# How to get a Tennessee dealer license, step by step > How to get a Tennessee dealer license: the $600 fee, $50,000 bond, $300,000 garage insurance, 288 sq ft office, 15-car lot and CORE filing, step by step. - Canonical URL: https://www.leftlanesoftware.com/blog/tennessee-dealer-license-step-by-step - Language: en-US - Spanish version (Español): https://www.leftlanesoftware.com/blog/como-sacar-la-licencia-de-dealer-en-tennessee-paso-a-paso - State: Tennessee - Topic: Dealer licensing - Last verified: 2026-11-09 _Last verified: November 9, 2026. Every rule links to its official source._ To get a Tennessee dealer license you apply online, in the state's CORE system, to the Tennessee Motor Vehicle Commission (TMVC). Plan on a [$600 license fee](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/fee.html), a $50,000 surety bond, $300,000 of garage liability insurance, a CPA-compiled statement showing $10,000 net worth, a site that passes the Commission's inspection, and at least one licensed salesperson at $50. ## The Tennessee dealer license at a glance | What | The rule | Source | | ---------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | License | One dealer license covers new and used vehicles; apply online in CORE | [TMVC: dealer license](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/get/dealer.html) | | Who needs one | Anyone selling or offering more than 5 vehicles a year | [TMVC: dealer license](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/get/dealer.html) | | Fees | $600 for a 2-year license; $50 per salesperson | [TMVC: fee schedule](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/fee.html) | | Bond | $50,000, covering 2 years | [TMVC: bond form IN-1316](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/commerce/documents/regboards/mvc/forms/MVC_Dealer_Surety_Bond-IN-1316-rev_10-16.pdf) | | Insurance | Garage liability, at least $300,000 per occurrence | [Rule 0960-01-.15](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0960/0960-01.20260601.pdf) | | Net worth | At least $10,000, on a CPA-compiled statement | [Rule 0960-01-.08](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0960/0960-01.20260601.pdf) | | Site | 288-square-foot office with a restroom, a lot for 15 vehicles, 3 customer spaces | [Rule 0960-01-.21](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0960/0960-01.20260601.pdf) | | Course or fingerprints | None in the published requirements | [TMVC: dealer license](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/get/dealer.html) | | Issued | Within 14 business days of approval | [TMVC: dealer license](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/get/dealer.html) | | Renewal | Every 2 years; a late renewal costs 50% of the initial fee | [TMVC: renewal](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/renewal.html) | ## Do you need a dealer license in Tennessee? Yes, once you sell or offer to sell more than 5 vehicles a year in Tennessee, per the [Commission's dealer page](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/get/dealer.html). [Rule 0960-01-.20](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0960/0960-01.20260601.pdf) lets an individual sell up to 5 used vehicles titled in his or her own name within 12 months. A household counts as one individual, and selling vehicles titled in someone else's name is strictly prohibited. Unlicensed selling carries civil penalties of $100 to $5,000 for each day or each act of violation under [rule 0960-01-.13](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0960/0960-01.20260601.pdf). Under [T.C.A. 55-17-117](https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-55/chapter-17/part-1/section-55-17-117/), willful, knowing and persistent violations are a Class C misdemeanor. The [MOTION Act of 2025](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/114/pub/pc0457.pdf) also lets law enforcement take a vehicle used in curbstoning, its term for this kind of unlicensed selling, into custody; the vehicle is subject to forfeiture. A 2026 law, [Public Chapter 540](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/114/pub/pc0540.pdf), drops the license only for antique and unique vehicles sold through one narrowly defined auction format; its conditions include a venue seating at least 20,000 and an operator worth at least $25,000,000. It ends June 30, 2027 unless extended, and it does not cover antique car sales in general. More in [How many cars can you sell in Tennessee without a dealer license?](/blog/how-many-cars-can-you-sell-in-tennessee-without-a-dealer-license) ## Which Tennessee dealer license do you need? Most people opening a used-car lot need the motor vehicle dealer license. The Commission's [license list](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/get.html) and fee schedule show no separate wholesale dealer or broker class. | License | What it covers | Fee | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------ | | Motor vehicle dealer | New and used vehicle sales | $600 | | Salesperson | Selling for one licensed dealer; every dealer needs at least 1 | $50 | | [Motor vehicle auction](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/get/auction.html) | "Strictly wholesale, by and between licensed auto dealers"; $50,000 bond | $1,200 | If you will sell only to dealers, ask the Commission at (615) 741-2241 which license fits. ## Step 1: Set up the business The [dealer page](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/get/dealer.html) asks for your entity documents and a list of every owner of more than 5%. An entity formed in another state also needs a Tennessee Certificate of Authority. An owner, officer or director with a felony conviction supplies the final judgment or disposition order, probation or parole release papers, and any expungement order or certificate of re-employability. Use one exact business name, with any d/b/a, on the business license, sales tax certificate, bond, insurance and financial statement. Fingerprinting is not in the Commission's published requirements. Under [T.C.A. 55-17-114](https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-55/chapter-17/part-1/section-55-17-114/), a conviction for a crime of moral turpitude is a ground for denial when fewer than 5 years have passed since the sentence was completed. ## Step 2: Find a site that meets the Commission's rules [Rule 0960-01-.21](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0960/0960-01.20260601.pdf) and the dealer page set these rules. - **Building.** Permanent, used mainly for vehicle sales and service, and "physically separate and apart from any other businesses"; a connected space needs a permanent floor-to-ceiling wall and its own outside entrance and exit. No residences or temporary facilities; a modular unit must be underpinned. - **Office.** At least 288 square feet, with a working restroom. - **Lot.** Room for 15 vehicles on "compacted gravel, chert, stone or similar materials", for your exclusive use. Grass, public land, unimproved land and residential driveways do not count. - **Parking.** At least 3 spaces dedicated to customers. - **Sign.** Permanent, visible from the road, with letters at least 8 inches high ([rule 0960-01-.09](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0960/0960-01.20260601.pdf)). Banners do not qualify, and the sign may not advertise any other business or product. - **Phone.** A primary number listed in the local directory under the dealership's name, posted on the door, a window or the sign. - **Hours.** At least 12 hours a week over 3 or more days, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., with at least 8 of those hours on weekdays, posted ([rule 0960-01-.10](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0960/0960-01.20260601.pdf)). A second business may share the site only if vehicle sales and service use at least 66% of the space, the other business brings in under 33% of income, and its records are kept separately ([dealer page](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/get/dealer.html)). On a written request, you must certify the space within 15 days and the income within 30 ([rule 0960-01-.11](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0960/0960-01.20260601.pdf)). You should not sign a lease until the zoning office answers the questions in Step 3. ## Step 3: Get the zoning letter and the local business licenses [Rule 0960-01-.07](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0960/0960-01.20260601.pdf) requires "a statement from the proper local authority" that the site meets local zoning. The dealer page says the letter must give the address and state that auto sales are a permitted use, or be an official statement that no restrictions apply. No official source we checked confirms which zoning districts allow car lots in the large cities, so ask the zoning office: 1. Are used-vehicle sales allowed at this exact address? 2. Will you put that in a letter naming the address? 3. Do I also need a certificate of occupancy, a use and occupancy permit or a sign permit? 4. What does the letter cost, and how long does it take? **Business licenses.** The county clerk issues a business tax license in your exact business name; inside a city you usually need the city's too. Each clerk collects a [$15 registration fee](https://www.tn.gov/revenue/taxes/business-tax/registration-and-licensing.html). Gross receipts over $3,000 and under $100,000 take a minimal activity license; $100,000 or more, the standard license. | Where | Business license | Zoning and occupancy | | --------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | Nashville-Davidson | [Davidson County Clerk](https://nashville.gov/departments/county-clerk/business-services/apply-business-license): $30 inside the Urban Services District (Nashville city limits), $15 outside it | Metro Codes: [zoning verification letters](https://www.nashville.gov/sites/default/files/2026-07/FINAL_RoadmaptoStartingaBusinessinNashville.pdf) and Use and Occupancy permits; you "cannot occupy the space until after