DMV PROCESSING FOR AUTO DEALERS

Are you one of the nearly 1,500 used auto dealers in California?

As of 2025, it is estimated that California has 1,457 used auto dealers, according to Stacker.com. When the sale is concluded, who does the DMV processing for auto dealers? Auto dealers have three options when it comes to DMV processing for their customers:

In house processing
Processing at an Industry Business Center or
Utilizing a third-party BPA partner Registration Service

IN HOUSE PROCESSING

Larger new vehicle dealerships are required to have a dedicated titling office on the premises to provide one stop shopping for their auto customers. They participate in the Business Partner Automation (BPA) Program which allows them to retitle vehicles, process DMV paperwork and issue plates and tags, however, the BPA Program is optional for used car dealers, which generally have less inventory and less sales. Many can’t afford the overhead of employing full-time titling staff or the facilities to provide the security measures that the BPA program require. When that isn’t an option there are two other solutions for DMV processing for a used auto dealer.

PROCESSING AT AN INDUSTRY BUSINESS CENTER (IBC)

Mountain View IBC

Fairfield IBC

For a small used dealership that sells just a few vehicles a month, processing at the Industry Business Center provides a solution. The Industry Business Center is a DMV service center for industry partners, such as dealers, dismantlers, sellers, and registration services. They don’t provide services to the public. There are 11 regional offices located throughout the state. Here, in the San Francisco bay area, there are two; one in Mountain View and the other in Fairfield.

The IBC processes on a first-come, first-serve basis. They do not charge transaction fees, but it can be an investment of time to process there. Some accept appointments in advance, but they fill up quickly. They operate 7:00am – 2:30pm and often limit the number of transactions they accept per appointment. When the dealer doesn’t have the time to spend at the IBC, there is a flexible solution to DMV processing for the auto dealer.

UTILIZING A THIRD-PARTY BPA PARTNER REGISTRATION SERVICE

Totally Notary is a licensed, bonded Registration Service #95437 contracted through the CA DMV’s Business Partner Automation program to provide vehicle titling services.
With seven-day-a-week availability and real-time processing, Totally Notary can save dealerships time at the IBC.
Advantages for auto dealers to use Totally Notary for their DMV processing:

Online interface that allows real-time processing without slow IBC field office submissions.
Prompt processing to avoid customer complaints and potential DMV bond claims.
Save payroll and pay for processing only when you need it.
Plates and tags are on-site, and can be mailed with tracking to your customer if you choose.
Fees are verified to make sure you aren’t overcharged.
We process in-state and out-of-state deals.
We can go to the IBC for you if the deal cannot be processed online.
Totally Notary is a licensed vehicle verifier #VV 28773 and can perform VIN verifications if required.
Local business office for drop off/pickup
Same day service
12 years of titling experience.

HOW TO GET STARTED

Email Totally Notary your dealer name and dealer #, address, phone number and the name of the best contact.
We’ll add you to our database so you can start processing the very next day.

Notice to Customers:
We are licensed to provide vehicle registration service to the public, but our company is not a branch of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Registration services are subject to a convenience service charge.

DMV Processing for Auto Dealers