Motor Vehicle Dealers - New or New and Used Vehicles
Required for motor vehicle, trailer, wholesale, or motorcycle dealers operating in Nebraska. Protects consumers from fraudulent business practices.
Trusted by thousands · Easy online process · Quick turnaroundRates and requirements last updated June 26, 2026
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About This Bond
The Nebraska Motor Vehicle, Trailer, Wholesale, or Motorcycle Dealer Bond is a $50,000 surety bond required by the State of Nebraska for businesses engaged in selling motor vehicles, trailers, or motorcycles. This bond ensures compliance with state regulations governing vehicle dealership operations.
Who Needs This Bond: Motor vehicle dealers, trailer dealers, wholesale dealers, and motorcycle dealers operating in Nebraska must obtain this bond as part of their licensing requirements. The bond applies to both new vehicle dealers and those selling new and used vehicles.
Protection and Purpose: This bond protects consumers and the state from fraudulent business practices, failure to transfer titles properly, misrepresentation of vehicles, and other violations of Nebraska's motor vehicle dealer regulations. It provides financial recourse for damages caused by the dealer's failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations.
Bond Details: The bond amount is set at $50,000 with a mandatory annual term that expires on December 31st each year. The bond is renewable and requires a registered agent signature. Non-resident registered agents must attach a copy of their license when filing the bond, while Nebraska residents are exempt from this requirement.
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At a glance
Nebraska Auto Dealer Bond Key Facts
Governed by Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 60-160, 60-167.
The basics
What Is an Auto Dealer Bond in Nebraska?
A bonded title in Nebraska is a Bonded Certificate of Title the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues on the strength of a surety bond. You use it when no certificate of title has ever been issued for the vehicle — in Nebraska or any other state — or you cannot provide a properly assigned title or Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO). Nebraska calls this the “Bonded Certificate of Title,” and the bond itself is the “Certificate of Title Surety Bond.”
Good to know - There is no minimum vehicle value — a bonded title is the standard path when you cannot get normal proof of ownership. Bonded certificates of title are available to Nebraska residents only, and you must first search DMV records to confirm no title already exists for the vehicle.
The bond protects the Nebraska DMV and any prior owner, future owner, or lienholder if someone else turns out to have a claim on the vehicle. You file it together with your bonded-title application — it does not replace the application.
Nebraska sets the bond at one and one-half times (1.5x) your vehicle’s value, and the bond stays in effect for three years. The title carries a printed notice that the vehicle may be subject to an undisclosed interest until the bond is released.
Bonded certificates of title are available to Nebraska residents only. Before you apply, you must search DMV records to confirm no title already exists for the vehicle, and the vehicle must pass a sheriff’s inspection.
Qualification
What You Need to Qualify for a Nebraska Auto Dealer Bond
Approval depends on your dealer license type, required coverage amount, and underwriting factors such as credit.
- You are a Nebraska resident (bonded certificates of title are available to Nebraska residents only).
- No certificate of title has previously been issued for the vehicle in Nebraska or any other state, or you cannot provide a properly assigned Certificate of Title or Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO).
- You have searched Nebraska DMV records (and any other state where a title may exist) and can show the result, or evidence that no record was found.
- The vehicle passes a sheriff’s inspection and you obtain an original Sheriff’s Inspection Certificate.
- The surety bond is issued by a bonding company or insurance agency licensed to do business in Nebraska.
Step by step
How to Get an Auto Dealer Bond in Nebraska: Step by Step
Search for an existing title
Before you apply, ask the Nebraska DMV to search its records for an existing title by filing an Application for Copy of Vehicle Record (a $3 record fee applies). Keep the result — a copy of the record, or evidence that none was found — to submit with your application.
Application for Copy of Vehicle RecordGet a sheriff’s inspection
Take the vehicle to your local county sheriff for a physical inspection. The sheriff issues a Sheriff’s Inspection Certificate, which must be the original (photocopies and carbon copies are not accepted). The inspection fee is $10 and the certificate is valid for 90 days.
Sheriff’s Inspection CertificateDetermine your bond amount
The bond must equal 1.5x the vehicle’s current value. Nebraska sets the value from the county property tax valuation or the NADA Guide. Enter your value in the calculator above to estimate your premium.
Buy your surety bond
Purchase a Certificate of Title Surety Bond from a bonding company or insurance agency licensed in Nebraska, in the amount of 1.5x your vehicle’s value. Once issued, the bond stays in effect for three years.
