How to get a car dealer licence in Tasmania
In Tasmania a car dealer licence is called a motor vehicle trader licence, and you need one from CBOS if you buy, sell or exchange 6 or more vehicles in a year. It lasts 3 years, you apply online, and from 1 July 2026 it costs a $225.40 application fee plus a $1,932.56 licence fee.
- Buying, selling or exchanging 6 or more vehicles in a year means you must be licensed.
- You must be 18 or over, fit and proper, and consent to a national police record check.
- From 1 July 2026: $225.40 application fee plus $1,932.56 licence fee, for a 3-year licence.
- Unlicensed dealing carries up to 200 penalty units plus 20 per vehicle for an individual.
Who needs a motor vehicle trader licence
Anyone who buys, sells or exchanges 6 or more vehicles in a year must be licensed as a motor vehicle trader. The licence covers new and used vehicles. Individuals and companies can both apply.
Licence types
There is one motor vehicle trader licence, held by an individual or a body corporate. Employees of a licensed trader don’t need their own licence. If you hold an individual motor vehicle trader licence in another state, you may be able to work in Tasmania under Automatic Mutual Recognition by notifying CBOS before you start.
Eligibility and fit and proper rules
- You must be at least 18.
- You must be a fit and proper person.
- You must consent to CBOS requesting a national police record check.
- CBOS considers whether you have been refused a licence or had one cancelled, in Tasmania or elsewhere.
Training and qualifications
CBOS doesn’t list a training course or qualification for the licence. Check with CBOS if you are unsure.
Fees (from 1 July 2026)
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $225.40 |
| Licence fee (3 years) | $1,932.56 |
| Duplicate certificate | $39.20 |
Documents you’ll need
- Proof of identity (new applications). You may need to visit a Service Tasmania centre if the online instructions say so.
- Consent to a national police record check.
- A certified copy of a bankruptcy report from the National Personal Insolvency Index, dated within the past 3 months.
- If you trade under a business name, an ASIC business name search, with every business owner added to the application.
Processing time
CBOS doesn’t publish a processing time. Allow time for the police check and apply well before you plan to trade.
Ongoing obligations
- Renewal: CBOS sends a reminder about 12 weeks before expiry. An expired licence can’t be renewed, so you would have to apply again.
- Statutory warranty: cars under 7 years old with under 120,000 km carry a warranty of 3 months or 3,000 km, whichever comes first, and it must be included in the contract of sale.
- Clear title: on a used vehicle you must pass title free of all encumbrances and interests.
- Pre-sale disclosure statement: licensed traders display a used motor vehicle pre-sale disclosure statement.
- Odometers: record the odometer reading on transfer documents, and tell buyers in writing if you know the odometer was replaced or tampered with.
Penalties for unlicensed dealing
Dealing in motor vehicles without a licence is an offence under the Motor Vehicle Traders Act 2011. The maximum is 200 penalty units plus 20 penalty units per vehicle for an individual, and 1,000 penalty units plus 50 penalty units per vehicle for a body corporate.
How to apply
Apply online through CBOS (renewals are online too), upload your documents and pay the application and licence fees.
What software you’ll need
Once you hold the licence, the paperwork is ongoing: a record of every car you buy and sell, the right warranty terms on each contract, PPSR checks, and licence and staff expiry dates. Our car dealer compliance tools log PPSR, odometer, written-off and stolen checks on every car, track licence and salesperson expiry dates, and keep a full audit trail.
Tasmanian compliance packs aren’t on the current roadmap. Queensland is live now, with NSW and VIC next, so ask us about Tasmania in a demo.
For the detail, read our guides to the TAS dealer stock register and TAS statutory warranty.
How to apply for a motor vehicle trader licence in Tasmania
- Check you need oneYou need a licence if you buy, sell or exchange 6 or more vehicles in a year.
- Check eligibilityConfirm you are 18 or over and fit and proper.
- Gather documentsGet proof of identity, a certified National Personal Insolvency Index report under 3 months old, and an ASIC business name search if you use one.
- Apply onlineApply through CBOS online and consent to the national police record check. Visit a Service Tasmania centre if asked.
- Pay the feesPay the $225.40 application fee and $1,932.56 licence fee (from 1 July 2026) for a 3-year licence.