Florida Dealer License Renewals: March 31, 2026 Submission Deadline

• DCS Team
florida licensing compliance advisory

Florida’s Bureau of Dealer Services just issued its February 2026 renewal notice to independent (VI), wholesale (VW), auction (VA), and salvage (SD) dealers. We’re sharing the notice in full below, plus a distilled checklist so you can file on time and avoid stopping business on May 1, 2026.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or insurance advice. Requirements may change. Verify current rules with FLHSMV or a licensed professional.

Key points in 30 seconds

  • File the renewal package before March 31, 2026; licenses expire April 30, 2026.
  • Miss the primary renewal deadline and you owe a $100 delinquent fee (total $175) until June 14, 2026; after that you must reapply from scratch.
  • Primary renewal fee: $75 (annual) or $150 (biennial option).
  • Minimum insurance for motor vehicle, auction, and independent dealers: $25,000 CSL + $10,000 PIP; salvage dealers are exempt.
  • Bond: $25,000 (motor vehicle/auction/independent) – original or continuation certificate signed by the principal.

What you must submit (primary location)

  • Form HSMV 86720 (renewal application) with current business email.
  • Fee: $75 annual or $150 biennial; delinquent adds $100 if filed after April 30.
  • Premises proof: lease/ownership or property tax record.
  • Bond: original surety bond/LOC/continuation for $25,000 signed by the principal.
  • Insurance: garage liability or GL + business auto with $25,000 CSL and $10,000 PIP (agent signature required). Salvage dealers: exempt.
  • Dealer education: continuing ed or pre-licensing seminar (independent dealers).
  • Corporate standing: current Division of Corporations certification (sunbiz.org).

Supplemental location renewal

  • Form HSMV 86720 (include current business email).
  • Fee: $50 annual or $100 biennial.
  • Copy of primary location bond/LOC continuation and insurance certificate (same limits).
  • Lease/ownership proof for the supplemental lot.

Timing & penalties

  • Submit complete package to your Regional Office by March 31, 2026.
  • Applications received May 1–June 14, 2026 incur a $100 delinquent fee (total $175). After June 14 you must submit a new dealer application.
  • If not renewed, you must cease operations on May 1, 2026 until a valid license is issued.

Practical tips

  • Use a shared, role-based dealership email on the form so notices still arrive if staff change.
  • Choose biennial renewal if you want fewer filing cycles; ensure bond and insurance terms align.
  • Submit early so bond/insurance originals and agent signatures don’t hold you up.

Quick FAQ

  • What’s the hard deadline? File a complete renewal by March 31, 2026 to avoid delinquency; licenses expire April 30, 2026.
  • What if I file late? You can file until June 14, 2026 with a $100 delinquent fee. After that, you must reapply as new.
  • Do salvage dealers need garage liability? No; salvage dealers are exempt from the garage liability proof.
  • What insurance is required for others? At least $25,000 combined single limit liability plus $10,000 PIP; agent signature required.
  • What bond amount is required? $25,000 for motor vehicle, auction, and independent dealers (original or continuation, signed by the principal).

Full advisory (verbatim)

