2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXIII - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 319 - Title Certificates › 319.30 - Definitions; Dismantling, Destruction, Change of Identity of Motor Vehicle or Mobile Home; Salvage.

319.30 Definitions; dismantling, destruction, change of identity of motor vehicle or mobile home; salvage.—
(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Certificate of destruction” means the certificate issued pursuant to s. 713.78(11) or s. 713.785(7)(a).
(b) “Certificate of registration number” means the certificate of registration number issued by the Department of Revenue of the State of Florida pursuant to s. 538.25.
(c) “Certificate of title” means a record that serves as evidence of ownership of a vehicle, whether such record is a paper certificate authorized by the department or by a motor vehicle department authorized to issue titles in another state or a certificate consisting of information stored in electronic form in the department’s database.
(d) “Derelict” means any material which is or may have been a motor vehicle or mobile home, which is not a major part or major component part, which is inoperable, and which is in such condition that its highest or primary value is in its sale or transfer as scrap metal.
(e) “Derelict motor vehicle” means:
1. Any motor vehicle as defined in s. 320.01(1) or mobile home as defined in s. 320.01(2), with or without all parts, major parts, or major component parts, which is valued under $1,000, is at least 10 model years old, beginning with the model year of the vehicle as year one, and is in such condition that its highest or primary value is for sale, transport, or delivery to a licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer or registered secondary metals recycler for dismantling its component parts or conversion to scrap metal; or
2. Any trailer as defined in s. 320.01(1), with or without all parts, major parts, or major component parts, which is valued under $5,000, is at least 10 model years old, beginning with the model year of the vehicle as year one, and is in such condition that its highest or primary value is for sale, transport, or delivery to a licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer or registered secondary metals recycler for conversion to scrap metal.
(f) “Derelict motor vehicle certificate” means a certificate issued by the department which serves as evidence that a derelict motor vehicle will be dismantled or converted to scrap metal. This certificate may be obtained by completing a derelict motor vehicle certificate application authorized by the department. A derelict motor vehicle certificate may be reassigned only one time if the derelict motor vehicle certificate was completed by a licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer and the derelict motor vehicle was sold to another licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer or a secondary metals recycler.
(g) “Independent entity” means a business or entity that may temporarily store damaged or dismantled motor vehicles pursuant to an agreement with an insurance company and is engaged in the sale or resale of damaged or dismantled motor vehicles. The term does not include a wrecker operator, a towing company, or a repair facility.
(h) “Junk” means any material which is or may have been a motor vehicle or mobile home, with or without all component parts, which is inoperable and which material is in such condition that its highest or primary value is either in its sale or transfer as scrap metal or for its component parts, or a combination of the two, except when sold or delivered to or when purchased, possessed, or received by a secondary metals recycler or salvage motor vehicle dealer.
(i) “Late model vehicle” means a motor vehicle that has a manufacturer’s model year of 7 years or newer.
(j) “Major component parts” means:
1. For motor vehicles other than motorcycles, any fender, hood, bumper, cowl assembly, rear quarter panel, trunk lid, door, decklid, floor pan, engine, frame, transmission, catalytic converter, or airbag.
2. For trucks, in addition to those parts listed in subparagraph 1., any truck bed, including dump, wrecker, crane, mixer, cargo box, or any bed which mounts to a truck frame.
3. For motorcycles, the body assembly, frame, fenders, gas tanks, engine, cylinder block, heads, engine case, crank case, transmission, drive train, front fork assembly, and wheels.
4. For mobile homes, the frame.
(k) “Major part” means the front-end assembly, cowl assembly, or rear body section.
(l) “Materials” means motor vehicles, derelicts, and major parts that are not prepared materials.
(m) “Mobile home” means mobile home as defined in s. 320.01(2).
(n) “Motor vehicle” means motor vehicle as defined in s. 320.01(1).
(o) “National Motor Vehicle Title Information System” means the national mandated vehicle history database maintained by the United States Department of Justice to link the states’ motor vehicle title records, including Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ title records, and ensure that states, law enforcement agencies, and consumers have access to vehicle titling, branding, and other information that enables them to verify the accuracy and legality of a motor vehicle title before purchase or title transfer of the vehicle occurs.
