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HomeVehicle CodeDiv. 5Ch. 3.5§ 11601 Lessor-Retailer Vehicle Licensing

§ 11601 Lessor-Retailer Vehicle Licensing

Vehicle Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 11601 Lessor-Retailer Vehicle Licensing

This law says that if you sell or lease cars that need to be registered, you must get a special license from the state. You need one license for your main office and separate ones for any other offices you have.

Key Takeaways

  • •You need a license to sell or lease cars that must be registered.
  • •You need one license for your main office.
  • •You need separate licenses for any other offices where you sell cars.

Example

If you own a car dealership that sells or leases cars, you need to get a license for your main office.

If you also have smaller offices in other towns where you sell cars, you need to get separate licenses for each of those offices too.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 11601 Lessor-Retailer Vehicle Licensing

(a) Every lessor-retailer who sells at retail a vehicle of a type subject to registration shall make application to the department for a license. The applicant shall submit proof of his status as a bona fide lessor-retailer as may reasonably be required by the department. (b) An application shall be made for the principal place of business, and a separate branch office application shall be made for each branch office location of the licensee as shall be operated and maintained by the applicant in conjunction with the retail sale or sales of vehicles. (c) “Principal place of business,” for the purposes of this chapter, means the place designated by the lessor-retailer as the main business or office location in California whether or not retail sales are made from such location. (Added by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1284.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

lessor-retailerprincipal place of businessbranch office application

Related Statutes

  • § 11610 Lessor Retailer Location Changes
  • § 11617 License Cancellation Conditions
  • § 11600 Vehicle Sale Licensing Requirement
  • § 11604.1 License Denial Grounds
  • § 11605 License Denial Hearing Rights

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Vehicle Code. Section 11601.
View Official Source