TO: To All Independent, Auction, Wholesale, and Salvage Dealerships Dealers
FROM: Brett Saunders, Bureau Chief
Bureau of Dealer Services
DATE: February 2026
SUBJECT: Renewal Notice
IMPORTANT RENEWAL NOTICE- PLEASE COMPLY BY MARCH 31, 2026
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL REGIONAL OFFICE WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS
Your current license will expire on April 30, 2026. Florida law states that, “Any licensee who does not file his or her application and fees and any other required documents, as required by law, with the department at least 30 days prior to the license expiration date shall cease to engage in business as a motor vehicle dealer on the license expiration date.” See s. 320.27(4)(a), Florida Statutes.
The attached renewal application form HSMV 86720 for Motor Vehicle, Mobile Home, or Recreational Vehicle Dealers is being provided for the renewal of the primary location and supplemental locations (if applicable) on your Florida dealer’s license. The renewal license is for the licensure period May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027. The application may also be found on at the Department’s website at https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/forms/86720.pdf
To ensure that your license stays active, your renewal application, all required documentation, and fees must be submitted to the Division of Motorist Services, Regional Office responsible for your dealership prior to March 31, 2026.
INDEPENDENT (VI), WHOLESALE (VW), AUCTION (VA), AND SALVAGE (SD) MOTOR VEHICLE DEALERS are required to submit the following documentation with their renewal application:
Primary Location:
• Completed license renewal application form HSMV 86720.
• $75 annual renewal fee for the primary location. If the completed application, all required documents, and fee are not received for the primary location by April 30th, a $100 delinquent fee is due for a total renewal fee of $175. Checks must be made payable to DHSMV.
• $150 biennial license renewal fee if you are opting for a biennial (two years) renewal. Checks must be made payable to DHSMV.
• True copy of lease agreement/proof of ownership or property tax.
• An original surety bond, original irrevocable letter of credit, or original continuation certificate in the amount of $25,000 for motor vehicle dealers, auction dealers and independent dealers. The Dealership’s Principal must sign the surety bond and Irrevocable Letter of Credit.
• Copy of proof of Garage Liability insurance which must include at a minimum, $25,000 combined single limit liability coverage including bodily injury and property damage protection and $10,000 personal injury protection or a general liability policy coupled with a business automobile policy which must include at a minimum, $25,000 combined single-limit liability coverage including bodily injury and property damage protection and $10,000 personal injury protection. Signature of the insurance agent is required on all insurance policies. Please Note: Salvage Dealers are exempt from Garage Liability Insurance.
• Dealer License Continuing Education course certificate of completion or a pre-licensing Dealer Training Seminar for independent dealers only.
• Copy of certification from the Division of Corporations showing current registration of the business and fictitious name(s) (on-line access at www.sunbiz.org).
Supplemental Location:
• Completed license renewal application form HSMV 86720 including current business e-mail address.
• $50 annual renewal fee.
• $100 biennial license renewal fee if you are opting for a biennial (two years) renewal. Checks must be made payable to DHSMV.
• True copy of lease agreement/proof of ownership or property tax.
• A copy of the surety bond, irrevocable letter of credit, or continuation certificate that was filed with the renewal of the primary lot.
• A copy of the certificate of garage liability insurance or a general liability insurance policy coupled with business automobile policy that was submitted with the primary location renewal application. This certification must include at a minimum, $25,000 combined single limit liability coverage including bodily injury and property damage protection and $10,000 personal injury protection. Copy of the certificate of garage liability insurance or general liability insurance is required and must be signed by the insurance agent.
Please Note: Salvage Dealers are exempt from submitting a proof of garage liability insurance coverage.
A renewal filed with the Department within 45 days after the expiration date shall be accompanied by a delinquent fee of $100 for a total renewal fee of $175. Delinquent renewal applications will only be accepted through June 14, 2026. Thereafter, you will have to apply for a new dealer license with an original application form and required fees.
If you allow your license to expire, you must cease operations on May 1, 2026, and will not be able to engage in motor vehicle sales transactions until the renewal process has been completed. If you have no intention of renewing your dealer license, please surrender your license for cancellation to the Division of Motorist Services, Regional Office, responsible for your dealership.
Any update to your corporation name, address or officers should be submitted using form HSMV 86056, application for a License as a Motor Vehicle, Mobile Home, or Recreational Vehicle Dealer. All other modifications to your dealer license should be submitted using form HSMV 86072, “Modification to Dealer License for Licensed Motor Vehicle, Mobile Home, or Recreational Vehicle Dealers.” Please submit this form to your Division of Motorist Services, Regional Office, with your renewal application. For future reference any change in corporate information should be submitted to your local Division of Motorist Services, Regional Office, at the time the change occurs.
As you are aware, the Department has moved to electronic communication of important notices, renewals and legislative changes to the licensed dealers statewide. Therefore, it is important for you to update your renewal application with a current business e-mail address for your dealership. Please avoid using e-mail addresses of your staff on the application, as notices may not reach your dealership if the staff member no longer works at the dealership. Please advise the Regional Office responsible for your dealership of changes in your business e-mail address immediately.
It is our goal to provide prompt and courteous service to our dealers. Please submit your renewal application and all supporting documentation no later than March 31, 2026. If you have any questions, please contact your local Regional Office. We have attached a current list of regional offices for reference.

Sincerely,
Dealer License Section
Bureau of Dealer Services
Division of Motorist Services

References

[1] Renewal application (Form HSMV 86720): https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/forms/86720.pdf
[2] s. 320.27, Florida Statutes (license renewal timing)
[3] Advisory notice from Bureau of Dealer Services, February 2026 (text provided)

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