(p) “Parts” means parts of motor vehicles or combinations thereof that do not constitute materials or prepared materials.
(q) “Prepared materials” means motor vehicles, mobile homes, derelict motor vehicles, major parts, or parts that have been processed by mechanically flattening or crushing, or otherwise processed such that they are not the motor vehicle or mobile home described in the certificate of title, or their only value is as scrap metal.
(r) “Processing” means the business of performing the manufacturing process by which ferrous metals or nonferrous metals are converted into raw material products consisting of prepared grades and having an existing or potential economic value, or the purchase of materials, prepared materials, or parts therefor.
(s) “Recreational vehicle” means a motor vehicle as defined in s. 320.01(1).
(t) “Salvage” means a motor vehicle or mobile home which is a total loss as defined in paragraph (3)(a).
(u) “Salvage certificate of title” means a salvage certificate of title issued by the department or by another motor vehicle department authorized to issue titles in another state.
(v) “Salvage motor vehicle dealer” means salvage motor vehicle dealer as defined in s. 320.27(1)(c)5.
(w) “Secondary metals recycler” means secondary metals recycler as defined in s. 538.18.
(x) “Seller” means the owner of record or a person who has physical possession and responsibility for a derelict motor vehicle and attests that possession of the vehicle was obtained through lawful means along with all ownership rights. A seller does not include a towing company, repair shop, or landlord unless the towing company, repair shop, or landlord has obtained title, salvage title, or a certificate of destruction in the name of the towing company, repair shop, or landlord.
(2)(a) Each person mentioned as owner in the last issued certificate of title, when such motor vehicle or mobile home is dismantled, destroyed, or changed in such manner that it is not the motor vehicle or mobile home described in the certificate of title, shall surrender his or her certificate of title to the department, and thereupon the department shall, with the consent of any lienholders noted thereon, enter a cancellation upon its records. Upon cancellation of a certificate of title in the manner prescribed by this section, the department may cancel and destroy all certificates in that chain of title. Any person who knowingly violates this paragraph commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(b)1. When a motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, or mobile home is sold, transported, delivered to, or received by a salvage motor vehicle dealer, the purchaser shall make the required notification to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System and it shall be accompanied by:
a. A valid certificate of title issued in the name of the seller or properly endorsed, as required in s. 319.22, over to the seller;
b. A valid salvage certificate of title issued in the name of the seller or properly endorsed, as required in s. 319.22, over to the seller; or
c. A valid certificate of destruction issued in the name of the seller or properly endorsed over to the seller.
2. Any person who knowingly violates this paragraph by selling, transporting, delivering, purchasing, or receiving a motor vehicle, recreational vehicle, or mobile home without obtaining a properly endorsed certificate of title, salvage certificate of title, or certificate of destruction from the owner or does not make the required notification to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(c)1. When a derelict motor vehicle is sold, transported, or delivered to a licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer, the purchaser shall make the required notification of the derelict motor vehicle to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System and record the date of purchase and the name, address, and valid Florida driver license number or valid Florida identification card number, or a valid driver license number or identification card number issued by another state, of the person selling the derelict motor vehicle, and it shall be accompanied by:
a. A valid certificate of title issued in the name of the seller or properly endorsed over to the seller;
b. A valid salvage certificate of title issued in the name of the seller or properly endorsed over to the seller; or
c. A valid certificate of destruction issued in the name of the seller or properly endorsed over to the seller.
