Tennessee Motor Vehicle Commission upholds denial of DWD Motors dealer license

The Tennessee Motor Vehicle Commission on April 23, 2025, voted to uphold the denial of a dealer license application for DWD Motors, a proposed Knoxville dealership, after staff presented testimony and online evidence suggesting unlicensed sales activity and a confusing public brand tied to salesperson Dylan Trent.

Staff attorney Erica Smith and an investigator showed commission members social-media posts, customer testimonials and other material that, they said, suggested Trent had presented himself publicly as selling cars for multiple dealerships dating back to 2018 while not always holding a salesperson license. The commission heard that Trent received a salesperson license in February 2024 but that his transfer to a different dealer application was denied when staff found inaccuracies; staff said Old Ben Franklin corrected an application only the day before the April 23 meeting.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the materials raised consumer-protection and honesty concerns and recalled earlier guidance from the commission that Trent should gain on-the-floor sales experience before seeking a dealer license. Multiple commissioners said the online branding and testimonial posts could mislead consumers about who is licensed and who actually sold vehicles.

Staff summary and presentation Erica Smith, a member of the commission's legal staff, told the panel the license denial request for DWD Motors was based on the business relationship between the proposed owner, Jamie Tharpe, and Dylan Trent, who earlier had a dealer application denied and later received a salesperson license. Smith said an inspector found Trent on site during the new application process and that DWD-related social-media posts, some dating to 2018, show Trent publicly promoting car sales and the DWD name prior to when he held a salesperson license with the commission.

Attorney Tim Householder, representing applicant Jamie Tharpe, said Tharpe is Trent’s adoptive father, that Tharpe intends to run the business hands-on and that any earlier confusion came from third parties handling licensing paperwork. Tharpe told the commission he would leave his current employment at Tim’s Fencing to operate the dealership and said he had hired a general manager to handle compliance.

Commission discussion and concerns Commissioners repeatedly referenced a prior comment from Chairman Roberts that Trent should spend time as a licensed salesperson and gain experience before pursuing a dealer license. Several commissioners said the DWD online presence — including posts asking followers to call “Dylan” and testimonials that refer to DWD as if it were an operating dealership — risked misleading consumers about who was licensed and where vehicles were sold. Commissioners also flagged posts that appeared to offer referral fees as inconsistent with statutory rules.

Formal action and vote Commissioner Vaughn moved to uphold staff’s denial of the dealer application; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Andrews. The roll call recorded all commissioners present voting aye; the chair declared the denial upheld.

What the record shows Staff said DWD Motors, LLC exists as an entity in Tennessee but that, before the application at issue, the commission had no record that the LLC had purchased inventory or sold a vehicle as a dealer. Staff also provided sworn statements and a timeline of multiple past salesperson applications by Trent (2018, 2021, 2024), noting that one prior application contained an inaccurate disclosure about convictions that the applicant later corrected after staff inquiry.

Next steps for the applicants Commission staff told the applicants they may reapply in the future and that staff can advise them on conditions the commission would expect: a clear business plan, a single, clearly identified licensed salesperson affiliated with the dealer, and steps to eliminate confusing public branding that could mislead consumers. Commissioners and staff said they remain supportive of applicants who follow the commission’s guidance and suggested a path that would include Trent gaining clear, documented, compliant sales experience before a future dealership application.

Votes at a glance - Motion: Uphold the denial of DWD Motors dealer license (application by Jamie Tharpe). Motion made by Commissioner Vaughn; seconded by Commissioner Andrews. Outcome: denial upheld (roll-call: Commissioners Levy, Elam, Bridal, Kopenhaver, Andrews, Galvin, Norton, Vaughn, Owens, Kramer, Evans and Chairman Roberts — all voted “Aye”).

Ending The commission concluded the DWD Motors item by advising the applicants to consult with staff about corrective steps and timelines; staff offered to provide application guidance and next-step options.