A Texas dealer license has to be renewed to keep buying and selling vehicles legally; dealing on an expired license can bring fines and legal action. The process mirrors the original application and runs online. Here it is, step by step.
At a glance
| Issued by | Texas Department of Motor Vehicles |
|---|---|
| Renewal cycle | Every two years; salvage dealers every year |
| Education | A course of at least three hours, if licensed less than 10 years as of September 1, 2019 |
| Where | Texas eLICENSING system |
| Payment | Credit card or ACH/eCheck |
5 steps to renewal
1. Gather the documents
Have these ready before you start, as you may need to upload them:
- Sales and service agreements
- Assumed name certificates issued by the Secretary of State
- Information about any criminal matters
- For corporations, LPs, LLPs and LLCs: the dealership's formation documents on file with the Texas Secretary of State
2. Take the course if it applies
Renewing dealers who had been licensed for less than 10 years as of September 1, 2019 must complete a licensing course, as all new applicants do. For a renewal it must be at least three hours long and come from a Texas motor vehicle trade association or a Texas institution of higher education. Approved courses are listed through Texas Dealer Education, and the completion certificate is uploaded with the renewal.
3. Fill in the renewal in eLICENSING
- Log in to Texas eLICENSING and choose "Renew a License."
- Pick your organization on the Organizations page, then the license to renew on the Licenses page.
- Update the Contact Information page if needed; the TxDMV uses it to reach you about the application.
- Correct anything that has changed on the License Information page.
- Enter the total number of vehicles sold in the last calendar year.
- Choose the plates to renew or cancel, and say whether you want more metal dealer plates and how many.
- Check the ownership details and update the Criminal History page if needed.
- Answer the yes or no questions on military service and compliance with licensing rules.
- Upload the required documents.
If anything is wrong, the system sends you back to that section to fix it.
4. Review and sign
Check everything on the Summary page and click "Save and Next." With a valid Texas driver's license you can sign electronically; otherwise download and print the application, sign it, then scan and upload it.
5. Pay the renewal fees
Click "Proceed to Payment," pay by credit card or ACH/eCheck and click "Submit Payment." Wait for the popup that says the payment was successful; a confirmation that the application was submitted follows.
Before you apply
Requirements, fees and bond amounts change. Confirm the current rules with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles before you file. This guide is general information, not legal advice; for questions about your situation, talk to a lawyer.
Licensed? Stock your lot at the Kendall FL Auto auction
Licensed dealers can register to bid at the Kendall FL Auto auction, check the run list of upcoming lots, or consign vehicles to the sale.