2. If a valid certificate of title, salvage certificate of title, or certificate of destruction is not available, a derelict motor vehicle certificate application shall be completed by the seller or owner of the motor vehicle or mobile home, the seller’s or owner’s authorized transporter, and the licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer at the time of sale, transport, or delivery to the licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer. The derelict motor vehicle certificate application shall be used by the seller or owner, the seller’s or owner’s authorized transporter, and the licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer to obtain a derelict motor vehicle certificate from the department. The derelict motor vehicle certificate application must be accompanied by a legible copy of the seller’s or owner’s valid Florida driver license or Florida identification card, or a valid driver license or identification card issued by another state. If the seller is not the owner of record of the vehicle being sold, the dealer shall, at the time of sale, ensure that a smudge-free right thumbprint, or other digit if the seller has no right thumb, of the seller is imprinted upon the derelict motor vehicle certificate application and that a legible copy of the seller’s driver license or identification card is affixed to the application and transmitted to the department. The licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer shall make the required notification of the derelict motor vehicle to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System and secure the derelict motor vehicle for 3 full business days, excluding weekends and holidays, if there is no active lien or a lien of 3 years or more on the department’s records before destroying or dismantling the derelict motor vehicle and shall follow all reporting procedures established by the department, including electronic notification to the department or delivery of the original derelict motor vehicle certificate application to an agent of the department within 24 hours after receiving the derelict motor vehicle. If there is an active lien of less than 3 years on the derelict motor vehicle, the licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer shall secure the derelict motor vehicle for 10 days. The department shall notify the lienholder that a derelict motor vehicle certificate has been issued and shall notify the lienholder of its intention to remove the lien. Ten days after receipt of the motor vehicle derelict certificate application, the department may remove the lien from its records if a written statement protesting removal of the lien is not received by the department from the lienholder within the 10-day period. However, if the lienholder files with the department and the licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer within the 10-day period a written statement that the lien is still outstanding, the department shall not remove the lien and shall place an administrative hold on the record for 30 days to allow the lienholder to apply for title to the vehicle or a repossession certificate under s. 319.28. The licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer must secure the derelict motor vehicle until the department’s administrative stop is removed, the lienholder submits a lien satisfaction, or the lienholder takes possession of the vehicle.
3. Any person who knowingly violates this paragraph by selling, transporting, delivering, purchasing, or receiving a derelict motor vehicle without obtaining a certificate of title, salvage certificate of title, certificate of destruction, or derelict motor vehicle certificate application; enters false or fictitious information on a derelict motor vehicle certificate application; does not complete the derelict motor vehicle certificate application as required; does not obtain a legible copy of the seller’s or owner’s valid driver license or identification card when required; does not make the required notification to the department; does not make the required notification to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System; or destroys or dismantles a derelict motor vehicle without waiting the required time as set forth in subparagraph 2. commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(3)(a)1. As used in this section, a motor vehicle or mobile home is a “total loss”:
a. When an insurance company pays the vehicle owner to replace the wrecked or damaged vehicle with one of like kind and quality or when an insurance company pays the owner upon the theft of the motor vehicle or mobile home; or
b. When an uninsured motor vehicle or mobile home is wrecked or damaged and the cost, at the time of loss, of repairing or rebuilding the vehicle is 80 percent or more of the cost to the owner of replacing the wrecked or damaged motor vehicle or mobile home with one of like kind and quality.
2. A motor vehicle or mobile home shall not be considered a “total loss” if the insurance company and owner of a motor vehicle or mobile home agree to repair, rather than to replace, the motor vehicle or mobile home. However, if the actual cost to repair the motor vehicle or mobile home to the insurance company exceeds 100 percent of the cost of replacing the wrecked or damaged motor vehicle or mobile home with one of like kind and quality, the owner shall forward to the department, within 72 hours after the agreement, a request to brand the certificate of title with the words “Total Loss Vehicle.” Such a brand shall become a part of the vehicle’s title history.