Certificate of Title Surety Bond, VehicleComplete your bonded-title application
Fill out and sign the Application for Bonded Certificate of Title for a Vehicle and add a photograph showing the front and one side of the vehicle. If you have no written proof of ownership, complete the affidavit section of the application explaining in detail why you are entitled to the vehicle.
Application for Bonded Certificate of Title for a VehicleFile everything with the Nebraska DMV
Submit the signed application, the surety bond, the original Sheriff’s Inspection Certificate, your record-search results (and any certified-mail return receipts), the vehicle photo, and the $50 application and title fee to the DMV Driver and Vehicle Records Division in Lincoln. Everything must arrive within 30 days of the date the bond was issued.
Paperwork
Nebraska Dealer Bond Forms & Documents
The main bonded-title application, filed with the DMV; includes an ownership affidavit section.
View formThe surety bond instrument (1.5x value, three-year term), completed by your bonding company or agent.
View formUsed to search DMV records for an existing title before you apply (a $3 record fee applies).
View formIssued by your local county sheriff after a physical inspection; original required, $10 fee, valid 90 days.
Filed after three years (if no claim was made) to remove the bonded-title notice and get a clear title.
View formYou'll also need
Cost
How Nebraska Auto Dealer Bond Pricing Works
You do not pay the full bond amount. In Nebraska, the surety bond must equal 1.5 times your vehicle’s current value. You pay a premium, which is a smaller percentage of that bond amount.
Your premium depends on the bond amount and underwriting. Use the calculator above for an estimate; your final premium may vary. The $50 DMV application and title fee, the $10 sheriff’s inspection fee, and the $3 record-search fee are separate from the bond premium.
Worked example
If your vehicle’s current value is $8,000, the bond amount is 1.5x that, or $12,000. You pay only the premium on the $12,000 bond, not the full $12,000.
Filing
Filing Information
Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
We prepare the issued bond and send you a copy for your records. Filing requirements vary by state, license type, carrier, and bond form.
402-471-3985FAQ
Nebraska Auto Dealer Bond FAQ
Yes. Nebraska issues a Bonded Certificate of Title backed by a surety bond when no certificate of title has been issued for the vehicle — in Nebraska or any other state — or you cannot provide a properly assigned title or MSO. It is available to Nebraska residents only (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-167).
The bond amount is 1.5 times (one and one-half times) your vehicle’s current value, taken from the county property tax valuation or the NADA Guide. You pay a premium — a percentage of that amount — not the full bond amount. Use the calculator above to estimate it.
Three years. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-167, after three years with no claim you can file an Application for Release of Notice on Bonded Title to remove the notice and receive a clear title.
Search DMV records for an existing title by filing an Application for Copy of Vehicle Record ($3 fee), and keep proof of the result. You submit that proof, along with a sheriff’s inspection certificate and a vehicle photo, with your bonded-title application.
Yes. You need an original Sheriff’s Inspection Certificate from your local county sheriff. The inspection fee is $10 and the certificate is valid for 90 days. Photocopies and carbon copies are not accepted.
With the Nebraska DMV Driver and Vehicle Records Division, 301 Centennial Mall South, PO Box 94789, Lincoln, NE 68509-4789. The full package must arrive within 30 days of the date your surety bond was issued. Call 402-471-3985 with questions.
A $50 application and title fee (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-160), plus a $10 sheriff’s inspection fee and a $3 vehicle-record search fee. These state fees are separate from your surety bond premium.
No. Bonded certificates of title in Nebraska are available to Nebraska residents only.
Sources
Last verified 2026-06-23. Requirements change - confirm current details with Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) before you file. This page is informational and not legal advice.
FAQ
Nebraska Auto Dealer Bond Questions
The cost of a Nebraska auto dealer bond is usually a small percentage of the state-required bond amount. Your exact premium depends on the bond amount, license type, business details, and underwriting factors such as credit.
Many auto dealer bonds can be issued the same day after you complete the application. Larger bond amounts or applications that need underwriting review may take longer.
Requirements vary by license type, but most Nebraska auto dealers need to complete a short application and purchase the bond amount required by the state before their license can be issued or renewed.
Often, yes. Many states have separate bond requirements for wholesale, retail, broker, or other dealer license types. Choose the bond that matches your Nebraska license instructions.
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AutoDealersBond.com is operated by Insurance Services by Shield, a California and Texas licensed insurance agency (CA License #6018195, TX License #3446536). Insurance Services by Shield is not an insurance carrier and does not underwrite bonds or insurance policies. Bond and coverage availability, pricing, and issuance are subject to carrier underwriting approval, eligibility, applicable state requirements, and policy or bond terms. Availability varies by state.
