Renewing your license

The state sends license renewal applications approximately 45 days prior to the expiration date. Please be aware of your expiration dates to ensure your licenses are renewed on time. Dealer, repair facility and installment seller licenses can now be renewed online. If you have any questions, contact the MADA office at (800) 292-1923.

Go to:   Dealer license and plates   —   Repair facility license   —   Installment seller (finance) license


Dealer license and dealer plates / tabs!

  • Regulated by the Secretary of State 
  • All dealer licenses expire on December 31.
  • To renew online, log in to your account at CARS e-Services (Business Services >> Dealer Services)
    Select the license number you wish to renew.  Once processed and renewed the expiration date will be updated.
  • Dealers will receive a new wall license upon renewal.  New tabs for dealer plates will be mailed once a dealer’s renewal has been processed and issued.

Repair facility license

  • Regulated by the Secretary of State
  • Repair facility licenses have varying renewal cycles. Please be aware of your license expiration date.
  • To renew online, log in to your account at CARS e-Services (Business Services >> Repair Facility Services)
    Select the license number you wish to renew. Once renewed the expiration date will be updated.
  • Repair facilities will receive a new wall license upon renewal.

Installment seller (finance) license

  • Regulated by the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS)
  • From DIFS: Motor Vehicle Sales Finance Act Renewal FAQ
  • Check your renewal status – search and open the page for your dealership. The license renewal date will be listed next to the current calendar year.
  • Current wall licenses do not display an expiration date. Therefore, new wall licenses will not be mailed unless changes are made to dealership information listed on the license.

DIFS may review dealer files to ensure dealers are using the appropriate business name on bank contracts. Most dealers who require a permission letter already have one on file and will not need a new letter – unless of a name change. If you are unsure if you need a letter or already have one on file, please contact MADA.  * Sample permission letter *

LARA Business Entity Search

DIFS may also review corporate and dba names associated with a dealership prior to renewing a license. MADA suggests that dealers check their corporate and dba names to make sure they are active and renewed with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).

  • Check your corporate and dba names with LARA 
  • Helpful tip: just enter company (entity) name and search – don’t enter any other info in the search form because it might pull a “null” report. Once you pull up your record, scroll down a bit and click the “view assumed names” button.