Secondhand Dealer Auto License
A Secondhand Dealer Auto license is required to buy or sell secondhand automobiles. The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) issues this license.
You must have the applicable Business Certificate based on your business’s legal structure. Although DCWP does not require submission of your Business Certificate in order to process your application, DCWP may request this document under section 20-104 of the New York City Administrative Code.
- Sole proprietors operating under a name other than your own must have a Business/Assumed Name Certificate.
- Partnerships must have a Partnership Certificate and, if applicable, an Assumed Name Certificate for your business.
- Corporations, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, or Limited Liability Partnerships must register and remain active with the New York State Division of Corporations. You can check your status at www.dos.ny.gov/corps.
Complete the Basic License Application.
The Basic License Application requires business information, including applicable identification numbers (such as EIN, SSN, or ITIN); contact information for the business location and business owner, history of criminal and / or civil charges for the business owners, partners, shareholders, and officers; and any DCWP license history for individuals named on the application and their relatives.
The business must provide their New York State Sales Tax Identification Number or Certificate of Authority Application Confirmation Number on the Basic License Application .
Submit a copy of the Certificate of Occupancy, Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (expiring no less than 30 days from date of application submission), or Letter of No Objection from the Department of Buildings (DOB) confirming that your premises is suitable to operate your business. If you submit a Certificate of Occupancy or Temporary Certificate of Occupancy, it must be the most current version and show approval of the premises for "Use Group 16" and designation of "Sale of Used Cars," "Motor Vehicle Sales Lot" or "Use Group 9" accompanied with "Automobile Showroom" or "Car Sales."
If the license application will be filed by someone other than the applicant, complete the Granting Authority to Act Affirmation.
List of Fees.
- $600: License Fee for applicants who file for a new secondhand dealer auto license from August 1 of years that end in an odd number to January 31 of years that end in an even number.
- $450: License Fee for applicants who file for a new secondhand dealer auto license from February 1 of years that end in an even number to July 31 of years that end in an even number.
- $300: License Fee for applicants who file for a new secondhand dealer auto license from August 1 of years that end in an even number to January 31 of years that end in an odd number.
- $150: License Fee for applicants who file for a new secondhand dealer auto license from February 1 of years that end in an odd number to July 31 of years that end in an odd number.
- Fingerprint Processing Fee per person.
- Non-Refundable Convenience Fee for paying with a credit card.
List of accepted payment methods.
- Check (Payable to NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, accepted only for in person application submissions.)
- Money Order (Payable to NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, accepted only for in person application submissions.)
- Credit card including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Card.
- If the application is approved, DCWP will issue the applicant a license document.
- If the application requires additional information, DCWP will notify the applicant by mail with instructions on how to submit this information. If the applicant does not submit the requested materials to DCWP within 10 days of receiving this notification letter, the application will be denied.
- If the application is denied, DCWP will provide an explanation for the denial and information about the reapplication process.