OL 56 Form – If you operate a wholesale-only vehicle dealership in California and sell fewer than 25 vehicles per year, you may qualify for a valuable exemption from the standard $50,000 surety bond requirement. The OL 56 Form ($50,000 Bond Exemption Application) is the official California DMV document that lets eligible dealers skip posting this bond during license renewal.
This step-by-step guide explains everything you need to know about the OL 56 form, including who qualifies, how to download the official PDF, complete instructions, submission process, and key deadlines. All information is based on the latest details from the California DMV website (dmv.ca.gov).
What Is the OL 56 Form?
The OL 56 Form is officially titled “$50,000 Bond Exemption Application (Wholesale-Only Dealers)”. It allows qualifying wholesale-only dealers to certify that they sold fewer than 25 vehicles in the previous renewal period and therefore do not need to post the $50,000 surety bond normally required for dealer license renewal.
- Revision: OL 56 (REV. 3/2007) – still the current version referenced on the DMV site.
- Purpose: Exemption from the bond required under California Vehicle Code for most vehicle dealers.
- Valid for: One-year or two-year renewal terms.
This form is only for wholesale-only dealers (sales limited to auctions and dealer-to-dealer transactions). It is submitted alongside the main Renewal Application (Form OL 45).
Who Qualifies for the $50,000 Bond Exemption?
You qualify if you meet all of these criteria:
- Hold a wholesale-only dealer license.
- Sell fewer than 25 vehicles per year (includes auction sales and direct dealer-to-dealer sales).
- Are renewing your occupational license with the DMV.
Wholesale-only dealers are already exempt from certain physical location requirements (no public display area or signage needed), making the OL 56 exemption a natural fit for low-volume operators.
Note: If you sell 25 or more vehicles in any one-year period without first filing the $50,000 bond, your license can be automatically canceled per Vehicle Code Section 11721(b).
Official OL 56 Form PDF Download
✅ Direct official download (hosted by California DMV):
Download OL 56 Form PDF
This is the exact fillable form provided by the DMV. Always download directly from dmv.ca.gov to ensure you have the latest version.
Alternative: Visit the official Vehicle Dealer License page and click the OL 56 link under renewal documents.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Complete and Submit the OL 56 Form?
- Download and open the PDF (fillable on most devices).
- Check the renewal term:
- One-Year Renewal Term (12 months)
- Two-Year Renewal Term (24 months)
- Provide firm information:
- Firm name, address, city, state, ZIP
- Type of ownership (Sole Owner, Partnership, Corporation, LLC, etc.)
- Firm license number
- Current telephone number
- List owner(s) – Print name(s), title(s), and sign (up to three owners; use reverse side if needed).
- Complete Wholesale Report of Sales data (critical section):
- For each year in the renewal period, enter:
- First and last Wholesale Report of Sale numbers and dates
- Number of reports written
- Voided reports (subtract)
- Vehicles sold at auction
- Total vehicles sold
- If zero sales: Write “NONE”.
- For each year in the renewal period, enter:
- Sign and date under penalty of perjury (must be signed by sole owner, all partners, corporate officer, LLC member/manager, or association member of record).
- Mail with your renewal package to:
Department of Motor Vehicles
Occupational Licensing
Attn: Firms Unit
P.O. Box 932342, Mail Station L-224
Sacramento, CA 94232-3420
Tip: Submit up to 90 days before your license expires. Include the completed OL 56 with Form OL 45 (Renewal Application) and any other required documents.
Important Deadlines and Renewal Process
- Renewal window: Up to 90 days prior to expiration.
- Proof of continuing education: Required every two years (unless you also file OL 257 exemption).
- Fees: Paid with OL 45 (dealer renewal fee is $125 + possible branch/plate fees).
- Mailing: Use the address on your renewal notice or the one listed above.
- Contact for help: Occupational Licensing at (916) 229-3126.
What If You Sell More Than 25 Vehicles?
You must file a $50,000 surety bond (using Form OL 25 or OL 25B as applicable) before reaching the 25-vehicle threshold. Failure to do so results in automatic license cancellation. The OL 56 exemption is not available once you exceed the limit.
Related DMV Forms You May Need
| Form | Purpose |
|---|---|
| OL 45 | Dealer License Renewal Application |
| OL 247 | Report lost/stolen/surrendered plates |
| OL 257 | Continuing Education Exemption (for wholesale-only) |
| OL 25 / OL 25B | Surety Bond (if you no longer qualify for exemption) |
All forms are available on the DMV Occupational Licensing Forms page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is the OL 56 form only for renewal?
A: Yes – it is used exclusively during the license renewal process.
Q: Can I file OL 56 online?
A: No. It must be printed, completed, signed, and mailed with your OL 45 renewal packet.
Q: What counts toward the 25-vehicle limit?
A: Every vehicle sold, including auctions and dealer-to-dealer transactions. Track your Wholesale Report of Sales carefully.
Q: Is there a fee to file the OL 56?
A: No additional fee beyond normal renewal fees.
Get Your OL 56 Form Today
Don’t risk delays or penalties on your wholesale-only dealer license renewal. Download the official OL 56 Form right now and secure your $50,000 bond exemption:
➤ Download OL 56 PDF – Official DMV Link
For the most current requirements, always refer to the California DMV Vehicle Dealer License page or contact Occupational Licensing directly.
Stay compliant, save on bonding costs, and keep your wholesale dealership running smoothly with the OL 56 Form. Questions? Call DMV Occupational Licensing at (916) 229-3126.
Last verified: April 2026 – Information sourced directly from official California DMV publications and forms.