Business or Ownership Changes

In order to maintain a license dealers are required to notify the Iowa DOT prior to any change in name, style, location or business hours. A motor vehicle or towable recreational vehicle dealer has 10 days to notify the department of any change in the method of doing business. Specific changes that might occur are outlined below.

Change of the Firm Name

Submit to Vehicle Central Programs:

• Endorsement to the motor vehicle or towable recreational vehicle dealer bond reflecting the name change.
• The dealer license previously issued.
• Evidence of written notice to the franchiser, if a franchised dealer.
• Evidence that articles of incorporation have been filed if the firm is operating as a corporation. After the name change has been processed, all manufacturer certificates of origin will need to be reassigned from the old name to the new name, and new titles on any used vehicles will need to be obtained.
• Towable recreational vehicle dealers must submit a $35 fee for the name change.

Change in the Business Location

Submit to Vehicle Central Programs:

• Contact Iowa DOT's Bureau of Investigation and Identity Protection to set up an appointment for an on-site inspection. The investigator will inspect the facilities at the new location and submit a report to Vehicle Central Programs. (Applies only to motor vehicle dealers.  towable recreational vehicle dealers do not need an on-site inspection.)
• Endorsement to the motor vehicle and towable recreational vehicle dealer bond reflecting the change in address only if the address listed on the bond will be incorrect.
• Evidence of written notice to the franchisor if currently a franchised dealer.
• The dealer's license and any extension lot license previously issued.
• Statement of zoning approval from city/county zoning authority for the principal place of business and any extensions.
• Towable recreational vehicle dealers must submit a $35 fee. (No fee is due for motor vehicle dealers.)
• Towable recreational vehicle dealers must submit the Towable recreational vehicle dealer certification form.

Adding a New Line-Make

Submit to Vehicle Central Programs:

• A copy of the franchise must be forwarded to Vehicle Central Programs. The franchise must be signed and dated by both parties.
• The applicant must complete the Manufacturer's Certification of Compliance with Iowa Code Chapter 322A form.
• Dealer license must be surrendered before a new license can be issued.
• A corrected license will be issued. The department will notify the county treasurer's office in the dealer’s area and the motor vehicle investigator of the change.
• If currently licensed as a used motor vehicle dealer, Iowa DOT's Bureau of Investigation and Identity Protection will need to be contacted to perform a new on-site inspection of the facilities.
• If licensed as a new or used motorcycle dealer exclusively and have applied for selling new or used cars/trucks or motor homes, Iowa DOT's Bureau of Investigation and Identity Protection will need to be contacted to perform a new on-site Inspection of the facilities.
• Towable recreational vehicle dealers must pay a $35 fee.  (No fee is due for motor vehicle dealers.)

Deleting a New Line-Make

Submit to Vehicle Central Programs:

• Dealer license previously issued.
• Statement indicating the make is being voluntarily deleted off of the dealer or retailer license.
• Towable recreational vehicle dealers must pay a $35 fee to correct the dealer's license. The department will issue a corrected dealer license to a motor vehicle dealer at no charge.
• Once the new line-make has been deleted from the license, the dealership will no longer be able to sell that line-make as a new motor vehicle or towable recreational vehicle.

Officers of the Corporation or Partners of the Partnership Change

Submit to Vehicle Central Programs:

• Notify the department in writing of the change.
• An individual ownership or a partnership going to a corporation or vice versa will require an endorsement on the bond. A motor vehicle dealer bond must reflect:
  • The individual's name doing business (DBA) the name that the dealership will be conducting business under.
  • Both or all partner's names DBA the name that the dealership will be conducting business under.
  • The corporate name DBA the name that the dealership will be conducting business under.
• Evidence that articles of incorporation have been filed if the change represents a new corporation being formed; or
• A new bond must be secured if, at any time, the bond principal is no longer an owner of the business.

Change in Ownership

Submit to Vehicle Central Programs:

• A new Application for Motor Vehicle or Towable Recreational Vehicle Dealer License form and Fees for Dealer License Application completed by new owner.
• A license fee of $35 (only applies to towable recreational vehicle dealers). No charge for motor vehicle dealers.
• A copy of each franchise or buy-sell agreement. If a buy-sell agreement is submitted in lieu of a franchise, the actual franchise must be forwarded to the department when received.
• An original, signed motor vehicle or towable recreational vehicle dealer surety bond for the new owner.
• Authorization of the seller for the purchaser to use seller's dealer plates and dealer number, which also identifies the number of plates being transferred.
• The dealer's license issued to the seller and:
• Contact Iowa DOT's Bureau of Investigation and Identity Protection to inspect the facilities at the new location. The investigator will submit a report to Vehicle Central Programs. Only applies to motor vehicle dealers.
• Evidence that the location is properly zoned (from the city or county office responsible).
• Towable recreational vehicle dealers must submit Towable Recreational Vehicle Dealer Certification form.