1 | A bill to be entitled |
2 | An act relating to motor vehicles; amending ss. 261.03 and |
3 | 317.0003, F.S.; redefining the term "ROV" for purposes of |
4 | provisions relating to off-highway vehicles to include |
5 | vehicles of increased width and weight; amending s. |
6 | 316.1951, F.S.; removing a requirement that the Department |
7 | of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles adopt a uniform |
8 | written notice to be used to enforce provisions that |
9 | prohibit parking a motor vehicle on certain property for |
10 | the purpose of displaying the motor vehicle as being for |
11 | sale, hire, or rental; removing a requirement that each |
12 | law enforcement agency provide its own notice for such |
13 | enforcement; authorizing a local government to adopt an |
14 | ordinance to enforce such provisions; authorizing a code |
15 | enforcement officer from any local government agency to |
16 | enforce such provisions; providing for immediate removal |
17 | of a motor vehicle in violation of specified provisions; |
18 | providing for assessment of a fine in addition to towing |
19 | and storage fees; requiring a release form prescribed by |
20 | the department to be completed before release of the motor |
21 | vehicle; amending s. 318.14, F.S.; providing a lifetime |
22 | limitation on the number of times a person may elect to |
23 | attend a driver improvement course in lieu of appearing in |
24 | court for certain traffic infractions; amending s. 318.18, |
25 | F.S.; specifying a fine for a vehicle that is displayed |
26 | for sale, hire, or rental in violation of such provisions; |
27 | providing for disposition of fines collected; amending s. |
28 | 319.225, F.S.; prohibiting the department from requiring |
29 | the signature of the transferor to be notarized on certain |
30 | motor vehicle title transfer forms relating to mileage of |
31 | the vehicle; requiring the forms to include an affidavit |
32 | declaring facts in the document to be true; amending s. |
33 | 319.23, F.S.; providing that, under certain circumstances, |
34 | a motor vehicle dealer is not required to apply for a |
35 | certificate of title for a motor vehicle sold to a general |
36 | purchaser who resides outside the state; amending s. |
37 | 319.241, F.S.; revising provisions relating to an |
38 | application for the removal of a lien from the files of |
39 | the department or from the certificate of title; |
40 | authorizing the department to remove the lien from its |
41 | files within a specified period after receiving an |
42 | application for a derelict motor vehicle certificate and |
43 | notification to the lienholder, unless a written statement |
44 | protesting such removal is received; amending s. 319.30, |
45 | F.S.; revising definitions; revising requirements for |
46 | disposition of a motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, or |
47 | mobile home that is sold, transported, or delivered to a |
48 | salvage motor vehicle dealer or a secondary metals |
49 | recycler; requiring certificates of title to conform to |
50 | specified provisions; providing for the dealer or recycler |
51 | to apply to the department for a derelict motor vehicle |
52 | certificate if the certificate of title, salvage |
53 | certificate of title, or certificate of destruction is not |
54 | available; requiring the derelict motor vehicle |
55 | certificate application to be completed by the seller or |
56 | owner of the motor vehicle or mobile home, the seller's or |
57 | owner's authorized transporter, or the dealer or recycler; |
58 | requiring certain identification information be included |
59 | with the application; revising the types of documentation |
60 | that a secondary metals recycler must obtain; permitting |
61 | recyclers to obtain salvage certificates of title from |
62 | sellers or owners as a valid method of documentation; |
63 | providing that a person engaged in the business of |
64 | recovering, towing, or storing vehicles may not claim |
65 | certain liens, claim that certain vehicles have remained |
66 | on any premises after tenancy has terminated, or use the |
67 | derelict motor vehicle certificate application to |
68 | transport, sell, or dispose of a motor vehicle at a |
69 | salvage motor vehicle dealer or secondary metals recycler |
70 | without otherwise obtaining title to the vehicle or a |
71 | certificate of destruction; requiring that the department |
72 | accept all properly endorsed and completed derelict motor |
73 | vehicle certificate applications and issue such |
74 | certification having an effective date that authorizes |
75 | when the vehicle is eligible for dismantling or |
76 | destruction; requiring that such electronic information be |
77 | stored and made available to authorized persons; requiring |
78 | that all licensed salvage motor vehicle dealers or |
79 | registered secondary metals recyclers make all payments |
80 | for the purchase of any derelict motor vehicle that is |
81 | sold by a seller who is not the owner of record by check |
82 | or money order; amending s. 320.02, F.S.; directing the |
83 | department to place the name of the owner of a motor |
84 | vehicle on the list of persons who may not be issued a |
85 | license plate or revalidation sticker if that person is on |
86 | a list submitted to the department by a licensed dealer; |
87 | amending s. 320.27, F.S.; clarifying an exemption from |
88 | certain dealer prelicensing requirements; removing a |
89 | requirement for evaluation of privatized applicant |
90 | training methods; authorizing dealer records to be kept in |
91 | either paper or electronic form; providing procedures for |
92 | transfer of documents to electronic form; authorizing the |
93 | department to deny, suspend, or revoke a dealer's license |
94 | for certain actions relating to payments made to the |
95 | department; authorizing a dealer training school to cancel |
96 | the training certificate issued to a student for certain |
97 | actions relating to payments made to the school; amending |
98 | s. 322.0261, F.S.; revising provisions requiring persons |
99 | who were convicted of or who pleaded nolo contendere to |
100 | specified traffic infractions to attend a driver |
101 | improvement course; providing that the department shall |
102 | not require a person to attend a driver improvement course |
103 | for specified traffic violations when adjudication has |
104 | been withheld by the court; requiring the department to |
105 | send notice of a requirement to attend a driver |
106 | improvement course within a certain time period after |
107 | receiving a report of an adjudication; providing an |
108 | effective date. |
109 |
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110 | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
111 |
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112 | Section 1. Subsection (9) of section 261.03, Florida |
113 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
114 | 261.03 Definitions.-As used in this chapter, the term: |
115 | (9) "ROV" means any motorized recreational off-highway |
116 | vehicle 64 60 inches or less in width, having a dry weight of |
117 | 2,000 1,500 pounds or less, designed to travel on four or more |
118 | nonhighway tires, having nonstraddle seating and a steering |
119 | wheel, and manufactured for recreational use by one or more |
120 | persons. The term "ROV" does not include a golf cart as defined |
121 | in ss. 320.01(22) and 316.003(68) or a low-speed vehicle as |
122 | defined in s. 320.01(42). |
123 | Section 2. Subsection (9) of section 317.0003, Florida |
124 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
125 | 317.0003 Definitions.-As used in this chapter, the term: |
126 | (9) "ROV" means any motorized recreational off-highway |
127 | vehicle 64 60 inches or less in width, having a dry weight of |
128 | 2,000 1,500 pounds or less, designed to travel on four or more |
129 | nonhighway tires, having nonstraddle seating and a steering |
130 | wheel, and manufactured for recreational use by one or more |
131 | persons. The term "ROV" does not include a golf cart as defined |
132 | in ss. 320.01(22) and 316.003(68) or a low-speed vehicle as |
133 | defined in s. 320.01(42). |
134 | Section 3. Section 316.1951, Florida Statutes, is amended |
135 | to read: |
136 | 316.1951 Parking for certain purposes prohibited; sale of |
137 | motor vehicles; prohibited acts.- |
138 | (1) It is unlawful for any person to park a motor vehicle, |
139 | as defined in s. 320.01, upon a public street or highway, upon a |
140 | public parking lot, or other public property, or upon private |
141 | property where the public has the right to travel by motor |
142 | vehicle, for the principal purpose and intent of displaying the |
143 | motor vehicle thereon for sale, hire, or rental unless the sale, |
144 | hire, or rental of the motor vehicle is specifically authorized |
145 | on such property by municipal or county regulation and the |
146 | person is in compliance with all municipal or county licensing |
147 | regulations. |
148 | (2) The provisions of subsection (1) do not prohibit a |
149 | person from parking his or her own motor vehicle or his or her |
150 | other personal property on any private real property which the |
151 | person owns or leases or on private real property which the |
