State guide — Indiana
You need a new or used motor vehicle dealer license if you sell, offer to sell, or advertise for sale at least twelve (12) motor vehicles in a 12-month period — the 12th sale, offer, or advertisement in 12 months is what triggers the license (Indiana Secretary of State, Auto Dealer Services).
You need a new or used motor vehicle dealer license if you sell, offer to sell, or advertise for sale at least twelve (12) motor vehicles in a 12-month period — the 12th sale, offer, or advertisement in 12 months is what triggers the license (Indiana Secretary of State, Auto Dealer Services).
The count is only half the law. Whatever your number, three things turn a private seller into an unlicensed dealer in practice: buying vehicles mainly to resell them, advertising or holding yourself out as a seller, and selling vehicles that were never titled in your name. That last one — title jumping — is illegal on its own in nearly every state, at any count, and it is the violation unlicensed sellers are actually caught on.
Not stated in the cited source. Penalties for unlicensed dealing are set in Indiana's dealer-licensing law — confirm the current penalty with the licensing authority linked below before acting.
Source: Indiana Secretary of State, Auto Dealer Services Division — Dealer, New or Used (Indiana Code 9-32) · Checked October 18, 2026. Verified against the primary state source during our build.
The legal way past the limit is a dealer license from Indiana Secretary of State — Auto Dealer Services Division — start at the official source: Indiana Secretary of State — Auto Dealer Services Division. Our deep path data currently covers Texas, Florida, California, New York, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, and Illinois; Indiana's full path page rolls in as its requirement rows finish primary verification. The Dealer Playbook covers the eight deep states in full.
The Am I Legal? checker applies Indiana's rule to your actual count, titling, and intent — in your browser, with nothing sent anywhere.
Up to 11 vehicles in a 12-month period, under the rule cited on this page. You need a new or used motor vehicle dealer license if you sell, offer to sell, or advertise for sale at least twelve (12) motor vehicles in a 12-month period — the 12th sale, offer, or advertisement in 12 months is what triggers the license (Indiana Secretary of State, Auto Dealer Services).
Not stated in the cited source. Penalties for unlicensed dealing are set in Indiana's dealer-licensing law — confirm the current penalty with the licensing authority linked below before acting.
The rule is cited on this page to Indiana Secretary of State, Auto Dealer Services Division — Dealer, New or Used (Indiana Code 9-32). The licensing authority is Indiana Secretary of State — Auto Dealer Services Division. Figures checked October 18, 2026.