Moreno Valley is Riverside County's second-largest city and a key commercial hub in the Inland Empire — one of the highest-volume used vehicle markets in Southern California. The region's steady population growth, combined with a working-class economy built around logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing, drives strong year-round demand for affordable, reliable transportation. Trucks, SUVs, and family sedans move quickly here, and dealers who understand the local buyer's priorities can build a profitable business with comparatively low startup costs relative to coastal markets.
From a regulatory standpoint, Moreno Valley is an accessible market for new dealers. Commercial corridors along Alessandro Boulevard, Perris Boulevard, and the Moreno Valley Freeway (CA-60) offer abundant industrial and commercial space at rates well below Orange County or Los Angeles. The city's Community & Economic Development Department handles both zoning verification and business licensing, streamlining the process for entrepreneurs. Many first-time dealers in this area launch with a wholesale license from a small commercial suite — often near the city's expansive warehouse and industrial corridors — before transitioning to a retail lot as their business scales.
California Dealer Academy has helped dealers throughout the Inland Empire get licensed efficiently. We know the Riverside DMV Occupational Licensing office, the regional auction landscape, and the zoning considerations specific to Moreno Valley and Riverside County dealerships. Whether you're starting wholesale or retail, we'll help you understand every step of the process.
Call us at 951-963-3223 for a free phone consultation. We'll answer your questions about zoning, DMV requirements, and what type of dealer license makes the most sense for your goals.
Here are the official offices and links you'll need to start your dealership in the Moreno Valley area:
Moreno Valley Community Development – Planningopens in new window
Verify that your proposed location is properly zoned before signing a lease. Retail dealers typically need commercial or industrial zoning. Indoor display-only setups are often approved more easily.
Moreno Valley Business License Officeopens in new window
All businesses operating within Moreno Valley must register for a business tax registration certificate through the city's finance or business licensing office.
Riverside County FBN Filingopens in new window
If your dealership will operate under a trade name (e.g., "Inland Empire Auto Sales"), you must file a fictitious business name (DBA) statement with Riverside County.
California Seller's Permit Registrationopens in new window
Dealers who sell vehicles are required to hold a California Seller's Permit issued by the CDTFA. Registration is free and can be completed online.
FTB Field Officesopens in new window
3737 Main Street, Suite 350If you plan to operate as a corporation or LLC, you'll need to register with the Franchise Tax Board. Sole proprietors can skip this step.
Riverside OL
3737 Main St Suite 400
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 782-4060
San Bernardino OL
303 W. 3rd St
San Bernardino, CA 92401
(909) 383-4669
Stanton OL
7871 Katella Ave
Stanton, CA 90680
(714) 220-4200
Note: DMV Occupational Licensing is not at the standard DMV counter — enter through the main doors and proceed to the designated office area.
California Dealer Academy
1655 E 6th St #108, Ste A5A, Corona, CA 92879
☎ 951-963-3223
Our team is available by phone and in person to help you navigate the Moreno Valley market.
Once you have your dealer license, you'll have access to wholesale dealer-only auctions where you can buy inventory at prices unavailable to the public. Here are the major auction houses serving the Moreno Valley area:
1605 Martin Luther King Blvd
Riverside, CA 92507
Manheim Riverside Auctionopens in new window
Manheim Riverside runs regular wholesale sales just minutes from Moreno Valley, serving Inland Empire dealers with deep fleet, off-lease, and repo inventory. Online bidding available through OVE.com.
9670 Etiwanda Ave
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739
Copart Rancho Cucamongaopens in new window
Copart's Rancho Cucamonga facility offers salvage and clean-title vehicles from insurers and fleet operators throughout the Inland Empire. Bid online or in person with your dealer license.
6695 Industrial Ave
Riverside, CA 92504
IAA Riversideopens in new window
Insurance Auto Auctions Riverside carries total-loss, salvage, and repo vehicles from insurers and fleet operators across Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Licensed dealers can bid online or on-site.
1503 N. Batavia St
Orange, CA 92867
ADESA Los Angeles Auctionopens in new window
ADESA Los Angeles in Orange runs large weekly wholesale sales accessible to Inland Empire dealers via the 91 freeway. Also available online through ADESA's DealerBlock platform for remote bidding.
California requires all new dealer license applicants to complete a 6-hour pre-licensing course through an approved provider. California Dealer Academy is state-approved. Complete the course online at your own pace — no classroom commute required.
In the course you'll learn:
Already have your license? California requires dealers to complete continuing education before each renewal. Our renewal course is quick, fully online, and satisfies the DMV requirement.
Skip the guesswork. Our Deluxe Dealer Package guides you 1-on-1 through every step — from zoning research and DMV paperwork to bond, signage, and opening day. Ideal for first-time dealers in the Moreno Valley market.
Total startup costs typically range from $1,200 to $2,800. This includes the DMV application fee ($175 for used vehicle dealers), a $10,000 surety bond (annual premium roughly $100–$200), Moreno Valley city business license fees, any zoning permits, and your required pre-licensing education course ($99–$148). The Inland Empire's commercial real estate is far more affordable than coastal Southern California, making Moreno Valley one of the better-value markets for new dealers in the region.
Not necessarily. Wholesale dealer licenses do not require a display lot — only a commercial address that passes a DMV inspection. Wholesale dealers sell only to other dealers, not the public. Retail licenses require an approved lot or indoor showroom that meets Moreno Valley zoning and signage requirements.
Plan for 45–90 days from start to finish. The pre-licensing class takes 1–2 days online. Zoning and location approval typically takes 3–6 weeks. After DMV paperwork is submitted to the Riverside Occupational Licensing office, your dealer plates and license typically arrive within 2–4 weeks.
A retail dealer license allows you to sell vehicles directly to the public and requires an approved display lot and DMV-compliant signage. A wholesale dealer license allows you to buy and sell only to other licensed dealers — no public sales. Wholesale licenses have fewer location requirements, making them a popular starting point in Moreno Valley.
Yes. California law requires all new dealer applicants to complete a 6-hour pre-licensing education course through a DMV-approved provider before the DMV will issue a license. California Dealer Academy is state-approved. The course is available online for $99 (self-paced) or $148 with a live Saturday webinar session.
Generally no. Moreno Valley residential zones are not approved for dealer license addresses. You need a commercially or industrially zoned address for DMV approval. The city has a wide range of affordable commercial and industrial properties available throughout its major corridors, making it practical to secure a compliant dealer address at a reasonable cost.
Moreno Valley's zoning is administered by the Community & Economic Development Department. Commercial General (CG) and light-industrial zones are typically approved for retail and wholesale dealerships. Wholesale-only operations with no public-facing display have the greatest flexibility. Check with the Moreno Valley Planning Divisionopens in new window to verify your parcel's zoning before signing a lease.
Moreno Valley dealers have strong regional auction access. Manheim Riverside runs regular wholesale sales nearby. Copart Rancho Cucamonga and IAA Riverside provide salvage and repo inventory across the Inland Empire corridor. ADESA Los Angeles in Orange offers large weekly sales accessible via the 91 freeway. Online platforms including OVE.com and ADESA DealerBlock extend your reach to national inventory without leaving the office.
At California Dealer Academy, we can help you with something as basic as completing your application to doing it for you from start to finish.
Feel free to call the owner directly to get more information.
Garrett Eddings 760-681-1757
Whether you're planning a used car lot along Alessandro Boulevard, a wholesale operation near the Moreno Valley logistics corridor, or a dealership serving Riverside County's growing communities — California Dealer Academy has the course and the expertise to get you licensed.