Second-hand vehicle dealers must have a licence if you buy, sell or offer for sale four or more vehicles in 12 months. Unlicensed dealers can be prosecuted and penalties include fines and imprisonment.
Related pages
Apply for a licence
You can also upgrade or change the conditions on your current licence.
You'll need to meet certain requirements and provide a range of documents.
After filling out the form, print and sign it, then scan and upload it.
If you need help, or can't complete the form, call 131 882.
Who should apply
- Sole traders.
- Companies - the company and the manager must have separate licences.
- Partnerships - each partner must have a separate licence.
- Motor wreckers and crash repairers - even if you're only selling vehicles that can't be driven because they need repairs.
Interstate second-hand vehicle dealers working in SA (120.4 KB PDF)
Offences and convictions
You may not be able to register if you (or a director of the company) have been convicted of an indictable offence of dishonesty, or convicted of a summary offence of dishonesty within the past 10 years.
When you don't need a licence
You don’t need licence if:
- you're a recognised credit provider and selling second-hand vehicles is a result of the business
- you're an auctioneer selling on behalf of people who don't need a licence
- you only sell vehicles that:
- weigh more than 3,000 kg
- are designed for agricultural or industrial use
- can’t be used to transport on land - eg boats
- are not powered by an engine - eg caravans.
What you'll need
Companies must nominate a manager who holds a second-hand dealers licence in their own name. This manager doesn't need to register an address or pay compensation fund fees.
Licence categories for second-hand vehicle dealers (84.6KB PDF)
Police clearance
Include a copy of your National Police Certificate (NPC) no more than 12 months old with your application.
Apply for an NPC through:
- South Australia Police
- accredited organisations - Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
You don't need a NPC if:
- you're a director of a company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange
- you've lodged a NPC with CBS within the last year
- you're an overseas resident and have never lived in Australia
- you have held a licence within the last year and are applying for an equivalent licence
- you have already supplied a NPC for a different licence issued under this Act.
Checks that confirm you can work with particular people - eg children - but don't include a criminal history, are not sufficient.
Fees
Fees include application and annual fee amounts. Dealers trading from more than one premises only need to pay one compensation fund fee each year.
Company - motor vehicle and motor cycle | $1,133.00 $200.00 |
Individual - motor vehicle and motor cycle | $868.00 $200.00 |
Company - motorcycle only | $708.00 $60.00 |
Individual - motorcycle only | $592.00 $60.00 |
What happens next
Licensed dealers can only run a business at the address registered for your licence.
CBS will email your licence number/s and client identification number.
You can print a certificate by searching using your licence number, select 'licence certificate' at the bottom, enter your client identification number and 'generate PDF'.
Changes affecting your licence
Notify CBS if you:
- add another premises or change your premises - online application
- change your address (PDF 100 KB) - you can also update your address when you renew your licence
- want to surrender your licence
- change directors in the company (100.72 KB).