inspections take place" ([Metro Codes](https://www.nashville.gov/departments/codes/construction-and-permits/building-permits-central/move-business)) | | Memphis and Shelby County | Shelby County Clerk: [$15 county plus $15 city](https://memphistn.gov/licenses-and-permits/) inside Memphis | Division of Planning and Development [zoning letter](https://www.shelbycountytn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/40786/Zoning-Letter-Webpage-Explanation-Form-April-2023): $50 basic (6 to 10 business days), $100 expedited (3 to 5); a Certificate of Occupancy from Construction Enforcement | | Knoxville and Knox County | [City Business License/Tax Office](https://knoxvilletn.gov/business/business_license_tax_office); city and county licenses both required | [Plans Review and Inspections](https://knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/plans_review_inspections/current_codes/zoning_code); a use missing from the use matrix is prohibited everywhere ([manual](https://permits.knoxvilletn.gov/files/assets/building/v/1/zoning/zoning-ordinance-users-manual.pdf)) | | Chattanooga and Hamilton County | [City Treasurer](https://chattanooga.gov/finance/treasury-division/business-licenses), online, $15; a county license too | City letters through the city's online portal; unincorporated county, Hamilton County Building Inspections ([planning agency](https://chcrpa.org/zoning-subdivisions/zoning/)) | | Clarksville and Montgomery County | [Montgomery County Clerk](https://montgomerytn.gov/clerk/business-licensetaxes), $15, federal EIN first; a city license may also apply | Ask which planning office issues letters for your address | Chattanooga puts it plainly: "A business license does not permit operation unless properly zoned." ## Step 4: Register for sales tax You need a current Department of Revenue Sales & Use Tax Certificate showing your ID number, exact name, physical address and any d/b/a ([dealer page](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/get/dealer.html)). Under [rule 0960-01-.24](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0960/0960-01.20260601.pdf), your dealer license "shall be invalid" while you lack a current sales tax number. Rule 0960-01-.25 does the same for your city and county business licenses. ## Step 5: Get a CPA-compiled financial statement The statement is compiled under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), in the business's name, and shows net worth of at least $10,000. A CPA signs it with a license number, and it must be dated within the 12 months before you apply ([rule 0960-01-.08](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0960/0960-01.20260601.pdf), which also accepts a public accountant). The accountant sets the price. ## Step 6: Buy the bond and the insurance **The bond.** A $50,000 corporate surety bond on [form IN-1316](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/commerce/documents/regboards/mvc/forms/MVC_Dealer_Surety_Bond-IN-1316-rev_10-16.pdf), signed by the principal owner or owners, matching the business name and address, with a power of attorney letter. A surety bond is a guarantee you buy from an insurer. This one covers buyers' prepaid title, registration and related fees or taxes you fail to pay, and titles you fail to deliver free of prior liens. The bond runs 2 years. Under [T.C.A. 55-17-111](https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-55/chapter-17/part-1/section-55-17-111/), a letter of credit is not accepted in its place; a certificate of deposit may be. A canceling surety gives the Commission 60 days' notice, and you must then stop doing business or show a bond from another provider ([rule 0960-01-.22](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0960/0960-01.20260601.pdf)). The surety quotes your premium; no official figure exists. **The insurance.** Comprehensive garage liability covering all premises and operations, at least $300,000 per occurrence, for the life of the license ([rule 0960-01-.15](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0960/0960-01.20260601.pdf)). The certificate must show "Garage Liability or Any Auto" coverage, the entity's full name and physical address, and the policy number and period. Workers' compensation law also applies. ## Step 7: Line up a salesperson, a service agreement and your floor plan list - **A licensed salesperson.** Every dealership must employ at least one. A [salesperson](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/get/sales.html) must be at least 18, associated with a licensed dealer, and must report convictions; the fee is $50, and no exam is mentioned. With a complete application on file, the applicant may work as a trainee under a licensed salesperson ([rule 0960-01-.26](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0960/0960-01.20260601.pdf)). Ask the Commission whether an owner who sells needs the license; the rules do not say. - **A service agreement.