West Virginia Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond

1. Apply for Your West Virginia Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond

To apply for your motor vehicle dealer bond in West Virginia, spend a few minutes filling out the online application. If you need assistance with your application, our friendly bond experts are happy to help. 

Serena recently contacted us for a new Motor Vehicle dealer bond. She was eager to open her dealership, but she felt uncertain about qualifying for a bond with her low credit score. Thanks to our short application and instant bond quote, Serena’s concern was short-lived, and she quickly got a dealer bond. 

2. Review Your Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond Quote

Once you submit the online application for your motor vehicle dealer bond, you will receive an instant bond quote. In some instances, an application is complicated and requires additional review. We provide quotes in these situations within 48 hours. 

3. Pay the Bond Premium Online

To complete your bond purchase, make your payment online. Your West Virginia Motor Vehicle dealer bond will be prepared and emailed to you promptly. A mailed copy is also available, if requested. 

Our bond experts are standing by to assist you if you run into challenges or have questions about your application or quote. Please contact us or call us at (877) 514-5146 for personalized assistance from our team.

The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles is responsible for motor vehicle dealer licenses. Under Article 6, Chapter 17A of the West Virginia Code, motor vehicle dealers are required to have a $25,000 surety bond. This does not apply to vehicle transporters, manufacturers or repo financial institutions. 

The obligee for the surety bond is the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles. The bond provides for acts and omissions that occur from July 1 through June 30 of the following year. The dealer is responsible for maintaining and renewing the bond. 

The bond can be canceled by the surety company at any time. The surety company must provide the DMV with a 30-day written notice of cancellation via certified mail.

Because the motor vehicle dealer bond is a licensing requirement in West Virginia, an active bond is needed at all times. If the bond is canceled and not replaced or if it is not renewed, the dealer’s license is in jeopardy. 

The bond’s renewal premium payment is due annually. Our West Virginia surety company actively supports our customers with the maintenance of their bonds. As your bond’s renewal date approaches, we will contact you with updated payment instructions. 

To formally file a claim, the claimant must contact your surety company directly. A thorough review will be completed by the company, and the facts of the claim will either be substantiated or unsupported. If the claim cannot be validated, it will be denied. 

The surety company will compensate the claimant if the claim is validated. The compensation is limited by the penal sum of the bond. The dealer is liable for fully reimbursing the surety company for the payment to the claimant.

You can learn more about dealer licensing through the West Virginia dealer license guide. The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles maintains the licensing requirements and forms. When applying for a West Virginia motor vehicle dealer license, you must provide:

• An application
• Surety bond
• Certificate of Liability Insurance
• Site inspection
• West Virginia business license
• Color photos of the property and sign
• County affidavit or personal property tax receipt for each corporate officer or owner
• Garage agreement, if applicable
• Franchise agreement, if applicable
• Fingerprinted release of information waiver for all owners and corporate officers
• A “no record” status on a criminal investigation report for all parties 
• Letter of good standing from the tax department for all parties
• Bureau of Employment Programs approval

For additional information and to submit the motor vehicle dealer licensing documentation, contact:

West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles
5707 MacCorkle Avenue SE
Charleston, WV 25304
Phone: (800) 642-9066