152 | person does not own or lease, but for which he or she obtains |
153 | the permission of the owner, or on the public street immediately |
154 | adjacent thereto, for the principal purpose and intent of sale, |
155 | hire, or rental. |
156 | (3) Subsection (1) does not prohibit a licensed motor |
157 | vehicle dealer from displaying for sale or offering for sale |
158 | motor vehicles at locations other than the dealer's licensed |
159 | location if the dealer has been issued a supplemental license |
160 | for off-premises sales, as provided in s. 320.27(5), and has |
161 | complied with the requirements in subsection (1). A vehicle |
162 | displayed for sale by a licensed dealer at any location other |
163 | than the dealer's licensed location is subject to immediate |
164 | removal without warning. |
165 | (4) The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles |
166 | shall adopt by rule a uniform written notice to be used to |
167 | enforce this section. Each law enforcement agency in this state |
168 | shall provide, at each agency's expense, the notice forms |
169 | necessary to enforce this section. |
170 | (4)(5) A local government may adopt an ordinance to allow |
171 | the towing of a motor vehicle parked in violation of this |
172 | section. A law enforcement officer, compliance officer, code |
173 | enforcement officer from any local government agency, or |
174 | supervisor of the department may issue a citation and cause to |
175 | be immediately removed at the owner's expense any motor vehicle |
176 | found in violation of subsection (1), except as provided in |
177 | subsections (2) and (3), or in violation of subsection (5), |
178 | subsection (6), subsection (7), or subsection (8), and the owner |
179 | shall be assessed a penalty as provided in s. 318.18(21) by the |
180 | government agency or authority that orders immediate removal of |
181 | the motor vehicle. A motor vehicle removed under this section |
182 | shall not be released from an impound or towing and storage |
183 | facility before a release form prescribed by the department has |
184 | been completed verifying that the fine has been paid to the |
185 | government agency or authority that ordered immediate removal of |
186 | the motor vehicle. However, the owner may pay towing and storage |
187 | charges to the towing and storage facility pursuant to s. 713.78 |
188 | before payment of the fine or before the release form has been |
189 | completed which has been parked in one location for more than 24 |
190 | hours after a written notice has been issued. Every written |
191 | notice issued pursuant to this section shall be affixed in a |
192 | conspicuous place upon a vehicle by a law enforcement officer, |
193 | compliance officer, or supervisor of the department. Any vehicle |
194 | found in violation of subsection (1) within 30 days after a |
195 | previous violation and written notice is subject to immediate |
196 | removal without an additional waiting period. |
197 | (5)(6) It is unlawful to offer a vehicle for sale if the |
198 | vehicle identification number has been destroyed, removed, |
199 | covered, altered, or defaced, as described in s. 319.33(1)(d). A |
200 | vehicle found in violation of this subsection is subject to |
201 | immediate removal without warning. |
202 | (6)(7) It is unlawful to knowingly attach to any motor |
203 | vehicle a registration that was not assigned or lawfully |
204 | transferred to the vehicle pursuant to s. 320.261. A vehicle |
205 | found in violation of this subsection is subject to immediate |
206 | removal without warning. |
207 | (7)(8) It is unlawful to display or offer for sale a |
208 | vehicle that does not have a valid registration as provided in |
209 | s. 320.02. A vehicle found in violation of this subsection is |
210 | subject to immediate removal without warning. This subsection |
211 | does not apply to vehicles and recreational vehicles being |
212 | offered for sale through motor vehicle auctions as defined in s. |
213 | 320.27(1)(c)4. |
214 | (8)(9) A vehicle is subject to immediate removal without |
215 | warning if it bears a telephone number that has been displayed |
216 | on three or more vehicles offered for sale within a 12-month |
217 | period. |
218 | (9)(10) Any other provision of law to the contrary |
219 | notwithstanding, a violation of subsection (1), subsection (5), |
220 | subsection (6), subsection (7), or subsection (8) shall subject |
221 | the owner of such motor vehicle to towing fees reasonably |
222 | necessitated by removal and storage of the motor vehicle and a |
223 | fine as required by s. 318.18. |
224 | (10)(11) This section does not prohibit the governing body |
225 | of a municipality or county, with respect to streets, highways, |
226 | or other property under its jurisdiction, from regulating the |
227 | parking of motor vehicles for any purpose. |
228 | (11)(12) A violation of this section is a noncriminal |
229 | traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation as |
230 | provided in chapter 318, unless otherwise mandated by general |
231 | law. |
232 | Section 4. Subsection (9) of section 318.14, Florida |
233 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
234 | 318.14 Noncriminal traffic infractions; exception; |
235 | procedures.- |
236 | (9) Any person who does not hold a commercial driver's |
237 | license and who is cited for an infraction under this section |
238 | other than a violation of s. 316.183(2), s. 316.187, or s. |
239 | 316.189 when the driver exceeds the posted limit by 30 miles per |
240 | hour or more, s. 320.0605, s. 320.07(3)(a) or (b), s. 322.065, |
241 | s. 322.15(1), s. 322.61, or s. 322.62 may, in lieu of a court |
242 | appearance, elect to attend in the location of his or her choice |
243 | within this state a basic driver improvement course approved by |
244 | the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. In such a |
245 | case, adjudication must be withheld and points, as provided by |
246 | s. 322.27, may not be assessed. However, a person may not make |
247 | an election under this subsection if the person has made an |
248 | election under this subsection in the preceding 12 months. A |
249 | person may make no more than five elections within his or her |
250 | lifetime 10 years under this subsection. The requirement for |
251 | community service under s. 318.18(8) is not waived by a plea of |
252 | nolo contendere or by the withholding of adjudication of guilt |
253 | by a court. If a person makes an election to attend a basic |
254 | driver improvement course under this subsection, 18 percent of |
255 | the civil penalty imposed under s. 318.18(3) shall be deposited |
256 | in the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund; however, that portion is |
257 | not revenue for purposes of s. 28.36 and may not be used in |
258 | establishing the budget of the clerk of the court under that |
259 | section or s. 28.35. |
260 | Section 5. Subsection (21) is added to section 318.18, |
261 | Florida Statutes, to read: |
262 | 318.18 Amount of penalties.-The penalties required for a |
263 | noncriminal disposition pursuant to s. 318.14 or a criminal |
264 | offense listed in s. 318.17 are as follows: |
265 | (21) One hundred dollars for a violation of s. 316.1951 |
266 | for a vehicle that is unlawfully displayed for sale, hire, or |
267 | rental. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, fines |
268 | collected under this subsection shall be retained by the |
269 | governing authority that authorized towing of the vehicle. Fines |
270 | collected by the department shall be deposited into the Highway |
271 | Safety Operating Trust Fund. |
272 | Section 6. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (6) of |
273 | section 319.225, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
274 | 319.225 Transfer and reassignment forms; odometer |
275 | disclosure statements.- |
276 | (6)(a) If the certificate of title is physically held by a |
277 | lienholder, the transferor may give a power of attorney to his |
278 | or her transferee for the purpose of odometer disclosure. The |
279 | power of attorney must be on a form issued or authorized by the |
280 | department, which form must be in compliance with 49 C.F.R. ss. |
281 | 580.4 and 580.13. The department shall not require the signature |
282 | of the transferor to be notarized on the form; however, in lieu |
283 | of notarization, the form shall include an affidavit with the |
284 | following wording: UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY, I DECLARE THAT I |
285 | HAVE READ THE FOREGOING DOCUMENT AND THAT THE FACTS STATED IN IT |
286 | ARE TRUE. The transferee shall sign the power of attorney form, |
287 | print his or her name, and return a copy of the power of |
288 | attorney form to the transferor. Upon receipt of a title |
289 | certificate, the transferee shall complete the space for mileage |
290 | disclosure on the title certificate exactly as the mileage was |
291 | disclosed by the transferor on the power of attorney form. If |
292 | the transferee is a licensed motor vehicle dealer who is |
293 | transferring the vehicle to a retail purchaser, the dealer shall |
294 | make application on behalf of the retail purchaser as provided |
