Independent Dealer-Operator
Responsible for day-to-day operations of the independent dealership and primary contact for the MVDB.
01
Register for Required Training Course
The first step is registering for the two-day Independent Dealer-Operator course, taught by the Virginia Independent Automobile Dealers Association (VIADA). There is a fee for this course. You can register anytime, but early registration is recommended to avoid full classes and late fees. For more details, visit their training course listing page.
It’s recommended that you take the Independent Dealer-Operator exam soon after completing the course.
02
Pass the Independent Dealer-Operator Qualification Exam
After passing the two-day Independent Dealer-Operator study course, you must pass the qualification exam. Fill out the MVDB-57 and bring it to any DMV Customer Service Center with a valid driver’s license or passport and the exam fee. If you currently have an active Virginia salesperson license, check the ‘Dealer-Operator Independent‘ on the form. If you don’t, check the ‘Combined Dealer-Operator and Salesperson Independent‘. You’ll be notified whether you pass or fail after the exam. If you fail, you may retake the exam as many times as needed, but you must pay the exam fee for each attempt.
Study guides – the MVDB-35 for Salesperson and MVDB-34 for Dealer-Operator – and a practice exam are available to help you prepare.
03
Submit the Paperwork
Congratulations! Passing the exam qualifies you to be an Independent Dealer-Operator. To assign you as the Dealer-Operator, the dealership owner must submit an MVDB-10. If you passed the Combined Dealer-Operator and Salesperson Independent exam, they’ll also need to submit a MVDB-61 for your Salesperson license. For guidance on submitting a MVDB-61, click here.
Independent Dealer-Operator Recertification Requirement
You are required to complete a recertification on-line course or test every 24 months to maintain your Independent Dealer-Operator qualification. For more information, see Independent Dealer-Operator Recertification Program.