Stay Compliant. Stay Protected. Stay Focused on Selling Cars.
Why Your Dealership Website Needs Proper Legal Pages
Your dealership website does more than showcase inventory - it collects customer data, processes credit applications, and runs marketing campaigns. That means it must follow strict legal requirements.
We help you understand what’s required and why it matters.
Creating Terms of Use and a Privacy Policy for a U.S. car dealership website isn’t just a formality - it’s a legal requirement. By 2026, compliance has become more complex because dealerships must follow rules from multiple levels of regulation at the same time.
Your website likely collects customer information through tools like:
- Lead forms
- Credit/financing applications
- Trade-in estimators
- Chat and messaging tools
- Data Collection
Because of this, your site is subject to strict privacy, security, and advertising laws.
Why Legal Pages Matter
If your website includes:
- Lead forms
- Finance applications
- Trade-in tools
- Chat or SMS features
…you are collecting sensitive customer data and are legally required to disclose how that data is handled.
Without proper Terms of Use and a Privacy Policy, your dealership may face:
- Regulatory fines
- Legal liability
- Loss of customer trust
The Three Layers of Compliance
To stay compliant, dealership websites must meet requirements from three key regulatory layers:
1. Federal Requirements (Applies to All Dealerships)
These laws govern how you collect, use, store, and communicate customer data:
- Federal Trade Commission regulations: Prevent deceptive or misleading practices
- Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA): Requires protection of customer financial data
- Safeguards Rule: Mandates data security programs for dealerships
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): Applies if you handle credit applications
- CAN-SPAM Act: Regulates marketing emails and communications
Why this matters:
If your site collects personal or financial information or sends marketing messages - you are legally required to disclose how that data is used and protected.
2. State Privacy Laws (Applies Based on Your Website Visitors)
By 2026, around 20 states have comprehensive consumer privacy laws (like those in California, Texas, Colorado, etc.).
These laws typically require:
- Clear disclosure of what personal data you collect
- Explanation of how data is used and shared
- Consumer rights (access, deletion, opt-out of sale/sharing)
- Cookie and tracking transparency
Why this matters:
Even if your dealership is in one state, your website can collect data from visitors in other states - meaning you may need to comply with multiple privacy laws at once.
3. State Dealer-Specific Regulations
Each state also enforces rules specific to automotive dealers, including:
- Advertising disclosures (pricing, rebates, disclaimers)
- Dealer license identification
- Fee transparency (doc fees, add-ons, etc.)
- Truth-in-advertising requirements
Why this matters:
Your website is legally considered advertising and must meet the same standards as your in-store promotions. Missing disclosures can lead to fines, penalties, or licensing issues.
What Your Website Needs
Every dealership website must include:
Privacy Policy
Clearly explains:
- What data you collect
- How you use it
- Who you share it with
- Customer rights
Terms of Use
Defines:
- How your website can be used
- Legal protections for your business
- Disclaimers for tools and pricing
Required Disclosures
Including:
- Form consent language
- Marketing opt-ins
- Cookie/tracking notices
- Financing disclaimers
Why This Matters
Having the right legal pages in place helps you:
- Reduce legal risk
- Stay compliant across multiple states
- Build trust with your customers
- Protect your dealership from costly mistakes
Mandatory Website Legal Compliance Requirement
(Privacy Policy & Terms of Service Requirement)
Requirement to Maintain Legal Policies
All customers hosting websites with Metzger Enterprises LLC dba AutoRevolution (“AutoRevolution”) are required to maintain and publish a current, accurate, and legally compliant:
- Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service (Terms of Use)
These documents must be publicly accessible on the hosted website at all times.
Applicability
This requirement applies to all websites hosted or managed by AutoRevolution, including but not limited to those that:
- Collect leads or customer inquiries
- Offer financing or credit application functionality
- Use analytics, tracking, or advertising technologies
- Send marketing communications (email, SMS, etc.)
Enforcement & Right to Act
AutoRevolution reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to:
- Require customers to add or update missing or non-compliant legal policies
- Restrict, suspend, or terminate hosting services for failure to comply
- Remove or disable website features that pose legal or regulatory risk
Failure to maintain required legal policies may result in immediate action without prior notice.
Customer Responsibility
You acknowledge and agree that:
- You are solely responsible for ensuring your website complies with all applicable laws and regulations
- AutoRevolution does not provide legal advice and does not guarantee compliance
- You are responsible for reviewing all policies with qualified legal counsel
Legal Disclaimer & Acknowledgment
By using AutoRevolution’s hosting platform, you acknowledge that any information, templates, or guidance provided are for general informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice.
You agree that you have been advised to seek independent legal counsel to review and
You further agree that your use of the platform is at your own risk and that Metzger Enterprises LLC dba AutoRevolution shall not be held liable for any damages, losses, or legal consequences arising from failure to implement or maintain compliant legal documentation.
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