295 | in s. 319.23(6) and shall submit the original power of attorney |
296 | form to the department with the application for title and the |
297 | transferor's title certificate; otherwise, a dealer may reassign |
298 | the title certificate by using the dealer reassignment form in |
299 | the manner prescribed in subsection (3), and, at the time of |
300 | physical transfer of the vehicle, the original power of attorney |
301 | shall be delivered to the person designated as the transferee of |
302 | the dealer on the dealer reassignment form. A copy of the |
303 | executed power of attorney shall be submitted to the department |
304 | with a copy of the executed dealer reassignment form within 5 |
305 | business days after the certificate of title and dealer |
306 | reassignment form are delivered by the dealer to its transferee. |
307 | (b) If the certificate of title is lost or otherwise |
308 | unavailable, the transferor may give a power of attorney to his |
309 | or her transferee for the purpose of odometer disclosure. The |
310 | power of attorney must be on a form issued or authorized by the |
311 | department, which form must be in compliance with 49 C.F.R. ss. |
312 | 580.4 and 580.13. The department shall not require the signature |
313 | of the transferor to be notarized on the form; however, in lieu |
314 | of notarization, the form shall include an affidavit with the |
315 | following wording: UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY, I DECLARE THAT I |
316 | HAVE READ THE FOREGOING DOCUMENT AND THAT THE FACTS STATED IN IT |
317 | ARE TRUE. The transferee shall sign the power of attorney form, |
318 | print his or her name, and return a copy of the power of |
319 | attorney form to the transferor. Upon receipt of the title |
320 | certificate or a duplicate title certificate, the transferee |
321 | shall complete the space for mileage disclosure on the title |
322 | certificate exactly as the mileage was disclosed by the |
323 | transferor on the power of attorney form. If the transferee is a |
324 | licensed motor vehicle dealer who is transferring the vehicle to |
325 | a retail purchaser, the dealer shall make application on behalf |
326 | of the retail purchaser as provided in s. 319.23(6) and shall |
327 | submit the original power of attorney form to the department |
328 | with the application for title and the transferor's title |
329 | certificate or duplicate title certificate; otherwise, a dealer |
330 | may reassign the title certificate by using the dealer |
331 | reassignment form in the manner prescribed in subsection (3), |
332 | and, at the time of physical transfer of the vehicle, the |
333 | original power of attorney shall be delivered to the person |
334 | designated as the transferee of the dealer on the dealer |
335 | reassignment form. A copy of the executed power of attorney |
336 | shall be submitted to the department with a copy of the executed |
337 | dealer reassignment form within 5 business days after the |
338 | duplicate certificate of title and dealer reassignment form are |
339 | delivered by the dealer to its transferee. |
340 | Section 7. Subsection (6) of section 319.23, Florida |
341 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
342 | 319.23 Application for, and issuance of, certificate of |
343 | title.- |
344 | (6)(a) In the case of the sale of a motor vehicle or |
345 | mobile home by a licensed dealer to a general purchaser, the |
346 | certificate of title must be obtained in the name of the |
347 | purchaser by the dealer upon application signed by the |
348 | purchaser, and in each other case such certificate must be |
349 | obtained by the purchaser. In each case of transfer of a motor |
350 | vehicle or mobile home, the application for a certificate of |
351 | title, a or corrected certificate, or an assignment or |
352 | reassignment, must be filed within 30 days after from the |
353 | delivery of the motor vehicle or mobile home to the purchaser. |
354 | An applicant must pay a fee of $20, in addition to all other |
355 | fees and penalties required by law, for failing to file such |
356 | application within the specified time. In the case of the sale |
357 | of a motor vehicle by a licensed motor vehicle dealer to a |
358 | general purchaser who resides in another state or country, the |
359 | dealer is not required to apply for a certificate of title for |
360 | the motor vehicle; however, the dealer must transfer ownership |
361 | and reassign the certificate of title or manufacturer's |
362 | certificate of origin to the purchaser, and the purchaser must |
363 | sign an affidavit, as approved by the department, that the |
364 | purchaser will title and register the motor vehicle in another |
365 | state or country. |
366 | (b) If a licensed dealer acquires a motor vehicle or |
367 | mobile home as a trade-in, the dealer must file with the |
368 | department, within 30 days, a notice of sale signed by the |
369 | seller. The department shall update its database for that title |
370 | record to indicate "sold." A licensed dealer need not apply for |
371 | a certificate of title for any motor vehicle or mobile home in |
372 | stock acquired for stock purposes except as provided in s. |
373 | 319.225. |
374 | Section 8. Section 319.241, Florida Statutes, is amended |
375 | to read: |
376 | 319.241 Removal of lien from records.-The owner of a motor |
377 | vehicle or mobile home upon which a lien has been filed with the |
378 | department or noted upon a certificate of title for a period of |
379 | 5 years may apply to the department in writing for such lien to |
380 | be removed from the department files or from the certificate of |
381 | title. The application shall be accompanied by evidence |
382 | satisfactory to the department that the applicant has notified |
383 | the lienholder by certified mail, not less than 20 days prior to |
384 | the date of the application, of his or her intention to apply to |
385 | the department for removal of the lien. Ten days after receipt |
386 | of the application, the department may remove the lien from its |
387 | files or from the certificate of title, as the case may be, if |
388 | no statement in writing protesting removal of the lien is |
389 | received by the department from the lienholder within the 10-day |
390 | period. If, however, the lienholder files with the department |
391 | within the 10-day period a written statement that the lien is |
392 | still outstanding, the department shall not remove the lien |
393 | until the lienholder presents a satisfaction of lien to the |
394 | department. Ten days after the receipt of an application for a |
395 | derelict motor vehicle certificate and notification to the |
396 | lienholder, the department may remove the lien from the derelict |
397 | motor vehicle record if a written statement protesting removal |
398 | of the lien is not received by the department from the |
399 | lienholder within the 10-day period. |
400 | Section 9. Subsections (1) and (2), paragraph (b) of |
401 | subsection (3), paragraph (a) of subsection (7), and subsection |
402 | (8) of section 319.30, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
403 | 319.30 Definitions; dismantling, destruction, change of |
404 | identity of motor vehicle or mobile home; salvage.- |
405 | (1) As used in this section, the term: |
406 | (a) "Certificate of destruction" means the certificate |
407 | issued pursuant to s. 713.78(11) or s. 713.785(7)(a). |
408 | (b) "Certificate of registration number" means the |
409 | certificate of registration number issued by the Department of |
410 | Revenue of the State of Florida pursuant to s. 538.25. |
411 | (c) "Certificate of title" means a record that serves as |
412 | evidence of ownership of a vehicle, whether such record is a |
413 | paper certificate authorized by the department or by a motor |
414 | vehicle department authorized to issue titles in another state |
415 | or a certificate consisting of information stored in electronic |
416 | form in the department's database. |
417 | (d) "Derelict" means any material which is or may have |
418 | been a motor vehicle or mobile home, which is not a major part |
419 | or major component part, which is inoperable, and which is in |
420 | such condition that its highest or primary value is in its sale |
421 | or transfer as scrap metal. |
422 | (e) "Derelict motor vehicle" means: |
423 | 1. Any motor vehicle as defined in s. 320.01(1) or mobile |
424 | home as defined in s. 320.01(2), with or without all parts, |
425 | major parts, or major component parts, which is valued under |
426 | $1,000, is at least 10 model years old, beginning with the model |
427 | year of the vehicle as year one, and is in such condition that |
428 | its highest or primary value is for sale, transport, or delivery |
429 | to a licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer or registered |
430 | secondary metals recycler for dismantling its component parts or |
431 | conversion to scrap metal; or |
432 | 2. Any trailer as defined in s. 320.01(1), with or without |
433 | all parts, major parts, or major component parts, which is |
434 | valued under $5,000, is at least 10 model years old, beginning |
435 | with the model year of the vehicle as year one, and is in such |