(b) The owner, including persons who are self-insured, of a motor vehicle or mobile home that is considered to be salvage shall, within 72 hours after the motor vehicle or mobile home becomes salvage, forward the title to the motor vehicle or mobile home to the department for processing. However, an insurance company that pays money as compensation for the total loss of a motor vehicle or mobile home shall obtain the certificate of title for the motor vehicle or mobile home, make the required notification to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, and, within 72 hours after receiving such certificate of title, forward such title by the United States Postal Service, by another commercial delivery service, or by electronic means, when such means are made available by the department, to the department for processing. The owner or insurance company, as applicable, may not dispose of a vehicle or mobile home that is a total loss before it obtains a salvage certificate of title or certificate of destruction from the department. Effective January 1, 2020:
1. Thirty days after payment of a claim for compensation pursuant to this paragraph, the insurance company may receive a salvage certificate of title or certificate of destruction from the department if the insurance company is unable to obtain a properly assigned certificate of title from the owner or lienholder of the motor vehicle or mobile home, if the motor vehicle or mobile home does not carry an electronic lien on the title and the insurance company:
a. Has obtained the release of all liens on the motor vehicle or mobile home;
b. Has attested on a form provided by the department that payment of the total loss claim has been distributed; and
c. Has attested on a form provided by the department and signed by the insurance company or its authorized agent stating the attempts that have been made to obtain the title from the owner or lienholder and further stating that all attempts are to no avail. The form must include a request that the salvage certificate of title or certificate of destruction be issued in the insurance company’s name due to payment of a total loss claim to the owner or lienholder. The attempts to contact the owner may be by written request delivered in person or by first-class mail with a certificate of mailing to the owner’s or lienholder’s last known address.
2. If the owner or lienholder is notified of the request for title in person, the insurance company must provide an affidavit attesting to the in-person request for a certificate of title.
3. The request to the owner or lienholder for the certificate of title must include a complete description of the motor vehicle or mobile home and the statement that a total loss claim has been paid on the motor vehicle or mobile home.
(c) When applying for a salvage certificate of title or certificate of destruction, the owner or insurance company must provide the department with an estimate of the costs of repairing the physical and mechanical damage suffered by the vehicle for which a salvage certificate of title or certificate of destruction is sought. If the estimated costs of repairing the physical and mechanical damage to the mobile home are equal to 80 percent or more of the current retail cost of the mobile home, as established in any official used mobile home guide, the department shall declare the mobile home unrebuildable and print a certificate of destruction, which authorizes the dismantling or destruction of the mobile home. For a late model vehicle with a current retail cost of at least $7,500 just prior to sustaining the damage that resulted in the total loss, as established in any official used car guide or valuation service, if the owner or insurance company determines that the estimated costs of repairing the physical and mechanical damage to the vehicle are equal to 90 percent or more of the current retail cost of the vehicle, as established in any official used motor vehicle guide or valuation service, the department shall declare the vehicle unrebuildable and print a certificate of destruction, which authorizes the dismantling or destruction of the motor vehicle. However, if the damaged motor vehicle is equipped with custom-lowered floors for wheelchair access or a wheelchair lift, the insurance company may, upon determining that the vehicle is repairable to a condition that is safe for operation on public roads, submit the certificate of title to the department for reissuance as a salvage rebuildable title and the addition of a title brand of “insurance-declared total loss.” The certificate of destruction shall be reassignable a maximum of two times before dismantling or destruction of the vehicle is required, and shall accompany the motor vehicle or mobile home for which it is issued, when such motor vehicle or mobile home is sold for such purposes, in lieu of a certificate of title. The department may not issue a certificate of title for that vehicle. This subsection is not applicable if a mobile home is worth less than $1,500 retail just prior to sustaining the damage that resulted in the total loss in any official used mobile home guide or when a stolen motor vehicle or mobile home is recovered in substantially intact condition and is readily resalable without extensive repairs to or replacement of the frame or engine. If a motor vehicle has a current retail cost of less than $7,500 just prior to sustaining the damage that resulted in the total loss, as established in any official used motor vehicle guide or valuation service, or if the vehicle is not a late model vehicle, the owner or insurance company that pays money as compensation for the total loss of the motor vehicle shall obtain a certificate of destruction, if the motor vehicle is damaged, wrecked, or burned to the extent that the only residual value of the motor vehicle is as a source of parts or scrap metal, or if the motor vehicle comes into this state under a title or other ownership document that indicates that the motor vehicle is not repairable, is junked, or is for parts or dismantling only. A person who knowingly violates this paragraph or falsifies documentation to avoid the requirements of this paragraph commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(d) An electronic signature that is consistent with chapter 668 satisfies any signature required under this subsection, except that an electronic signature on an odometer disclosure submitted through an insurance company must be executed using an electronic signature, as defined in s. 668.003(4), which uses a system providing an Identity Assurance Level, Authenticator Assurance Level, and Federation Assurance Level, as described in the National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-63-3, as of December 1, 2017, which are equivalent to or greater than Level 2, for each level, for a certificate of destruction or for a salvage certificate of title.