** With no repair facility on site, you need one with a nearby repair garage. [T.C.A. 55-17-111](https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-55/chapter-17/part-1/section-55-17-111/) calls for a factory-authorized garage, so ask the Commission what it accepts. - **Floor plan lenders.** List anyone who finances your inventory, and report changes within 30 days. The [forms page](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/forms.html) has the Garage Service Agreement and Dealer Floor Plan Agreement. ## Step 8: File the application in CORE, with photos You apply online in CORE and must "Submit all documents before the on-site facility inspection" ([dealer page](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/get/dealer.html)). The file holds the application with the $600 fee, a $50 salesperson application, every document from Steps 1 to 7, and photos: the full lot, sign, posted hours, phone number, office, restroom, and street views of the building and every entrance and exit. Watch the clock. Under [rule 0960-01-.14](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0960/0960-01.20260601.pdf), 25% of your application fees are forfeited if every document is not in within 90 days of the Commission receiving the application. The dealer page says the process then restarts "with new fees". If the application is denied, [T.C.A. 55-17-111](https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-55/chapter-17/part-1/section-55-17-111/) refunds 75% of the fee. ## Step 9: Pass the on-site inspection The Commission inspects the site once the documents are in, and decides eligibility "after inspection and document review." A re-inspection caused by something you did or failed to do costs $400 each under [rule 0960-01-.14](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0960/0960-01.20260601.pdf). Check the site against Step 2 before the visit. ## Step 10: Get the license, then set up plates and tags "Licenses are issued within 14 business days of approval," the [dealer page](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/get/dealer.html) says; no official source gives a time for the whole process. Under [T.C.A. 55-17-111](https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-55/chapter-17/part-1/section-55-17-111/), each place of business needs its own license, prominently displayed. Wait for the license before you sell as a dealer. - **Dealer plates.** Under [T.C.A. 55-4-226](https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-55/chapter-4/part-2/section-55-4-226/), the first plate costs $47.30 and each additional plate $23.65, up to 225 plates a registration year. - **Drive-out tags.** You print 60-day tags through the Department of Revenue's [EZ Tag program](https://tn.gov/revenue/title-and-registration/ez-dealer-tags.html). Revenue's [dealership manual](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/revenue/documents/tax_manuals/auto-dealership-guide.pdf) (December 2023) lists $6.50 per tag plus a $2.00 processing fee. The law provides one 60-day tag (T.C.A. 55-4-226). Revenue currently allows a one-time second tag and may revisit that ([TMVC notice on temporary tags](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/meetings/news.html)). While you wait, you can [set up your lot in LeftLane](https://sandbox.leftlanesoftware.com/signup). ## What does a Tennessee dealer license cost? The state's fees are fixed; private companies price the bond, insurance and financial statement. | Item | Cost | Who sets it | | ------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Dealer license, 2 years | $600 | [Rule 0960-01-.14](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0960/0960-01.20260601.pdf) | | Each salesperson | $50, and $50 to transfer to a new dealer | [TMVC fee schedule](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/fee.html) | | Re-inspection you caused | $400 each | Rule 0960-01-.14 | | Late renewal | "50% of the initial license fee or $300" | [TMVC renewal page](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/renewal.html) | | Relocation or name change | $600 each | TMVC fee schedule | | Dealer plates | $47.30 for the first, $23.65 for each additional | T.C.A. 55-4-226 | | Drive-out tag | $6.50 plus a $2.00 processing fee | Department of Revenue | | Business licenses | $15 per clerk; $30 in Nashville's Urban Services District | County and city clerks | | Bond, insurance, financial statement | Quoted privately | The surety, insurer and accountant | ## What do you owe the Commission after the license? - **Renewal every 2 years.** Renew before the expiration date on the license; the fee is $600 again. With a late fee due, the license is not renewed, and sales in that time "will be subject to fines and penalties" ([renewal page](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/renewal.html)). More than 90 days late, you reapply as a new applicant. - **February 15.