436 | condition that its highest or primary value is for sale, |
437 | transport, or delivery to a licensed salvage motor vehicle |
438 | dealer or registered secondary metals recycler for conversion to |
439 | scrap metal. |
440 | (f) "Derelict motor vehicle certificate" means a |
441 | certificate issued by the department which serves as evidence |
442 | that a derelict motor vehicle will be dismantled or converted to |
443 | scrap metal. This certificate may be obtained by completing a |
444 | derelict motor vehicle certificate application authorized by the |
445 | department completed by the derelict motor vehicle owner, the |
446 | owner's authorized transporter when different from the owner, |
447 | and the licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer or the registered |
448 | secondary metals recycler and submitted to the department for |
449 | cancellation of the title record of the derelict motor vehicle. |
450 | A derelict motor vehicle certificate may be reassigned only one |
451 | time if the derelict motor vehicle certificate was completed by |
452 | a licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer and the derelict motor |
453 | vehicle was sold to another licensed salvage motor vehicle |
454 | dealer or a secondary metals recycler. |
455 | (g) "Junk" means any material which is or may have been a |
456 | motor vehicle or mobile home, with or without all component |
457 | parts, which is inoperable and which material is in such |
458 | condition that its highest or primary value is either in its |
459 | sale or transfer as scrap metal or for its component parts, or a |
460 | combination of the two, except when sold or delivered to or when |
461 | purchased, possessed, or received by a secondary metals recycler |
462 | or salvage motor vehicle dealer. |
463 | (h) "Major component parts" means: |
464 | 1. For motor vehicles other than motorcycles, any fender |
465 | the front-end assembly (fenders, hood, grill, and bumper), cowl |
466 | assembly, rear body section (both quarter panel panels, trunk |
467 | lid, door, decklid, and bumper), floor pan, door assemblies, |
468 | engine, frame, transmission, catalytic converter, or and airbag. |
469 | 2. For trucks, in addition to those parts listed in |
470 | subparagraph 1., any truck bed, including dump, wrecker, crane, |
471 | mixer, cargo box, or any bed which mounts to a truck frame. |
472 | 3. For motorcycles, the body assembly, frame, fenders, gas |
473 | tanks, engine, cylinder block, heads, engine case, crank case, |
474 | transmission, drive train, front fork assembly, and wheels. |
475 | 4. For mobile homes, the frame. |
476 | (i) "Major part" means the front-end assembly, cowl |
477 | assembly, or rear body section. |
478 | (j) "Materials" means motor vehicles, derelicts, and major |
479 | parts that are not prepared materials. |
480 | (k) "Mobile home" means mobile home as defined in s. |
481 | 320.01(2). |
482 | (l) "Motor vehicle" means motor vehicle as defined in s. |
483 | 320.01(1). |
484 | (m) "Parts" means parts of motor vehicles or combinations |
485 | thereof that do not constitute materials or prepared materials. |
486 | (n) "Personal identification card" means personal |
487 | identification card as defined in s. 538.18(5). |
488 | (n)(o) "Prepared materials" means motor vehicles, mobile |
489 | homes, derelict motor vehicles, major parts, or parts that have |
490 | been processed by mechanically flattening or crushing, or |
491 | otherwise processed such that they are not the motor vehicle or |
492 | mobile home described in the certificate of title, or their only |
493 | value is as scrap metal. |
494 | (o)(p) "Processing" means the business of performing the |
495 | manufacturing process by which ferrous metals or nonferrous |
496 | metals are converted into raw material products consisting of |
497 | prepared grades and having an existing or potential economic |
498 | value, or the purchase of materials, prepared materials, or |
499 | parts therefor. |
500 | (p)(q) "Recreational vehicle" means a motor vehicle as |
501 | defined in s. 320.01(1). |
502 | (q)(r) "Salvage" means a motor vehicle or mobile home |
503 | which is a total loss as defined in paragraph (3)(a). |
504 | (r)(s) "Salvage certificate of title" means a salvage |
505 | certificate of title issued by the department or by another |
506 | motor vehicle department authorized to issue titles in another |
507 | state. |
508 | (s)(t) "Salvage motor vehicle dealer" means salvage motor |
509 | vehicle dealer as defined in s. 320.27(1)(c)5. |
510 | (t)(u) "Secondary metals recycler" means secondary metals |
511 | recycler as defined in s. 538.18(8). |
512 | (u) "Seller" means the owner of record or a person who has |
513 | physical possession and responsibility for a derelict motor |
514 | vehicle and attests that possession of the vehicle was obtained |
515 | through lawful means along with all ownership rights. A seller |
516 | does not include a towing company, repair shop, or landlord |
517 | unless the towing company, repair shop, or landlord has obtained |
518 | title, salvage title, or a certificate of destruction in the |
519 | name of the towing company, repair shop, or landlord. |
520 | (2)(a) Each person mentioned as owner in the last issued |
521 | certificate of title, when such motor vehicle or mobile home is |
522 | dismantled, destroyed, or changed in such manner that it is not |
523 | the motor vehicle or mobile home described in the certificate of |
524 | title, shall surrender his or her certificate of title to the |
525 | department, and thereupon the department shall, with the consent |
526 | of any lienholders noted thereon, enter a cancellation upon its |
527 | records. Upon cancellation of a certificate of title in the |
528 | manner prescribed by this section, the department may cancel and |
529 | destroy all certificates in that chain of title. Any person who |
530 | knowingly willfully and deliberately violates this paragraph |
531 | commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as |
532 | provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. |
533 | (b)1. When a motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, or |
534 | mobile home is sold, transported, or delivered to, or received |
535 | by a salvage motor vehicle dealer, it shall be accompanied by: |
536 | a. A valid certificate of title issued in the name of the |
537 | seller or properly endorsed, as required in s. 319.22, over to |
538 | the seller; |
539 | b. A valid salvage certificate of title issued in the name |
540 | of the seller or properly endorsed, as required in s. 319.22, |
541 | over to the seller; or |
542 | c. A valid certificate of destruction issued in the name |
543 | of the seller or properly endorsed over to the seller. |
544 | 2. Any person who knowingly willfully and deliberately |
545 | violates this paragraph by selling, transporting, delivering, |
546 | purchasing, or receiving a motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, |
547 | or mobile home without obtaining a properly endorsed certificate |
548 | of title, salvage certificate of title, or certificate of |
549 | destruction from the owner commits a felony of the third degree, |
550 | punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. |
551 | (c)1. When a derelict motor vehicle is sold, transported, |
552 | or delivered to a licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer, the |
553 | purchaser shall record the date of purchase and the name, |
554 | address, and valid Florida driver's license number or valid |
555 | Florida identification card number, or a valid driver's license |
556 | number or identification card number issued by another state, |
557 | personal identification card number of the person selling the |
558 | derelict motor vehicle, and it shall be accompanied by: |
559 | a. A valid certificate of title issued in the name of the |
560 | seller or properly endorsed over to the seller; |
561 | b. A valid salvage certificate of title issued in the name |
562 | of the seller or properly endorsed over to the seller; or |
563 | c. A valid certificate of destruction issued in the name |
564 | of the seller or properly endorsed over to the seller. |
565 | 2. If a valid the certificate of title, salvage |
566 | certificate of title, or certificate of destruction is not |
567 | available, a derelict motor vehicle certificate application |
568 | shall be completed by the seller or owner of the motor vehicle |
569 | or mobile home, the seller's or owner's authorized transporter, |
570 | and the licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer at the time of |
571 | sale, transport, or delivery to the licensed salvage motor |
572 | vehicle dealer. The derelict motor vehicle certificate |
573 | application shall be used by the seller or owner, the seller's |
574 | or owner's authorized transporter, and the licensed salvage |
575 | motor vehicle dealer to obtain a derelict motor vehicle |
576 | certificate from the department. The derelict motor vehicle |
577 | certificate application must be accompanied by a legible copy of |
578 | the seller's or owner's valid Florida driver's license or |
579 | Florida identification card, or a valid driver's license or |
580 | identification card issued by another state. If the seller is |
