South Carolina Auto Dealer Bond

Auto dealers of new or used vehicles and motorcycles must have a license to operate legally in the state of South Carolina. As part of the licensing process, a South Carolina auto dealer bond is also necessary. This type of South Carolina surety bond helps ensure a licensed auto dealership is acting in accordance with state rules and regulations dealing with customers. When a dealership customer experiences financial harm due to fraudulent or illegal business practices, a claim can be made against the bond for compensation.

There are three parties involved in a South Carolina auto dealer license: the principal, obligee, and surety. The licensed auto dealer is the principal, while the obligee, the authority requiring the bond, is the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. The surety is the company providing the bond to the dealership, and it pays claims against the bond. However, the auto dealer is required to repay claims.

Several different types of auto dealer licenses are available in South Carolina, all which require an auto dealer bond to be in place. These motor vehicle dealer licenses include:

• Motor vehicle dealer of new or used vehicles
• Wholesale vehicle dealer
• Wholesale auction dealer
• Motorcycle dealer
• Recreational vehicle dealer

Individuals or businesses that sell more than five vehicles per calendar year are required to complete the licensing process and secure a South Carolina auto dealer bond.

South Carolina law gives authority to the Department of Motor Vehicles to dictate licensing and bonding requirements for auto dealers in the state. As the obligee, the department processes licensing applications as well as requires a South Carolina auto dealer bond to be in place before a license can be approved. Contact information for the obligee is below:

Department of Motor Vehicles

Dealer Licensing and Audit Unit

10311 Wilson Boulevard, Building C

Blythewood, South Carolina 29016

Phone: 803-896-5000

A South Carolina auto dealer bond of at least $30,000 is required for retail auto dealers. Wholesale and motorcycle dealers must have a bond of at least $15,000. These values will change on January 1, 2024 to the following:

• $25,000 for Motorcycle Dealers
• $50,000 for other Motor Vehicle Dealers

The price you pay for a South Carolina auto dealer bond is only a fraction of this amount. You are given a rate for your bond, ranging from 1 to 10%, which is dependent upon several factors.

Surety companies rate your bond premium after evaluating your personal credit score. If you have had issues with money management in the past, such as civil judgments, liens, or missed payments, your credit score reflects this. A low credit score means you are a higher risk for potential bond claims in the future, and therefore, the rate you pay for a South Carolina auto dealer bond is higher.

Securing your South Carolina auto dealer bond takes just a few steps. You can start by submitting a request for a free quote online. You may also apply for a South Carolina auto dealer bond through a short online application form provided by a surety agency.

Each South Carolina auto dealer license is valid for 12 months, and the bond associated with the license is continuous with it. This means that a South Carolina auto dealer bond must be renewed at the same time an auto dealer license renews. There is so set expiration date for South Carolina auto dealer bonds.