Surety bonds • Florida
Florida Auto Dealer Bond: $25,000 Requirement and Cost
Florida requires a $25,000 surety bond for licensed motor vehicle dealers, including independent (used) and franchised (new) dealers. Anyone who deals in three or more motor vehicles in a 12-month period generally needs a dealer license. Published prices for the used dealer bond start around $140 to $225 a year.
This guide covers the bond, other FLHSMV licensing requirements, renewal timing, and costs. Blake Insurance Group is an independent agency, and a licensed agent can help with your bond and dealer insurance.
Request a Florida dealer bond quote
Tell us your dealer type and whether this is a new license or a renewal, and a licensed agent will follow up. Submitting the form does not bind coverage.
If the form does not load, call 888-387-3687, Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 5:00, or email info@blakeinsurancegroup.com.
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The $25,000 dealer bond
Florida motor vehicle dealers file a $25,000 surety bond that runs with the dealer license year; the surety can cancel with 30 days’ notice (SuretyOne). FLHSMV uses separate bond forms for motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, and mobile home dealers, and motor vehicle applicants may file an irrevocable letter of credit instead (FLHSMV).
Other Florida dealer license requirements
- Garage liability insurance of at least $25,000 combined single limit plus $10,000 personal injury protection.
- Pre-licensing dealer training from an FLHSMV-approved school.
- Location requirements, including office and display space, and a lease agreement.
- Fingerprinting for all dealership officers, a federal EIN, and a Florida sales tax number.
Source: FLHSMV.
How much a Florida dealer bond costs
| Bond | Published starting price |
|---|---|
| $25,000 independent (used) dealer bond | From about $140 to $225 a year |
| $25,000 franchised (new) dealer bond | From about $500 a year |
Starting prices published by Jet Surety ($140) and SuretyBonds.com ($225 used, $500 franchised). Rates depend on credit and the surety.
Renewal timing
Independent (used) dealer licenses and bonds renew each year by April 30, while franchised dealer bonds commonly run on a calendar year (SuretyBonds.com). Some sureties offer multi-year terms (Jet Surety).
Bond vs. dealer insurance
The bond protects customers, not the dealership. Florida also requires garage liability insurance, and most dealers carry dealer’s open lot and commercial auto coverage. See our surety bond vs. insurance guide.
Florida auto dealer bond FAQs
How much is a Florida dealer bond?
The bond amount is $25,000. Published prices for used dealer bonds start around $140 to $225 a year, depending on the surety and credit.
Who needs a Florida dealer license?
Anyone who deals in three or more motor vehicles within any 12-month period.
What insurance does a Florida dealer need?
At least $25,000 combined single-limit garage liability coverage plus $10,000 personal injury protection.
Related guides
- Florida surety bonds
- California auto dealer bond
- Texas auto dealer bond
- Arizona auto dealer bond
- Commercial auto insurance
- Surety bonds
- Surety bond cost
- Surety bond cost calculator
- Buy a surety bond online
- License and permit bonds
- South Dakota auto dealer bond
- West Virginia auto dealer bond
- New Mexico auto dealer bond
- Nebraska auto dealer bond
- Kansas auto dealer bond
- Iowa auto dealer bond
- Oklahoma auto dealer bond
- South Carolina auto dealer bond
- Alabama auto dealer bond
- Tennessee auto dealer bond
- Washington auto dealer bond
- Michigan auto dealer bond
- Pennsylvania auto dealer bond
- New Jersey auto dealer bond
- Illinois auto dealer bond
- Georgia auto dealer bond
- Virginia auto dealer bond
- North Carolina auto dealer bond
- Ohio auto dealer bond
- New York auto dealer bond
Important information
Compensation. The link in the partner quote box near the top of this page is sponsored, and Blake Insurance Group may be paid if you make a purchase. Sponsored placement does not affect the other information on this page.
Independent agency. Blake Insurance Group LLC is an independent insurance agency. Licensed insurance producer NPN 16944666. Licensed states: AZ, AL, TX, CA, NY, OH, FL, NC, VA, GA, OK, NM, IA, KS, MI, NE, SC, SD, WV, IL, NJ, PA, TN, and WA. Which insurance companies we can quote depends on our current appointments, the product, and your state. Mentioning a company on this page does not mean we represent it.
Cost figures. Published averages and ranges are cited from the sources named, as of the dates shown. They are not quotes and may not reflect your price, which depends on the insurer, the surety, your credit, the bond type, and underwriting.
Availability. Coverage, prices, discounts, and eligibility vary by insurer, state, and applicant, and are subject to underwriting. The issued policy controls.
Your next step
Tell us about your dealership, and a licensed agent will help with your Florida dealer bond, or start a bond quote online with our partner.
