When you need this business licence, eligibility requirements, and how to apply.
On this page
Key information
- In NSW, you need a motor dealer licence to run a business that involves buying, selling or exchanging motor vehicles as a retailer or wholesaler.
- Wholesalers cannot sell vehicles to the public.
- A licence is also needed to deal in written-off light vehicles that have been registered in NSW or interstate.
- You can apply for a 1, 3 or 5-year licence.
When a motor dealer licence is needed
You need a motor dealer licence if your business involves buying, selling or exchanging motor vehicles as a retailer or a wholesaler.
Motor vehicles include cars, motorcycles, caravans, and some trailers.
A trailer is a vehicle built to be towed, or is towed, by a motor vehicle and does not include a trailer that weighs 250 kilograms or less when empty.
A towable recreation vehicle with living space or sleeping facilities is also classified as a trailer.
A wholesaler is unable to sell vehicles to the public.
You must also hold a licence to deal in written-off light vehicles that have been registered in NSW or interstate.
Unlicensed motor dealing in NSW is an offence and can result in a penalty notice of $5,500 or prosecution with a maximum penalty of $110,000. In the case of a second or subsequent offence, the maximum penalty is $110,000 or imprisonment for 12 months, or both. A court may also order a person convicted of unlicensed motor dealing to forfeit any proceeds made from the vehicles sold.
Learn more about your obligations working as a motor dealer.
When a motor dealer licence is not needed
You don’t need a motor dealer’s licence for:
- vehicles that don't transport goods or passengers on public roads (e.g. agricultural equipment)
- vehicles that aren't capable of being registered in NSW (e.g. quad bikes, Segways, motorised wheelchairs and battery powered bikes)
- trailers used to transport a second-hand boat if the trailer is included as part of the sale of the boat. A second-hand dealer licence will still be required for this sale.
Eligibility
Who can apply
To apply for a motor dealer licence you must:
- be at least 18 years old
- be a ‘fit and proper person’ to hold a licence
- not be a controlled member of a declared organisation
- not be disqualified from holding a licence
- not be an undischarged bankrupt
- not, as an adult, have been found guilty in the past 10 years of motor vehicle stealing or dishonesty offences
- have sufficient financial resources to carry on the business
- have approval from the local council to run a motor dealer business at your nominated business address.
Who is 'fit and proper' to hold a licence?
Fair Trading will perform checks (including financial and police checks) to determine whether you are a fit and proper person.
For example, this means you:
- have not been found guilty of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty in the last 10 years, and are not currently involved in court proceedings for such an offence
- have not been convicted of an offence under the Motor Dealers and Repairers Act 2013, the Regulations, or another Act administered by the Minister of Fair Trading
- are not a member of or regularly associate with members of a declared criminal organisation.
In addition, Fair Trading will confirm if you have made any compulsory contributions or other payments to the Compensation Fund under the Motor Dealers and Repairers Act (if applicable).
The Secretary may also conduct further checks to determine your eligibility to hold a licence if necessary.
How to apply
What you need
Before you begin your application make sure you have:
- proof of identity
- personal details (name, address and date of birth) of either the individual or business partners
- business details, including the registered name of your business, the address, and incorporation date
- Australian company number (ACN)/Australian business number (ABN) number
- payment for the licence fee. See our fees page for details.
You can apply for a 1, 3 or 5 year licence.
If you have a business manager
If you are employing a manager to run your business, you need to nominate them and tell Fair Trading.
The manager will need to complete the Manager’s consent form included within your application.
A corporation must nominate an individual to be manager of the day-to-day business of the licensee. An individual can manage the business themselves or nominate another person to manage the business.
Where there is more than one manager, complete a separate Manager's consent form for each manager to include in your application.
Apply now
Apply online at the Service NSW website.
To begin, select the ‘Apply now’ button below.
Your application will take about 20 minutes to complete.
This is for new applicants only. Find out how to renew your licence below.
To apply in-person as an individual, download and complete the Individual application form.
To apply in person as a corporation, download and complete the Corporation application form.
Take your completed application form and any supporting documents to your nearest Service NSW Centre.
1. Review application
Your application will be reviewed and assessed to check it meets eligibility requirements. This can take up to 30 business days.
We might contact you (by email) if we need more information.
2. Outcome advised
We will send an email to advise you if your application has been successful.
If your application is successful, the email will include a copy of your licence and your details will be added to the public register.
If your application is unsuccessful, you’ll be advised of the reasons in writing and be provided with your options.
Renew a licence
You need to renew your motor dealer licence before it expires.
We will send you a renewal form about four weeks before the expiry date with details of how to renew.
If you’ve received your renewal notice, you can renew your licence online.
If your licence isn't renewed by the due date it will expire, and you will no longer be authorised to conduct business.
Restoring your licence after expiry
If your licence expired less than last three months (92 days) ago, you may be able to restore it (for a fee) at a Service NSW Centre.
You can use the details on your renewal form to apply to restore your licence.
If your licence is renewed or restored, you’ll keep your existing licence number. In this instance, your licence is considered to have been renewed from the day the licence expired.
If your licence has been expired for more than 3 months, restoration may not be an option and you may need to reapply.
To check the status of your licence, you can search the public register.
Replace a motor dealer licence
If you have a motor dealer licence and it's been damaged, lost or stolen, you can apply for a replacement at a Service NSW centre.
You will need a written request for a replacement that includes your licence number, the reason for a replacement and your signature.
Change of licence details
As a licence holder, it is your responsibility to tell us within 14 days if your name, address or other details change.
To change your name or contact details, download and complete the licence amendment application form.
You can change your licence details in person at a Service NSW Centre, or by email to [email protected]
Change the details of your premises
‘Notified premises’ are places (excluding trade shows) where you intend to conduct business authorised by your licence.
To change the details of your notified premises, download and complete the Change to Notified Premises form.
You must change your details:
- at least 20 business days before operating at your new premises
- within 20 business days of ceasing business at your premises.
You can change your licence details in person at a Service NSW Centre, or by email to [email protected].
Contact us
Need help applying?
If you need help with your application or have a question, please call 13 32 20.
Unsuccessful applications
You can apply for a review.
A review involves another officer from Fair Trading, who was not involved in the original decision, reviewing the decision on your application.
For more information about the process see reviews of Fair Trading decisions.