Not in Maryland? Motor vehicle dealer bonds in other states

Maryland dealer bonds.
From $100.

Maryland licenses motor vehicle and trailer dealers through the Motor Vehicle Administration and conditions the license on a dealer bond under Transportation Article §15-308. The MVA sets the amount by license type and prior-year volume. Our premium is 0.75% of the bond amount, $100 minimum.

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Required for your MVA dealer license — new, used, motorcycle, or trailer dealers under §15-308
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Amount set by the MVA — generally $15,000 to $300,000 by license type and prior-year sales volume
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Soft credit pull only — never affects your score; the premium itself is 0.75% of the bond amount, $100 minimum
0.75%of the bond amount, $100 minimumExact priceset by your bond amount, in the calculatorSoft pullnever affects your score
Trusted by industry leaders
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)
Blumenfeld Development Group (BDG)
Capital Development Partners
McKinney Properties
Terra Capital
JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle)
Triple Five Group
The Georgetown Company
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)
Blumenfeld Development Group (BDG)
Capital Development Partners
McKinney Properties
Terra Capital
JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle)
Triple Five Group
The Georgetown Company
How it works

Three steps to licensed.

Your dealer license is waiting on this bond. Here's the entire process — no broker phone tag:

TODAY · ONLINE

Apply once, online

Business details, owner information, the bond amount the MVA set, and an effective date. The only extra step is a one-time consent to a soft credit pull.

RIGHT AWAY

Approved

Most are approved as soon as you apply. The credit check is a soft pull that never affects your score. If it needs a second look, one to two business days at most.

WHEN YOU PAY

E-sign & file with the MVA

Pay online and receive the executed dealer bond, ready to file with your MVA dealer license application. Wet-ink originals mailed whenever the MVA insists.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the dealer bond actually guarantees

Maryland licenses motor vehicle and trailer dealers through the Motor Vehicle Administration, and Transportation Article §15-308 conditions the license on a dealer's bond. The bond is a consumer-and-public-protection guarantee: it stands behind your compliance with the Transportation Article in how you sell and title vehicles.

The amount is not a single fixed figure — the MVA sets it by license type and the number of vehicles sold the prior year, generally ranging from $15,000 to $300,000. Used-vehicle dealers commonly carry a $50,000 bond; new-vehicle dealers start around $50,000 and scale with volume. Enter the exact figure from your application and we issue that amount.

It's a three-party arrangement among you (the principal), the surety carrier, and the State of Maryland with harmed buyers (the protected parties). If a dealer fails to deliver clear title, misapplies a customer's money, or otherwise violates dealer law, the harmed party can recover against the bond — and if the surety pays, you repay the surety.

Transportation Article §15-308 (MVA)Maryland motor vehicle and trailer dealers are licensed by the Motor Vehicle Administration, and Md. Code, Transportation §15-308 conditions the license on a dealer’s bond. The MVA sets the bond amount by license type and prior-year sales volume, generally from $15,000 to $300,000. Confirm your required amount on your MVA dealer license application and we will issue that figure.

You need this bond if you're

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Applying for an MVA dealer license — new, used, motorcycle, or trailer
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Renewing your dealer license and your current bond is expiring or non-renewing
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Re-sized by the MVA to a higher bond amount as your sales volume grew
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Opening a Maryland dealership from out of state and getting licensed here

One application, issued instantly.

These are the actual underwriting fields, including a one-time consent to a soft credit pull. Submit once with the MVA-set amount and your bond is issued when you pay.

Start the application →
FAQ

Common questions.

How much is the Maryland dealer bond?Our premium is 0.75% of the bond amount, $100 minimum. The amount itself is set by the MVA by license type and prior-year volume — generally $15,000 to $300,000. Enter the figure on your application and your exact price appears at the application.
Do I pay the full bond amount?No. You pay the premium, which is a small fraction of the bond amount. The bond amount is the surety's maximum liability to the state and harmed buyers — not a deposit, and nobody holds your money.
Who requires this bond?The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, as a condition of a dealer license under Transportation Article §15-308. No active bond, no license.
Is there a credit check?Yes — a quick soft credit check may apply. It's never a hard inquiry and has no impact on your score. It affects approval, not the price — the premium itself is 0.75% of the bond amount, $100 minimum.
What amount should I enter?Use the exact figure on your MVA dealer license application — it's tied to your license type and prior-year sales. If you're not sure, send it to us and we'll confirm before issuing.
Which A-rated carriers underwrite these bonds?Typically Arch Insurance Company (A.M. Best A+) or Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (A.M. Best A). Which one writes your bond depends on the bond type and your state. The carrier's name and official signature are printed on the bond you receive.
How do I contact Light RFP about this bond?Email insurance@lightrfp.com. It reaches the bond team at Light RFP Risk Management Services LLC (NY DFS License # PC-1978982). Write to us about quotes, applications, bond forms or certificates. We will respond within 24 hours.
Related bonds

Other Maryland bonds.

The MVA is waiting on your dealer bond.

Pricing from $100. Enter the MVA-set amount and file the same day. Free until issued.

Your premiumfrom $100
Apply now →