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 the following information:

(a) The name of the applicant.

(b) The name under which the applicant is doing business.

(c) The business address at which the applicant performs repair work or in the case of a mobile motor vehicle repair shop, the home address of the owner, if different from the business address.

(d) Number of employees who perform repairs at each location or whom the applicant intends to employ.

(2) Any motor vehicle repair shop maintaining more than one place of business may file a single application biennially, which, along with the other information required by this part, clearly indicates the location of and the individual in charge of each facility or in the case of a mobile motor vehicle repair shop, the home address of the owner, if different from the business address. In such case, fees shall be paid for each place of business.

(3)(a) Each application for registration must be accompanied by a registration fee for each location calculated on a per-year basis as follows:

1. If the place of business has 1 to 5 employees who perform repairs: $50.

2. If the place of business has 6 to 10 employees who perform repairs: $150.

3. If the place of business has 11 or more employees who perform repairs: $300.

(b) The department shall waive the initial registration fee for an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces, the spouse or surviving spouse of such a veteran, a current member of the United States Armed Forces who has served on active duty, the spouse of such a member, the surviving spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces if the member died while serving on active duty, or a business entity that has a majority ownership held by such a veteran or spouse or surviving spouse if the department receives an application, in a format prescribed by the department. The application format must include the applicant’s signature, under penalty of perjury, and supporting documentation. To qualify for the waiver:

1. A veteran must provide to the department a copy of his or her DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs;

2. The spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran must provide to the department a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and a copy of a valid marriage license or certificate verifying that he or she was lawfully married to the veteran at the time of discharge; or

3. A business entity must provide to the department proof that a veteran or the spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran holds a majority ownership in the business, a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of Defense or another acceptable form of identification as specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and, if applicable, a copy of a valid marriage license or certificate verifying that the spouse or surviving spouse of the veteran was lawfully married to the veteran at the time of discharge.

(c) The department shall waive registration renewal fees for a registrant who:

1. Is an active duty member of the United States Armed Forces or the spouse of such member;

2. Is or was a member of the United States Armed Forces and served on active duty within the 2 years preceding the renewal date. To qualify for the fee waiver under this subparagraph, a registrant who is a former member of the United States Armed Forces who served on active duty within the 2 years preceding the biennial renewal date must have received an honorable discharge upon separation or discharge from the United States Armed Forces; or

3. Is the surviving spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces if the member was serving on active duty at the time of death and died within the 2 years preceding the renewal.

A registrant seeking such waiver must apply in a format prescribed by the department, including the applicant’s signature, under penalty of perjury, and supporting documentation.

(4) Each initial application for registration must be accompanied by copies of the applicant’s estimate and invoice forms. Each renewal application for registration must be accompanied by copies of the applicant’s estimate and invoice forms only if the original forms filed by the applicant are changed, altered, or revised. Such forms must comply with the applicable provisions of this act before a registration may be issued.

(5) No biennial registration fee is required for any motor vehicle repair shop which has a local municipal or county license issued pursuant to an ordinance containing standards which the department determines are at least equal to the requirements of this part, or for any motor vehicle dealer licensed pursuant to chapter 320.

(6) The department shall issue to each applicant a registration certificate in the form and size as prescribed by the department in accordance with s. 120.60. In the case of an applicant with more than one place of business, the department shall issue a registration certificate for each place of business. The certificate must show at least the name and address of the motor vehicle repair shop and the registration number for that place of business. In the case of a mobile motor vehicle repair shop, the certificate must show the home address of the owner, if different from the business address.

(7) Any person applying for or renewing a local business tax receipt to engage in business as a motor vehicle repair shop must exhibit an active registration certificate from the department before the local business tax receipt may be issued or renewed.

(8) Each registration must be renewed biennially on or before the expiration date of the current registration. A late fee of $25 shall be paid, in addition to the registration fee or any other penalty, for any registration renewal application that is received by the department after the expiration date of the current registration. The department may not issue the registration until all fees are paid.

(9) No registration application or fee is required for an individual with no employees and no established place of business. In the case of a mobile motor vehicle repair shop, the established place of business shall be considered the home address of the owner, if different than the business address.

(10) The department may deny, revoke, or refuse to renew the registration of a motor vehicle repair shop based upon a determination that the motor vehicle repair shop, or any of its directors, officers, owners, or general partners:

(a) Have failed to meet the requirements for registration as provided in this part;

(b) Have not satisfied a civil fine, administrative fine, or other penalty arising out of any administrative or enforcement action brought by any governmental agency based upon conduct involving fraud, dishonest dealing, or any violation of this part;

(c) Have had against them any civil, criminal, or administrative adjudication in any jurisdiction, based upon conduct involving fraud, dishonest dealing, or any violation of this part; or

(d) Have had a judgment entered against them in any action brought by the department or the state attorney pursuant to ss. 501.201-501.213 or this part.

(11) The department shall post a prominent “Closed by Order of the Department” sign on any motor vehicle repair shop that has had its registration suspended or revoked. The department shall also post a sign on any motor vehicle repair shop that has been judicially or administratively determined to be operating without a registration. It is a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, for any person to deface such sign or remove such sign without written authorization by the department or for any motor vehicle repair shop to open for operation without a registration or to open for operation as a motor vehicle repair shop while its registration is suspended or revoked. The department may impose administrative sanctions provided for in s. 559.921(4) for violations of this subsection.