a percentage of that amount set mainly by your credit. A small utility-trailer dealer needing only a $10,000 bond pays much less.
Filing
Filing Information
Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — Occupational & Business Licensing (OBL)
Filing notes
File the bond with the Nevada DMV Occupational & Business Licensing (OBL) section as part of your Business License Application Packet (OBL335). The bond is written on the DMV Vehicle Industry Business License Bond form (OBL210).
Nevada requires the bond to stay continuous — it must remain on file without a lapse for as long as you hold the dealer license, and it renews with your license.
We issue your Nevada Vehicle Industry Business License Bond (OBL210) in the correct amount for your dealer type and provide it for your OBL application — there is no bond form for you to complete or sign.
Nevada also allows a deposit in lieu of bond (lawful money or an equivalent deposit) under NRS 482.345; most dealers post the surety bond instead.
FAQ
Nevada Auto Dealer Bond FAQ
Yes. Every Nevada vehicle dealer must file a surety bond with the DMV, but the amount is tiered by the type of vehicle you sell (NRS 482.345).
Most dealers post a $100,000 bond. Motorcycle dealers, horse-trailer dealers without living quarters, and utility/special-use trailer dealers at 3,501 lbs or more post $50,000. Dealers of small utility or boat trailers (3,500 lbs or less) post $10,000.
Yes. A Nevada vehicle broker files a separate $100,000 bond under NRS 482.3333, apart from the dealer bond amounts in NRS 482.345.
Yes. Nevada allows a deposit in lieu of bond under NRS 482.345, but most dealers choose the surety bond because it costs a small premium instead of tying up cash.
You file with the DMV Occupational & Business Licensing section as part of the Business License Application Packet (OBL335). We issue your bond on the DMV form (OBL210) and provide it for your application.
You pay a premium, not the full bond amount. The premium is a small percentage of your bond amount, based mainly on your credit. Start a quote to see your rate.
Nevada requires a continuous bond — it stays on file with no lapse and renews with your dealer license. You can buy it on a 1, 2, or 3 year premium term; coverage stays continuous as long as you renew.
The Nevada DMV Occupational & Business Licensing (OBL) section in Carson City. You can reach the DMV at (702) 486-4368 or through dmv.nv.gov.
Sources
Last verified 2026-07-01. Requirements change - confirm current details with Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — Occupational & Business Licensing (OBL) before you file. This page is informational and not legal advice.
FAQ
Nevada Auto Dealer Bond Questions
The cost of a Nevada auto dealer bond is usually a small percentage of the state-required bond amount. Your exact premium depends on the bond amount, license type, business details, and underwriting factors such as credit.
Many auto dealer bonds can be issued the same day after you complete the application. Larger bond amounts or applications that need underwriting review may take longer.
Requirements vary by license type, but most Nevada auto dealers need to complete a short application and purchase the bond amount required by the state before their license can be issued or renewed.
Often, yes. Many states have separate bond requirements for wholesale, retail, broker, or other dealer license types. Choose the bond that matches your Nevada license instructions.
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AutoDealersBond.com is operated by Shield Liability Insurance Agency, a California and Texas licensed insurance agency (CA License #6018195, TX License #3446536). Shield Liability Insurance Agency is not an insurance carrier and does not underwrite bonds or insurance policies. Bond and coverage availability, pricing, and issuance are subject to carrier underwriting approval, eligibility, applicable state requirements, and policy or bond terms. Availability varies by state.