(4) It is unlawful for any person to have in his or her possession any motor vehicle or mobile home when the manufacturer’s or state-assigned identification number plate or serial plate has been removed therefrom.
(a) Nothing in this subsection shall be applicable when a vehicle defined in this section as a derelict or salvage was purchased or acquired from a foreign state requiring such vehicle’s identification number plate to be surrendered to such state, provided the person shall have an affidavit from the seller describing the vehicle by manufacturer’s serial number and the state to which such vehicle’s identification number plate was surrendered.
(b) Nothing in this subsection shall be applicable if a certificate of destruction has been obtained for the vehicle.
(5)(a) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly possess, sell, or exchange, offer to sell or exchange, or give away any certificate of title or manufacturer’s or state-assigned identification number plate or serial plate of any motor vehicle, mobile home, or derelict that has been sold as salvage contrary to the provisions of this section, and it is unlawful for any person to authorize, direct, aid in, or consent to the possession, sale, or exchange or to offer to sell, exchange, or give away such certificate of title or manufacturer’s or state-assigned identification number plate or serial plate.
(b) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly possess, sell, or exchange, offer to sell or exchange, or give away any manufacturer’s or state-assigned identification number plate or serial plate of any motor vehicle or mobile home that has been removed from the motor vehicle or mobile home for which it was manufactured, and it is unlawful for any person to authorize, direct, aid in, or consent to the possession, sale, or exchange or to offer to sell, exchange, or give away such manufacturer’s or state-assigned identification number plate or serial plate.
(c) This chapter does not apply to anyone who removes, possesses, or replaces a manufacturer’s or state-assigned identification number plate, in the course of performing repairs on a vehicle, that require such removal or replacement. If the repair requires replacement of a vehicle part that contains the manufacturer’s or state-assigned identification number plate, the manufacturer’s or state-assigned identification number plate that is assigned to the vehicle being repaired will be installed on the replacement part. The manufacturer’s or state-assigned identification number plate that was removed from this replacement part will be installed on the part that was removed from the vehicle being repaired.
(6)(a) In the event of a purchase by a salvage motor vehicle dealer of materials or major component parts for any reason, the purchaser shall:
1. For each item of materials or major component parts purchased, the salvage motor vehicle dealer shall record the date of purchase and the name, address, and personal identification card number of the person selling such items, as well as the vehicle identification number, if available.
2. With respect to each item of materials or major component parts purchased, obtain such documentation as may be required by subsection (2).
(b) Any person who violates this subsection commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(7)(a) In the event of a purchase by a secondary metals recycler, that has been issued a certificate of registration number, of:
1. Materials, prepared materials, or parts from any seller for purposes other than the processing of such materials, prepared materials, or parts, the purchaser shall obtain such documentation as may be required by this section and shall record the seller’s name and address, date of purchase, and the personal identification card number of the person delivering such items.
2. Parts or prepared materials from any seller for purposes of the processing of such parts or prepared materials, the purchaser shall record the seller’s name and address and date of purchase and, in the event of a purchase transaction consisting primarily of parts or prepared materials, the personal identification card number of the person delivering such items.
3. Materials from another secondary metals recycler for purposes of the processing of such materials, the purchaser shall record the seller’s name and address and date of purchase.
