Georgia dealer pre-licensing seminar and exam

This page is about the class or exam a new Georgia used motor vehicle dealer applicant has to finish before licensure. It was checked in November 2026 against the seminar rules, the license statute, and the Board's April 2024 application. It is general information, not legal advice. The rest of the license path is in the Georgia dealer license guide.

The seminar the rule requires

Rule 681-11-.01 says all applicants for a new used motor vehicle dealer license must attend a Board-approved seminar before obtaining licensure. O.C.G.A. § 43-47-8(a), in the text effective July 1, 2026, requires evidence that, within the preceding 12 months, the applicant attended a Board-approved training and information seminar that does not exceed one day, or passed a Board-approved exam. The seminar or exam relates to licensee requirements in the chapter, including books and records and Department of Revenue requirements.

The rule still speaks only of the seminar. The statute also allows an exam. Ask the Board whether an exam is offered before you skip the class. This page cannot tell you that an exam is currently scheduled, because the Board rule does not describe one.

Who attends

The April 2024 application says the designee for a corporation, LLC, or partnership is the person authorized as the license holder, and that this person must attend the pre-licensing seminar and have fingerprints processed. A sole proprietor answers the application questions as the owner. Rules 681-12-.01 and 681-12-.02 cover the corporation, LLC, and partnership application, including proof that the proposed license holder attended the seminar.

Keep the completion certificate. The application asks for proof of seminar attendance with the packet. The how-to guide lists proof of seminar completion on the new-applicant checklist.

What the class covers, and how long it is

Rule 681-11-.02 says an approved seminar's outline includes, at a minimum:

1. License requirements.
2. An overview of the Board and Division statutes, rules, and regulations.
3. Laws concerning titles, tags, and taxes.
4. Sales tax reporting.
5. Other tax reporting.
6. Required paperwork and record keeping.
7. The Fair Business Practices Act, including advertising, unfair and deceptive sales practices, odometer requirements, deceptive nondisclosure, and Secretary of State Rules Chapter 122-3.
8. General discussion items.

Instruction in those areas totals no less than four hours and no more than six hours. The statute says the seminar shall not exceed one day. Those two limits sit together: the rule sets the hours, and the statute caps the day.

The same rule says each presenter must have an instructor state, at the beginning of each seminar, "Attendees are NOT required to buy any products or services in conjunction with this seminar." A provider that tells you the license depends on buying its other services is describing a sale, not the Board rule.

Where to take it

The April 2024 packet says you must attend a pre-licensing seminar and, at that time, names E-Learning, GIADA, the Automobile Dealer Training Association, and Ron Widener. It also says provider contact information is posted on sos.ga.gov. Treat that list as what the April 2024 packet printed. Use the provider list on the Board's current site, because approval can change. Rule 681-11-.03 lets the Division withdraw approval of a seminar that no longer meets the criteria.

This class is not renewal continuing education

The pre-licensing seminar is for a new license. Rule 681-13-.02 is the renewal rule: at least six hours of Board-approved continuing education within nine months before renewal of a license in an even year, including at least one hour on processing tags and titles. The Board's website says used motor vehicle dealers must submit proof of continuing education for renewal and that the Board uses CE Broker. That renewal notice does not apply to used motor vehicle parts dealers. Do not send a pre-licensing certificate from years ago and expect it to satisfy the renewal hours. Read the renewal dates in the license guide, because the Board's pages do not all use the same calendar.

The bond that goes in the same packet is covered in the surety bond guide. The place the inspector will see is covered in the office and inspection guide.

Questions people ask

Do I have to take a class before I get a Georgia dealer license?

Board Rule 681-11-.01 requires a new applicant to attend a Board-approved seminar before licensure. The designee named for a corporation, LLC, or partnership is the person the application says must attend.

Can I take an exam instead of the Georgia dealer seminar?

O.C.G.A. section 43-47-8 allows a Board-approved exam instead of a seminar attended within the preceding 12 months. Rule 681-11-.01 still requires the seminar. Ask the Board whether an exam is offered before you skip the class.

How long is the Georgia dealer pre-licensing seminar?

Rule 681-11-.02 says instruction in the required topics totals no less than four hours and no more than six hours. The statute says the seminar shall not exceed one day.

Is the pre-licensing seminar the same as renewal continuing education?

No. The pre-licensing seminar is for a new license. Renewal continuing education is separate: Rule 681-13-.02 requires six hours within nine months before an even-year renewal, including at least one hour on tags and titles.

Sources

• Chapter 681-11, the seminar requirement, the outline, the four-to-six hour range, and the no-purchase statement.
• O.C.G.A. § 43-47-8, the 12-month seminar or Board-approved exam.
• Chapter 681-12, who must show seminar proof for a corporation, LLC, or partnership.
• Chapter 681-13, renewal continuing education, which is a different requirement.
• Used Motor Vehicle Dealer application, revised April 2024, including the provider names printed at that time.
• How-to guide: Used Motor Vehicle Dealers.
• Board home page, including the continuing-education notice.

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