California requires an admitted-surety dealer bond conditioned against fraud causing monetary loss to purchasers, sellers, financing agencies, or governmental agencies. Amount depends on dealer class — verify the correct OL form before filing.
| Title / common name | California auto dealer surety bond |
|---|---|
| Bond type | License & permit |
| Industry / license category | Automotive / motor vehicle dealer |
| Jurisdiction | United States → California → DMV |
| Obligee | State of California / Department of Motor Vehicles |
| Typical penal sum | USD $50,000 (standard); $10,000 (exceptions) Vehicle Code §11710: $50,000 for most dealers/remanufacturers; $10,000 for motorcycle/ATV-only dealers. §11710.1: $10,000 for wholesale-only dealers selling fewer than 25 vehicles/year. |
| Form number / edition | DMV OL forms (e.g. OL 25 for $10k classes) · Per California DMV / Attorney General approved form |
| Effective | Before dealer licence issue or renewal |
| Source | California Vehicle Code §11710 Also: Vehicle Code §11710.1; DMV OL 25 PDF |
| Status | current |
| Last verified | 2026-09-28 |
We do not host the complete bond PDF unless we have rights to do so. Use the regulator / statute source link for the authoritative form.