581 | not the owner of record of the vehicle being sold, the dealer |
582 | shall, at the time of sale, ensure that a smudge-free right |
583 | thumbprint, or other digit if the seller has no right thumb, of |
584 | the seller is imprinted upon the derelict motor vehicle |
585 | certificate application and that a legible copy of the seller's |
586 | driver's license or identification card is affixed to the |
587 | application and transmitted to the department. The licensed |
588 | salvage motor vehicle dealer shall secure the derelict motor |
589 | vehicle or mobile home for 3 full business days, excluding |
590 | weekends and holidays, if there is no active lien or a lien of 3 |
591 | years or more on the department's records before destroying or |
592 | dismantling the derelict motor vehicle and shall follow all |
593 | reporting procedures established by the department, including |
594 | electronic notification to the department or delivery of the |
595 | original derelict motor vehicle certificate application to an |
596 | agent of the department within 24 hours after receiving the |
597 | derelict motor vehicle. If there is an active lien of less than |
598 | 3 years on the derelict motor vehicle, the licensed salvage |
599 | motor vehicle dealer shall secure the derelict motor vehicle for |
600 | 10 days. The department shall notify the lienholder that a |
601 | derelict motor vehicle certificate has been issued and shall |
602 | notify the lienholder of its intention to remove the lien. Ten |
603 | days after receipt of the motor vehicle derelict certificate |
604 | application, the department may remove the lien from its records |
605 | if a written statement protesting removal of the lien is not |
606 | received by the department from the lienholder within the 10-day |
607 | period. However, if the lienholder files with the department and |
608 | the licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer within the 10-day |
609 | period a written statement that the lien is still outstanding, |
610 | the department shall not remove the lien and shall place an |
611 | administrative hold on the record for 30 days to allow the |
612 | lienholder to apply for title to the vehicle or a repossession |
613 | certificate under s. 319.28. The licensed salvage motor vehicle |
614 | dealer must secure the derelict motor vehicle until the |
615 | department's administrative stop is removed, the lienholder |
616 | submits a lien satisfaction, or the lienholder takes possession |
617 | of the vehicle. |
618 | 3. Any person who knowingly willfully and deliberately |
619 | violates this paragraph by selling, transporting, delivering, |
620 | purchasing, or receiving a derelict motor vehicle without |
621 | obtaining a certificate of title, salvage certificate of title, |
622 | certificate of destruction, or derelict motor vehicle |
623 | certificate application; enters false or fictitious information |
624 | on a derelict motor vehicle certificate application; does not |
625 | complete the derelict motor vehicle certificate application as |
626 | required; does not obtain a legible copy of the seller's or |
627 | owner's valid driver's license or identification card when |
628 | required; or does not make the required notification to the |
629 | department; or destroys or dismantles a derelict motor vehicle |
630 | without waiting the required time as set forth in subparagraph |
631 | 2. 3 full business days commits a felony of the third degree, |
632 | punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. |
633 | (3) |
634 | (b) The owner, including persons who are self-insured, of |
635 | any motor vehicle or mobile home which is considered to be |
636 | salvage shall, within 72 hours after the motor vehicle or mobile |
637 | home becomes salvage, forward the title to the motor vehicle or |
638 | mobile home to the department for processing. However, an |
639 | insurance company which pays money as compensation for total |
640 | loss of a motor vehicle or mobile home shall obtain the |
641 | certificate of title for the motor vehicle or mobile home and, |
642 | within 72 hours after receiving such certificate of title, shall |
643 | forward such title to the department for processing. The owner |
644 | or insurance company, as the case may be, may not dispose of a |
645 | vehicle or mobile home that is a total loss before it has |
646 | obtained a salvage certificate of title or certificate of |
647 | destruction from the department. When applying for a salvage |
648 | certificate of title or certificate of destruction, the owner or |
649 | insurance company must provide the department with an estimate |
650 | of the costs of repairing the physical and mechanical damage |
651 | suffered by the vehicle for which a salvage certificate of title |
652 | or certificate of destruction is sought. If the estimated costs |
653 | of repairing the physical and mechanical damage to the vehicle |
654 | are equal to 80 percent or more of the current retail cost of |
655 | the vehicle, as established in any official used car or used |
656 | mobile home guide, the department shall declare the vehicle |
657 | unrebuildable and print a certificate of destruction, which |
658 | authorizes the dismantling or destruction of the motor vehicle |
659 | or mobile home described therein. However, if the damaged motor |
660 | vehicle is equipped with custom-lowered floors for wheelchair |
661 | access or a wheelchair lift, the insurance company may, upon |
662 | determining that the vehicle is repairable to a condition that |
663 | is safe for operation on public roads, submit the certificate of |
664 | title to the department for reissuance as a salvage rebuildable |
665 | title and the addition of a title brand of "insurance-declared |
666 | total loss." The certificate of destruction shall be |
667 | reassignable a maximum of two times before dismantling or |
668 | destruction of the vehicle shall be required, and shall |
669 | accompany the motor vehicle or mobile home for which it is |
670 | issued, when such motor vehicle or mobile home is sold for such |
671 | purposes, in lieu of a certificate of title, and, thereafter, |
672 | the department shall refuse issuance of any certificate of title |
673 | for that vehicle. Nothing in this subsection shall be applicable |
674 | when a vehicle is worth less than $1,500 retail in undamaged |
675 | condition in any official used motor vehicle guide or used |
676 | mobile home guide or when a stolen motor vehicle or mobile home |
677 | is recovered in substantially intact condition and is readily |
678 | resalable without extensive repairs to or replacement of the |
679 | frame or engine. Any person who knowingly willfully and |
680 | deliberately violates this paragraph or falsifies any document |
681 | to avoid the requirements of this paragraph commits a |
682 | misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. |
683 | 775.082 or s. 775.083. |
684 | (7)(a) In the event of a purchase by a secondary metals |
685 | recycler, that has been issued a certificate of registration |
686 | number, of: |
687 | 1. Materials, prepared materials, or parts from any seller |
688 | for purposes other than the processing of such materials, |
689 | prepared materials, or parts, the purchaser shall obtain such |
690 | documentation as may be required by this section and shall |
691 | record the seller's name and address, date of purchase, and the |
692 | personal identification card number of the person delivering |
693 | such items. |
694 | 2. Parts or prepared materials from any seller for |
695 | purposes of the processing of such parts or prepared materials, |
696 | the purchaser shall record the seller's name and address and |
697 | date of purchase and, in the event of a purchase transaction |
698 | consisting primarily of parts or prepared materials, the |
699 | personal identification card number of the person delivering |
700 | such items. |
701 | 3. Materials from another secondary metals recycler for |
702 | purposes of the processing of such materials, the purchaser |
703 | shall record the seller's name and address and date of purchase. |
704 | 4.a. Motor vehicles, recreational vehicles, mobile homes, |
705 | or derelict motor vehicles from other than a secondary metals |
706 | recycler for purposes of the processing of such motor vehicles, |
707 | recreational vehicles, mobile homes, or derelict motor vehicles, |
708 | the purchaser shall record the date of purchase and the name, |
709 | address, and personal identification card number of the person |
710 | selling such items and shall obtain the following documentation |
711 | from the seller with respect to each item purchased: |
712 | (I) A valid certificate of title issued in the name of the |
713 | seller or properly endorsed, as required in s. 319.22, over to |
714 | the seller; |
715 | (II) A valid salvage certificate of title issued in the |
716 | name of the seller or properly endorsed, as required in s. |
717 | 319.22, over to the seller; |
718 | (III)(II) A valid certificate of destruction issued in the |
719 | name of the seller or properly endorsed over to the seller; or |
720 | (IV)(III) A valid derelict motor vehicle certificate |
721 | obtained from the department completed by a licensed salvage |
722 | motor vehicle dealer and properly reassigned to the secondary |
