559.901 – Short title.
559.901 Short title.—Sections 559.901-559.9221 shall be known and may be cited as the “Florida Motor Vehicle Repair Act.” History.—s. 1, ch. 80-139; s. 1, ch. 93-219.
559.902 – Scope and application.
559.902 Scope and application.—This act shall apply to all motor vehicle repair shops in Florida, except: (1) Any motor vehicle repair shop of a municipal, county, state, or federal government when carrying out the functions of the government. (2) Any person who engages solely in the repair of: (a) Motor vehicles that are owned, maintained, and operated exclusively by […]
559.903 – Definitions.
559.903 Definitions.—As used in this act: (1) “Customer” means the person who signs the written repair estimate or any other person whom the person who signs the written repair estimate designates on the written repair estimate as a person who may authorize repair work. (2) “Department” means the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. (3) “Employee” means an individual […]
559.904 – Motor vehicle repair shop registration; application; exemption.
559.904 Motor vehicle repair shop registration; application; exemption.— (1) Each motor vehicle repair shop engaged or attempting to engage in the business of motor vehicle repair work must register with the department prior to doing business in this state. The application for registration must be on a form provided by the department and must include at least […]
559.905 – Written motor vehicle repair estimate and disclosure statement required.
559.905 Written motor vehicle repair estimate and disclosure statement required.— (1) When any customer requests a motor vehicle repair shop to perform repair work on a motor vehicle, the cost of which repair work will exceed $100 to the customer, the shop shall prepare a written repair estimate, which is a form setting forth the estimated cost […]
559.907 – Charges for motor vehicle repair estimate; requirement of waiver of rights prohibited.
559.907 Charges for motor vehicle repair estimate; requirement of waiver of rights prohibited.— (1) No motor vehicle repair shop shall charge for making a repair price estimate unless, prior to making the price estimate, the shop: (a) Discloses to the customer the amount of the charge or, if the amount cannot be determined, the basis on which the […]
559.909 – Notification of charges in excess of repair estimate; unlawful charges; refusal to return vehicle prohibited; inspection of parts.
559.909 Notification of charges in excess of repair estimate; unlawful charges; refusal to return vehicle prohibited; inspection of parts.— (1) In the event that: (a) The written repair estimate contains only an estimate for diagnostic work necessary to estimate the cost of repair and such diagnostic work has been completed; (b) A determination is made by a motor vehicle […]
559.911 – Invoice required of motor vehicle repair shop.
559.911 Invoice required of motor vehicle repair shop.—The motor vehicle repair shop shall provide each customer, upon completion of any repair, with a legible copy of an invoice for such repair. The invoice may be provided on the same form as the written repair estimate and shall include the following information: (1) The current date and odometer […]
559.915 – Motor vehicle repair shop records.
559.915 Motor vehicle repair shop records.— (1) Each motor vehicle repair shop shall maintain repair records which shall include written repair estimates and repair invoices. A customer’s records shall be available to the customer for inspection and copying for a period of at least 12 months. A reasonable charge may be made for copying if copying facilities […]
559.916 – Required disclosure; signs; notice to customers.
559.916 Required disclosure; signs; notice to customers.— (1) The department shall prescribe, by rule, the specifications for a sign to be posted by all registered motor vehicle repair shops in a manner conspicuous to the public. The sign shall contain the toll-free telephone number of the department for consumer information and assistance and shall inform customers that […]
559.917 – Bond to release possessory lien claimed by motor vehicle repair shop.
559.917 Bond to release possessory lien claimed by motor vehicle repair shop.— (1)(a) A customer or a person of record claiming a lien against a motor vehicle may obtain the release of the motor vehicle from any lien claimed under part II of chapter 713 by a motor vehicle repair shop for repair work performed under a […]
559.919 – Enforcement of liens restricted.
559.919 Enforcement of liens restricted.—No motor vehicle repair shop may refuse to return a customer’s motor vehicle by virtue of any miscellaneous lien, nor may it enforce such a lien in any other fashion if it has failed to substantially comply with the provisions of this part. History.—s. 1, ch. 80-139; s. 10, ch. 93-219.
559.920 – Unlawful acts and practices.
559.920 Unlawful acts and practices.—It shall be a violation of this act for any motor vehicle repair shop or employee thereof to: (1) Engage or attempt to engage in repair work for compensation of any type without first being registered with or having submitted an affidavit of exemption to the department; (2) Make or charge for repairs which […]
559.921 – Remedies.
559.921 Remedies.— (1) Any customer injured by a violation of this part may bring an action in the appropriate court for relief. The prevailing party in that action may be entitled to damages plus court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees. The customer may also bring an action for injunctive relief in the circuit court. (2) The department shall […]
559.9215 – Deposit of fees and fines.
559.9215 Deposit of fees and fines.—Fees and fines collected under this part by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall be deposited in the General Inspection Trust Fund. Fines collected under this part by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles shall be deposited in the Motor Vehicle License Plate Replacement Trust Fund. History.—s. […]
559.92201 – Rulemaking power.
559.92201 Rulemaking power.—The department has the authority to adopt rules pursuant to chapter 120 to implement this part. History.—s. 29, ch. 97-250.
559.9221 – Motor Vehicle Repair Advisory Council.
559.9221 Motor Vehicle Repair Advisory Council.—The Motor Vehicle Repair Advisory Council is created to advise and assist the department in carrying out this part. (1) The membership of the council may not exceed nine members appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture. (a) Six industry members of the council must be chosen from individuals already engaged in the motor […]