Trade show guidelines for motor dealers

Licensing requirements

If you are in the business of buying, selling, or exchanging motor vehicles in NSW (including trailers and towable recreation vehicles) you are required to hold a NSW motor dealer’s licence. 

With the exception of trade shows, all licensees must only offer or display motor vehicles at their notified premises.

Trade show exception

A licensed NSW motor dealer is permitted to offer or display motor vehicles at a trade show without notifying NSW Fair Trading. This applies even if the trade show location is not a notified premises. 

Interstate and territory dealer exemption

Motor vehicle dealers who do not hold a NSW licence may be able to participate in a NSW trade show provided the show is a 'declared trade show' by the NSW Fair Trading Commissioner.

An interstate dealer exemption is temporary and only valid for the duration of the ‘declared trade show.’ 

Conditions for interstate participation

The interstate dealer exemption is issued to the trade show organiser by the trade show being a ‘declared trade show’.

Motor dealers from outside of NSW who do not hold a NSW motor dealer's licence may participate in a ‘declared trade show’ if:

• Their business activity at the show is limited to:
  • advising customers about the quality, performance and characteristics of a motor vehicle
  • making or receiving offers to enter into an agreement to sell new motor vehicles only (not second-hand vehicles).
• They do not enter into binding contracts or receive deposits at the trade show.
• A clearly visible and readable sign is displayed at the stall that states that the dealer’s ordinary place of business is outside NSW and includes:
  • the registered business or company name
  • the business address
  • any applicable licence name or number from another state or territory
  • a statement that the contract of sale must be signed outside NSW.

Dealers who do not comply with these requirements are not exempt and may be in breach of the Motor Dealers and Repairers Act 2013.

NSW Fair Trading inspectors attend trade shows to ensure compliance. 

Applying for an interstate dealer exemption – trade show organisers

Only the trade show organiser can apply for an exemption. To do this, they should:

• complete and submit the interstate motor dealer trade show exemption request form
• send the application to Licensing.Exemptions@customerservice.nsw.gov.au
• submit the request at least 8 weeks before the event to allow adequate time for the application to be considered. 

There is no fee for trade show exemption applications.

'Declared trade show'

If the NSW Fair Trading Commissioner approves the exemption, the event becomes a ‘declared trade show’ and a notice will be published.  

Notice will also be sent to the trade show organiser as the applicant to advise the trade show has been ‘declared’.  

The approval period will be specified in the notice.

The trade show organiser is responsible for informing interstate dealers and ensuring they:

• are aware of the signage and conduct requirements,
• understand that contracts must be signed outside NSW,
• comply with any other conditions imposed by the Commissioner.

This ensures transparency for consumers and supports fair trading practices. 

Not a 'declared trade show'

Information for interstate exhibitors

Individual interstate exhibitors cannot apply for the exemption themselves.

They must:

• contact the event organiser to confirm if the show is a ‘declared trade show’
• follow all exemption conditions if the event is a ‘declared trade show’.

Notice of upcoming ‘declared trade shows'

Upcoming trade shows approved by the Commissioner for Fair Trading as a ‘declared trade show’ will be listed in this table and removed once their approval period has ended. 

For information about past ‘declared trade shows’, please email Licensing.Exemptions@customerservice.nsw.gov.au.

Legislation supporting this page

• Motor Dealers and Repairers Act 2013
• Motor Dealers and Repairers Regulation 2025