TriStar Motors LLC Licensing Checklist
The process can be broken down into three steps:
1. Dealer Class, Practice Exam
& Certificate
2. Getting your bond & submitting
an Application
3. Final location inspection by
your DMV Inspector
Here is a list of everything:
Dealer Education School, Call TriStar Motors 800 - 901 - 5950 and to
attend obtain your Certificate.
Register On-Line at www.gotplates.com
Everyone must take the New Dealer Class, http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d05/vc11704_5.htm
Obtain the DMV Inspector’s number for your area and leave a message
to schedule the examination. The DMV website @ www.dmv.ca.gov. Then
from the DMV website, www.dmv.ca.gov,
the student must find the:
List of DMV inspectors, http://www.dmv.ca.gov/fo/inspector_office.htm
Application for dealers license, http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vehindustry/ol/forms/vehicledealer.htm
List of registration forms, http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/formsreg.htm
Pass the DMV exam. (Exam Cost $16)
When you have studied and are prepared for the DMV dealer examination
the student will make an appointment with the DMV Inspector. The student
will need to take their:
CA photo ID & TriStar issued DMV New Dealer
Class Certificate
The DMV dealer test is 30 minutes long, 40 questions, multiple
choice. The student must get 28 correct out of 40, 70%, and three
chances are allowed on one certificate. If the student does not pass,
TriStar supplemental training is always FREE. If the student fails the
test three times, TriStar will make a full refund.
Choose the Name, Location and Type of dealership.
Once the testing is complete the student begins
to build the business.
Every dealer needs to choose a name of the
dealership and a location.
Every dealer MUST have an office
Every dealer needs to choose the type of dealership
and vehicle type with endorsements.
Dealer types: Retail
or Wholesale Only (Wholesale CANNOT Sell to the General Public!)
Vehicle Types:
A/C cars
and trucks
M/C motorcycles
ATV
all terrain vehicles
MH
motorhome
Rec T recreational
trailer
Trl
trailer
SM
snowmobile
Endorsements: AutoBroker (Find out more about the Benefits of being
a broker!)
Obtain the Zoning Verification Letter.
Every dealer must have their location zoning approved, using the
proper DMV form, by the local planning authority for the office location
The proper zoning form: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/ol/ol902.pdf
File a Fictitious Name Statement with the county
clerk and have it published in a local paper.
The dealer must file a Fictitious Name Statement with the county
clerk of jurisdiction for the office location.
A list of California county websites:
http://www.csac.counties.org/default.asp?id=7
Obtain a Surety Bond in the amount of $ 50,000
(Wholesale & less than 25 cars/ year = $10,000.)
The surety bond is a promise by the dealer to honor all obligations
on behalf of the dealership, including DMV fees and penalties, State
sales tax and a judgment by any court against the dealership.
Cash, Savings or a Bond may be posted.
Your credit report will set the Bond Premium Some credit scores will
require collateral.
The DMV form needed to submit your bond: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/ol/ol25.htm
If less than 25 cars per year & wholesale only: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/ol/ol25b.pdf
Obtain a Business License
The city or county issuing the zoning permission letter will usually
require a business license.
Obtain a Live Scan Fingerprint Card.
To obtain a location check: www.doj.ca.gov
DMV Live Scan information: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vehindustry/ol/livescan.htm
DMV Sample Live Scan Form: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/ol/dmv8016.pdf
Obtain a Board of Equalization Seller’s Permit.
To obtain a location of a field office: http://www.boe.ca.gov/info/phone.htm
Board Information on Registration: http://www.boe.ca.gov/info/reg.htm#sales
Application Form: http://www.boe.ca.gov/pdf/boe400spa.pdf
Complete the Application and have someone read
it over for you to look for errors and omissions. Ask your DMV Inspector
if you can FAX it in for review.
Call the DMV Inspector and submit the Application with your Bond Declaration
Form. You must have a Bond in place to submit your application. If you
wish to be considered for a temporary license, you must have all photos
completed as well.
List of DMV inspectors, http://www.dmv.ca.gov/fo/inspector_office.htm
DMV photo requirements: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vehindustry/ol/photoreq.htm
Generally you will need:
11 photos for retail
8 for wholesale. They are:
1
Building photo
2
Outside sign photo
3
Display area photo
4
Office
5
Business License posting photo
6
Resale Permit posting photo
7
Telephone
8
Interior Signs
9
Locked Cabinet
10
Checkbook
11
Dealer Book
Build your office
before you contact the DMV Inspector for final inspection and clearance.
Obtain a phone and have a phone
line installed in the name of the dealership, including a 411 listing.
If retail, Obtain and install exterior
signs. One sign if sole user of the location. Multiple signs if mixed
use at the location.
If retail, Install the two Office
Signs provided by TriStar:
Create a locked cabinet, desk drawer,
file cabinet or safe to store DMV report of sale forms.
Open a Bank Account in the name
of the dealership.
Label a thick 3 ring binder as your
dealer book. This book will hold for all updates sent by the DMV, all
ROS forms you might have to void & your broker log.
For registration forms write to:
DMV Forms Office, P.O. Box 932242, Sacramento,CA, 94232
· Use the list
of forms from the DMV website & add the REG 262 to the list.
· List of registration
forms, http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/formsreg.htm
· Draft a letter
on your dealer letterhead including a copy of your DMV certificate of
completion requesting 25 of each listed form. These forms are sent at
no charge.
· Contact a Law
Supply for forms & disclosures.Their website for dealer forms: http://www.reynoldsandreynolds.com/for_customers/solutions/forms/index.asp
The two forms needed:
conditional sales contract
CA553
English copy, 4 per
set, latest version
Spanish Copy, 1 per
set, latest version
As-is no warranty for Federal
Buyers Guide (327D)
Create & have ready photos of your setup. Instruction on photos
@ www.dmv.ca.gov
· Final inspection
follows in 90 – 120 days following clearance from Sacramento.
· Call the DMV
Inspector for an inspection appointment.
· When you pass
inspection you will receive your:
Dealer Number
Temporary License
Special Plates
Report of Sale Forms (ROS),
for your type of license.
