News in 2015

During the 2015 legislative session, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) included language in CS/HB 7055 that increases fines for curbstoning from $100 to $500 per violation. The bill also allows the governing authority that authorizes the tow of a curbstoned vehicle to keep the fines collected. The bill has been enrolled, and after the governor’s signature will become effective October 1, 2015.

Curbstoning is when a vehicle is unlawfully displayed for sale, hire, or rent without the necessary licenses or permits. Curbstoners may sell cars on the side of the road, in business parking lots, or online. FIADA has made it a priority to combat curbstoning in efforts to prevent licensed dealers from having to compete with illegal curbstoners, and provides the following information on how to report vehicles illegally offered for sale in your area:

Individuals or businesses who would like to report a curbstoning violation should contact their DMV Regional Office via email and provide the following information:

• The specific location where vehicles were or are being offered for sale.
• Dates that the vehicles were or will be offered for sale.
• Contact information for the person filing the complaint.
• Any other data that may aid in the investigation, e.g. name and or telephone number displayed on the vehicle.

Upon receipt of the email complaint, the DMV Regional Office will assign a Compliance Examiner to investigate and take appropriate action if warranted.

Last year, Boynton Beach passed an anti- curbstoning ordinance that regulates the purchase and sale of vehicles from individuals other than a dealer. Any vehicle parked on public property with a “For Sale” sign in the window will be towed and the registered owner will be required to pay a fine to receive a release to remove the vehicle from the tow company’s impound lot. Additionally, Boynton Beach residents who sell more than three cars a year need a permit, a place of business and have to pay sales and property taxes. With the passage of CS/HB 7055, many more municipalities are expected to create similar ordinances.

You can find the email contact information for each DHSMV Regional Office on the FIADA website.