Motor Vehicle Commission
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
Becoming licensed:
Who is required to be licensed?
How long will it take to process my application?
Changes in license status:
Am I required to notify the board if my job status changes?
How far in advance of expiration date should my renewal be completed?
I let my license expire. How do I have it reinstated?
How do I change ownership of the dealer license?
How long do I have to send in a relocation application once I have moved my dealership?
Complaints:
How do I file a complaint against a company/individual?
What happens after I file a complaint?
What can the state do if I have a legitimate grievance?
Change of Address/other key information:
Am I required to notify the board if I change my address?
Can I change my information via online form?
Misc.:
How do I determine if an individual/company is licensed?
How can I get the forms I need?
How do I know when and where regulatory boards meet?
What is the purpose of a surety bond and why is a letter of credit no longer acceptable?
Why am I required to have a landline phone and not just a cell phone?
I just received my dealership license but need more than three dealer plates. How may I obtain more?
Can you fax a copy of my license once I get approved?
How do I pay for this traffic ticket or go to class?
How do I get my boat registered?
How do I learn about changes in Tennessee law?
Who is required to be licensed?
- Dealers -- Anyone who sells more than five (5) motor vehicles in one (1) year must become a licensed motor vehicle dealer.
- Salesmen -- Anyone selling vehicles for a dealership must be licensed for that particular dealership.
- Auctions -- Any auction house that sells motor vehicles to dealers or to the public.
- Manufacturers/Distributors -- Any person or firm that manufactures or assembles new or used vehicles to be sold in the state of Tennessee.
- Representatives -- People who work for a manufacturer or distributor that sells in the state of Tennessee.
- Dismantler/recycler --
Any person, firm, association, corporation, or trust resident or nonresident, who is engaged in the business and/or providing facilities for the purpose of recovering parts from automobiles and trucks,which have been wrecked or otherwise rendered inoperable as transportation vehicles with the parts recovered being for resale and further reduce used automobiles and trucks to a condition capable of salvage for their scrap content by scrap processors.
- RV Dealers --
Anyone who sells vehicles designed as temporary living quarters for recreation, camping, or travel use, which either has its own motive power or is drawn by another vehicle.
- RV Manufacturers/Distributors --
A person or firm that manufactures or assembles new or used RV’s to sell in the state of Tennessee.
How do I obtain a license?
Paperwork is available online or calling our office by request through the Motor Vehicle Commission office. Applicants must meet all legal requirements.
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How long will it take to process my application?
Applications are processed on a daily basis. Your license should be mailed to you seven (7) to ten (10) days after all required paperwork is received and inspection, if required, is completed.
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Am I required to notify the board if my job status changes?
Yes, you will need to submit the required paperwork or return your license if you have closed your business or are a salesman no longer working at a dealership.
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How do I renew a license?
Return all required paperwork with applicable fees by mail or in person, or renew online.
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How far in advance of expiration date should my renewal be completed?
All fees and required paperwork should be in our office ten (10) days prior to the expiration date.
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I let my license expire. How do I have it reinstated?
You must submit all fees and required paperwork to reinstate the license. It your license has been expired more than ninety (90) days, you will have to reapply.
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How do I change ownership of the dealer license?
The new owner must submit a new application.
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How do I retire my license?
We do not offer a "retired" license status.
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How long do I have to send in a relocation application once I have moved my dealership?
You have 30 days to send in all of the required paper work.
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How do I file a complaint against a company/individual?
Complaint forms are available online or from the Motor Vehicle Commission office. A complaint should be very detailed, and all information regarding the issue should be copied and sent with the complaint when filing.
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What happens after I file a complaint?
After filing a complaint, the matter is entered into our complaint tracking system and a copy of the complaint is sent to the offending party for response. The respondent has ten (10) business days to respond to the complaint. When a response is received, it is then turned over to out staff attorney for determination.
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What can the state do if I have a legitimate grievance?
The Motor Vehicle Commission can only take action against the license of an individual, and in no way can we adjudicate and render a decision based on the information given to us by either party. Complainants seeking dissolution of a contract, monetary reimbursement, or another civil-based restitution should contact independent legal counsel of your choosing.
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Am I required to notify the board if I change my address?
- Dealers, auctions, dismantlers/recyclers, RV dealers must submit the required application and paperwork and be re-inspected at new location. A mailing address change may be made by emailing or mailing the new address to the Motor Vehicle Commission.
- Manufacturers and distributors must also notify Motor Vehicle Commission of address change via email or postal mail.
- Salesmen moving from one dealership to another must submit a new application.
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Can I change my information via online form?
No. All changes have to be sent by email or mail to our office.
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How do I determine if an individual/company is licensed?
License Search is available online.
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How can I get the forms I need?
You may get all the required forms from the Forms and Downloads section of our Web site. They also may be obtained by fax or mail from the Motor Vehicle Commission.
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How do I know when and where regulatory boards meet?
Calendars and agendas are available online or by contacting the Motor Vehicle Commission office. You will be sent a letter if you are scheduled to appear before the Commission.
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What is the purpose of a surety bond and why is a letter of credit no longer acceptable?
For consumer protection. A bond can be filed against until all $50,000 has been used. A letter of credit can only be used for one complaint filing.
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Why am I required to have a landline phone and not just a cell phone?
All business must be conducted at the location of the dealership.
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If my business is an LLC or corporation, should my application and all business licenses be in the DBA name or corporate entity?
DBA name
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I just received my dealership license but need more than three dealer plates. How may I obtain more?
Sell more than 24 cars and send the Motor Vehicle Commission a list of the cars sold, price, VIN number and date sold.
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Can you fax a copy of my license once I get approved?
No, the license are printed and mailed from another location.
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How can I get my car titled?
Contact Title and Registration at 615-741-3101.
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How do I pay for this traffic ticket or go to class?
Contact Traffic and Warrant Division at 615-862-5211.
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How do I buy temporary tags?
Call 615-741-2701.
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How do I get my boat registered?
Call 615-741-6522 or 1-800-799-4890.
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How do I learn about changes in Tennessee law?
Information is available on our Web site.
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