Who requires it
Ohio Attorney General / Bureau of Motor Vehicles — used motor vehicle dealers
License & permit · Ohio
Ohio Used Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond
Used motor vehicle dealers licensed under Chapter 4517 must post a bond of at least $75,000 with the Ohio Attorney General. That amount takes effect April 1, 2026.
Common bond amount
$75,000
At least $75,000 starting April 1, 2026.
How you file
File the original with the Attorney General
Renewal
Keep the bond active for the used-dealer license period; 30-day cancellation notice
Who requires it
Applicants for used motor vehicle dealer licenses. A limited exemption applies when the applicant (or qualifying owner/officer/partner/member) held a new, adaptive mobility, or leasing dealer license within the prior year without suspension, revocation, or § 4505.181 violation.
How much is required
O.A.C. 4501:1-3-11(C) establishes a fixed amount of not less than $75,000. The same rule also requires verifiable net worth of at least $75,000; the surety may count toward that net-worth showing.
How to get and file it
Purchase a surety bond in the exact business name on file with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and Secretary of State. File the original with the Attorney General and submit a copy with the dealer license application. Maintain the bond for the entire period the used dealer license is held. The surety may not cancel with less than thirty days’ written notice to the registrar. If coverage lapses without a timely replacement, the dealer must appear before the Motor Vehicle Dealers Board.
Cost note
$75,000 is the required bond amount, not the premium you pay. See bond amount vs premium. Bond amount vs premium →
Requirement checklist
- Required amount
- Not less than $75,000
- Net worth
- At least $75,000 verifiable net worth (bond may satisfy)
- Name match
- Bond business name must match BMV and Secretary of State records
Official sources
Related resources
Frequently asked questions
Is the used motor vehicle dealer bond a statewide Ohio requirement?
Yes. Starting April 1, 2026, used motor vehicle dealers must post a bond of at least $75,000 under O.A.C. 4501:1-3-11. It is separate from Ohio Department of Health private-water and sewage registration bonds.
Surety basics (not repeated here)
Universal surety concepts explained once—linked here instead of repeated on every state or bond page.
Continue with a Ohio application
Ohio will be preselected. Choose your bond type in the application—we confirm the correct product against your agency form before anything is issued.
Last verified 2026-08-10. This guide is based on verified educational content and official sources.
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