MO vehicle & boat dealer bonds.
$500 flat.

Missouri requires every licensed motor vehicle or boat dealer to file a $50,000 bond with the Department of Revenue under RSMo 301.560. Ours is $500 flat — the price you see is the checkout price, identical for every dealer. A quick soft credit check may apply; e-signed in 1–2 business days.

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Required for your MO dealer license — new and used motor vehicle, powersport, wholesale, trailer, and boat dealers

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Fixed amount, fixed price — $50,000 bond, $500, no quote theater

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A quick soft credit check may apply — never a hard inquiry, never affects your score, and the price stays $500 either way

A-ratedA.M. Best carriersInstantissued the moment you pay1–3 yrterms available

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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, effective date. That is the application — the only extra step is a one-time consent to a soft credit pull.

WITHIN 48 HOURS

Reviewed & approved

Most of these clear quickly; if underwriting needs anything, you hear from an underwriter within 48 hours. The credit check is a soft pull that never affects your score.

1–2 BUSINESS DAYS

E-sign & file with the Department of Revenue

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

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the bond actually guarantees

Missouri licenses motor vehicle and boat dealers through the Department of Revenue, and RSMo 301.560 conditions the license on a $50,000 corporate surety bond (or an irrevocable letter of credit). The same $50,000 applies across new and used motor vehicle, powersport, wholesale, trailer, and boat dealers.

The bond is conditioned on the dealer complying with the motor vehicle and boat dealer statutes, and is an indemnity for any loss caused by acts that would be grounds to suspend or revoke the license — clear title, proper handling of customer funds, and honest dealing. Harmed buyers and the state can recover against it.

It is a three-party guarantee, not insurance for you: if the surety pays a claim, you repay the surety. Note that dealers who deliver vehicles before transferring the certificate of ownership must instead post a $100,000 bond — see our $100,000 dealer page if that’s you.

RSMo 301.560Section 301.560, RSMo requires every applicant for a new motor vehicle franchise dealer, used motor vehicle dealer, powersport dealer, wholesale motor vehicle dealer, trailer dealer, or boat dealer license to furnish a $50,000 corporate surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit on a form approved by the Department of Revenue. A $100,000 bond is required for dealers who deliver vehicles before transferring the certificate of ownership. Confirm the amount that applies to your license type.

You need this bond if you are

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Applying for a MO dealer license — new, used, powersport, wholesale, trailer, or boat

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Renewing your dealer license and your current bond is expiring or non-renewing

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Adding a dealership location that the Department of Revenue ties to a bond filing

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Moving to Missouri from another 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 and your bond is typically issued within 1–2 business days.

Start the application →

FAQ

Common questions.

Do I pay the $50,000?No. You pay $500 — the flat price for the $50,000 bond. The $50,000 is the surety’s maximum liability to the state and harmed buyers; it’s not a deposit, and nobody holds your money.

Who requires this bond?The Missouri Department of Revenue requires it as a condition of a motor vehicle or boat dealer license, under RSMo 301.560. No active bond, no license.

Is it $50,000 or $100,000?The standard dealer bond is $50,000. A $100,000 bond applies only to dealers who deliver vehicles before transferring the certificate of ownership. If that describes you, use our $100,000 dealer page instead.

Is there a credit check?A quick soft credit check may apply — never a hard inquiry, and it never affects your score. It informs approval, not price. The price is $500 either way: credit can affect whether we approve the bond, never what it costs.

When does it renew?Terms run 1, 2, or 3 years — your choice at purchase. You’ll get renewal notices 60 and 30 days before expiration, with autopay available, and the bond must stay active for your dealer license to stay valid.

Related bonds

Other Missouri bonds.

The Department of Revenue is waiting on one document.

$500 flat, short application, e-signed bond in 1–2 business days. Free until issued.

Start application

Your price$500

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