** File the [annual sales report](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/clerk/annual-sales-report.html) in CORE. Under [T.C.A. 55-17-125](https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-55/chapter-17/part-1/section-55-17-125/), late filers get no dealer plates until they file, and a dealer with fewer than 24 sales may hold up to 3 plates unless the Commission approves more. - **Within 30 days.** Report changes in address, ownership, employment, trade name or line-make in writing (T.C.A. 55-17-111), and answer in writing any Commission letter that asks for a response ([rule 0960-01-.23](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0960/0960-01.20260601.pdf)). - **Moving.** Since June 1, 2026, [rule 0960-01-.21(6)](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0960/0960-01.20260601.pdf) requires a new application and written notice to the Commission. File the relocation in CORE, pay $600, and email the notice to MVCMail@tn.gov ahead of the move. - **Taxes.** Sales tax returns are due by the 20th of the month after each period ([Department of Revenue](https://www.tn.gov/revenue/taxes/sales-and-use-tax/due-dates-and-tax-rates.html)); the [business tax](https://www.tn.gov/revenue/taxes/business-tax/due-dates-and-tax-rates.html) return, by the 15th day of the fourth month after your fiscal year ends. - **Records.** The Commission may inspect your records during normal business hours ([rule 0960-01-.11](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0960/0960-01.20260601.pdf)). No continuing education is in the published requirements. Read next: [After the sale in Tennessee, and who can inspect you](/blog/tennessee-dealer-after-the-sale-and-inspections), [Financing your own sales in Tennessee](/blog/tennessee-buy-here-pay-here-financing-rules) and [How to start a used car dealership in Tennessee](/blog/how-to-start-a-used-car-dealership-in-tennessee). ## What trips people up - **Signing a lease before the zoning letter.** No local statement that auto sales are permitted, no license. - **A lot that does not qualify.** Grass, shared space or a residential driveway does not count toward the 15 spaces. - **Names that do not match.** Every document needs the exact licensee name and any d/b/a. - **Letting 90 days pass.** You forfeit 25% of your fees, and the file restarts with new fees. - **Old fee figures.** Some online copies of the rules still show $400 and $35. Since September 15, 2025 the fees are $600 and $50. - **A third drive-out tag.** Revenue allows two for now, and the Commission warns that more puts your license at risk. ## What changed recently - **July 1, 2027 (coming).** A first-time registration will need proof of insurance ([Public Chapter 1077](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/114/pub/pc1077.pdf)). - **June 30, 2027 (coming).** The narrow antique and unique vehicle auction exception added by Public Chapter 540 ends unless extended. - **January 1, 2027 (coming).** A first-time registration will need proof of citizenship or lawful presence, and a dealer handling a buyer's registration must submit a copy of the buyer's documentation (T.C.A. 55-4-144(f), from [Public Chapter 954](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/114/pub/pc0954.pdf)). - **June 1, 2026.** A dealer that moves must file a new application and notify the Commission in writing. - **April 14, 2026.** The [Commission warned](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc.html) that most scratch-off and lottery-style mailers break its advertising rules. - **September 15, 2025.** The dealer fee rose from $400 to $600 and the salesperson fee from $35 to $50 ([TMVC notice](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/commerce/documents/regboards/mvc/posts/Notice_6-25-25.pdf)). ## Frequently asked questions ### How much does a Tennessee dealer license cost? The Motor Vehicle Commission charges $600 for the 2-year dealer license and $50 for each salesperson. Private companies price the $50,000 bond, the $300,000 garage liability policy and the CPA-compiled financial statement. Local business licenses start at $15 per clerk. ### How long does it take to get a Tennessee dealer license? The Commission issues licenses within 14 business days of approval but gives no time for the whole process. Approval follows the document review and the site inspection. Every document is due within 90 days of the Commission receiving your application, or 25% of the fees is forfeited. ### Do you need a course, exam or fingerprints for a Tennessee dealer license? No course, exam or fingerprinting appears in the Commission's published dealer or salesperson requirements, and they include no continuing education. An owner, officer or director with a felony conviction files the court papers, and under T.C.A. 55-17-114 a recent moral turpitude conviction can be grounds for denial. ### Do you need a separate license for each location in Tennessee? Yes. Under T.C.A. 55-17-111, each place of business needs its own dealer license, prominently displayed, and a license cannot be transferred. Changes in address, ownership or trade name go to the Motor Vehicle Commission in writing within 30 days, and moving means a new application. ### What