4.a. Motor vehicles, recreational vehicles, mobile homes, or derelict motor vehicles from other than a secondary metals recycler for purposes of the processing of such motor vehicles, recreational vehicles, mobile homes, or derelict motor vehicles, the purchaser shall make the required notification to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System and record the date of purchase and the name, address, and personal identification card number of the person selling such items and shall obtain the following documentation from the seller with respect to each item purchased:
(I) A valid certificate of title issued in the name of the seller or properly endorsed, as required in s. 319.22, over to the seller;
(II) A valid salvage certificate of title issued in the name of the seller or properly endorsed, as required in s. 319.22, over to the seller;
(III) A valid certificate of destruction issued in the name of the seller or properly endorsed over to the seller; or
(IV) A valid derelict motor vehicle certificate obtained from the department by a licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer and properly reassigned to the secondary metals recycler.
b. If a valid certificate of title, salvage certificate of title, certificate of destruction, or derelict motor vehicle certificate is not available and the motor vehicle or mobile home is a derelict motor vehicle, a derelict motor vehicle certificate application shall be completed by the seller or owner of the motor vehicle or mobile home, the seller’s or owner’s authorized transporter, and the registered secondary metals recycler at the time of sale, transport, or delivery to the registered secondary metals recycler to obtain a derelict motor vehicle certificate from the department. The derelict motor vehicle certificate application must be accompanied by a legible copy of the seller’s or owner’s valid Florida driver license or Florida identification card, or a valid driver license or identification card from another state. If the seller is not the owner of record of the vehicle being sold, the recycler shall, at the time of sale, ensure that a smudge-free right thumbprint, or other digit if the seller has no right thumb, of the seller is imprinted upon the derelict motor vehicle certificate application and that the legible copy of the seller’s driver license or identification card is affixed to the application and transmitted to the department. The derelict motor vehicle certificate shall be used by the owner, the owner’s authorized transporter, and the registered secondary metals recycler. The registered secondary metals recycler shall make the required notification of the derelict motor vehicle to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System and shall secure the derelict motor vehicle for 3 full business days, excluding weekends and holidays, if there is no active lien or a lien of 3 years or more on the department’s records before destroying or dismantling the derelict motor vehicle and shall follow all reporting procedures established by the department, including electronic notification to the department or delivery of the original derelict motor vehicle certificate application to an agent of the department within 24 hours after receiving the derelict motor vehicle. If there is an active lien of less than 3 years on the derelict motor vehicle, the registered secondary metals recycler shall secure the derelict motor vehicle for 10 days. The department shall notify the lienholder of the application for a derelict motor vehicle certificate and shall notify the lienholder of its intention to remove the lien. Ten days after receipt of the motor vehicle derelict application, the department may remove the lien from its records if a written statement protesting removal of the lien is not received by the department from the lienholder within the 10-day period. However, if the lienholder files with the department and the registered secondary metals recycler within the 10-day period a written statement that the lien is still outstanding, the department shall not remove the lien and shall place an administrative hold on the record for 30 days to allow the lienholder to apply for title to the vehicle or a repossession certificate under s. 319.28. The registered secondary metals recycler must secure the derelict motor vehicle until the department’s administrative stop is removed, the lienholder submits a lien satisfaction, or the lienholder takes possession of the vehicle.
c. Any person who knowingly violates this subparagraph by selling, transporting, delivering, purchasing, or receiving a motor vehicle, recreational motor vehicle, mobile home, or derelict motor vehicle without obtaining a certificate of title, salvage certificate of title, certificate of destruction, or derelict motor vehicle certificate; enters false or fictitious information on a derelict motor vehicle certificate application; does not complete the derelict motor vehicle certificate application as required or does not make the required notification to the department; does not make the required notification to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System; does not obtain a legible copy of the seller’s or owner’s driver license or identification card when required; or destroys or dismantles a derelict motor vehicle without waiting the required time as set forth in sub-subparagraph b. commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
5. Major parts from other than a secondary metals recycler for purposes of the processing of such major parts, the purchaser shall record the seller’s name, address, date of purchase, and the personal identification card number of the person delivering such items, as well as the vehicle identification number, if available, of each major part purchased.
(b) Any person who violates this subsection commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(8)(a) Secondary metals recyclers and salvage motor vehicle dealers shall return to the department on a monthly basis all certificates of title and salvage certificates of title that are required by this section to be obtained. Secondary metals recyclers and salvage motor vehicle dealers may elect to notify the department electronically through procedures established by the department when they receive each motor vehicle or mobile home, salvage motor vehicle or mobile home, or derelict motor vehicle with a certificate of title or salvage certificate of title through procedures established by the department.
