California Licensing Requirements

Buying for personal use in California? Without business licenses, you will need a Broker's help to bid on clean and salvage titled vehicles in California. If you're buying in another state, view the Licensing Map or search our No License Required inventory.

In California, dealers, dismantlers, general businesses and exporters will need to provide Copart an operational license and a sales tax license for the same physical address, as well as sales tax exemption forms. Members who do not have a dealer, dismantler or Automotive Repair Dealer license on file will be charged sales tax on purchases made in California.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles issues dealer and dismantler licenses. The California Department of Consumer Affairs will help you apply for the Automotive Repair Dealer license. And your local city or county office can set you up with a Business License Certificate, Business Tax Certificate and related items. Your seller's permit should be obtained from the California State Board of Equalization.

These links provide the forms and information you need to get started with licensing:

• CA Auto Industry Licensing Information
• CA Department of Motor Vehicles
• Bureau of Automotive Repair
• CA State Board of Equalization

Additionally, please complete the following forms and fax them to our Licensing Department at (800) 787-8650 or email them to member.license@copart.com. These documents will be processed within one to two business days of receipt.

• Multi-state tax form
• Affidavit for Purchase

Private individuals buying in California will need to go through a Broker for all clean titled and salvage items, as well as for boats, jet skis and snowmobiles.

Back to Licensing Map