723 | metals recycler. |
724 | b. If a valid certificate of title, salvage certificate of |
725 | title, certificate of destruction, or derelict motor vehicle |
726 | certificate is not available and the motor vehicle or mobile |
727 | home is a derelict motor vehicle, a derelict motor vehicle |
728 | certificate application shall be completed by the seller or |
729 | owner of the motor vehicle or mobile home, the |
730 | owner's authorized transporter, and the registered |
731 | metals recycler at the time of sale, transport, or |
732 | the registered secondary metals recycler to obtain a derelict |
733 | motor vehicle certificate from the department. The derelict |
734 | motor vehicle certificate application must be accompanied by a |
735 | legible copy of the seller's or owner's valid Florida driver's |
736 | license or Florida identification card, or a valid driver's |
737 | license or identification card from another state. If the seller |
738 | is not the owner of record of the vehicle being sold, the |
739 | recycler shall, at the time of sale, ensure that a smudge-free |
740 | right thumbprint, or other digit if the seller has no right |
741 | thumb, of the seller is imprinted upon the derelict motor |
742 | vehicle certificate application and that the legible copy of the |
743 | seller's driver's license or identification card is affixed to |
744 | the application and transmitted to the department. The derelict |
745 | motor vehicle certificate shall be used by the owner, the |
746 | owner's authorized transporter, and the registered secondary |
747 | metals recycler. The registered secondary metals recycler shall |
748 | secure the derelict motor vehicle for 3 full business days, |
749 | excluding weekends and holidays, if there is no active lien or a |
750 | lien of 3 years or more on the department's records before |
751 | destroying or dismantling the derelict motor vehicle and shall |
752 | follow all reporting procedures established by the department, |
753 | including electronic notification to the department or delivery |
754 | of the original derelict motor vehicle certificate application |
755 | to an agent of the department within 24 hours after receiving |
756 | the derelict motor vehicle. If there is an active lien of less |
757 | than 3 years on the derelict motor vehicle, the registered |
758 | secondary metals recycler shall secure the derelict motor |
759 | vehicle for 10 days. The department shall notify the lienholder |
760 | of the application for a derelict motor vehicle certificate and |
761 | shall notify the lienholder of its intention to remove the lien. |
762 | Ten days after receipt of the motor vehicle derelict |
763 | application, the department may remove the lien from its records |
764 | if a written statement protesting removal of the lien is not |
765 | received by the department from the lienholder within the 10-day |
766 | period. However, if the lienholder files with the department and |
767 | the registered secondary metals recycler within the 10-day |
768 | period a written statement that the lien is still outstanding, |
769 | the department shall not remove the lien and shall place an |
770 | administrative hold on the record for 30 days to allow the |
771 | lienholder to apply for title to the vehicle or a repossession |
772 | certificate under s. 319.28. The registered secondary metals |
773 | recycler must secure the derelict motor vehicle until the |
774 | department's administrative stop is removed, the lienholder |
775 | submits a lien satisfaction, or the lienholder takes possession |
776 | of the vehicle. |
777 | c. Any person who knowingly willfully and deliberately |
778 | violates this subparagraph by selling, transporting, delivering, |
779 | purchasing, or receiving a motor vehicle, recreational motor |
780 | vehicle, mobile home, or derelict motor vehicle without |
781 | obtaining a certificate of title, salvage certificate of title, |
782 | certificate of destruction, or derelict motor vehicle |
783 | certificate; enters false or fictitious information on a |
784 | derelict motor vehicle certificate application; does not |
785 | complete the derelict motor vehicle certificate application as |
786 | required or does not make the required notification to the |
787 | department; does not obtain a legible copy of the seller's or |
788 | owner's driver's license or identification card when required; |
789 | or destroys or dismantles a derelict motor vehicle without |
790 | waiting the required time as set forth in sub-subparagraph b. 3 |
791 | full business days commits a felony of the third degree, |
792 | punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. |
793 | 5. Major parts from other than a secondary metals recycler |
794 | for purposes of the processing of such major parts, the |
795 | purchaser shall record the seller's name, address, date of |
796 | purchase, and the personal identification card number of the |
797 | person delivering such items, as well as the vehicle |
798 | identification number, if available, of each major part |
799 | purchased. |
800 | (8)(a) Secondary metals recyclers and salvage motor |
801 | vehicle dealers shall return to the department on a monthly |
802 | basis all certificates of title and salvage certificates of |
803 | title that are required by this section to be obtained. |
804 | Secondary metals recyclers and salvage motor vehicle dealers may |
805 | elect to notify the department electronically through procedures |
806 | established by the department when they receive each motor |
807 | vehicle or mobile home, salvage motor vehicle or mobile home, or |
808 | derelict motor vehicle with a certificate of title or salvage |
809 | certificate of title through procedures established by the |
810 | department. The department may adopt rules and establish fees as |
811 | it deems necessary or proper for the administration of the |
812 | electronic notification service. |
813 | (b) Secondary metals recyclers and salvage motor vehicle |
814 | dealers shall keep originals, or a copy in the event the |
815 | original was returned to the department, of all certificates of |
816 | title, salvage certificates of title, certificates of |
817 | destruction, derelict motor vehicle certificates, and all other |
818 | information required by this section to be recorded or obtained, |
819 | on file in the offices of such secondary metals recyclers or |
820 | salvage motor vehicle dealers for a period of 3 years after the |
821 | date of purchase of the items reflected in such certificates of |
822 | title, salvage certificates of title, certificates of |
823 | destruction, or derelict motor vehicle certificates. These |
824 | records shall be maintained in chronological order. |
825 | (c) For the purpose of enforcement of this section, the |
826 | department or its agents and employees have the same right of |
827 | inspection as law enforcement officers as provided in s. |
828 | 812.055. |
829 | (d) Whenever the department, its agent or employee, or any |
830 | law enforcement officer has reason to believe that a stolen or |
831 | fraudulently titled motor vehicle, mobile home, recreational |
832 | vehicle, salvage motor vehicle, or derelict motor vehicle is in |
833 | the possession of a salvage motor vehicle dealer or secondary |
834 | metals recycler, the department, its agent or employee, or the |
835 | law enforcement officer may issue an extended a hold notice, not |
836 | to exceed 5 additional business days, excluding weekends and |
837 | holidays, to the salvage motor vehicle dealer or registered |
838 | secondary metals recycler. |
839 | (e) Whenever a salvage motor vehicle dealer or registered |
840 | secondary metals recycler is notified by the department, its |
841 | agent or employee, or any law enforcement officer to hold a |
842 | motor vehicle, mobile home, recreational vehicle, salvage motor |
843 | vehicle, or derelict motor vehicle that is believed to be stolen |
844 | or fraudulently titled, the salvage motor vehicle dealer or |
845 | registered secondary metals recycler shall hold the motor |
846 | vehicle, mobile home, recreational vehicle, salvage motor |
847 | vehicle, or derelict motor vehicle and may not dismantle or |
848 | destroy the motor vehicle, mobile home, recreational vehicle, |
849 | salvage motor vehicle, or derelict motor vehicle until it is |
850 | recovered by a law enforcement officer, the hold is released by |
851 | the department or the law enforcement officer placing the hold, |
852 | or the 5 additional business working days have passed since |
853 | being notified of the hold. |
854 | (f) This section does not authorize any person who is |
855 | engaged in the business of recovering, towing, or storing |
856 | vehicles pursuant to s. 713.78, and who is claiming a lien for |
857 | performing labor or services on a motor vehicle or mobile home |
858 | pursuant to s. 713.58, or is claiming that a motor vehicle or |
859 | mobile home has remained on any premises after tenancy has |
860 | terminated pursuant to s. 715.104, to use a derelict motor |
861 | vehicle certificate application for the purpose of transporting, |
862 | selling, disposing, or delivering a motor vehicle to a salvage |
863 | motor vehicle dealer or secondary metals recycler without |
