Victorville is the largest city in California's High Desert and the commercial anchor for a rapidly growing region that spans Apple Valley, Hesperia, and Adelanto. The local vehicle market here skews heavily toward trucks, work SUVs, and rugged vehicles — reflecting a population that commutes long distances, works in construction and logistics, and lives in an expansive, car-dependent landscape. Used trucks and pickups in particular sell quickly in this market, and dealers who source the right inventory can turn vehicles fast without the overhead costs found in coastal SoCal.
From a regulatory and real estate standpoint, Victorville is one of California's more accessible markets for a new dealer. Commercial land along Seventh Street, Bear Valley Road, and the I-15 corridor is available at prices dramatically lower than Riverside or San Bernardino — let alone the LA basin. The city's zoning framework is relatively dealer-friendly, and wholesale operations — which require no display lot, only a commercial address that passes DMV inspection — can be established from a modest commercial suite. Many High Desert dealers start this way and expand to a retail lot as their volume grows.
California Dealer Academy has helped dealers across the High Desert and Inland Empire get licensed efficiently. We're familiar with the DMV Occupational Licensing offices serving the San Bernardino County area, local zoning considerations, and the regional auction options that will supply inventory once you're up and running.
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 Victorville area:
Victorville 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.
Victorville Business Licenseopens in new window
All businesses operating within Victorville must register for a business tax registration certificate through the city's finance or business licensing office.
San Bernardino County FBN Filingopens in new window
If your dealership will operate under a trade name (e.g., "High Desert Auto Sales"), you must file a fictitious business name (DBA) statement with San Bernardino 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
290 North D Street, Suite 904If 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.
San Bernardino OL
303 W. 3rd St
San Bernardino, CA 92401
(909) 383-4669
Riverside OL
3737 Main St, Suite 400
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 782-4060
Covina OL
1365 N. Grand Ave, Suite 102
Covina, CA 91724
(626) 974-7140
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 Victorville 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 Victorville area:
10564 Oleander Ave
Adelanto, CA 92301
Copart Adelanto Auctionopens in new window
Copart Adelanto is the closest major salvage and clean-title auction to Victorville, carrying fleet, repo, and insurance total-loss inventory from across the High Desert and Inland Empire. Online and in-person bidding available for licensed dealers.
San Bernardino, CA
IAA San Bernardino Auctionopens in new window
Insurance Auto Auctions San Bernardino offers salvage, repo, and fleet vehicles from major insurers and fleet operators. Accessible from Victorville via I-15. Licensed dealers can bid online or attend in person for the best selection on sale days.
Colton, CA
Manheim Southern California Auctionopens in new window
Manheim Southern California in Colton serves the entire Inland Empire and High Desert market with large weekly wholesale dealer sales. Deep inventory from fleet, off-lease, and dealer trades. Online bidding available through OVE.com.
Mira Loma, CA
ADESA Los Angeles Auctionopens in new window
ADESA Los Angeles in Mira Loma offers weekly dealer-only wholesale sales drawing inventory from across Southern California. Victorville dealers can attend in person via I-15 or bid online through ADESA's DealerBlock platform from the High Desert.
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 Victorville 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), Victorville city business license fees, any zoning permits, and your required pre-licensing education course ($99–$148). The High Desert's lower commercial real estate costs make Victorville one of the more affordable California markets for establishing a dealer address — a significant advantage for first-time dealers.
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 Victorville 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 through the City of Victorville typically takes 3–6 weeks. After DMV paperwork is submitted to the San Bernardino OL 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 Victorville.
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.
No. Victorville residential zones are not approved for dealer license addresses. The DMV requires a commercially or industrially zoned location that passes an on-site inspection. Victorville has substantial commercial and industrial space available along Bear Valley Road, Seventh Street, and near the I-15 corridor — making it straightforward to find an affordable, compliant dealer address in the High Desert market.
Victorville requires General Commercial (CG) or Industrial (M) zoning for dealer license locations. Retail dealerships need a paved, approved display area with DMV-compliant signage. Wholesale-only dealers have considerably more flexibility and can establish themselves in a commercial suite without a public-facing lot. Contact the City of Victorville Development Departmentopens in new window to confirm zoning before signing any lease.
PRO TIP: The High Desert has exceptional availability of large, affordable industrial parcels — a distinct advantage for wholesale dealers and anyone planning to store larger vehicle inventory.
Victorville dealers have solid High Desert and Inland Empire auction access. Copart Adelanto is the closest major yard for salvage and clean-title inventory. IAA San Bernardino and Manheim Southern California in Colton serve the wider IE market and are accessible via I-15. ADESA Los Angeles in Mira Loma provides additional large weekly sales. Online platforms like OVE.com and DealerBlock let you bid nationally without making the drive.
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 opening a truck lot on Bear Valley Road, a wholesale operation in the Victorville industrial corridor, or a dealership serving the broader High Desert community from Apple Valley to Barstow — California Dealer Academy has the course and the expertise to get you licensed.