Resources for Auto Dealers & Garage Businesses
Dealer associations, state licensing authorities, major auctions, and floorplan lenders — everything you need to operate a licensed dealership or automotive business in Florida, Texas, and beyond.
State Dealer Associations
Industry organizations that advocate for licensed motor vehicle dealers, provide education, and offer member benefits.
FIADA — Florida Independent Automobile Dealers Association
Florida's largest independent dealer association. Provides dealer education, compliance resources, and advocacy in Tallahassee.
FloridaTIADA — Texas Independent Automobile Dealers Association
Represents independent dealers across Texas. Offers licensing guidance, dealer school, and legislative updates from Austin.
TexasGIADA — Georgia Independent Automobile Dealers Association
Georgia's dealer association offering education, compliance tools, and advocacy for independent dealers.
GeorgiaNCADA — North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association
Represents franchised and independent dealers in North Carolina with legislative advocacy and dealer resources.
North CarolinaSCADA — South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association
Serves South Carolina dealers with education, compliance support, and government relations.
South CarolinaNIADA — National Independent Automobile Dealers Association
The national voice for independent dealers. Offers the NIADA University, compliance resources, and industry data.
NationalState Licensing Authorities
Official state agencies that issue motor vehicle dealer licenses and set insurance and bonding requirements.
Florida DHSMV — Dealer Licensing
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Issues dealer licenses, sets insurance minimums ($25,000 CSL + $10,000 PIP), and requires the $25,000 surety bond.
FloridaTxDMV — GDN Dealer Licensing
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Issues General Distinguishing Numbers (GDNs), requires $85,000 garage liability and $50,000 surety bond.
TexasGeorgia Secretary of State — Used Car Dealer Division
Issues used car dealer licenses in Georgia. Requires $35,000 surety bond and $125,000 CSL garage liability insurance.
GeorgiaNC DMV — License & Theft Bureau
Issues motor vehicle dealer licenses in North Carolina. Requires $50,000 surety bond (first location) and garage liability insurance.
North CarolinaSC DMV — Dealer Licensing
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Issues dealer licenses and sets bonding requirements ($30,000 retail / $15,000 wholesale).
South CarolinaMajor Auto Auctions
Wholesale vehicle auctions where licensed dealers buy and sell inventory. Most require proof of dealer license and insurance.
Manheim Auctions
The largest wholesale auto auction network in the U.S. with locations across Florida, Texas, and nationwide. Requires active dealer license to participate.
NationalADESA Auctions
Major wholesale auction network with physical and digital auction lanes. Dealers must provide proof of license and insurance to register.
NationalCopart
Salvage and clean title vehicle auctions. Licensed dealers can access a wide range of inventory including insurance total losses.
NationalIAA (Insurance Auto Auctions)
Salvage vehicle auctions with locations throughout Florida and Texas. Requires dealer license for full access.
NationalOVE.com (Online Vehicle Exchange)
Manheim's online-only auction platform. Dealers can buy vehicles 24/7 without attending a physical auction.
OnlineACV Auctions
Digital wholesale auction platform connecting dealers directly with other dealers and rental companies. No physical auction required.
OnlineFloorplan Financing Companies
Lenders that provide revolving lines of credit secured by vehicle inventory. All major floorplan lenders require dealers to maintain garage liability and dealers open lot insurance.
NextGear Capital
One of the largest independent floorplan lenders in the U.S. Requires dealers to maintain garage liability and dealers open lot coverage. Lists as loss payee on open lot policy.
IndependentDealertrack Floorplan (Cox Automotive)
Floorplan financing from Cox Automotive. Requires proof of garage liability insurance and dealers open lot coverage as a condition of the credit line.
IndependentAFC — Automotive Finance Corporation
Floorplan lender focused on independent dealers. Requires dealers to carry adequate insurance on floorplanned inventory and lists AFC as loss payee.
IndependentAlly Financial — Dealer Financial Services
Major bank floorplan lender for franchised and independent dealers. Requires comprehensive dealers open lot coverage with Ally listed as loss payee.
BankNABD — National Alliance of Buy Here Pay Here Dealers
Association and resource hub for buy here pay here dealers. Provides financing resources, compliance tools, and industry data.
BHPHKinetic Advantage
Floorplan financing for independent dealers with a focus on smaller lots. Requires standard dealer insurance package including garage liability.
IndependentRegional Auction & Dealer Resources
State-specific auction locations and dealer resources for Florida and Texas markets.
Manheim Tampa
One of the largest Manheim locations in the Southeast. Serves Tampa Bay area dealers with weekly auction lanes.
FloridaManheim Central Florida (Orlando)
Major auction hub serving Orlando and Central Florida dealers.
FloridaManheim Houston
Serves the greater Houston dealer market with weekly wholesale auctions.
TexasManheim Dallas-Fort Worth
Serves North Texas dealers with regular auction lanes and online bidding.
TexasADESA Tampa
ADESA's Tampa Bay auction location serving Florida's Gulf Coast dealer market.
FloridaADESA Houston
ADESA's Houston location serving Southeast Texas and Gulf Coast dealers.
TexasReady to Get Covered?
Get Your Garage Liability & Dealer Bond in One Place
Most floorplan lenders and state DMVs require both garage liability insurance and a dealer surety bond. We help you get both — fast, from A-rated carriers.