(b) Secondary metals recyclers and salvage motor vehicle dealers shall keep originals, or a copy in the event the original was returned to the department, of all certificates of title, salvage certificates of title, certificates of destruction, derelict motor vehicle certificates, and all other information required by this section to be recorded or obtained, on file in the offices of such secondary metals recyclers or salvage motor vehicle dealers for a period of 3 years after the date of purchase of the items reflected in such certificates of title, salvage certificates of title, certificates of destruction, or derelict motor vehicle certificates. These records shall be maintained in chronological order.
(c) For the purpose of enforcement of this section, the department or its agents and employees have the same right of inspection as law enforcement officers as provided in s. 812.055.
(d) Whenever the department, its agent or employee, or any law enforcement officer has reason to believe that a stolen or fraudulently titled motor vehicle, mobile home, recreational vehicle, salvage motor vehicle, or derelict motor vehicle is in the possession of a salvage motor vehicle dealer or secondary metals recycler, the department, its agent or employee, or the law enforcement officer may issue an extended hold notice, not to exceed 5 additional business days, excluding weekends and holidays, to the salvage motor vehicle dealer or registered secondary metals recycler.
(e) Whenever a salvage motor vehicle dealer or registered secondary metals recycler is notified by the department, its agent or employee, or any law enforcement officer to hold a motor vehicle, mobile home, recreational vehicle, salvage motor vehicle, or derelict motor vehicle that is believed to be stolen or fraudulently titled, the salvage motor vehicle dealer or registered secondary metals recycler shall hold the motor vehicle, mobile home, recreational vehicle, salvage motor vehicle, or derelict motor vehicle and may not dismantle or destroy the motor vehicle, mobile home, recreational vehicle, salvage motor vehicle, or derelict motor vehicle until it is recovered by a law enforcement officer, the hold is released by the department or the law enforcement officer placing the hold, or the 5 additional business days have passed since being notified of the hold.
(f) This section does not authorize any person who is engaged in the business of recovering, towing, or storing vehicles pursuant to s. 713.78, and who is claiming a lien for performing labor or services on a motor vehicle or mobile home pursuant to s. 713.58, or is claiming that a motor vehicle or mobile home has remained on any premises after tenancy has terminated pursuant to s. 715.104, to use a derelict motor vehicle certificate application for the purpose of transporting, selling, disposing of, or delivering a motor vehicle to a salvage motor vehicle dealer or secondary metals recycler without obtaining the title or certificate of destruction required under s. 713.58, s. 713.78, or s. 715.104.
(g) The department shall accept all properly endorsed and completed derelict motor vehicle certificate applications and shall issue a derelict motor vehicle certificate having an effective date that authorizes when a derelict motor vehicle is eligible for dismantling or destruction. The electronic information obtained from the derelict motor vehicle certificate application shall be stored electronically and shall be made available to authorized persons after issuance of the derelict motor vehicle certificate in the Florida Real Time Vehicle Information System.
(h) The department is authorized to adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 establishing policies and procedures to administer and enforce this section.
(i) The department shall charge a fee of $3 for each derelict motor vehicle certificate delivered to the department or one of its agents for processing and shall mark the title record canceled. A service charge may be collected under s. 320.04.
(j) The licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer or registered secondary metals recycler shall make all payments for the purchase of any derelict motor vehicle that is sold by a seller who is not the owner of record on file with the department by check or money order made payable to the seller and may not make payment to the authorized transporter. The licensed salvage motor vehicle dealer or registered secondary metals recycler may not cash the check that such dealer or recycler issued to the seller.
