To Begin the process of becoming a dealer you first need to determine what license type you need. When you are ready to begin your application, you will need to create an account using the eLicensing page. If you need help getting started use the eLICENSING Quick Start Guide.
Steps complete the licensing process can be found in the eLICENSING User Guide for New Independent GDN Licenses.
Dealer Education Requirements for Licensing
Texas Transportation Code §503.029 requires a pre-licensing training to be completed by certain independent motor vehicle dealers. This requirement affects:
- All new license applicants
- Renewal applicants licensed less than 10 years as of September 1, 2019.
Additionally, the law requires:
- The training to be offered online.
- The training must include information on laws, Board rules, and consequences of violations.
- The training must be developed or approved by TxDMV.
- The training requirement is one time only; after completing the training, applicants are not required to retake the training for subsequent license renewals.
The Board approved the related rule, TEXAS ADMIN. CODE § 215.161, effective March 1, 2020, that requires:
- Course providers must be either a Texas institution of higher education, as defined by Education Code, §61.003, or a motor vehicle trade association domiciled in Texas.
- The licensing education course must consist of at least 6 hours of online instruction for new applicants and 3 hours of online instruction for renewal applicants.
- The cost for the licensing education course must not exceed $150 per person. A trade association course provider may not charge a different rate to a nonmember.
- The course provider must issue a certificate of completion to each person who successfully completes the licensing education course.
The training requirement was effective June 20, 2020, and courses for renewal applicants and new applicants have been approved by TxDMV. Prospective dealers may access approved courses at:
Only one course is required; prospective dealers may elect to complete either of the above options. The department will update this website in the event new course options are approved.
Independent motor vehicle GDN holders and applicants must upload their certificate of course completion into eLICENSING as part of the regular application process.
Finger Prints
General Process Overview
Important Note: Do NOT go to the vendor to get your fingerprints taken UNTIL you receive confirmation from the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) that fingerprints are required and related instructions.
- Step 1: Submit your completed application to TxDMV for processing.
- Step 2: MVD will conduct an initial review of your application, including a payment review, to ensure it meets requirements.
- Under 43 Tex. Admin. Code § 215.83, an application for a new license, license amendment, or license renewal filed with the department must be accompanied by the required fee, drawn from an account held by the applicant or license holder, or drawn from a trust account of the applicant’s attorney or certified public accountant.
- Step 3: MVD’s Background and Fraud Unit will review your application to determine whether fingerprints are required, and, if so, who on your application needs to be fingerprinted.
- Do NOT go to the vendor to get your fingerprints taken UNTIL you receive confirmation from MVD that fingerprints are required.
- Step 4: MVD will notify you via email when fingerprints are required and who on your application needs to be fingerprinted. Additional instructions, including the TxDMV Service Code, will be provided in that email.
- NOTE: Once MVD sends you notification by email that fingerprints are required, we encourage that those identified as requiring fingerprints go to the vendor, IdentoGO, as quickly as possible. This will help facilitate timely processing of your application.
- Step 5: All individuals requiring fingerprints must have their fingerprints live-scanned or submitted via mailed ink cards to the approved vendor, IdentoGO. Results of the fingerprinting will be sent directly to TxDMV from both the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
- Step 6: MVD’s Background and Fraud Unit will review the information received and may request additional documentation or statements of explanation.
Criminal History Evaluation Letter
Pre-Licensing Criminal History Evaluation:
Texas law allows you to request a pre-licensing criminal history evaluation if you are enrolled or planning to enroll in an educational program to prepare you for a new license. By requesting a pre-licensing evaluation, you can find out before applying whether you would likely be denied a license due to your criminal history, and make a more informed decision about whether to apply for a license.
The following statutes and rules govern pre-licensing criminal history evaluations:
- Occupations Code, Chapter 53, Subchapter D
- 43 Tex. Admin. Code Chapter 211
Note: Do not request a Pre-Licensing Criminal History Evaluation if you have already applied for a license or are a current license holder. Current licensing applicants and license holders will have criminal history evaluated as part of the application process.
To request a criminal history evaluation letter, you must:
- Create a user account and submit a request through eLICENSING
- Provide the information requested regarding criminal history, and any additional evidence of fitness for licensure you would like us to consider. For example, evidence of conduct and work activity, rehabilitation, compliance with any community supervision or parole requirements, and letters of recommendation
- Pay the $100.00 fee
The department’s Criminal Offense Guidelines list the crimes considered to directly relate to our licensed occupations, as well as other factors that affect licensing decisions. The same guidelines are used in reviewing pre-licensing evaluation requests and license applications.
You will receive a criminal history evaluation letter within 90 days of submitting your request. The letter will state if you are potentially eligible or potentially not eligible for licensing based on the information available at that time.
This letter is not a guarantee of eligibility. Any pre-licensing eligibility determination is only intended to provide guidance and information, to assist you in making an informed decision about whether to apply for a new motor vehicle dealer license. The eligibility determination may be different at the time of a license application, due to a change in the requestor’s circumstances, discovery of additional information not previously known, or a change in the law or policies relating to applicants’ criminal backgrounds.
The pre-licensing eligibility determination is not a final decision and cannot be appealed. If you believe you should be granted a license, you may apply for a license at any time, and will be subject again to a full criminal background investigation. If department staff recommends denial of the license application, you may ask for a hearing at the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). The final decision following a SOAH hearing will be made by the department’s board.