Not in Texas? Motor vehicle dealer bonds in other states

Texas dealer registration bonds.
From $100.

Also known as the Texas auto dealer bond or car dealer bond.

The bond a Texas dealer files with the county tax assessor-collector to be authorized to process its own title and registration paperwork (often through webDEALER). The county sets the amount — premiums start from $100, with one soft credit pull that never affects your score. Premiums run 1.5% of your bond amount, $100 minimum.

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Filed with your county tax assessor-collector — each county runs its own authorization

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Amount is set by the county — enter the figure on your county’s requirement

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Soft credit pull only — never affects your score, priced at 1.5% of your bond amount, $100 minimum

From $100your exact price at applicationSoft pullnever affects your scoreRated1.5% of bond amount, $100 minimum

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How it works

Three steps to authorized.

Your county authorization 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 your county requires, 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

File with your county

Pay online and receive the executed bond, ready to file with your county tax assessor-collector to be authorized to process title and registration work. Wet-ink originals mailed whenever the county insists.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the bond actually guarantees

A licensed Texas dealer can be authorized by its county tax assessor-collector to process the title and registration paperwork on the vehicles it sells — often electronically through the state’s webDEALER system. The county conditions that authorization on a surety bond standing behind the dealer’s correct handling of titles, registrations, taxes, and fees.

It's a three-party arrangement: you (the principal), the surety carrier standing behind you, and the county together with the public (the protected parties). If a dealer mishandles a customer’s registration, fails to remit taxes or fees, or misuses license plates and registration receipts, the harmed party can recover against the bond.

This is a county-level filing, not a single statewide bond — each county tax assessor-collector sets its own amount and runs its own authorization, so a dealer working in multiple counties may need a separate bond in each. It is also not insurance for you: if the surety pays a claim, you repay the surety.

County tax assessor-collector authorizationTexas dealers that process their own title and registration work are authorized by, and post a surety bond with, the county tax assessor-collector — the bond backs the proper handling of registrations, license plates and registration receipts, and the taxes and fees collected. The required amount is set by each county, so confirm the figure with your county tax office; send us your county’s requirement and we’ll issue it.

You need this bond if you're

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A licensed dealer seeking county authorization to process your own titles and registrations

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Enrolling in webDEALER through your county tax assessor-collector

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Adding a county where you need a separate registration bond on file

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Renewing your county authorization and your current bond is expiring

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 issued when you pay.

Start the application →

FAQ

Common questions.

How much is the Texas dealer registration bond?Premiums run 1.5% of your bond amount, $100 minimum. The bond amount itself is set by your county tax assessor-collector, so enter the figure your county requires and your exact price appears at the application.

Who requires this bond?Your county tax assessor-collector — not the state directly. It conditions a dealer’s authorization to process its own title and registration paperwork (often through webDEALER) on this surety bond.

Do I need one bond per county?Often, yes. Each county tax assessor-collector runs its own authorization and sets its own amount, so a dealer operating across multiple counties typically files a separate bond in each. Send us your counties and we’ll issue each one.

Is there a credit check?Yes — one soft credit pull, which never affects your score and is never a hard inquiry. It's the only extra step beyond the application. Your premium is 1.5% of the bond amount, $100 minimum, regardless of credit tier.

Is this the same as the state dealer license bond?No. This is the county-level registration bond that authorizes a dealer to process titles and registrations. Texas also has separate state dealer requirements through the DMV — confirm which your situation needs, and we can help with either.

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 Texas bonds.

Your county authorization is waiting on one document.

From $100, short application, bond issued when you pay. Free until issued.

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Your premiumfrom $100

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