Renewal, Reinstatement, & Other Resources

Tennessee Motor Vehicle Commission

Motor Vehicle/Recreational Dealer

The renewal application and fee must be submitted prior to the expiration date listed on the license. Renewals processed after the expiration date will incur a late fee totaling 50% of the initial license fee or $300. If a late fee is due, your license is not renewed, and any sales activity during this time will be subject to fines and penalties.

  1. Renewal Application (CORE)
  2. Required Documents
    1. Surety Bond: Provide a two-year bond that begins and ends on the expiration date. For example, if your license expires at the end of October 2026, your new bond should be issued for 10/31/2026 to 10/31/2028.
    2. Garage Liability Insurance: Licensees must ensure this insurance is active and in good standing.
  3. Fee, $600
    1. Additionally, each franchise dealer must pay $600 per line make.

Motor Vehicle Auction

The renewal application and fee must be submitted prior to the expiration date listed on the license. Renewals processed after the expiration date will incur a late fee totaling 50% of the initial license fee or $600. If a late fee is due, your license is not renewed, and any sales activity during this time will be subject to fines and penalties.

  1. Renewal Application (CORE)
  2. Fee, $1,200

Salesperson

The renewal application and fee must be submitted prior to the expiration date listed on the license. Renewals processed after the expiration date will incur a late fee totaling 50% of the initial license fee or $25. If a late fee is due, your license is not renewed, and any sales activity during this time will be subject to fines and penalties.

  1. Renewal Application (CORE)
  2. Fee, $50

Manufacturer/Distributor (and Recreational)

The renewal application and fee must be submitted prior to the expiration date listed on the license. Renewals processed after the expiration date will incur a late fee totaling 50% of the initial license fee or $1,200. If a late fee is due, your license is not renewed, and any sales activity during this time will be subject to fines and penalties.

Licenses are valid for two years. However, they must be renewed by June 30th of each odd year.  For example, if an entity becomes licensed on 1/1/26, though the license is technically a two-year license, they would be required to renew by 6/30/27.  Their license would then be effective until 6/30/29.

  1. Renewal Application (CORE)
  2. Fee, $2,400

Manufacturer/Distributor Representative

The renewal application and fee must be submitted prior to the expiration date listed on the license. Renewals processed after the expiration date will incur a late fee totaling 50% of the initial license fee or $300. If a late fee is due, your license is not renewed, and any sales activity during this time will be subject to fines and penalties.

Licenses are valid for two years. However, they must be renewed by June 30th of each odd year.  For example, if an entity becomes licensed on 1/1/26, though the license is technically a two-year license, they would be required to renew by 6/30/27.  Their license would then be effective until 6/30/29.

  1. Renewal Application (CORE)
  2. Fee, $600

Dismantler/Recycler

The renewal application and fee must be submitted prior to the expiration date listed on the license. Renewals processed after the expiration date will incur a late fee totaling 50% of the initial license fee or $300. If a late fee is due, your license is not renewed, and any sales activity during this time will be subject to fines and penalties.

  1. Renewal Application (CORE)
  2. Fee, $600

Motor Vehicle Salesmen seeking renewal more than ninety (90) days after the expiration date of their license will need to complete a transfer application within their CORE account. The fee associated with this request is $35, and the license will be mailed to the dealership.

Any business licensed by the Motor Vehicle Commission that is seeking renewal more than ninety (90) days after the expiration date of the license is required to reapply for licensure and fulfill all requirements as if it were an initial application.  A new license number will be issued.

Annual Sales Reports should be submitted online through your CORE account. Dealers cannot purchase dealer plates without submitting the Annual Sales Report. Reports filed after February 15 incur a $100 late fee, which must be paid before eligibility is restored. Online submissions and payments will appear on the Annual Sales Report List within 24 hours.

You will terminate an employee through the dealership’s online CORE account. Once logged in, choose "My Licenses or Permits" and select the action arrow next to the dealer license number. Select the “Terminate Salesman” option and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the transaction.

The salesman does not need to be under the dealer’s CORE account to be terminated.

If a motor vehicle salesperson changes employment from one dealer to another, they must submit a transfer application through their CORE account. The salesperson may begin employment with another dealer upon submitting the application and paying the $35 fee. 

If you need to close a dealership, write "CLOSED" on the license along with the close date. Mail the license to the Tennessee Motor Vehicle Commission at 500 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243.

Please note that you cannot transfer your license when closing your dealership. The new owners must submit an application and obtain their own license. 

Change in Ownership Structure

If you need to change your dealership from an LLC to a sole proprietorship (or LLC to LLP, etc.), you will have to submit a new application. All the required paperwork and fees for a new application must be submitted.  If your business is an LLC or corporation, you must attach a copy of your active corporate charter. If incorporated in another state, you must attach a copy of your certificate of authority to conduct business in the State of Tennessee.

Add Owner

Inc. or LLC:  Contact the Secretary of State and add them to your charter. Once they are added, you must submit the new charter to the Commission and complete pages 1 and 2 of the dealership application. There are no fees associated with this change.

Partnership or Sole Proprietorship: Must submit a new application, even if the location is the same.

Change in Business Location

This is completed through your CORE account. Once signed in, select the "My Licenses or Permits" tile within the Quick Actions menu. A new screen will appear where you can select what information needs to be updated. Click "Apply" and proceed with the online instructions. 

Change in Mailing Address

This is completed through your CORE account. Once signed in, select the "Update License or Permit" tile within the Quick Actions menu. A new screen will appear where you can select what information needs to be updated. Click "Select" and proceed with the online instructions.