(9)(a) An insurance company may notify an independent entity that obtains possession of a damaged or dismantled motor vehicle to release the vehicle to the owner. The insurance company shall provide the independent entity a release statement on a form prescribed by the department authorizing the independent entity to release the vehicle to the owner or lienholder. The form must, at a minimum, contain the following:
1. The policy and claim number.
2. The name and address of the insured.
3. The vehicle identification number.
4. The signature of an authorized representative of the insurance company.
(b) The independent entity in possession of a motor vehicle must send a notice to the owner that the vehicle is available for pickup when it receives a release statement from the insurance company. The notice shall be sent by certified mail or by another commercially available delivery service that provides proof of delivery to the owner at the owner’s address contained in the department’s records. The notice must state that the owner has 30 days after delivery of the notice to the owner at the owner’s address to pick up the vehicle from the independent entity. If the motor vehicle is not claimed within 30 days after the delivery or attempted delivery of the notice, the independent entity may apply for a certificate of destruction or a certificate of title.
(c) If the department’s records do not contain the owner’s address, the independent entity must do all of the following:
1. Send a notice that meets the requirements of paragraph (b) to the owner’s address that is provided by the insurance company in the release statement.
2. Identify the latest titling jurisdiction of the vehicle through use of the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System or an equivalent commercially available system and attempt to obtain the owner’s address from that jurisdiction. If the jurisdiction returns an address that is different from the owner’s address provided by the insurance company, the independent entity must send a notice that meets the requirements of paragraph (b) to both addresses.
(d) The independent entity shall maintain for a minimum of 3 years the records related to the 30-day notice sent to the owner, the results of searches of the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System or an equivalent commercially available system, and the notification to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System made pursuant to paragraph (e).
(e) The independent entity shall make the required notification to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System before releasing any damaged or dismantled motor vehicle to the owner or before applying for a certificate of destruction or salvage certificate of title.
(f) Upon applying for a certificate of destruction or salvage certificate of title, the independent entity shall provide a copy of the release statement from the insurance company to the independent entity, proof of providing the 30-day notice to the owner, proof of notification to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, proof of all lien satisfactions or proof of a release of all liens on the motor vehicle, and applicable fees. If the independent entity is unable to obtain a lien satisfaction or a release of all liens on the motor vehicle, the independent entity must provide an affidavit stating that notice was sent to all lienholders that the motor vehicle is available for pickup, 30 days have passed since the notice was delivered or attempted to be delivered pursuant to this section, attempts have been made to obtain a release from all lienholders, and all such attempts have been to no avail. The notice to lienholders and attempts to obtain a release from lienholders may be by written request delivered in person or by certified mail or another commercially available delivery service that provides proof of delivery to the lienholder at the lienholder’s address as provided on the certificate of title and to the address designated with the Department of State pursuant to s. 655.0201(2) if such address is different.
(g) The independent entity may not charge an owner of the vehicle storage fees or apply for a title under s. 713.585 or s. 713.78.
(10) Except as otherwise provided in this section, any person who violates this section commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
History.—s. 11, ch. 23658, 1947; s. 9, ch. 25150, 1949; s. 1, ch. 59-341; s. 6, ch. 65-190; ss. 24, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 69-373; s. 189, ch. 71-136; s. 1, ch. 72-94; s. 3, ch. 78-412; s. 2, ch. 79-32; s. 1, ch. 79-56; s. 197, ch. 81-259; s. 15, ch. 82-134; s. 11, ch. 83-218; s. 5, ch. 88-130; s. 17, ch. 89-333; s. 25, ch. 90-119; s. 3, ch. 90-270; s. 4, ch. 90-283; s. 2, ch. 91-66; s. 25, ch. 95-143; s. 346, ch. 95-148; s. 12, ch. 98-324; ss. 13, 14, ch. 99-248; s. 24, ch. 2000-313; s. 127, ch. 2002-20; s. 10, ch. 2002-235; s. 1, ch. 2005-137; s. 13, ch. 2005-164; s. 1, ch. 2008-170; s. 9, ch. 2010-198; s. 15, ch. 2010-223; s. 17, ch. 2011-4; s. 4, ch. 2012-179; s. 25, ch. 2012-181; s. 25, ch. 2013-160; s. 57, ch. 2014-17; s. 1, ch. 2014-21; s. 3, ch. 2014-181; s. 15, ch. 2016-239; s. 5, ch. 2019-92; s. 2, ch. 2019-108; s. 1, ch. 2020-63; s. 5, ch. 2021-188.