Oregon NEW Motor Vehicle Dealer Bond
Overview
Oregon writes its dealer bond in per-year terms tied to the life of the dealer certificate. Under ORS 822.030, an applicant for a vehicle dealer certificate must file a surety bond or letter of credit, and for vehicle dealers the amount is $50,000 for each year the certificate is valid. Oregon issues dealer certificates through the DMV within the Oregon Department of Transportation, and the certificate does not issue without the bond or letter of credit on file.
Who Needs This Bond?
Applicants for an Oregon vehicle dealer certificate — including new motor vehicle dealers — file this bond with Oregon DMV as part of certification under ORS Chapter 822. The statute's $50,000-per-certificate-year structure applies to vehicle dealers as a class, so whether you are certifying for the first time or renewing, the bond must match the certificate period the DMV issues.
What is this Bond For?
ORS 822.030 gives the bond real litigation teeth: it also establishes rights of action, so a person who suffers loss from the dealer's covered conduct — such as failure to deliver good title or other violations in a vehicle transaction — can proceed against the bond for recovery. The dealer remains ultimately responsible, repaying the surety for any valid claim paid on the bond.
When is it Required?
The bond or letter of credit must be filed for the DMV to issue the dealer certificate, and because the statutory amount is expressed per year of certificate validity, the bond is written to cover the full certificate period. Keep coverage continuous into each renewal — a certificate without its supporting bond is a certificate at risk.
Where Does it Apply?
This is a statewide Oregon requirement administered by Oregon DMV under the Oregon Department of Transportation, which certifies vehicle dealers under ORS Chapter 822. It applies to certified dealer locations throughout Oregon, because the obligation comes from the Oregon Revised Statutes rather than any city or county rule.
How to Buy Online
Click 'Buy This Bond Online' on this page and the secure surety portal opens in a new tab. Complete the short application, review your bond documents, and pay securely in one session. Your executed Oregon dealer bond is ready to file with Oregon DMV as soon as you finish.
Why Bond Titan?
Bond Titan is powered by The Southern Agency, a licensed surety agency, and every requirement on this page is cited to the Oregon Revised Statutes in the Official Sources section below — verify the rules yourself before you buy. The online flow gets your executed bond to you in time for your DMV filing.
Official Sources
The requirements described on this page are verified against the official sources below.
- Surety bond or letter of credit required for the vehicle dealer certificate; $50,000 for each year the certificate is valid; statute establishes rights of action against the bond: Oregon Revised Statutes §822.030 (verified July 16, 2026)