864 | obtaining the title or certificate of destruction required under |
865 | s. 713.58, s. 713.78, or s. 715.104. |
866 | (g) The department shall accept all properly endorsed and |
867 | completed derelict motor vehicle certificate applications and |
868 | shall issue a derelict motor vehicle certificate having an |
869 | effective date that authorizes when a derelict motor vehicle is |
870 | eligible for dismantling or destruction. The electronic |
871 | information obtained from the derelict motor vehicle certificate |
872 | application shall be stored electronically and shall be made |
873 | available to authorized persons after issuance of the derelict |
874 | motor vehicle certificate in the Florida Real Time Vehicle |
875 | Information System. |
876 | (h)(f) The department is authorized to adopt rules |
877 | pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 establishing policies and |
878 | procedures to administer and enforce this section. |
879 | (i)(g) The department shall charge a fee of $3 for each |
880 | derelict motor vehicle certificate delivered to the department |
881 | or one of its agents for processing and shall mark the title |
882 | record canceled. A service charge may be collected under s. |
883 | 320.04. |
884 | (j) The licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer or |
885 | registered secondary metals recycler shall make all payments for |
886 | the purchase of any derelict motor vehicle that is sold by a |
887 | seller who is not the owner of record on file with the |
888 | department by check or money order made payable to the seller |
889 | and may not make payment to the authorized transporter. The |
890 | licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer or registered secondary |
891 | metals recycler may not cash the check that such dealer or |
892 | recycler issued to the seller. |
893 | Section 10. Subsection (16) of section 320.02, Florida |
894 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
895 | 320.02 Registration required; application for |
896 | registration; forms.- |
897 | (16) The department is authorized to withhold registration |
898 | or re-registration of a motor vehicle if the name of the owner |
899 | or of a coowner appears on a list submitted to the department by |
900 | a licensed motor vehicle dealer for a previous registration of |
901 | that vehicle. The department shall place the name of the |
902 | registered owner of that vehicle on the list of those persons |
903 | who may not be issued a license plate, revalidation sticker, or |
904 | replacement plate for the vehicle purchased from the licensed |
905 | motor vehicle dealer. The motor vehicle dealer must maintain |
906 | signed evidence that the owner or coowner acknowledged the |
907 | dealer's authority to submit the list to the department if he or |
908 | she failed to pay and must note the amount for which the owner |
909 | or coowner would be responsible for the vehicle registration. |
910 | The dealer must maintain the necessary documentation required in |
911 | this subsection or face penalties as provided in s. 320.27. This |
912 | subsection does not affect the issuance of a title to a motor |
913 | vehicle. |
914 | (a) The motor vehicle owner or coowner may dispute the |
915 | claim that money is owed to a dealer for registration fees by |
916 | submitting a form to the department if the motor vehicle owner |
917 | or coowner has documentary proof that the registration fees have |
918 | been paid to the dealer for the disputed amount. Without clear |
919 | evidence of the amounts owed for the vehicle registration and |
920 | repayment, the department will assume initial payments are |
921 | applied to government-assessed fees first. |
922 | (b) If the registered owner's dispute complies with |
923 | paragraph (a), the department shall immediately remove the motor |
924 | vehicle owner or coowner's name from the list, thereby allowing |
925 | the issuance of a license plate or revalidation sticker. |
926 | Section 11. Subsections (4) and (6) and paragraph (a) of |
927 | subsection (9) of section 320.27, Florida Statutes, are amended |
928 | to read: |
929 | 320.27 Motor vehicle dealers.- |
930 | (4) LICENSE CERTIFICATE.- |
931 | (a) A license certificate shall be issued by the |
932 | department in accordance with such application when the |
933 | application is regular in form and in compliance with the |
934 | provisions of this section. The license certificate may be in |
935 | the form of a document or a computerized card as determined by |
936 | the department. The actual cost of each original, additional, or |
937 | replacement computerized card shall be borne by the licensee and |
938 | is in addition to the fee for licensure. Such license, when so |
939 | issued, entitles the licensee to carry on and conduct the |
940 | business of a motor vehicle dealer. Each license issued to a |
941 | franchise motor vehicle dealer expires annually on December 31 |
942 | unless revoked or suspended prior to that date. Each license |
943 | issued to an independent or wholesale dealer or auction expires |
944 | annually on April 30 unless revoked or suspended prior to that |
945 | date. Not less than 60 days prior to the license expiration |
946 | date, the department shall deliver or mail to each licensee the |
947 | necessary renewal forms. Each independent dealer shall certify |
948 | that the dealer (owner, partner, officer, or director of the |
949 | licensee, or a full-time employee of the licensee that holds a |
950 | responsible management-level position) has completed 8 hours of |
951 | continuing education prior to filing the renewal forms with the |
952 | department. Such certification shall be filed once every 2 years |
953 | commencing with the 2006 renewal period. The continuing |
954 | education shall include at least 2 hours of legal or legislative |
955 | issues, 1 hour of department issues, and 5 hours of relevant |
956 | motor vehicle industry topics. Continuing education shall be |
957 | provided by dealer schools licensed under paragraph (b) either |
958 | in a classroom setting or by correspondence. Such schools shall |
959 | provide certificates of completion to the department and the |
960 | customer which shall be filed with the license renewal form, and |
961 | such schools may charge a fee for providing continuing |
962 | education. Any licensee who does not file his or her application |
963 | and fees and any other requisite documents, as required by law, |
964 | with the department at least 30 days prior to the license |
965 | expiration date shall cease to engage in business as a motor |
966 | vehicle dealer on the license expiration date. A renewal filed |
967 | with the department within 45 days after the expiration date |
968 | shall be accompanied by a delinquent fee of $100. Thereafter, a |
969 | new application is required, accompanied by the initial license |
970 | fee. A license certificate duly issued by the department may be |
971 | modified by endorsement to show a change in the name of the |
972 | licensee, provided, as shown by affidavit of the licensee, the |
973 | majority ownership interest of the licensee has not changed or |
974 | the name of the person appearing as franchisee on the sales and |
975 | service agreement has not changed. Modification of a license |
976 | certificate to show any name change as herein provided shall not |
977 | require initial licensure or reissuance of dealer tags; however, |
978 | any dealer obtaining a name change shall transact all business |
979 | in and be properly identified by that name. All documents |
980 | relative to licensure shall reflect the new name. In the case of |
981 | a franchise dealer, the name change shall be approved by the |
982 | manufacturer, distributor, or importer. A licensee applying for |
983 | a name change endorsement shall pay a fee of $25 which fee shall |
984 | apply to the change in the name of a main location and all |
985 | additional locations licensed under the provisions of subsection |
986 | (5). Each initial license application received by the department |
987 | shall be accompanied by verification that, within the preceding |
988 | 6 months, the applicant, or one or more of his or her designated |
989 | employees, has attended a training and information seminar |
990 | conducted by a licensed motor vehicle dealer training school. |
991 | Any applicant for a new franchised motor vehicle dealer license |
992 | who has held a valid franchised motor vehicle dealer license |
993 | continuously for the past 2 years and who remains in good |
994 | standing with the department is exempt from the prelicensing |
995 | training requirement. Such seminar shall include, but is not |
996 | limited to, statutory dealer requirements, which requirements |
997 | include required bookkeeping and recordkeeping procedures, |
998 | requirements for the collection of sales and use taxes, and such |
999 | other information that in the opinion of the department will |
1000 | promote good business practices. No seminar may exceed 8 hours |
1001 | in length. |
1002 | (b) Each initial license application received by the |
1003 | department for licensure under subparagraph (1)(c)2. shall must |
1004 | be accompanied by verification that, within the preceding 6 |
