Vehicle Code Section 11711 provides for temporary branch permits. A temporary branch permit allows you to conduct dealer activities — including sales — at a location other than your established place of business for a limited period. This is commonly used for special sales events, tent sales, auto shows, and similar time-limited events where you want to display vehicles and complete transactions on-site.
The temporary branch permit must be obtained from DMV before the event. You apply in advance, specifying the location, the dates, and the nature of the event. DMV will review the application and may impose conditions on the permit. There are limits on the number of temporary branch permits you can obtain in a given year, and each permit is valid only for the specific dates and location approved.
During the temporary branch event, you must comply with all the same rules that apply at your regular dealership — Buyers Guides on used vehicles, proper transaction documentation, Bill of Rights Kit for qualifying used vehicles, and so on. The temporary nature of the location doesn’t relieve you of any compliance obligations. You must also have your bond, your dealer license, and a copy of the temporary branch permit available for inspection at the event location.
Think of the temporary branch as your dealership going on the road. Everything you’d do at your regular location, you need to do at the temporary location. The only difference is that it’s temporary and location-specific. When the event is over, the permit expires, and you pack up and go back to your regular dealership.
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⚠ Key Compliance Point Temporary branch permits (VEH §11711) must be obtained from DMV before the event. They are limited in duration and number per year. All regular dealer compliance obligations apply at temporary branch locations — including Buyers Guides, transaction documentation, and the Bill of Rights Kit for qualifying used vehicle sales. |