Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question that is not answered here, please call our office at (800) 292-1923.

How do I change the name and/or address of my dealership?
For a change of name only, you will need the Vehicle Dealer License Application change of name/address form along with a copy of your amended Articles of Incorporation. For change of address only, submit the Vehicle Dealer License Application change of name/address form, the Vehicle Dealer Zoning Certification, and you will need to submit a sketch that accurately describes the business location. This should include the office area located within the building, the location of the lot and the cross streets in detail.

I'm opening up a new dealership. What forms do I need to get a new dealer's license?
MADA provides all the forms necessary to open a new and used car dealership that will comply with the State of Michigan. Contact our Membership Services Director Jean Quinn at jquinn@michiganada.org for assistance.

How do I apply for an off-site sale in the same county as my current location.
Submit the Vehicle Dealer Supplemental Location Application form, Vehicle Dealer Zoning Certification and a Michigan Vehicle Dealer Close Out Statement for Temporary Location form (see Secretary of State forms question). You will need to submit a sketch that accurately describes the business location. This should include the office area located within the building, the location of the lot and the cross streets in detail. Enclose either a franchise approval to sell new vehicles at the sale location, or self-certify that you have authorization to sell new vehicles at the sale location with those specified dates. If you are only selling used vehicles at the off-site location, you will need a letter signed by the owner stating that the dealership will only be selling used cars there.

How do I apply for an off-site sale in a different county.
New State legislation no longer allows out of county sales

What is Michigan's limit on doc fees?
A document fee of $170 or 5 percent of the cash sale of a vehicle, whichever is less, may be charged on all vehicle sales.

What are regulations on damage disclosure?
Dealers must disclose damage to the consumer if the amount exceeds 5 percent of the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) or $750 for surface coating repairs, corrosion restoration or a combination of the two. The disclosure must be made before the consumer signs the RD-108.

Do I need to report cash transactions?
Any transaction involving $10,000 or more in cash must be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by completing FinCen Form 8300. This is revised version of the Cash Reporting Form due to the passage of the USA Patriot Act of 2001. You may obtain a copy of the revised form by clicking on www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8300.pdf.

Where can I get a copy of the Vehicle Dealer Supplemental Form?
The Michigan Vehicle Dealer Supplemental Report Form 92 provides dealers with a sales tax credit. It should be filed with the Department of Treasury in conjunction with your Combined Return for Michigan Taxes Form 160. Go to www.michigan.gov/documents/92f_4862_7.pdf to download this form and its instructions.

What are the restrictions on the sale or lease of an 11 - 15 passenger van?
Dealerships are prohibited from selling or leasing these vehicles to public, parochial or private schools if children are to be transported to and from school or school related activities. This rule applies to the "renting" of these vans.

I am looking for information on tax for sales to Native Americans.
The Michigan Department of Treasury revised its policy in 2003. Under the new rules, tribal government entities and individual Native Americans whose communities have "Tribal Agreements" with the Department of Treasury may make tax-exempt purchases of vehicles if they provide a Tribal Exemption Certificate (Form 3998) and a letter of authorization from the State of Michigan. MADA members may access additional information on this topic (members-only area—MADA ID and password required).

I want to sell vehicles on Sunday. Are there rules governing Sunday sales?
Yes, Sunday sales are prohibited in 11 counties. Michigan Public Act 66 of 1953 prohibits dealerships located in counties with a population of more than 130,000 from doing business on Sunday. The act prohibits the opening of any retail or wholesale new and used vehicle business from engaging in business (i.e. buy, sell, exchange, trade or participate in negotiation) on Sunday. It also applies to vehicle leasing. The following counties are currently PROHIBITED from doing business on Sunday: Berrien, Calhoun, Genesee, Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Muskegon, Oakland, Ottawa, Saginaw, Saint Clair, Washtenaw and Wayne.

Where do I find the publications and forms from the Secretary of State's Web site?
www.Michigan.gov/sos. Go to services for businesses, then click on automobile dealers, publications and forms.

How do I find out if my license is current or has been renewed?

Please click on the appropriate link below to determine if your license is current.  If you have any questions, contact Jean Quinn at (800) 292-1923 or jquinn@michiganada.org.

  • Dealer license (regulated by the Secretary of State) - Once you open this page, choose the region in which your dealership is located and then choose the county.  An alphabetical list of all licensed dealerships (new and used) in the county will be listed.


Please note: During the period of time when dealer licenses are being renewed, the Secretary of State will include a renewal status column.   If the SOS has received your dealership's renewal paperwork, the column will either read "application received" or "application printed." At any other time of year, the status column is not present.

  • Repair facility license (regulated by the Secretary of State) - Once you open this page, choose the region in which your dealership is located and then choose the county.  An alphabetical list of all licensed repair facilities in the county will be listed.
 
  • Installment seller license (regulated by the Office of Financial and Insurance Services) - This page includes a search form to look up your dealership.  Not all fields need to be completed in order to perform a search.  OFIS suggests that the less information entered, the better the search will perform.  Only one or two words typed in the "company name" field should find your particular dealership.  Once you find your dealership (the search may have found more than one company), click on your dealership's name to open the detailed page for your dealership.  Look under “reporting dates.”  If your installment seller license has been processed and renewed by OFIS, the date that the license was renewed will be listed next to the current calendar year.


Please note: OFIS no longer mails annual installment seller licenses.  Your current wall license will remain active as long as no changes are made to your dealership information and you renew the license prior to the expiration date.

How do I join your association?
 If you sell franchised new cars and/or trucks and are licensed with the State of Michigan you can contact Jean Quinn at jquinn@michiganada.org to become a member. Membership dues are based on previous year vehicle sales.

How can I get additional/replacement dealer plates?
Submit the form Application for Additional/Replacement Plates/Tabs with the correct fees to MADA.

What forms do I need to apply for an installment seller's license?
Submit an Installment Seller License Application www.michigan.gov/ofis, along with a sample of each Sales Finance Company contract(s) you will be using.

What forms do I need to apply for a repair facility license?
You will need to submit a Motor Vehicle Repair Facility Registration Application (AR-0012) (see Secretary of State forms question).

 

Michigan Automobile Dealers Association
P.O. Box 2525
East Lansing, MI 48826-2525
Phone: (517) 351-7800 or (800) 292-1923
E-mail: info@michiganada.org