No, you cannot take a prelicensing class online. California DMV does not allow online classes for an individual who wants to become licensed as a dealer. The online class is only available for dealers who are already licensed and need 4 hours of continuing education.

If you are licensed with DMV as a sole proprietor/sole owner and you decide to incorporate, DMV will require you start all over again. This means you have changed the structure of your business, (from sole owner to corporation or corporation to sole owner, etc). You must attend class again, redo your applications for DMV, obtain a new dealer bond, zoning verification, sellers permit, etc. You must surrender your old license before getting licensed under the new structure. You can change or add a DBA (business name/fictitious name),  by completing the appropriate DMV modification forms.

No, to become licensed as a retail dealer (means you sell cars to the public), you must have a commercial location.

In order for a bond company to approve a vehicle dealer bond $10,000 or $50,000, they will run your credit report. If there are no negative items showing on your credit report and have a decent credit risk score, you should not have any problems obtaining the bond. You do not have to own real estate in order to obtain a vehicle dealer bond. You will have problems obtaining the bond if you have any negative items showing on your credit report, such as, bankruptcy, collect accounts, short sales, foreclosures, current past dues, etc. It is possible to obtain the bond with other than perfect credit, the bond company may require financial statements (both personal & business statements), copies of bank statements for the last 3 months, sometimes a co-signer is required. Some bond companies will approve the bond with negative items showing, but will charge a larger premium for the bond. Superior Surety Bonds & Insurance Services can help you with your bond needs, good, or bad credit. You do have the option to post a cash deposit with DMV in lieu of the vehicle dealer surety bond. You need to be aware that the new law states that DMV may keep the deposit up to 5 years after you are no longer licensed as a dealer or a superior court judge orders release of the deposit.

A vehicle dealer surety bond is continuous in form, meaning it stays in full force and effect until canceled by the bond company for various reasons. DMV knows your bond is in effect and will not ask for a new bond. If the DMV receives a cancellation notice, DMV will request that you either obtain a reinstatement to your current bond, or a new bond, with no lapse in coverage. Remember, if your bond cancels your license will cancel. Some bond companies will issue a continuation certificate when the bond is renewed. If we have your bond and it was renewed, SUPERIOR SURETY BONDS & INSURANCE SERVICES will issue a continuation certificate for you to use at the auctions, and to show other dealers that you have renewed your bond. Again, DMV does not need the continuation certificate.