1005 | months, the applicant (owner, partner, officer, or director of |
1006 | the applicant, or a full-time employee of the applicant that |
1007 | holds a responsible management-level position) has successfully |
1008 | completed training conducted by a licensed motor vehicle dealer |
1009 | training school. Such training must include training in titling |
1010 | and registration of motor vehicles, laws relating to unfair and |
1011 | deceptive trade practices, laws relating to financing with |
1012 | regard to buy-here, pay-here operations, and such other |
1013 | information that in the opinion of the department will promote |
1014 | good business practices. Successful completion of this training |
1015 | shall be determined by examination administered at the end of |
1016 | the course and attendance of no less than 90 percent of the |
1017 | total hours required by such school. Any applicant who had held |
1018 | a valid motor vehicle dealer's license continuously within the |
1019 | past 2 years and who remains in good standing with the |
1020 | department is exempt from the prelicensing requirements of this |
1021 | section paragraph. The department shall have the authority to |
1022 | adopt any rule necessary for establishing the training |
1023 | curriculum; length of training, which shall not exceed 8 hours |
1024 | for required department topics and shall not exceed an |
1025 | additional 24 hours for topics related to other regulatory |
1026 | agencies' instructor qualifications; and any other requirements |
1027 | under this section. The curriculum for other subjects shall be |
1028 | approved by any and all other regulatory agencies having |
1029 | jurisdiction over specific subject matters; however, the overall |
1030 | administration of the licensing of these dealer schools and |
1031 | their instructors shall remain with the department. Such schools |
1032 | are authorized to charge a fee. This privatized method for |
1033 | training applicants for dealer licensing pursuant to |
1034 | subparagraph (1)(c)2. is a pilot program that shall be evaluated |
1035 | by the department after it has been in operation for a period of |
1036 | 2 years. |
1037 | (6) RECORDS TO BE KEPT BY LICENSEE.-Every licensee shall |
1038 | keep a book or record in either paper or electronic such form as |
1039 | shall be prescribed or approved by the department for a period |
1040 | of 5 years, in which the licensee shall keep a record of the |
1041 | purchase, sale, or exchange, or receipt for the purpose of sale, |
1042 | of any motor vehicle, the date upon which any temporary tag was |
1043 | issued, the date of title transfer, and a description of such |
1044 | motor vehicle together with the name and address of the seller, |
1045 | the purchaser, and the alleged owner or other person from whom |
1046 | such motor vehicle was purchased or received or to whom it was |
1047 | sold or delivered, as the case may be. Such description shall |
1048 | include the identification or engine number, maker's number, if |
1049 | any, chassis number, if any, and such other numbers or |
1050 | identification marks as may be thereon and shall also include a |
1051 | statement that a number has been obliterated, defaced, or |
1052 | changed, if such is the fact. When a licensee chooses to |
1053 | maintain electronic records, the original paper documents may be |
1054 | destroyed after the licensee successfully transfers title and |
1055 | registration to the purchaser as required by chapter 319 for any |
1056 | purchaser who titles and registers the motor vehicle in this |
1057 | state. In the case of a sale to a purchaser who will title and |
1058 | register the motor vehicle in another state or country, the |
1059 | licensee may destroy the original paper documents after |
1060 | successfully delivering a lawfully reassigned title or |
1061 | manufacturer's certificate or statement of origin to the |
1062 | purchaser and after producing electronic images of all documents |
1063 | related to the sale. |
1064 | (9) DENIAL, SUSPENSION, OR REVOCATION.- |
1065 | (a) The department may deny, suspend, or revoke any |
1066 | license issued hereunder or under the provisions of s. 320.77 or |
1067 | s. 320.771, upon proof that an applicant or a licensee has |
1068 | committed any of the following activities: |
1069 | 1. Committed Commission of fraud or willful |
1070 | misrepresentation in application for or in obtaining a license. |
1071 | 2. Been convicted Conviction of a felony. |
1072 | 3. Failed Failure to honor a bank draft or check given to |
1073 | a motor vehicle dealer for the purchase of a motor vehicle by |
1074 | another motor vehicle dealer within 10 days after notification |
1075 | that the bank draft or check has been dishonored. If the |
1076 | transaction is disputed, the maker of the bank draft or check |
1077 | shall post a bond in accordance with the provisions of s. |
1078 | 559.917, and no proceeding for revocation or suspension shall be |
1079 | commenced until the dispute is resolved. |
1080 | 4.a. Failed to provide payment within 10 business days to |
1081 | the department for a check payable to the department that was |
1082 | dishonored due to insufficient funds in the amount due plus any |
1083 | statutorily authorized fee for uttering a worthless check. The |
1084 | department shall notify an applicant or licensee when the |
1085 | applicant or licensee makes payment to the department by a check |
1086 | that is subsequently dishonored by the bank due to insufficient |
1087 | funds. The applicant or licensee shall, within 10 business days |
1088 | after receiving the notice, provide payment to the department in |
1089 | the form of cash in the amount due plus any statutorily |
1090 | authorized fee. If the applicant or licensee fails to make such |
1091 | payment within 10 business days, the department may deny, |
1092 | suspend, or revoke the applicant's or licensee's motor vehicle |
1093 | dealer license. |
1094 | b. Stopped payment on a check payable to the department, |
1095 | issued a check payable to the department from an account that |
1096 | has been closed, or charged back a credit card transaction to |
1097 | the department. If an applicant or licensee commits any such |
1098 | act, the department may deny, suspend, or revoke the applicant's |
1099 | or licensee's motor vehicle dealer license. |
1100 | 5.a. Failed to provide payment in the amount of tuition |
1101 | due plus any statutorily authorized fee within 10 business days |
1102 | to a licensed motor vehicle dealer training school for a check |
1103 | payable to the school that was dishonored due to insufficient |
1104 | funds in the amount of tuition due plus any statutorily |
1105 | authorized fee for uttering a worthless check. A licensed motor |
1106 | vehicle dealer training school shall notify a student when the |
1107 | student makes payment to the school by a check that is |
1108 | subsequently dishonored by the bank due to insufficient funds. |
1109 | The student shall, within 10 business days after receiving the |
1110 | notice, provide payment to the school in a manner designated by |
1111 | the school in the amount of tuition due plus any statutorily |
1112 | authorized fee. If the student fails to make such payment within |
1113 | 10 business days, the motor vehicle dealer training school may |
1114 | cancel the training certificate issued to the student and notify |
1115 | the department of the cancellation of the training certificate. |
1116 | b. Stopped payment on a check payable to a licensed motor |
1117 | vehicle dealer training school, issued a check payable to a |
1118 | licensed motor vehicle dealer training school from an account |
1119 | that has been closed, or charged back a credit card transaction |
1120 | to a licensed motor vehicle dealer training school. If a student |
1121 | commits any such act, the motor vehicle dealer training school |
1122 | may cancel the training certificate issued to the student and |
1123 | notify the department of the cancellation of the training |
1124 | certificate. |
1125 | Section 12. Subsection (4) of section 322.0261, Florida |
1126 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
1127 | 322.0261 Driver improvement course; requirement to |
1128 | maintain driving privileges; failure to complete; department |
1129 | approval of course.- |
1130 | (4) The department shall identify any operator convicted |
1131 | of, or who pleaded nolo contendere to, a violation of s. |
1132 | 316.074(1), s. 316.075(1)(c)1., s. 316.172, s. 316.191, or s. |
1133 | 316.192 and, unless the court has withheld adjudication, shall |
1134 | require that operator, in addition to other applicable |
1135 | penalties, to attend a department-approved driver improvement |
1136 | course in order to maintain driving privileges. The department |
1137 | shall, within 10 days after receiving a notice of judicial |
1138 | disposition, send notice to the operator of the requirement to |
1139 | attend a driver improvement course. If the operator fails to |
1140 | complete the course within 90 days after receiving notice from |
1141 | the department, the operator's driver license shall be canceled |
1142 | by the department until the course is successfully completed. |
1143 | Section 13. This act shall take effect July 1, 2010. |