Your first step should be to the County seat of the area you reside. Ask them about fees, requirements, registrations, even permits and licensing. We have WAY too much government in this country, and they all are self preserving and want their 'cut' in any endeavor at honest work. Sometimes municipalities have unreasonable restrictions, and whenever these exist, they are by design to keep OUT whatever the restrictions impose. For instance, some community politicos take their position and office as a mandate to legislate by whim. They receive marching orders from usually the highest contributors or PACS in the area, and from the connected and already in power. Thus, you may find 'hoops' you have to jump through to do what you want, and they can take the form of 3 and 4 figure levies and fees just to hang out your shingle. Is cases like this, it is ALWAYS a purposeful hurdle to keep as many as possible OUT. Baring anything so bizarre where you are, check the local 'iron lots'. Not necessarily new car dealerships, as they do not get involved in that aspect of the business, seeing as how they all turn it over to GMAC, Ford Motor Credit, Chrysler Financial, etc. ('Iron lots' is a buzzword for used car dealers, but you should know that already.) In talking to the owners (NOT the salesmen) of the lots, you not only will make contacts, but have an opportunity to impress them with your professionalism. And for heaven's sake, let it be professional. You do not state why you want to start this, but presumably you have SOME sort of experience. (If not, RESEARCH, and then RESEARCH and read some more before approaching them.) The used car dealers will be your future clients, and you only get one chance to make a good first impression. Just because you know that a ball of peanut butter wrapped in ground beef thrown at a barking dobermann is a good way to get it quiet in a hurry does not mean you can convince them to contract with you. So starting out, you may have to ask for a chance on the first few repos. As with any endeavor, do it well and consistently, and you should be fine.