happens if your Tennessee dealer license expires? Renew before the expiration date on the license. A late renewal costs 50% of the initial license fee, and sales made while the license is not renewed are subject to fines and penalties. More than 90 days after expiration, you reapply as a new applicant and get a new license number. ## Your next step Get the one-page [Tennessee dealer license checklist](/blog/tennessee-dealer-license-step-by-step): every form, fee and office from this guide in the order you will need them, sent to your inbox. When your application is in, you can [set up your lot in LeftLane](https://sandbox.leftlanesoftware.com/signup) or [book a LeftLane demo](https://meetings.hubspot.com/greg954/leftlane-request-demo?uuid=b03d2fbc-01be-4deb-8a2a-bf6c5ff6943d) while you wait for the Commission. LeftLane is a dealer management system for independent and buy-here-pay-here dealers, and real people answer the phone at 512-222-9549 if you get stuck. ## Sources - [TMVC: dealer license](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/get/dealer.html), [licenses](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/get.html), [fees](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/fee.html) and [fee notice](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/commerce/documents/regboards/mvc/posts/Notice_6-25-25.pdf) - [TMVC: salesperson](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/get/sales.html), [auction](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/get/auction.html), [renewal](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/renewal.html), [forms](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/license/forms.html) and [bond form](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/commerce/documents/regboards/mvc/forms/MVC_Dealer_Surety_Bond-IN-1316-rev_10-16.pdf) - [TMVC: annual sales report](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/clerk/annual-sales-report.html), [news](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc/meetings/news.html) and [main page](https://www.tn.gov/commerce/regboards/mvc.html) - [Rules chapter 0960-01, Secretary of State, June 2026](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0960/0960-01.20260601.pdf) - [T.C.A. 55-17-111](https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-55/chapter-17/part-1/section-55-17-111/), [55-17-114](https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-55/chapter-17/part-1/section-55-17-114/), [55-17-117](https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-55/chapter-17/part-1/section-55-17-117/), [55-17-125](https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-55/chapter-17/part-1/section-55-17-125/) and [55-4-226](https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/title-55/chapter-4/part-2/section-55-4-226/) - [Public Chapters 457](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/114/pub/pc0457.pdf), [540](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/114/pub/pc0540.pdf), [954](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/114/pub/pc0954.pdf) and [1077](https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/acts/114/pub/pc1077.pdf) - [Revenue: EZ Tags](https://tn.gov/revenue/title-and-registration/ez-dealer-tags.html), [dealership manual](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/revenue/documents/tax_manuals/auto-dealership-guide.pdf), [sales tax](https://www.tn.gov/revenue/taxes/sales-and-use-tax/due-dates-and-tax-rates.html), [business license](https://www.tn.gov/revenue/taxes/business-tax/registration-and-licensing.html) and [business tax](https://www.tn.gov/revenue/taxes/business-tax/due-dates-and-tax-rates.html) - [Davidson County Clerk](https://nashville.gov/departments/county-clerk/business-services/apply-business-license), [Metro Codes](https://www.nashville.gov/departments/codes/construction-and-permits/building-permits-central/move-business) and [Metro roadmap](https://www.nashville.gov/sites/default/files/2026-07/FINAL_RoadmaptoStartingaBusinessinNashville.pdf) - [Memphis: licenses](https://memphistn.gov/licenses-and-permits/); [Shelby County: zoning letter](https://www.shelbycountytn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/40786/Zoning-Letter-Webpage-Explanation-Form-April-2023) - [Knoxville: business license](https://knoxvilletn.gov/business/business_license_tax_office), [zoning code](https://knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/plans_review_inspections/current_codes/zoning_code) and [manual](https://permits.knoxvilletn.gov/files/assets/building/v/1/zoning/zoning-ordinance-users-manual.pdf) - [Chattanooga: business licenses](https://chattanooga.gov/finance/treasury-division/business-licenses); [regional planning agency](https://chcrpa.org/zoning-subdivisions/zoning/); [Montgomery County Clerk](https://montgomerytn.gov/clerk/business-licensetaxes) _This guide is general information for dealers, not legal advice. Rules and fees change. Confirm with the agency or a licensed attorney in your state before you act._